AN: A long awaited update- and reassurance that I haven't forgotten or abandoned this tale. Or you know Died. I'm working hard trying to rouse my muses when I have the chance to sit down and write!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

They hadn't gone into the woods looking for a repeat experience with the trolls- honest. The last time around they had tried to test their burglar out by having him to get the missing pony before they had to admit that they had lost it to their uncle. They had been so eager to prove to their King that he had made the right choice in allowing them to come, and terrified of having messed up so early on into their quest, so they hadn't minded setting the newest member of their company on the trolls to get themselves out of trouble. So this time they had led the ponies to a different area to graze, and they had watched them diligently. So diligently that when the net came down over them they had been caught unaware.

Thus they were in their current situation, hanging from a tree with all of the ponies tied not far from them and three familiar trolls were standing over a cooking pot arguing over how to cook their bountiful find of ponies and Dwarfs. The captive Dwarrow had no idea how long it would be until either of their uncles would be coming to check on them and no way to draw their attention, so this time might end up going much more differently then before. They might actually end up being Troll dinner.

A movement from just outside of the clearing drew Fili's attention from his internal panic, and as his eyes honed in onto it he was relieved to see his smallest uncle. Bilbo looked pale, and angry as he looked at them, and both boys flinched at the lecture they knew would be coming just as soon as they were safe. Their ears would be ringing for days, and their brethren would be snickering as they remembered the dressing down for years to come, if they remembered their burglar and his ire correctly that is. Bilbo put a finger to his lips, ordering them to be quiet as he disappeared back into the dark growth around him. He was going back to get the rest, obviously. The captured Dwarrow shared a look, knowing that one day this tale would be told amongst more of their kind, but there was nothing to do about that now.

Thorin was furious. His sister sons had done something idiotic in an attempt to change how things had happened the last time, and had gotten themselves caught. Once Bilbo had calmed from the fright of finding their nephews in such a position, he had come up with a plan. It wasn't very dwarfish, but if pulled off correctly it wouldn't see the rest of them caught, or wounded in any way. His only problem with the plan was that Bilbo played the main role in it, and thus was in the most danger. While they called from the shadows to draw the brutes attention and confuse them, Bilbo would be running a trip wire between their legs, and once that was accomplished, and the wire pulled taunt, the Trolls would then fall, and the company would overwhelm them, and have them tied for the sun to take care of. While it sounded easy enough, it depended on the Dwarrow's ability to confuse the trolls, and Bilbo's speed. If he was noticed, and stomped upon, or injured then Thorin would have his nephew's beards for their capture.

"Are you ready?" Bilbo asked his softly, toying with the end of the rope he planned on running around the Troll's legs with. Thorin would have one end with Dwalin, while Balin and Bofur would be waiting on the other side of the clearing calling out taunts and ready to pull the end Bilbo delivered with all their might. The others in the company were spread out around the clearing, waiting for the burglar to start into the clearing to begin calling. He nodded shortly, and watched as Bilbo swallowed hard, looking nervous only a moment, before beginning his dash to set the trap so that their plan to free the boys it can be implemented.

The King Under the Mountain's eyes never left the small form, even as he joined in calling out taunts. Watching as his One weaved in and out of the much larger being's legs, the rope he held tightly loosely looping around feet that could crush him as the Trolls looked from one direction to the next, trying to pinpoint where the voices were coming from. It happened much quicker then Thorin expected to, but Bilbo disappeared into the shadowy growth of the other side without incident. He spared Dwalin a look, before they both griped their end hard. Bofur whistled sharply, and then both pulled as hard as they could. The trolls stumbled, But didn't fall. Not exactly according to the hastily thought out plan, but they were not through. It would just require more effort, more hands to accomplish. Another Sharp whistle was heard as Nori and Dori joined the King. They jerked the rope with him as one, and the ground shook as the plan worked and the Trolls hit it. Not a single uncaptured dwarf hesitated in securing the fallen giant's as Bilbo made his way towards the suspended net. He looked up at the two shamefaced boys and sighed.

"And just what, if I may ask, happened here you two?" The hobbit asked, his voice full of ice, as he took out a knife from the sole of his left boot and began cutting the rope that held the net mid air. Fili looked away but Kili Sighed, his eyes locked onto the small form of his Uncle- knowing the small male had been scared when he had come to check in on them, only to find them already captured. He couldn't blame him for the anger he now felt. They had messed up, and if the trolls had decided just to eat the brothers and not cook them, things could have gone so much different tonight..

"We were watching the ponies… and not our surroundings. They netted us and planned to have the ponies and us for supper." He admitted, his voice soft and ashamed at being caught off guard when they were trying so hard to avoid this. Bilbo rolled his eyes and tsked as his knife finished slicing through the rope. As the boys hit the ground they groaned, and Bilbo cleared his throat, waiting for thier eyes to be on him before he spoke next. He wanted them to hear his message and to know that they understood.

"If you don't want me to suggest that your uncle send you home, watching your surroundings should be something that you don't have to be reminded of." Bilbo scolded, his tone still tight and full of fear and disappointment. Both boys looked away, but accepted the smaller beings hand when he went to help them stand. The company was silent as the two youngest were helped to their feet, and shifted under the Hobbit's stern look. Fili was the first to speak, looking to the Hobbit, and then his uncle.

"From this point forward, our surroundings shall have the attention that is required of us on this Quest." He promised. Bilbo nodded once, as did Thorin, both understanding what was not said as the trolls thrashed against their bonds. Even as their struggles strained at the ropes binding them, the ropes held fast, and Bilbo knew that they would hold until dawn broke. They still needed the rock that would shield the trolls to be damaged, but Bilbo had every hope that Gandalf would so it upon his return from his hissy fit/ trip to Rivendell. They were not disappointed, as the stone cracked under the Wizard's Staff and the trolls were forever frozen in their struggle. The Wizard looked at the Company with an unreadable expression.

"I half expected to find you at their tender mercy when I heard their struggles on my way back, instead of the other way around. The lot of you being without an ounce of sense among you doesn't lend one to think you would be able to resist charging headfirst into battle." The Wizard intoned, before the company started to look around the area. Trolls were notorious for their treasure stashes after all. Bilbo eyed his old friend with a measure of distaste as he mulled over the insult, while his Dwarrow hadn't seemed phased by the Wizard's haughty behavior the Hobbit found himself increasingly less tolerant of it.

They were on this Quest to reclaim his Dwarrow's home, and Bilbo knew from later years that the reclamation itself had only helped the Wizard's plans to defend Middle Earth. But he also remembered that Gandalf's meddling held no end, and for someone who was gaining much for this venture his insulting nature was unacceptable. He was not above the Dwarrow or Bilbo, but he came and went over this quest- demanding respect and forcing decisions through because he held a power that they did not. He always had, even when Frodo was carrying the Ring across Middle Earth.

"Respect to those instrumental to your future plans would not be amiss, for I don't think you help with this out of noble, selfless intentions. We will reclaim Erebor, and if you've managed to make enemies of them, or myself you might find yourself sorely lacking in support." Bilbo finally hissed, as the man came to him with a familiar Elven weapon, unable to continue letting the slights against them go. Gandalf may be a wizard, but even he could not accomplish the things that would need to be done alone. He would need a Hobbit to carry the Ring after all, and Bilbo was not above threatening to make that impossible should the Wizard keep insulting his family. Those Dwarrow were his to protect, to defend. Even from allies. The Wizard looked at him stunned, his hand mid outreach to hand over Sting.

"I have no idea what you mean Bilbo, though your defense of those Stone headed clouts seems a tad unusual given the time you have known them. Have your dreams told you something, or shown you something to make you so protective of them?" Gandalf tried to deflect by pointing out the inconsistency, reminding the Hobbit that the Wizard had not been present for Breakfast the morning the Quest had begun and it's revelations were unknown to him, he hadn't bothered to notice the change in the company. He smiled tightly, before reaching over and taking his sword. There was silence for a moment.

"I forgot, you had errands to run the morning we started out and thus missed the information that was shared there." He said unhappily. "I am Thorin's One, and he is my Heart Song. To insult them as you have, is to insult me. As many of the company shares blood relations to Thorin they are my family, and I trust you know what it means to insult a Hobbit's kin." He added. Gandalf paled under his bushy beard.

"Bilbo, my dear boy. I didn't know." He murmured, sounding unwell. Bilbo arched an eyebrow, the Wizard sounded sick with grief, as if he knew that the quest was not going to end well. And it hadn't the first time, but if this man had knowingly taken the company to Erebor for the Durin line to fall Bilbo would have no issue with lighting his beard and robes on fire.

"I will die before letting them fall Gandalf, and I will not allow them to be disrespected by one who proclaims himself their friend, but leads them into what he thinks is their death." He snapped, feeling as if the other man had betrayed them all. There were forces that could see into the future… Elrond being one of them. If they had seen the Durin line fall and told Gandalf… if Gandalf had decided that price was worth it.. he had as well as doomed Bilbo to the Fading's Call that he had suffered so long the first time. The Wizard looked uncomfortable with his statement, shifting as the company started closer.

"I shall reign in my temper, and hope that saving them doesn't require you to sacrifice your own life on this quest." The Wizard murmured. Bilbo snorted, looking at the old man in disgust.

"If he dies and I live, it shall not be a life worth living. The Fading's Call will see to that." He declared lowly. Horror crossed the elder's face, but before he could respond Radagast burst into the clearing screaming about murder and death. Bilbo and the Durin's shared a hard look before the chase was on once more, Rivendell was coming, and along with it a chance to rest before their Quest became more dangerous then ever and they would be fool not to take the chance to gather their plans and embark of the next leg ready for what was coming. For better or worse, a mountain lay ahead, with a dragon sleeping within it, nothing would change that.

Dwalin watched the moment that the smallest Royal Durin decided his bonded was being rude, and had to bite back a grin and a snort as a hairy foot stomped Thorin's. The King in exile grimaced slightly, before bowing his head to the Elf who he had been in mid insult to. The Leaf Eater's hadn't earned the Dwarrow's respect yet, but the guard could see where the smallest Royal was coming from. Obviously he had be schooled, and taken to Politic's better then the Dwarf that he was fated for. Insulting them would do nothing more then make this stop for refuge from the wargs and Orcs uncomfortable.

"My apologies, Lord Elrond. It's been a stressful leg of our journey, and I'm afraid that temper's are running thin. If we could perhaps bother you for rooms to rest and clean up in, and perhaps a warm meal or two that hasn't been put together from rations, I'm sure you will find temperaments much more agreeable." The Smallest Durin spoke up, drawing the tall elf's eye to him. Rivendell's Master smiled softly, before s snort from Gandalf drew a glare from him and Bilbo. When an apologetic look crossed the wizard's face The Elf King looked back to the Hobbit, taking in his appearance.

"You're the Son of Belladonna Took correct? We indeed have rooms for you and your company. Your mother was a dear friend of the elves, and I have no doubt you will follow in her footsteps there, you most certainty have her talent for soothing the ire of misspoken word's. Of which she had much practice doing traveling with Gandalf I'm afraid." Elrond Hummed. Bilbo grinned at the elf, feeling at ease with the man who had given him shelter for years, after the blasted Ring had driven him half mad.

"Belladonna was indeed my mother. She told me many tales of this humble home in the years I was able to enjoy having her as my mother, before she answered the Fading's call. Bilbo Baggins at your service." He answered, a sad look crossed the elf's face at the mention of his mother's passing.

"Many hearts across Middle Earth felt the pain of her passing young one, rest assured that she was loved by many. The Fading's Call isn't kind to those left behind, our apologies for not seeking you out before, to make sure of your well being. You're mother's letter's described a fauntling after her own heart that drove your father insane looking for elves in the woods around the shire. My son's entertained the idea of visiting and letting you find what you searched for, but circumstances here left them unable to." The Elf Lord apologized, motioning for the small Hobbit and his company to follow him. Bilbo snorted.

"If my younger self had found even one Elf, it would have just spurred me on to look for more further out and worry my parents out of their minds even more then my daily antics already had. It is perhaps a good thing your sons found themselves busy. I am trouble prone enough without encouragement I'm afraid." The hobbit hummed pleasantly, sounding more amused then tired in that moment as he tugged his One forward, following the unspoken offer. He ignored the amused snorts his statement caused among the Dwarrow that he had claimed as his own, knowing they agreed with his words. Things had already changed from how they had happened the last time around, so Bilbo wasn't really surprised when the evening meal had plenty of meat in it. Elf's hunted, and he himself had enjoyed many a meat filled meal while under their care. He knew- from stories later on- that the endless meals of salads and greens had been a sort of petty payback for the Dwarrow's manners. His dwarrow however, didn't quite contain their shock at seeing something other then green food served, and Bilbo had to hide a number of small laughs as they got over their shock, While their misbehavior here had been a fond, in not mortifying memory before, perhaps the olive branch that was being offered would foster better relations. The Last Homely House had been his home for many years, and he should like to have the choice to visit it often once they reclaimed the mountain.

After stomachs were well filled with more food then probably should have been eaten after a long journey on travelling rations, and exhaustion set in the company retired to their rooms. Well Mostly retired, the look in Thorin's eyes promised little rest for Bilbo that night if the king had his way, but considering the amount of time they had in Rivendell the hobbit didn't think he would mind a little lost sleep tonight. Especially if it meant that he wouldn't have to wake up the next morning and ride a pony with a sore bum. That wasn't an experience he was eager to relive at all, so he wouldn't argue with his one and risk passions overflowing some other time along the road. A comfortable bed, walls surrounding them in at least semi privacy and the knowledge that he wouldn't be riding the next day was more luxury then he had experienced the first time around- when it came to bedding his king after all.

True to his thoughts, sleep was the last thing on the king's mind, as he well found out when the door was shut and the light dimmed. The sun would nearly be rising by the time both men closed their eyes and rested, completely sated and relaxed for the first time in a long time.

((Note: My Ao3 posting has the option for an explicit scene that I have not yet posted. That scene will NOT be available her so my story in compliant to whatever guidelines this platform may have at this time.))