Hello! I do hope you enjoy!
Once there was a hole under a hill. Now, it wasn't dirty or crumbling, nor was it filled with bones or funny smells. No, it was a hobbit hole and that meant plenty and home. And in said hole there lived a hobbit named Belladonna II Baggins. She was a homely lass who enjoyed the warmth of her smial. She kept it in good care while her father lay dying in his bed from heartbreak.
Bungo Baggins was a respectable hobbit, well at least he was, the fact he fell in love with Belladonna Took kind of ruined that image. The Tooks were notoriously loud and boisterous bunch. Always going on adventures and coming back half mad. The Baggins on the other hand were perfectly respectable. Never tardy or having mud behind their bowed ears.
None could see a Baggins and Took falling in love after they were forced to marry. But alas, Belladonna Took became Belladonna Took-Baggins and she loved it. They had a daughter twenty years before the dreaded Fell-Winter that took Belladonna from this plane. She was a happy little babe. The sun seemed dim compared to her smile. Always collecting flowers; giving them to her mother and learning how to read and write from her father which was rare.
Now before I tell you anymore of this story you must understand, women are not equal amongst hobbits. They are treated as property. Once they have come of age most are married off. Or sold in some of their opinions.
Bungo had sent a letter to a friend of his wife's, explaining what is going to happen when he passed on, just so he could save his daughter from the same fate. He hated how things were run but he could do not change any thing, but he could prolong her fate. And you bet by the gods he would.
Gandalf was astonished when he received the letter. Furious even, for never had he heard or seen such a thing amongst dwarves, elves, and men. Belladonna spoke of none of this while she accompanied him on their adventures before she had her child. Then again he never even had the mind to ask. Now he knew what he must do, granted he was going to go through with it before but this solidifies the thought.
While Gandalf was on his way to the Blue Mountains Bella was by her father's side, "My dear Bella, I'm sorry to be leaving you." Bungo wheezed.
The hobbit lass gave a watery smile, "It's fine Papa, I know you'll be with Mama soon."
"You shall be safe from them a while longer. I have contacted someone to aid you, my will states what is to happen, and hopefully it shall." He gave a kind smile.
Belladonna smiled as she held her father's hand. He closed his eyes and a few moments his hand went limp. Bella then broke down. She left the room and went to her own and cried. She cried and cried.
She was alright for a time, then a year later a dwarven blacksmith came into town and they became fast friends. Belladonna had wandered into the old forge that Guffon ran and there he was. Shaping a piece of silver with the utmost care and concern. She had asked him what he was here for then invited him over to her home for supper. After dinner she showed him the hinges on her door needed fixing and he promised to have them done.
He was kind to her, showed her what it felt like to be loved by another. They became closer than friends. But like all great things he had to leave. But he promised to return for her and they did keep in contact. Writing letters talking about mundane things and what they would do when he came back for her. She told him about what was to happen to her, he did not believe her at first.
That was two years ago. The letters stopped a few months ago.
Belladonna II Baggins was a striking lass at the age of thirty-five. She had rosy cheeks and kind eyes. Golden brown curls and curves in all the right places. Aye, many lads favored her. She was sitting on her lovely little bench smoking Longbottom Leaf and enjoying the sun that kissed her face lovingly.
A shadow passed her face, disrupting the light from hitting her face, thus causing her to open an eye, "Good morning!" She greeted the tall man that stood before her. He had a pointed hat and long grey robes with large black boots caked with mud. A beard long enough to tuck into his belt adorned his chin. Something about this man seemed familiar.
"Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on." The man asked her, his bushy eyebrows rising.
"All of them at once I suppose." Bella smiled, "But, sir, who are you?"
"You know my name but do not remember that I belong to it." he shifted his footing, "I'm Gandalf, and Gandalf means me." Gandalf's eyebrows stopped standing, choosing to take a seat instead.
"Gandalf? Not the Gandalf with the fireworks? Good gracious me! Old Took used to have them during Mid-Summer Festival! Are you still in business? What are you doing in these parts?" Bella asked hurriedly.
Gandalf smiled, "It's good to see you remember me, even if it's only for my fireworks." The wizard said, "Nay, I'm looking for someone to share an adventure with." A merry twinkle shown in his eye.
Bella gasped, an adventure? Why that sure sounded fun. She read so much about these things from her mother and father's book collection. Tales of heros and warriors helping those in need and fighting for a just cause. She wished desperately she could go but she was to be wed in a week's time to a rich man from the Proudfoot clan. Oh, how she didn't want to but if she didn't she wouldn't get to keep Bag End. Instead of giving an honest answer she tried to hid her disappointment, "I don't imagine anyone west of here would be interested in an adventure. Perhaps the Took's, they are always ready for an opportunity to go out of the Shire." She went to grab the mail trying to get the man to go away, "Nasty things they are, make you late for dinner they do!" She toyed with the pipe in her hand.
Gandalf looked at her a bit, "Well its has been decided, I shall have some guests stop by in three days time. They are are incredibly fond of good food but prefer meat over vegetables."
"Who? What? Wait Gandalf!" Belladonna dropped the mail and rushed to the front of the gate.
"Dwarves my dear Bella." He called as he walked away.
Dwarves. They had appetites that could rival a hobbit's, "I hope there is enough food to go around." The little hobbit lass murmured then went back inside. Bella missed the wizard doubling back and marking her door because she was to preoccupied with her pantry stores.