Family Ties

Chapter One: An Unexpected Request

Notes: Yes, I will continue Walk On eventually. But I had a massive idea for a new story, so I had to write it immediately. I am quite excited. This story is NOT in the same setting as Walk On, since it is completely canon. An idea present in this story is that Frodo and Bilbo did NOT know each other well before Frodo's parents died – not until well after, in fact. Be warned: Frodo and Bilbo aren't exactly the best of friends for a great deal of the story. But it will, of course, end up well eventually. Hopefully. Here goes, and thanks for reading.

Brandy Hall, East Farthing, The Shire: July 15, 1388

Even years after its occurrence, Bilbo Baggins could vividly recall the conversation he'd had with Saradoc Brandybuck, the then newly appointed Master of Brandy Hall, concerning a lad by the name of Frodo Baggins.

The discussion had transpired the morning after a party of great magnificence. Indeed it was a special party, for it had caused Bilbo, who was widely known as a "queer hermit type," to journey over forty miles from his home in Hobbiton to Buckland. The party was given in part for Saradoc, who was officially appointed the new Master of Brandy Hall that night. Rorimac, Saradoc's father, was becoming rather hazy and confused in his old age. He readily agreed to turn over responsibilities to his more vile and youthful son.


The party was also for Meriadoc Brandybuck, Saradoc's young son, who had turned the wizened age of six a week previous. Bilbo was rather found of the boy, who has a penchant for causing mayhem and wreaking havoc upon certain adults. Because of this – and also because of his fondness for Merry's entire family – Bilbo decided to make the journey to Buckland.

The morning after the party, Bilbo woke up a bit dazed, due in part to a slight overindulgence in ale the night before. He also woke up far later than he would have suited - it was only a few hours from noon when he finally tore himself from his bed, deciding he had to face the unruly inhabitants of Brandy Hall at some time or another.

After he had washed himself, dressed, and attempted to make some sense out of his ruffled hair, Bilbo made his way to the dining room. By this time, it was past both first and second breakfasts, so he was fairly hungry.

As Bilbo was making his way down the main hall, he saw Saradoc come out of the dining room and head in his direction. Bilbo plastered on a smile and waved at him cheerily, hoping against all hopes that Saradoc would not want to see him before he ate some food.

Saradoc hurried over to him, also wearing a smile. Bilbo couldn't help but notice that the smile seemed rather forced, and he wondered, despite his growling stomach, what was ailing the young master.

"Hello, Cousin Bilbo," Saradoc greeted respectfully, as the two met each other.


"Good morning, Saradoc," replied Bilbo politely.


Saradoc laughed. "Why, it's nearly afternoon, dear Bilbo."


"Yes, so I've noticed, " said Bilbo with a chuckle. "I've slept a little late, I'm afraid, and I'm just heading to the dining room for first and second breakfasts."

Saradoc hesitated slightly and said, "Bilbo, if you wouldn't mind, I have a favor to ask of you. I need to talk to you right away concerning a matter of great importance. I could send for some food to my study while we talked," Saradoc added hastily, noticing the pained look on Bilbo's face.

"Very well, Saradoc," Bilbo agreed, noting the grave look on his face. Saradoc swept past Bilbo and headed toward his study. Bilbo followed, pondering what could have come up so suddenly. Saradoc had mentioned nothing of serious matters during the entire week he had been visiting.

"You'll forgive me for pressing this upon you so late into your visit," Saradoc said as Bilbo caught up with him. "It's been on my mind for quite awhile, but I thought it best to leave it until later in your visit. I also could do nothing until I officially became Master."


"What does this pertain to?" Bilbo asked, feeling both curious and suspicious.

Saradoc did not answer. They made their way to Saradoc's study, which was located almost all the across the hall from the dining room. Bilbo found his hunger – and impatience – grow with each step.

They finally reached Saradoc's study; Saradoc led him inside and offered him a seat. A young lass soon came inside to see to the Master's comfort. Saradoc sent her off to fetch Bilbo some food, which cured his irritability rather quickly.

As the lass closed the door and exited the room, Saradoc looked up at Bilbo. Bilbo met his gaze, letting the curiosity show plainly in his eyes. At length, Saradoc said, "Bilbo, I want to discuss someone with you."

"Someone?" asked Bilbo in confusion. "Who?"

"Frodo Baggins," replied Saradoc.

Bilbo raised his eyebrows. "A Baggins? Living in Buckland?"

Saradoc raised his eyebrows in return. "He's Primula and Drogo's boy. Surely you remember them – they've only been gone eight years."

Bilbo nodded quickly. "Of course I do. I'd just forgotten that their child was still here." Bilbo hadn't known the family very well. Drogo had been a typical Baggins – respectable in every way. Respectable was something that Bilbo, unfortunately, was not. Drogo had always kept his distance from his Hobbiton relative. After he and Primula died, Bilbo has seen very little of their only child, Frodo. Of course, Bilbo rarely made trips out to Buckland, preferring to journey outside of the Shire or stay at home. The last time he had spoken to Frodo was at his parent's funeral, when the boy has been only eleven.

"Well, he is," Saradoc replied, "and he's not eleven anymore."

"Obviously," muttered Bilbo.

"He's changed quite a lot since you've seen him."

"Saradoc, I barely knew the boy as he was. What are you trying to get at?"

He sighed. "He's not changed for the better." He rose from behind his desk and clasped his hands behind his back, pacing uneasily. "Quite frankly, he's become a bit of a problem."

"How so?" asked Bilbo.

"Well, most recently, he was found in Farmer Maggot's field. Stealing mushrooms, Bilbo, stealing! Amongst other things. Maggot found him and beat him within an inch of his life."

Bilbo snorted. "Isn't that the sort of thing a tweener normally does, Saradoc? I'd hardly call it a problem."

"That's not all," Saradoc said quickly. "He keeps the wrong sort of company, Bilbo –"

"And some would say the same about myself," Bilbo interrupted. "What sort of company does he keep, why is it the wrong sort, and why does this concern me?" He found it more than a little amusing that Saradoc, a father himself, was trying to extract parenting advice from himself. He had been a bachelor his entire life!

"You don't understand. He's always with the hobbits that cause trouble – and not the harmless sort that my Merry-lad causes. He's not a very social child, but when he does socialize, it usually doesn't have a great result."

Saradoc sat back down at his desk, eyeing Bilbo with a serious glance. "That might not be too bad by itself, but Esmeralda has caught him a number of times."

"Caught him?" said Bilbo. "Stealing?"

"No," hissed Saradoc. "Caught him, Bilbo. In bed – with lasses! And some lads."

At this, Bilbo raised his eyebrows in astonishment. "But he's only twenty!"

"Nineteen," corrected Saradoc. "He won't be twenty for two months."

"Yes, yes," said Bilbo impatiently. "But I didn't have an eye – well, at least that sort of eye – for others until I was well into my tweens."

"Neither did I," agreed Saradoc. "He's barely into puberty. I'm afraid I've run out of options with him."

"Well, Saradoc," said Bilbo, "I can see your problem. But I'm afraid I don't know what I can do for you."

"Ah," said Saradoc with a grin, "But I can."

At that moment, the door to Bilbo's study opened and the lass came back in, handling a tray full of breakfast foods. She placed it in front of Bilbo, who didn't even bother to thank her. He found his appetite much lessened; Saradoc's grin was beginning to unnerve him.

"Whatever are you smirking at me for, you silly hobbit?" asked Bilbo when the girl left, growing restless at the sudden silence. "Were we not just discussing a serious matter?"

"Indeed we were, Bilbo, but I do believe that, over the past few weeks, I have thought of an appropriate answer."

"And that is?"

"You."

Bilbo snickered. "Me? What are you talking about?"


"Well, as you know, I've been master of this hall for much longer than the official date announced," said Saradoc, slightly taken aback at Bilbo's guffawing. "So I've had some time to think this over, though I haven't really been able to act on it formally."

"Yes," said Bilbo. "But what?"

"I believe you and Frodo have a great deal in common."

"I don't even know him, Saradoc," said Bilbo in frustration. "As I've stated repeatedly."

"But you could," said Saradoc. "I've made Frodo sound horrible, and he's not the most pleasant boy you've ever met, rest assured. He has his share of problems. Not to mention that he's very rude, sarcastic, and has almost no respect for elders. Some of his feelings can be explained – rumors go around this place as quickly as a stomach illness, and I'm sure he's heard some of the ones about his parents. His mother was crazy, his father killed his mother – very little of it is true, but I'm sure it's difficult to hear. But he's not stupid, Bilbo. He's very clever, in fact. I think you'd appreciate that, even if nobody else does."

"Yes, he sounds very intelligent," replied Bilbo sarcastically. "I do believe laying with as many lasses as possible is very clever, as is having illegitimate children."

"See? There's a comment Frodo would rate very highly," Saradoc said. "You two have a great deal in common, if I'm not mistaken."

"Saradoc, I don't –"

"-even know him, yes. Nonetheless, I'd like to apprentice him to you."

"What?" Bilbo said in amazement. "Apprentice? To me? For what? I don't do anything apprentice worthy, Saradoc. I have someone garden for me, for Eru's sake. What could I possibly teach a boy?"

"Well, you write, don't you?" Bilbo rolled his eyes.

Saradoc laughed. "To tell you the truth, the apprentice label would be for show only. What Frodo really needs is someone to look after him."

"And you think I'm it," Bilbo said.

"Yes," Saradoc said. "As I said, I think you and Frodo will get along well after some time. It will not, of course, be easy. But I believe if anyone could make Frodo respectable, it's you, dear Bilbo."

Bilbo looked at him incredulously. "You're asking me to make someone respectable? Have you not heard that I'm cracked?"

"Respectable isn't what the neighbors make it, Bilbo," said Saradoc wisely. "And believe me, Frodo needs someone. I am his legal guardian, but I am afraid that he is severely overlooked in this place. There are, after all, hundreds of hobbits here."

"Shouldn't that make him very well looked after?"

"No," said Saradoc. "Most of the hobbits here have families of their own. They have no time to look after an orphan. And I have my own family, Bilbo. I have responsibilities of my own. Frodo deserves a parental figure, and I'm afraid I can't provide it. Some of Frodo's rebellion is probably due to my oversight, unfortunately. I accept that." A look of guilt passed over Saradoc's merry features, and he said, "I love Frodo. Nothing could ever change that. But he deserves more."

Bilbo ran a hand through his disheveled hair, allowing his words to sink in. "I know nothing about children. I only entertain them occasionally. I remember a time when you and Esmeralda left Merry in my keeping for one afternoon. It was disastrous."

Saradoc laughed openly. "It was not."

"You don't call Merry getting lost in one of my pantries disastrous? What about the monstrous stomach ache he had after?"

"But children love you, Bilbo, and I'm sure Frodo will be no exception. You two are so much alike it frightens me."

Bilbo looked at Saradoc rather critically. "How long would you wish me to be Frodo's guardian?"

"One year," Saradoc replied hesitantly.

"A year?" exploded Bilbo. "A year to live with a rude, promiscuous young lad?"

"You assume the worst about him will always show," said Saradoc. "He's not wholly evil, Bilbo."

"I've heard none of his good points," said Bilbo darkly. The two glared at each for a moment. Finally Bilbo said, "I'd like to meet this boy again before I decide anything."

"Of course. I'll tell him about my idea. I'm sure he'll be pleased. Then I'll get the two of you together," Saradoc said brightly. "Of course, I'm not asking you to take him straight away. He probably won't leave for another month. I have to arrange a few things before he leaves, as I'm sure you will – if you decide to take him, that is."

Bilbo nodded. "I'm staying for another week," he said. "I shall give you an answer before I leave for Hobbiton."

"Very well," Saradoc said, and he rose from his chair. Bilbo did the same. The two shook hands and Bilbo left the study, leaving his first and second breakfasts quite untouched.