And so it was decided that each of the company's members would travel together in small groups. Some of the elder Dwarfs and Thorin were to travel to various Dwarf settlements to collect relatives and ask for help. Then they would all meet in one place to decide upon the best route to the Lonely Mountain.

"The Shire." Bilbo suggested, much to everybody's surprise, "It's sheltered and private, plus there is no shortage of food or water there. It's the perfect place to meet and make sure we are prepared."

Surprisingly, this went down quite well with Gandalf, who had arrived only a few days before Thorin was set to leave for the mountains. Bilbo was thrilled when Gandalf suggested meeting at Bag End, which was now apparently owned my Hamfast after his parents had passed away.

Preparations seemed to fly by and before they knew it, a month since Thorin departure had come and it was time for Bilbo and his brothers to leave for the Shire.

"You all be careful now." Dis told them seriously at the gate, "You look after each other and you all come home to me."

"We'll be fine mother." Kili insisted, "Between my arrows, Fili's sword and Bilbo's stealth we're the perfect team!"

"Don't be over confident." Dis implored, "You have never seen battle before, it is always better to be cautious, don't go looking for a fight."

"We'll watch him." Fili sighed and Kili gave him a playful glare.

The three finally set off together, giving Dis a final wave. They would not see her again for a very, very long time.

-oOo-

Unlike his first trip to the Shire, which had been filled with dread and nerves, this trip with his brothers was wonderful. They ran along the mountain ridges and swam across the streams, splashing and playing with one another. Each evening Bilbo would cook their supper and then they would take it in turns to tell the stories they'd grown up with. The Battle of Moria, The Wonders of Erebor, the Tales of Scartha the wingless dragon.

Though they no longer spoke of the loss of Erebor, ever since the strange dream that story had lost it's flavor for Bilbo.

"Do you think Hamfast will like us?" Kili asked as they neared the end of their journey.

"Of course!" Bilbo grinned, "Gandalf went ahead to warn him we were coming, I hope he buys enough food..."

Finally, after three weeks of travel they spotted Hobbiton on the horizon as the sun was setting. It'd be dark by the time they reached his friends home, but at least they'd make it on time.

-oOo-

Hamfast had been having an odd day indeed. He'd been working away in his garden, happily humming to himself as he pruned his newest flower bush, when Gandalf had appeared at his side. It had taken him a few moments to even recognize the wizard who appeared every few moons at their festivals and parties but once he had he'd soon wished he hadn't.

The man had spoken in riddles, mentioning his time with Bilbo all those years ago, Dwarfs and a place called Erebor. He'd gotten so confused that when the wizard had thanked him and left Hamfast couldn't help but think he'd been tricked into something.

Shaking off the feeling he returned to cooking his dinner only to be interrupted by the door bell. Expecting, or perhaps hoping, it was his neighbor Prim he opened the door quite quickly, only to feel his jaw drop when he saw his visitor. Standing before him was a tall Dwarf with tattoos up his forearms and across his balding skull. Behind him was yet another Dwarf with a white beard so long Hamfast was surprised he didn't trip over it.

"Dwalin," He bowed the tattooed Dwarf.

"And Balin." the other smiled.

"At your service."

"Uh...Hamfast Gamgee...at yours?" He squeaked nervously, "Do we uh, do we know each other?"

The two Dwarfs stepped inside and gave him an odd look.

"No."

Stammering and spluttering the Hobbit followed the pair as they wandered his house until they found the pantry and without guilt, began to pillage it.

"What are you doing?" He exclaimed.

"He said they're be food! He was right!" Dwalin grinned, "Best start preparing it before the others arrive."

"Others?"

Ding-a-ling!

"That'll be the door." Dwalin grinned.

Feeling slightly dazed, and more than a little wary Hamfast made his way back to the front door and opened it. This time there were two much younger looking Dwarfs standing there, one with blonde hair and the other with brown.

"Fili."

"And Kili."

"At your service!"

"Oh no! No, no you can't come in you've come tot he wrong house!"

"What!" Kili gasped, shoving the door open before Hamfast had a chance to close it, "Has it been canceled?"

"Nobody told us." Fili scowled. "Bili, you've bought us to the wrong house!"

"I have not!"

Hamfast paused at that voice, it was very familiar. A smaller figured pushed between the two Dwarfs and Hamfast felt his face split into a grin. There was a Hobbit with long braided hair in Dwarf clothing. A wooden bead sitting at the bottom on one of his brown curls.

"Bilbo!"

"Hamfast!"

The two embraced briefly, grinning at one another, giving Fili and Kili time to sneak inside and help the other Dwarfs continue to prepare the food.

"What are you doing here?" Hamfast asked bewildered.

"Didn't Gandalf tell you we were coming?" Bilbo's forehead furrowed.

"In his own way I guess." Hamfast groaned, "I don't think thre is going to be enough food for all five of us..."

"Well actually more are on their wa-hey!" Bilbo yelled as he was lifted from his feet and tossed slightly in the air.

"Well, well." Dwalin grinned, "You're even shorter than last we met."

"I am not." Bilbo bit back playfully, "now put me down before I sick my brothers on you!"

Instead of being insulted the older Dwarf seemed impressed with Bilbo's attitude and put him down.

Ding-a ling!

Hamfast groaned. He didn't even bother opening the door this time, Bilbo did it for him and in fell an entire pack of Dwarfs, and Gandalf.

Hamfast felt a headache coming on.

-oOo-

It was absolute anarchy.

Food was flying everywhere, mud and grime was trodden into the carpets, one of Bilbo's brothers was even walking on the table! Hamfast could only scramble from place to place, trying to save his various doilies and books for being torn apart in the madness.

Bilbo didn't seem to mind at all, he was currently juggling boiled eggs without a care in the world while another young Dwarf threw them at him.

"Here, Bombur catch!" Bilbo grinned, chucking one across the room landing in the fattest Dwarfs mouth.

"Who wants ale?" Fili called, handing out flagons as he stopped about the group.

Nobody really replied they simply yelled before downing the entire cups full in one go, belching as soon as they finished. One of the youngest Dwarfs managing to do so for almost a full half minute.

"Nice one Ori!"

Hamfast groaned in his hands again, cleaning up was going to be a nightmare.

"What's the matter Hamfast?" Bilbo grinned, "Join in a little!"

"How can you live like this?" The Hobbit sighed, "It's utter madness!"

"Oh they're quite a merry gathering." Gandalf laughed, quickly dodging an airborne bun, "Once you get used to them!"

"Just doing the dishes alone..." Hamfast sighed, "I'll be at it all night and day and-hey! Stop that!"

Bofur and Bifur took no notice of the scolding and continued banging their knives and forks together.

"You'll blunt them!" Hamfast complained.

"Oh now you've done it." Bilbo giggled.

"What?"

"Do you hear that lads?" Bofur called, "He say's we'll blunt the knives!"

Then to his great surprise Kili grinned manically and began to sing, Fili joining in soon after, then Bilbo and soon all of them were off.

Blunt the knives! Bend the forms!

Smash the bottles and burn the corks!

Chip the glasses and crack the plaaaaates!

That's what the Hobbit hates!

There were plates flying everywhere and Hamfast could only gap as all manner of crockery flew past his face and over his head.

Cut the cloth and tread the fat!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Splash the wine on every door!

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl;
Pound them up with a thumping pole;
And when you've finished, if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!

That's what the Hobbit hates!
So careful, careful with the plates!

The group laughed delightfully at Hamfast's face, Bilbo clamped a hand on his shoulder and gave him a look that said 'just go with it'. The merriment came to a very sudden end when two loud knocks from the door echoed about the house.

"He's here." Gandalf murmured seriously.

"Who?" Hamfast asked nervously.

"My father, Thorin." Bilbo whispered.

"Best you get it laddie." Balin nodded toward Bilbo, "He wont be please when he hears we've only fourteen to our company. Especially if the Dwarfs of the Iron Hills didn't agree to help."

"Nothing is more fun than Uncle Thorin in a mood." Fili whispered.

Moments latter Bilbo reentered the room with a surly looking Dwarf with hard eyes and very long black hair streaked with grey.

"So, this is your friend the Hobbit." Thorin muttered, Bilbo nodded.

Hamfast felt himself shrink under the Dwarfs steely gaze but he was spoken to no more. Now that the rowdy dinner was over with each small group of Dwarfs began relaying information to the rest of the group, most of it was the same. They had asked for help from some group of Dwarfs and received no as an answer.

Then there was talk of a dragon which made Hamfast feel dizzy just thinking about but made Bilbo grin.

"I don't think I'll ever understand you." Hamfast whispered to Bilbo as the group sat round the fire, "Is this gold so important?"

"It's more than the gold." Bilbo replied, "It's about our home and taking it back from the monster that stole it from us."

Hamfast wanted to argue that surely after all this time they could find a new mountain but he didn't. After a while Bilbo began to hum deep in his throat, several others joining in on some silent cue. The sound was slightly soothing and Hamfast, exhausted from the days trials began to feel drowsy. Then, just before his eyes slipped closed, Thorin began to sing.

Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fell like ringing bells,
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells

The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light...

-oOo-

The next morning Hamfast awoke to find his house neat and tidy, his pantry restocked and for a few moments he doubted whether Bilbo really had been there at all. Glancing out the window he saw a long line of folks on pony's heading for the forest. His hand brushed against something cool and he looked to the windowsill, sitting by his hand was a single black stone bead in the exact shape of the one he'd made Bilbo all those years ago.

He'd kept his promise.


I've decided to follow the film up until it ends and then follow the book but obviously there will be some twists of my own. Oh just wait until you see what I have planned for the Goblin Town scene, I've been wanting to do it forever!