Prologue

It was the beginning of summer in the Shire, Bilbo had been working in his garden all day. As he worked, he could hear a voice call behind him. "Mister Baggins! Need a hand?" said the voice. Bilbo looked up, he could see his old friend Hamfast Gamgee approaching the hobbit. Bilbo smiled. "Sure. I really don't need help with the gardening, but my grass needs a little work." said Bilbo. "Just want to give ye a heads up, lad! Lobelia is on a rampage. She's planning on paying you a visit." said Hamfast. "Let me guess, she wants my spoons!" grumbled Bilbo.

"No, she didn't really say. She just wanted to have a few words with you." said Hamfast. "Well she can just go climb a tree somewhere-it's the spoons she wants, that's exactly it." fumed the hobbit. "I was wondering if you can watch my infant son tonight? My wife and I are wanting to spend time together at the Green Dragon." said Hamfast. Bilbo smiled. "I wouldn't mind watching Sam for you. Is he doing well?" asks Bilbo. "Adorable as always." grinned Hamfast.

After babysitting for Hamfast, Bilbo returned home, made himself a cup of tea, and sat in his armchair looking at the portraits of his parents Bungo and Belladonna on top of the fireplace mantle. Bilbo smiled looking at the pictures. He missed having both of his parents around. He missed hearing tales of his father's travels, and his mother's cooking and singing. He remember his mother would clean the home, always humming a tune.

Bilbo also sat wished his mother would had another child so he would have sibling to share everything with. Bilbo had seen many families in the Shire, (most of his relations) that had more than two children. But he knew his mother fell ill before even considering of having another child. And he remembered she wanted to, too. When it was getting late, Bilbo went to bed. But no soon as he went to bed, he heard the doorbell ring at his front door. Now who in the world would be here this late at night? It better not be Miss Lobelia, thought Bilbo.

Bilbo thrown on his dressing robe, and he went to answer his door. When he opened it, he could see a young hobbit maiden, about his age, standing in front of him. She had the same brown curly hair, but very long, down passed her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at Bilbo. "Are you Mister Baggins?" asked the hobbit woman.

"Yes, I am he." said Bilbo. "My name is Belle. Belle Baggins. I'm your sister." said the hobbit. "Wha-Wha-Run that by me again?!" exclaimed Bilbo, stammering. "I said, my name is Belle Baggins. I'm your sister!" said the hobbit woman again. "No-I cannot have a sister! How can it be possible?! My mother died before she even considering of having another child? I don't understand this at all!" cried out Bilbo.

"If you allow me inside, and we can talk more about this over tea." said Belle. "Sure-Sure-do come in!" said Bilbo, now feeling very flustered and confused. After brewing up some tea, the two sat in the dining room. "When you were born, Bilbo, she had another not long after you were born. A baby girl. Our mother named the baby girl Belle, just after her." began the hobbit maiden. "Yes, but why are you just now showing up at my door?" asked Bilbo.

"When everyone found out that our mother is having twins, they highly frowned upon it. It was because some whispered accusing our mother of bedding with Shire, after our father died." said Belle. "No-no! This isn't right-This isn't right at all!" cried out Bilbo angrily. "Bilbo, I understand this is difficult for you to swallow, now hush and let me continue please!" snapped Belle. "Very well!" moaned Bilbo softly.

"After our mother gave birth to us, she had to choose to give up one of us to another family to separate us, to keep from any more gossip to continue. I ended up staying with the Bracegirdle family." said Belle. "I don't understand why she never told me any of this. She never told me about you. Why?" asked Bilbo. "Because you were pretty young at the time, and she felt the time wasn't ready." Belle replied. "I cannot believe this-I have a sister-a twin sister!" gasped Bilbo.

Belle smiled. "Yes, Bilbo. You have a sister, and that's me!" said Belle, taking the hobbit's hand. Suddenly, Bilbo broke down in uncontrollable sobs. He felt different mixtures of emotions clouding over him, and he felt so overwhelmed of this, he just broke down. Belle walked towards Bilbo, hugging him. "Its okay, Bilbo-just let it out-its okay." whispered Belle. The next morning, Bilbo woke up before Belle did, and he began working on breakfast.

Bilbo looked at the portraits above the fireplace again. "I wished you would have told me about this before, mother! What else you kept from me next?!" Bilbo snapped at the picture of his mother. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it, Bilbo!" called out Belle from the foyer. Belle went to answer the door, and she opened it. It was Lobelia Sackville-Baggins.

"Who are you? Its strange that Mister Baggins never mentioned of having a wife." said Lobelia icily. "I am not his wife." said Belle, trying to keep from losing her temper on this woman. "Then who are you then?" snapped Lobelia. Bilbo ran quickly to his sister's side. "She's a cousin the East Farthing, Miss Lobelia! This is Belle." said Bilbo. Belle grinned. "I don't remember you as a cousin. I know everyone in these parts-strangely I don't remember you!" said Lobelia, unkindly.

"Because she travels a lot. That's why! If you must excuse us, we have a breakfast to finish! Now go away!" snapped Bilbo, slamming the door in Lobelia's face. "Phew! That was close. I'm glad you stepped in when you did, brother." said Belle. "I don't want her to know about you being my sister. Aule only knows what trouble she'll start if she finds out." huffed Bilbo. "Just sit and relax, Bilbo. Don't let that crone get to you." said Belle.

"The Midsummer's Eve celebration is coming up, and you don't have a dress! I must get your something, Belle." said Bilbo. "No, no! Don't worry. I went and got my own dress today." said Belle. "Oh really?" said Bilbo. "Yes. I met this young hobbit name Ervin Proudfoot this morning, and we talked quite a bit. He think's I'm pretty." boasted Belle. Bilbo rolled his eyes.

"Well don't get too comfortable with him." said Bilbo. "Why?" asked Belle. "Because his father doesn't like me much. And if he finds out that he tries to court you, he's going to blame me for it." said Bilbo. "I told Ervin that I am your cousin. No one is going to suspect." said Belle. "Good. Just stay remind friends with Ervin, please." said Bilbo. "Bilbo, I'm a grown hobbit. I really like Ervin. I see a good future between the two of us." said Belle.

"Belle, please-I'm only looking out for you that's all!" said Bilbo. "Yeah, yeah, yeah! I've heard all of this before!" said Belle, and she threw on her cloak. "Where are you going? Aren't you going to stay for breakfast?" asked Bilbo. "I promised a picnic outing with Ervin. I'm supposed to meet him at the large tree at twelve thirty. Bye!" said Belle, and she left. She's way too flighty to be a Baggins, thought Bilbo as he watched his sister leave.

Hours went by, it was past midnight. Belle had not came home yet. Bilbo remained awake pacing back and forth, wondering why his sister had not come home yet. I'm going to give her an earful when she walks in, thought Bilbo as he paced. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Bilbo went to answer it. Standing outside was a hobbit Sheriff, with Belle standing next to him.

"What is the meaning of this?!" snapped Bilbo, angrily. "I caught this young lady getting into a fight at the Green Dragon." said the hobbit Sherriff. "Belle, you get in the house right now!" demanded Bilbo. Belle shot her brother a glare, and marched inside. "What did she do? And who started the fight?" asked Bilbo. "Lobelia wanted to set up this hobbit maiden named Violet to this young lad named Ervin whom Miss Belle had been with most of the evening. When Violet approached Ervin and kissed him, Belle just set off, and the two fought." explained the hobbit.

"Thank you." said Bilbo, and he closed the door and he turned to Belle. "Belle, I cannot believe you! Why? Not only that, you've been gone all day! Why didn't you come home?!" demanded Bilbo. "Bilbo, you cannot tell me what to do, I'm old enough to make my own decisions. About the fight, it wasn't my fault! Lobelia set the whole thing up!" snapped Belle. "Still, you should have came home. For now on, you stay away from Ervin." said Bilbo. "WHAT?! You cannot do that!" shouted Belle. "I am your brother, I can do whatever I want with you. I'm only trying to protect you, Belle. Ervin isn't right for you, I'm sorry!" argued Bilbo.

"Oh, I wished I never came here!" fumed Belle, and she went to her room, slamming the door. Bilbo slumped in his armchair, resting his head in his hands.

Midsummer's Eve

The Midsummer's Eve celebration is a big deal for the Hobbit community, and many arrived for the celebration. "Is that traveling wizard going to come with the fireworks?" asked Belle. Bilbo smiled. "I hope so." said Bilbo. The two siblings made up after the small fight they had several weeks ago. Bilbo knew Belle wouldn't stay angry at him long. "Come on, Brother! Lets dance!" chirped Belle, as she grabbed Bilbo by the arm, as they started dancing.

While they danced, Ervin approached them. "Mister Baggins, you don't mind if I share a dance with your beautiful cousin?" asked Ervin. "No. I do mind." snarled Bilbo. "BILBO!" snapped Belle, glaring at her brother. "Go ahead." said Bilbo, and he allowed the two to dance. "Your cousin is in a foul mood, what's his problem?" asked Ervin. "I don't know. He's doing it again, and I don't like it." said Belle. Bilbo just stood there watching him, with a slight pout on his lips. When the dance ended, Belle ran over to her brother. "Smile! It increases your face value!" chirped Belle.

"Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!" Bilbo mockingly groaned. "Bilbo, I don't know what your problem is this evening, but you better can it!" said Belle.

"You don't understand Belle! If Ervin finds out who you really are, you're going to end up getting hurt. I don't want to see you hurt." said Bilbo. "Bilbo, he's not going to find out who I really am. It won't happen. Besides, I can handle myself you know." said Belle. Bilbo sighed and he smiled at his sister. "You're right." said Bilbo.