A.N: I am on fire! Three chapters in one day! YES!
I listened to some songs for this chapter. The first was Hobbit Prologue Film Version, for the second part, I listened to Theme of Destiny by Dos Brains and for the third part I listened to 'The Quest for Erebor' - The Hobbit 2.
Enjoy!
The Old Took was able to procure an escort for Bilbo with the Rangers and he couldn't have been more happier about it.
He would not have been able to make the journey by himself.
There were many teary eyed farewells exchanged but none more tearful than the one between him and Adalgrim.
He promised Adalgrim that he would visit as often as he could and write when he wasn't able to.
That was two days ago and now he could see the bridge that lead directly into Hobbiton Square.
He waved the Rangers a quick farewell before trudging off in the direction of the Thain.
He had some business to take care of.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
"So you see why I could not return until just now. There were still quite a few goblins in the area and the Rangers were quite busy."
The Thain rubbed his chin in thought and nodded in agreement.
"I see, I see, it would have been far more tragic if we had lost you as well, young Master Baggins."
Bilbo nodded.
The Thain stood up and motioned Bilbo to follow him.
"Let's continue this business in the study, shall we?"
Bilbo smiled.
"Of course, Thain."
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Bilbo opened the door to Bag End and stepped inside, closing it behind him almost reverently.
The halls were quiet and the fireplaces were all dark.
He could still hear his mother bustling about in the kitchen. She was always making something.
And he could still smell the smoke from his father's pipe wafting on the breeze. He would always be sitting in his armchair, smoking a bit of the Old Toby around this time.
A flood of memories hit him and he slumped against the door, breathing deeply to try and keep his emotions under control.
That didn't stop a single tear from tracing down his cheek and falling to the floor below.
"I'm home."
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
'A few signed papers and some witnessing provided by the Thain's son and I was once again the rightful owner of Bag End. Lobelia of course was furious with me, saying that I was a sneaky little thief and an irresponsible child, and a few choice words that I will never repeat out loud let alone on paper.'
Bag End was my home yet again.
The years passed and I tried my hardest to become the respectable Hobbit my father wanted me to be but still I would find myself on the top of the hill every morning.
I'm quite sure my mother would have gone with me, had she survived.
I would stay there for hours, looking for even the remote sign of Thorin's return, until finally the time spent there was less and less until finally I stopped going altogether.
I was getting older, gaining more standing in the Shire and most of all I was losing the little bit of hope I had held onto that Thorin would ever return.
And so the stone was placed into a small box with the note and locked away with the last pieces of my heart.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
10 Years Later...
A pony was racing it's way through the valley that connected the Shire to Ered Luin. When it entered the courtyard that held the gate to the Dwarven Homesteads a horn blew and two figures could be seen racing towards him.
The rider dismounted quickly.
"I need to speak to His Majesty, Thorin Oakenshield. I have two missives for him."
Dwalin crossed his arms.
"And just who did these missives come from?"
The rider shook his head.
"I was told only to speak to His Majesty."
Dwalin un-crossed his arms and took a step forward. He was stopped by a hand on his arm.
Fili gave a quick nod.
Dawlin grumbled.
"Fine. This way."
He turned and lead the messenger down into the homesteads until they finally stopped at one slightly larger than the rest but no less run-down.
He knocked three times in succession.
"Enter!"
The door opened and the three of them entered the hovel.
The rider knelt quickly.
"Your Majesty, I have two missives for you."
"Rise, please. Do you happen to know who sent these?"
He shook his head as he rose, handing the letter to the prince.
Thorin took it and waved a hand.
"You are dismissed."
He motioned to his nephew.
"Fili, show him to the kitchens, where he may get some food and drink."
Fili nodded. "Yes, Uncle."
He turned to the other dwarf.
"Please follow me."
And with that the two headed for the kitchens.
Thorin wanted until the door closed behind them before tearing the first missive open.
His eyes scanned the first letter quickly.
Dwalin cleared his throat.
"So what did it say?"
"They have agreed to the meeting."
Dwalin gave a shout and clapped his friend's shoulder.
"Best news we've had all week. This calls for a drink."
"Not necessarily. There is something else that vexes me."
"What about?"
Thorin sat down hard in the seat behind him.
Dwalin rolled his eyes and groaned.
"Not the wizard again?"
A nod was his only answer.
"You think it wise to follow his advice? Wizards have been known to have hidden motives."
"I know, but there is something that he mentioned that has me wanting to agree."
"What is that?"
"He thinks a burglar would guarantee our return."
The large dwarf laughed heartily, but it died when he saw the look on Thorin's face, and it hit him then.
"Wait, ye're really serious? What about Smaug?"
"It's been sixty years, Dwalin. We have not heard any news of him since and Oin has read the portents-"
"You believe that crackpot? He relies far too much on signs and portents to be considered healthy."
"I will not give up on regaining our birthright, our home. Dwalin, we must try."
He stood up and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I will go to the meeting and petition them for help. I will need you and the others to go with the wizard to secure our burglar. I will meet you there."
"Where does this 'burglar' live?"
Thorin held up the second missive.
"The location to meet with the wizard is in here. This missive is from him."
Dwalin snorted, "Well enough with the mystery, open it."
Thorin slowly opened it and read it thoroughly. He paused, lowering the letter for a moment to rub his eyes, before re-reading it.
"Well?"
Thorin let the letter drop from his hand.
"The location is near The Shire, Dwalin."
The dwarf had been reaching down to pick up the fallen letter when Thorin spoke and he caused him to still. He looked up at Thorin.
"The Shire? Are ye sure?"
The prince stands there silent at first and then he gestures to the letter now in the larger dwarf's hands.
"Then read for yourself and tell me I'm not imagining it."
Dwalin read the letter and looked up at Thorin in shock.
"Durin's beard!"
Thorin closes his eyes in pain and then gives a yell, picking up his chair and throwing it across the room.
"Mahal damn it!"
He turned to Dwalin, breathing heavily and eyes alight with fury.
"I will tell you this, Dwalin, if it is Bilbo that he has chosen...I will tear the wizard apart with my bare hands."