Gandalf Grey stared the door like it had offended him somehow, his hand squeezing his old handmade walking stick, the knuckles white. Bilbo hadn't answered any of his calls or messages. He regretted that he had not been able to visit the hospital, but the political balance between the two kingdoms had needed his assistance. They had asked him to go through the peace negotiation.

"Has Mister Baggins already came?" new voice behind him asked and Gandalf turned to see who it was. Short stout man with basket whole of garden tools stared him at wide eyed.

"Mr Hamfast Gamgee?" Gandalf smiled kindly knowing how to appease a worried friend. The gardener and neighbor of Bilbo blinked and nodded.

"Yes?"

"I'm Gandalf Green, Bilbo's friend. I know that he's come but…" Gandalf looked back at the door then the windows on the right side. In kitchen's window's there was a light. "No one answers."

The gardener stepped up the stairs and knocked the door.

"Mister Baggins? It's me, Hamfast." He yelled through the door and Gandalf startled the low booming calling. But no one answered. Gamgee frowned and stepped on the lawn and started to walk around the corner until he reached the patio's door and knocked again.

"Bilbo?"

"Can you open it?" Gandalf who had followed him asked with worry and one glance at him made Gamgee to fish out the spare key from his pocket.

The house was cold and first thing what Gandalf saw was abandoned wet clothes and the phone which had run out of battery.

"Bilbo?!" he tried to again. Gamgee was already moving toward the stairs. Gandalf felt shivers running down his spin. It wasn't right, this house to feel so empty, dark corners full of memories from happier times and no one to share them. With heavy steps he turned again to follow up the stairs and the he heard a frightened cry and had reached the bedroom door in an instant.

"What… Bilbo…" he saw Gamgee on his knees his hand shaking Bilbo's still form.

"He's burning. Bilbo, can you hear me?" Gamgee tried to wake up the lighter man but didn't get any response. Gandalf cursed when he tried the clammy skin and without any hesitation pulled up the trouser leg that he could see the wound that he knew was there. The bandage was discolored on dried blood and Gandalf removed it to see better.

"We have to get him at hospital." Gandalf decided and hoisted up the smaller man and noticed in his shock how light Bilbo was. "Not good. This is not good." he walked past the gardener who looked shocked.

"What happened to him?"

"I will take him to hospital to Bree." was Gandalf's only answer. There was no time to explain, he just have to wait Bilbo to do so.

"Right."

"Bring every cold packages what you find. Hurry."

To his satisfaction Gamgee did what told without any more questions. Sensible man. Loyal too what Gandalf knew. But when he opened the front door he stopped when he saw a familiar face staring straight at him over the port.

"Bofur? What are you doing here?" he couldn't help about the cold voice when he stared the one of those men who had casted Bilbo away from Erebor. Bofur had been one of the closest friends of Bilbo during his time in mountain kingdom. One of those who Gandalf had thought to be more sensible to act and do right thing. Gandalf didn't knew every detail only what Balin had told him through the one hurried phone call when Thorin alongside his nephews and Bilbo were send to the hospital after the battle.

"I came to apologize. Bilbo… what is wrong?" Bofur asked with worry his eyes never leaving Bilbo's now shivering form.

"I'm not sure but he's running a very high fever. I need to get him to the hospital." Gandalf walked past him to his own car where his driver waited him.

"Gandalf?" Bofur tried to follow but when Gandalf had lowered Bilbo car's back bench he straightened, and his gaze was icy and that stopped Bofur.

"I trusted you lot to do what is right, to see beyond his doings. But you did nothing. Nothing!"

"I'm sorry…"

"I'm too. And I'm not the one who you should apologize. I have to go. Thank you Master Gamgee. I trust you will take care at the house." Gandalf turned to see now bit of confused gardener who had come with some cold packages.

"Of course but, what hospital…"

"The Rivendell. It's head doctor is Bilbo's trusted friend and will do anything to help him." Gandalf could see how Bofur turned his head away. "Elrond may be the only one who doesn't need to apologize."

The drive through the Shire was uneventful and Gandalf hold Bilbo against him.

"Just hold on my friend. Don't give up, please. I know it hurts. But Bofur is here and I hope… I hope that it's a good sign my friend."

When they arrived the brakes screeching Gandalf was again his official himself.

"I'm marked as his next of kin. Gandalf Grey."

"Ah, yes, well, can you tell us about his medical history?" the nurse asked when Bilbo was moved on the bed and making notice that she should call Doctor Elwingson.

"He was at the war zone the passing year and got shot month ago on his right leg and shoulder. He wore bulletproof vest so he only got his collarbone broke, but the leg wound, it seems to be infected. He got out of hospital three days ago. And he also got his head pumped and concussion. Nothing else, no allergies."

"Is he a soldier?" the nurse looked down the unassuming little man.

"He was, ten years ago. Then he had done journalist work around the world."

"We have to get the fever down. Do you know how long this is going by now?"

Gandalf shook his head.

"I know he got home last night, when it rain heavily. Like always I think he walked at home from the train station."

Then he had to stop because the bed was wheeled inside the private area and the doors slammed shut.

"Can you wait?" The nurse turned to ask and Gandalf nodded and then the nurse was also gone with his patient.

Gandalf stood there only now realizing that his hands were shaking and he let out a deep sight rubbing his face.

"I'm too old to this shit." he turned to find someplace to wait and sit when he noticed Bofur and Bifur running through the outdoors looking around searching him.

Gandalf steeled himself. He wanted to know exactly what had happened during the battle and in particular after that. He wanted answers.