A/N: Hey guys, new chapter. Hope you guys like it. By the way I have a poll up on my page, please take it if you've read my other stories. Or you can PM me what stories I should finish or delete. Thanks you guys so much. Also thank you for my followers and people who review.

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Contract and Loyalty

Gandolf sits back and returns to his normal speak. "Hobbits are incredibly light on their feet. They can pass unseen by most if they choose. While the dragon is used to the smell of Dwarf, the smell of hobbit is all but unknown to the drake, which gives us a distinct advantage." He looks to Thorin. "You asked me to find a 14th member of this company, and I have chosen Master Baggins. There's a lot more to him then looks suggest, and he's got more to offer than any of you know, including myself. You must trust me."

There is a pause before Thorin speaks. "Very well." He looks to Balin. "Give him a contract." Everyone smiles.

Bofur spoke up in excitement. "Alrigh'! We're off!"

Bilbo begins to object but Thorin and Gandolf ignore him. "No, no, no!-"

I cut him off. "Bilbo, you'll be completely fine." Balin hands him the contract. I try and reassure him.

"It's just summery of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth…" Balin tells him.

Bilbo's eyes widen. "Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo reads the contract and mouths some of the terms before opening it fully. Speaking some it aloud. "Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any… Hmm, seems fair. 'Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations…" His eyes started to widen even more.

Bofur spoke up, "Aye, he'll melt your bones in a blink of an eye."

"Eviscerations… incineration?" His voice broke.

"Think furnace with wings." Bofur added.

"I feel a bit faint."

"Flash of light, searing pain, then POOF! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!"

Bilbo breathes deeply and puts his hands on his knees. His breathing returns to normal and he stands up straight. I get up and move to his side. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"…Nope." He says just before he faints. I look down in concern.

I look to Bofur. "Nicely done." I bent down and put arms under Bilbo's and start to pull him to his din.

After getting him settled, I walked out as Gandolf walked in with a mug of tea. I joined Thorin and Balin in the hallway. A moment later we saw Bilbo walking away.

Balin sighs, "It appears we've lost our burglar."

I looked to him. "Maybe, we never know."

"Aye, it's probably for the best. Most of the time odds are against us. After all, what are we?" He scoffs lightly. "Merchants, miners, tinkers…toy-makers? Hardly the thing of legend."

"But you know that there I more to it than just appearance." I told him.

Thorin speak up from beside me. "There are few warriors amongst us."

Balin grins slightly. "Old warriors."

I look at him with false insult. "I'm not old!" I grin at him.

Thorin looks at me with a grin. "You're the oldest out of all of us." I chuckle and lightly hit him. "I will take each and every one of these Dwarves over an army from Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, honor, a willing heart." He looks at me as he says this. "I can ask for no more than that."

Balin grips Thorin's shoulder. "You don't have to. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You've built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor."

Thorin looks at me then to Balin. "That key. From my grandfather to my father, it has come to me. They dreamt of a day when the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not now, not for me."

I put my hand on his forearm. "Then we are with you. It will be done." I pat his forearm and then went to talk to the others. I talked and caught up with the others.