Chapter One:

"Dain! Please don't leave us. Give us one more season!"

"Listen Thorin, I'm sorry. I'm forty-three next month. I just can't keep up with you young guns anymore. You will have to find another striker. I'm sorry."

"I understand Dain, I really do. It's just... Do you know how hard it is to find a striker that isn't already playing for a club? All the good ones are taken."

"I'm sorry Thorin" Thorin had to admit the man did sound sincere. "But I let you know at the end of last season that I wasn't coming back." He sighed. Dain was right. He did tell him months ago, but he had been saying he was retiring for years and he always came back. Thorin honestly thought he would return. This was a nightmare.

"No, you did. Sorry Dain, I thought I could convince you to have another go, but I understand why you don't want to. You're been a good mate!" Thorin quickly finished off the conversation and then hung up the phone.

"Dammit!" He swore. The season was just under three weeks away and now they were down a striker. He could always let Dori play fulltime this season, but Dori wasn't necessarily good, at least not nearly good enough to play fulltime. He sighed. He would need to tell Gandalf. Gandalf would probably tell him they should have dealt with this at the end of last season. He would be right.

He quickly sent Gandalf a quick text asking him to meet him at the pitch. Thorin was the captain of the team, but Gandalf was the manager, normally all the decisions would go to the manager, but Gandalf was very lenient with his roles and often let Thorin do whatever he wanted. Unfortunately Thorin didn't know of anyone he could ask to play striker, especially this late into the off season.

He did a couple laps around the pitch to help settle his nerves. Gandalf would no doubt be angry. Last season their team finished second last in the whole league. They had some good players, but they also had some bad ones. Personally Thorin thought their main weakness was their offense. They had good wingers in Fili and Kili, but both Dain and Bofur were pretty dismal strikers. Bofur was okay as a striker, but he was lazy and usually needed someone else to do the work for him. Dain was good when he was younger, but Thorin had to agree that Dain could hardly keep up anymore.

He had just finished his third lap when he saw Gandalf enter the pitch. The old man was wearing his usual pointed hat and was using his brown cane, his beard blowing in the wind. Thorin quickly ran over to him.

"Gandalf! Thanks for coming on such short notice!"

"Nonsense! What is it you need?" He said with a big smile. Thorin had always loved Gandalf. The old man was so affable. He had been nothing but nice to Thorin since he joined the team six years ago.
"I just got off the phone with Dain." He saw a slight rolling of the eyes from Gandalf. It was common knowledge he wasn't a fan of Dain. "He's not coming back this season. I just found out. We are currently out a striker now… I mean, I could always put Dori out fulltime but-"

"Nonsense! Dori is useless. We will be sure to finish last with him up there." Gandalf interrupted.

"I know, but I don't really have any options! I don't know any other strikers out there that don't already have clubs, at least none that are better than Dori."

Gandalf seemed lost in thought for a moment. Thorin was used to this, Gandalf was always losing himself mid-conversation, but this was also when he came up with his best ideas. Suddenly Gandalf's eyes snapped open.

"I know of a young chap that might be willing to play for us." He seemed lost in thought for another moment. Thorin waited. "Yes, I shall invite him to tomorrow's practice on a tryout basis." A smile spread on Thorin's face.

"Excellent, is he any good?" He asked.

He watched Gandalf's face light up. "I think he's very good. He played with my grandson when he was younger. I knew his mother for several years." Thorin was impressed. Gandalf's grandson played in the premier league. Anyone good enough to play with him when they were younger would be good enough for him.

"Excellent!"

"Now don't go getting too excited. I have to convince him to play. Also he is a bit on the small size, but don't judge him by that. He's really good." Thorin wanted to ask why he wasn't already with a team, but he decided against it. He didn't care much for size either. They had a big team, between himself and Dwalin in the middle.

"Okay. Make sure he gets here early, so I can talk to him beforehand." He said.

"Of course. Don't worry Thorin. I think Mr. Baggins will be a great addition to our team. He is as quick as they come and knows how to put the ball in the net… which is more than I can say about Dain." It was now fairly evident that Gandalf didn't like Dain. He didn't really know why. Sure Dain was slower now but he still was really good in the air, and he was always quick to get a foot on loose balls.

"Alright, just make sure he's here about ten minutes beforehand, and don't tell him he has a spot on the team yet. I wanna see him first. For all I know he might not be any better than Dori." Gandalf rolled his eyes again.

"He will be here ten minutes before eleven Thorin. I will be here as well. I will be damned if we finish second last this year!" Gandalf said as he trampled off with his cane. Thorin laughed. He really did like Gandalf, and he trusted his judgement. He looked at his watch again. He figured he could get a couple more laps in. Tomorrow would be an interesting day. The fact that this new striker played with Gandalf's grandson was excellent, but that only made Thorin wonder why he didn't already have a team, even if he wasn't good enough for pro he probably would still be better than every player in this league. He sighed. He should probably text Balin and Gloin to let them know of the new developments. He could do that after. He took a swig of water before he ran off. Tomorrow would be interesting…

It was ten minutes before eleven. Thorin was waiting. The entire team was already at the pitch and doing a slight warm-up. No one seemed surprised that Dain had left, and they were all anxious to meet their new striker. Thorin had to remind them that he officially wasn't on the team yet and not to treat him like a member until Thorin had made his decision.

The team was running and Thorin was setting up pylons for their first drill. He saw Gandalf walking up with a small man next to him. He did a double take. Small was an understatement. When Gandalf said their new player would be on the small side he had assumed he would be 5'7 or 5'8. This guy was smaller than 5'5 and couldn't weigh more than eight stone. He was tiny. There was no way he would be able to play in their league.
He walked over to them to shake their hands and introduce himself.

"Hi! I'm Thorin. I'm the captain of the team." He said as he shook the small man's hand.

"I'm Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf told me you were looking for a striker?" He gave the man another once over. He was small for sure, with big blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair. He also looked quite young. He was looking at Thorin like a lost puppy.

"Uhhh, yes." He looked to Gandalf. Surely he couldn't be serious about this guy joining the team. He would no doubt be crushed before they even had their first game.

"Alright. I know it's a tryout but did you just want me to join in with the rest of you?" Bilbo asked with a bright smile. He was clearly happy to have been given this opportunity. Thorin could now see the reason Bilbo Baggins didn't have a club, and he was torn. The kid looked so happy just to be here, but at the same time there was no way he could play for them. A player his size would be targeted immediately and would no doubt be injured before the first game ended.

"Um. Listen Bilbo" He clasped a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I can tell your hearts in the right place, but I don't think this would be a good fit." He felt so awful saying it, but it was the truth. He saw the kid's whole face fall. Bilbo dropped the bag that was hung over his shoulder to the ground in anger.

"Is this because of my height?!" He asked, clearly frustrated.

"Listen Bilbo-"

"No! You should at least let me try out. If you don't think I'm good enough skill-wise to keep up with you than that's fine, but don't reject me simply because I'm a bit smaller than everyone else." Thorin was going to mention that by a bit smaller he meant at least five inches, but decided against it. He looked into Bilbo's face and could see the frustration of no one ever giving him a chance. Gandalf took this as a good time to open his mouth.

"Nonsense Bilbo. I shall be the one picking the team in the end. You go and get ready and warm up with the rest of the team while I have a word with Thorin." Gandalf said as he patted Bilbo on the back. Bilbo smiled and picked up his bag and ran off to finish the run with the team. Thorin immediately turned to face Gandalf.

"Gandalf, I can't take him. Look at him. He's not going to be able to hold his own against the defenders in this league, especially not Azog!" The older man didn't look convinced.

"I think Bilbo will surprise you. In fact he might even surprise himself. Trust me Thorin. I would not have invited the lad if I didn't think he would be able to help the team." Thorin had to admit that Gandalf had an eye for talent. He still didn't feel comfortable with the idea of a player Bilbo's size on his team.

"Well, I cannot guarantee that he won't get hurt and not going to be responsible for anything that happens to him." As long as he made that clear, he might be able to make it through the tryout.

"Understood. Now go out and work those boys hard. I want to make sure everyone's been keeping in shape during the off-season, especially Bombur. Just because he's keeper doesn't mean he can lay off of fitness practice. Not this year!"

"Yes sir!" He responded as he left the side of the pitch to call the team in. There were thirteen members of the team. Fourteen if you included Bilbo. One of the reasons Thorin wanted a new player was so they could still keep on substitute player for each position. They didn't have an extra keeper, but Bombur was steady and in the event of him getting injured, Oin would always go in goal.

He took in the team as they all came in. Bombur was the keeper. Bifur, Oin and Gloin were the defence. Dwalin played the center defence/stopper position. Balin and Thorin both played in the midfield while Kili and Fili both played on the wing. That left Bofur and for now, Bilbo as the strikers. Dori, Ori and Nori were their three subs.

He looked over to Bilbo, besides his size disadvantage he also stood out as being the only player not wearing their team practice kit. The whole team was dressed in their plain white jerseys and shorts, with black socks. Bilbo was wearing a maroon colored shirt with blue socks. He gestured for Bilbo to come to the center with him.

"Alright guys. This is Bilbo Baggins. He is trying out for Dain's old position" He heard a couple snickers come from the direction of Dwalin and Nori. He silenced them with a quick look. "Anyways, just be nice and welcoming okay?" He gave the team a dirty look. It's not that they weren't nice, but a lot of them were set in their own ways and didn't like change.

"Now, I noted some of you suffering just trying to do a couple laps around the field. That's going to stop alright? We play most Saturdays and Tuesdays. We have the field booked for Mondays, Friday's and Wednesdays and I want us all at the gym for Sundays and Thursday's ok?" He heard a groan from most of the team.

"I don't care. We might be able to lose that second fitness practice once we get going but I can tell you guys haven't been working out in the off-season. That's going to change if we want to have any chance not finishing in the bottom three this year." He knew a seven day schedule was rough, but they all knew what they signed up for. They were one level below pro.

"Now for now I just want you guys to get some touches on the ball. Bombur you get in the net. I want Kili, Fili and Ori feeding the balls in from the wing. Bofur, I want you, Bilbo and Balin to try to score, while Oin, Gloin and Bifur defend ok? Dwalin you sub around each position with Dori. I'm going to watch for now. It's easy enough," The drill wasn't really for the team as much as it was a chance for Thorin to observe Bilbo.

He quickly played the ball over to Kili and watched everyone run into the zone. Kili lobbed the ball in from about the eighteen-yard box. Thorin watched as the ball soared over Bofur's head and managed to come down right at Bilbo's feet. Bilbo didn't even wait for the ball to touch the ground, he one-timed the ball straight into the lower right-hand corner of the net. Thorin stood in shock. It had to have been a lucky shot. Most times anyone shot the ball without taking the time to control it the ball ended up thirty feet over the net. Bilbo managed to control it right into the lower corner with one shot. Lucky shot indeed he thought as he watched Bilbo comment on the nice pass.

"Gloin! You have to make sure you get first to those balls. No way should he be beating you to that." He called out. As much as it was an excellent shot by Bilbo, Gloin should have been more aggressive.

"Probably scared he's gunna hurt the little guy." He heard Dwalin say in his rough, Scottish brogue.

"That's not my problem. I don't care if he hurts him. His job is to stop him." Thorin responded before he played a new ball into Fili who was on the opposite wing. He watched as Fili lobbed the ball right in. his ball was not nearly as high a Kili's and it managed to go directly to his target. Bilbo managed to chest the ball down. He managed to fake going to the left twice before he turned to the right. His move completely fooled Gloin who went in the complete opposite direction. Bilbo was then left alone and easily slipped the ball past Bombur, who was diving out to stop him. He jumped up as he scored.

"Dammit!' Thorin swore. He had to admit it was a great move by Bilbo, especially in such little space, but Gloin should have been better.

"He's too timid. Dwalin go in for Gloin and please don't be afraid to touch the guy."

"Aye, sir." Dwalin said as he quickly made his way over to where Gloin was.

"Gloin, you've got to do better than that. That's a weak effort. Go do two laps!" Gloin looked slightly annoyed but he did as he was told.

Thorin passed the ball back to Kili's side again. He watched as Kili kicked it in. This time Bofur managed to get a head on it, but it soared way over the net. He clapped anyways.

"Good effort guys. Nice pass Kili, way to get to it Bofur!" He called before he passed the ball over to Fili. This time Fili's ball was over Bilbo's head. Dwalin managed to head the ball clear of the box.

"Good job Dwalin. Way to be aggressive there." He didn't mention that the only reason he got to that ball first was because of his size advantage. Dwalin (along with himself) were the tallest players on the team.
He passed it back over to Kili this time. Kili lobbed the ball over Oin and Bofur's heads and once again it connected with Bilbo's left boot as he drilled it in the bottom corner. It was almost exactly the same play as before. He didn't understand how Bilbo could get there so fast. Dwalin was their best defender. He hated to call him out, but he could see Gloin returning from his two laps, he couldn't play favourites.

"Come on Dwalin, drink one too many during the off-season? No way should he be beating you to that. Bombur, you have to be more aggressive on those too. Help out your defense a bit." Dwalin looked pissed but Bombur nodded in reply.

"Let's see a good ball in Fili" He said was he passed it over. Fili's ball was not a good ball in Thorin's opinion. His pass was on the ground and went right to Bilbo's feet. Bilbo pivoted and was about to turn to the right when Dwalin noticed what he was doing and sprang forward, effectively bowling over the undersized striker whilst getting the ball. Bilbo fell hard to the ground and Thorin was sure he had broken a bone in his frail body. He quickly ran forward to make sure Bilbo was okay.

To his surprise as he got closer he could hear laughter coming from the ground. Bilbo was laughing.

"It's about time someone actually touched me." He said as he slowly eased himself up. "I thought I'd go the whole practice kicking the ball in the net. I'm not going to break." He said with a quiet laugh.

"You sure you're alright?" Thorin asked.

"Yes. I'm fine. If I was 6'2 and fell after a hit like that you would be laughing and telling me to get off my arse. Football is a contact sport. I can handle it." He said with a bright smile.

Thorin couldn't help but smile back. The kid's smile was infectious. "Well then. Next time, don't be so cute with the ball. Fili was open for you to pass back to. Next time use him."

"Yes sir."

After that the practice went quite well. Thorin could tell Bilbo was very skilled. He was by far the best player on the pitch (including Thorin himself). He was not intimidated by bigger players at all. In fact he was utterly fearless when it came to challenging for balls. Once or twice he had to call him back for challenging poor Bombur too hard. It was only a practice after all. With about ten minutes left he saw Gandalf slowly making his way out onto the pitch. Thorin rolled his eyes. Gandalf was probably here to rub it in. He walked over to meet him half way.

"Are you here to tell me you told me so?" He asked with a smile on his face to show Gandalf he wasn't serious

"Me? No. I told you before, it was my decision anyways. If I said Bilbo Baggins was our striker, then our striker he is. It was you who doubted him." Gandalf replied.

"Well, I daresay he looks more like a grocer than a football player." Thorin joked.

"And that's precisely why no one else wants him on their team. You've seen past that and can see he is clearly one of the best players in this league." Thorin had to admit he felt bad for Bilbo. He was clearly very skilled, yet everyone assumed he was no good just because of his size. He remembered how excited he looked at the beginning of practice.

"Well that's their problem. Seriously, Gandalf, with Bilbo up front I really think we can go far this year. We've got a strong defense, and now we've got a star striker! Seriously, I don't know where you found the kid but why you didn't bring him sooner?."

"You would not have listened Thorin. Not with that old fart Dain playing. Besides, it matters not, now. Here." He placed a bag that obviously must have held Bilbo's team kits in Thorin's hand. "Be a good lad and tell Bilbo you were wrong for doubting him, and that he is now a part of the Gold-Diggers." Thorin smiled.

"Yes sir!" He said as he backed away from Gandalf and ran back to observe the drill the boys were doing. He saw Kili sitting out this round and he asked him to cover for Bilbo. A couple minutes later he saw the small, sweat soaked striker walking to him.

"Thorin?" He asked. The poor kid looked so nervous. It was a sin. Obviously he was the best player out there, yet he was still worried whether or not he made the team.

"Yes, Bilbo. I'm sorry about earlier…" Thorin hated admitting he was wrong. If he had any faults, he knew it was his pride. He could see Bilbo's face light up. "I should never have doubted you. I thought you would be weak and easily intimidated but, I've never been so wrong in my life. Welcome to the Gold-Diggers!" He said as he brought the bag with Bilbo's kits forward.

To his complete surprise Bilbo ignored the bag and suddenly Thorin felt himself engulfed in a huge hug. Bilbo had practically jumped on him.

"Oh thank you so much! I won't let you down. I promise" He heard Bilbo cry.

"Good." He said as he eased Bilbo back so he could look to his face. "I'm going to put you as our number one striker. You will be playing with Bofur most of the time so it might be good to get to know him a bit. Just because you are starting out as our number one guy doesn't mean you will stay there. You gotta work hard to keep yourself there alright?"

"Yes, of course."

"Ok, so in the bag is our game schedule. Like I said it's mostly Saturday's and Tuesday's, except for the odd away game. I expect to see you at all practices, especially the fitness ones." Bilbo looked surprised. Thorin smiled. "You might be able to outrun everyone on this team but you're not going to get far in this league at eight stone."

"I'm more than eight stone! I'm stronger than I look!" Bilbo said, trying to defend himself.

"Good, you can show me at the gym tomorrow." Thorin said with another smile. "Now, get back out there, tell Bofur I need to talk to him."

He watched as Bilbo ran back to the team and joined in with the game of "Chip it" they were playing. He sighed as he watched him. He couldn't get over how much his opinion of the young striker had changed in the past two hours. Going into this first practice he was convinced they would leave without a striker, and then Dori would be playing full-time. They would probably finish near the bottom of the league again. With Bilbo it seemed they had a chance, finally a striker who seemed to be able to put the ball in the back of the net. Looking at his other teammates it looked like they liked Bilbo just as much. He almost laughed as he saw Bofur running towards him. Perhaps this season won't be as bad as he thought.