I UPLOADED TWO CHAPTERS! Thought I'd tell you in case you skipped Chapter 8 :)

Thranduil cracked an eye open and a splintering headache greeted him, along with a harsh stench of burnt wood. He quickly shut his eyes and started to notice a faint chatter like a bird who wouldn't shut up.

"Oh my word, I'll be. Are you alright? What are you doing here? Those stupid Brandybuck's were playing with fire - literally! I saw the tree go up then crack! It fell, but I had no idea it had dragged you down too! Your horse ran all the way to Bywater. Someone's bringing him back now I think. Whatever are you doing here? Are you on urgent business? Do you need to get to the port? I could get you there."

He turned his head and unconsciously flinched at the sight of a pale round face and big blue eyes and a mop of curly brown hair.

The creature stared at him with wide eyes. Its fingers fidgeted - the young thing was probably holding back the urge to poke the elf. "Uncle, his ears are pointy," it noted in a small but sharp voice - wait, Thranduil thought, no, that was the headache.

Bilbo - the chattery bird - heaved a sigh. "Well, that's because he's an Elf, Frodo."

The little boy nodded, taking the new information in. "Oh." He was silent for a few moments, watching Thranduil with curious eyes. "Is he the nice one from your story?"

"Yes, my boy."

Thranduil groaned; it was too early in the day to recount that awful encounter with those dwarves. "Where am I?"

"Just outside of Hobbiton," Bilbo replied swiftly.

Thranduil felt little pitter-patters on his arms and for a brief moment, he thought it might be raining before he realized the older hobbit was patting him down and checking for broken bones. He frowned at another thought. "What were you doing out at night? Nevermind me-"

Bilbo didn't reply and averted his gaze.

The elf continued on. "Just as well. I need to speak with that dwarf about something."

"That dwarf is gone, as I'm sure you've heard by now," Bilbo said darkly. "Left five days ago. I suspect he's in the Trollshaws now or perhaps sticking to the less-traveled roads. Maybe even picked up a pony and is much farther than I say he is."

"And you're following him?" Thranduil observed.

Bilbo picked at his waistcoat. "Yes. I-I can't stay in the Shire, no matter what nonsense we agreed on. Argued about, really. When I left, my neighbors hadn't stopped talking about that fight that half the town witnessed - well, not really half the town but half the families, really. But you know, when someone like Lobelia gets wind of it, everyone hears of it!" he huffed.

"Well, until the bump on my head gets better, you're gonna have to."

The hobbit frowned suddenly, clearly taken aback. "Why? Why do I have to take you back there? Why can't you go to Rivendell?"

"I have my reasons," Thranduil grumbled. If he returned now with two hobbits in tow, Elrond would know why he was in such a hurry to leave and there would be hell to pay.

"Y-you should stay in Bree," Bilbo continued to try and persuade the elf.

"No, you can return to the Shire and I will follow."

"Uncle," Frodo spoke. "Where's his crown? You said he was a king like Uncle Thorin."

Bilbo grinded his teeth, suddenly on edge at the mention of the dwarf's name. "I don't know, Frodo. Maybe he left it at home."

"Oh," the boy said simply again. "Is he that elf that let you leave in the barrels?"

Thranduil pursed his lips. "I think I'll get up now."

The older hobbit avoided his eyes again as he sat up. "So, what brings you to these parts? I thought you had no heart for the other races."

He turned his head and glared at Bilbo. "Not usually, but I had to leave in a hurry- My horse?"

"Made it as far as Bywater," Bilbo repeated. "Depending if he got lost or if Tom's found him or if the man I saw running after it stole it, there's a chance he's not coming back."

Thranduil groaned. "Just my luck."

"You seem in a hurry."

"Not anymore," he grunted. He stood up and felt the world spin around him. "Surprised the tree didn't burn to ash."

Bilbo wrung his hands. "What's changed since we've been gone? Anything happen? I'm awfully worried about Fili and them. We - I - Thorin - didn't hear from them at all."

Thranduil looked at Bilbo then at Frodo. "Dunno. Haven't heard anything myself," he lied.

"Is he the elf that hates Uncle Thorin?"

Bilbo cringed. "Bag End, Thranduil? Shall we get started?"

"I think that would be best."

They started off down the path, Thranduil walking a little wobbly and Frodo bounding shortly behind them. The elf - dear god, the elf - just wanted some peace and quiet at least part of the way to this creature's house. But the little birdie next to him continue to chatter and chatter and chatter... Eventually, Thranduil's head started to pulse.

"So, let me get this straight. You're just traveling this way for the fun of it?" Bilbo asked for what felt like the hundredth time for Thranduil. "You don't have anywhere to be... you just felt like it?"

"Yes, Bilbo," Thranduil said in an exasperated tone. "I have been repeating that for the past few hours."

"But then if you were traveling here just because, why would you need to speak with Thorin?"

The little creature got him there. He pursed his lips and exhaled through his nostrils.

"Couldn't you have sent a raven instead - or however you elves communicate."

"Ravens are not too friendly to us," he mused. "Given our - and their - history with the dwarves. No. Now I realize, there was no actual hurry. I just wanted to speak with him face-to-face and I had no idea - Prince Fili had no idea when you two would be returning."

Bilbo harrumphed. "Is that really all it is? Are you sure there isn't some imminent crisis happening?"

Thranduil actually chuckled at that. "No, nothing pressing."

"Well, I warn you," Bilbo continued on. "When we get back to Bag End, there'll be lots of talk."

Bilbo supposed he knew Lobelia better than anyone because the second the witch saw the two creatures make their way up the path and to Bag End, she was out her door, ready to screech at the top of her lungs. Her face held a scandalized look and was just about turning purple with the big breath she was holding in.

"First a dwarf! Now an elf! What double-life have you been leading, Bilbo Baggins? I wouldn't be at all surprised if a Man dropped by," Lobelia screeched when she knew both were in perfect earshot of becoming deaf by her voice.

"Yes, you would!" Bilbo shouted back.

Thranduil groaned internally at the sight of the small (non-elf-sized) hobbit door.

"Don't you dare fuss," Bilbo scolded, practically reading the elf's mind without turning around. "If Gandalf can make in, you can."

"But I'm taller than the wizard," he found himself whining.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to come here. I tried to tell you-"

Thranduil groaned again. These creatures wouldn't shut up. "Alright. Fine."