I have very faint memories of my father from when I was young. He was a very skilled craftsman and always sold his creations in town. He was particularly good at carving. The only thing that I have from my father is a heart, which he engraved with the word "patience", made out of a tree that was outside our house.
One day, he was working by the river and the rocks he was standing gave out. He slid down and was caught on something underneath the water. People tried to help him out.. but there was nothing they could do. I remember the sickening cries of my mother. They were so painful to hear, I would bury my ears under her arm when she hugged me as she cried. I was too young to understand what really happened. All I knew was that I felt sad and my father was gone.
The other memory that stands out is when I first met Bilbo. He had been a close friend of my father and admired his creations. He brought my mother some gifts and gave her some money. He gave me a shiny apple, a smile, and a pat on the head. Soon after, my aunt came to live with us. My mother needed more help around the house and someone to earn some money.
As I grew older, my mother started losing her strength and enthusiasm. Many doctors examined her and said that there was nothing physically wrong with her. I did not need a doctor to tell me that my mother's problems were caused by a broken heart. I knew that I would have to find some way to make money. My mother wasn't able to work and my aunt's job was taking care of my mother. I went all over the town looking for odd jobs and I had no luck. It wasn't until my seventh day of searching that I ran into Bilbo Baggins.
He knew me almost instantly, which surprised me a great deal. It had been many years since I first met him. He wondered what I was doing now and how my mother was. I told him that she was doing all right.
"Actually, I'm out looking for a job. Mother is too weak to work and someone has to make money somehow!" I said with a smile.
Strangely enough, that's how I got this job. Bilbo asked me if I could cook, if I could clean. I said absolutely, those were some of my finest skills. Then he said I was hired! He asked me to tend to the garden a bit too because Sam was away with Frodo. The job was better than I could have imagined. I told Bilbo repeatedly that I loved being in his home. It was so beautiful in a simple and lived in way. My constant praise must have sparked something in his mind because he turned the guest bedroom into my own. I remember the day that he showed it to me. I started to cry and thanked him at least a thousand times. Even though I loved my mother, being around her made me sad. I much preferred Bilbo's tales and odd quirks.
"I am grateful to him for everything he has done for my family & I." I said as I ended my tale. Snooty looked puzzled. "Well then," she said with a disgusted face, "That's the first selfless thing Bilbo has done, but help the needy I always say. For they can never help themselves. They'll steal before they have to actually do something."
I was taken aback. I tried not to let my emotion show on my face. Snooty got up and Bilbo hurried her to the door, "Nice seeing you... Do stay away now! Distance makes us closer, you know. Good-bye." he said as he slammed the door. I stood up and looked at Frodo. He opened his mouth to say something but then he just frowned and walked into the kitchen.
I walked over to Bilbo. "I hope you don't think I have stolen from you. You have been nothing but kind to me and I would gladly repay you when I have the chance.", I said with tears in my eyes. Bilbo smiled and put his hands on my shoulders, "You have not stolen anything from me. I think of you as family. Much closer than any of the ones who actually share my blood. She's quite the dragon, isn't she?" He started walking about the room in his quirky way, "You know, I think I'd rather have Smaug in my living room. And believe me! That's saying a lot!" I smiled, drying my eyes. Bilbo laughed. Then, I looked over to the kitchen entryway and I saw Frodo smiling too. Except he was smiling at me.