Chapter 12

Bilbo cursed himself for ever going near any Dwarves in the first place. If he had just slammed the door in Dwalin's face like he had wanted to…he wouldn't be chased through the deep tunnels in the Misty Mountains now!

By a creature who thought he was a tasty morsel!

Bilbo hid behind a rock, sheathing his sword in the process. The Gollum fellow ran straight past him. Bilbo grinned and followed the little demon quietly from behind. It came to a head when Gollum plopped himself right in the middle of the path that led to the exit. Bilbo wanted to scream!

Bilbo gritted his teeth and contemplated killing the damn creature, but something stayed his hand. He realized with dismay that it was pity. With new resolve, he took a few steps back and leaped directly over the monster's little head, nearly cracking his own on the stone above.

That done, Bilbo didn't stop running until he was out of the caves and into the blessed sunlight. He walked on for a good while until he heard the Dwarves arguing with Gandalf.

He heard Thorin's voice. "He's been nothing but a pain and a waste of time! If he's still back there, then good riddance!" To Bilbo's shock, some of the Dwarves were nodding their heads in agreement. Balin and Dwalin, Fíli and Kíli, Bofur and Bombur, and Gandalf were glaring at them.

Gandalf growled. "I brought Bilbo on this quest, and I never bring anything that is useless! If Bilbo is still there, then I will not leave him behind!"

Fíli nodded. "I will help you!" Kíli echoed his brother.

Balin hissed out a sigh. "The lad signed the contract. It is a two way agreement. If Gloin were to fall behind, we would have gone after him! The same is said for Bilbo!"

Thorin shouted. "Enough! Gandalf shouted for everyone to follow him! And everyone should have followed!" He glared at Gandalf. "You know we didn't have time to count to make sure everyone was safe. This isn't a company going on a picnic, Gandalf! When he signed on, Bilbo Baggins, agreed to take care of himself and keep up! Damn that Hobbit! Where is he?!"

Bilbo slipped off his new magic ring and hopped from behind the tree. "He is right here. Although, I am more than a Hobbit. I am a Dwobbit." He sighed. "Look, I know you doubt me. I know you think of me nothing but a burden, but…" He stamped his foot. "Damn it all! I'm a DWARF too! I do miss my home. I miss my garden and my books! I miss my fireplace and chair, but that's why I'm here!"

He avoided Thorin's eyes and stared at Balin and Dwalin. "I'm hear because you don't have a home. It was stolen from you. I will help you get it back, if I can, and then I will return to my home." His meaning was clear, for those who knew the truth.

He would not stay in Erebor. He would not tell Thorin the truth.

Balin sighed. "Thank you lad." The Dwarves had a much higher regard of Bilbo after that. The speech and the excellent sneaking he had done won them over.

Except Thorin.

Bilbo grumbled and growled as they kept moving on. "Oh how I wish we had some food!"

Dwalin snorted. "So do I, but I don't reckon the goblins would give our stuff back no matter how kindly we asked them." He slipped an arm about Bilbo's shoulders. "I am sorry."

Bilbo looked up and blinked in surprise. "For what?"

"I failed you. It is my duty to keep you safe, and I failed you." The old warrior looked furious at himself. Bilbo sighed and shook his head.

"No, you didn't fail. How could you know? Goblins are quick, and even if you had known, I fell through a small chasm. There was no way, short of falling youself, that you could have gotten me back."

Dwalin shook his head, still not satisfied. He stared at Bilbo. "I swear, on my life, that it will not happen again."

Bilbo shook his head and smiled at the bald Dwarf. "You are a blessing from Mahal to the Durin line, Dwalin son of Fundin."

Dwalin stared at him in surprise, a flush creeping up his neck. Bilbo snickered and leaned his head back to look at the stars. However, everyone tensed when they heard the howl of wolves. Dwalin instantly pulled Bilbo closer to him. He would not let the Prince get lost this time.

Thorin snarled. "Wolves!"

Gandalf groaned slightly. "Our of the frying pan…"

Thorin looked around blindly. "And into the fire. Run!" They did not need to be told twice.

Bilbo looked around. "There's no where to go!"

Gandalf was already climbing. "Up the trees!"

Bombur struggled.

Bilbo snarled in frustration and pulled out his sword and stuck the Dwarf in his large bottom. Bombur yelped and shot up the tree. Bilbo was quick up after him.

However, as it is well known, a person can only climb a tree so far before they get stuck. And, with wolves nipping at the lowest branches…they were very stuck.

Bilbo froze when he saw Orcs sitting astride some of the bigger wolves. "Orcs!"

Thorin, who was in the tree next to his, froze. "Azog."

Bilbo gaped. "The Defiler?!"

Balin shouted at Thorin. Bilbo's eyes quickly found his father walking stubbornly to his death. "What are you doing?!" Bilbo screamed.

Dwalin shouted in dismay and tried to get down, but he couldn't. He was pinned by the other Dwarves blocking his way. Bilbo looked around as the wolves backed away at Azog's command. Bilbo stood too, pulling out his sword and thanking the Great Goblin for enabling them to at least snatch their weapons back before running.

Bilbo took a breath, ignoring both Dwalin and Balin shouting at him to 'GET BACK HERE, DAMMIT!'

Bilbo watched as his father was slung around like a rag doll. With a snarl of rage he threw one of his axes, watching it spin head over handle until it lodged itself into the neck of the Orc who tried to behead his father.

Bilbo ran and planted his feet firmly between the Pale Orc and his father. He shouted at the Orc. "You will not have your prize today, FILTH!"

Azog wasn't stupid. He sniffed the air, looked at Bilbo. He noticed what the Dwarves had failed to notice. And he laughed. "So the Dwarf scum has spawn? One more Durin for me to kill! I will enjoy killing you, son of Thorin Oakenshield!" He laughed and moved his warg forward, but he was headed off by Dwalin who came charging in, screaming. Bilbo turned to quickly behead another Orc who had snuck up to kill his unconscious father.

The fighting was drawn abruptly to a close by the arrival of the eagles. Bilbo personally thought that Gandalf should have called them when the company had escaped the mountains, then they wouldn't have had to trek so far.

He looked over to the eagle who was carrying his father. Bilbo turned away. He will never accept me. Why should I even try anymore?