(A/N: Hello, and welcome to my new story! This one is going to be different from my other stories. First off, Smaug never came to Erebor, so Thorin and the other Dwarves never had to leave Erebor. Thrór and Thráin have already passed away, though. So have Bilbo's parents. You will find out why later. Thorin is also 185 instead of 195, and Bilbo is 40, and not 50. Bofur, Bifur, and Bombur will still be in Erebor also. Finally, Gollum and the ring don't exist.
That said, I hope that you all enjoy my story in spite of the changes. Onto the first chapter! Rated M for future lemons, Mpreg, violence, etc.)
Bilbo Baggins was sitting in the shade of a rocky outcrop not far from the mountain of Erebor and the city of Dale in the middle of a lovely afternoon near the end of summer. That is, according to the map that he was holding. He had decided to rest there because he was exhausted due to walking for half of the day. He was thirsty too, and sweaty from the heat.
He was also in a bad mood because he was lost.
Opening his leather flask of water, he took a few sips as he tried to get his bearings and decide what to do. He kept an eye on his beloved pet and traveling companion, Daffodil, to make sure that she didn't stray too far as well. She was a golden retriever who was given to him by his parents two years ago.
He was in the middle of nowhere, and there wasn't anyone around, so he couldn't ask for directions. The last time he had was a few days ago, when he was passing through a town called Esgaroth. He remembered the odd stares he had gotten as he did. However, he was used to this.
Bilbo was a Hobbit from the Shire. Most of the people in Middle Earth were not aware of his race or that such a place existed; those who did only knew very little. This was due to the fact that Hobbits generally didn't travel outside of the boundaries of the Shire or the village of Bree. Nor did they have adventures. Most of them didn't believe that it was respectable to do so.
However, Bilbo had gone on many in his youth, and so had his mother. This wasn't considered unusual, as Belladonna was a Took, and the Took family was known for their adventures. His mother never minded that he went on his own, as long as he was home by suppertime.
His father Bungo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He was a Baggins, and the Bagginses never went on adventures, or did the unexpected. Still, Bungo allowed Bilbo to have his own until he came of age when he turned thirty-three. After that, the latter began to settle down and lead a more respectable lifestyle.
Bilbo sighed sadly as he continued to think about his parents. He missed them dearly; they had passed away earlier that year. Both had fallen ill with the fever in January, including himself and a good number of the other Hobbits throughout the Shire. Thankfully, majority of them recuperated, but his parents and a few others that he knew and cared for were beyond hope.
It had been a miserable time for him. After his mother and father's funeral, he stayed in his home-Bag End-for a long time. Not only was he grieving; he remained ill with the fever for more than than a week due to said grief. He wouldn't allow anyone to come near him except for Daffodil and the Shire's healer, Marigold. He didn't want to make anybody sick, nor was he in the mood for visitors in general.
Still, it was good to see Marigold. She understood his feelings of loss, and Bilbo felt a little comforted after speaking to her. Daffodil sensed his sadness too; she would cuddle him and lick his face often, which always made him smile or chuckle.
Bilbo eventually healed from the fever after two weeks, but he continued to grieve. It wasn't until mid-March that he started to feel somewhat better, and that was when he began to think of exploring Middle Earth. He occasionally wondered what the world was like outside of Hobbiton, but he never had a chance to find out. His mother wouldn't let him go farther than Bree when he was younger, and it was still out the question after he came of age.
Now, with no one and nothing to stop him, he could do as he wished. He knew that many of his family and friends wouldn't approve of it, but it didn't matter to him. For reasons unknown to him, he felt as if something was calling to him. That having an adventure was the right thing to do.
And with that, he started to make plans right away. He needed to decide what to bring with him on his trip, figure out where he would go, and ask someone trustworthy to look after Bag End while he was gone. He also wanted to say good-bye to his loved ones.
He knew that he would likely be away for weeks or even months, so he made sure to pack plenty of clothes. He would also take a sleeping roll, handkerchiefs, money, bandages, ointment, herbs, salves, medicines, his pipe, Old Toby, and other important items. He already knew that he was going to take Daffodil. She would be good company, and would keep him safe.
He chose to ask his uncle Isumbras-his mother's brother-if he could take care of his home. He knew that he wouldn't mind doing so, even if he was because he was traveling. In addition to that, he was the Thain of the Shire, and could legally keep Bag End safe. All he had to do was talk things over with Isumbras and have a few documents signed.
It was not long before everything was in order, and at the end of April, Bilbo set out on his journey.
First, he traveled to Bree and spent the night there. Then he stayed in Rivendell for a month. He recalled his mother telling him about visiting the Elves there and desired to do the same ever since. As a child and teenager, he would often go so far as to try to meet one in the woods around the Shire and Bywater.
Bilbo enjoyed his time there. It was a pleasure to finally meet Elrond, lord of Rivendell, as well as his family and friends. Elrond was just as happy to be acquainted with him, as he remembered Belladonna.
"She was an exceptional young woman, and a good friend. I'm sorry to hear that she is no longer with us," the latter remarked after Bilbo told him about her and his father's passing.
They soon became good friends as well. He and Elrond would have nice long talks as he showed him around the Valley of Imladris with Daffodil in tow. The latter taught him a few words and phrases in Sindarin, as well as the Elven lifestyle there. Bilbo, in turn, told him all about Hobbits and their ways of living.
He almost felt sorry when he eventually left Rivendell. He had had such a good time there. However, something was urging him that it was time to move on.
Elrond was understanding when he explained this to him and patted his shoulder. "Know that you are always welcome here, and that this can be a place to call home if you ever wish to return for good," he said graciously.
Bilbo smiled. "Thank you. I would like to come back on my way back to Hobbiton. That is, if you don't mind it. This is a lovely place," he commented.
"Of course you may, my dear friend. Farewell, and travel safely. Farewell, Daffodil," Elrond added, kneeling down to scratch Daffodil behind her ears. He adored her-and vice versa-and would miss her company.
Daffodil wagged her tail and licked his cheek, making Elrond laugh.
Bilbo chuckled along with him and nodded. "Good-bye, Elrond. Until next time."
"Indeed."
And with a final wave, the said Hobbit and Daffodil were off.
Months later, in September, they happened across a Skin-changer named Beorn. Bilbo had unknowingly been camping on his lands when the latter found them one evening.
It was a nerve-wracking situation to be in when he did, as Beorn was initially quite hostile to him. He thought that Bilbo was a Dwarf, and from his tone, Bilbo knew that he didn't hold Dwarves in high regard at all.
Nevertheless, he managed to convince Beorn that he was a Hobbit, though it took some time and a good bit of explaining. Beorn became warm towards him after that, enough to invite him to his house.
"You can stay as long as you need. I will provide you and your pet with food, and give you a room to sleep in."
Bilbo thanked him and followed him there. He was wary about it at first, but as Daffodil was calm, he decided that it was all right to trust him.
He never regretted doing so either; Beorn was as good as his word. Like Elrond, he was hospitable and welcoming. He made sure that Bilbo and Daffodil had plenty to eat and were comfortable during the next fortnight. He also gave Bilbo his privacy if he needed it and showed him around his house and farm.
Since Beorn knew nothing about Hobbits, Bilbo was just as happy to teach him about his people as he was with Elrond. Beorn listened to him with keen interest, finding their way of living quite similar to his, which Bilbo soon found out.
The former also showed him that he could turn into a giant bear, warning him beforehand so that he wouldn't scare him. Bilbo was still moderately startled when he transformed in front of him, though, but he didn't become afraid of him. He knew that Beorn wouldn't intentionally cause him any harm.
Bilbo spent the remainder of his time at Beorn's catching up on some rest. When he wasn't doing that, he was helping Beorn with the gardening and joined him in feeding the animals. It gave him quite a turn when he found out that they could speak the first time he did. However, he was soon telling them stories about the places he had been, and of the Shire. He didn't know it, but Beorn would be listening to them himself.
"Please visit again!" the latter called after Bilbo as he left the house. "You are welcome to anytime. Have a safe quest!"
"Thank you, Beorn! Good-bye!" Bilbo shouted back.
"Good-bye, Bilbo!"
The animals yelled their own farewells to Bilbo too, and they all watched him until he was out of sight. The said Hobbit chortled when he heard Beorn roaring in the distance. Daffodil barked loudly in the direction of his house; Bilbo could have sworn that he heard laughing after that.
In between times, when he was not in Rivendell or at Beorn's home, he stopped by other places. He visited different towns and villages, staying at inns for a night or two. He would find a safe area to camp if he was in the Wild. Daffodil was a good protector and would quietly warn him if something or somebody was approaching. (She had been trained how to do that.) He also went to Laketown after a tiring excursion around Greenwood and remained there for a few days.
Meanwhile, during Bilbo's entire journey, he felt that drive to keep heading east. He couldn't understand why he did, but he chose to go along with it.
When he saw the mountain of Erebor in October, he automatically had a sense of rightness. As if that was the place to be. So, he made his way there, choosing not to ponder over it this time.
Yet, he found Erebor difficult to reach. There were many cliffs and ridges in the area, some too dangerous to go through. This wasn't too much of a surprise, however, as he experienced the same thing at the Misty Mountains. Not knowing what else to do for the time being, he decided to sit down to rest and think of what to do.
Which led up to this exact moment.
Bilbo turned and squinted in the direction of the sun. It was hanging over the ridge in the west; it would be dark soon. He exhaled deeply and chose to set up camp. He would sleep there for the night and figure everything out tomorrow.
However, Daffodil started to bark incessantly as Bilbo was preparing his tent. He went rigid and unsheathed his sword from his scabbard. Elrond had given it to him and taught him how to fight after he learned that he was traveling by himself.
"Daffodil! Come here, girl," he murmured, gesturing to her. She did as she requested, but stood in front of him.
They remained still and quiet, listening as footsteps drew near them. Sweat trickled down Bilbo's temple as he held his breath.
A minute later, three Dwarves appeared from the crest of the hill. One of them was quite tall for a Dwarf, with a balding head, and tattoos on his scalp and muscular arms. The second and third were shorter and stockier. One, who was clearly the older of the two, had blonde hair and blue-gray eyes. The other had dark-brown eyes and hair. Unlike the other two Dwarves, who had impressive beards, the third had a light stubble dusting his face.
Upon noticing Bilbo, they also drew their swords. Daffodil hunched low and growled, as if daring them to try and attack him.
The older Dwarf scowled fiercely at Daffodil, the tent, the fire Bilbo set up, before returning his glare to the said Hobbit.
"Who are you? An' what are you doin' here?" he demanded.
(A/N: Ha, ha, ha! Left you with a cliffhanger! Please review, and let me know what you think of the story so far!)