Chapter 1
Note: I do not own anything in this whole story but a couple characters and even they were derived from Welsh, Scottish, and Greek mythology and a couple concepts are mine, but otherwise all is the intellectual property of the great J.R.R. Tolkien .
It may surprise you to know that there was a great deal more happening in the wide world while Bilbo was busy on his adventure. Though, perhaps, it will not surprise you to know that much of what was happening involved Gandalf the Grey. As you well know, Gandalf has a rather impressive reputation for nosiness and mischief and, more importantly, a lesser known but no less impressive reputation for making the best fireworks of practically anyone in Middle Earth. He was considered quite disreputable and uncouth by many of the Shire folk, but they, being a very forgiving race (and rather fond of animal comforts), celebrated his coming—especially the children—for, when he came he often brought laughter, stories, and his renowned fireworks.
His visit with Bilbo caused quite a stir among Bilbo's neighbors. Considering Gandalf's visit included a company of 13 dwarves, it is no wonder that it should have caused such uproar. With each addition to the party that entered Bilbo's hobbit hole, there were renewed mutterings and whispers of, "This band looks entirely too adventuresome for a respectable hobbit such as Bilbo Baggins," and, "A Baggins sitting down to tea with a wizard known to cause trouble and dwarves? How strange and unseemly!" "What is Bilbo thinking?" However, Gandalf did not know nor care what Bilbo's neighbors were saying about the wizard's being troublesome. No, Gandalf had far greater concerns, chief among them being to find Thorin and Company the just right burglar (though Bilbo did not realize immediately that, that meant him), and, of even greater importance, Gandalf had unfinished business in the easterly South. Do not yet ask what business that was, for that will be attended to in due time.
When the group finally set out (with Bilbo in tow), Gandalf rode along beside them rather merrily. He often pulled out a well-fastened and handsome, wood and ivory pipe and plugged it with Toby leaf, which he then lit with a quiet incantation and a wink for Bilbo, who frowned queerly but not unhappily many times at Gandalf. Bilbo, however strange it seemed to him, enjoyed and was actually much relieved by the liberality and moodiness of the old wizard, whose presence similarly affected the dwarves and whomever Gandalf held as companion on any given adventure. This being the case, the group was rather dismayed when they began laboring through the Lone-lands, as it began to rain, and realized the wizard was nowhere to be found. As it happened (as Gandalf revealed later to Bilbo, Thorin, and Company), he had attempted to scout ahead of the disgruntled band, as he knew the road would only grow more dangerous before they reached Rivendell and the safety of Elrond's home.
Along the rocky path, Gandalf moved gently but deftly atop his magnificent, white steed. The old wizard grumbled at the raindrops, which slapped his great and floppy hat. The grey wanderer muttered under his breath something about "damned rain" and "stiff joints," and he continued like this for a good few hours. He observed and noted all the particularly rough patches and obstacles. Though he traveled for some time and with a fair amount of dexterity, he was still able to see a great deal both ahead and behind him, which may explain a couple of different things. The first of those things being, how Gandalf saw, from nearly a mile and a half away, two tall figures approaching from the direction in which he currently rode.
The elves, for that is what they were, were of Elrond's people and swift in pace and light of foot and soon were upon Gandalf in a whirl of smiles and gay singing. "Greetings, good people! Greetings! Hail you both from Rivendell then?" cried Gandalf in mock surprise while his bushy eyebrows pushed into the shadows of his hat's wide brim. The male and female elves were both very fine and fair, so, that there was little distinguishing between the sexes, and both trilled with such a refined but frivolous melody and harmony, as to incite smiles in all who heard; except, perhaps, dwarves and evil creatures. Though, this is not to say dwarves may be grouped with evil things. Dwarves are just generally proud and taciturn.
Greetings good, grey, Gandalf!
We come from Rivendell;
Saw we you from far off
And thought to wish you well!
We greet you not chiding,
With joy, but dark tidings!
Come down from the mountains,
Some trolls of bad humor
Cause woe to foes and friends;
Least, that 'tis the rumor,
Which gains not by lying,
But by many sightings.
What's more there is unrest
In the winds from Mirkwood
Borne 'bove the mountain crests;
We'd tell more if we could;
We dread the sad sighing
That comes with such tidings!
So, we settle down here;
Speak to us, Mithrandir!