The Storms Only You Can Calm: A Hobbit Fanfiction Story
Chapter 2: A Surprise Visit From A Wizard
*Two Months Later*
I sat on the bench, staring at the photo in my trembling hands. The tears were falling from my face and I was careful not to make any sound at all. I became very good at hiding my emotions, yet sometimes couldn't, but learned to cry silently, so no one would know. I stared at the photo, hoping that staring at it enough would make it real again, make me go back in time to that day.
"Elisa? Where are you?" I jerked my head up and quickly wiped my tears away, making sure I hid my face from him. He appeared from the door, standing beside the bench, just watching as I was able to feel his eyes on me. "Why on earth are you out here so early? It's not even dawn yet." I sighed and sat up straight. "I always watch the sun rise, it is one of the many things I did back home… why should I change my habits along with my home?"
"I meant nothing by it, I was only curious. Care to have some company?" I shook my head fast and he sighed. "I understand you are having trouble being here so long, but you can't just shut everyone out." I snorted and looked at him. "I've heard people whisper about you. Saying you are holed up here, making sure everything is in place, they are beginning to think you are odd Bilbo Baggins." I knew my words hurt his feelings, but I was hurting too, so why should anyone get to be happy?
He sighed deeply and sat beside me anyways, then patted my knee softly. "Yes, I have known about those whisperings for a while now. Yet I don't hide in the dark and cry, now what should you?" I looked at him, feeling new tears coming to my eyes. "I miss them all so much. When will Father come back for me and take me home?" I searched his eyes for the answers, but only saw pity. "I am unsure of that my dear. However, I know you shouldn't hide away in this house."
He stood up and pulled me with him, smiling brightly at me. "I believe it will be a beautiful day. Why don't you take a stroll through the east woods. It's beautiful there and very calming." I went to tell him no, but he gave me a gentle nudge toward the gate. "When you come back, we can have tea and talk some more." then he disappeared behind his odd green door. Last week he had it painted from the blue to this deep mossy green. I stared at it for a moment, before sighing and walking out of the gate, shutting it behind me.
I walked toward the woods he spoke of and noticed many small animals running around. After only two months in Bag End, I had yet to meet any other Hobbits, I stayed within the walls of Bilbo's home and away from anyone except him. Now I was all alone and exposed in these woods, surrounded by unfamiliar things and unfamiliar people, everything here was strange to me. I shook myself and continued forward, frightened to remain in one spot for too long.
The trees thickened as I walked and the shadows grew larger with every step I took. I felt cold suddenly and the woods seemed to come alive, I held a scream in as I stepped on a twig, snapping it loudly, thinking it was a wild animal coming to attack me. "Rumi would protect me…" I mumbled as I tried to find my way out of these strange woods, darkening, even though it soon be dawn by now. I felt my fear rise as I heard movement to my right, I wasn't alone anymore.
I paused and slowly turned, hoping it was just a silly bird or something along those lines, yet I saw nothing, only trees and shadows. "Get a hold of yourself." I took a cleansing breath, calming my nerves as I always did as a child, my mother taught me to clear my mind and force myself to relax. Once I felt more ready to move again, I took a step and saw something shift beside me, right behind a tree. I froze, grounding my feet to the dirt, unable to move.
There was no more movement, yet I knew I wasn't alone anymore. Had Bilbo followed me? I was just about to run back the way I came when it happened. A tall shadowy figure emerged from behind the tree and came toward me, wielding a large weapon. I couldn't stop myself, I let out a scream and scrambled back away, tripping over a stump and falling right on my back. I stared wide-eyed at the creature, I was going to die here. I was never going home, I was never going to see my family again.
I felt tears coming to my eyes, how stupid was I? Thinking a stroll in the woods would be a good idea.. Bilbo Baggins did this! He would regret this forever, knowing he allowed me to go alone into unfamiliar woods. I decided if I was going to die, I was going to haunt him forever, he deserved to answer my father, telling him how I died, all the while I would be there, making a mess of his house. As I continued my mind babble, the figure stood above me and I noticed it wasn't as big as I originally thought. "Are you going to lie in the dirt all day?"
It spoke…the creature was speaking to me. I blinked over and over, trying to figure out what the hell was about to take my life. It spoke again, a deep rumbling voice, "My dear, get up. I'm not going to hurt you." I noticed it sounded human and blinked again, pulling myself onto my knees and staring at it. "What kind of creature are you? How can you talk?" the creature chuckled and I noticed it was covered in hair, but again, sounded just like a man…a human man.
"Creature? I am of the mortal race! I speak just as you do!" his tone was playful and he calmed himself, allowing me to blush fiercely and turn my face away. "My dear, I meant no offence, nor did I mean to frighten you. Allow me to help you up." his hand reached down and I took it, unable to understand why I felt a jolt when our hands met. He pulled me up, then quickly released my hand, I brushed myself off, feeling like a child, scared of the woods.
I took a moment to get a better look at the man and noticed he was taller than me by a good bit, his large weapon was that of a simple walking stick. He wasn't covered with hair, but had long hair, a equally long beard gray in color. He wore dark gray robes and had a very pointed hat. I bowed slightly and then met his eyes, they seemed so kind and gentle…how could I have ever been scared of him? He bowed at me and then smiled, then spoke again. "I am Gandalf."
"Elisa, forgive my rudeness, I was lost and the forest began very confusing and dark. I did not mean you are frightening…" he chuckled and nodded. "Oh no, I don't think I should be. Yet many are." his voice trailed off and he looked toward the village and then back at me. "You are not a Hobbit…" it wasn't a question, but I decided to answer anyways. "Very true. I am not a Hobbit. I am in the care of a Hobbit here, while my father is taking care of things in our homeland."
He thought for a moment, then nodded. "How nice. Let's get you back to your caregiver, I have to see to something in the village anyways." he started forward, leaving me to stumble after him, his long legs carrying him further than my shorter legs could. It was bright when we reached the end of the woods, I breathe deeply the clean air, hoping to rid myself of my fears and shadows behind me. "Are you alright?" he glanced down at me and I nodded, smiling slightly at him. "I did not like the shadows in the woods. That made me uneasy."
We found the path and trailed around, passing the Hobbits who were just now waking up, even though it was mid-day now. I noticed that Gandalf was leading me about, like he knew where I was going. Soon we were standing right in front of Bilbo, who was sitting on the bench, smoking a pipe. "Good morning." he spoke to Gandalf, not seeing me behind him yet. Gandalf was speaking to him, asking what he meant about 'Good morning' when I stepped out. Bilbo walked down, pulling me away from Gandalf and quickly checking his mail.
"I shall inform the others. This shall be quite interesting, yet good for you Bilbo Baggins." he started to walk away, Bilbo was very quick to answer, dismissing whatever they were talking about, ushering me to the door, saying he couldn't help, nor did he want to. He shut the door and sighed against it as I watched him closely. "Go fetch some tea Elisa…please." I nodded and heard a slight scratching as I walked into the kitchen. I finished making the tea when Bilbo appeared at the table.
"What were you doing with Gandalf the Grey?" I shrugged and poured us both a cup, taking a sit in front of him. "I just met him in the woods. I believe he was heading here when we found each other." I decided to omit the whole strange feeling, shadows, darkness, jolt. He seemed to relax as he sipped the tea and I watched him closely, waiting for him to explain what just happened. "You do not like him?" I asked, unable to wait, he glanced behind him, as if talking about Gandalf would bring him back.
"He is odd, Old Took used to have his fireworks, but here lately he appears meaning trouble." I cocked my head to the side in confused, but he waved it away. "No matter, we will have nothing to do with him. If he comes back and I am not here, please just send him away." I nodded, I was in no position to deny any request from my care-giver. We finished our tea and I felt tired, so went to try to sleep, hoping to finally relax and settle into this place.
