A sense of familiarity hit Thorin as he crossed the borders of The Shire. Along with a strong sense of unease.
It had been ten years since he had even glanced at these green lands and now he was back because of that meddling gray wizard.
The only excuse he had for being gone so long was one he would never openly admit to.
Fear.
Fear that Bilbo would never forgive for leaving the last time like he did.
Fear that he wouldn't be able to handle Bilbo growing old right in front of him.
He had met the Hobbit when he was quite young and had watched him grow into a fine young man.
A breath-takingly beautiful young man.
He gritted his teeth at that thought.
Ten years and it still hadn't cooled the attraction he felt for the young Hobbit. If fact it kindled anew at the thought of possible seeing him again and he hated himself for it.
'More than likely he has forgotten me and moved on already. Probably found some pretty young lass and has a gaggle of children already.'
The image of little honey-haired Bilbo look-alikes running and laughing through Bag End flashed in his mind.
His chest ached at the thought.
He shook his head roughly, forcing the image away.
He didn't need this right now.
He needed to concentrate.
'The note said to look for the door with a glowing mark.'
Hobbiton was not far now as he could make out the faint light coming from the lanterns outside The Green Dragon.
He grimaced.
He still hated that name.
The first door came up upon his right and he studied it closely.
Thorin had held a small amount of hope that the first door would be the one.
'No mark.'
A look out at the Shire caused him to curse.
"Durin's beard."
This was going to take forever.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
"I think there was a small part of me that knew what I was getting into when Gandalf appeared at my gate. But I was appalled none-the-less at the thought of an adventure when once I would have jumped at the chance.
I will also admit that I had been quite rude in my handling of the situation too.
What ifs run through my mind even now as I am writing this.
What if I had been more polite?
What if I hadn't forgotten Gandalf's name?
What if I had never returned to Bag End?
What if, what if, what if...
Well, its all in the past and you know 'what ifs' are never much fun to think on.
They tend to give one an upset stomach.
That's particularly bad for a Hobbit's appetite.
That day ended up being the worst and best day of my life.
Even worse so for my poor pantry."
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
The door rang just as he set down to his meal.
He stilled, looking down at the lovely fish and potatoes he had made and sighed.
Whoever it is had better have a good excuse for ringing this late.
When he opened the door, he was shocked to see a dwarf standing before him.
"Dwalin," the dwarf bowed, eyes still trained on him, "At your service."
"Bilbo Baggins, a-at yours." He replied quickly tying his robe closed.
A tiny flash of recognition hit him as the large dwarf walked past him.
"Do I know you?"
The dwarf, Dwalin, stopped and glared at him.
"No."
Thus the longest night of Bilbo's life began by him watching the large dwarf eat his supper.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Thorin grumbled to himself.
'Why not just tell me the exact door the mark was on?'
He looked up and noticed that he had passed a familiar path yet again.
"Damned wizards and their damned meddling."
He turned away from the path and headed in a different direction, hoping to find the door with a glowing mark there.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Bilbo was quite stressed.
He had twelve dwarves and a wizard to deal with in his home, and on top of that he was quite hungry.
He took a quick peak at his pantry and found it all but emptied.
'I had just re-stocked it this morning!'
Thinking on the state of his pantry and his water closet, he thought it couldn't get any worse.
Then a hard knock at the door echoed throughout the halls of Bilbo's home, silencing the laughter of the dwarfs present.
Bilbo jumped, looking up at Gandalf.
Gandalf looked down and with a soft voice, he spoke.
"He's here."
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
Thorin stood there looking at the green door in front of him.
Even after all these years it was still the same exact shade of green.
And right at the bottom was a glowing rune.
'Mahal is watching right now, laughing at me.'
Thinking of all the ways he could possibly dismember a wizard, he opened the gate, and slowly walked toward the door.
He listened to the ruckus coming from inside and shook his head.
Of course they wouldn't keep to their manners.
Not with how well Hobbits keep their pantries stocked.
'Maybe Bilbo has moved from here. He often talked about going to see his mother's family.'
He hardened his gaze and knocked hard three times.
/ ~ / ~ / ~ /
The dwarfs were now silent and only looked at each other with solemn expressions.
Bilbo looked around the kitchen quickly in nervous shock, and he clenched his suspenders tight to keep his hands from shaking.
Whoever was at the door must be very important to all of them to cause this much silence when just moments ago they were laughing and tossing his mother's china all through the halls.
The wizard moved through the throng of dwarfs, making his way to the door, Bilbo following close behind.
"Who's here? Gandalf? Who else have you invited here without telling me?" The hobbit whispered harshly at him.
Gandalf paused, turned and looked down at the hobbit, a faint twinkle in his eyes, and shook his head.
"Well, let's open this door and find out, why don't we?"
Shock and anger coursed through Bilbo at the answer.
And with no preamble or warning, Gandalf unlatched the door, turned the handle, and let it swing open to allow the hooded figure access indoors.
And as Bilbo moved forward to meet yet another un-invited guest, a rough velvety voice spoke, freezing him in his place.
"Gandalf."
'
No, it can't be...'
Large hands, roughened by years of hard labor pulled at the clasp of the cloak
"I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way twice."
Bilbo wordlessly snorted. 'Lost your way twice? How? I live right in the top-most hill!'
The figure pulled the cloak off, finally removing the hood, and revealing an all too familiar face that had not been seen since years past.
"No..."
The figure turned and familiar icy blue eyes locked with his and widened in recognition.
Time stood still for a split second, then it was shattered as they both spoke at the same time.
"Thorin?"
"Bilbo?"
Darkness consumed Bilbo's eyes and he fell to the floor with a thump.
The rest of the company looked from their leader down to the unconscious man on the floor confused.
Kili was the first to speak.
"Uncle, do you know Mister Boggins?"
Dwalin laughed heartily, clapping a hand on Thorin's shoulder.
"Well, it could've been worse, laddie."
Thorin furiously glared at Gandalf.
Gandalf just smiled in return.
'Damned wizards.'
