Thorin snarled, partially from the idea of orcs being nearby, partially because he'd been denied a kiss. Darn his nose! Bilbo jerked his head to the left, looking thoughtful, "Troll cave. Should cover our smell for a bit."
"This way!" Thorin called to the others as he turned his pony off the path and into the woods, one arm tight around Bilbo's waist. Bilbo had returned his hands to the hold on Thorin's arm.
Gandalf caught up with them as Bilbo signaled Thorin to stop, pointing to a hole in a cliff side. Thorin left Bilbo on the pony as he dismounted, looking around, "No trolls?"
"No, not for some time. Must be at another hole," Bilbo shrugged as he focused his attention outward, to the woods around them. "The smell should throw the wargs off a bit."
"Then we have a little time to explore," Gandalf hopped off his horse and headed down into the cave.
"Would you like to come down?" Thorin looked up at Bilbo.
"No, go ahead. I'll keep a nose on things up here," Bilbo shot Thorin a cheeky smile before shooing him off. Dwalin stayed up with him while the others were all down in the cave. Gandalf was looking through something at the back while Gloin, Oin, Bifur and Bofur were burying some treasure. Kili, Fili, Bombur and Balin were looking over some weapons. Thorin raised an eyebrow at the treasure hiders. Bofur shrugged, "It's a long term investment."
"Make it a bit quicker. Take only things that we need, nothing more," Thorin ordered before heading back outside, the smell a little much.
Bilbo glanced at him, wrinkling his nose, as Thorin approached, "Oh, that's horrible."
"You were the one who said to go in the troll cave," Thorin chuckled.
"But it smells," Bilbo groaned as he looked down at Thorin, who was smirking, "Oh shut up. Gandalf, Radagast is coming."
"And how do you know its Radagast?" Gandalf looked over at him.
"The overpowering smell of mushrooms. Keep him over by you. The last time I was anywhere near him, it was so bad I felt like I had eaten the mushrooms myself," Bilbo grunted, shooting a glare at the wizard, who just laughed.
"What about the orcs?" Thorin looked around them, worried.
"Still a ways off. I was right about the troll smell throwing them off. Hello, Radagast," Bilbo looked over Thorin's head as something raced out of the trees around them. Rabbits, quite large brown rabbits, had come to a stop right in the middle of the group, harnesses wrapped around their bodies and attached to a sled of some sort. An odd looking man was talking rapidly to Gandalf, waving absently over at Bilbo.
"That's Radagast?" Thorin frowned, taking in the man. Probably about the same height as Bilbo, he had long hair and a beard and his clothes looked to be made out of moss, bark and maybe vines. He was gesturing and bouncing about whatever he was telling Gandalf.
"Radagast the Brown. Oh, I can smell the mushrooms," Bilbo covered his mouth and nose.
"Can you smell anything other than the mushrooms?" Thorin frowned, thinking back to the orcs.
"Trolls," Bilbo grunted, uncovering his mouth and nose to take a whiff, making a face before tensing. "Wargs!"
Dwalin spun in time to catch the first warg under the shoulder, flipping it so Gloin could slam his ax into its head. Bifur and Bofur took care of the second as a howl ripped through the air.
"I will lead them away," Radagast yelled as he hopped on his sled.
"These are Gundabad wargs, Radagast. They are too fast," Gandalf warned.
"These are Rhosgobel Hares! I would like to see them try," Radagast harrumphed before taking off.
"Might as well not waste the time he is giving us," Thorin yelled as he hopped up behind Bilbo and reined his horse around. "Lets go!"
Gandalf led the way, out into an open area with large rocks dotting the rolling hills all around. Just beyond was the start of the Misty Mountains and everyone knew somewhere in there was the Hidden Valley, home of the Elves of Rivendell. Thorin was ridding side by side with Gandalf, "No elves, wizard."
"I don't think I can guarantee that," Gandalf called back as a warg howl rent the air. Thorin glanced back to see one warg standing on a rock, howling as others appeared, taking chase after the dwarves.
"Let me off," Bilbo pushed at Thorin's arm.
"Not while we're running!" Thorin growled. "And you can't change!"
"I can, you just have to trust me!" Bilbo looked up at Thorin. The dwarf searched his eyes before sighing and removing his arm from around Bilbo, "Don't make me regret it."
"Oh, you won't," Bilbo smiled before hopping off the pony. He rolled when he landed and then stood, waiting for all the ponies to pass. Thorin focused on leading his group.
"He has a plan, just run!" he yelled back when he saw some of the others start to rein in their ponies. They were a good distance away from where Bilbo had jumped when an almighty roar shook the very air around them. The ponies skidded to a stop, wheeling around in terror, the riders just barely staying on. As Thorin turned his pony to look, he was relieved to see an elf band over on the next hill, struggling to control their horses. The very source of the trouble, though, was back where Bilbo had been. A giant dragon, larger than even Smaug it seemed and the color of midnight was rearing up on its back legs. Its wings were spread to their widest as its neck stretched upwards, its jaws open in another roar before it came crashing down onto its front legs, the ground shaking now as well as the air. Below its feet Thorin could just make out the bodies of wargs and orcs. What was left were trying to flee, but the dragon slammed its head into a group while swiping a huge clawed foot at another group. It straightened then, standing majestically before looking back at them, seeing the wheeling ponies. The beast gave a low grumble and the ponies calmed, although Thorin's was still trembling beneath him. The dragon focused on Thorin and seemed to smile before with a mighty flap of its wings it took the air, soaring high above them.
"DRAGON!" the cry came from the elves and Thorin turned to see the elves drawing their bows, aiming at the dragon that seemed to be dancing high in the sky.
"Gandalf!" Thorin looked at the wizard, fear in his eye. Gandalf just laughed, pulling out his pipe.
"Its alright, they won't hurt him," Gandalf smiled at them. "Plus, I'm sure he has something planned.
"That's the hobbit?" Fili gasped, watching the dragon.
"That's his true form, the one he came over as. He swam a lot, unless the weather got bad. Then he changed and rode on the ship. Its been sometime since I've seen it," Gandalf said, a little in awe. "He stopped changing into it after the Great War. He never said why."
"He has his reasons," Thorin nodded as the dragon swooped down, a blast of wind from his wings throwing the elves off their horses, who barely stayed on their feet. He landed near the dwarves, his sides heaving. Up close, Thorin could see each scale shimmered like a black diamond and his wings looked like silk. Here and there blue could be seen, depending on where the sun hit the scales. His large head was a dark blue on his nose and around his eyes. And those eyes….large, as big as dinner plates, stared down at them, as blue as if they were in the middle of the sea. Bilbo chuckled, a great rumbling sound as he folded his wings in.
"I feel refreshed," when Bilbo spoke, it was deep, knowledgeable. He kept it soft, though, so as to not make the earth shake.
"Yes, but those wounds say otherwise. You will be sore when you change. And what about clothes?" Gandalf scolded lightly. Thorin finally saw the wounds, deep gashes dripping a dark red. The blood itself, as it fell, looked like rubies. Bilbo didn't seem to mind.
"There should be at least another set in my pack, if not more," Bilbo turned his head to look at the elves, who had finally gotten their horses under control and were racing over, bows at the ready. "Lord Elrond, there is no need for such a welcome."
The lead elf held up his hand as he slowed, stopping his company near the dwarves, looking up at the dragon in awe, "Master Bilbo, it has been sometime since we have met."
"It has indeed," Bilbo nodded his head. "It is quite the tale, I assure you. One I think best told with a full belly."
"Of course. You are always welcome in my halls. I apologize for our reaction. It has been sometime since a good dragon has been seen in the world," Elrond bowed his head before looking at the dwarf company. "But I should know that where Master Bilbo goes, Gandalf is not far behind."
"It is such a lovely day for a ride," Gandalf smiled brightly.
"And I see you are keeping dwarves for company now. Much better than the last lot," Elrond nodded as the dwarves bristled. Bilbo chuckled again.
"The last group I traveled with was with King Thrandruil."
"Then you have much improved in choosing company," Elrond laughed. "I would like to offer an invitation to you all to join us in Rivendell, at least for the night."
One of Bilbo's large blue eyes focused on Thorin, looking expectant. Thorin sighed and nodded, "We accept. There is some advice I seek, anyways, and Gandalf seems to be of mind you are the best creature to go to for it."
"Then let us hope I may be of service," Elrond smiled. "Follow."
"Thorin, would you like a ride?" Bilbo stretched out his neck so his head was by Thorin's pony, who didn't even flinch.
"It would be my pleasure," Thorin nodded, a little more happy sounding to this offer. He climbed off his pony as Bilbo straightened. He brought his head down to Thorin's level.
"Climb on. It will be easier for you to get on my back," Bilbo was beaming, if a dragon could beam. The others watched as Thorin did as he was told. Bilbo lifted his head so it was level with his back and Thorin saw that there was a gap in Bilbo's back spikes. He slid into it, holding onto the spike in front. He once again ignored the faces his men were making as Bilbo straightened, looking down at the others, "We will meet you in Rivendell."
"Don't be long," Gandalf nodded, smiling. Bilbo nodded before leaping into the sky. One wing beat and they were high above the ground. Thorin felt the muscles beneath him strain as Bilbo flapped his wings again, bringing him even higher.
"Many years ago, a dragon who was also a skinchanger, such as myself, would offer a ride to those he held dear, making it clear that the being belonged only to the skinchanger and the skinichanger alone," Bilbo's voice carried easily back to him as the dragon coasted. Down below Thorin could see the group of horses and ponies.
"Oh really? So I am yours?" Thorin smiled.
"It was me apologizing for ruining the kiss earlier," Bilbo sounded sheepish.
"Then apology accepted," Thorin patted his shoulder. The scales were warm to the touch and smooth, like a well polished jewel.
"I wish to make one thing clear, Thorin," Bilbo cleared his throat. "As you know, I live a long life and have avoided such relationships through it all. For you will probably pass on well before I do. I have had an option for a time, but have refused it for there has never been anyone who has been precious to me. I am allowed, when I leave from the Grey Havens, to bring one being with me if I so choose. I would like, if there is a chance, for you to be that one person."
"When would we leave?" Thorin asked softly, knowing Bilbo could hear him easily.
"Not till towards the end of your life. I don't wish to rob you of anything," Bilbo glanced back at him as he banked, circling a mountain. "If you choose."
"I would hate to think of me passing on and you being left here till the end of time. I accept," Thorin murmured. Bilbo laughed, his entire body shaking with it as he banked again, heading back the way they had come. Thorin smiled, "I see you are happy."
"Greatly so," Bilbo looked back at him as he flew, his eyes shimmering what Thorin could only describe as unrivaled love.