Happy Hobbity birthday everyone. In the spirit of Hobbit Birthdays, I'm gifting you all today for mine. *grins* I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's not quite my favorite, but it is the longest one so far.

AN: Sunsides, since you don't sign in, I can't PM you. Thank you so much for your reviews. You have no idea how much they've made my day. I wasn't sure if people were enjoying this over here on FanFiction and was thinking of posting only on archiveofourown. I keep posting here because of people like you. Thank you. :)

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Chapter 6

A Test of Spirit

"Mistress Baggins, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lord Elrond smiled fondly at the young hobbit that had graced his halls.

She smiled up at him, "Lord Elrond, I thank you for the warm welcome. I apologize for not sending word of my arrival before had, I found myself on an unexpected adventure." She quickly fell into step beside him as he lead the way through one of the many gardens that graced the Valley.

He could not help but like the small creature beside him. "Any child of Belladonna is welcome in this land." Not leading them too far, he stopped at a small gazebo and offered her a seat before taking his own.

"She will be ever so glad to hear that you remember her. Mother has always spoke fondly of the time she spent here before she married my father. It was her stories that encouraged my need to adventure and the want to visit this beautiful land."

He nodded, his thoughts both far in the past and sifting through the conversation he'd had early in the morning. He had a feeling there was a much deeper reason for her visit to the Last Homely House. "It has been some time since our last correspondence, I am glad to hear she still thinks of us fondly. It was a pleasure to have her here and we would be happy to see her again."

Bilbo pulled her feet underneath herself to get comfortable, "I'm afraid that moms adventuring days have come to an end, however, mine have just begun."

A might bit early though if he remembered correctly, "Ah, yes, but as I recall, hobbits do not come of age until thirty-three and it hasn't been that long since we received word of your birth Mistress Bilba."

"It's Bilbo actually, and well, no," she chuckled, "I'm only twenty-five, but it was time for me to leave for a while." Giving him a sheepish grin, "I really didn't want to get married."

He smiled at her and waved in another elf who carried a tray with tea and nibbles. It was placed on a small table between them and the intruder left as quickly as they came. "Here I thought hobbits dreamed of good food, family and fun." Pouring a cup of tea, he wordlessly offered it to her, along with a small pot of honey. "One of the many things Belladonna spoke of was her excitement of wedding Bungo upon her return to the Shire on her last visit."

She quickly made her tea to her linking and sipped before answering, "Well, that would be because mother was marrying her heart. There is nothing more important. However, father wished to have me join with someone to keep me from adventuring; which of course backfired; and my heart belongs to someone else. It just isn't our time as of yet."

He frowned, "That doesn't sound like something she would have allowed."

Grinning over the large mug that she needed both hands to hold steady, "That is why I am here with her blessing, instead of marrying the Bracegirtle that I once gave a black eye to."

"You do have your mother's spirit," he gave her a smile. "You may stay in our halls for as long as you need little Mistress."

"Please just call me Bilbo, I have too much Took in me to hold to titles." She gave him a grin and sipped on her tea, "As for staying, I much appreciate the offer, but I was hoping to ask you for your assistance. As I said, although I'm a Baggins, I'm also a Took at heart. I wish to get wilderness training and I will not to be allowed to do so back in the Shire. As a Baggins, we're expected to be homebodies and not to have any inclination for joining the Bounders, and because of this, I'll never be accepted by them." She placed her mug down and clasped her hand in front of herself, "I know that you are on good terms with the Rangers of the North, and I was hoping that you would be willing to introduce me to someone who would be willing to take me on."

Sitting his own tea aside, he could see the soft glow that seemed to envelop the small creature in front of him. Something he had only seen on a few others, "The Dúnedain do not take on students lightly." He watched her shoulders slump slightly, "Even if I asked, they may say no. Why would they wish to take on one who comes from such soft lands?" He didn't want to be harsh, however, he knew she needed to hear the truth.

He was impressed by the fire that ignited in her eyes, "Hobbits maybe soft, and most may have no desire to do more than use a knife for cooking. I on the other hand am different. I can shoot a bow, I have some knowledge on how to live from the land, and I am not afraid to travel on my own. Although I am not battle tested," no adding 'in this life', "I understand that if I go to them, I will face goblins, orcs and other dangerous creatures. I am not scared to get my hands dirty. Afraid to have to take a life, but I enter into this with my eyes wide open." She was breathing heavily as she fished her impassioned rant.

He just sat there as she spoke, listening to both the words she spoke and the words she didn't. "You are young Bilbo, with a long life ahead of you, from a land that knows mostly peace. There is something you are not saying that makes you speak as such." He almost chuckled at the stink eye she gave him, and was certain he did hear some from the bushes behind himself.

"I am not so young as to not realize that peace doesn't last. One abnormally cold season is all it would take for the Shire to become a battle ground. Not from within, but from other races that realize our larders our usually fuller than most. It has happened before and I know it will happen again. My people are believers in peace and that nothing bad will ever happen. Yet, I know better." She was desperately trying to hold in her anger, no one else knew what she did and she couldn't let too much slip. "Please, if they say no, then I will do what I can on my own, but please allow me to have the chance."

Nodding slightly, "I will do what I can, but if they say no, you are welcome to come back to us. Many of my people have spent many years living off the land."

She heaved a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Lord Elrond. You truly do not know how much this means."

Rising from his seat, he gently laid a hand on her shoulder, "Rest in our home for a time, the Dúnedain will pass through our lands in a few weeks and I know who I will speak to on your behalf. Until that time, I ask that you enjoy the bounty that resides here."

She smiled up at him again and nodded, "I truly would be glad to enjoy at least one more hot bath before having to bathe in rivers again." She laughed lightly, "If it would not be too much of a problem, do you think someone would be willing to look over my gear before I leave?"

There was a distant crash and a series of yelling that couldn't quite be made out, "Oh I know just the elf to help you," he had a half frown and started to turn away, "Please stay and enjoy the tea, I must go now and deal with my errant sons before they find more trouble to get into." With that he slipped back into the garden, leaving a slightly bewildered hobbit behind.

They both had much to think about.

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"I know you were listening in, old friend."

A low laugh came from the lounging figure, "She's a little spit-fire. I had always thought that halflings were gentle little creatures."

Giving the ender elf's leg a nudge with his foot as he passed, "Don't let her hear you way that word. That wee things mother nearly tried to geld me when I said it. Apparently, they are half of nothing, but are exactly how their Mother intended." Sitting gracefully into his own chair, "And most of them are. Gentle creatures, that is. Yet a few have come to surprise me over my life."

"Do you think she'll survive training with the men?"

"She'll at least try."

"Humf." The golden haired elder sat up straight, "I had meant to go hunting orcs with your sons again, but I think I will stay and see how his plays out. The Valar sent me to your home at this time for a reason it seems. You don't often see one such as her often."

"So you believe she was sent back?" He was watching his old friend closely.

His normally cheerful eyes were slightly clouded, "Yes, though not in the same way."

"And you think we should help?" It wasn't really a question.

"I don't really think we have much of a choice old friend. That child of the earth has much to offer."

"I did see the light. You were right, it is hard to miss if you know what to look for."

The golden haired elf rose gracefully from where he lounged and went the side bar, where a decanter of wine and a few glasses rested. After pouring a drink for both of them, he handed one to Elrond and went to lounge again. Finally breaking the silence again. "I wonder if she even knows. Some do and some don't; only having the urge to do something different."

"Most likely not, her mother sent message of her birth and unlike you, she doesn't have the option of thousands of years."

Taking a deep drink, "Which is why I think she might. Time for her is of the essence. Without some foreknowledge, she would be lost. Especially coming from such a gentle land. Though it is likely no more than the feeling that she need to be some place by some time."

"Was that what it was like for you?" He rarely spoke of that time in his life openly.

"No," a troubled look passed over his face, "It was slow," he rubbed at his chest where old faded scars still haunted him, "and painful. At first I could not remember my own name. Though once I met with someone who said it, I knew it was mine. After which, old memories returned. I was both gladdened and saddened to know that I was back. The only thing I knew for certain, was that I was to pledge myself to you and that someday the answers would come. Until that time I will stay in Middle Earth and do what is needed."

Elrond sipped at his wine as he watched his oldest friend, concern for his mind in the wake of this, "It is strange to hear you openly speak of this after all this time."

He finished off his wine and placed the glass on the floor beside where he lounged, "She calls to me. I do not know why, but I need to be here because of this Hal... sorry, Hobbit." He looked up, meeting Elrond's eyes, "May I have your permission to join the Earth's Child while she labours to learn?"

He was already nodding his head, "You needn't ask." Giving his friend a smile, "I would actually like you to look over her gear. See if she needs anything, including her clothing, as what she arrived in wouldn't survived what she is looking to do. Perhaps some proper woodland gear and a second set? Also, her weapons are most likely from Bree, as I do not remember Hobbits having weapon smiths, which means, they are very likely poor quality."

"I agree with the gear and weapons. Why are you so willing to help this small being?" He was right to wonder.

"For the same reason as you old friend. Something calls to me about her. Also, I knew her emil from when she used to visit in her youth. I probably would have helped for that reason alone. Yet, perhaps more hesitant about it."

A sparkle lit the elder elf's eyes, making him look much younger than his numbered years, "She is a mystery, one that I hope to solve someday. Shall we send word to Mithrandir that one of his charges has fallen into our care?"

Elrond actually frowned, "No, it will not be necessary. She came to us and we shall keep it to the few who are in the know for now. Hobbits do not adventure often, I do not wish for him to try and change the fate this child will face. He does love to meddle in the affairs of others." Finishing off his win, he placed the empty glass next to him on his desk.

"Agreed," standing to take his leave, "I am going to go find my new friend and see if I can find anything out."

Laughing a bit, "Go, and invite her for tea. The best way to charm a Hobbit, feed them."

With that the elder walked away, his laughter floating through the open halls.

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Emil – mother in Sindarin

I think the next chapter will be out on the 11th, but it may be the 12th due to my work schedule. We're in the middle of a huge change up at work and my schedule is day by day right now instead of a few weeks in advance. I'm just thankful to be working.

I have the next chapter written, I just need to type it up now, and I like it much more than this one. More of time in Rivendell and a little bit of fun.