Summary: Bilbo starts to feel the pull of the ring and Gandalf questions Thranduil

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is fiction

Nerves of Steel

"What do you mean Bilbo has vanished?"

Balin took a deep breath, reminding himself that Gandalf would never hurt someone Bilbo considered a friend.

"We mean, that he went into the Elven camp with Kili and has not returned."

Gandalf took a deep breath. Thranduil would be the death of him, that meddling king.

"Why would he want Bilbo?"

"I thought you might know Gandalf."

"No. I think I need to speak to the King."

Bilbo's dreams scared him. He saw a fiery eye surrounded by nine warriors in black armour, The eye spoke to him.

"Come to me Bilbo. Return my ring and you will have a place of honour by my side."

Bilbo backed away from the eye, which followed after him.

"Bilbo, leave those pathetic companions behind and stand by my side."

"A...and what will happen to my friends?"

Two bodies appeared beneath the eye, who Bilbo had now figured out was Sauron. The hobbit screamed as he saw the broken, bloodied bodies of Legolas and Kili.

"BILBO! BILBO!"

The hobbit sprang up, Sting in his hands. When the fog lifted from his eyes, he saw Legolas and Kili standing in front of him, concern on their faces. The dwarf stepped forward.

"Bilbo, you were screaming. Are you okay?"

Tears burned his eyes. They were alive. With a cry, he threw himself into Kili's arms. Legolas stepped forward, surprise in his eyes. He rested a gentle had on Bilbo's head.

"Bilbo, we are okay. We are all okay, young one. Don't cry."

Kili shushed Bilbo. Sometimes, he forgot that Bilbo wasn't used to this kind of hardship.

"Bilbo, please tell us. What happened in the dream?"

"Sauron, at least I think it was him. He knows I have the ring, he wants it back."

Legolas swore.

"Then we must move fast. If Sauron knows you have the ring, he will send someone after us, possibly an army."

Kili and Bilbo stared at him, shocked.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes this ring, Sauron cannot access his true power, or his physical form. He needs it if he wants to take over Middle Earth. He will do anything and kill anyone to get it back."

"Then we must move. I am not stopping until this ring is destroyed and gone from my sight and mind. Gather your things. We're leaving."

"Thranduil!"

The elf king sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Tauriel, what have I told you about Gandalf?"

"Uh, not to let him in the kingdom."

"So tell me, Captain of my Guard, why is he in my throne room?"

"Because, I need to talk to you King Thranduil."

Thranduil waved away his guards. He could handle Gandalf.

"I assume you are here to talk about the hobbit?"

"His name is Bilbo. And yes, I am."

"All you have to know is that he has agreed to do something for me. And Kili offered to go with him. DO not look so concerned wizard, my son travels with them. They will be protected."

"And what has he agreed to do?"

"You must wait for that information. I have sent messages to Erebor, Gondor, Rivendell, Lothlorien and Dale. Their leaders will meet here as soon as possible, I am hoping within the next 6 weeks."

"And then you will reveal why Bilbo has left?"

"And then you will find out why Bilbo left."

"Did you say something Kili?"

"No. Bilbo, that's the fourth time you've asked me."

Someone was whispering to him.

'Bring me home. Give me back. Set me free!'

"By the Valar, it's the ring."

The three stopped walking. Legolas crouched down in front of Bilbo.

"What do you mean, the ring?"

"I can hear a voice. It whispers to me."

"What does it say?"

"That the ring must be given back to Sauron. That he must access his full powers."

Legolas sighed as Kili gripped Bilbo's hand.

"I was afraid of this. That ring is more powerful than we can ever imagine. It is pure evil and will effect your mind. But you are strong Bilbo and more importantly, your soul is pure and loving. You have Kili and I here to help you. The next time you hear those whispers, think of everything and everyone you love, the Shire, Thorin, the Company. And if that does not work, call for one of us. We will always be here for you Bilbo."

Bilbo took a deep breath. Clearly, this journey would be harder then he first thought. But he had to succeed.

"Thank you Legolas. It warms my heart to know that I have two friends by my side. Now, we must continue. The longer we dawdle, the closer Sauron's orcs get."

Kili's answer was cut off by a high pitched scream, that set his skin crawling. The dwarf shivered.

"Legolas,what was that?"

"I think that was a Nazgûl."

"What is a Nazgûl?"

"There is no time. We must run."

"What? Legolas?"

Bilbo stepped forward, intending to grab the elf and stop him moving, when behind him, a black horse burst from the trees. On the horse, there was a rider clad in black armour. The unnatural screaming came from him. Bilbo had to assume that this was a Nazgûl.

A/N Done. R&R please. Next chapter, will the three survive their flight from the Nazgul, Legolas explains what it is and Thranduil chairs a meeting of Middle Earth leaders.