As I already said, the idea of this story comes from our dear Gandalf – Sir Ian McKellen, of course he doesn't know about it, but anyway, he gave me the idea…:)

So the story goes after the Battle of the Five Armies, everyone lives, the matter with the Arkenstone is adjusted, Bilbo and the dwarves are friends again, and they adore each other more than ever, Bilbo goes home to the Shire with Gandalf and let's see what happens next!

I own nothing, everything related to the Hobbit book belongs to Tolkien family, anything related to the movie belongs to Peter Jackson and the Company.

Warning: That is my first fanfiction ever, and English is not my native language, though I love it so much, so I just want to say sorry to people who can become irritated by this story for any reason. I'm really nervous about it.

Thank you all for reading and reviews would be much appreciated. Here we go!

PROLOGUE: Coming home or leaving home

The weather was just perfect, night was sinking, stars were shining brightly and the wind was mild and sweet and warm, as Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf were riding and riding together, away from the Lonely Mountain and the Great Kingdom of Erebor, leaving great treasure and dearest friends behind. They were not yet tired and decided to continue their journey a little farther. The wizard was in a great mood, joking all the time and telling breath-catching stories of different lands and peoples. Bilbo was smiling and laughing, smoking his pipe for the first time in a long period of time.

And they had some reasons to be happy: their journey was successful after all, they helped Thorin Oakenshield and his dwarves reclaim their kingdom, they lived through terrible battles and their friends did too, though they were injured more than Gandalf and Bilbo, they were all alive. Bilbo and Thorin talked after the battle, and Thorin finally understood the reasons of Bilbo's "betrayal". They apologized to each other and were friends again. That was more than Bilbo could hope for.

But something heavy was on Bilbo's heart and he couldn't quite comprehend what it was. As he went forward, away from the mountain, he felt a strange tangle of emotions. Some of them were understandable, some were not. Anxiety and melancholy, homesickness and concern were among them. He decided the obvious: he went home leaving Thorin, Kili and Fili – his friends – not in their best conditions and though he knew that they were going to be fine he still felt guilty for leaving them, for not waiting until they are fully recovered.

"I told you a thousand times, Bilbo Baggins... If you decide to wait, I won't be able to wait with you and I won't be able to accompany you back home."

And going without Gandalf would be very dangerous, so there was actually no choice.

"Unless you want to stay here in Erebor and wait for me for a year or even more, and then when I'm finished with my urgent business I'll come and take you home."

"No! No, no, no, do you think I want to feel useless again? Oh no, thank you very much. What will I be doing here for a year or even more? The dwarves will be rebuilding and redecorating their home and what about me? A burden again? In what way can I help the dwarves do what they can do better than anyone in this world? No. AND. I don't know what happened to my own house, and if my precious relatives got to lay their hands on it, I'm afraid I'll have to rebuild and redecorate it too, if not reclaim it… You know those Sackville-Bagginses, Gandalf… I have to go home."

"So, you're worrying again, my little friend, my fearless hobbit?" asked Gandalf gently.

"You see everything, my dear Gandalf." – Bilbo smiled back. – "I'm still feeling a little frustrated, you know, because I had to leave them, when they…"

"Bilbo, my friend," interrupted Gandalf. – "Stop this, everything's going to be fine, do you believe me? When did you catch me lying to you? "

"No, never, of course… of course I believe you…"

"So, stop berating yourself! Fili and Kili are barely injured and they will be on their own feet in no more than a week, annoying everyone more than ever. And even the King is going to recover fully, King Thranduil checked on him and promised me. And that means a lot. You know it."

"Did you see how Thorin looked when we said we were leaving? Thorin and Fili and Kili... all so... disappointed…"

"Maybe you want to turn around and go back?!" said Gandalf trying to conceal his irritation.

There was a pause.

"No… No, Gandalf, I'm… going home."

They were riding without a word for some time, when Gandalf finally said.

"I wish to cheer you up a little, Bilbo. I see you grew attached to the dwarves, whom you disliked from the very first minute, back then, when they entered your home…"

"If you remember they disliked me too and much more." Bilbo interrupted. It felt like he was an absolutely different Hobbit right now. How could he change so drastically? "But things change."

Gandalf ignored it..

"So… What will you say if when I'm done with my business, I'll come back for you and we'll go and visit Erebor together again, visit your precious King under the Mountain and the Company. What say you?"

Bilbo blushed a little hearing "your precious", but decided not to argue, especially after such an incredible offer.

"Are you serious, Gandalf? Of course I say yes, of course. That's incredible, thank you! More journeys? More adventures!"

Bilbo wasn't able to tell his friend how much it meant to him. Now he had something to wait for, and that was such a pleasant feeling.

"It's settled then," said Gandalf. "Now please smile and sing something to me!"

"Not for love or money!" laughed Bilbo.

"You're right!" Gandalf laughed in response. "You've already got enough money, enough for a lifetime and speaking about love…"

"Stop it Gandalf!" Bilbo interrupted, turning scarlett. "This topic is out of the question!"

They both laughed.

He was going home. So why did he feel like he was leaving his home behind?

Weird, absolutely freaky.

This journey must have done something to my poor mind, something unamendable… thought Bilbo.