Prologue Part 2

Bilbo gaped at the small wooden mole in the others palm. The carved animal shape was a hair ornament with a small pearl for its eye. Bilbo looked at it confused for a moment before finding his words.

"Meras, this is a lovely gesture," he tried not to sound too awkward, but what was to be expected Of him?

Each race had their own traditions of how to ask one to marry them. For Hobbits, the groom would carve a hair piece for his hopeful bride or bride-groom and present it to their potential spouse.

"I carved into a mole since its my family symbol, the Barrow family that is," he placed the item in one of Bilbo's hands. "My family is a good family Bilbo, I'm successful as a spice trader and my home is at least twice the size of yours." He spoke with resolve and like he were stating the most obvious of facts.

"You want me to marry you?" Bilbo may have spoke plainly, but inside he was a mess of confusion and shock.

"I'm even older then you Bilbo," Meras sighed. "It's improper for me not to start a family and wed even with my buisiness by this point. I need to settle down, and you're beautiful, and from a good family. I can give you a good life."

Bilbo looked at the middle aged hobbit sitting next to him before glancing back down at the hair ornament. He hesitantly lifted his hand and slowly placed it in his hair right above his left ear pinning back a small lock of hair with it.

"Yes," said Bilbo. At least this way he could finally be a proper hobbit, a proper Baggins of Bag End.

"Splendid!" Meras' eyes lit up. He jumped up from his spot on the ground brushing himself off. "I shall have to inform my family, and your brother of course, we'll need to hurry if we want to be married by summers end." The excitement in the other man wasn't mimicked by his bride-groom who just sat there blankly for a moment.

Bilbo stood back up before clearing his throat. "Um Meras, I think I need to return home...get some affairs in order."

Meras came out of his cheerful rant at Bilbo's comment and replied rather dismissively. "Oh yes, of course you'll have much to get in order before the big day."

He lowered his head and turned his back to his future groom as the man went running off to mirthfully inform his family No doubt. He walked back to his hobbit hole not feeling the energy to run or do much else. He returned to his home walking in and leaning against the wood of the door once it was shut.

The sigh he let our was defeated and tired as he pushed himself off the smooth surface of the door and went towards his dining room.

"This may be my opinion but it seems as though something is bothering you," said a gruff familiar voice. Bilbo felt the tension in shoulder release and his eyes lit up just a bit at seeing Gandalf in his dining room seated down. Gandalf gave a pleasant smile at his old friend, "It is good to see you again."

Bilbo nodded and said with a bit more cheer then he'd walked in the door with, "Gandalf? I wasn't aware you were coming, I would have cleaned up a bit more." He referred to the mess his hole seemed to be in. It's wasn't too bad, but it's was a far cry from clean.

The old wizard chuckled. "No need to clean for some crone that pops in uninvited occasionally."

"You're always invited here," Bilbo spoke as he picked up an empty tea pot. He poured hit water from the tap in and looked in a small cupboard. "What kind of tea do you enjoy?"

"Camomile," Gandalf answered but sounded a bit distracted. "Bilbo, what's that in your hair?"

He stiffened the tea bags falling out of his hands and luckily into the pot. Trying to use his best composure he replied albeit a bit pitchy sounding. "It's a uhm, hair ornament, hobbits give them to each other for certain occasions." He put the teapot on a tray with two stone cups, bringing it over to the table. He refused to look Gandald in the eyes.

"Oh what sort of occasion?" Gandalf inquisitively asked.

He tried to distract himself by pouring the tea as he squeaked out, "Engagements mostly."

There was a pause the only sound being the tea landing in the tiny cups.

"...Well then congratulations I suppose," said Gandalf. "Unless you aren't thrilled by the arrangement?"

Bilbo abrubtly set the teapot down and near glared. "Why wouldn't I?!" He snapped. "He's the owner of a good buisiness, he has a nice home, comes from a good family...he's a right proper hobbit so why wouldn't I be happy?!" He half expected to hear a booming voice and see shadows rising but was surprised when Gandalf simply sipped from his cup.

"I don't know Bilbo, but perhaps you should ask yourself this," Gandalf casually suggested, "why do you have to make excuses for why you're doing this?" Bilbo had no answer to that and simply slumped down in the chair across Gandalf.

"You don't understand," was all Bilbo could say after about five minutes of staring at his tea cup.

"Perhaps not," Gandalf replied simply. He stood up, "I should take my leave." As he turned his back his friend called out to him.

"Gandalf," pleaded Bilbo. "you're not going to go meddle with my life or anything again are you? Please just...don't."

Gandalf stopped in the doorway with a small smile playing at his lips. "I won't personally interfere in any way, you have my word..."

He left the hobbit hole with the thought that the only match for a stubborn hobbit, was a stubborn dwarf.

AN: Because we all know Gandalf ships it :P