So I wanted to write something with Bilbo and Gandalf. I was thinking really hard on the plot and decided to go with de-aging fic. But then I thought about putting there a subplot with Bilbo's Tookish mother and how she would be viewed by Gandalf and other hobbits, and how she might be introduced by Gandalf to the dwarves.

Also, to those who might not know - in the timeline of Hobbit Bilbo is already 50.

Review, PLEASE. And maybe give me some ideas for what little Bilbo may do in next chapters.

Part 1

"Hey, Bilbo!" Gandalf called.

The hobbit was just bending over his tomato field, with basket in hand, when wizard appeared at the wicket. Hearing familiar voice, Bilbo straightened himself up and looked at the man with light smile.

"Oh, Gandalf, you're early! Please, come in."

The wizard opened the wicket and entered Baggins' property. Then he approached the host, who returned to harvesting tomatoes, and leaned on his mage's stick, watching a working Bilbo. Hobbit was carefully picking the best fruits from his field and putting it to the basket. He seemed to be completely preoccupied by work, not even taking one glance on his guest. So for a few minutes there was just silence between two friends. But after few seconds of observing and musing, Gandalf decided to speak.

"You know, if I didn't know you, I would think that you actually like gardening."

"Because I do. It's very relaxing." The halfling looked back at his friend and then returned to work. "Besides, I still remember how last visit from dwarves turned out for my food storage. I'm not risking being left with nothing to serve."

"But there will be just Balin, Bifur and Bofur." Gandalf pointed out.

"And Bombur." Bilbo once again looked back before returning to his activity.

"Oh, true." Gandalf smiled to his thoughts. "So what are you preparing for them? Maybe I can help."

"No, thanks."

Bilbo stopped his work and, passing the wizard, left the field and turned towards the door. He was so tired and the basked was so heavy that the hobbit thought only about the rest. Gandalf fallowed him as he put the basket on the kitchen table, entered the living room and sunk into his armchair. After few seconds he remembered that he has a guest and was going to stand up and make some tea, when Gandalf raised his hand and said with soft smile:

"No, stay here. You must be exhausted."

"In fact, I am." Bilbo chuckled. "And I will have to make a dinner soon. I don't know how I will manage to do it and later be able to entertain four dwarves."

For a moment Gandalf was only observing the hobbit, who released, with his eyes closed, a deep breath. The wizard's memory flicked back to times when he met the Baggins family of Bag End for the first time. Sunk in his chair Bilbo resembled a lot his father, not only with the general look but also because old Bungo Baggins was always calm, and respective, and always preoccupied by little things of everyday life. He loved books and the only journey farer than Shire he was taking was that of imagination.

However, back then the five year old Bilbo Baggins resembled more his mother, Belladonna Took. He was jumping around, looking with curiosity on everything, he wanted to go on adventure and see the world. He was asking Gandalf for magic tricks and he was climbing trees far taller than him. He was a volcano of energy and at the evening his parents had a hard time to put him into sleep, because he wanted to stay late at night and listen to adult's talk. It was truly astonishing what adulthood made of him. And actually the memory of Bilbo – this enthusiastic and energetic lad – sitting on his porch, smoking pipe like an old man and greeting him with polite "Good morning" made Gandalf chuckle.

This, on the other hand, caught Bilbo's attention. The halfling opened his eyes and looked at the wizard, raising eyebrows.

"What?" He inquired.

Gandalf smiled to him and explained:

"You had a lot more energy, when you were five."

Bilbo rolled his eyes, but then turned them once again at the mage. Suddenly he remembered the last time he was sitting on this armchair and Gandalf mentioned his energetic childhood. Back then, the wizard wanted to persuade him to sign the contract with thirteen dwarves, who just emptied Bilbo's food storage. And it ended with him running after those thirteen dwarves the morning after.

"Oh, shut up, Gandalf."

"I didn't mean anything wrong. It was just an observation."

But you didn't imagine that son of Belladonna Took will wish you a good morning – the halfling thought. Lately he was often thinking about his Took heritage, mainly because after return from his adventure and telling other hobbits his story they were bringing Belladonna up. Sometimes in good way, sometimes in bad way. Actually those opinions about Tooks being crazy or troublesome didn't bother him all that much when he was a little boy. To be fair, if somebody (like his schoolmates) was saying that his mother acted more manly than she should, he was proud of her (well… until they started to call him momma's boy), because she was fierce, and strong, and could defeat any male hobbit in any manly tournament, including wrestle. Life was so simple back then.

Bilbo looked down and was silent for a moment. Gandalf could clearly see that something was bothering him, but he didn't push it. He just waited. Finally the hobbit spoke:

"Well, sometimes I wish I was a five year old again. At least I wouldn't have to worry about anything." He looked back at Gandalf and smiled softly. "But I guess it can't be done. I have to host a four dwarves in my home. Besides, there's no way, I can magically turn back into child…"

Suddenly Bilbo realized, who he was talking to, and his eyes snapped open. He gazed at Gandalf, who smiled mischievously.

He really liked the idea. Yes, it was actually a pretty interesting idea and the thought of seeing this enthusiastic child once again (and maybe even show this child to Bifur, Bofur, Balin and Bombur) made the old wizard warm inside. Bilbo will have some fun and Gandalf will take care of dinner. It was one of those 'bright' ideas that seemed to be not very rational and could even turn out to be troublesome (if not catastrophic), however, Gandalf was prepared for every circumstance, so he was going to put it into realization.

The hobbit, who could read wizard's mind through his mischievous expression, rapidly stood up and exclaimed:

"Don't you dare! I have a work to do!"

"Do not worry, Bilbo, I will take care of the dinner and you will play in the garden."

"But you don't even know what I was going to prepare! Besides, someone has to take care of me."

"I will do it. Don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to you."

"And how do you want to prepare the dinner for me, you and four dwarves with almost bottomless appetite, and take care of five year old hobbit?"

"I am Gandalf the Grey. In comparison for other things I generally do, it won't be hard at all."

"No. Just no, Gandalf! I don't permit it."

But Gandalf wasn't going to wait for his permission, so he just pointed his hand towards the halfling and cast the spell. The spell was so strong, it made Bilbo land on the armchair. There was a white light and when it vanished after two seconds instead of adult Bilbo Baggins there was a small boy with big, dark green eyes and brown, almost red curls, and round, cheeky face. Gandalf didn't even have to enchant the clothes to shrank them into suitable size and for that he was grateful.

The boy blinked at him with interest and after few second the wide smile blossomed on his face. He jumped off the armchair and ran to the wizard.

"Gandalf!" Called the little hobbit and started to hopping happily around the mage. "Show a trick, please, show a trick!"

Before Gandalf could say anything, Bilbo suddenly stopped jumping and gazed behind the wizard, obviously looking for something. After a moment of looking around he once again turned his big eyes on Gandalf.

"Where is mommy?"

Thinking out the best way to solve the situation took the mage few seconds but when it came, he kneeled before boy and with friendly smile explained:

"Mommy and daddy had few things to do outside the Shire and told me to look after you. They will be back at sundown."

"Oh…" Bilbo blinked with surprise. "Why you're taking care of me?"

"Why are you asking? You don't like me, Bilbo?" Gandalf inquired.

"I do, I do!" The boy said rapidly. He looked down and explained: "But usually miss Bolger is my babysitter." He turned his eyes once again on the wizard and added: "Besides, dad says that you're only good with making fireworks and that he wouldn't entrust you even with his tomatoes."

Trust Bungo Baggins to have Gandalf in the highest regard.

The mage smiled to hobbit and rested his hand on boy's shoulder.

"Miss Bolger also have to do few things, so I will have to do."

"Hurray!" Bilbo shouted, throwing his arms up.

Gandalf smiled at this sight. The more he was watching little Bilbo, the more he was certain that enchantment was a good idea. He was going to uncast the spell before the sun goes down, so Bilbo won't be worried that his parents aren't coming back. The dwarves were suppose to be here in two hours. With magic the making of a dinner will take only two minutes, so he and Bilbo had some time to spend.

Gandalf stood up.

"So, Bilbo, what do you wish to do now?"

"Tug! Let's play tug!"

And so the little halfling sprang out to the living room. Gandalf quickly went after him. He didn't know that this day will be very long, not only for him.