Yes I know I shouldn't be starting a new story while I have not finished the others, but the plot just wouldn't leave my mind! I hope you enjoy!
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Bell Baggins awoke in sweat that morning. 'Again those nightmares' she thought with a feeling of dread. It was barely dawn but the 33 years old hobbit was already used to the early waking. Baking has always helped her calm her nerves, so that's exactly what she did.
After a few hours, her kitchens smelt of apple crumble, chocolate cookies, and of course her famous blueberry pie. Taking her pipe, a nasty habit she took from her father, Bell left her comfy smial and sat on the bench in her front garden. Lost in her memories of darker times and horrible nightmares that plagued her since, she had not seen the tall figure coming her way until its shadow fell upon her. Looking up, the girl gasped softly and tears filled her emerald like eyes. She immediately threw herself in the arms of her dear friend, literally hugging the life out of him.
Gandalf took his hat off, chuckling softly, and returned the embrace, patting get back with fondness. They stayed like that for a moment, both just happy to be with the other, before they stepped back. Bell was sniffing a little but otherwise she had calmed down. "Oh dear Yavanna, I didn't even invite in. What a terrible host I must seem like!" The hobbit lass fretted. "Don't worry my dear Bell, I cannot stay long." The wizard said, watching his friends daughter closely. She put her hands on her hips with an adorable pout. "You're not here just to visit an old friend, are you now Gandalf?" He shook his head. "That's what I thought. Now sit down and explain me everything." She offered him a seat on the bench next to her and he sat with a grace not expected from a man his age.
"Bell, I need a burglar for an adventure far in the East. I immediately thought about you. Do you still want to go on an adventure still, my dear?" The lass took a few moments to let the information sink in before she squealed and hugged the wizard once more. "Thank you so much! Yes I want to go, I want to come with you!" She frowned a little then. "Not that I want to shoot myself in the foot, but what made you change your mind?" She asked shyly, and Gandalf laughed at her excitement, even if he frowned inwardly. 'Is she really so unhappy in the Shire?' He wondered before answering the question. "You'll be with me and the times I am not with you, dwarrows are incredible fighters and they shall keep you safe. You will always be protected and that made my decision easier. Anyway, it will be good for you and most amusing for me. I'm waited. I shall inform the others." And again with swiftness, the old man was on his way. "How many and when?!" Bell shouted after him. The wizard didn't even stop to answer. "13. They'll be there for supper and food will be expected."
He waved one last time and disappeared in the streets of Hobbiton. She shook fondly her head, and slowly made her way back to her bench, before she stopped in her tracks. 'Wait. 13 dwarrows expecting food are coming in my smial at 9 tonight.'. An alarm rang in her head and she cursed in Hobbitish, before rushing to her home, taking her cart and hurrying to the market. After buying enough to feed a small army of hobbits, she returned to Bag End humming to herself, and started working. She was so caught up in her cooking that she forgot elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea and almost missed dinner. But that didn't matter at all next to the pride she felt when she finished. In barely a day, she made a respectable supper for her unexpected guests.
She placed 15 chairs around her dining table, waiting at least for two dwarrows to come before putting the food down. After she ate a dinner big enough to compensate for the missed meals and to be able to serve her guests without being hungry as a good hostess should.
Around 9, loud knocks were heard and Bell smiled, albeit nervously. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves before opening her round door. A huge shadow loomed upon her. 'Is it really a dwarf? I thought they weren't this tall.' She said in her head before snorting inwardly. What did she know about dwarrows anyway? The big figure turned and faced her with a fierce scowl. "Dwalin, son of Fundin, at your service." He said, bowing slightly to her. "Bell Baggins at your and your family's service." She responded, vaguely remembering the lessons of dwarf culture she had with her mother. The dwarf seemed impatient and snappy as she let him in. "So where is it?" Bell was confused. "Where is what, Master Dwalin?" She asked, looking him square in the eyes. "The food lass. He said there'd be plenty." The hobbit smiled as it dawned on her that her guest was just hungry. "In the dining room. The food isn't on the table yet, but there are cookies and biscuits to help you wait a little longer." She barely finished her sentence that he was already gone, cookie jar in hand. He groaned when he tasted one and she couldn't fight a smile from stretching her lips.
She remembered that Bungo Baggins used to react like this to her baked goods. "Those are the best cookies I have ever ate." He would always say. It was filled with so much pride everytime that she would just blush and stammer, making him laugh.
"That'd be the door." Dwalins gruff voice shook her from the memories "Yes. Right." She said before turning to answer the door a second time. A dwarf with white hair and beard greeted her politely. "Balin, at your service." She bowed to him. " Bell Baggins at yours. Good evening isn't it?" She smiled brightly and received a small from in response. " Yes. Yes, but I think it might rain later on." The seemingly old dwarf answered, entering the comfortable smial. Bell saw the greetings between the two brothers and decided to leave them their privacy. It looked painful to her but she spotted the happy light in Dwalins eye and left to put the long awaited food on the table.
When the brothers joined her, wide eyed, the table was finally ready. "Lass, that is a lot of food. I hope you didn't spend to much time on it." The obviously always polite Balin whispered. Their hostess smiled, shaking her hands in front of her. "Nonsense! Don't you worry about that. You are my guests, and as a Baggins, I am allowed to offer you only the best." She denied happily as the two dwarrows looked at her, bewildered.
Twin knocks were heard and Bell smiled widely. "Well come on, don't just stand there. Sit and tuck in. I'll be back in a moment." And she went to answer the door once more. In front of her stood two dwarrows, visibly brothers from the traits they shared, young enough and, Bell blushed a little, both very handsome. One more than the other but whatever. "Fili..." The first started, "...and Kili..." the second continued, "...at your service." they finished together. The slightly older looking was fair haired, had two braids in his moustache and two swords strapped at his back. He was obviously scrutinizing her very closely. While the other, (the more handsome if you ask the hobbit), had black hair, nothing but a little stubble on his chin. His hair was clipped behind, but no apparent braids, and he had a bow. Strangely enough, he was staring at her with a blank expression. "Bell Baggins at your and your family's service. Now are you just gonna stand there, or are you coming in?" She urged them, opening the door even wider. Fili, or was it Kili? She wasn't sure. Well the blond one stepped in after snapping his brother from whatever daze he was in.
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Kili was waiting for Miss Boggins to open the door with Fili by his side. He had no idea why Gandalf thought a hobbit lass could be their burglar. As far as he saw, hobbits were strange creatures. Not a single hair on the chin but big fuzzy feet. They all looked plump, even fat for some and way too soft to go on an adventure. But the lad took back all his thoughts when he saw their hostess. Bell 'Boggins' was a beautiful woman, her coppery curls falling graciously to her waist, her eyes shone brighter than any pure emerald, her lips were full and cherry red, and her cheeks were a little flushed. She indeed looked a little soft and plump, but she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. His heart seemed to sing, and all of the colours were suddenly brighter. And he knew. Bell 'Boggins', their hopefully fourteenth member and burglar, was his One. The only woman he would ever love. The half of his soul. His Soulmate. He had to woo her! Kili knew he wouldn't be able to live a life she wasn't in.
Fili got him out of his thoughts with a sharp elbow in the ribs and the poor love struck dwarf realized he was staring dumbly at their hostess. Yes, he had to flirt with her. There was only one slight, tiny problem. Kili never, ever flirted with anyone. Nevermind, just do like Fili! What would Fili do? Oh yes, he would take a cool pose and compliment the girl, trying to get to know her a little bit more. The archer frowned as his blond brother tried to scare off the hobbit with his numerous weapons. Putting his foot on a box nearby, in a position wanted 'cool' and relaxed, he asked. "This is nice! You did it yourself?" But of course, he didn't expect the lass to scowl fiercely at him. "No, my father did. But this is my mothers glory box your wiping your feet on, Master Dwarf!" She retorted angrily and he inwardly cringed as he understood that heirlooms and muddy boots didn't match so well. Well there goes the good first impression right?
"Fili, Kili! It's good you're here. Come and eat lads, there is a true feast!" Dwalins booming voice resonated and Kili smiled, happy to see his former trainer. Putting his arm around the big, intimidating the most of the time, dwarf in a one-armed hug, he let him lead, trying to limit the stupid things he'd do in front of his One, with Fili trailing behind.