It didn't take the company long to get used to Bilbo's presence and the ponies got over it even quicker. He took his wolf form when they traveled, scouting the land around them better than a dwarf on a pony ever could. At night when they stopped, he retrieved his pack and disappeared for a few moments before returning a fully clothed hobbit. He tended to sit back and smoke a pipe, staying out of everyone's way. It was a common sight to see Bilbo's and Gandalf's smoke rings in battle and even Thorin admitted it was entertaining. It became clear Bilbo's earlier treatment of the dwarves was nothing more than his way of protecting himself. Once he knew the dwarves better, he revealed himself as a very warm individual, a good storyteller and a trusted companion. He rarely told anything about himself and sometimes when he was telling stories of his travels, he'd stop halfway through, eyes getting distant for a moment. Then he'd start up with a different story as though he had never been telling the first. Of course, the first real test of the newest member of the company came with the troll incident. While Bilbo had been out scouting, Thorin had decided the company would stay at an abandoned farmhouse for the night. Gandalf and Thorin were arguing away from the others as the sun was setting when Bilbo raced up, still in wolf form, sides trembling and breathing hard as though he had run a great distance. He looked wide eyed over the beginnings of the camp before he focused on Thorin, "What is this madness?"

"This is camp," Thorin huffed. "No matter what the wizard says."

"This is not a good place to spend the night, Thorin," Gandalf growled.

"You should listen to your wizard, dwarf. This place is not safe, "Bilbo's eyes darted back and forth. "Can't you smell them?"

"Who?" Bombur called from by the fire.

"Keep your voice down," Bilbo hissed, eyes snapping to where the ponies had been put. "Trolls are taking your ponies, Thorin Oakenshield, and if you don't act quickly, they will be eaten."

"Trolls, here?" Gandalf's frown grew. "They have traveled far."

"We must see what can be done to get the ponies back," Dwalin looked at Thorin. "And why Kili and Fili haven't told us anything."

"Kili and Fili are watching the ponies?" Bilbo growled before racing off into the woods. Thorin raced after him, sword ready. He caught up to the wolf as he was silently talking to Kili and Fili, "Stay here. I will release the ponies and drive them back towards camp. We will need to leave quickly."

"Why not fight them?" Fili frowned.

"Oh yes, lets fight three fully grown trolls at night," Bilbo huffed before stalking off.

"It was an honest question," Kili glanced at his uncle as they others joined them.

"It would take quite a bit for us to defeat the trolls now. Better to fight them closer to morning. Trolls turn to stone in the sunlight," Gandalf whispered as he watched the brown wolf sneak over to the makeshift pen that were holding the stolen ponies. He silently conversed with the ponies, calming them down before sneaking over to one of the trolls and stealing his knife. It was an odd thing to see, a large brown wolf sneaking around with a large troll knife in his mouth. Under any other circumstances, it would have been funny, but not now. Bilbo quickly cut through the ropes. It would have been an easy get away, but one of the trolls sneezed and reached back for something to wipe his nose on and instead grabbed Bilbo. The poor wolf was not only now covered in troll boogies, but held in the very tight grip of one very hungry, very angry troll. At least the ponies were smart enough to sneak away. Thorin was about to rush in when the wolf twisted in the grip, which had to hurt, and locked his jaws around the troll's wrist. The troll gave a cry of pain and let go of the wolf. Bilbo fell to the ground in a heap and was a little slow getting up, but still easily dodged the hands of the other trolls. He spared the dwarves and Gandalf one quick look, "Go! I will catch up!" Before taking off into the woods, the trolls chasing after.

"You heard him. It is time to flee!" Gandalf turned and led the others back to camp. Everything was haphazardly packed and throw on the ponies before they were off, dashing into the night. Thorin noticed Bilbo first, seeing as the wolf slipped out of the woods to keep pace at his side. His gait was uneven and Thorin could hear his laboring breath, but he kept up with the harsh pace Gandalf was setting at the front. He had something in his jaws as well, but Thorin found himself glancing over the wolf for injuries. After their initial cold start, Bilbo and Thorin had slowly warmed up to each other, Thorin even sometimes joining Bilbo and Gandalf for a smoke and more often than not going to Bilbo for advice than Gandalf. Bilbo was more straight forward. Now he could see a gash on the wolf's side closest to him that was still bleeding and maybe one on the far haunch. He just barely made out the occasional whimper, but other than that Bilbo was silent in his suffering. Gandalf didn't slow till they were deep in the woods. He pulled his horse to a stop beneath a large oak tree, turning to the others as they gathered round. Bilbo dropped whatever was in his mouth, sides heaving.

"Found the troll cave. Grabbed some stuff. Good swords, elven made by the looks," Bilbo got out in short little breaths.

"And how are you holding up, my friend?" Gandalf eyed the wolf with worry.

"I will be fine," Bilbo turned to limp away and stumbled a little. There was a little sigh before he let himself collapse, lying on his side, "Don't. Say. Anything."

"It would be easiest to treat your wounds if you were your hobbit self," Gandalf dismounted and kneeled down by the wolf. Thorin hopped down as well, moving closer.

"I just…need rest," Bilbo huffed out.

"Bilbo," Gandalf warned.

"Gandalf, I wish to not scare your dwarves," Bilbo growled, lifting his head a little, although the wince Thorin caught didn't help.

"We will move farther down the path and you can join us once you are changed," Gandalf stood. "Pass me his pack."

Balin removed it from Myrtle, the pack pony, and handed it to Gandalf but Thorin took it instead. The wizard and the wolf eyed him warily. Thorin shouldered the pack, giving both a stubborn look, "Bilbo can barely stand. Walking back will be impossible. I will wait and help him back. You can lead my pony behind you. Go."

"I don't need help," Bilbo huffed as Balin led the dwarves away and Gandalf mounted his horse.

"I would take the aid, Bilbo. Dwarves don't offer help often," Gandalf chuckled before following the dwarves, leading Thorin's pony.

"What needs to be done?" Thorin knelt by the wolf, opening the pack.

"I will need clothes to change into," Bilbo sighed before sitting up, closing his eyes for a second.

"How badly are you hurt?" Thorin asked softly.

"You need not worry for me, Thorin," Bilbo opened his eyes, looking at Thorin. "I will be able to travel tomorrow."

"That is not what worries me," Thorin frowned. "You are a part of my company and my company is my family. I do not like to see my family hurt. Now, I ask again, how badly are you hurt?"

"The most severe are the cuts," Bilbo sighed before forcing himself to his feet. "They are deep and I will not deny that they hurt."

"Anything else?" Thorin pulled out a pair of trousers and a loose undershirt.

"I will know more when I change. Wounds in wolf form are different than how they appear in hobbit form," Bilbo sighed again, looking around. "I will call when I am changed."

With that he limped away, looking very much the part of a kicked puppy. It hurt Thorin's heart, more than he had wanted it to. Why was this skinchanger having such an effect on him, a dwarf king? Thorin didn't want to admit it, but he may be falling for Bilbo Baggins. He was the first being to treat Thorin as ordinary, not as a superior or something to be wary of. He didn't mind yelling back at Thorin or making his own thoughts known. Thorin stared down at the pack, lost in thought.