"This bog stinks." Complained Kili for the third time.

They had only entered the wasteland a few hours ago but already it was becoming unbearable. Thorin knew they would all eventually become desensitized and the smell wouldn't bother them too much after that, but for now, he had to agree with his nephew.

The swamp spread over a massive area, there was no way to tell where Bilbo entered or what route he took, they had no proof at all he even went this ay yet. Thorin had decided to just head in the general direction of the Black Gate. The fires of Mordor were clearly visible on the horizon, still a few days away but the black smoke was unmistakable.

"Hey!" Fili called excitably, "Look at what I've found!"

Fili's smile reached ear to ear, which was rare as of late so Thorin was curious, when he saw what his sister son had discovered he understood the reaction entirely.

Footprints.

Not just any foot prints, large footprints that unmistakably belonged to Bilbo.

They were a little muddled from a few days out in the elements but there hadn't been sufficient rain to wash away the trail. That, mixed with the thick mud of the swamp had left a definite imprint, several in fact, disappearing into shallow water or thick grass occasionally but always reappearing soon after.

"Bilbo did come this way I knew it!" Kili said gleefully, "If we follow this we are sure to find him!"

Thorin nodded in agreement but found his eyes narrowing in on a much lighter, slightly smaller set of footprints.

"Whose are those do you think?" He muttered, pointing them out to Fili and Kili.

"He can't possibly have met somebody in there." Fili scoffed, glancing back at the sheer cliffs, "Can he?"

"But, he didn't even trust us around the Ring!" Kili argued, "He wouldn't let a stranger go with him, no. Who ever these belong to, they must be following him like we are!"

Thorin didn't like that idea.

"Come, if he is being pursued we must find them before they find him."

-oOo-

Bilbo was surprised to see such clean water and greenery growing so close to Mordor. Gollum had lead him back from the Black Gate and along another path towards a more grassland area but never were the smokes and fires of the desolate land very far out of sight.

Still, as he watched the small mad creature chase a fish through the shallow water he couldn't help but feel the creature growing on him in a strange way. Yes he was still creepy, especially when he started calling him 'master' or when he hummed those eerily familiar tunes, but Bilbo could see there was good in him. In a sick sort of way, it gave him hope. If a small part of Gollum survived the Ring's contamination perhaps he too could recover once it was destroyed.

Exhausted, he flopped down by the stream and took out some lembas bread. More out of habit than anything, he usually just nibbled a few tiny bites off before giving up and resigning himself to the fact that he had no appetite. As he water the water Bilbo came to a sudden realization, he didn't remember the last time he drank. His water had run out weeks ago yet, he wasn't feeling thirsty. He felt exhausted and weak all the time from carrying the Ring but not dehydrated.

Nervously he clutched the Ring through his shirt. It was sustaining him somehow, he wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Could go to her maybe...perhaps...but less fish that way hmmm..."

Gollum was talking to himself again, Bilbo usually tuned him out as most of what he said was just ramblings. He watched as Gollum tried to climb a tree to snatch a bird, an activity he utterly failed at but it did give Bilbo a chance to see him less hunched over.

If Gollum were still able to stand up straight he'd be about the same size as Bilbo interestingly enough. That made Bilbo stop and look more carefully at him as the creature hobbled back to the water in search of more fish. He couldn't help but notice for the first time that Gollum's feet, much like his own, we quite large compared to his body.

A sort of sick panic began to overtake Bilbo as he started to notice more similarities, the shape of the eyes, the stature, the build, it was all so familiar. Then Gollum started to hum yet another creepy tune and Bilbo finally recognized where he'd heard it, well something similar. Hamfast had taught him about song years ago and in the back of his mind the old Hobbit songs passed down from generation to generation were still stored.

Bilbo suddenly became aware that he was close to hyperventilating as he came to the horrifying realization.

Gollum had been a Hobbit.

Just. Like. Him.

Had the Ring done that to him? Twisted his body along with his mind? What that what was happening to Bilbo right now?

Half dazed by panic Bilbo dropped the bread into the dirt and sat in shock, clutching the ring through his shirt.

He swore, he could hear the golden band laughing at him.

-oOo-

Gollum continued to lead Bilbo through the thin trees and boulders towards the mountain range that surrounded Mordor. Ever since his revelation Bilbo had found himself becoming even more embittered at fate. Why was it his duty to carry the Ring? Why couldn't somebody else have taken it and resisted as he had? Why couldn't fate ever just let him be happy?

A familiar screeching met the Hobbit's ears and he quickly ducked behind the mossy boulder closest to him, reaching out and tugging Gollum with him.

"Orcs." Bilbo hissed, motioning for Gollum to be silent.

It was just the one, orcs were probably patrolling about alone back here since nobody would attack from this side. Lucky for him.

Silently, Bilbo waited until it passed his boulder before quickly unsheathing Sting and stabbing it into the Orc's ankle. The creature collapsed downwards in shock and pain and Bilbo used this momentum to thrust his small sword upwards into the disgusting creatures neck, silencing it. Permanently.

It wasn't the Dwarf way to deal with enemies, it was not honorable but at the moment Bilbo didn't have the time or energy for honor.

"You kills it." Gollum grinned, "Masters is strong."

Bilbo just nodded.

"Come on, another is bound to be around here somewhere let's get out of here before they find this body."

So sorry about how long this has taken me! But my exams are over so I have lots of free time now so my updates should be coming every few days as long as reviews are positive :) I have the next chapter almost completed and guess what?

BILBO AND FAMILY WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN VERY SOON