Chapter 24

Legolas frowned at the retreating figure of Bilbo. "He is the son of Thorin Oakenshield."

Tauriel blinked. "What?!"

Legolas nodded. "My father wasn't sure, but now I am. No Hobbit can grow a beard and yet this one obviously can. I know the story of a Hobbit, Belladonna Baggins, saving Arwen's life. Her son is Bilbo. However, he did not come from Belladonna's first husband, Bungo. Lord Elrond told my father, in passing, about the Hobbit living among the Dwarves in the Blue Mountains." Legolas shuddered slightly. "Why she would do such a thing to herself is beyond me."

Tauriel snickered. They started moving lazily in the direction Bilbo had gone, climbing on top of the roofs to get a better view of what was happening. "How do you know that he is Thorin's son?" They watched Bilbo get into the boat. Thorin was obviously chastising him.

"Didn't you see his eyes? Besides, he wears a bead with Durin's symbol on it." Tauriel gasped in frustration at missing something so obvious. Legolas chuckled. "I have always been more observant than you."

She glared at him in mock anger. "Shut up, oh humble Prince!"

Legolas avoided her swat and chuckled. He smiled slightly at Tauriel, his childhood friend. Tauriel snickered. "Do you know, your father thinks you love me?"

Legolas gaped in shock. "I don't know whether to be amused with his obvious error, or insulted that he thinks I have so little taste."

Her eyes widened, and she pushed him off the roof. Luckily he didn't fall on any innocent Humans. Tauriel snickered at his shouts and curses. He had fallen into a waste dump.

~meanwhile~

Bilbo watched as the Dwarves practically vibrated with eagerness. Thorin was constantly referring to the map that Gandalf gave them. He looked around.

"Father, shouldn't we wait for Gandalf?"

"There isn't enough time. If the Wizard can come, then he will have to hurry." Thorin looked at Bilbo. "Not even time waits for a Wizard."

Bilbo sighed and looked around, as if just by looking, Gandalf would appear next to him. He sighed and followed the Dwarves.

As he looked upon the ruined city of Dale, a shiver of fear slipped down his spine. He suddenly envisioned Laketown like Dale was. They walked through the town and Bilbo couldn't stand to look at the bodies, not even buried. No one buried them. No one laid them to rest.

He closed his eyes and shook his head. He couldn't let little Tilda become like that little girl he just passed. He couldn't allow Bard, who saved his life, die because of a quest for gold and a home.

He couldn't!

"Father…"

"I know." Thorin was grimmer than he had ever been. "I did not want you to see this, but this the reality of a Dragon."

Bilbo hurried forward, eager to escape the oppressiveness of the city. It was as if the dead were screaming accusations at them. This is what happens from gold lust! Lest you forget that others pay for your crimes as well! Bilbo shivered again. His wound ached slightly.

Fíli and Kíli were pale. He joined them silently. They finally found the spot that the map marked as the just below the door.

Bilbo looked up and marveled at the carvings. Those cuts look like a stepping pattern. I've never seen that design before… Bilbo's eyes widened. "Steps…THERE! I see steps!"

Thorin quickly move to his side. "You have good eyes, my son." He squeezed Bilbo's shoulder. "Good job."

Bilbo glowed at his father's praise. "Thank you." Thorin nodded and then shouted to everyone.

"Come on! We don't have much time!"

They finished climbing the stairs a few hours before sunset and settled down to wait. Thorin gazed at the key in thought. Bilbo looked up at Oin.

"Your medicine laddie. Come on, lest that wound gets infected."

Poor Oin. He was a horrible liar. Bilbo nodded and took the cup. He was very aware how everyone was watching him quietly. He set the cup down and started making tea for everyone. "It's something that Hobbits do. We make tea as a form of celebration." He smiled. "I don't want to drink alone." They all agreed and sipped their tea, oblivious to the fact that Bilbo had planned this ever since Thorin told him that he wouldn't go into the mountain.

Bilbo made sure to make it strong. They started falling asleep. Bilbo lazily tossed the contents of his tea over the side of the mountain. Thorin fought it, but he fell asleep, staring pleadingly at his son to not do what he was thinking of doing. Dwalin fell asleep cursing Bilbo's Durin blood.

After making sure that the sleeping draught he made truly worked, Bilbo grabbed his ring, and took the key from Thorin. He waited until sunset, but nothing happened. He glanced uneasily at his father and the others. Then the moon came, and Bilbo felt like laughing. Last light of Durin's day! "Of course!"

When the moon settled on the rock, he slipped the key in and then propped the door open with a rock, just in case it would seal him in again. Very similar to the fact that one never closes the door behind them once they enter a closet, for they never know if it will lock behind them. Bilbo didn't know any of the mechanisms needed to open the door.

He padded quietly deeper into the halls. He remembered what his father said about the Arkenstone being the cause of Thror's madness. Bilbo nodded. "I won't even let father see it then. I'll hide it until they tell me where to put it."

He moved deeper into the mountain, finally finding the treasury.

Bilbo looked around the enormous room filled with gold. "A large…white…stone." He stared at the treasure. "Very helpful."

Sorry for taking so long to update today. Fanfiction was giving me trouble. Started giving me crap about incorrect document form and stuff. Anyways, hope this worked for you. Sorry it couldn't have been longer. I hope this is still satisfactory. = )

Ink...