Bilbo was in fact quick to return with one of them. Not long after he left, the guests of Bag End heard two voices whispering outside the nice round green door. The door opened and their ex-burglar had his arm on the shoulders of a hobbit, who was facing Bilbo as he walked in, but it was hard to tell if the creature was trying to protest of not, the spoke quietly to each other, and the dwarfs could only hear Bilbo say, "I appreciate it." After that he looked to his friends and said he found one, and quickly closed the door. The new Hobbit looking after him, then removing his midnight blue jacket (revealing a waistcoat of the same color along with his breeches), hanging it up and looking at the guests.
Of this new hobbit, he had the same posture of their Mr. Baggins, and seemed to be of the same age. And indeed he had the same honey colored curly hair, and excluding the striking green eyes (when he turned and they saw his face) there seemed to be a aura or air about the newcomer that reminded them of their own little hobbit. In fact they would have assumed he was a cousin at the most and a brother (of a sort) at the least.
He looked at the dwarves awkwardly, hands behind his back, and smiled nervously. For a moment they all just eyed each other till he stepped forward and offered a timid little hand to Bofur, who was the closest. Obviously nervous, never seen a dwarf. His eyes weren't full of fear but the same anxiety that was recalled in Bilbo's eyes long ago was apparent in his. But he said in a steady yet soft voice, "Hugo Roofroot, at your service..."
"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Roofroot." Bofur answered, trying to seem gentle, and taking his hand to shake.
One by one they introduced themselves to Hugo, who was still tense, and probably at bit flustered (Gandalf could swear he saw the hobbit tremble in the knees when Dwalin took his hand, though Dwalin did not look as fierce as he had, he had not shrunken in size or stature), but carried himself with false ease. Balin was dismayed at the creature's discomfort. He was the most active in seeing Bilbo in past years, and had began to share the Wizard's sentiment for the little curly-headed creatures. Though the Master of Bag End was the only one he really talked to, he still caught sights of other hobbits on his way to and from Bag End. Usually a friendly but cautious "Good Morning/Evening.", from the adults he passed, and slightly frightened/curious stares from the children, and counting a few glances out one if the windows of Bilbo's home, he had observed the life of the smaller beings. Cheerful and friendly as could be. Offering polite smiles and waves when one came to see Bilbo (about business or the other), or if they happened to see Balin look out the window. They were a pleasant, soft kind, and seeing Hugo nervous and a small bit frightened pained the elder dwarf, who would have liked nothing more than to be his friend.
But Hugo had his dignity, and was determined to not breakdown like a child in front of his friend's guests. So he tried to appear as calm as he could, after all how rude it would be to run out of Bag End without so much as a reason! He was a gentlehobbit after all!
"So...Mr. Roofroot-" Nori began.
"Please, call me Hugo."
"Hugo...are you related to Bilbo..?"
"Oh! No,no, many people think we are, especially when we were younger, but no, no. Only in friendship really." He said, still in a steady voice, shifting from one foot to the other. Hugo explained how Bilbo's father and his own were childhood comrades, and as natural for childhood friends when both have their own children they wish them to be comrades as well. So he and Bilbo grew up close together.
"I suppose this isn't how you thought you'd spend you evening." Ori offered, there was still a uncomfortable air in the room.
"No, I must say it isn't, but my in-laws were visiting so,uh, that is I don't mind..." This caused a surprising chorus of laughter from all the dwarves, after a pause, much to Hugo's confusion and eventually he joined them.
To say of Hugo Roofroot; he had indeed been close to Bilbo in childhood, and in their adult lives. He remembered vividly the day he heard from his wife that the Master of Bag End was seen in the morning rushing off, only saying he was late and going on an adventure. Hugo remembered how curious his friend had been when they were little hobbitboys, climbing trees, and playing "adventure" in the fields of Hobbiton, and eager to hear tales from his grandfather Old Took, somehow still staying reserved for the most part in face of strangers and other children (excluding Hugo, who admittedly went along with Bilbo). In their tweens Bilbo and he left the world of play, but the latter was always ready to hear news, and read of, far off places. So Hugo was not the least bit surprised when he heard what his old playmate had done, and smiled a bit in the fact.
He remembered often wondering what Bilbo had gotten himself into during that year, and was one of the few who had tried to keep his cousins out of Bag End, and failing at that was also one of the few who bought many of his belongs to keep safe for him at the auction. Thankfully Bilbo Baggins returned in time to stop it. Sadly Hugo really only continued to speak and be on friendly terms with Bilbo out of a sense of loyalty. Like many others he sensed a great change in the Hobbit when he returned, something queer and a bit mad, but lately he began to realize that perhaps it was the same Bilbo who returned, only a bit altered if anything.
Though when he knocked on the Roofroot door and took Hugo, thankfully, from his parents-in-law only to tell him on the way to Bag End he wanted him to play hide-in-seek with some dwarves that came to visit ( Bilbo didn't have to tell him they were the same dwarves from his tales of that infamous year.), the poor Roofroot thought perhaps his friend really had lost his mind. But anything to escape the wrath of his wife's father was a blessing. And Hugo reasoned he was being a bit too stuffy. True he thought it was ridiculous, playing a child's game as a full grown hobbit, but blast it he wasn't getting younger (though Hugo wasn't that old), and anyhow it would have been quite rude to deny his friend, for by the time Bilbo finished explaining it all they were already in front of the green door of Bag End.
And the gentlehobbit would be damned if he was going to tremble and shake like a scared child in front of others! It simply wasn't proper, and he did have self respect. So he tried to appear at ease.
But as time got on, he did truly start to relax, finding these guests not as threatening as he at first thought. They spoke more, relating tales to the hobbit of the adventure they shared with Mr. Baggins, of course only the more lighter and whimsical ones (they had just met Hugo after all), and he traded stories of his childhood escapades with their former burglar. They found themselves starting to grown fond of Hugo Roofroot as they had Bilbo Baggins, and could see why Bilbo had picked him to participate.
But not long after they began to relax in each others company, the door opened and in Bilbo pushed two others, saying he will go fetch the last one and then they can start. He quickly closed the door, the two newcomers seemed to chuckle at the sight, and upon turning to the guests, their eyes widened, but like Hugo neither fled.
One was a little Hobbit woman, no older than Hugo or Bilbo by the looks of it. She was quite pretty, with her dark blonde hair, which had been tamed and pulled into a nice braid behind her, but with a few curls roaming free on her forehead.
She shared the same dark eyes as the second one (no doubt related), and her little round face was peppered with freckles. Her dress was simple and a soft yellow color. She seemed less nervous than Hugo had been, perhaps that was because she saw another hobbit already at ease, but there was a small flicker of nerves in her face, which didn't interfere with her introducing herself.
"Good evening. Bonnibella Burrow, call me Bonnie." She said, offering her hand to Nori, who surprised her by kissing it. Nori introduced himself, and Bonnie turned to the hobbit who came with her.
"My brother Leo."
Leo was younger than Bonnie, and Hugo. In fact he would later relate to Ori that his coming of age party was only three day previously. He had the same dark eyes as his sister, but opposite to her his hair was just as dark. He wore a hard red shirt, with dark green suspenders and breeches to match. He seemed to mask his discomfort, if any, better than his sister, and even around Dwalin (though he was ringing his hands, which were a bit moist) he spoke with apparent ease.
And as with Hugo they began to relax and be comfortable in each the strangers company. Balin and Bofur continued their conversation with Hugo, Dwalin and Nori spoke causally with Bonnie and Leo was having some sort of conversation with Ori, and Gandalf looked on with the most amused expression on his face.
Eventually, as in many parties (and this was a party of one sort or another) the groups began to merge and switch out people, and as it was Bonnie struck up conversation with Dwalin and Balin, while Nori and Bofur joined Leo and Ori. Upon seeing Nori, Leo (who was now completely at ease with the strangers) asked him, "My sister, she say you could call her Bonnie?"
When Nori replied she did the young hobbit boy smiled and said teasingly, "Ooh, your gonna have to fight Bilbo now!"
Before Nori could react Hugo, who had been enjoying some time alone, came up to them (having heard with his sharp hobbit ears) and said, "Leo-be quiet!"
"What? About what?" Bofur asked, curious.
"Nothing." Hugo stated simply.
"From how the lad's giggling", looking at Leo, "I don't think it's nothing." Bofur prodded.
As it was, Hugo apparently didn't mind telling that much, as he started to grin himself and related the story.
Burrows had once lived in Frogmorton, and came to Hobbiton when Bonnie was starting to enter her tween years. As it was, so were Bilbo and Hugo. Hugo got word from his mother a new family had come, and he went to Bilbo that morning suggesting they say hello to them, and introduce themselves to the family's children, if there were any. So the two young hobbitboys traveled to the new family's residence, and Bonnie was sitting outside, on a bench in the front garden.
"So," Hugo continued, "We go up to her and introduced ourselves...she takes one look at Bilbo, and," Here the Roofroot started snickering, and takes a moment to widen his eyes and bat his eyelashes," exactly like that! And she forgets all about me and starts twirling her hair, like this, " He started demonstrating trying to twirl his curls around a finger in a girlish manner, while batting his lashes, much to the amusement of the dwarves. "And she looked at the book he had under his arm and asked, "What are you reading about?, " Hugo said in his poorest attempt at a young hobbitgirl's voice, "and he tells her and Bonnibella said, "Really? That's interesting. I'm Bonnibella by the way, but you can call me Bonnie..." Hugo finished with a laugh and proceeded to crack up along with the dwarves and Leo.
When they had calmed down he noticed that Bonnie, Balin and Dwalin were looking at them oddly, then resumed what they had been talking about. Likewise Hugo resumed, "She wasn't looking at me when she said that, and I've only called her Bonnibella, and that goes for everyone else in Hobbiton-"
"Except for out mother and Bilbo." Leo finishes, still giggling. "But that's changed now!"
"Alright, " Bonnie said from her place, "What are they telling you?"
"Nothing." Hugo said, still hear Bofur and Nori, and Ori snicker uncontrollably.
Leo says, "We're telling them about your Mr. Baggins!" And stressing the "your". Bonnie blushed bright pink and shrieked some unintelligible threat to her brother, then took a pebble from the bucket of coal and flung it at him. It missed and she said he better be glad it was a pebble. By now the remaining two dwarves are laughing and the poor lass in question is grinning herself, and covering her face with her hands, but not at all upset.
Hugo finally stops and assures her they were just having a bit of fun, and meant nothing by it. Bonnie grins at him, her blush dying down,and said "I know", while rolling her eyes. She smiled back at her puckish brother, to show no feelings were hurt, probably use to that particular subject being teased.
"So," Leo continues, to Bofur, Nori and Ori, "every time she tells someone they can call her Bonnie, it's a joke between me and Hugo that they and Bilbo have to fight over here." The lad chuckles, "But really, it's mostly playing and fun."
Bofur put his hand on Leo's shoulder and thanked him for the information. At that moment the round green door of Bag End opened and in came Bilbo, holding the hand of a little hobbitboy. Brunette and bouncing, his eyes opened wide and he gasped when he saw the dwarves. He quickly left Bilbo's side and ran to Balin, and started asking question and smiling and tangling his hands in the elder dwarf's beard.
The others looked confused and inquired to their friend. Who's child was that? And was it wise to include a child?
"His name's Drac, and this is a child's game after all!" Bilbo said cheerily. "He's a cousin of mine, on the Took side, but he's visiting a family who's friends with his mother right now. Any how they're stupid enough to trust me with him."
He called Drac back, and reminded the boy he had to be quiet when they actually played. The little hobbit nodded and squealed, "I'll be quiet!" He saw Dwalin and ran over to him and began the same inquires he had for Balin. And Dwalin for his part looked oddly at the child...mainly because he's never seen something smaller than a dwarf child, and his one hand could probably cover Drac's entire stomach, or body if he curled up. It man him a bit nervous and he prayed he didn't accidentally step on the boy at some point.
"Well I assume you have made each others acquaintance?" Bilbo asked standing next to Hugo.
"Oh, yes indeed." Bofur and, exchanging a glance with Leo, "We've hear some stories about Dear Bilbo."
Bilbo looked confused but brushed it off. He asked if they were ready. The dwarves, excluding Balin of course, agreed they were, and after Leo got Drac to step next to him, the hobbits agreed they were as well. Decided that the Dwarves would be declared winners once each Hobbit was found and brought back to the fireplace, and the Hobbits would be declared winners if each dwarf admitted defeat.
"Alright then. Let's see how much form we'll need." Bilbo said eyes on Nori and Dwalin.
Leo and Drac were the most excited looking, Bonnie just smiled, no doubt thinking the situation absurd but all in good fun, and Hugo just sighed (if his father-in-law knew what he was doing..!), ready to start.
"Cover your eyes," Bilbo reminded, "and count to thirty."
The dwarves did so, Balin and Gandalf rolling eyes and chuckling respectively. Once they started to count the smaller curly-headed creatures scattered quickly, Bilbo stalking around the corner smirking at the two choosing to watch, and disappeared into the hallways of Bag End.
Once the counting stopped, and they saw the hobbits had disappeared Ori suddenly asked, "Wait, will we each seek out a particular one?"
"Nah. Just look for any which hobbit." Nori answered. And likewise they too scattered.
The game began.
I know long chapter, the whole story was suppose to be a one shot, but apparently its going to be a three chapter thing, and I mainly just wanted to introduce the Hobbits. For those following this (if any) how did you guys feel about them?
Oh, and real quick, Hugo's last name is pronounced like roof-root, and Drac's name is pronounced like Drake, basically a different spelling. Just in case anyone was wondering ^^
