A.N. Heeeeere's another one! Posted a different version, then found this one, which I liked better. Haha. Sorry for any confusion.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

Thorin was reluctant to return to the party, though it had been his suggestion. His mind was whirling with how everything had changed with that one kiss. He had seen their kiss at Beorn's, but he had also seen much more than that, though not all of it had made sense. What had made sense were the images of him and Danica in his bedchamber. Made sense, but left his blood running uncomfortably hot. What hadn't made as much sense was seeing her on a deserted bridge in Erebor, looking to be in complete despair. The scene had seemed fabricated somehow, but he couldn't explain it to himself. He wanted to figure it out, but the hobbits seemed to be gathering.

No one had really noticed their absence, except for Bilbo, who winked at them as they sat for his speech. All the hobbits were chanting as Bilbo stood beneath the tree. He acknowledged every family there, as well as his "old friends." He spoke with charm, eloquence, and wit (some of which was lost on his fellow hobbits). Thorin felt a sense of pride as he looked around. All of these people were smiling and laughing for Bilbo. The hobbit who had started off as a prim and proper nuisance. He was so much more than that now. The speech changed tone suddenly, and had Thorin looking at Gandalf, who was watching Bilbo carefully.

"I regret to announce this is the end," Bilbo proclaimed solemnly. "I am leaving now. I bid you all a very fond farewell," his eyes went to Thorin and Danica, then on his nephew as he smiled. "Goodbye,"

Everyone gasped or screamed when he suddenly disappeared. Thorin shot up from the bench, but Gandalf was already hurrying away. He then looked to Danica, but she was staring off into the abyss, eyes wide and fearful.

"Dani, what's wrong?" he put a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. She gasped and jumped as though he had yelled at her. When she looked at him, the fear was still in her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked. "Is it about Bilbo?"

"Yes and no," she shook her head as if to steady herself. "What should we do?" she gestured to the panicking party-goers.

Thorin glanced down at them, with Frodo trying to speak above the clatter to calm them down.

"Stay here," Thorin told Danica before making his way next to Frodo. "Quiet!"

His yell echoed throughout the crowd, and had them freezing. All eyes were on him, so he moved out of the way. Frodo gave a nod of thanks, and resumed his attempts. He finally managed to get everyone settled, thanked them for their attendance, and excused them to go home if they wished. Sam, Thorin, and Danica went to his side once everyone began to disperse.

"I want to go look for Bilbo, but someone needs to stay here, and…" he gestured helplessly to the chaos around them.

"Go," Danica said. "We can handle everything here,"

"We'll make sure everything gets cleaned up," Sam added.

Frodo looked unsure, and glanced up at Thorin.

"Go find your uncle," Thorin encouraged. "And give him a smack on the back of the head for me for causing all this disruption,"

Mood lightening a little, Frodo smiled and nodded before taking off.

"Looks like everyone is pretty much headed home," Sam sighed. "I can get a couple of people to stay and take down tents,"

"I'll help you," Thorin offered.

They went about their business calmly, while Danica helped a couple of the women gather plates so they could be taken back to the Green Dragon. Though the atmosphere was no longer frantic, the hobbits who remained were still buzzing. Magic was not common in this area, and people were reacting to Bilbo's disappearance with a mix of awe and disapproval. They blamed Gandalf, the quest for Erebor, and worried about the effect it would have on Frodo, who was already a bit of a free spirit. Thorin had to smile at the disdainful way they mentioned the guest. They seemed happy enough with it when Bilbo had been entertaining their children. Some of his humor evaporated, however, when he heard one man blaming the "whole mess" on Danica and himself.

"A dwarf and a human woman show up, and only a day later does catastrophe hit!"

"I wouldn't call it a catastrophe," Sam ventured, only to be sneered at.

"You're too soft. Mind what company you keep, Lad, or you'll find yourself in the worst kinds of trouble,"

Clenching his teeth, Thorin turned to protest, but a hand on his arm stopped him.

"Leave it," Gandalf said. "These are simple folk who want uncomplicated lives," his eyes were wild and bright, and had Thorin on edge.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I need to leave, and I think you, and Danica should come with me,"

"Leave? Now? Gandalf, it is late, and-"

"I know, but I believe matters to be urgent. I must ride to Gondor as soon as possible,"

"But why Gondor? What is-"

"No more questions!" the wizard snapped, then regained some of his composure. "I will explain what I can later. For now, go get Danica, and we can collect what things you have,"

Still flummoxed, but not wanting to cross Gandalf any further, Thorin did as he was told. When he reached Danica, she didn't seem overly surprised, and followed him up the hill without question. Feeling very much like a mushroom, Thorin went along with it, helping to gather what little they had, making sure to secure Orcrist at his side. Frodo gave them what supplies he could, shuffling around in a sort of dismayed shock. Thorin felt awful for leaving the young hobbit in such a state, but Gandalf would not be swayed. At least they knew now that Bilbo was on his way to Rivendell. Why he had felt the urge to make such a fuss was beyond Thorin, but Bilbo always did have a flair for the dramatic.

It was nearly midnight when they made their way, but each of them was wide awake. For a while, they stayed silent, Thorin and Danica not wanting to disturb Gandalf's stormy mood. However, Thorin had never been one content with being kept in the dark.

"Will one of you two tell me what is going on?"

Gandalf looked over in surprise. "One of? Danica, did you remember more?"

"I think so?" she responded, unsure. "It was more of a vision, really. When Bilbo disappeared, I heard a voice in my head, whispering words I couldn't understand, but sounded familiar, and evil. I saw flames, and felt their heat. Somehow, I felt like this was just the beginning of something,"

"More like the middle," Thorin said darkly, thinking of Sauron, and his meddling 60 years before.

Gandalf sighed heavily through his nose. "Then it could all be as I feared,"

"What do you mean?" Danica's voice was low with apprehension.

"Bilbo's disappearance was the product of a magic ring. He found it in the goblin tunnels, and has held on to it all this time,"

Well, that certainly explained a lot. "No wonder he was able to get through so many places unseen," Thorin mused, thinking back to Bilbo's vague descriptions of his miraculous escapes.

Gandalf nodded. "Yes, but I worry about that ring. He had a great, jealous need for it, and I believe it is what has kept him so young,"

A darkness settled over them at these words.

"You believe it could be a ring of power," Thorin said softly.

"I believe it could be The Ring of Power,"

Echoes of conversations with Danica stirred in his head. Of all the times for her to have amnesia…

"If what you believe is true, is it safe for Bilbo to keep it?"

"He left it to Frodo, who has put it away at my request. I think it is safer here, out of sight, than it would be anywhere else,"

Thorin wasn't completely convinced, but didn't argue.

"Why are we going to Gondor?" Danica asked.

"If I am going to be sure of my suspicions, I need to do some research. The library at Minas Tirith has some of Isildur's own accounts of the Ring. I just hope they will dispel my fears,"

"And if they don't?"

Gandalf looked down at Thorin with an expression that had dread filling his chest. "Then we will all have to be ready,"

Danica glanced over at Thorin and, even in the dark, he could see the fear in her eyes. His own mind was racing. If this war was going to happen, where would the front lines be? How could the dwarven armies best be used?

"Why do you need us to go with you?" Danica asked after a couple minutes' silence.

"Because the enemy has been hunting you, and you are harder to hide than a ring," a smile was evident in his voice. "The two of you attract too much attention, and we do not want eyes looking to the Shire. Though it is hidden away right now, I believe your knowledge may be useful in Gondor. Some of the scrolls might bring back some memories,"

Thorin cast a glance at Danica's face, barely lit by moonlight, but couldn't discern her expression. Knowing he couldn't ask her about her thoughts now, he instead focused on what to do next.

"I need to send word to Fili and Dain before rumor does,"

"No," Gandalf's response was so brusque that it had Thorin gritting his teeth.

"What?"

"We cannot risk a message falling into the wrong hands. Better to wait until you can actually see them,"

"Which will be when?" he tried to pin Gandalf with his gaze, but was hopelessly unsuccessful.

"That has yet to be determined," Gandalf eventually responded. "It will depend on how this journey goes. You may either part ways with us half way, or journey to Erebor from Gondor,"

More half answers that left more questions than they solved. No one really wanted to speak after that, but couldn't rest either. Danica sought out Thorin's hand in the dark, and held on tightly. They took comfort from each other, both afraid of what the future may hold.