A/N These chapters will be short in the beginning, just so you know. They're more about dealing with the aftermath of Bilbo's decision so there will be no action/adventure for a while only loads of drama, guilt and frustration *grin* I'm sadistic like that! But, who know, this story might just surprise me till I see it to its end.

Disclaimer: Not mine XD


Chapter III: The land that bears me

Bilbo knew the exact moment when he passed the borders of the Shire. Although he was lost and asleep, caught in never-ending darkness, he felt the land greeting him home and the rustle of the Shire leaves echoing in his ears. He knew that the time to pay the price had come now that the land was able to take its toll. He knew and waited and soon his waiting came to an end. The darkness in his dreams parted and revealed rolling hills of green and winding, crystal-clear waters. He was still unconscious and the Shire he saw was had a dream like quality. He sat cross-legged on the grass and waited patiently.

"The Son of Belladonna Took has come to fulfil his pledge," a bodiless voice called in the air. "His pledge is signed in blood. His oath forsook all. Now he awaits our judgement," the voice was soft, almost female, yet ethereal. Bilbo had never known whether the judges were the spirits of the land or the Higher Powers. He knew there were three of them and in this case each of them would call a price.

"Son of Took, we have witnessed your pledge and granted it," a second voice called, this time masculine and fierce. "Three times you have called on us and offered yourself and three times we have acted. Now, I call my first price! You offered your body in your pledge... I claim your voice which enacted the pledge in return for the healing of their bodies. No longer will you be able to call upon us for aid and no longer will your voice be heard in this land. So mote it be!"

Bilbo nodded and waited for the other two to call their price. He had known from the moment the last words had left his lips that such would be the first price, the pay of the body. The hollowness in his throat and the whisper of the wind told him as much.

"Son of Took," a third voice said, neither female nor male, but gentle and warm. "Three times you have called us and three times we have granted your heart's desire. You offered your soul in the pledge and it is my turn to claim my price. Time you have asked for, time they did not have and they were granted that time. In turn time shall be taken from you, son of Took. Three years you shall spend in oblivious slumber until your debt to me is paid. Darkness will keep you until the time has been spent. So mote it be!"

Bilbo gave a shuddering breath and nodded, showing that he had understood the price. He had promised he would give anything for the three he cherished more than anything and give he would.

"Son of Took," the first voice returned and it held a comforting tone in it, "three times you have called upon us and three times we have aided you, but not without a price. You offered your heart in your pledge and I shall now claim what is mine. Your memories are the price I call on, son of Took. When you wake up from your slumber you shall know only who, what and where you are. You will recognize your Thain and remember your pledge... the rest of your memories will be mine, locked away till the end of time."

Tears fell down Bilbo's cheeks, but he nodded nonetheless. Anything had been his promise and anything will be. Even knowing that he would not remember laughter full of mischief and warm, callused hands keeping him close at night would not deter him. They were worth it. Nothing else mattered.

"Your heart you gave, son of Took and your heart will aid you if it is true. Only the one who has claim over your heart will be able to unlock those memories. So mote it be!"

The hills disappeared and the sky got shadowed as soon as the last voice stopped speaking. For three years Bilbo Baggins would know nothing but darkness until the sand in the hourglass came to an end.


As soon as Gandalf had entered the Shire carrying an unconscious Bilbo Baggins in his arms, Paladin Took, Thain of the Shire, knew something was wrong. He realized what was wrong when the land spoke to him and revealed the price the son of Belladonna Took had paid for his pledge. Now, as he stood inside Bag End, dusting off the mantle and making the home somewhat presentable even if its owner would not see if for another three years, he wondered who it had been that had meant so much to cousin Bilbo.

"He will not wake anytime soon, master wizard," the Thain told Gandalf that was hovering in the doorstep of Bilbo's room, looking at the unmoving hobbit. "Such is the price he has to pay. And when he will wake, he will not be the same."

Gandalf's shoulders slumped, remembering a moment, almost one year prior, when he had told a frightened hobbit the exact same words. He had never expected such a thing to happen, never wanted Bilbo to pay such a price.

"He has made his choice, master Gandalf and live with it he will," Paladin Took said sternly. "Do not insult him with your pity. He knew what he was doing and chose accordingly."

"It was not pity, master Took," Gandalf admitted throwing one last glance at the son of his former pupil. "It's regret and it is mine to bear. I may have been wrong and gambled more than I had to gamble." With these words the Grey wizard left Bag End and the Shire... he would not be seen in those lands for another three years.

Unknown to him, at the same time he rode away from the Shire and headed in the wilderness, a raven flew from Erebor in search of Tharkûn bearing a message from the King under the Mountain and his two heirs.


A/N WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING? O_O I was not expecting this to happen! =)) When I wrote this chapter I only had the first two prices in mind, the third one took me completely by surprise.