Cross-posted on AO3. I own nothing to do with The Hobbit, or the LotR. But my cats own me.
I know there are a lot of Do over/Fix it type stories out there, but I'd like to think this one is a bit different. At least, I haven't read anything like it yet. Updates will be slow though, no more than 1 per week, more likely every 2. I am not a fast writer & I do work full time, however, if all goes to play, my timeline is epic, and if the muses have their way, it will be even longer.
All mistakes are my own.
Prologue
When the time for peace had finally come, the foggy white wasn't exactly what he'd expected. He'd hoped for friends and family that he'd lost in the past.
'I failed.'
'No Master Hobbit, you did not,' a soft voice whispered in his ear. He found he no longer truly trusted whispers.
'There was so much more I could have done. Should have done. Instead I condemned all of them.'
'You played your part in their story better than any expected of you.'
"Yet I lost them all!" By the Valar his voice sounded so loud in the vast silence of the mists surrounding him. Should there be more, a new adventure of sorts?
Laughter sounded quietly, "I told him you would not be pleased."
Turning around in circles, while reaching for the elven blade that no longer rested on his hip, "who's there?" Never noticing how smoothly his old body danced.
"Oh my child," the voice seemed so close and yet so far away, "I cannot let myself be seen, not unless you choose to stay."
"What do you mean?"
"Why dear Bilbo, child of my children, would you save them if you could?" There was a brush of air on his ear, yet he found he couldn't turn to see who was behind him.
"I would do anything. Anything! If it meant I would remove the burden I left in my arrogance."
A soft chuckle, "You would not be the same."
"Is anyone after an adventure?"
"Manwë's choice of Maia has influenced you I see. Olórin always had a bit of a flair for dramatics." She; for the voice had definitely was a she; laughed softly again, light filling his own heart because of it. "No young one, you must change."
"I told you, I would do anything."
"Remember my child, not all can be fixed. Some things must happen, no matter what the reason," why was there sadness washing over him? "If I could save you from this, I would, yet many thing things need to be changed and you have the heart for it."
"For my Darrow and my family, I would walk into the fires of Mount Doom itself, if it meant that they would be safe!" He straightened a little, conviction like mithril in his bones, strong and un-breaking.
"Aulë and I choose well little champion. I can ask for no other, nor can I tell you where your adventure will end, however, you will not be alone. Not forever." A soft hand brushed his cheek from behind, "If I could spare you, I would. You have more than earned your rest."
"I do not ask it of you."
"And that dear child, is why you are worthy to be spared." Fingers raked through short tuffs of rapidly darkening hair, "Things will be very different this time around, you will remember in time. Don't let that stop you."
"Must I start without knowing?"
"All beings, whom are not returning whole from these lands, start with very little child." Why was she picking him up? "No, you must start at the very beginning," it was so comforting to be cradled in her arms, and yet he still couldn't even get a glimpse of her face.
"Wait for the right time my child, for only you will know when that will be. Yet know that every choice has a repercussion and there will be those that block your way." He was growing ever so tired, it was near impossible to keep his eyes open. "Sleep young one. Sleep and when you wake, all will be new."
He knew no more.
√ -√v-√ -√v-√ -√v-√ -√v-√ -√v-√ -√v—
"Congratulations Belladonna, it's a girl!"
"Bilba, her name is Bilba Baggins."