Chapter 5

Bilbo had a lot to think about during that night. He nestled close to Gandalf with a sigh and shook his head. "Gandalf, why didn't you tell Thorin about me?"

"I wanted you to have the choice of telling him yourself."

"And now? What should I do? It is obvious that he hates me."

"He would not hate you if he knew the truth."

"But do I want him to know? Why did you stop me from saying who my mother was back in the Shire?"

"Thorin would want to keep his only son safe, Bilbo. Because of this, what do you suppose he would do?"

Bilbo sighed. "Leave me behind."

"No."

Bilbo blinked in surprise. "What?"

"He would drag you back to the Blue Mountains and leave you there to be given court training and taught how to be a Dwarf."

Bilbo stared at the Wizard for a moment or two and then nodded slowly. "And what would change that now?"

"He is too far into the journey to turn back to the Mountains, and he cannot send you back alone, nor could he part with any of his already meager company."

Bilbo smirked. "Truly Gandalf, you are a Wizard."

Gandalf huffed in amusement. "I'm glad that you approve. Now, show me what you remember from those pipe lessons." Bilbo laughed and pulled out his pipe and started making pictures with the smoke.

All the Dwarves slowly started gathering around demanding such a picture of such an image. Bilbo chuckled and then blew out his smoke and formed it into a shape of an axe.

Gandalf made his the shape of ship. Bilbo blew out five interconnecting rings. Kíli was laughing in delight.

They had camped in a cave in the middle of some woods, just before the Trollshaws. Bilbo shivered. He didn't like it. He stiffened when he heard the howl of wolves. He knew that sound. "Was that a wolf?"

Kíli shook his head. "No. Worse. Warg. That means there are Orcs nearby. Ever seen an Orc raid?" Bilbo shook his head. Kíli looked haunted. "No one does really. They come in the night, swift, silent, no screams, just lots of blood."

Bilbo seemed to lose more blood from his face. Thorin growled at his nephews. "You think that's funny? You think an Orc raid is something to be laughed at?! You know nothing of the world!" He stomped off. Bilbo blinked rapidly.

They had been teasing me? He frowned slightly and then turned back to what Balin was saying.

Bilbo swallowed. Every last one of the Durin line?! He gulped. "Ah…and what happened to the Pale Orc?"

Thorin stomped back inside the cave. "That filth died of his wounds long ago."

Bilbo caught the exchange of looks between Gandalf and Balin and felt his heart sink. He stared at Gandalf. In case you didn't notice Gandalf, I'M OF THE DURIN LINE! Gandalf noticed Bilbo's glare and shrugged slightly, as if to say, 'It is no huge problem.'

Bilbo's glare intensified. Gandalf coughed and turned back to the fire. Bilbo glowered at Gandalf's back the entire night, even after the lad fell asleep.

~next morning~

Bilbo cornered Gandalf as quickly as he could. "Why didn't you tell me about this Pale Orc fellow?!"

Gandalf sighed. "Bilbo, there is no real evidence that the Orc is still alive. Besides, it would have swayed you from wanting to get to know your father."

Bilbo sighed. "The more I get to know him, the less I like of him. He can keep his mountain and this quest! The more I see of Dwarves, the more I realize that I am not one of them!" Bilbo reflexively rubbed his chin. It was quickly getting near the amount of hair that his father had. Bilbo groaned and shook his head. "This will give it all away."

Gandalf frowned and sighed. "I'm afraid you're right. Your hair is darker than your mother's was. The beard will bring out the other traits of your family."

Bilbo sighed. "Terrific. We need to find some place where I can shave!"

Gandalf looked around. "Rivendell isn't too far from here." He got up and headed towards Thorin. Bilbo moved over to help Balin get the horses free of tackle.

He looked up only to see Gandalf storming off. "Gandalf?! Where are you going?"

"I'm going off to spend time with the only person who is logical and makes sense, Bilbo."

"And who's that?"

"Myself!"

Bilbo winced at the sharp note. He looked over at Thorin and saw the Dwarf had his own personal storm-cloud looming over his head. He shuddered and stayed clear of his father.

"Here Bilbo, give these to the lads."

Bilbo nodded, only too eager to get away from Thorin. He moved quietly through the brush and saw the two staring at the ponies. "I know you were told to watch them, but isn't that a bit ridiculous?"

They jumped in surprise at his sudden appearance. "Bilbo! Just the Dwobbit we wanted to see!" Bilbo blinked.