Pixie Dust

Bilbo was escorted to King Thranduil.

An imposing figure with cold eyes that went soft when the little Hobbit hugged his finger in thanks for healing him.

"You are quite welcomed." Thranduil said, voice gentle, "however, I'd advised against Merging again."

Settling down in the outward hand, Bilbo nodded in understanding, after learning about the Hobbits of Mirkwood; how Mirkwood had gotten covered in a sickness. How the Hobbits gotten sick and died whenever they Merged with the effected Mirkwood. The King had sent the remaining Hobbits away for safety, and eventually the Elves had found a cure, but it had been too late. The fact the Hobbits had actually left told Bilbo how bad it was in Mirkwood.

A Hobbit never abandoned their garden.

"I won't," Bilbo promised.

Pleased, Thranduil asked a question, "Now then, tell me about the Dwarves."

Bilbo's wings twitched, "What about them?"

"Why were they in my forest?"

"Trying to get out." Bilbo answered.

Behind him, Legolas's cough sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

"I am aware of that," Thranduil looked faintly amused, "I meant, why were they in my forest to begin with?"

"Oh, well, it was the quickest way!" Bilbo chirped happily, wings fluttering just as happy.

"To where?" The King's tone had taken a bit of an exasperated tone, inwardly sighing about Hobbits.

"The other side of course."

This time Legolas did laugh, grinning at his father's glare.

"Never mind then," Thranduil then sighed, "I will ask no more, however, that also means that I cannot release them."

Bilbo titled his head curiously, eyes going wide when he understood, "You've imprisoned them!" He exclaimed, hovering in his shock.

Thranduil nodded.

"But they have done nothing wrong!"

"If they have done nothing wrong, then way did they not tell me as you have when I asked?"

".…. Because Dwarves are weird?"

~.~.~

"I do not like your father," Bilbo pouted from on-top of Legolas's head.

Legolas gave a small smile, "He was not always so cold, however, the sickness, and the Hobbits leaving took its toll on him."

Bilbo's pout lessened, but he was still upset with the Elf King for not releasing his Dwarves.

"Ah, here we are."

Legolas had stopped, "Follow this path, it will take you to the dungeons, and your friends."

A little more pleased, Bilbo said a quick thank you, then was flying, following the path. He found them, along with another Elf, listening intently to Kili tell a tale.

"And then-Ah, Bilbo!" Kili's eyes lit up upon seeing the Hobbit.

From various cells, came calls and shouts. Bilbo flew to the closest one, which happened to be Dwalin's cell.

"Good to see ya well, lad." Dwalin rubbed his finger gently against the Hobbit's cheek.

Bilbo nuzzled against it, wings fluttering happily, "How are you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Dwalin shook his head, "For all their faults, the blasted Elves are good host, meal choice aside."

Remembering the plate full of greens, he had been forced to scarf down to ensure he had plenty of strength, the Dwarf made a face, causing Bilbo to giggle. Dwalin's expression softened at the sound, heart light. He and the others had been very worried for the little Hobbit, surprisingly, their captors had been very forthcoming on his health when they had asked. After giving a reassuring pat to Dwalin's nose, Bilbo flew off to the next cell, taking note that the Elf was now gone. After some small talk, and reassurance, Bilbo was off to the next, and then the next until finally he came to the last cell.

"Thorin!"

"Bilbo."

Thorin's eyes went cross-eyed as he tried to look at the Hobbit hugging his nose, gently he plucked him off and settled in his hand.

"I'm glad you are well," Thorin smiled.

Bilbo smiled back before telling him all that he knew.

"So, because of the sickness, there are no Hobbits in Mirkwood." Thorin frowned, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the Elves.

Though it had only been a few months, Thorin had gown very much attached to the Little Gardner, so much so, that thought of sending Bilbo away hurt. He knew the same could be said for the rest of the Company.

Bilbo nodded, "He doesn't even know where they went, all he knows for sure was that all of them made it out the forest safely."

Not knowing what else to say, Thorin changed the subject, mostly on how to escape.

"I don't think I can convince the King to let you guys go." Bilbo grumbled, "he's very stubborn, kind of like you."

Thorin glared, insulted.

Bilbo didn't notice, lost in thought, then he flew up until he was looking the other in the eyes. "I'll get you all out, I promise."

~.~.~

"Note to self, never let Bilbo plan our escapes again." Thorin thought as his barrel was nearly turned over.

Behind him, he could barely make out the sounds of Orcs, Wargs and Elves above the roaring river. Out of the corner of his eye, a familiar figure-streaked pass him, he watched as an Orc yelped in pain, holding his eye, it lost its balance and fell into the water. Suddenly, he was going down at small water waterfall, and barely had time to duck from a flying Orc.

"Yep," Thorin shook water out of his eyes as an arrow whizzed over his head "never again."