I do not own any of the characters or the Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC) those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other vfan fics would not be in existence.

Please review! I love getting them-they keep me encouraged J

In all his life, Bilbo never thought he would see the day where he would voluntarily mount a giant bird knowing that said bird intended to fly a thousand feet in the air with the tiny hobbit on his back.

As he clumsily clambered up the back of the magnificent bird, the intelligent animal seemed to suddenly share his sentiment, squawking as he accidentally tugged on some feathers.

"Easy now!" the bird grumbled, shifting slightly in an attempt to help the hobbit up without ruffling his feathers further. "Those feathers are attached, and I would quite like them to stay that way, thank you very much!"

"My…apologies," Bilbo panted, shifting himself so he was more or less as secure as he could manage, though it was far less secure than he wished he would be. "I'm not exactly the tallest—BRRRAP!"

The sudden, gigantic (and quite unexpected by both the hobbit and the eagle) burp caused the great bird beneath him to jump slightly with a squawk of surprise, and several wide pairs of eyes turned toward the hobbit, jaws agape. Bilbo's hand quickly flew to his mouth, eyes wide as well.

"Well, you'll get 'im next time, nadad," Nori said after a moment, patting Ori on the shoulder as he smiled slightly, thought the smile did not quite reach his eyes. Behind them, Dori groaned as he placed his head in one hand and his elbow in the other. Bofur looked wide eyed at the hobbit as he pointed, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Turning toward Bombur, he shook his head in wonder.

"How in Durin's name did Bilbo of all people manage a belch like that?" Bombur shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he had absolutely no idea. The poor hobbit flushed a deep scarlet.

"P-pardon me," he mumbled, wishing he could sink into the giant feathers until the company had quite forgotten the incident. "I-I have absolutely no idea where-where that came from."

A slight chuckle sounded through the eyrie, and wide eyes turned toward Gandalf in surprise, the wizard shaking his head in slight wonder even as Bilbo glared at him.

"Hobbits never cease to amaze me," the wizard said, eyes twinkling just slightly even as he felt a nudge on his shoulder. Turning, he looked up at Gwaihir.

"Gandalf, we must head out now," the great eagle lord said as Gandalf turned towards him. "The winds are now favorable for flying east. Who knows how long they will stay that way." Nodding, the wizard nimbly jumped upon his back, before turning to make sure that all members of the company save Fili were securely mounted on the eagles.

Noting with satisfaction that everyone was present and accounted for, the wizard nodded.

"Let's go," he said to the giant eagle, before his tone dropped low. "And remember- the young one must be given a very gentle ride if he is to survive this flight."

The bird nodded, before taking the young heir gently in his talons.

XXX

Dwalin had no idea how long they had been flying, but he was relieved that Thorin had finally fallen asleep in front of him, the dark haired dwarf snoring loudly.

The warrior's arm had wrapped securely around the dwarf king's middle as they took off, taking care to not place undue pressure on his wounds. Thorin had objected quite strongly at first, insisting that he could bloody well hold on to the eagle by himself, until Dwalin informed him that he was not about to let his king and greatest friend fall from the back of an eagle should he pass out from his injury or exhaustion, and that it was completely and utterly useless for Thorin to argue lest he wish to be tied to the bird.

When Dwalin had reached for the rope wrapped around his chest in order to fulfill his threat, the stubborn dwarf king had clamped his mouth shut, and grudgingly allowed Dwalin's arm to stay. But he had not ceased grumbling about it for nearly an hour afterward.

Now, exhaustion had finally caught up to Thorin, just as the burly dwarf knew it would. Shifting slightly to increase circulation in his limbs while attempting to not wake the sleeping dwarf in his arms, the warrior glanced down, noting with no little amount of apprehension just how high they were.

"You don't have to squeeze so tight!" the bird beneath him piped up suddenly. "I am not going to drop you. I don't particularly have interest in seeing whether dwarves can fly or not."

"Dwarves are people of rock and stone. We are meant to have our feet firmly planted on the ground, not gallivanting a thousand feet in the air on the back of a bloody bird," the sullen dwarf retorted.

A loud squawk of indignation sounded below him, before the bird suddenly tilted up to the left, causing the tall dwarf to let out a very loud and undignified squeak of fright. Dwalin's grip tightened considerably around Thorin as he grasped a couple of feathers tightly, before glaring at the bird, who had righted himself and was now flying level again.

"You did that on purpose," the dwarf growled, glaring daggers at the bird beneath him.

"Of course I did," the bird replied testily. "Haven't you ever seen a bird turn? We have to tilt one wing up as the other one goes down." Dwalin glowered.

"You didn't have to tilt that much," he muttered, before turning his eyes toward the unusual pillar of rock that became visible in the distance.

He didn't know off the top of his head whether or not an eagle could laugh, but he had a strong suspicion the one beneath him was more than capable of doing so, if the strange cackling sound beneath him was any indication.

XXX

The eagles began to turn in circles as they descended toward the top of the giant pillar, which Bilbo noted seemed to be carved into the shape of a bear's head.

Why a bear, I wonder? The hobbit thought. I surely hope it doesn't mean there are bears around here.

The small being's mind was quickly taken off the curious sight, however, as his stomach began to protest the eagle's method of descent. The hobbit swallowed thickly, praying that his meager breakfast of cold mutton and snowmelt would not make a reappearance. Shutting his eyes tightly, his grip tightened just a little, before laying his forehead against the warm feathers between the bird's shoulders.

Maybe if he didn't actually see the world spinning, he wouldn't have to explain why, after three months of travel without it, he suddenly needed second breakfasts again.

XXX

Fili wasn't quite certain what was going on. His body felt numb, devoid of all emotion and feeling. He vaguely recalled Oin and Balin saying something about his arm needing to be secured for something, but in his sorrow and grief he could not really comprehend their words.

All that went through his mind were images of his brother's terrified face right before he fell. The sheer terror that had been in the dark orbs had been seared into the young heir's memory, and he knew he would never be able to escape it.

Kili had died because he had not been close enough to catch him and haul him up. He had broken his promise to his mother. He had promised to look after Kili, had sworn to protect his brother at all costs. He had failed his mother, and he had failed his brother.

He felt the cold wind across his face, and the gentle support of the talons that held him firmly but gently. The whoosh of the air in his ears drowned out nearly all else, and he could feel the cold against his tear stained cheeks as the drops of salty water flew off them.

His arm throbbed, but he welcomed the pain. It was far less than he deserved for what he had done, or rather what he had failed to do. Any thoughts of permanent injury or crippling due to the badly injured limb did not enter his thinking.

It was supposed to be the two of us, he thought to himself, feeling his throat constrict in his anguish. We were supposed to stay together, Kee. We were supposed to look upon the halls of our fathers, to see the statues of our ancestors, and to see our kingdom restored for our people together. We were supposed to live to a very old age, and die side by side in glorious battle. Kildár, why? You weren't supposed to go to a place I could not follow. How could you leave me here?

A slight sob escaped his windchapped lips.

Brother, how could you leave me so alone?

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WOOHOO! 200 follows! A bit short, but at least I was able to update tonight! :D Please read and review!

A response to guest reviewer Isabella: I am glad I didn't disappoint :) I am also glad that you are all enjoying my original material as well :) I am on the mend from some of my health issues, though the sleep disorder is still as prevalent as ever :/ I will try to update when I can.

Thanks to all who review, favorite, and follow- 19 reviews last chapter! It broke my previous record of 15 and really made my day! Thank you guys so much! :D :D :D