Disclaimer: Still don't own, so please don't sue! A/N at the bottom…

With great pride and a small sense of satisfaction, Bilbo could honestly say he did not burn the stew.

As he called the company over for their dinner, the Halfling couldn't resist a small smirk of triumph when Thorin looked his way. The Dwarven Prince had merely raised a bushy brow, but Bilbo didn't care. He had made himself useful and that's all that mattered.

However, as the evening wore on, the hobbit found himself in a bit of a dilemma. The fact of the matter was, he still only had one good arm. With nothing near to set his own bowl down, Bilbo was having a time fixing his own meal. He thought about asking for help, but the other dwarves were eating so heartily, the Halfling didn't have the heart to interrupt. Bilbo eyed the cooking pot thoughtfully…

Perhaps if he was especially careful…

"If you need help Halfling, you should just ask…" spoke a voice behind Bilbo, it was deep and all too familiar; belonging to none other than their esteemed leader. Before Bilbo could work up the proper annoyance and possibly witty comeback, Thorin smoothly took the hobbit's bowl, poured two generous scoops and handed it back to him without another word. Bilbo blinked up at the Dwarven Prince rather taken aback.

"Right… well thank you Thorin." The Halfling returned somewhat graciously. Thorin could say what he wanted about Bilbo's usefulness, but a hobbit always remembers his manners. (Even when the dwarf in question did not…)

Oakenshield merely 'hmphed' and strode away leaving the Halfling alone again. Bilbo watched him go wondering, and not for the first time either, just what was going on in their leader's head. He mulled over it for a moment or two then shook his head, pushing all musing about Thorin aside. Bilbo didn't have the energy to ponder the riddle that was Thorin Oakenshield, there weren't nearly enough hours in the day for such a feat. Instead the Halfling retired to a small, out of the way corner to quietly eat his meal in peace.

"Oi! Mr. Boggins! What are you doing all the way over there in the dark? Come over here! Sit with us!"

… Or rather that's what Bilbo had planned to do before Kili had made his demand. The Hobbit turned on his heel without another word and made his way over to the dark-haired youth. The brothers patted Bilbo heartily (albeit tenderly) on his good shoulder.

"Don't hide yourself so Mr. Boggins!" Kili teased grinning brightly. The younger dwarf shifted making room for the Halfling between him and his brother.

"Yeah… you'll make us think you don't like our company…" Fili added for good measure, the blonde trying (and failing) for a somber expression. Bilbo rolled his eyes heavenward, "And we wouldn't want that now would we?" he replied dryly to the brothers. "Forgive my lack of manners!" The siblings chuckled and Bilbo hid a grin with his bowl. He saw no need in encouraging them further.

The three friends ate their food vigorously, with Fili volunteering to refill his and Bilbo's bowl when they had finished. Better get some more before it's gone! The blonde joked, stating how he didn't like how Bombur was eyeing the pot.

"You did a good job on this stew…" Kili complimented as he nudged Bilbo playfully. "Say what you want about us Hobbits… but we do know our foods and we do know our seasoning!" Bilbo declared loudly with obvious pride. Fili, who had returned, shot his brother a knowing look and a quick grin.

Neither brother was a fool… Both knew who that statement was really meant for…

From across the den, sharp blue eyes watched the trio keenly. Taking in the grins, easy laughter and the smiles his nephews seems to bring out of the Halfling. Particularly his youngest one. He frowned at this turning away from the… 'cosy' little scene before him. Placing his bowl aside the Dwarven prince drew out his pipe and stood.

"I'll take first watch!" Thorin announced abruptly then he strode out the den. He ignored the curious gazes from the other members and especially the Halfling. He didn't need to answer to them.

Later… much later Bilbo was ready to amend his earlier thoughts about the itching thing. His arm was positively killing him. And the worse thing about it was it wasn't even that painful! While it still hurt, it was a slow, dull sort of ache. The kind of throbbing that seem like it couldn't decide whether or not it wanted to blossom into full pain, or fade into oblivion. So it just lingered instead.

Well… Bilbo thought sourly I really wish this bloody arm would make up its bloody mind, so I can get some bloody sleep! The Halfling felt rightfully testy. He was tired; the days of travel had been hard on him. And while he didn't dare complain he wouldn't give Thorin the satisfaction. Bilbo was exhausted, he wondered if trusting Gandalf and joining this quest was really the right thing to do… But then his mind floated back to that night, when he had hid himself in his room but could still hear the melancholy song Thorin and the others sang. The longing in those dwarves voices, to be able to reclaim their stolen homeland. What if something like that happened to the Shire? What would Bilbo do? The Halfling sighed in the darkness. It was probably the pain making him have such extreme altering thoughts. He shifted, trying to get comfortable, but his arm was making it difficult. He could only sleep sitting up, flat on his back, or on his good side.

And he had tried them all… nothing helped. So Bilbo just laid there staring up at the cave ceiling, listening to the assortments of snores, snorts and grunts. When some time had passed yet again the Halfling heaved a weary sigh. He had resigned himself to not getting any rest that night. And although he felt a bit sullen about it, Bilbo pushed the feeling away. He stretched figuring that he might make himself useful and help with the watch. Carefully he eased to his feet, gingerly tiptoed around the various sleeping bodies. He tried hard to ignore the twinge of jealousy at their easy sleep.

There was a fire still burning over in the eatery when Bilbo came to the main section of the den. As luck would have it, Bofur was the one up on watch this time around. (Bilbo couldn't have been anymore relieved.)

"Has it been quiet so far?" Bilbo asked the toymaker as he approached. His friend smiled giving a little wave and a nod. "Very and quite dull too… Not that I'm complaining mind you!" the toymaker replied with an impish grin. Bilbo returned it with one of his own and shuffled over to his side.

"Right… So er… do you need any help with the watch?" the Halfling inquired hopefully, Bofur paused in his task (he was carving a little figure of some sort) and eyed Bilbo carefully.

"Can't sleep huh?"He states sympathetically, Bilbo thinks about fibbing but decides against it. He saw no purpose in it in the long run, "Not really… it's this blasted arm to tell you the truth. It's keeping me up, refusing to let me sleep, rather rude that is…" The hobbit explains. "And since I'm up… I thought I'd offer my services… that is *ahem* if it is wanted." Bilbo finishes with a sheepish smile.

Bofur reaches out and pats Bilbo's good arm lightly, "I'm fine thank you, but if you grab a torch you can catch up with Kili." The toymaker pointed towards the den entrance. "The lad just left not five minutes ago, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company Mr. Baggins, Fili's not with him this time."

Grinning brightly Bilbo grabbed a spare torch and lit it in the hearth pit. "Thanks Bofur!" The Halfling called to the hatted dwarf as he jogged silently out the den. It didn't take long to locate the younger prince. Bilbo found Kili sitting on a bolder staring out into the woods seemingly lost in thought. The Halfling hesitated, noting the younger dwarf gaze, rarely had Bilbo seen such a serious expression on his face. More than ever was Bilbo reminded of the similarities between uncle and nephew. It was striking and continually catches the hobbit off guard.

"Um… beautiful night isn't it?" Bilbo says lightly, turning his gaze to the sky. Kili, drawn back from whatever thoughts he had, looked down at the hobbit and smiled. "Yeah it is… I was just thinking that myself. You see I didn't see much of the sky back in the Blue Mountains, outside of books. I'm a child of the stone Mr. Baggins. During our exile I was too young to remember them."

Bilbo cast the young prince a speculative glance, he couldn't imagine growing up like that. "When I was younger, I practically lived outside." When Kili made a face in disbelief, Bilbo laughs quietly. "Yes I know hard to believe looking at me now, but it's true. My cousins and I the Tooks got into all kinds of mischief. Chasing fireflies, going on… heh 'wild adventures'. During midsummer's eve we'd stay out late on one of the hills and just stare at the sky. Some of the stories my cousins would come up with…" Bilbo trailed off shaking his head at the memories.

"I haven't thought about those days in… years really…" he says to himself in quiet reflection. Kili studies the hobbit from on top of his bolder, his eyes glinting in that familiar slightly wicked way of his.

"You must have been something Bilbo," the archer prince replies in a soft tone and for some reason the Halfling feels his cheeks heat up. He is grateful for the darkness, until he remembers the torch in his hand.

"Yeah well I wouldn't go that far Kili, I'm just a normal hobbit… there's nothing special about me." He insists with a sheepish smile.

"Well… I wouldn't say that… you are very special!... That is um… you know! You are brave and all that… Like with the trolls! You really saved us back then! I never did properly thank you for that did I?"

Bilbo waves him off shrugging nonchalantly, "I think we are even on that incident" He tells the dark-haired dwarf, "and anyways I've gotten off track."

Kili quirks a brow, "Oh? How so?"

"I came here to ask if you wouldn't mind some help with the watch." The Halfling motions to his arm, "This is keeping me up… I figured since I couldn't sleep I'd be of some use." Kili's eyes darken at that last bit. Turning quickly to hide his face, the archer replies, "You are useful Bilbo… very much so. Don't let my uncles harsh words color your worth… not all of the company thinks like he does…"

Bilbo blinks… he's unsure of what to say, which is neither here nor there because Kili suddenly hops down to the ground in one fluid motion. "I would be delighted to have you as my partner Mr. Boggins!" Kili proclaims with a princely bow. "C'mon lets patrol the perimeter; it's about time to anyways."

With a grin the dark-haired archer gestures for the Halfling to lead the way. Bilbo shakes his head slightly exasperated. They walk in a comfortable silence for several minutes, but Kili keeps sneaking looks at Bilbo and grinning. He does this so often the hobbit in question lets out a sigh.

"Something on your mind Kili?" Bilbo asks after the fifth or sixth glance. The archer merely smirks, "No… not in the way you'd suspect." Kili states vaguely, it's enough to piqué Bilbo's interest.

"Oh? Enlighten me then."

"Heh… I can't… it would ruin things."

"Ruin what exactly?"

"My surprise for you."

"You… you have a surprise for me?"

"Indeed I do Mr. Baggins a very special surprise if I might add. And before you ask, no I will not tell you what it is. You my dear Mr. Boggins will have to wait until tomorrow."

The Halfling stopped dead in his tracks, eyeing the younger dwarf for a good while. For the second time that night Kili had rendered Bilbo speechless.

:::

A/N: *ducks her head sheepishly* I know, I know! Where have I been? Why haven't I updated… Well the short answer is: LIFE. The longer one… a bit more complicated. But in a nutshell this happened: my dog died, I lost my car, I moved, quit my job, wrote a novel, job searched, cut my hair, catered a few times, played SWTOR, fell into a deep depression, got a part gig but had falling out when my "employer" didn't want to pay me, was in a car accident, started my second novel… and surprised you guys with an update! ^_^

I had planned to update MUCH sooner than this, I thought I had a beta to help me… but I don't know what happened with that… and it kinda bummed me out for a while. Plus I had also lost my well "voice" that I had when writing this fic. It took a long… long time to get it back. BUT I just want you ALL to know, for the ones who favored this story or put me on their watch or even left a review THANK YOU! Even though I hadn't updated in ages… getting those notices in my email made me really happy! You don't even know! Anywho I hope you guys like this update! I worked hard on it and tried to make it long for you. It's the least I could do since the last movie is now out… *sniffs* R&R if you want! I love you guys!

~A

p.s. I updated the first three chapters as well, I fixed as many mistakes as I could. ^_~