Chapter 1:

I was nearing the one place I'd never thought I'd see again. It still looked about the same since I've last seen it; tall grasses everywhere, colorful flowers abloom, and the large circular wooden door from whence I stood upon and changed my whole life with 3 simple knocks.

"I thought I might find you here." I said to the, now, precarious and jumpy little hobbit who was sitting on a bench.

"Alkira! How long has it been? More than a couple decades, I suppose?..." Bilbo cheerfully replied.

I giggled at his giddiness."Too long; that's for certain, my dear hobbit."

"What're you doing here? Have you spoken to Gandalf?-He's been looking for you, ya know." He gave me a stern, almost scolding look.

I exhaled deeply. "I know; I haven't seen much of anyone really… But let's not worry about that on your special day!"

"No. Kira, you can't keep doing this; you can't keep roaming the la-"

"Bilbo, stop. I know what I am doing- I don't need your input on my life decisions." I turned to walk away until he grabbed my wrist (for an old hobbit, he's got quite the grip!) and yanked me back.

He stared directly into my eyes. "I lost them too, Kira. They were my friends too." My eyes began to viciously water so I turned my head away.

"They weren't just my friends, Bilbo. I loved them; they were my family- my only family." I jerked my arm back and walked down the dirt path.

So far, Bilbo's huge "Eleventy-first birthday spectacular!" as Gandalf called it, wasn't turning out as spectacular as I had hoped. I should've known that they practically tricked me into coming just so they could verbally attack me about the choices I've made in my life.

The party officially began about an hour ago, and anyone who was anyone was down in the heart of Hobbiton, watching Gandalf shoot his magical fireworks and having a jolly good time. I hadn't built up the strength to go down there just yet, especially after Bilbo and I's little spat earlier. So, instead, I did what I do best: lie down in the grass near the Brandybuck's place and look up at the stars…

Ya know, lass, the great thing about love is that it always stays with you- even when your lover, physically, cannot. He's there, in the night sky, bright starlight, watching over you; protecting you.

The wise words of my old friend, Balin, replayed in my head, and to my regret, the tears started streaming down my face. When the waterworks finally calmed, my face felt dry and sticky, and my eyes felt heavier… The sound of chirping bugs around, oddly, relaxed me to the core… I could fall asleep right here if I wanted to… I shouldn't fall asl-… Fatigue over took me.

'I'm Kira…Bilbo Baggins… Fili and Kili, at your service…Welcome to Rivendell… The Goblins! Help me!... Azog the Defiler… You will always be a king to me, Thorin… We must travel through Mirkwood… You who lack all honour!... Tauriel… KILI!... I love you, Fili… There's children down there!... NO, SMAUG!... Watch them DIE… The Arkenstone… You've changed, Thorin… FILI!... I'm leaving and I'm not coming back...'

I jumped awake. What an odd dream… It was daylight out. Shit, I totally missed Bilbo's party last night! I should probably go say my apologies to him. I started walking around the Shire, and I realized something seemed different; whether it was the smell of the air or the ambience in general- something was definitely different.

By the looks of where the sun was placed in the sky, I would say it's about 9:30 in the morning; Bilbo should be up by now. I saw his small hobbit hole and opened the gate, so I could make my way towards the door.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

I waited for Bilbo to come to the door, but as the time passes I have yet to see the hobbit's face. I knocked three more times and there was still no answer; not even Frodo answered. Ooo-kay?... I guess he went to the market? I started making my way down to the center of Hobbiton, and saw many smiling faces along the way, but none that belonged to Bilbo. Where is the little bugger? He can't possibly be so mad at me that he's avoiding me, can he? I give up and go to the nearest pub. Yeah, I know it's not even noon yet and I want a drink. Don't judge.

"Can I get ale, please?" I ask loudly across the counter. Still, no one comes to my service. In fact, I don't think anyone is even manning the bar. How can this day possibly get any harder?