Oh. My. Goodness. I am so sorry. Over a month, and I left you with a terrible ending to that last chapter. Life has just been very chaotic this last few weeks; school, some family issues, more school. And I have had the worst case of writers block ever. I still do, but I'm working through it. This chapter has been especially difficult to write; I struggled finding the right words to explain Bilbo leaving his children, but I just couldn't. Even I was frustrated with him. But we get past that this chapter, so hopefully there will not be such a long hiatus between chapters. I'm trying guys, honest.
Random question, but does anyone else really like Carry On My Wayward Son? It's my favorite song, and I listen to it on repeat for hours, along with Eye of the Tiger. Sorry, like I said, random. I was just curious.
Nimrodel626: I agree completely with you, I don't think that is something Bilbo would do, but it had to happen. I hate it though, which is why I struggled so much with this chapter I think. Hopefully this will make it better, but I doubt it :/
*Note: not really important, but I've gone back and fixed some grammar/spelling mistakes in previous chapters. Nothing significant.
I despise this chapter, but hopefully you enjoy it. I'm sorry for any mistakes; it's 4 in the morning and I am tired. The next update will be sooner than 40 days. That is absurd. Anyhow, chapter nine!
Chapter Nine: Catching Up
"Going after him! Are you mad? Fee, I don't think Papa will like that very much. I don't think he will like it at all, actually." Lenorah frowned to herself, imagining the look on Bilbo's face when he discovered them following him. There were very few times Lenorah could recall her father being upset with them; she could count them all on one hand. She did not want to add this to the total.
"Lee, you don't honestly think that we're just going to stay here and let him go off across Middle Earth without us, do you?" Fili chided, strolling over to the chest by the door and rummaging inside, before pulling out leather packs. They hadn't been used in quite a few years; the dust rose up around Fili in a cloud. He coughed, waving his hand in the air and moving around the room, collecting things he thought they may need.
"Fee, I think Lee's right, Papa said it was too dangerous for us-"
Fili held up a hand, silencing Kili.
"Kee, stop. Papa put me in charge, and I say that we are going after him. End of discussion. Now go pack; I'm not sure how long we'll be gone, but I imagine it will be awhile."
Kili and Lenorah exchanged a look, before beginning to collect their own things and shoving them into their packs. They were almost done when a loud knock on the door pulled them up short. Lenorah opened the door and cried in delight.
"Esme, Eggie! What are you doing here?"
Lenorah threw her arms around her friends necks, laughing as she pulled them inside.
"We've just come from the market, and wanted to see what you were up to; what on Arda are you doing?"
Lenorah bit her lip, turning to Fili for an answer.
"Papa has gone on a...holiday, and we are going to join him."
Eggie gasped, her eyes wide in excitement; Esme did not seem as pleased.
"Fee, may I speak with you please? Privately?"
The two disappeared into the kitchen. After several minutes, they returned, both of their faces a slight red.
"Come on, we have to leave now to catch up to Papa in time. Goodbye Eggie, Esme. You'll remember what we discussed?"
Esme nodded, before pulling Fili into a tight hug.
"Be careful; you keep my Little Lee safe, you hear me?"
"Of course. Take care of yourself."
A few more hugs were exchanged, and perhaps a few tears (though Lenorah would never admit it), before the Baggins children were out the door, going farther than they had ever dared nor dreamed of going before.
"Wait! Stop!"
Bilbo shouted as loud as he could with what little breath he had. Up ahead, the group of dwarves pulled their steeds to a halt, looking back towards the sound. A few cracked smiles, waving hello to the hobbit as he finally reached them.
"I...I've...signed it!" Bilbo waved the contract in the air, gasping for air like a fish out of water. After a moment to regain his breath and composure, he handed over the paper to Balin, who gave him a peculiar look as he took out his monocle and examined it.
"Well, everything seems to be here. Welcome, Bilbo Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakeshield!"
The hobbit nodded and smiled, looking around at the company. It was done.
"Bilbo lad, aren't the littl'uns with yeh?" Bofur called out, after Bilbo was given a pony and they had been walking for a few minutes.
Bilbo's stomach churned. A wave of guilt and regret washed over him, and his breath hitched.
You fool! What are you doing? You can't just leave your children behind like this! You are their father; they need you. Turn around right now, before it is to late to turn back.
"No, they aren't. I-I left them behind, so they would be safe."
"Are yeh sure abou' that?" Bofur asked with a grin, causing Bilbo to frown in confusion.
"Papa!"
Bilbo swung around so fast in his saddle that he nearly fell out. His pony snorted in annoyance at the sudden movement and stamped her hoof, but Bilbo didn't pay attention to her; his focus was solely on his children making their way towards them, wide smiles lighting up their faces.
"Lenorah! Boys! What-Fili, I thought-did something-"
Bilbo abruptly closed his mouth, too flustered to say anything coherent. A million scenarios ran through his mind, many of them including Bag-End up in flames and someone being seriously injured. He looked over each of them, searching for anything out of the ordinary, but found nothing. The rest of the Company looked on with keen interest, keeping quiet as the youngest dwarves and hobbit reached them. Thorin in particular seemed very attentive, directing his mount so that he stood next to Bilbo and in front of his estranged nephews. A seed of hope planted itself right in Thorin's stomach, and he fought the urge to smile. He mustn't get his hopes up-surely the hobbit would send them back to his little hole in the ground, he would not think to change his mind now.
Bilbo finally seemed to have found his words. "Fili, I thought I told you to watch over your brother and sister, at home. What are you doing here? Did something happen?"
Lenorah and Kili shot their brother an accusing glare before hanging their heads. It was just as they had thought-Papa was not happy. Fili, however, stood tall, smiling slightly at his father.
"Papa, nothing's happened, except that you were about to leave us behind for an indefinite amount of time."
Another stab of guilt rooted itself in Bilbo, and he internally kicked himself for being so stupid.
"Fili, I expressed very specifically, multiple times, that you were to stay home. It is far too dangerous, and I will not risk your safety. Besides the fact, you've left Bag End to the unwilling charity of Hobbiton."
Fili smirked, shaking his head.
"No, I haven't. Esme has promised to keep out unwanted visitors, and dust. We've gone on a 'much needed, extended family holiday'. Eggie, Pal and Saradoc will help her, and just to be sure, I've asked Adalgrim to check in every now and again. As for our safety; we are safest with you, even if that means coming along with you on this journey. I've got everything under control; I told you, you can count on me."
Bilbo gaped at his oldest son. He was certainly relieved that nothing had happened, but he was not about to change his mind. Suddenly, Gandalf appeared from his place in the herd of ponies beside the hobbit, smiling with mischief.
"Well, this is quite the ideal situation we find ourselves in, isn't it?"
"No, Gandalf, for the hundredth time, no. I-I'll just take them home, and catch up."
"Bilbo Baggins, you are a stubborn one. We do not have the time to wait for you, and they are already here. I assure you that that they are safe in our company."
"Aye, I'll make sure of it myself. Nothing will happen to them as long as they are on my watch." Thorin spoke up, hiding his eagerness. Fili's smile faltered slightly, and he shook his head.
"That won't be necessary, but if it makes Papa feel better."
Bilbo sighed, rubbing his eyes before dropping his hands in his lap in defeat.
"It seems that I have no choice; alright, you can come along, but only if you swear to listen to me better than you have been and stick close to me." He raised his eyebrows and pointed at his children with a look that dared them to disobey. Their faces lit up, and Bilbo couldn't help but smile at their excitement. So why did he feel as though he were going to regret this decision?
Thorin's heart soared, though he didn't show it. It did not entirely please him that another hobbit, a child and girl at that, was joining them, but if that is what it took to have Fili and Kili with him, then he could suffer. He ordered a pony to each of his nephews, while the lass shared with her father.
"Onward! We will make camp at sunset."
With that, the company trudged forward, the sun beating down rays of warmth and light. The birds seemed to sing louder, and the Company's mood seemed lighter with the fellowship of their new friends; but the dwarf leader did not notice.
For the first time in a very long time, Thorin Oakenshield was smiling.
Hm. I wonder why Fili and Esme were red...:) Like I said, not the best chapter. Sorry it's so short, I'll make the next one longer to make up for this sorry excuse. Let me know what you think! Until next time-good night!
