AN: Hello! Obviously, this is the second chapter. And there were a few questions about length and frequency of my chapters, so these are the answers. Yes, all the chapters will be around the same length. I will try to regularly update, with one chapter per week. I will update on Friday night or Saturday morning. And at this point, I have about five chapters written, but there may be one or two more than that. Thanks for your questions! Enjoy the chapter!

OOOOO

Beorn was the most interesting man Bilbo had ever met. He was three, probably four, times the Hobbits size but he was the most gentle giant. He took very well to Bilbo, and they often sat discussing gardens and food and little things like that. But Bilbo was unprepared for the frown that overcame Beorn's usually cheerful face as they sat outside one day. The Dwarves were all busy washing and sharpening weapons and packing for the surely arduous trek through Mirkwood. It was just him and Beorn, which wasn't usually a frightening thing.

"Little Bunny smells very deeply of blood. I noticed when you came here, but today you smell stronger." Bilbo blushed, both at the pet name, and at the subject. He had needed the blade last night, even in such a beautiful place as Beorn's halls. Thorin had slipped back into his role of distant, angry leader soon after they started away from the Carrock, and Bilbo was so tired of it.

"I must have reopened a wound in my sleep." Bilbo tried to sound calm about it, but Beorn's analyzing eyes saw right through him.

"How long has Little Bunny been hurting himself?" At least he spoke softly. Bilbo looked around frantically, praying no Dwarves heard, and he was rewarded with the sight of an utterly empty garden. He looked back at Beorn, prepared to lie, but he found that he just couldn't lie. Not to this sweet, gentle creature.

"A few months now." He admitted, his voice wavering. Beorn sighed and before Bilbo could react, scooped the Hobbit up and onto his lap.

"It is not my place to tell Little Bunny to stop. But may I ask why you do this?" He asked, and his wide eyes were just too open for Bilbo to reject him.

"At first it was so I could continue on with the journey. The Dwarves were so mean to me at the start and sometimes they still are. I can't cry in front of them, so I have to keep all my emotions stuffed down. And when I cut, everything that's been bottled in just seems to flow out without tears." He explained sadly, rubbing his scarred arms as he spoke. Most of his arm wounds were healed and now were nothing more than pink puffy scars. But his legs were still raw. He'd have to go back to his arms soon, to let his legs heal. Beorn squeezed him a little closer and nuzzled his curls.

"I do not wish for you to hurt yourself. You are too good for such pain Little Bunny. Is there nothing I can do to help you stop?" Beorn asked mournfully.

"I'm sorry Beorn." Bilbo sniffled, and Beorn let out a low whine. Bilbo started playing with a few locks of the shape shifters hair, hopeful that it would sooth him. It worked, and soon enough Beorn was making a noise similar to a purr. It was how Thorin found them when he went searching for his host and his Hobbit. He didn't expect the flare of anger and jealousy he felt when he caught sight of Bilbo curled up in Beorn's lap playing with his hair. It took all he had to restrain from storming over and taking the Halfling out of Beorn's lap and into his arms.

"Hobbit!" Thorin growled, and both Bilbo and Beorn jumped. "You have not finished packing, what are you doing lounging around when you have work to do?" He demanded angrily. He felt a surge of guilt at the fearful look on Bilbo's face, but he quieted the urge to apologize before he could embarrass himself.

"I-I-I-"

"Little Bunny was keeping me company Master Oakenshield. It was my fault he has been, as you say, lounging around." Beorn interrupted the frantic Hobbit, who sagged a bit in relief when Thorin's glare moved to the bear like man. "Run along Little Bunny. I will see you at dinner." Beorn gave Bilbo a warm smile, which Bilbo returned just as warmly, before he jumped down to the ground and scurried off in the opposite direction of Thorin. "Master Oakenshield, perhaps you could sit for a moment." Beorn didn't sound like he was asking, and Thorin really didn't want to anger their host, so he nodded.

"Have I upset you Master Beorn?" Thorin asked cautiously as he sat.

"You have upset Little Bunny. And that is upsetting to me." He said with a half glare. "You are not the only one who has sacrificed for this quest of yours. Little Bunny is far from his home, surrounded by strange, rough beings and danger. Every angry word you speak hurts him very deeply. He feels much deeper than Dwarves do." Beorn continued before Thorin could speak. The Dwarf Prince looked at him for a long time before looking at the path Bilbo had disappeared down. "Be kind to Little Bunny. Or I will not be kind." Beorn murmured darkly before standing and walking off down the same path Bilbo took.

Thorin sat silently for a few minutes, a bit stunned. No one had talked to him like that for years now. Not since he'd managed to get all the Dwarves settled in the Blue Mountains. He was of Durin's Line for Mahal's sake! He would not tolerate being talked down to! But for some reason, he was not angry with Beorn for doing so. He felt...embarrassed. Ashamed. He was abundantly aware of how cruel he had been to Bilbo for the first leg of the journey. Every harsh word, every dark glare, he remembered them all. And his cold attitude had only encouraged the others in the company to act just as coarse towards Bilbo.

Thorin decided to talk to Bilbo about the situation before they left for Mirkwood. Maybe if they sat and had a discussion, just the two of them, they could resolve everything once and for all and just move on. With a fresh start. The only problem with that was the fact that Thorin Oakenshield was rapidly falling in love with Bilbo Baggins.

Thorin imagined that it started in Bag End. The first time he set his eyes on Bilbo, he knew he was in trouble. The Hobbit was just so adorable, so absolutely precious, that Thorin didn't have a chance. But he had other things to think of besides Hobbits and their curly golden hair and enchanting blue eyes, so he had dismissed Bilbo. Tired to make it clear he held no interest for their Burglar. That escalated to showing blatant dislike for Bilbo, even though the Hobbit did not deserve it. He couldn't be nice to Bilbo, he wasn't nice to anyone! So he did the opposite, hoping that distancing himself from Bilbo would help.

The night he had followed Bilbo into the woods and found him crying, a part of his heart had splintered and he wanted nothing more than to comfort him. Instead, he insulted the little creature and left him with nothing more than a knife to protect himself. It just kept getting worse and worse, Thorin became even colder and more callous. Until Bilbo saved him from Azog, with no concern for his own life. Thorin knew he could not ignore his feelings after that. Because even after all he had said and done to put down the Hobbit, Bilbo still risked his life for Thorin. And that was not something Dwarves looked lightly on.

He knew the company would not judge him for having feelings for Bilbo, nor would the Dwarves of his kingdom. He had heirs, two of them, he did not need to marry a Dwarrowdam at all. He could love whoever he wanted. But for some reason, he just couldn't talk to Bilbo. He had tried, several times, but every time he did, he accidentally ended up yelling at the poor boy. Which inevitably lead Bilbo to run off into the woods, probably to cry by himself, but Thorin would never go after him. Not when his heart had hurt so fiercely the first time he saw Bilbo weeping.

Thorin need to talk to Bilbo, not about his feeling, but at least about his actions and his words. He was a gruff Dwarf, by nature. He didn't mean to hurt Bilbo so badly just because he was naturally rough. So he would address the situation that night, after dinner. It would be one his last chanced before they entered Mirkwood. He had to use the chance given him.

Dinner seemed to last much longer than it usually did, and Thorin was more than a little irritated by the time he managed to get Bilbo alone and ask him to talk. The Hobbit looked a mixture of nervous and scared of what Thorin might want to talk about, but he nodded anyways and followed the Dwarf into a secluded store room. Bilbo sat on one of the large stools in the room, but Thorin remained standing.

"I wish to apologize for my behavior and my harsh words. I have acted most abominably on this quest, and you do not deserve such cold reception when you have given up much to go on our journey." Thorin got right to the point, hoping that if he got this over with quickly, he wouldn't end up making an ass of himself. Again. Bilbo openly gaped at him for minute before shaking his head slowly.

"This is a very strange dream." He murmured, and Thorin felt his heart squeeze in his chest.

"This is no dream Master Baggins. I am truly apologizing. As well, I must apologize for the future. I am a very coarse person, I know this, and the others are used to my conduct. But you are not, and I have been very unfair to you. I cannot change who I am, and I will say and do things that may hurt your feelings. I do not do this in an effort to hurt you, it is simply the way I have become due to my circumstances. I hope you will understand this." Thorin watched Bilbo carefully as the Hobbit absorbed what he said.

"You were going to leave me behind." Bilbo blurted out, and it surprised both of them. Thorin hadn't thought of that for days now, and honestly Bilbo hadn't either. The Hobbit's mind had been busy with thoughts of Azog and Beorn and the impending entrance to Mirkwood. But right now the memory of Thorin's harsh words came back full force and made his eyes water. "Is that your normal behavior? Because it felt personal." Bilbo added when Thorin was silent. The Dwarf dropped his head in an admittance of shame and Bilbo had to look away from him.

"I am sorry. Truthfully, I hoped that if we left, and you made it out of the mountain, that you would see we were gone and return to your home. In truth, I am very concerned for you and your well being, and after you nearly fell in the mountains, I hoped my harsh words would drive you away, back to Rivendell. Before it was too late for you to return." Bilbo looked at him with wide, shocked eyes and his mouth opened slightly in surprise.

"Y-You were trying to drive me away?" Bilbo's voice was heavy with pain.

"Yes." Thorin whispered, shame coloring his cheeks. Bilbo looked an inch from tears, and he flinched away when Thorin reached out to him. "Master Baggins, I was going about things in the wrong way, but I only did it in the hopes that you would return to where you could be safe." He desperately wanted Bilbo to say something, even if it was to yell at him, but the Hobbit was deathly silent. He looked down at his covered arm and clenched his fists, though Thorin couldn't fathom why. "Please say something." Thorin begged, but Bilbo shook his head. Suddenly Bilbo sprang up and ran from the room, giving Thorin no explanation or indication of his feeling. The Dwarf King followed after the Halfling, but a heavy hand came down on his shoulder with his first step out of the room. He looked up with a glare at Gandalf, who shook his head.

"Let him calm down. Hobbits are more sensitive than Dwarves, he may need a while." The wizard told him firmly before steering him towards the great hall and the other Dwarves. Thorin looked over his shoulder once, but Bilbo was no where to be seen. With a huff Thorin wondered if he was even capable of speaking to Bilbo without seriously upsetting the poor boy. Apparently, he was not.

OOOOO

Bilbo knew they weren't supposed to leave Beorn's house after the sun went down, but he wasn't going far. Just to the garden. He sat down and quickly rolled up his sleeves, his knife was in his hands in a second and in another second, there was blood trickling down his arm. He couldn't believe it! Thorin was trying to make Bilbo go away! He was purposefully trying to hurt Bilbo's feelings! Bilbo had never felt so...betrayed! He didn't even realize how many cuts he was making, tears stung his eyes for the first time in a long time and he couldn't take it. Even the cutting wasn't helping.

Tears spilled from his eyes, raining down his cheeks and making round circles in the dirt. And once Bilbo started crying, he couldn't stop. He clutched his bleeding arm to his stomach as he wept, opening and with abandon. He didn't even stop when a bizarrely big hand started petting his hair, or when he was pulled onto a large lap. Beorn hummed soothing while Bilbo cried and bled and he didn't say anything. He just let Bilbo cry for as long as he needed.

A few yards away, Thorin saw his Halfling in the shape shifters lap again, but he didn't approach them this time. It was his fault Bilbo was crying so bitterly, and it was his fault that Beorn needed to comfort him in the first place. He was just glad someone was comforting his Bilbo. He couldn't have know that if he had gone up to them, he would have discovered Bilbo's dark secret. He could have seen the blood and the pain that Bilbo was inflicting on himself. But he didn't. He didn't want to hurt Bilbo's feelings anymore than he already had. Better to just avoid him. He turned and returned to the main hall where he tried not to be noticed by the Dwarves.

"I-I'm s-sorry Beorn." Bilbo gasped between sobs.

"No. Do not apologize to me Little Bunny. You are in pain, it is not your fault." Beorn murmured, petting the Hobbit's curls again. It took another ten minutes for Bilbo to calm down and relax in Beorn's arms. And then he just felt numb. "Let me see." Beorn held his giant paw of a hand out and Bilbo looked down at his lap as he laid his arm in that hand. Bilbo glanced at his arm out of the corner of his eye and cringed. There were so many! He had really lost control. There had to be at least twenty new red lines, all sluggishly dribbling blood.

"I-I didn't...I didn't mean to make so many..." Bilbo admitted with a choked whimper. Beorn sighed and nodded, helping Bilbo stand up.

"May I clean and bandage them?" The shape shifter asked hopefully. Bilbo nodded and allowed his host to lead him back inside. They avoided the Dwarf populated area and instead Beorn took Bilbo to his room to fix his wounds. "Have you suffered from any infection?" Beorn asked as he started cleaning blood off of Bilbo's arm. He had a jar of ointment that was the color of spring grass, and smelled like pine needles out and ready as well.

"No. Lord Elrond gave me a salve to keep them clean." Bilbo explained, patting his pocket where the ointment resided. "Though I am running low on it." He acknowledged.

"I shall give you some of mine before you leave. Since you are intent on continuing your habit." Bilbo blushed guiltily at that. "Little Bunny has so many scars. So much pain. Stay here with me Little Bunny. Do not go if it will cause you pain." Beorn pleaded, his eyes impossibly large. Bilbo swallowed thickly and waited until Beorn finished wrapping bandages around his arm to hug the shape shifter.

"I can't Beorn. Not when we're so close to the mountain. Perhaps after, I could come back here." He didn't really think he could go back to the Shire. Beorn smiled a small sad smile and nodded.

"I would love for you to return Little Bunny." He said gently and petted Bilbo's hair for a few seconds. "You should sleep, let your body heal." He urged. Bilbo nodded silently and gave Beorn another short hug before stumbling off. Beorn watched him go with a heavy heart, silently hoping Bilbo would change his mind before they left. This quest, the stress of it as well as the cruel words the Dwarves had spoken to him in the past, was tearing the peaceful Hobbit apart. He wasn't used to such rough elements and harrowing experiences, topped all off with people who didn't appreciate his sacrifice. It was the last thing he wished upon Bilbo.

But the Hobbit was loyal, to a fault, and he wouldn't be giving up just because he was in pain.

OOOOO

Beorn spent a good half hour mothering Bilbo on the morning they departed. He made sure the Hobbit was warmly dressed and that he had more than enough food and water in his pack, as well as a generous supply of ointment. Beorn did not want Bilbo getting an infection, especially not in Mirkwood. He coddled Bilbo for so long and so intensely that Thorin had to send Fili and Kili to remind the two that they needed to leave soon. Beorn muttered under his breath about Dwarves and their insensitivity before helping Bilbo onto his very finest pony.

"Remember Little Bunny, I am always here. I know you do not wish to stop your habit, but please do not let it consume you. Please." Beorn whispered, and Bilbo nodded solemnly.

"Thank you Beorn. For everything." Bilbo whispered back. He gave the shape shifter one more hug before spurring his horse into a trot to catch up with the already moving company. He waved until he couldn't see Beorn anymore, before turning to face forward. The shadow of Mirkwood was like a physical presence before them, and an odd silence fell upon the company as they got closer and closer to the dark, eery trees.

Gandalf left them at the boarder of Mirkwood, telling them simply that he was needed elsewhere and giving them a final, firm warning to not leave the path. Bilbo bit his lip lightly as he watched Gandalf go. He didn't want to think about what awaited them in the forest, and now that Gandalf was gone as well, he could only assume it would be so much worse. But he didn't voice any of his doubts, he simply retrieved his pack from his pony and fell into step between Dori and Nori.

Even the first day of walking was exhausting. After their week of relaxation at Beorn's home, as well as the added pressure of Mirkwood bearing down on them, the company all felt the strain. Even Thorin looked much heavier than he had when they entered the sick forest. They made camp silently, staying as close together as they could, and none of them slept restfully that night. Or any night after.

OOOOO

All of the company were having nightmares in Mirkwood, but they could all see that Bilbo's were the worst. The Hobbit hardly went a night without tossing and turning in his sleep, crying out every now and then. Some nights he would wake up with blood on his hands. But when Oin or Thorin asked to look at his wounds, which were apparently constantly reopening, Bilbo refused vehemently. He constantly maintained that he was fine, and that they were just nightmares, but everyone could tell the difference. They were more than just nightmares, they were terrors that left a haunted look in Bilbo's eyes and shadows across his face.

"What is it that you dream about?" Kili asked softly one night, ten days after they entered the wood. Bilbo looked up, startled, and blushed. "It's okay, we won't judge you." He promised when Bilbo looked ready to deny him an answer. Bilbo looked from him to Fili, who was also looking at him curiously, and then over to Thorin. The Dwarf King was pretending not to hear what was being said, but they could all tell that he was eavesdropping.

"I dream of Azog. I dream we're back on that cliff and facing him. Some nights he kills Thorin. Some nights he kills me. Last night he...well it doesn't matter. They're just dreams." He tried to shrug it off, but Fili persisted

"What did he do last night?" The golden haired Dwarf asked, his eyes wide.

"I really don't think this is an appropriate subject boys..."

"Please tell us Bilbo. Maybe we can help!" Kili suggested, and Fili quickly agreed with him. Bilbo looked between the two of them, and at Thorin again, before sighing.

"He was making me bleed. H-He was using the sharp edge of his mace to open wounds all over my body. And he kept breathing in the scent of my blood, and licking it off my skin. And I couldn't move, I could only watch him slowly make cut after cut." Bilbo relented, his eyes glazing over as he remembered the haunting nightmare. He was fairly sure that if Azog had had more time to "play" with him on the mountainside, such a fate would have befallen him.

"Is that was he was doing? When I shot him?" Kili asked in a weak voice. "Was he cutting you Bilbo?" He added when Bilbo said nothing.

"It was only my side. He was going to cut my face, but then you stopped him. I never thanked you for that. But it means the world to me Kili." The Hobbit gave the dark haired Dwarf a small smile and put his hand on Kili's.

"I would never let someone hurt you Bilbo. Not if I had a choice." He promised. Someone cleared their throat and the three of them looked up to find Thorin standing close to them.

"I would like a word with our Burglar." The message was clear. Fili and Kili, leave. And leave they did. It hardly took them a few seconds to be half way across the camp. Bilbo looked up at Thorin nervously for a few moments before the future King sat heavily next to Bilbo. "After we climbed down the Carrock, and I came to you by the river, I asked you what happened. All you said was his name. Why didn't you tell me what he did?" Thorin asked quietly, looking straight into Bilbo's eyes. The Hobbit fidgeted uncomfortably, but couldn't look away from Thorin's piercing stare.

"I didn't think that you would care." He admitted with a whimper. Thorin's entire face shifted to one of anger for a moment before he schooled himself mentally and his face returned to impassive. "I didn't want to be more a burden than I already was, and I didn't want you to be angry with me for being weak after we had just come to a sort of truce. So I didn't tell you." He hastily continued explaining before falling silent.

"And the wound? How fares it?" Thorin asked in his typically stoic voice. Bilbo absently rubbed his side where the gash was scarred over. It wasn't Azog's wound that he kept reopening, it was his own self inflicted wounds. But he wondered if he should blame it on the side wound anyways. The only problem was that if he did, Thorin would probably ask to see it. And if Bilbo said no, he would be suspicious.

"It's fine now. It's healed, though sometimes it twinges when I stretch a certain way." Bilbo said, strangely emotionless as he said it.

"Why do you wake up with blood on your hands Bilbo?" Thorin demanded after a moment. Bilbo looked up in shock. He had never heard Thorin speak his first name before. As well, there was so much emotion in the King's voice when he asked. Such a big change from the terrible unemotional tone he normally always took. Bilbo swallowed heavily, debating just telling Thorin. Would the Dwarf King take it as well as Elrond and Beorn had? Or would he be disgusted and send Bilbo away? He was too uncertain. He couldn't tell Thorin, because he couldn't risk inciting the King's anger. He just couldn't.

"I scratch at my skin while I sleep, when I'm frightened. I used to do it a lot as a fauntling, and the forest must be bringing it out again." It wasn't technically a lie. He did use to scratch, and it was the scratching that was reopening his wounds now.

"May I see your injuries?" Bilbo winced and instinctively cradled his arms to his stomach.

"They're fine Thorin. Beorn gave me an ointment, in case something like this happened. They are in no danger." Bilbo rushed to assure him. Thorin looked like he wanted to insist, but sighed and nodded after a moment.

"Very well Master Baggins. But please, if something does happen, promise me you will go to Oin." Thorin held his eyes in such an intense way that he found himself nodding before his mind could fully process what he was agreeing to. "Thank you." Thorin nodded slightly before standing and walking away. Bilbo watched him walk away before releasing a shaky breath. His skin itched dangerously, begging for him to cut it. But they were all in such close quarters in the forest that he was having to make due with reopening old cuts as he slept. When they finally reached the other side of this impossibly large woodland, then he would be able to slip away.

OOOOO

Bilbo didn't quite know what happened. Once moment they were walking, and then they were set upon by giant spiders! He blacked out after being stung, and when he woke up it was to the face of a blond male Elf. They had been saved by the woodland Elves, and not a moment too soon. After the Elves cut them out of their cocoons, Thorin made it a point to keep Bilbo next to him. The one who had cut Bilbo out of the spider silk noticed, and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. But he didn't say anything, just started leading the Dwarves towards the palace.

Thranduil King of Mirkwood was much taller than Bilbo thought he would be. All Elves were tall, and graceful, and beautiful. But Thranduil just seemed to surpass all the others and steal the spotlight all for himself. Bilbo knew he was gaping at the King, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. Thorin muttered and elbowed the Hobbit, and Bilbo finally snapped out of it. He blushed and looked at Thorin apologetically.

"Thorin Oakenshield. Son of Thrain, son of Thror. How...unexpected." Thranduil drawled with a slight smirk. "What brings you to my kingdom, Master Dwarf?" He asked pointedly.

"We are merely passing through." Balin spoke before Thorin could snarl some kind of insult. "We are heading to the Iron Hills." He added when Thranduil merely raised an eyebrow in disbelief. The Elf observed the older Dwarf before his eyes took in the others of the company. Thus far his attention was focused on Thorin, but he supposed he should at least glance at the others. He was glad that he did when his eyes landed on the strangest of beings.

He cocked his head to the side and his brows drew together in confusion as he looked the creature over. It was small, smaller than Dwarves even! It had light, curled hair and an adorable button nose, as well as lightly tapered ears. Not as dramatic as Elf's ears, but definitely pointed. He wore light, thin clothes of bright colors and no shoes. Which allowed Thranduil a full view of the startling patch of fur on the male's feet. Using his observations, he quickly came to a conclusion about the identity of this strange thing. He was a Hobbit. And Hobbits, if he remembers correctly, were not prone to wander far from their homes. The fact that this was the first one he'd ever seen attested to that fact. So what was this little one doing in Mirkwood, which was indeed so very far away from his home?

"Legolas, bring the Halfling forward." Thranduil spoke in Sindarin, much to the dismay of the Dwarves, but he saw understanding in the Hobbits eyes.

"I have a name." Bilbo said, clinging to his pride even as the one called Legolas grabbed him by his upper arm and brought him closer to the King. Thranduil couldn't help but grin at the indignation in the little ones voice. Such a strange thing. The Elf King stood and leisurely approached the Hobbit, who stood tall and unwavering. He must be used to intimidation. Thranduil stopped in front of the creature and crouched to be on the same level as him. The Elven guards exchanged glances with each other, because they'd never seen their king crouch before, but no one said anything.

"And what is your name little one?" He asked, once again in Sindarin, just to test his theory.

"Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins." The Hobbit stated proudly, and Thranduil smiled.

"How do you know our language?" He asked curiously. Bilbo shrugged and tried to look away, but Thranduil placed one finger under his chin and turned his face back towards his. "Come now Bilbo, there's no need for you to be modest." He goaded, and sure enough a pleasant blush lit the Halfling's face.

"My mother taught me. She went to Rivendell and had them teach her the language. I can read it and understand it, but speaking it is hard for me." Bilbo explained, another blush of embarrassment lighting his cheeks.

"Impressive. And what is a Hobbit of the Shire doing with a group of Dwarves?" Thranduil asked suspiciously. Bilbo glanced over his shoulder at the mentioned Dwarves, who all had looks that ranged between murderous and curious. Thorin being the murderous one and Kili probably the most curious.

"We are traveling to the Blue Mountains. I came along because my mother always wanted me to go on an adventure." He lied smoothly, but Thranduil was far too old and wise to fall for such an innocent lie. He tsked and gestured for the Dwarves to be taken to cells.

"Put Oakenshield away from the others." He ordered before turning and casually taking up his throne again. He watched idly as the Dwarves fought their imprisonment, and called out for their Hobbit. But soon silence retook the grand Halls and it was just the King, Legolas, and Bilbo. The other guards had been sent away as well, and Bilbo felt terribly exposed without the company behind him. "I imagine Thorin and his little company like to think of me as a villain. I also imagine they've told you all about how I refused to slay the Dragon for them that fateful day many years ago." He droned with a frown.

"W-Well yes, they have. B-But in my opinion, they're a bit harsh. It's obvious that you couldn't have defeated the Dragon, especially not without a great deal of loss to your people. It's not fair of Thorin to hold that against you." Bilbo explained, gaining himself a raised eyebrow from the King. "B-But, I also think it wasn't right that you left them alone after that. You could have offered them shelter, or food, but you didn't. And many of their people died as they wandered the wilderness without aid from any others." He ventured, and the eyebrow lowered again. Thranduil stared blankly at the Hobbit for a long while before beckoning Legolas closer.

"Give the Halfling a proper room, and a proper bath. He will join me for dinner." Bilbo could just barely hear the Elvenking's whisper, but his heart seized in fear anyways.

"B-But the company-"

"The company is comprised of rude, disgusting Dwarves that would sneer at any offer of kindness from me, especially now. If I actually believed they would be grateful for such a gift, I would extend it to them. You on the other hand, are a Hobbit. You understand the merits of manners and sanitation. So, you will accept my offer, and you will do it with grace." Thranduil's voice was powerful, echoing all around the room and making the Hobbit shudder a little.

"Thank you King Thranduil. For your most gracious gift." Bilbo tried to keep his voice calm, but it shook anyways. Thranduil grinned and nodded to Legolas, who untied Bilbo's binds before leading him off into the palace and to the guest rooms. Legolas stopped in front of the very last door in a long hallway and bowed to Bilbo before leaving him in front of the door. Bilbo watched him disappear back down the hallway before tentatively opening the door and looking inside.

The room was beautiful, far grander than Bilbo could ever have imagined, and he flushed to think that Thranduil wanted him to inhabit this room. The bed would easily fit five adult Hobbits, and there was a large desk in the corner as well. A huge dresser stood proud off to the side, next to a closed door that Bilbo could only guess lead to a bathroom. And then there was the balcony, which was just beyond a beautiful stained glass door. Bilbo gingerly closed the door behind him and then went to the balcony.

He had a beautiful view from the balcony. Several dozen feel below there was a lovely garden that stretched forward all the way to the edge of a cliff. Beyond the cliff, Bilbo could see a rushing river that lead through the forest, and towards the lake that he could just barely see through the trees. It was picture perfect, though Bilbo would prefer the peaceful rolling hills of the Shire to the endless Mirkwood that was all around them. He retreated back inside and jumped when he saw someone standing near the door. It was the red haired Elf lass from earlier, and she giggled lightly at the surprised on Bilbo's face.

"I apologize for startling you little Master." She bowed at her waist and smiled warmly. "I am Tauriel. I have come to take your clothes so they may be cleaned before you eat with the King." She explained sweetly. But Bilbo was very shaken at the thought.

"I-I- thank you but that's not necessary." He tried to insist.

"Have you smelled yourself little one? You are direly in need of a bath, which you will find through that door. If you like, I can wait out here until you are in the water and then I can take your clothes." She proposed, and Bilbo didn't think that sounded any better than giving her his closed before he was in the bath. "Of course, there's robes that you can wear while your clothes are being washed. If that is your fear." She added when she saw the apprehension on his face.

"Well...I suppose I'll just...go get in then." He murmured in defeat and hung his head as he stalked into the bathroom. The tub he found was just like the rest of the room, far too large for one little Hobbit. But Bilbo found he didn't mind that thought too much. It had been far too long since he'd had a good bath. He turned the hot water on, marveling at the preheated water that filled the tub. He found rose smelling salts to the side of the tub and sprinkled some into the water. Soon enough the entire room smelled of roses, and Bilbo breathed in a big breath of the soothing air.

He reluctantly stripped out of his clothes, putting his ring off to the side, and then bunched them up near the door so Tauriel wouldn't have to really enter the room to get them. He sighed in bliss as he slipped into the perfectly warm water and enjoyed the feeling of his tense muscles relaxing for the first time in weeks. Tauriel must have entered at some point in time, because he looked over to find his clothes gone. But he couldn't be bothered to worry about her seeing the bright red lines decorating his arms and legs. If she had, she hadn't said anything.

He lounged in the blessed water until it started to cool, and then he drained the tub before refilling it. He took up soap and a washcloth and began to scrub at his dirty skin. He lathered soap onto his hands and worked it through his matted and disgusting curls, working out the lumps and tangles until it was as soft as it had been in the Shire. He washed himself three, maybe four, times before releasing the water and rising to dry himself off.

True to Tauriel's words, he found a range of robes all folded nicely within a cabinet to the side. Most of them were too big for him, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He wrapped himself in a soft blue robe and tied it closed around his waist. There was no one waiting for him when he reentered the room, so he shrugged and sat on the overly large bed. He didn't really remember when he decided to lay down, or when he decided to slip between the impossibly soft sheets of the impossibly large bed. Nor did he recall exactly when his eyes slipped shut. But it seemed that the moment they did, Bilbo Baggins was asleep. And he slept deeper than ever before.

OOOOO

AN: What did you think? Feel free to leave a comment or question, and I will see you next week for the next chapter.