Prologue

Bilbo gave a very frustrated sigh as he looked up narrowing his eyes at Nori, "Don't think I didn't notice that just now," he said in an accusatory tone.

Nori glanced back a little mischievously, "Whatever could you possibly mean master thief?" He asked trying (and failing) to sound innocent.

Bilbo sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose and finally held out his hand, "hand it over."

Nori grinned and held out Bilbo's handkerchief to him while all the other dwarves burst into laughter. Ever since Bilbo had made a big deal about leaving without his handkerchief at the beginning of the quest, it had been a running joke a within the company. As soon as Bilbo had gotten himself some handkerchiefs in Bree, Nori had made a point to pickpocket his handkerchiefs quite regularly to keep the joke going. Nori would point out that it's not like he had much worth pickpocketing so he might as well have a bit of fun.

Bilbo rolled his eyes. This was his last handkerchief thank you very much so he had no intention of losing this one.

They had left Beorn's house a few days ago and were camping outside of Mirkwood. Gandalf had left them a couple of hours ago, and they had decided to make camp for the night before entering those dank woods. The company was in pretty good spirits despite the difficult path ahead. Bilbo couldn't help grinning as their teasing continued. It had been a long time since he had felt like he had had a family and he really had come to love the company as family.

"Forgive me master thief, although I must compliment you on catching on so quickly."

Bilbo chuckled as he sat down and settled down next to the fire, "With a rascal like you around, I've had to become more aware of my surroundings, you little thief."

Nori chuckled and settled next to Bilbo, his eyes were twinkling. "Don't be so judgmental; I might be a thief, but you were the one actually hired as a thief. What does that say about you?"

Bilbo grinned and held up Nori's pipe, "That I can beat you at your own game."

Bilbo smirked as the company exploded in laughter at Nori's dumbfounded expression.

"Oh bravo! Master Boggins." Filli exclaimed coming over and slapping Bilbo on the back.

"Yes, I believe we underestimated you," Kili laughed wiping tears from his eyes.

Nori finally began to chuckle as he accepted his pipe back from Bilbo. "Impressive, I'm not easy to steal from." He quirked his eyebrow at Bilbo, "It appears there is more to you than meets the eye, it makes me wonder what exactly you are capable of." Bilbo blushed as several of the dwarves looked at him thoughtfully.

"He could probably save all of middle earth with his amazing abilities!" Kili proclaimed happily. This caused the dwarves to chuckle a bit at his antics.

Thorin rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Interesting thought, although Hobbits don't generally accomplish great things, but he certainly has proved himself capable of some things on this journey."

Bilbo felt some of his temper flare up and drew himself up ready to blow any second. Just a minute ago they were laughing and enjoying each other's company, but Thorin had to open his mouth and ruin it with a few words. Bilbo didn't like that Thorin was insinuating that Hobbits couldn't do big things. Hobbits liked peaceful, quiet lives, but there were examples in their own history of Hobbits accomplishing great feats. Hadn't he done his fair share in this company to prove himself very capable?

"He doesn't mean any offense laddie," Balin hurriedly jumped in before the situation got out of control. "He's only referring to the fact that hobbits are less likely to involve themselves in important matters because they aren't usually interested in whatever other races are doing and are content to stay at home in their own communities. Of course, it doesn't mean they can't play a part in shaping the fate of others if they wanted to. We all know that you have done a lot on this quest," Balin directed a glare at Thorin, who at least had the decency to look a little ashamed. "I apologize, Master Hobbit; Balin's right and I was out of line," he said with a deep nod of apology.

Bilbo was somewhat mollified, but he did notice that Thorin didn't take his words back, he simply apologized for saying them.

"I personally think, with Bilbo being the exception, that Thorin is right. Hobbits aren't made to be survivors or to shape or change the world. Bilbo is the exception rather than the rule." Dwallin murmured so low that no one could hear him…well except that Hobbits had almost as excellent hearing as the elves so Bilbo heard him.

Bilbo opened his mouth to say something and closed it. He disagreed, but he actually couldn't blame the dwarves too much for their thoughts. Hobbits were very private and very few outsiders understood them. He felt more sadness than anger now, but he decided that he could change their minds over time. He really did love them and could forgive them for their ignorance. He leaned back to stare at the fire as things quieted down. How could he help the dwarves to understand just how strong hobbits could be? A lot of them were fussy, but hobbits were actually more resilient then they were given credit for once they are forced to be. Their Wandering Years and journey to the Shire were proof of that. Bilbo knew he wasn't the only one capable of great things. He sighed and looked around the campfire. Everyone seemed lost in thought. Bilbo stretched and made to stand up to go to bed.

Suddenly everything around him went black. Bilbo gasped and grasped Sting. He heard Dwalin swear in Khuzdul, and Thorin demand what has happened. Good. He wasn't alone. He twisted his head and felt around. They were clearly not where they were before. He swallowed hard trying not to panic when his eye caught sight something.

"Look! Do you guys see that pinprick of light." Bilbo asked excitedly, "Perhaps if we follow after it, we can get our bearings."

"Or it could be a trap," Balin's voice came from somewhere to his left, "Light doesn't always mean safety."

"Yea, like in the Dead Marshes where there are spirits trapped underwater whose lights try to lead you to your doom," came Kili's voice somewhere a little further away to his right. That would be -"

"Where did you learn about those dark creatures?" Broke in Thorin's voice suddenly.

"Ah well," Kili seemed to stumble, I do read every once a while you know!"

"You read enough to find something that obscure?" Thorin questioned.

Bilbo almost chuckled, you didn't have to see Thorin's face to tell his eyebrow was raised. It was almost comical.

"Well...and me and Fili may have snuck out a few times to that... to read some of the of the stories from the Black Library, and it may have come up in one of them."

"Did you really have to bring me in this? Complained Fili from somewhere in front of Bilbo.

"If I'm going down your going with me!" exclaimed Kili.

Thorin sighed, "Of course, the only books you two were interested in reading are those that I banned from you until you were older. I can't even say that I'm surprised. We do have more important things to discuss, which is whether we should go to the light or stumble around the dark."

"Well," Bilbo said hesitantly, "there may be a threat in the light, but it would be a threat we can see. We don't know what may be hiding in the dark."

"He brings up a very good point Laddie," Dwalin agreed.

"I just want to get out of this suffocating darkness," Bombur concurred.

"Alright," Thorin said making the decision, "swords out, let's go."

They made their way towards the light and entered a cream-colored room that had red comfortable looking couches set up in a semi-circle around some sort of square box with a table in front of it.

"Welcome," came a woman's musical voice.

"Who's there!" Thorin demanded swinging around holding his sword in a defensive position trying to find the source of the voice.

"My name is Eärwen. That name shouldn't mean much to you, but I have the ability to view the future. I wish to show you a possible future that you can choose to change or leave as it is."

"That name sounds elvish," growled Dwalin, squinting, his eyes darting around the room.

Bilbo stared incredulously at Dwalin. "Did you miss the part about seeing the future? Because that seems like a bigger deal than whether her name is elvish or not."

"Well it might let us know if we can trust her or not." Dwallin grumbled mutinously.

The room was filled with the tinkling laughter of the voice. "Indeed, my name is elvish Master dwarf," it said, "My gift is given to me by the Valar, and I cannot lie with it. I can omit what I see, but I can't lie about it. I'm simply asking you to view the future. Whatever decisions you make based on what you see is your choice."

Thorin narrowed his eyes. "Will we be viewing our future? Will we see if we retake Erebor?"

"I will show you a future long after this quest. You will learn much more about Master Baggins or at least those he calls family."

A vision of the future entirely based on Hobbits?" questioned Ori. "I don't see what that has much to do with us, but I would love to learn more about the Hobbit race," he added flushing a little excitedly.

"Yes!" Fili cheered, "I'm all for seeing Mister Boggin's future."

"We don't have time for this," Thorin growled. "And I fail to see how it is important to learn more of Hobbits."

"Fear not," Eärwen assured, "time is frozen while you are in here, so you are not losing time. Consider it an opportunity to rest and recuperate without losing any time on your journey. And you may be surprised at the part Hobbits can play in the fate of the entire world."

There were a few raised eyebrows, but no one said anything. Bilbo could tell Thorin wasn't pleased, but he offered no more complaint as he went and sat on one of the couches. The rest of the company followed suit. Bilbo was still thinking about how the voice hinted that they were viewing his future in particular, well she indicated it might be more his relations. Bilbo shivered as he thought of the company seeing the daily life of the Sackville-Baggins. That wouldn't convince them that Hobbits were worthwhile. Why was this necessary? Or was this some sort of punishment?

"This box is called a television screen. It will show you the future and even some of the past. Feel free to discuss as you view it, it will pause each time someone talks so no one will miss anything." The voice said soothingly.

"If this is about rest and recuperation, shouldn't we also have food?" Bombur questioned. The company broke into chuckles and relaxed at that as the voice also joined in with her tinkling laugh.

"Is that honestly all you think about?" Balin asked rolling his eyes.

Bombur pouted.

"Master Bombur is absolutely right," the voice said merrily. "There is plenty of food to be found in the pantry. The door is in the corner behind the couches. Bombur and Bofur quickly made their way to a door that Bilbo had not noticed earlier. They came out with different kinds of foods, that were mostly comprised of meat Bilbo noticed amusedly although Bofur placed some berries and vegetables next to Bilbo with a wink. "Thought this would be more to your liking." They set the food on the small table in front of the screen. After a few trips there was a decent feast set up for the company to eat as they watched the future.

Once they all settled down the screen lit up and the story began.