A/N: Someone requested I post another chapter before Christmas - how could I say no to that? As far as writing goes, I've started the 13th, but it doesn't want to work with me right now. I'll post up to chapter 12 before New Year at the latest :) Hope you enjoy


Bilbo had, quite honestly, been so caught up in preparing for the dwarves to arrive for the past few months that he had neglected to think on just how much leaving home like this for the second time was going to affect him. But as the dwarves packed up their things and begun to ready themselves to begin their journey, Bilbo found himself dallying, taking lingering glances at things that he would be leaving behind – perhaps forever. And truly, it wasn't the walls or the doors or the furniture that he would miss, but the memories attached to them.

There was his fathers armchair, by which he and Will had sat and listened to many a fireside tale of the histories of hobbits, the Dunedain or elves, for Bungo had always fancied himself something of a historian. There was his collection of books, which had mounted over the years. And there was Will's room, which he now remembered (and wasn't that funny, that he could have forgotten it?) had become Frodo's soon after he had joined Bilbo in Bag End. And even the study, where Bilbo spent many of his hours – a great many, in fact – writing his book. The table where he had taught Frodo and Samwise their letters. Dear Frodo and Samwise, a steadier friendship between hobbit lads would never be seen throughout the Shire. Samwise had carried Frodo to the very mouth of Mt. Doom, when he could no longer carry his burden on his own – Bilbo couldn't help but admire him for that.

Letting out a shaking breath, he steadied himself and picked up his things – his travel bag was much heavier, now that he knew what such adventures entailed, and all around he was much better prepared. Only, he hadn't prepared at all, not for this part. Not for the actual leaving hishome – and though he had told Thorin it wasn't much of a home any longer, that had been somewhat of a hollow truth, because it still held so much memory, even if only the ghosts of his haunted past lingered there – after all, only a dragon and his hoard remained in Erebor now, and still Thorin longed to reclaim it, so really, the dwarves would be hypocritical to criticize him for this sudden bout of homesickness, even if he was not yet out the door.

"Thorin!" he all but squeaked in surprise as he turned to face the dwarf, heart hammering in his chest like a jack-rabbit. "Don't do that."

"Apologies, Master Baggins. I merely came to check on you. You have all of your things, I suppose?" he asked, nodding to the pack in Bilbo's arms and the thick travelling coat (perfect for concealing his knives). Bilbo frowned, suddenly realising that, whilst he had his bow, his quiver and arrows were mysteriously missing – though he had a sneaking suspicion he knew where they had disappeared to, and who it was who had disappeared them.

"Yes, yes, once I reacquisition my arrows from your nephew, I'll have quite everything I need." he replied, and Thorin gave him a small smile, before squeezing his shoulder gently. Honestly, dwarves. Still, he supposed that, in it's own way, the gesture was comforting, and it was certainly kindly meant. "I simply need a moment to... say goodbye, I suppose". Which was true, but he felt extremely vulnerable in revealing such a thing to Thorin, but the dwarf only acknowledged his words with a nod, and left the room.

"I shall make sure Kili gives them back, Master Baggins." He said quietly as he left, shutting the door behind him.

"Bilbo. I do believe I've told him to call me Bilbo already." he grumbled under his breath as he dug in one of his drawers to find what he needed. It was tucked right into a corner, and the chain was knotted, but he put it safely into his pocket without looking at it for now. He might need the strength it gave him along on the journey, but it was enough just to carry them with him, even though he could not bear to look at their faces.

"Goodbye, Ma, Pa, Will. I know at least two of you would be happy about all this adventuring I'm going to be having, and Pa, even if you weren't, I know you'd hug me tight and wish me luck. I don't know how likely I am to meet any wolves – but wargs and orcs aplenty I'm certain of." He sighed, drinking in the sights of his home one last time. "I know it isn't very hobbitish of me, but perhaps I will find some peace if I can avenge even one of you. I miss you all, and I'll miss Bag End, but this is something I have to do."

He picked up his key from his set of things and walked out the door to where all of the dwarves were already on their ponies, save Thorin, who appeared bemused by Hamfast Gamgee, who was clearly scolding him.

"-can you folks all mean by this, stealing our Mister Baggins off on an adventure, of all things. It's not right and it's not proper-"

"Hamfast!" Bilbo admonished, but his tone was fond. "I'm not being stolen anywhere. I am not some thing to be burgled." he caught Nori's eye in particular as he said this, and the thief snorted with laughter. "And if I wish to go on an adventure, I shall. Though I shall expect my garden to be as neat as when I left it, should I return, Hamfast, and I've arranged with the Thain that you'll still be paid for your work, not to worry." Hamfast was still glaring half-heartedly at the dwarves, but at Bilbo's words he had all but deflated. "And of course, I'll need you to keep an eye that Lobelia doesn't try anything, Master Gamgee."

"Not on your life, Mister Baggins, sir. If I have to whack her with my rake I'll keep her off yer property. Thoroughly uppity lass who talks through her arse, if you ask me, beggin yer pardon, sir, for the language." Hamfast blushed – and wasn't he so much like Sam was (will be) at his age? Perhaps, if he did return, they could strike up a closer friendship than just that of employer and gardener.

"I'm to be travelling among dwarves, Hamfast. That's likely not the worst that I'll hear." there were snickers from a lot of the younger dwarves at that, and Balin and Dwalin shared a look and small, secret grins. "But it's good that you're here, seeing as there's something I'd like you to take care of for me." He held out his key and pressed it into Hamfast's hand. "There are still some odds and ends in the pantry, which you should feel free to make use of as you like. If you could dust it every now and then, I would most appreciate it."

"As you say, Mister Baggins, sir." The gardener agreed, but he still looked mostly stunned, clutching the key tightly in his hand. Bilbo, still feeling somewhat sentimental, stepped forward and hugged Hamfast tight.

"You take care of yourself and that missus of yours, now, Hamfast." he told him, and turned to where Gandalf was keeping a-hold of Myrtle for him. He mounted himself up onto the saddle, and though it felt familiar to be once again atop this pony, that did not, by any means, make itcomfortable. He was going to be sore for at least the first week of their journey, but unlike before, the dwarves would hear narry a complaint from him. Not one. Except if they started it. Then it was fair game to complain, because they couldn't call him a weakling without doing the same to one of their own.

"Shall we be off now then, Master Oakenshield?" he asked politely once he had gotten himself settled in his saddle.

"Aye, Master Baggins. We shall, if there are no further hobbits determined to maim us from stealing their favourite Baggins." And with that, the dwarf king nudged his pony into the lead, whilst Bilbo stayed behind with Nori, Dori and Ori. Bifur and his cousins were also quite close by.

"To be fair, there aren't many Bagginses in Hobbiton and one of them is a Sackville-Baggins and married to Lobelia." he grumbled to himself. He looked up from Myrtle's mane to see Ori frowning.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Can I slingshot tomatoes at her if we ever see her again?" It was such a surprise that it came from Ori that Bilbo couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, lad. As delighted as I would be to see her face after that, I've already made Kili promise not to fight my petty little battles for me. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't make you promise the same."

"Fine." The young dwarf grumbled, deflatedly.

"But I might just have to ask to borrow it so I can do it myself." he reassured, and Ori perked up.

"I'd be delighted to lend you it for just such a thing, Mister Bilbo."

"That gardener of yours can curse something fierce, Mister Bilbo" Bofur chimed in from behind him. "I was half expecting him to take on Thorin with that rake in his hands." the miner laughed, and Bilbo shook his head, rolling his eyes fondly.

"Hamfast's a good sort." He assured them, "a fine hobbit, and one couldn't ask for a more steadfast friend than a Gamgee. Unfortunately, he still insists on calling me "sir". It wouldn't be proper otherwise, he's always insisted, since I'm his employer. Which is ridiculous, because I've lost count of how many times I insist that he call me Bilbo."

"Aye, he sounds like a fine fella to drink a few rounds wi'" Bofur said mildly, causing Bilbo to snort.

"Oh, a fine idea that is – drinking with a Gamgee never ends well. Once, when we were barely out of our tweens, Hamfast and I went down to the Green Dragon for a few pints, but I woke up in the morning to a pounding headache and half-dressed in one of my mother's floral gowns. Turns out he'd tried to put it on me whilst I slept but he fell asleep right on top of me. I'm only glad I never went outside with it on – can you imagine?" The dwarves beside him, and even Gandalf who brought up the rear chortled in laughter. "I'd have been laughed right out of the Shire" Bilbo added, "and imagine the fuel it would have given to Lobelia's fire? She'd never have let it go. And no matter what you do, never ever drink the Gamgee's moonshine. You'll be singing like a dying cat from the first sip until noon the next day." And so the day's ride passed in cheerful chatter with the dwarves around him, answering this question and that about the Shire, before twilight was upon them, and Thorin called them to stop just before dusk. Bilbo didn't think of his pocket handkerchief even once (although he had quite forgotten it again. It seemed that some things were fixed points in time, and forgetting that handkerchief was one of them).

It was a place that had obviously been camped in before, but not for some time. It was well sheltered by rocks on one side, and steep hills on the other. The wind might lash at them, but if they were set upon, they would not be unaware. Bilbo knew they would not be set upon, though, for he knew this place from before. As the others were setting up camp, and Bilbo rolling out his own bedroll, Thorin came to stand beside him, and nearly made the hobbit jump six feet in the air when he cleared his throat loudly. Bilbo hid his surprise, however, and turned to face the king.

"Yes?"

"Thank you, for your stories today. It stopped the others from becoming too melancholy at the refusal of aid by our kin."

"Oh – well, I didn't tell them for any particular reason, I just found that once I started, I couldn't quite stop." the hobbit explained, and Thorin shook his head.

"Nevertheless, it helped steer their thoughts from more dour subjects."

"And yet yours never strayed from them? I shall have to think of more exciting stories than Old Took's parties, then."

"There is nothing wrong with your stories, Master Baggins. It is merely that even so, I cannot be distracted from my fears for my people." Bilbo hummed thoughtfully at the king's admission.

"Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, and I cannot pretend to understand all of your troubles, but my dear old father Bungo used to say that a burden shared is a burden halved. Perhaps I am just a simple hobbit, but I'll always have a willing ear to lend, should you care to share them" he assured Thorin, who marvelled at his thoughtfulness.

"I cannot ask that of you." he protested, but Bilbo just smiled mischeviously.

"You did not ask, Master Oakenshield – I offered, if you remember correctly." Thorin rolled his eyes at the hobbit's words.

"You are as adept at finding loopholes as Balin has always been at creating them." He groaned. "Mahal help us all if you decide to take over Middle-Earth."

"We'd make everyone talk over their problems, Balin would write contracts and I would serve tea and cakes to bribe them into playing nicely. It would all work like clockwork and there would never be any wars ever again, and even dragons would tremble in fear, lest they were deprived of my finest teacakes." Bilbo decided firmly, and Thorin bit his lip to keep from laughing. The hobbit felt quite pleased with himself for earning that laughter.

"You are quite something, Master Baggins-"

-But Thorin didn't finish his sentence, because at that moment, a vaguely Kili shaped blur slammed into the hobbit, knocking poor Bilbo quite flat on his back, and landing on top of him in his excitement.