And on it goes. Decisions, plans and subtle things.

Of Mountains and Woodlands Chapter 11

Bilbo woke the next morning feeling well rested and much brighter in spirit. His limbs didn't hurt as much and his constant fear was eased due to the safe environment he found himself in and he had to admit, he was enormously grateful for the bed he had been given. He knew they wouldn't stay long but he had heard through Ori that Thorin intended for them stay for a while longer so as to be fresh for the biggest step of their grand adventure and it was the one time Bilbo would have praised Thorin for his wonderfully thoughtful gesture but he knew that it wasn't the case. He wondered if it wasn't because they were waiting for someone and upon walking out of his softly lit room for a big jovial and hearty breakfast, he found that that was indeed the explanation.

"Gandalf should be with us by tomorrow evening,"

Thorin was talking to Balin at the corner of their breakfast table, his usual hard featured and-this-is-how-it-will-be expression daubed firmly in place.

"What if he isn't…we've encountered that problem before and you chose to go on without him. Will that be the case again?"

"Not this time," he let a small, apologetic smile on to his face, "We need him. I'm sorry we did not wait the last time,"

"Well," Balin snorted in his lovely, elderly way, "That is up for debate. I don't think we didn't wait for him though that was the plan you decided on…it just didn't work out that way,"

"Fair enough," Thorin nodded and smiled again. He always smiled so softly when it came to Balin. Bilbo had noticed that from the beginning – Thorin was gentler when it came to him and he suspected it was because the elderly dwarf was more of a mentor and a father figure to him when his others had failed him and/or simply disappeared. Bilbo sat down next to Bofur (he liked Bofur) with his plate and gave him a big grin,

"Good morning!"

"Well aren't you in a bright an' shiny mood," Bofur grinned back, his hat exactly where it had been for many days, "Top o' the mornin' to you, Mr Baggins,"

"Indeed. I slept well,"

"Oh, aye, so did we come to think of it, Bifur snores a bit though and so does Gloin. Ah but you get used to it. This carpet's better than the ground, I must admit. Oi! Bifur, hand the eggs over won' you,"

And so it went - odd talk about odd topics. Things were as they used to be before they left on their quest and Bilbo didn't realise how much he actually enjoyed it then until he realised how much he was enjoying it now. He smiled to himself as Bofur went on and on until a single thought struck,

"Bofur," but Bofur went on, "Bofur, excuse me,"

But Bofur was caught up in his own story so Bilbo turned to his left,

"Uhmm, Dwalin," the big dwarf turned to him, his muscles in his forearm rippling as he did so, "Where – where is Maya?"

Dwalin said nothing before he stole a glance at Thorin,

"Maybe in his bed,"

Bilbo looked at him absolutely mortified. How terribly crude dwarves could be, but Dwalin saw his expression and grinned with a mouth full of bacon,

"Don' look so embarrassed, Halfling. I sincerely doubt tha's where she is," he swallowed, "I don' know, lad. Sorry,"

He shrugged and was about to take another bite but then thought for a moment before lowering his fork of food,

"Thorin!" he called across the table. Bilbo felt his cheeks beginning to burn in embarrassment; he didn't want Thorin to take his enquiry the wrong way – that would be a difficult storm to avoid and so he held his breath as Thorin turned from Balin expectantly,

"Where's Maya? The Hobbit wants to know," Dwalin asked, proceeding to eat his waiting bacon. Thorin looked at him for a moment and then instead of raging, he let a subtle smirk prance onto the corners of his lips,

"In my bed,"

Dwalin roared with laughter and he nudged Bilbo, who went crimson,

"Well, there you go!" he grinned at Thorin, "Tha's the Thorin I know!"

Thorin winked at them and went back to his conversation with Balin. When Maya finally walked in not long after the joke had been laid across the table, Dwalin laughed even harder at Bilbo, his own face equally as rosy from the laughter that rumbled from the core of his belly. It was a good laugh and Bilbo managed a smile at the site of Dwalin's exuberance but his conservative, little hobbit soul could not bring itself to look at Maya properly. She greeted everyone and smiled at Bilbo,

"Morning, Bilbo,"

"Morning,"

"How did you sleep?"

"Wonderfully, thank you. Did you sleep well?" His eyes widened at his accidental automatic response…he didn't want to know the answer…he didn't even want a lie! Dwalin almost fell off his chair.

"Well. Been a while," she grinned in a confused manner at Dwalin's shaking body, "Why's he laughing as such?"

Bilbo shrugged without looking at her, awkwardly taking another bite of his own breakfast. Maya narrowed her eyes at him,

"What's he laughing at Bilbo?"

"I don't know," he took another bite,

"Bilbo…"

"I really don't know,"

"I don't believe you,"

"He-" Dwalin tried to breathe and was finding it hard to fend off his fit of manic laughter, "We told him you spent the night in Thorin's bed,"

He broke again and then redeemed himself,

"You should have seen his face!"

"Who's 'we', you and who?"

"Th- Thorin," this time Dwalin merely laid his head in his hands and let it his laughter die alone, his shoulders shaking violently for some time after that. Maya turned to Thorin who looked back, holding her gaze. Unable to contain her own giggle, she snorted and earned a smile from the King for doing so. She shook her head,

"Bilbo, you lovely soul, no need to worry," she winked at him, "Embarrassment needn't exist just yet. I was dancing,"

Bilbo knew what she was referring too and let relief wash over him as he let out a sigh to match the feeling. She laughed at him though not quite as remarkably excessive as Dwalin but his was a pleasure too. He was a big…dwarf? And he seldom looked so bright and cheery though his persona was far more content than that of Thorin's, though strangely enough his was changing for the better too. He smiled more and more every day - Dwalin was laughing himself silly and Thorin was looking happy. Ah, the winds of change were delightful when they worked in one's favour. Bilbo took a moment to look around at the company he found himself in: Fili and Kili were playing a game Bilbo couldn't understand but they focused very hard and then would suddenly burst out laughing; Bifur was trying to get a fruit from the bowl that was placed in front of Bombur who was reluctant to give him one; Thorin was having a good, solid talk with Balin as he rested his hand on the small of Maya's back, while Maya helped herself to buttered toast and everyone else were as they were to begin with. Yes, Bilbo was content and unafraid then and he relished in the fact that they had that day and the next to simply be without worrying about what needed to be done.

He was full after his enormous helping of food, he had eaten far too much for his little body to accommodate but he embraced it for it had been weeks since he had felt anywhere near full. He left the breakfast table and toddled off on his own, for a time of exploration was at hand and he daren't miss the opportunity. He was impressed by the little town: simple though it was, it got by quite comfortably, the people friendly and the fisherman humble. Everyone knew everyone else and to conclude; it was quite a beautiful little place too. He wondered all the way around and around all the way back, he stopped at the gate on both occasions and gazed out into the depths of the forest from which they came. He was waiting for Gandalf, he realised, though he knew the wizard would not arrive until the next evening though it never hurt to hope.

"So, you are the Hobbit," Bard's voice was condescending and Bilbo did not appreciate it. He was perfectly aware of how daring he had become and so far, his new found courage only led to him gaining recognition as a respectable Hobbit. He turned,

"I am Bilbo Baggins of Bag-End, Hobbiton if you wouldn't mind and though I am a Hobbit, I would prefer it if you used my name, Man of Lake Town,"

"Bard, if you wouldn't mind," he bowed, a small smile playing across his face, "I apologise for my rudeness. You are Bilbo Baggins of…Bag-End, Hob-"

He narrowed his eyes, seemingly to have forgotten where Bilbo came from.

"-biton," Bilbo helped him finished.

"Indeed," he nodded, "I apologise again for my foolishness. You are quite brave to take on a task such as this. That or incredibly foolish yourself,"

Bilbo chuckled,

"Probably both, Bard of Lake Town,"

"Bard suits just fine, Master Baggins,"

"So does Bilbo,"

"Bilbo, then," Bard grinned at took a few more steps towards Bilbo to stand beside him and turned as Bilbo had turned to look upon the Lonely Mountain.

"It really is a lonely place, isn't it," Bilbo mused, not really looking for an answer but Bard replied anyway,

"Well, it was named as such for good reason. I'm sure you and your brave companions can accomplish it however,"

"Are you mocking us?" Bilbo glared up at Bard but he shook his head,

"Sometimes, for this quest seems impossible. Your leader, Thorin Oakenshield, is leading you into the very face of danger. He is a noble and brave dwarf and I suppose he has the right of it to try and reclaim his lost kingdom – but at what cost?" he glanced at Bilbo,

"A group of 15; 13 dwarves, not all of you as strong in physicality as some nor as cunning as someone else, one lady Nymph and a Hobbit who has never seen war or caused an unnecessary death. And what will become of Lake Town I wonder, once you have reclaimed the mountain?" Bard's comment was given with a touch of contempt, "It seems so…"

"Foolish,"

"I fear the word is to be over used in a conversation such as this,"

"I don't know what will become of Lake Town though I do not believe Thorin will simply crush it," Bilbo challenged Bard's contempt with stern praise, "Otherwise, we are afoolish group, I think. We wouldn't be so brave if we weren't," Bilbo smiled with a wee bit of melancholy.

"Alright, Hobbit," Bard replied submissively and winked, "Otherwise, well, you do stand out in a crowd. But then again, come to think of it, you have taken on many challenges and have yet to be defeated…maybe you are worthy. Especially you and the Nymph,"

"Maya,"

"Maya," Bard shrugged apologetically again, "We almost forgot about your 16th member! Though he's been gone for some time, I believe him to be returning,"

"Tomorrow night,"

"I'll take a bet and say now,"

"What do you mean? Bilbo looked up, confused.

Bard only gestured towards Gandalf's tall, giant form emerging through the trees.

"Your wizard is early,"

"A wizard is never late," Bilbo grinned, "Nor is he early – he arrives precisely when he means too,"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoo

Gandalf entered just as the breakfasters were getting up to go do whatever it was they were planning on doing. Everyone, including Thorin, was surprised to find Gandalf stooping low under the door frame with a small smile on his face, Bilbo grinning widely just behind him,

"Good Morning, merry travellers," he touched the rim of his hat and came through the door, "I have heard of your adventures in the forest, now did I not tell you to stick to the path?"

His gaze came to rest on Maya, who frowned immediately after meeting his soft eyes,

"We were starving and we had rope,"

"Yes and?"

"We needed food because we were starving," Thorin cut in, rising to the challenge.

"So you left the path knowing full well that even if you found food, you would most probably find your doom in there?" he raised an eyebrow,

"Yes…because we were starving,"

"Is that your only excuse? You merely needed more food,"

"Because we were starving, yes that is my only excuse," Thorin replied defiantly. Maya chuckled, she knew full well what Gandalf was about to drag them down on. His expression showed it, disbelief and utter hopelessness,

"You should have eaten less than the abnormal amount you dwarves eat, not to mention Maya and Bilbo" and for that he received two terrible scowls which he ignored, needless to say Bilbo's grin was gone, "You had enough – I told you and made sure that you had enough. I said that you wouldn't always be full but that it would get you through. But you ate it all!"

Maya wondered if Thorin would hold true to his words…she shouldn't have wondered. She should have known,

"Yes, we ate it all…because we were starving,"

Gandalf stopped talking and shook his head at Thorin who raised his chin at him, probably believing himself taller than he was. Maya really did love that about him…oddly enough, his stubbornness was infuriating but it was such a big part of which Thorin was, that she couldn't resist the smiles that fluttered across her features whenever he met a doomed debate head on.

Gandalf couldn't seem to resist either and he smiled and nodded in submission,

"Well, you are all here in one piece and that is what matters. Now, I must have a quick word with the Town master and then, Thorin, you and I will have a talk about what comes next,"

Thorin agreed and as Gandalf turned with a last smile at the rest of the company to make his way past Bilbo and the door, he gestured for Bard to lead the way: No one even realised Bard was in the corner and it made Maya uncomfortable with the fact that he was good at being in the shadows. Her face must have given her way for Bilbo walked up to her, a frown upon his brow,

"What seems to be the matter?"

She shook her head, coming out of her thoughts as the company all rounded on Thorin for answers,

"Nothing…I'm just not so fond of Bard. Or anyone here for that matter,"

"I like Bard; I think he's well enough,"

"Mmm…I don't like him,"

"Well, do you suspect he'll turn on us or betray us or any other unruly thing?"

"Not now, there's not much he can do now other than be a minor annoyance…but when Erebor has risen again, then maybe he and the rest of this petty place will be a problem,"

"Do you intend to stay and see it through until the end?"

"What, the task? Of course I do!"

"No, I mean, with Thorin,"

Maya looked at him, Thorin and Bilbo had somehow just asked the same question within a space of a day. Her reply came swiftly for she had obviously thought it through before,

"At the end of what's at hand, Mr Baggins, you may ask me that again,"

That day went quickly and Gandalf was back by dusk. The company was seated at their respectable places once again with Gandalf squeezing in between Thorin and Balin. Once their dinner had been thoroughly demolished, he spoke out above the company,

"SILENCE please, if you will,"

Everyone dropped what they were doing as quickly as that had picked it up and turned to him attentively, awaiting his address.

"Now, I have come to the realisation that this should probably involve all of you and not just Thorin and I," he cleared his throat, "The next couple of days that loom ahead of us are going to be the toughest of all and what's more we cannot delay, and I apologise for any inconveniences, for the towns folk really do not want us here," his face darkened along with some very angry dwarf outbursts and Maya's anxiety towards the place was confirmed. She caught Thorin's eye as he gave her a small smile…she returned it for he had done well in keeping his wits about him in the hollows of the town. Gandalf continued,

"The Town Master, I fear will not support you in your claim to Erebor, Thorin,"

"I don't need his support. It was our mountain to begin with and it was there 50 years before Lake Town even came to be, that cowardice man can keep his forked tongue behind his teeth and live with it. He doesn't have to bow to me and I will have nothing to do with him,"

"You may need him,"

"Why on earth would we need him? And for what?"

"I have found out a great deal in my dealings at Rivendell, Thorin," and then he turned to them all, a hint of grief briefly etched on his wrinkled face and then gone before Maya could even be sure she had seen it, "An army of Orcs and Goblins approaches the Mountain, for the gold or for the death of the King, I do not know, but we have six days,"

"Six days," Thorin slumped, his head falling into his hands as the rest of the group sat in stunned, fearful silence, "six days…thirteen dwarves, one wizard, one Hobbit and one Nymph against?"

"Hundreds…Thousands? I cannot be sure. That is why you may need the Town Master,"

Thorin was trying to remain calm but his hands were in fists and his lips had thinned – Maya could see,

"I will try talk to him…see if we can come to an agreement,"

"That may include your gold," Gandalf reminded cautiously,

"I am aware,"

The comment caused uproar of dismay and reluctance; every dwarf trying to defend their share, Dwalin doing so with such ferocity that Maya found herself, involuntarily, edging her and her seat away from him. Thorin threw up his arms and rose in anger,

"You all worry about your gold as if your life depends on it?!" Obviously it was a soft spot and it one that caused a deep self-containment to arise, "Have you forgotten what gold did to my father and Grandfather?! Maybe you should all give up your gold to this Town Master and then you'd be spared the same fate as them, though perhaps you should keep it if that is the way you truly wish to go!"

His rage had cooled down after his vent and he sat down, the dwarves he was addressing had all lowered their heads in shame. He spoke again, his voice calmer and more collected,

"I will speak to the Town Master this night and we shall leave in the morning," he sighed, "He can have my share if it pleases him for…I too do not wish to befall such an ill fate,"

The comment brought a tougher silence to the audience for Thorin's voice sounded so aggrieved and so lonely in that mere moment that Maya was sure all their loyal hearts had lit up with a fierce fire: This was their dwarf, this was their king. He rose,

"Gandalf, will you accompany me? You may have a sweeter tongue should mine grow too coarse,"

Gandalf nodded and rose too,

"All of you should get some rest now, the morning comforts will be short lived and the day long and hard,"

The dwarves murmured in disgruntled tones and made for their sleeping courters but Bilbo remained with Maya as Gandalf and Thorin left.

Maya sat, her thoughts going over and over every detail – the town's folk were not going to be enough to fend off an army of Orcs and Goblins – and that ghost of an expression that passed over Gandalf when he told them of it. Bilbo interrupted her thoughts again,

"Sad, really, I was rather hoping for another sleep in,"

"We all were,"

"Well, you weren't," Bilbo smirked and she glanced at him, frowning for a moment,

"True. Bilbo," she paused, thinking as he turned to her,

"Yes?"

"I – do you ever wish this adventure was a little easier? It's an impossible wish…but I wish it all the same,"

"I understand," Bilbo looked back to the door he was initially staring at, "I do. The last thing I expected was a finishing battle and I assume that would probably be after the battle with Smaug if they have any wits at all,"

His voice shook a little and he fiddled with his hands. Maya nodded and nudged him with a grin,

"With yours and my luck, Bilbo Baggins, they're probably the most intelligent of all dark dwellers,"

"That's not very reassuring,"

"But we'll be fine," She through her hands up, "We've made it through a lot so far, I'm sure we can make it through what's left of it,"

"What if we don't?"

She looked at him, her grin softening,

"We will,"

Just then Thorin and Gandalf walked through the very door the two talkers had been observing,

"Elves…I can't believe you're making me agree to that!"

"You don't have a choice, Thorin. You have the Town Master only just on your side only because you promised him gold but you know the towns' folk will not be enough,"

"I promised him gold, I'll give him that and a mighty force to reckon with should he abandon this agreement which you know, is a possibility,"

"We'll both just have to have some faith. I met Thranduil along the way and he has forgiven your offences -"

"MY OFF -"

But Gandalf cut him off,

"YOUR offences and has agreed to come to your aid if it means peace,"

Thorin said nothing but stalked off past them all, he walked too close to the table and walked into it, shifting the whole thing into Bilbo and Maya's chests which he chose to ignore and walked on with a slight limp.

Maya looked at Bilbo and then at Gandalf,

"That dwarf is really, quite remarkable," Shrugged and then left. Bilbo and Maya said their sullen, mildly amused good night's and went on their way. Maya crept into Thorin's room where he lay 'asleep' on a soft feather bed. When she knelt down beside him, however, the floor creaked and he opened his eyes. He saw her and just looked for a moment.

"I apologise about the table," he whispered, his arms flayed across the bed.

Maya chuckled in the dark,

"Are you alright?"

"My ribs hurt a little,"

She touched him and he flinched,

"Ah, bruising. That's going to be a monster in the morning," she smiled at him though he probably couldn't see it, "Sleep well, King Thorin, till I see you again,"

"Sleep here,"

She hesitated briefly,

"Yeah, alright."

I wasn't so sure about this chapter but everytime i write I go back and think maybe I should change something...never happens. Hmm...Bard and the Town Master...what to to review?