Before the Age of Fifty
Bilbo Baggins had recently turned fifty before Thorin and Company had come knocking on his freshly painted door, inviting Bilbo on an adventure. I'm sure many of you have heard tales of the quest for Erebor, but what went on at Bag-End before the unexpected party?
Disclaimer: this is purely fictional and I do not own the Hobbit or any characters.
Young Bilbo, barley even 20 sat on his mother's, Belladonna Took's, lap and listened to her melodic voice has he gazed up at Gandalf the Grey's magnificent fireworks erupting overhead. Such bright colors fascinated the hobbit, and before he knew it Bilbo was out of his mothers lap and trying to chase the firecrackers. He ran up the side of a hill near the Brandy Wine River, jumping about, trying to reach the captivating spurts of light. Belladonna had been so engrossed with her story she had not noticed Bilbo slip away until she heard a little shriek and turned to look as Bilbo lost his footing on the hill and tumbled downwards. Belladonna was on her feet and racing to her curly haired baby, when she stopped, startled by a throaty laugh from Gandalf. "Why look at the lad" he marveled. "Took a ten foot tumble, and hes smiling like a fool." Gandalf was right of course, Bilbo was racing back to the gathering with a smile stretching ear to ear. It was then Gandalf knew that this hobbit would someday take part in a marvelous adventure. Bilbo stumbled up to his mother and in a joyful voice proclaimed "Look Mama, I caught one." He of course was referring to a firecracker but when he opened his hand a single firefly flew off of his palm and up into the night sky.