-You endure what is unbearable, and you bear it. That is all-
Magnus Bane, The Infernal Devices, Cassandra Claire
0o0
10 Years Later
April 26th Wednesday
The Shire Year 1340
Year 2941 T.A
The sun was on the slow rise, permeating the world with warmth, and staining the once ink black sky with the light lavenders, rose pinks and honey gold's of dawn. Birds all around in the trees, alighted on their branches and took to the skies, singing their songs.
The flowers seemed to almost stretch upwards towards the sun, basking in the warmth, and causing the dew drops that perched on their stems and petal edges to run and plop onto the long soft grass, and hardy soil of the earth.
The air had the very smell of spring to it; the scent of flowering blossoms, rich earth, warmth and happiness flowed and danced through the very air itself. It was strong and pleasant enough that even the most blind would know that the season was springtime.
There were very few awake at such an early hour of the morning; only those, that had work as farmers or bakers, and the like were rising. It was in these early hours, that a small shadow slipped out a moss-green door with brass knob, and closed it quietly behind them.
It was a beautiful morning, to the start of what was going to become a most beautiful day; or at least that's what the mysterious shadow thought anyhow.
They smiled, and quickly and quietly made their way down from the door, out the gate, and along the path, towards the woods.
0o0
The house that the silent early-riser had left was almost and quite close to the brim of the woods, and they only had to pass a few other homes, and jump two fences to reach the start of the woods, that this person liked to call, 'The Edge'.
There was a thick fence stretching outwards that blocked the way into the Bindbole Wood, in the most southern part of the Northfarthing. For the hobbits of Hobbiton, it was too tall for them to jump over, and most wouldn't do such an act, for it wasn't respectable to go gallivanting off into the woods.
In theory it was supposed to deter anyone who had an inkling for venturing away from the comfortable and safe life in this small yet well-spaced hobbit village. But such a small thing as a fence didn't and wouldn't deter her.
The shadow of a girl slipped under a metre long stretch that had been loose for many years- needless to say, and not that anyone else would ever know, but she had been the one to loosen it. There were several other weak spots further along the fence, but this certain spot was the fastest way into the woods, and was the one that was closest to home.
As soon as she slipped away and was hidden by the trees, she reached into a little hollow of a pine tree and retrieved a bow, and a quiver of ash wood filled with golden feathered arrows.
The shadow kept her bow and arrows well hidden in that little hidey-hole, and should it be known that she was in the woods, hunting, wielding a weapon of all things- which was most certainly not respectable- she'd be in big trouble.
You see, this little huntress had to think of such things, and had to mind her manners, her tongue, and her actions while she was in the village or at home. At home she was entirely respectable, and well-mannered, and seen as a kind but quiet girl.
But here in the woods? As she silently started her morning routine, she smiled at her thought. Here in the woods, she could be herself, free of prying eyes that would judge her should they see the true her.
Someone once told her, she never truly smiled except in the woods. She could feel the muscles relaxing in her face, as her pace quickened in speed but did not rise in volume. She climbed the little rocky hill to her place. A rock ledge overlooking the valley. A thicket of thick berry bushes hid it from view.
From this place, her place, she was completely invisible, but had a clear view of the valley; she could even see her own home, with its moss-green door, and round windows. The whole entire of the Shire was teeming with spring life, greens to gather, roots to dig, berries to pick.
The morning was glorious, and became even more so, as she sat there, and watched the sun slowly peek out from the horizon, and light up the world in a soft golden glow. For half-an hour she sat there, and enjoyed the sunrise...and then she got to work.
She hopped down off the rock, and took off further into the woods. It was time to go hunting.
0o0
Only two hours later, she was heading back, having done well. She had managed to shoot three rabbits, and had collected a variety of plants and greens for tea; such plants as katniss roots, and wild onions. And that was enough; she was not a greedy hunter, only shooting and killing and gathering what she needed.
She stowed away her bow and arrows, hiding them back in the hollow of the pine tree. She snuck up to the fence, and gazed around, checking to see if the cost was clear. When she saw no one she went to slip under the loose part-
"Don't you know the woods are forbidden?"
The sudden voice made her jump about a foot into the air, and she spun around searching for its owner, stance ready to take action; whether to fight or to flee she had no clue. But as soon as she zeroed her gaze up into the pine tree, she relaxed
She raised an eyebrow and said "I could say the same of you."
For a moment, she stared up at him, and he stared down at her. It was silent, quiet, the only sound to hear was that of the bird song, and the leaves rustling in the breeze and then...they were both laughing.
After a moment they then stopped, and he nimbly climbed down to stand at her side. His eyes landed on the result of her morning's hunt, and huffed out an amused exhale and said "See you've done well, as usual."
She smiled, and slipped under the fence, with him following quickly behind. Then, like the shadows they resembled, they quietly snuck back into the main part of the well-spaced out village.
They did not talk anymore. There was no need to. The silence was a comfortable and relaxed one, and they simply trailed up the hill in the early morning sun's warmth. The huntress had known her companion for a long time, and he knew her as well as she knew him; most of the time, talk was not necessary between them.
They came back to the little white picket gate that led up to the moss-green door. He smirked, and crossed his arms "I'll be seeing you later, same place, on time?" he asked and stated all at the same time.
She smiled, and turned back to him having been making her way up the door she had slipped out of this morning "Wilcome Took, have I ever not been on time?"
Then, she opened the door snuck inside and closed it behind her, his laughter still echoing in her ears, causing her to smile.
0o0
It was 8 O'clock when Bilbo Baggins of Bag-End awoke from his slumber. He blinked open his eyes, and rubbed the sleep from them, sitting upright as he did so. He stretched, and smiled at the familiar sound of low humming coming from down the hall.
He got up, dressed and made his way to the kitchen, where a familiar and heart-warming sight was shown to him.
A young girl of no more than seventeen summers, was twirling and zipping around the room, stirring a pot, or flipping pancakes, humming softly as she did. She smiled, and pulled something off the stove, then reached up into a cupboard for a certain spice.
Bilbo was suddenly pulled back into a memory...
"Gran-gran, can I help?"
Bilbo looked up from the book he was reading, at the tiny shy little voice speaking. The little girl he had rescued seven months ago was stood at his mother's side, gazing up at her with those wide eyes.
She had only recently started speaking. She was a shy little thing, and hadn't spoken a word until a month ago. Now she stood, balancing lightly on her toes, rocking back and forth on them, like a little bird perched on a branch about to take flight.
Bilbo's mother smiled, scooped the little girl up, and placed her onto the counter. Belladonna tucked the loose curls of her hair back "Of course you can little bird." a bowl and wooden spoon with cake batter was placed in front of the child "Stir this, and if you do a good job, I'll let you lick the spoon."
The girl nodded, and grabbed the spoon and focused all her attention on her given task. It was if she had been given the most serious task in the world. Bilbo couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Bilbo's mother smiled once she had finished "Well done, little bird." the little girl beamed.
"Can I lick the spoon now gran-gran?" Belladonna laughed, and allowed it. Not a mere few moments later, cake batter was smeared across her cheeks and blotted on her nose.
Bilbo laughed. "What's so funny uncle? Uncle?"
"Uncle? What is it?" that same soft- but now older- voice spoke, and brought him out of the memory he had been caught up in "Uncle, are you coming?"
Bilbo shook himself out of memory induced haze, and smiled "Yes, yes of course."
She smiled, grabbed a basket of bread rolls, and the jug that was filled with coffee, and then made her way down the hall to the dining room. After a moment, grabbing two mugs, he followed right after her.
Breakfast was a pleasant affair. She had made him bacon, eggs, tomatoes, sausage and had filled his cup with thick rich black coffee. She had made fluffy golden pancakes with berries, with a cup of chilled milk for herself.
As they ate they talked. Once they finished, she stood and cleaned and washed the dishes, and he helped her dry and put them away. Bilbo noticed that just as she done when she was six summers old, she bounced on the tip of her toes, and there was excitement and barely contained patience.
Bilbo could tell all too clearly she was desperate to be out the door, and off on whatever trail she was going to go explore that day. He noticed how engrossed and curious she was about the woods and the places beyond, and despite his misgivings, he could not deny her such a simple thing that made her happy; exploring that is, and as long as she didn't actually go into the woods.
He sighed, and shook his head in mock-exasperation and said "All right, off you go."
She turned to him, confused. Her big eyes blinking down at him with surprise, then a small arched eyebrow rising at him "Go? Go where uncle? I don't understand."
He smiled, took the drying cloth out her hands, and then proceeded to push her down the hallway to the front door "I'm not blind you know. Go on out and enjoy the day."
She pulled on her cloak, frowning as she did so "Are you sure? I mean my chores-"
He waved her protests away, and handed her a simple brown basket, and opened the door "Never mind the chores, they can wait. Go and have fun, go and enjoy yourself. Perhaps you could pick some berries?"
She smiled, and hugged him "But..." she hesitated for only a moment "Ok, then I will." she kissed his cheek, and then walked out the door down the path.
As she opened the gate and shut it behind her, causing it to give it a slight soft squeak, Bilbo called out "Lilyana," she turned back to look at him over her shoulder "Don't be late for tea." he said, with a raised eyebrow and a slight smile.
She simply smiled herself, and then took off down the path, down the hill, further into the spaced out village that was their home. She was silent as she slipped away off to who knows where. Though Bilbo was reassured that she wouldn't be alone. He shook his head, and continued on with the day.
He smiled, knowing that Lilyana- as she always did- would lose track of time and most definitely be late for tea.
0o0
Lilyana couldn't believe her luck. Normally she would be expected to finish all of her chores- which included a whole lot of things, such as doing the weeding, washing, sweeping, and dusting. And she was also expected to practice her talent- which she did out of respect for her uncle and not because she wanted to, for she was shy when it came to it.
She strolled down the path, deeper and deeper into the village. She noticed Hamfast Gamgee tending to his garden- seeing as it was his day off today- and he grinned and gave a wave "Morning Lily!"
Lilyana smiled, and waved back "Morning Mr. Hamfast." he waved again, and then continued to tend to his garden.
She slipped her hand into her brown basket, and pulled out a small dark green covered book. She opened it to about three-quarters of the way in, and began to read as she walked. She had spent many a time walking as she read, and knew her home like the back of her hand, and therefore she did not need to see where she was going.
She inhaled, and smelt fresh dough baking and smiled "Good morning Miss Lily." she looked up.
It was Bruno Bracegirdle, the baker of the village. He wore a simple apron covered in a dusting of white flower, which was even in his light curly brown hair. She held back a laugh at the sight, and smiled good naturedly "Morning sir."
He dusted his hands, sending a cloud of white floury dust into the air "Where are you off to this early?"
She smiled "Just for a walk, and I might go to the bookshop," then she held up her book "I just finished a wonderful story, filled with far-off places and-"
Bruno Bracegirdle waved a hand dismissively "That's nice," then he turned and bellowed back into the bakery "Rosemary! The rolls hurry up and get them out the oven or they'll burn!"
Lilyana laughed under her breath, and shaking her head with an amused smile, continued on her way, her head buried completely into her little book. She skipped over a wide shallow little hole that was in the path- and had been there for as long as she could remember and quite possibly longer- and turned a page.
Lilyana was a funny girl, and anyone who knew her, even just remotely, knew that there was always a book in her hand, or about her person. She lived in her head mostly; letting her imagination run wild with all sorts of thoughts and ideas that would have the whole of her home tittering in gossip.
"Look there she goes, with her head buried in another of those books of hers," at the sound of the whisper-that-was-not Lilyana sighed "She's a strange girl she is. I'd say she was a Took, if she were a hobbit." the voice belonged to Amaris Boffin, a gossiper by trade.
Lilyana just strolled on, deaf to the world and those that inhibited it. Another page turned under her hands, and she found she was getting to one of her favourite parts. Most thought her odd, strange, and most said often- though not in Bilbo Baggins' hearing- that she was ill in her mind, and unrespectable.
She looked up from page she was on, and saw she had come to where she had intended. The little shop on the corner was owned and run by Mr Falco Chubb. A small quaint little place with an oak door and wide open windows and shelves upon shelves of books.
It was an unusual shop for most hobbits liked to keep their minds and thoughts on the present time and place, and not on the dangerous things of the rest of the world. But she was glad for it, because books had become an integral part of her life, as much as her hunting had.
Lilyana pushed open the little door, and set a small bell tinkling away that announced her presence. Mr Falco looked up from the counter and beamed "Ah Miss Lily, I was wondering when you'd be by."
Lilyana nodded her head, and began to peruse the shelves "I know, it's been a while."
He laughed, his slightly rotund belly bouncing with his mirth "A few days is a while to you when it comes to books my dear."
She flushed a little at the comment, but smiled none the less "Have you got anything new Mr Falco?"
He laughed again "Not since..." he paused then fingered his chin "Actually, yes, I do believe I do. Hang on a moment," then he disappeared, and returned not a second later "Would this interest you?"
It was thick tome in width but not too large in height. The cover was thick and smooth and the colour of a darkened sapphire. The title was written in curling silver cursive; The Origins of Middle-Earth and its People.
Curiosity thoroughly spiked she flipped open the cover and began to read the first few lines of the book. She felt her eyes getting wider and wider, and her excitement getting higher and higher.
She began to nod, and remembering she had been asked a question looked up and said "Yes sir, this would interest me, very much," she closed it and stood straight "How much?"
He chuckled and waved her away "No charge," she tried to protest but he waved her away once more "No, no I insist. You are my best customer. Consider it a very early birthday present hmmm?"
She bit her lip, hesitating. Mr Falco chuckled then pressed the book into her hands and led her to the door "I insist my dear. No off you go and enjoy your book."
She smiled, and curtsied "Thank you, thank you very much Mr Falco." then she left, thanking him over and over as she did.
It was a very rare thing when Mr Falco had new books that she hadn't read before. Hobbits weren't very inclined to read novels and stories about far-off places and adventures and other races that walked the earth.
"Hello Lily."
She looked up from her book, and almost rolled her eyes at the sight of the person before her "Good morning Otho." let it be said she was polite, even to those she wished she didn't have to be polite too.
Suddenly her book was snatched out her hands. She frowned "Otho can I have my book please?" she reached out a hand, a gesture that said she was waiting for him to place it there.
He turned it sideways, and starting flicking through the pages, rotating it from side to side as if to get a better angle "How can you read this? There are no pictures."
Lilyana folded her arms "Some people like to use their imaginations. Now may I please have my book-?"
Otho Sackville-Baggins closed the book with snap and said with a superior tone "Lily it's about time you got your head out of these books, and onto much more important things," he threw it over his shoulder, and it landed in the mud "Like me."
Lily had gotten down to her knees to retrieve it, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her reach "The whole of the Shire is talking about it. It's not right for a woman to read, especially if she wants to remain respectable. Soon she starts getting ideas and goes-" he shuddered "Adventuring."
She sighed, and managed to pick up the book, and wiped it clean on her cloak "Otho you are positively primeval."
He puffed up with arrogance and self-pride, and smirking said "Why thank you Lily," he thought she had been giving a compliment. Far from it "What say we take a walk around, maybe stop at the Green Dragon and share a drink or two?"
He slung an arm over her shoulder and tried to lead her away "No, thank you. Maybe another time, when I'm of age," she said pointedly "I really need to get going."
He reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving. She tried to slip her wrist free but his grip was too strong. "Lily, there you are!" they both looked up at the voice, and when they both saw who was coming over, Otho's hold on her released.
It was Wilcome and his older brother Adalgrim. Lilyana sighed with relief. Wilcome was frowning clearly annoyed, and she could see that although there was a jovial smile on Adalgrim's lips, his eyes were narrowed and filled with suspicion.
Lily smiled and nodding her head in respect she backed away and said "Good day Otho." then she took hold of Adalgrim and Wilcome's arms and pulled them away.
"What did he want?" Wilcome asked, still annoyed and bothered by the interaction with Otho Sackville-Baggins.
Lily looked behind them, and noticed that Otho, looking disgruntled and just as annoyed as Wilcome, had stalked off, muttering and mumbling under his breath. She sighed in relief again and answered "Nothing. He was just being his usual charming self." she said dryly
Adalgrim looked up at her- for though she was short by Men standards she was still a head or so taller than all hobbits- and said "I heard tell, that he plans to ask for your hand."
She choked, and started coughing in shock and surprise. When she finally got her voice back she said "What? He is?!"
Wilcome's hands were clenched, and she noticed he was shaking. She frowned, confused at her best friend's behaviour "If he does ask, what will you say?" Adalgrim asked her.
She blinked, and instantly blurted out "No, I'll say no of course. Nothing and no one could make me say yes to him. I'd rather go for a swim in the Bywater Pool than marry Otho Sackville-Baggins."
Wilcome's hands flattened out and he stopped shaking. His shoulders also came out of their slump, and straightened. An easy smile was back onto his face "What, is he not handsome enough for you?" he teased
Lilyana scoffed "Oh he's handsome all right, and rude and conceited and-urg no he's not the one for me. I'd court and marry any man, dwarf, elf and hobbit before I'd even so much as consider thinking about it."
Wilcome laughed, loud and hard, while his older brother just rolled his eyes and smiled amusedly. Lilyana smiled too, the unease she had felt around Otho and at his presence completely vanishing into the air.
It was strange but she had never put any thought into who was the right one for her. She had always been focused on her daily routine and nothing else really. No, Lilyana had never thought about the topic of love and courting and marriage and all of that.
But, why couldn't she? She was just like another female of any other race. Granted even she herself thought of herself as different and not like normal girls, but that didn't mean that a small part of her didn't think about it.
That small part of her thought and wanted a normal, simple life. She wanted to find someone, fall in love and marry someday. Settle down.
But the problem was, there was no one here that she could see spending the rest of her life with. Otho was a most definite no, and so were his friends, and most of his relatives. Some of the hobbit-lads in the village were nice enough, but she wasn't close friends, or close at all with any of them.
It was then, following her thoughts, her gaze turned to the two walking beside her.
Adalgrim had the tanned skin of a hobbit that worked outdoors or spent a lot of time in the sun. He was apprenticed to the blacksmith, Mormont Bracegirlde, and that was why he had a stocky but toned and muscled build- most hobbits were content creatures and did not do much heavy lifting work. He had curly sun bronzed hair and eyes the colour of green bottle glass.
Adalgrim was kind, calm and very diplomatic. He wasn't prone to starting arguments, for most of the time he was the one fixing them. He was good looking yes, but to Lilyana he was no more than an older brother, and a very close friend. Not to mention that he was betrothed to Poppy Evergreen, the daughter of the barkeep at the Green Dragon.
Then, there was Wilcome. Of a lighter skin-tone than Adalgrim, and a couple inches taller as well. He was more slim, with the agile build of a hunter-like her- then stocky. His hair was shaggy, and curled only slightly and was the colour of coal. His eyes were green too, but a darker shade, like the moss that grew on the oak trunks, and the early summer leaves on the trees in the woods.
Wilcome was compassionate, and determined in nature. If there was a fight or argument you could be sure, that while he didn't physically start it, he'd be in the middle of it. He was her confidant, and someone she shared the excitement of hunting with.
Studying him now, Lilyana noted that she found him much more attractive than Adalgrim. Maybe it was because out of the two brothers, she got along better with Wilcome, or maybe it was something else, but whatever it was, she was only just noticing the handsomeness of him- him and his older brother both really.
"Hey, Lily?" she blinked and looked at Wilcome who had gotten her attention "You fancy going to the Green Dragon for a bit?" she opened her mouth to speak but he continued "Not for any beer or anything, or at least not for you."
She smiled and nodded. Adalgrim sighed in mock exasperation "While you two waste the day, I'm heading off to work. Try to stay out of trouble?"
Lilyana laughed and called out after him "Come on Grim, you know us. When do we ever go looking for trouble?"
Adalgrim called back to them "It's not always you that finds trouble Lily, it usually finds you."
Then he was gone off down the path to the blacksmith, leaving her and Wilcome to head the other way, towards the Green Dragon.
Wilcome bowed with a flourish and said in a fake noble tone "Shall we?"
She laughed, and hooked her arm with his "We shall." Then, laughing and talking all the while, they walked off arm in arm.
She smiled and continued on her way with Wilcome, her mood now firmly content and good.
0o0
It was a splendid early morning, and Bilbo had found in himself an urge to enjoy the sun. He had found his pipe and now sat outside on the little cushioned bench in his front garden, blowing smoke rings up to the sky with ease.
He was content, comfortable and had not a care in the world. There was nothing that could possibly spoil his good mood on such a fine day as this.
A puff of smoke from his pipe went up into his eyes and nose and made him splutter and cough and made them water slightly. He blinked open his eyes. Standing there on the other side of the low picket fence was a man.
He was a tall man, and towered over Bilbo in a way no one ever had before. He wore grey clothes and cloak, had a silver scarf wrapped around his neck, and a pointed grey hat atop his head. In his hands which were covered with grey fingerless gloves, was a brown wooden staff.
His eyes were electric blue in colour and twinkled with mischievousness. His face was weathered with lines, under a grey beard, that were obviously from laughing and smiling often rather than frowning.
Being a respectable, and well-mannered hobbit Bilbo said "Good morning."
The man raised an eyebrow at him and said "What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?"
Bilbo sat, pipe almost falling from his lips, when his mind caught up on the numerous replies to his politeness he had just been given, and replied "All of them at once, I suppose."
The man seemed to nod and hummed in thought. For a moment there was silence, as those electric blue eyes stared at him. Unnerved by the gaze, Bilbo spoke up "Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen," the man said "I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."
Bilbo's felt his eyes go wide, and his heart start to race. That word. It was always that word that caused him to react like this. He was well acquainted with that word, and not for wanting to be.
"An adventure?" he blurted out in shock "No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures."
The man hummed in thought again, and Bilbo was sure he saw a knowing look in the blue eyes gazing at him. For a split second Bilbo wondered what on earth it was this man knew, that he did not. Did this man know someone here, who would be interested in an adventure?
An image of a figure with dark-hair bent over a book, as they sat in an armchair by the window sprang into Bilbo's mind. Could this man possibly be talking about- No, no it wasn't possible.
Then Bilbo dismissed the notion; what on earth could this strange tall man know about the Shire and those who lived there, and stood to his feet "Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things," he said as he checked the mail box "Make you late for dinner, heh, heh."
Bilbo then pretended to be engrossed in his mail, and every now and then looked up, hoping the stranger was gone. He had no such luck. "Good morning." he said dismissively and began to walk up the stone steps to his front door.
"To think that I should have lived to be 'good morninged' by Belladonna Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door," Bilbo had stopped walking away and faced him now, as the man continued "What a lot of things you do use good morning for. For now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off."
"I beg your pardon?" Bilbo asked, pipe and mail now forgotten for the moment
"You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins." the man admonished him.
For a moment, Bilbo felt years younger. He felt like a young-hobbit lad again, and getting scolded by his mother for bringing mud and dirt into the house. He shook the thought away and asked "I'm sorry do I know you?"
The man huffed a little, seeming to be exasperated "Well you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it," He replied "I'm Gandalf. And Gandalf means..." he smiled "...Me."
"Gandalf?" Bilbo questioned, before a far-off memory of when he was really small at a Mid-Summer's Eve festival, was brought forward and there was recognition "Not Gandalf the wandering Wizard who made such excellent fireworks? Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve."
The wizard looked pleased with himself. Or at least he did until Bilbo continued on to say "I had no idea you were still in business."
"And where else should I be?" Gandalf asked with a huff
Bilbo, good thinkingly said no more, and puffed on his pipe, clearing his throat. For a moment or two neither said anything, Bilbo avoiding the searching gaze of the Wizard, and the Wizard trying to catch it.
"Well, I'm pleased to find you remember something about me," Gandalf said eventually "Even if it's only my fireworks. Yes, well that's decided," he nodded his head, seeming to be in thought, then his blue eyes lit up with mirth "It'll be very good for both of you..." he grinned "...And most amusing for me. I shall inform the others."
Bilbo's confusion at the words 'It'll be good for both of you' vanished into panic "Inform the who? What? No. No. No-wait," he went up the path, and stopped at his door "We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today. Not- I suggest you try Over the Hill, or Across the Water."
Bilbo waved and gestured as he spoke, as if his gestures might help convince where his words would not. Gandalf merely watched as the frantic hobbit continued to protest. He leaned against his staff, and looked on in bemusement.
"Good morning" then Bilbo slipped around the door and shut it firmly behind him.
Breathing a breath of relief to have escaped further questioning and uncomfortableness under the Wizard's searching gaze, he leaned back against the door, and tried to calm his racing heart.
He made sure to lock and bolt the door before turning away.
0o0
Gandalf watched with amusement as the head of curly hair disappeared quick as a rabbit behind the green door. He shook his head, then pushed open the gate, walked up the stone steps, and took a hold of his staff.
There on the door, he began to carve a symbol into the wood.
0o0
Bilbo froze, hearing a curious noise; he put his ear close to the door. The noise was the sound of scratching. Alarmed, Bilbo looked out his side window, to the right of the door.
He jumped with fright, when he saw Gandalf's eyes appear in front of him. He stepped back and hid behind a wall just past the doorway to the next room. He looked out another window and was relieved to see Gandalf hurrying away, humming as he did so.
Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief again, and pushing all thoughts of Wizards and adventures away, went back to enjoying his day.
0o0