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Here ya are. Hope you all enjoy! I want to say a big thank you for all your kind words! Cheers!
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Gandalf was annoyed.
It is not often that a wizard of his years and wisdom was, but as it was at that moment he was terribly annoyed, and getting more annoyed by the moment.
Perhaps it was the ceaseless chatter and what Gandalf liked to call "buffoonery" going on behind him, or perhaps that they had still found no trace of Bilbo or Thorin, or perhaps that he was finding signs of Orc activity. At any rate, the wizard was not pleased.
"Yeah, Mum tanned his hide!You should have seen it. Never saw him look so sheepish." Kili laughed.
"Lucky she didn't tan yours as well." Fili smirked in answer. "What did you think you were doing anyway? Dragging Uncle into your own scrapes."
"Oi. He welcomed the distraction. It's not as if he doesn't like a good fight now and then himself!"
Both the young Dwarves, for some reason of their own, thought this was terribly funny, and burst into loud and boisterous mirth.
Gandalf on the other hand, had quite the opposite reaction. Things were starting to look bad, and the lack of attention from the lads was beginning to grate on his nerves. He blew upwards into his beard in an irritated manner. Out of experience he had found that it had a pleasing effect on most people, rendering them silent with dismayed looks, but either Fili and Kili did not notice, or they ignored it. The Dwarves continued to laugh at previous escapades until sharply interrupted by the vexed wizard.
"Fili and Kili! Either you silence your tongues or I shall silence them for you!" He gripped his staff as if he meant to cast a horrible spell on them, frowning at them in disapproval.
The smiles fell immediately.
"What was the use in bringing you two along I should like to know!" Gandalf said out loud, talking mostly to himself.
"I take offense at that Master Gandalf!" Kili piped up, and was violently elbowed by his older brother.
"Sorry Gandalf," Fili said, all business and suddenly becoming the responsible one, "What can we do to help?"
Gandalf waved his hand about with a despairing air, "Well if Dwarves can fly and Orcs are friendly then I don't expect there will be much of a problem. As it is I can find nothing of your Uncle or my Burglar."
Both the Dwarves faces visibly fell.
"And" continued Gandalf, "I might have better luck if two Dwarves were giving me a hand instead of discussing their family's relations."
"Oh! Sorry!" Both the Dwarves said at the same time, looking extremely sheepish as they began looking about for signs of Bilbo and Thorin.
Gandalf nodded in satisfaction.
Now he had gotten those two lazy-good-for-nothings to work, there was a better chance of finding the missing company members. Very good.
But there were still the Orcs to consider, they were still about, and unless he was very much mistaken two weary travelers would seem an easy target. Thorin, warrior though he was, could not hope to fight an entire group off by himself. The wizard was sure, or rather hoped, that he would defend Bilbo to the last.
"I hope for goodness sake you take care of yourself Mr. Baggins." Gandalf said to the air, wondering where in Middle Earth Thorin and Bilbo could be. Fili and Kili were searching the grounds now with a good amount of zeal. Perhaps the Dwarves were not as lazy as he first thought, and that they needed only a task to perform. With two more looking for signs, Gandalf hoped they might fare better, but things still looked very bleak. Yes, the wizard was annoyed.
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"I try, I really do!" Bilbo muttered angrily.
Thorin had to be the most stubborn and unpleasant person he had ever had the misfortune to meet. Bilbo had merely attempted to see to a good breakfast for the both of them, and the Dwarf in his stubbornness had doomed them to what Bilbo was sure would taste horrible.
If anyone in the company knew anything about the culinary arts, it would be Mr. Baggins of Bag End. They could ask all over Hobbiton, and they would get the same answer.
Who is the best cook in these parts?
Why Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End sure enough!
He had the entire of Hobbiton to back him up on this matter.
Bilbo was also perturbed about the matter of the watch. Who was Thorin to take his work? It was not because Bilbo was incapable. The Dwarf had absolutely no trust in the Hobbit, of this Bilbo was sure. Why else would he behave in such a manner?
"Would serve him right if I let him do everything. He can stay up all night for all I care."
Still grumbling, the Hobbit made his way down to the stream, reaching it's stony banks in a short time. Placing his feet on a rock, he leaned over watching the rushing water fly over the stones like the wind from a hurricane. The rocks bravely braced themselves against this torrent, never moving with a stubbornness strangely akin to that of Thorin's. Small fish darted in the deepest part from rock to rock, as if afraid to be seen in the sunlight.
The water was bitter cold, chilling the air around and sticking it's freezing fingers down Bilbo's coat. Bilbo opened the top of the water skin, feeling it's old and worn sides. It had clearly seen much use, going from place to place and seeing lands far beyond even these. Bilbo mused about what adventures and deeds it had been silent witness to. He looked at it grimly, nothing like dragons though.
The water numbed his fingers almost immediately on contact, kissing them with it's cold embrace. Bilbo pushed it lower as the water fled into the opening, like the fish afraid to be seen.
He was just about to begin washing himself when he heard loud crack followed by a roar. He shot up, looking fearfully around. A few birds flew up as if trying to add to his confusion. He felt frantically at his side for Sting, drawing it and turning in a full circle in order to view the surrounding area.
The elvish dagger glowed an angry blue, almost seeming to crave battle with the foul creatures it had been made to destroy. It's sleek edges ran up to the elegant hilt, reflecting the sunlight on that glorious morning.
"Bother burglarizing, treasure, wizards, dwarves, dragons, and the whole lot!" he hissed to himself.
"I only wish I was next to my warm fire at home!"
"A little late for that now ain't it?" A nasal voice with a distinguished raspy quality said, accompanied by an evil and amused chuckle.
Bilbo gasped.
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The stream shone and sparkled in the sunlight, as a deer arched it's graceful neck to drink of it's waters. The waters danced about, singing in it's gurgling voice songs that have been sung since the beginning of the world. A songbird sang mockingly at the deer, perhaps due to some private dispute. The deer looked up with large brown eyes, gazing quizzically at the small creature, and shook its horns. Looking up suddenly in alarm, it bounded away in a majestic leap just as a Dwarf crashed through the foliage.
"Hobbit!" Thorin shouted, sword drawn and ready for battle.
There was no answer.
The stream was utterly deserted, with the songbird screeching at Thorin in derision. Where had the Halfling gone?
Scanning the area for any helpful information, Thorin eyes lighted upon the forgotten water skin. Wrenching it up from it's resting place he looked around and called again.
"Bilbo!"
Still no answer.
Durin's beard! Why had he been so foolish as to send the Halfling alone?!
Bending down in the soft earth he found the light prints of a Hobbit, and the unmistakable Iron Shod feet of the Orc. Cursing, he gazed wildly about. Had the Halfling been captured?!
Thorin knew orcs well, and shuddered thinking of what they were capable of. The Halfling was in trouble, possibly the worst kind, and through no fault of his own. It was through Thorin's fault that this had happened...
"I'm sorry Bilbo..." he whispered in regret and remorse.
He looked at Orcrist, glowing with a desire to do what it had been made to do. He set his jaw firmly, and held out the sword looking at its gleaming sides. Thought of the foul creatures filled his veins with an angry fire. He knew what he had to do, honor and duty called him to do it. He grasped the hilt more firmly.
"Let us go find and aid our Mr. Baggins." he said with a good deal of determination.
He knew it could easily end in absolute failure, but the Hobbit was a member of the company. As leader it was Thorin's duty to see to each and every company member's safety. Bilbo was in danger, and Thorin put him in that danger. Therefore Thorin must help him out of that situation if possible. It was that simple. There was no alternative. And if Bilbo was dead? The orcs would pay in blood whether Bilbo was alive or not, he would see to that. He could at the least avenge him.
He turned to go, but wait! What was this?
A set of Hobbit tracks,, like a glimmer of hope, pointing in the soft earth deeper into the foreboding forest. Perhaps in a panic Bilbo had sped off? He might then yet be well!
But with orcs close behind. Not a desirable option, but better then being captured. That is if he was still free.
Standing up and straightening he started at a good pace himself in the direction Bilbo had gone, hoping against hope that he would reach him in time. If Bilbo was in trouble he would do his best to help him. The Hobbit would not survive long on his own, and especially not with Orcs in pursuit.