++++++ I do not own the Lord of the Rings or any affiliated characters apart from my OC. All rights belong to Tolkien ++++++
Two
The following afternoon, I found myself standing outside the familiar hobbit hole that belonged to my dear Bilbo and his nephew Frodo. As I just put my hand on the small gate a shrill voice filled the air, it came from over the small hill but instantly I knew who it was. I turned around to face Lobelia Sackville-Baggins and her husband Otho with one of the nicest smiles I could muster.
"Good afternoon, Lobelia, Otho," I bowed respectfully when the two hobbits came into view. Lobelia stuck her nose up at me-well as much as she could being only three feet tall herself.
Sadly I found myself used to this kind of behaviour. Lobelia had been like this towards me since I confronted her about one particular instance where she had slapped Breya for getting into her small garden and stealing some herbs to use in a potion she was just learning to make. I had agreed that Breya should have asked but I would never approve of how she disciplined my girl. Thankfully our small farm had just been finished built by a small host of dwarves so we only had to see the hobbit when we came to visit Bilbo.
"Are you here to see Bilbo?" I inquired, stepping into the yard and closing the gate behind me. "Perhaps you should join me for a spot of tea? I have a rather nice cinnamon and mint collection in my pack."
"Tell Bilbo that we will talk later," Otho ordered me, his voice directed at me but his eyes on Ghost who trailed not too far behind me.
"You could tell him yourself," I suggested, "or you know…not…" I trailed off as they continued over the hill. I shrugged to myself and went to knock on the door just as it opened to reveal a young hobbit standing there.
Frodo Baggins stood there with a grin on his face. "Falathiel! Uncle Bilbo will be pleased you managed to get rid of Lobelia!" he laughed before the two of us embraced. "I'm glad you could make it!"
"I would hardly miss it," I assured Frodo. "One hundred and elven, I mean yes it's like the blink of an eye for an elf but for a hobbit-it has to be something of a record doesn't it?"
"Uncle Bilbo!" Frodo shouted out as I ducked into the hobbit hole. "Uncle Bilbo! She came!"
Bilbo stuck his head out of the kitchen and grinned when he saw me. "Yes, she did! Welcome, welcome!" He scurried out of the kitchen and immediately took my bag from me and gave it to Frodo to put in one of the spare rooms. "I thought Breya would be with you."
I shook my head and Ghost made himself at home in front of the small fire. "Last I heard, she was helping Kili set up trading routes free of elven and orcish interference. She was due back two-no-three years ago but sent me a letter to say she was spending some time in Edoras but that was the last I heard from her. You know what she's like when she gets her head in a scroll or a book."
I couldn't get over how young Bilbo still looked despite his age.
Bilbo chuckled. "Indeed, indeed. Would you like some ale? I have wine."
"Too early in the afternoon for wine," I answered honestly. "I have a nice cinnamon and mint tea in my pack, it was a present from my niece."
"How is Lothiriel?" Bilbo asked as he busied himself with the boiling the water already in the pot.
"She has decided that she wants to be a healer," I shouted out when I went to grab the tea as well as Bilbo's gift. "Lothiriel is experimenting with herbs and spices as well and came up with this beauty." I came out and handed the tea to Bilbo. "What do you think?"
Bilbo sniffed the tea and a grin formed on his face. "That is heavenly. I wonder if Lothiriel would send me some?"
"I will get some when I go to Rivendell for the birth of my next niece or nephew," I grinned.
"Delightful!" he exclaimed. "Forgive me if this sounds too out of place but when will you marry? I doubt I'll live long enough to spoil children of yours like you spoilt Frodo growing up!"
I laughed. "Never, Dear Bilbo. I could have given my heart once but I find it too complicated. And bless, if children are involved, how do I know they won't be like me?" The birth of an Elf is one of the greatest moments in any society of Elves from Lothlorien to Rivendell to the Woodland Realm, our birth is celebrated for days on end and all inside the city are part of the child's education and upbringing. When I was born, I wasn't like my brothers or my sisters, I was violent and always angry. The only thing that really calmed me down was fighting but neither of my parents could handle me. I could handle a child like me, an elf who used shadows as a weapon but I doubt that any other elf could.
Bilbo handed me the tray of tea so we could sit down and talk. "What's in that box?" he queried when the two of us sat.
"Oh, yes," I smiled. I eagerly handed him the box and waited for him to open it. "Happy birthday, Bilbo!"
Bilbo stared at the sapphire rose. "Oh my…this is far too much for me…are you sure?"
"It was part of a set of two gifted to me by Kili," I informed the hobbit. "He said they could remain as a set or one could become a gift. It's my gesture of everlasting friendship."
The hobbit enveloped me in a hug and the two of us spent the rest of the afternoon having tea and cake whilst talking about the various comings and goings of Hobbiton. It wasn't long after I started helping Bilbo cook dinner did Frodo come home to join us. It was nice and quiet as the three of us had crispy herbed fish and a fresh salad. I found myself humming away to a long forgotten song that had been concocted in this very kitchen. When Frodo asked me what I was humming, I laughed and explained to him how the dwarves had made an entire song out of clearing the dishes for Bilbo.
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
Blunt the knives and bend the forks
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates
Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Cut the cloth and tread on the fat
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat
Splash the wine on every door
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
And when you've finished if any are whole
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates
So carefully! Carefully with the plates!
The words had just managed their way out of both Bilbo and my mouth when there was a light rap on the front door.
It was just like when Thorin arrived.
"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked the two.
Bilbo and Frodo shook their heads.
I put my napkin on the table and went to answer the door. When I opened it, standing there was a figure wearing a dark violet cloak. I grinned immediately as soon as I recognised the colour as well as the staff in hand.
The wizards staff to be more accurate.
The staff was black with a handcrafted rose at the top that housed an aquamarine gemstone nestled in the flower petals. It had been a gift to Breya when she ventured out on her own without me or Gandalf to guide her.
"Breya!" I grinned. "We weren't sure if you would make it!"
She threw back her hood and stared at me out of a pair of the most clear blue eyes I had ever seen. "Falathiel!" she grinned, pulling me in for a hug. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for all the jewels in Erebor."