Long ago, before the First Age, ancient beings roamed Middle Earth in the darkness before everything else. Their stories have been forgotten but they have not. They sleep, protecting the little ones they watched crawl into the light as it first decided to shine on the dark lands. As the Sun rose, warming the earth, the beings chose their final resting places, content to let others explore as they once had. Some did not get to where they wanted to be before the light created the unending sleep. One, the young Erabeth, was separated from her brothers by a vast distance. For many ages, she watched them from afar, captured beneath her mountain till one day, creatures crawled into her. She bore many gifts and finally she was no longer lonely. Her joy was so great she gave them her greatest gift, her heart. But her heart was too pure for these beings and it took them, burning their minds and taking away all sense. She watched her little ones destroyed by her heart and on the day the fire beast ripped through her, she vowed to never give her heart to another, hiding it within the rest of her gifts to be never found again. Until, a curious little creature stole into her. She was curious of the little thing and so decided to test him. He bore her heart and showed no ill effects. She watched as he tried to save her little ones and nearly fail. She did not want to see him broken like she was so she breathed out and aided him, protecting his loved ones. But he went far away, beyond her brothers to a land near her sisters. She could feel him, feel his life, his pain, his struggles. She wept when she felt him pass through those who had tried to destroy her family, but was overjoyed when he returned. Not to her, sadly, but to his home. To her cousins, in which one he rested now.
She wept the day he passed on. Surrounded by his loved ones, she could still feel his pain. Not only his, but that of one of her's, the dear king. She felt his love, his longing and vowed to fix both of them. And so, for the last time, she opened her heart AND her soul and reached out. It was time she awakened and reminded the little ones of true love.
Bilbo passed away on a rainy summer day at the prime old age of 100, just days before his 101st birthday. He died in the company of royalty and friends, dwarves and hobbits and a wizard. He died in the arms of a true friend and what once might have been his lover. Many would say he died of old age. Some, closer to Bilbo and older than the more foolish of Bilbo's family, would say he died because his broken heart had finally been mended. Bilbo would say he died because he had been ready for another adventure. But I am getting ahead of myself. For this isn't the story of how Bilbo died. This is the story of how one Bilbo Baggins defied death all because of fate and the will of one very old and very powerful mountain.
Our story begins on a cold fall day, on the slopes of the Lonely Mountain, just a little ways from the gates of Erebor. It was a misty day, drizzle soaking everyone outside to the bone. A group of 13 ponies and one horse made their way up the muddy road, past the guards on duty and towards the giant stone doors between the two giant stone dwarrow guards. Heads bowed, shoulders hunched forward, these were not returning warriors in victory. These were men, old beyond their years, felling the defeat of a fallen comrade. To all of them, 100 years old was young, so many years lost. So many journeys and battles missed because a life was ended before its time. But Bilbo had lived well beyond his years. To hobbits, he was ancient and had a good life. Twas one of many differences between the races of Middle Earth.
Again, I am getting away with myself. The dwarves and wizard had buried the hobbit a few days after his passing in the company of his friends and family. Surprisingly, others from outside the Shire had come to celebrate the passing of Bilbo Baggins. Elrond and his house had arrived the night before, taking up residence in the woods not far from Bilbo's house. Thraindruil and his house had arrived the morning of the funeral, solemn and in mourning for the little hobbit. Most surprising were the Rangers who had arrived just in time for the funeral, nodding to Gandalf and staying to the outside of the gathering. Expect for two. An older man, hair turning grey with his leather armor worn fitting him likes a second skin. Clinging to his hand was a young boy, a very young version of the older man. His eyes spoke of wisdom beyond his years, as well as the blade on his hip and the bow on his back. Elrond seemed to recognize them because he moved to stand by them during the ceremony.
The funeral was just as unique as old Bilbo Baggins. He was buried beneath the Mulberry tree where his father had proposed to his mother. Asphodel, Baby's Breath and Jasmine marked the grave. Thorin, before they had left the Shire, had left a bouquet of red and purple tulips on the freshly dug earth. But on the day of the funeral, all that was laid on the grave was daisies and carnations. It was a solemn event, only the Thain speaking in grave tones. Everyone was wearing dark colors, women dabbing at their eyes, men blinking furiously. It was a small event compared to later in the day. Only immediate family and friends went to the funeral, but it seemed all of the Shire turned up for the meal served after. Well, actually, the party after the funeral. Hobbits not only mourn the passing of dear ones, but celebrated their lives. And celebrate they did. There was food, drink and dancing, just what Bilbo would have wanted. Well, the hobbits got that. The outsiders? Not so much. They sat at their own table, dwarves, elves and men. Solemn, drinking the pints placed before them. There's was a silent table for a long time till old Hamfast plopped down by Dwalin and started telling a story of a young Bilbo Baggins and Farmer Maggot's mushrooms. The rest of the night was spent telling stories of the Bilbo they all had known.
But that was many months ago and the dwarves were finally home, a wizard in tow. Waiting for them in between the now open gates was a female dwarf, arms folded over her chest, face stern. She bore a close resemblance to the king and princes. Behind her others stood, looking solemn. Thorin slowly dismounted, passing his pony off to a waiting stableman before slowly walking up to the female dwarf. She looked him over carefully, "None of you are hurt."
"We are all as we were when we left," Thorin answered, tone emotionless.
"That is a lie, brother, and everyone can see it," there was no bite to her words, only worry. "The hobbit? You sent no word of him in your messages nor would the elves answer my questions."
"He has passed on," Thorin's eyes drop. "It was a peaceful passing and he was surrounded by those who knew him best."
"You were with him," the female dwarf supplied.
"As I should have been for sometime," Thorin growled.
"Come, brother, you are all tired. We will save this talk for another time," the female dwarf laid a hand on Thorin's arm. Thorin's shoulders fell and he nodded.
"Another time," Thorin sighed before side stepping his sister and heading past the crowd gathered. They moved aside quickly, knowing now was not the time to bother their king. The female dwarf looked at the others, raising an eyebrow. Balin sighed before following his king, waving Dwalin off.
"My Lady Dis, it has been too long," Gandalf stepped forward, bowing to the she-dwarf.
"I wish it was on better terms," Dis, the female dwarf curtsied back as the dwarves moved off, only Fili and Kili staying near.
"It was Bilbo's last wish for me to watch over all of you till I saw you were all well. Among other things," Gandalf nodded, looking troubled. "But something bothers you."
"It can wait till we are all gathered once again," Dis turned to a guard. "Let my brother's company know supper will be served in my royal chambers in five hours time. Let the kitchens know as well. For now, I will show Gandalf to his quarters. If I or any of my kin are needed, you are to come to me first. Understood?"
"Yes, mi'lady," the dwarf bowed before moving off. Dis nodded to herself before taking Fili's offered arm and following Kili and Gandalf off into her kingdom. Yes, there was much to discuss, but hopefully it could wait.