As the journey went on Bilbo kept his distance to Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain. It was all too clear to Bilbo that Thorin wasn't very fond of him. He kept himself close to Gandalf who continued to explain things to Bilbo and encourage him.

"Home is behind" he said "the world is ahead" and Bilbo felt excitement about their adventure.

Which turned into a dull thing with rain, that Gandalf didn't stop, beds on a hard ground, foods without proper seasoning, cold, wind, and wasteland full of disconcerting sounds and voices.

Bilbo continued to talk just to hear his own voice and got different stories from dwarves that surrounded him. Soon he could tell them apart and to know a bit about every one of them.

Gloin had a wife. He was brother with Oin with whom was hard to talk to because of his hearing. Bombur cooked, which wasn't surprising. Kili was young and enthusiastic about their trip, world and a wizard. Fili was proud of his weapons and fighting skills which he showed off daily on the end of their day. Bofur continued to show his strange sense of humour. Bifur talked and everyone except Bilbo understood. Dwalin kept himself quiet sharpening his axe, Bilbo didn't go near him; his silence was full of disapproval. Balin was most talkative of them all and was ready to explain and comfort, Bilbo liked him the most. Ori, Nori and Dori kept for themselves but Dori was proud of his keen sense of style, others found him to be a dandy, Nori was cross because he had lost a wager because of Bilbo's appearance, Ori was simply shy spending his time writing on scrolls. Bilbo sometimes watched him write wishing he brought with him his paper and pen.

Of Thorin he knew nothing; that is until Balin told his tale, the tale of the loss of his father and grandfather, and of gaining his name. It was quite some story. Bilbo could understand after that why he was so distant and cold, the loss ached him. Bilbo kept his distance but he couldn't help but watch him closely.

It seemed everyone kept an eye on him, to see what he will order, where he will sit. That was understood now, he was a prince, king even, and even in his exile sitting in the mud he kept his kingly posture. But that was not what Bilbo saw.

Bilbo saw his solitude. Maybe because Bilbo himself was alone in this world, he could see the bubble of loneliness that enveloped him. Other dwarves all sat and slept in little groups. Groups of brothers and cousins, as he discovered their relations, but Thorin sat alone. Even when they talked to him and surrounded him there was always a gap of air between him and them. They all gathered talked funny stories, clapped their backs, banged their heads, and leaned on each other. Thorin stood alone tall as a tower, seeming like he needs no support from anyone.

As he spoke to Gandalf, each holding their hands in front of them Bilbo started to feel a strange desire, desire just to come closer and sit near Thorin, inside of his invisible bubble, just to impose himself on his space. Just to make him notice the closeness. Of course he did nothing of sorts. Thorin himself was like a bear, or a dragon, it would be dangerous to poke him just for fun.

But Bilbo didn't hold any real fear in front of Thorin. Bilbo studied him closely, as he did everything they passed by, he was in the strange world, it was the best to watch out, and found him to be fair to his men. His voice may be strong and his authority big, but his actions were gentle. His nephews, Fili and Kili, would always be near him, even in their mischief Bilbo could see how they cared of him, and how, although he growled, he never really punished them for their puns.

Despite of his lack of fear Bilbo kept his distance, he wanted to avoid the embarrassment of being yelled at.

Embarrassment came anyway. Even if he did bought them enough time for Gandalf to finally show some of his wizardness, he was caught by Trolls twice and got them into sacks ready for eating. He couldn't but hear Thorin's strong voice when he objected him to Gandalf, and even if Gandalf did defend him, the blame was still his. He found comfort that he did talked to Trolls long enough to make them into stone. They were stupid enough to say in front of them that they would. And the fact that he managed to fulfil his task of freeing the ponies. When he would get and assignment he would fulfil it no matter what. Maybe he wasn't courageous like Thorin was with his charging and swashing his sword, but when he would focused himself on his task the fear couldn't get to him.

Different thing was to be held by Trolls helpless watching Thorin in his angry eyes, not knowing would he just leave to them to tear him apart. That wasn't comforting moment, nor was it comforting that because of that they almost got eaten.

That's why he held his distance to Thorin, he didn't want to look into his eyes and see contempt. He dwelled before the cave looking at discarded things. He wasn't eager to come inside anyway, it had an awful odour. That's how Gandalf had found him with his offering of the elfish sword. He wasn't willing to take it, it was clearly shown he wasn't a fighter, and no sword would change that, but then he said it glows blue when Orcs are near, that seemed useful.

No matter how he lacked skill he still held his new blade like he would know what to do with it when that brown wizard came from out of the wood. Gandalf looked respectful and powerful beside him.

Bilbo stood with dwarves while those two talked and then there was nightmare in daylight. The joke became reality as Thorin slayed two Wargs like they were puppets. Still even Thorin's face showed fear and Bilbo got really scared. As they ran Bilbo tried to keep up to the front hopping he won't end up alone with those beasts. Then Kili shot an Orc with that small bow of his and Bilbo could see it from up close. He had no desire to see them alive, but he couldn't see where they could hide. Still Gandalf led them somewhere. When he suddenly disappeared, Thorin held his ground, and dwarves yelled how Gandalf betrayed them. Bilbo remembered how just few hours earlier Thorin had called him a traitor. He wasn't that, surely Gandalf wasn't either. Just then Gandalf emerged from behind a rock and they all went down into the rock.

Down there they could hear trumpets.

"Elves" said Thorin with disdain and they went away from the sound of fighting.

Bilbo looked at Gandalf who looked to peaceful. He knew where they were going. As they went Bilbo could sense tingling sensation that magic would produce, it reminded him on childhood and Gandalf's tricks.

All that was confirmed when they emerged before Rivendell. Bilbo had heard of it, and read tales of its beauty but nothing could compare to the sight before him. Peace, beauty and grace, and that was just the city. Finally Bilbo would meet the elves. He wondered would they live up to his expectations. He did often think of them, they couldn't be so unearthly.

Do review.