They were all tired when they finally had obtained the temporary camp outside the battlefield front of Erebor's Gate along the men and elves. The losses were large although they had won and everybody knew that there would be more to coming before the sunrise. It was clear that there weren't so many healers than what they could hope. Bifur, one of the few that had survived from the worst injuries, had found some meat and potatoes, and decided to work as a cook in Bombur's place. Bombur, who was sitting beside of him, half blinded and hand bandaged.

The long figure from the shadows drew their attention and Gandalf rushed towards the campfire where part of the Company was resting.

"Where's Bilbo?" His voice frantic when he stopped and looked around the fire.

"What you mean where is he?" Bofur asked and stood up, frowning but Gandalf looked over him to the battlefield muttering, "That damn fool."

"He's not here. Not with the Dwarves, or elves or even men." Young elf with silver hair appeared from the shadows his face grim. "I'm sorry."

"You… you don't say that he's there?!" Bofur yelled realizing suddenly what was going on and pointed to the field now full of corpses. "How? How he's there? Middle of the battle? HOW?!"

"He wanted and he went with the elves." Gandalf looked now the elf. "You were supposed to be in safe side." He didn't sound angry, just disappointed.

"First we were and then the wave turned and he just disappeared. Right under my nose. Just, vanished." The elf looked offended. "I couldn't protect him when I couldn't even see him."

"Oh, the ring." Bombur nodded and the others groaned.

"I heard him." Weak voice said and Dori turned to watch his younger brother who was tucked under the warm blankets near the fire.

"You're awake!"

But Ori ignored his brother, his eyes only partly open, his words merely a whisper.

"I heard him, when the Eagles came. He was yelling. That the Eagles were coming when his voice… It cut down. He just… stopped, middle of the sentence. And I though that I have to find him but there was too much orcs and…"

"It's alright Ori. Where were you when you heard him?" Gandalf had walked over him and kneeled down.

"Near the Ravenhills. Please master Gandalf. Find him." Ori begged and now he opened his eyes fully, looking the wizard. "Even if… Even if it's too late… Please."

"What is too late?"

And they all turned to look the King under the Mountain.

Thorin Oakenshield who was still, miraculously, alive and stubbornly standing there after his meeting with Dain from the Iron Hills. Gandalf studied the worn looking dwarf, half beaten but fire still in his eyes.

"Bilbo, he's still there. But what do you care about that Thorin? You almost literally threw him away. It's not your concern anymore. And as you said before this quest, you're not responsible of his fate."

Dwalin who was standing beside the King had to support Thorin when his knees suddenly bend.

"He was there, fighting?" The King asked and the fire was gone and there was just horror.

"Yes indeed. And it was your responsibility to look after him Legolas." Gandalf looked again the elf who looked down muttering something about hobbits and dwarfs and meddling wizards.

"Though I can't be mad at you, Bilbo can be stubborn, and he is half-Took, what ever he says. And he's more like his mother than his father. I just hope… I just hope that I don't have to go the Shire without him. Not after happened to his mother. Oh Bilbo." Gandalf's eyes searched the field front of him and he whispered at his staff what begun to glow. "So, Ravenhills you said?" and Ori nodded.

"I show the way." Bofur was on move with the elf and wizard before anyone could do or say anything. Dori helped Ori to lay bit more comfortably and the young dwarf was fast asleep again and the others also ignored the two standing dwarfs.

"Thorin, you have to rest. Oin have to look again those wounds." Dwalin started to lead his King away who now looked defeated, following like a child who knew that what ever he hoped, he had done something unforgivable.

"Bilbo…" He closed his eyes and leaned heavily to his friend's shoulder. "By Mahal, what I have done?"