"Where is Bilbo? Where is our burglar?" The Hobbit in question overheard as he and Bifur approached the rest of the party from behind. It would seem they had not noticed them yet.

"Where's Bifur?" Bomber exclaimed.

"Where Bifur is I do not know but there is not a doubt in my mind that the Hobbit saw a chance to return to his hole and took it! Did I not say he had no place amongst us?" Thorin spat, Bilbo could see a strange look adorning the king's face, almost akin to personal betrayal.

"Actually we're right here," Bilbo said, the pair finally being noticed by the rest of the party. Gandalf smiled with relief.

"Why did you come back?" Thorin nearly whispered.

"I know you doubt me and I know you always have and you're right. I do often think of my fireplace and my books and my armchair. I do miss my home. But that's exactly why I came back, because you don't have one, a home, and I would help you take it back if i can," the Hobbit finished looking around at the now. Smiling faces of his party members.

Just then Bilbo found himself engulfed in a hug,

"I knew you wouldn't leave us Mister Boggins!" Kili exclaimed as he ruffled poor Bilbo's hair.

Before anyone had a chance to say anything else they suddenly heard the now very familiar cry of an Orc pack hot on their tails.

"Out of the frying pan," muttered Thorin.

"And into the fire. Run!" Gandalf shouted and just like that were all once again running for their lives.

Bilbo ran for his life far too often in his opinion.

—-

Bark scraped against Bilbo's hands as he hung on to the tree for dear life. The whole company was trapped dangling over a sheer cliff, fire and Azog the defiler in front of them.

Ori and Dori were dangling perilously from Gandalfs staff. Bilbo watched in horror as Thorin charged down the trunk of the tree towards the pale Orc. History was repeating it's self and Bilbo was terrified.

Bilbo felt frozen in time as he watched Thorin get struck to the ground. Terror gripped his heart as he watched Thorin get picked up in the white Worgs ugly maw, chomping down on his kings body over and over. Thorin pained cries filled the air as he was tossed back to the ground, unconscious.

Bilbo quickled gathered his wits, pulling himself up, drawing his sword and running down the trunk of the tree as another large Orc raised its axe above his head, ready to deliver the finishing blow to Thorin.

Before the Orc had a chance to finish his swing, Bilbo barreled into him, knocking both of them to the ground. Bilbo plundered his sword into the Orcs chest before he even had a chance too think.

Quickly, Bilbo stood, placing himself firmly between Thorin and Azog.

"You will not touch him!" Bilbo shouted, eyes blazing as he stared down the pale Orc, his stance unwavering.

Azog shouted something and the surrounding Orcs and Worgs charged at him but suddenly the rest of the company ran from the tree, giving their all to protect their king. Bilbo threw himself into the throng as well, using the skills he had learned from Fili and Kili to swiftly cut down any that would dare come near his king.

Bilbo heard a mighty screech from above as finally the great Eagles came. Picking up and tossing worgs and Orcs over the side of the mountain. It was like taking a breath of fresh air, watching the eagles pick up all the company, knowing they were safe.

Soon everyone was flying away from the danger of the cliff. Bilbo looked forward to Thorin still lying unconscious in an Eagles talons.

The Eagles flew the party through the dawn to weather top, setting them all down gently before departing. The company waited with baited breath as Gandalf bent over Thorin prone form. Gandalf muttered a spell and Throins eyes blinked open, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"The halfling." Thorin muttered as he was helped to his feat.

"He is here. Bilbo is quite safe," Gandalf answered, stepping to the side to reveal Bilbo standing before them.

"What were you thinking? You almost got yourself killed!" Thorin shouted angrily. Bilbo tensed. Bilbo knew that Thorin wasn't actually angry at him but getting yelled at.

Fili and Kili seemed to think so too because they surged toward their uncle with angry looks on their faces only to be stopped by Dwalin.

"Did i not say that you would be a burden?" Thorin growled as he stalked toward Bilbo. "That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us?" Thorin was but a few inches away from Bilbo now who held his breath.

"Never have I been so wrong in all my life," Thorin finished, pulling Bilbo into a tight hug.

Bilbo melted into the embrace, burying his face into Thorin fur collar as the company cheered behind them. Held tight in Thorin's arms Bilbo had never felt so at home in all his life.

Hesitantly, Thorin pulled back, keeping his hands firmly clasped on Bilbo's shoulders. Bilbo felt his breath catch in his throat as he gazed at the other. The morning sun dancing like fire on ice in his eyes. There was an emotion there as well that Bilbo couldn't quite put his finger on but it made him feel warmer and more at peace then he had in all his life.

The moment was broken by Bilbo being suddenly pulled into a bone crushing hug sandwich between Fili and Kili. He couldn't even hear what they were saying for his ears were squished between their chests. He could tell that the words were pleasant though.

"Alright lads let him breathe," Dwalin called out p as he ripped the brother off. Bilbo took a grateful lungful of air. He smiled gratefully up at Dwalin who clapped him on the shoulder and smiled in return.

Thorin's hand was quick to replace Dwalins as the company looked out over the horizon. There was a renewed sense of hope amongst the company. Even though Bilbo knew that there was still many obstacles and enemies ahead of them, standing by Thorin's side he felt ready for them all.