Bilbo Baggins a hobbit from Hobbiton was about to go on an adventure. Not that he would believe you if you told him so. In fact if anyone had told him this, he would have been the first one to scoff and shake his head probably letting you know in his polite hobbit way that you were indeed going crazy. No matter, whether Mr. Baggins wanted it or not an adventure was indeed what he would get.

It began as many tales often do in the most unlikely of places, his front stoop. The weather was clear and cool and he had decided to take full advantage of it. He was sitting on the bench on his stoop with his faithful pipe alongside him. Little did he know that his decision to take in the fine weather would inadvertently change his life forever.

He had just refilled his pipe with old toby and had settled back on his bench when he saw a tall man and small women come over the crest of the hill. He wouldn't have given them any thought at all except that they very rarely got human visitors to the shire.

The man he noticed was dressed in a long grey robe with a large grey pointed hat to match. His hair and beard which were both very long were grey and in his hand he carried a tall staff.

The woman was short, taller than Bilbo himself by several inches mind you, but much shorter than her grey clad companion. Her long chestnut hair flowed free except for the two braids in the front at her temples that wrapped around her head and were held together where they met in the back. She was clad in colors of the earth dark brown leggings that were covered by knee high brown boots of leather. Her top was as a dark green that matched the leaves in the trees. What stood out most to Bilbo though were her ears. She had the ears of an elf. "But surly that can't be right for she is much too short for that" Bilbo thought.

He was pulled out of his musings on her heritage when the pair stopped at his front gate. Perhaps they were lost. "Good morning." He greeted them.

The man in grey studied Bilbo intently for a moment before smiling. "Do you mean to wish me good morning or mean that it is a good morning whether I wish it or not"

The women then spoke up laughter in her eyes "Perhaps he means that he feels good on this particular morning or that it is a morning on which to feel good on".

Bilbo was slightly flustered who were these two who played games with words so easily? "All of them at once I suppose." He answered hesitantly and watched as the man's face fell. Bilbo couldn't help but feel he had failed some kind of test. "Can I help you?" Hoping he could get these two on their way so they would leave him in peace

"That remains to be seen" The two travelers shared a long look, appearing to have a conversation that did not require words. Finally the woman looked to Bilbo. "We are looking for someone to share in an adventure with us."

Bilbo almost choked on the smoke he had just inhaled looking at her as though she had suddenly sprouted an extra head. "Now I don't suppose anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures." He stood and headed to his mailbox "Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things that make you late for dinner."

Bilbo who had during this time taken the mail out of his box started to go thought it. Over acting his interest in what was sure to be boring mail he hmmed and awwed acting as though they were of the upmost importance hoping these two would get the message that he wished them to leave.

The women looked to the man rolling her eyes at the exaggerated actions wondering what was so special about this hobbit that Gandalf would use no other.

When Bilbo realized they were not fooled by his actions he puffed on his pipe a few times to put it out and saying "Good Morning" Headed up the stairs to his front door.

"To thing we would be good morninged by Belladonna Took's son" the grey man said looking at the female "As if we were selling buttons at the door"

"I beg your pardon?"

"You've changed and not entirely for the Better Bilbo Baggins"

"I'm sorry do I know you?" Bilbo asked aggravation clear in his tone.

"Well you know my name though you don't remember I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me. This is one of my travelling companions Restania Greenwood."

The women stepped forward and bowed lightly "At your service Mr. Baggins"

Bilbo could do nothing but nod to her. His mind racing Gandalf he had heard that name before and then it hit him. "Not Gandalf the wandering wizard who made such excellent fireworks. Old Took used to have them on midsummers eve. I had no idea you were still in business."

Restania couldn't help the burst of laughter that fell from her lips. Gandalf's face had gone from remarkably proud to remarkably sullen in just a few seconds. After giving Restania a sour look he turned back to Bilbo "Where else should I be?" Bilbo shrugged slightly looking slightly sheepish.

"Well I'm pleased to find you remember something about me even if it's only my fireworks."

Restania looked up noticing how late in the morning it was if they wished to meet their companions they would need to leave soon. "Gandalf we must be on our way soon if we are to meet them at the appointed time."

Gandalf nodded to her "You are quite right" He looked back towards Bilbo noticing he had been trying to sneak back to into his home while they were distracted. "Well that's decided, it will be very good for you and most amusing for us." Looking to Restania he said "We will inform the others."

Restania glanced up at the hobbits face and had to suppress her laughter. He was terrified but if she read him the way she thought she had there was a tiny spark of excitement there as well. Perhaps Gandalf knew what he was doing after all.

"Inform the others…..no wait, wait, we do not want any adventures here, not today I suggest you try over the hill or across the water." He scampered up his steps and pushed his door open quickly trying to escape. "Good morning" he said before slamming the door shut and the sound of a lock being engaged could be heard.

"Well that went well then didn't it?" Restania said laughing.

Gandalf gave her a bland look before heading up to the door and using his staffed carved a moon rune into it. It would be a sign to the others a way to let them know this was the place. He glanced inside the window one last time and then headed down the steps. Restania fell into step with him glancing back at the pretty green door. They would be back tonight and hopefully if Gandalf knew what he was doing they would have their burglar.