2 years later….

My eyes rested onto a peculiar creature, a hobbit, Gandalf had told me. He was dwarf like but far less hairy, probably a good foot or so shorter than a dwarf too making him child-sized. My mind flickered back to the memory of when I first met Duria but even this hobbit was taller than that.

The hobbit was sat back on a bench, smoking a pipe and blowing smoke rings. He had his eyes closed and was seemingly enjoying the sun. Gandalf sideways glanced at me before he stepped forwards slightly. The hobbit looked up in surprise as Gandalf stepped into the sun and cast a shadow over him.

'Good morning' the hobbit greeted politely.

'What do you mean? Do you mean to wish us a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether we want it or not?' At the plural way in which Gandalf spoke, the hobbit looked around and spotted me but Gandalf gave him no room to greet me 'Or, perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?'

The hobbit frowned in confusion 'All of them at once, I suppose'

I couldn't see Gandalf's face but the hobbit looked thoroughly confused and bewildered. But finally he frowned.

'Can I help you? Either of you?' He asked, glancing around at me again.

Gandalf and I had discussed beforehand that he had wanted to deal with this and to let him do the talking. I hadn't argued or even minded really so I had agreed easily.

'That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure' Gandalf told him, his voice sounded grand and I had to bite my lip to not smile in amusement.

The hobbit however, frowned heavily 'An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner' He said sternly.

Gandalf turned to look back at me with his eyebrows raised slightly before looking back at the hobbit who had gotten up and was checking his mailbox, grabbing some mail and sorting through it. He looked uncomfortable because Gandalf is still standing there and he kept glancing up at him. Puffing his pipe in vexation, he began heading back inside.

'Good morning' He said, with a final glance back at us.

Gandalf tapped the end of his staff down on the ground indignantly 'To think that I should have lived to be good morning'd by Belladonna Took's son, as if I were selling buttons at the door!'

The hobbit turned back to him, a look of alarm now on his face 'Beg your pardon?'

'You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins' The grey wizard replied.

Ah Bilbo, so now I had a name to go with the little hobbit. I cocked my head slightly, appraising him and decided it suited him. The hobbit in question looked absolutely and utterly confused now.

'I'm sorry, do I know you?' He asked, with a frown.

'Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf! And Gandalf means … me'

I gave a small smile at my mentor's sentence, he had so many names and was known by so many different races and Kings that it was always nice to hear of somewhere that knew his real name. So far, only the dwarves had called him by his real name, the elves called him Mithrandir, the Rohanians called him Stormcrow and the Gondorians called him the Grey Pilgrim.

Meanwhile, a look of recognition had crossed Bilbo's face.

'Gandalf...not Gandalf, the wandering Wizard, who made such excellent fireworks! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Ha! Hmm, I had no idea you were still in business'

I could practically see Gandalf bristle with offence at the last remark of the hobbit. I grinned slightly in amusement.

'And where else should I be?' Gandalf asked, the affront was clear in his voice.

Bilbo frowned, realising he might've caused offence 'Ah, hmm...'

'He probably thought you'd died years ago' I said quietly to Gandalf, I put an easy going and amused tone on my voice to spare the hobbit.

Bilbo puffed on his pipe, the confusion was clear on his face again. Gandalf glanced back at me, his eyebrows almost into his hairline. I shrugged, an eyebrow raised and a half smirk on my face. He shook his head and turned back to Bilbo.

'Well, I'm pleased to find your remember something about me, even if it's only my fireworks. Well that's decided. It will be very good for you, and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others'

Bilbo immediately looked panic stricken 'Inform the who? What? No. No. No! Wait. We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today, not-. I suggest you try over the Hill or across the Water. Good morning'

I watched in amusement as Bilbo panicked and retreated into Bag End, gesturing at Gandalf with his pipe. He shut the door and the distinct sound of a bolt sliding into place reached me.

'Now what?' I asked

Gandalf didn't look at me, he simply pushed open the gate and went right to the door. I watched him curiously from the gate as he used his staff to inscribe his mark onto the door. I looked up to see Bilbo looking out his side window, Gandalf moved his head so his face was right there. He gave a chuckle and turned around, coming back down the path and shutting the gate. He indicated to me to walk away.

'Did you frighten him?' I asked

'Oh I think I gave him a good startle' Gandalf replied.

I shook my head slightly, I was used to my mentor's mischievous ways by now, it had even rubbed off on me.

'So, are we going to tell the others?' I asked

'Yes, we'll send ravens. It'll probably take a few days but that's all'

'Luckily we don't have to send thirteen ravens, at least they're sort of in groups' I said.

'That hobbit had better be ready' Gandalf chuckled.

'You know he won't be' I replied with smirk 'The poor thing won't know what hit him'

XxXxX

As much as Thorin Oakenshield was proud, dignified and intelligent, it had to be said; he wasn't one for following directions. And it was lucky that I had known him long enough that he'd warmed to me years ago. Once he had figured out I wasn't an elleth like he thought I was.

It was a fair assumption for him to make, I had an elvish name, I spoke elvish fluently and it was more my first language than the common tongue, which had taken me a year or so to learn. Oftentimes I would accidentally say an elvish word before I even thought to say it in the common language and I spoke with an elvish accent because of this. Even my thoughts presented in elvish before common. I had also stopped ageing so quickly due to my Istari blood and the last five years that had gone by, I'd stayed looking as though I were in my early twenties despite the fact that I was thirty. I had been told by many that I'd met that I had very elvish features too, as a result I was often confused for being an elleth and had taken to wearing my hair up to show my ears.

I had come upon Thorin wandering the wrong hill trying to find Bag End, the hobbit hole that Bilbo lived in. I leaned on my staff, watching him as he wandered slowly past the doors, trying to spot the mark Gandalf had left.

'I do believe, Master Dwarf, that you may be lost' I said to him eventually after he didn't notice me.

He spun around, his hand went to the handle of a dagger on his belt but when he saw me he rolled his eyes and relaxed from his aggressive posture.

'Narylfiel' He hissed 'I thought an elf had snuck up on me'

I smiled 'An elf would not announce their presence if they meant to sneak'

'I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to gloat' Thorin shot back.

I tried not to react to the barb, as much as Thorin and I got along or respected one another, the biggest thing we could not agree upon was the subject of elves and it was the main block to us developing a deeper friendship.

'We can quarrel over this subject or I can take you to the meeting place' I said, keeping my voice patient.

Thorin gave a nod combined with a grunt and followed me. I studied the dwarf, it had been a good two years since I had last seen him. His hair had grown longer and I could see that he had a few streaks of silver in it now, showing just how long lived he was.

It was a shame that this quest had taken so long to organise but gathering the support of dwarves who were willing to risk literally everything they had left had been difficult. Especially without alerting Lord Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman. Lord Elrond was like a father to me and deceiving him hadn't been easy, neither had deceiving Elladan, Elrohir or Arwen who were like siblings. It hadn't been easy and Thorin refused to acknowledge what I'd done for him with that.

'Are the rest there?' Thorin asked gruffly after a while.

'I'm not sure, I've not been there myself yet' I grinned down at him 'I guessed correctly that you might need help'

He threw me a half-hearted glare, muttering something about the cheek of magic wielders while I smirked to myself.

'We sent word out though so I don't see why everyone shouldn't be there. It is to my knowledge that we set out tomorrow from Bag End' I replied

Once we got to Bag End, Thorin was quick to notice the mark on the door and make a beeline straight for that house. He stepped up to the door and gave three loud knocks. I stood back slightly to give him room and allow him entry first. He was still King after all, I could respect him that much. The door to Bag End opened and Gandalf stood, stooped, in the doorway with what looked to be all twelve of the rest of the dwarves. I picked out Fili, Kili, Bofur and Balin easily, the ones that were the most welcoming to me and whose friendship was closer.

'Gandalf' Thorin greeted 'I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for Narylfiel and that mark on the door'

'Mark?' A small voice from somewhere near the back of the group came, I recognised it as Bilbo 'There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago'

Gandalf looked slightly sharply at the hobbit 'There is a mark; I put it there myself' But then his expression softened 'Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield'

Thorin's eyes flicked to the hobbit and looked at him appraisingly. I knew Bilbo would have to go through the process of getting Thorin to warm up to him like I did 'So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?' He asked eventually.

I bit my lip against the unfair question, it was obvious that Bilbo had never been in any sort of fight but I resisted. It would just provide Thorin with the excuse of belittling the hobbit further. In a way that was very predictable, Bilbo frowned.

'Pardon me?' He asked

'Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?' Thorin asked next.

'Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant' Bilbo replied.

I slapped my forehead at his answer and Thorin sort of glared at Gandalf.

'Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar' Thorin tutted.

I looked at the dwarf sharply 'Who has graciously opened his home to you and the rest of your kin. You shouldn't behave so ungratefully'

Thorin looked around at me and I raised a critical brow and held his gaze with the kind of regard a mother would look at her child when it needed scolding. Eventually Thorin looked away and sort of gave a nod to Bilbo before passing him. Bilbo gave me an odd sort of look that was somewhere between grateful and intimidated. Fili and Kili immediately stepped forwards after that and both bowed. I smiled at them fondly; they reminded me greatly of Elladan and Elrohir. Next Bofur stepped forwards he took his hat off and took my hand that didn't carry my staff in his.

'My Lady' He said, placing a quick peck on the back of my hand.

I rolled my eyes at him and he gave a cheeky smile and followed the rest of the group and finally Balin came up, smiling at me happily.

'Narylfiel'

'Balin' I smile back.

'Your journey was not too difficult I hope, with-' He cut himself off and jerked his head back to the room where Thorin had gone.

I shook my head 'No, do you know, I think he might be warming to me'

'It is impossible not to, my dear. Come come, let's find you something to eat' Balin said, gesturing with his hand to follow him.

I followed the friendly old dwarf into the dining room. I barely had chance to register just how cramped and crowded the little room was before a space was made between Fili and Kili for me which I was pushed into once my staff had been whisked from my hands and replaced with a fork and a plate of food was put in front of me. I looked up to find Gandalf was sat straight opposite me and he gave a small wink.

'What news from the meeting at Ered Luin? Did they all come?' Balin asked eagerly.

I realised this was the first time in a good year or so since they were altogether in one room so now was the time to catch up with last minute details before we set off the next day. I listened closely; we would see how many of their kin supported this quest.

'Aye. Envoys of all seven kingdoms' Thorin replied with a smile.

The dwarves murmured their joy amongst themselves while Gandalf and I watched keenly and Bilbo watched curiously.

'What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?' Dwalin asked

'They will not come' Thorin replied after some hesitation 'They say this quest is ours, and ours alone' His voice was laced with both bitterness and understanding.

It was been difficult to rally support amongst the rest of the dwarven kingdoms, we were after all, up against terrible odds. I tried not to think on it and I also tried not to think about what Lord Elrond would say to me when he found out. His stern glare came into my head for a moment and I had to shake it off.

In the meantime, the dwarves all murmured in disappointment. It was a set-back, Dain had the largest dwarf kingdom under his command with a full dwarvish army at his whim.

'You're going on a quest?' Bilbo asked cautiously.

Gandalf's eyes twinkled in approval 'Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light'

Bilbo brought a candle to the table, where Gandalf had spread out a map which was in his pocket. I could see it from an upside down perspective but I'd seen it enough times that I didn't need to see it right way up. I went back to my food, picking at the piece of cold chicken with my fingernails.

'Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak' Gandalf ran his finger over the locations on the map before stopping on the mountain.

'The Lonely Mountain' Bilbo murmured with a thoughtful frown.

'Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time' Gloin said insistently.

'Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of old return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end' Oin supplied

Bilbo's thoughtful frown turned to one of hesitation 'Beast? What beast?

'Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals' Bofur replied

Bilbo raised an annoyed eyebrow 'Yes, I know what a dragon is'

I smirked at Gandalf who was puffing on his pipe but he grinned back.

'I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarvish iron right up his jacksy' Little Ori declared.

I gave a small cough to try to cover up a particularly unladylike snort but the snigger I heard from Killi in response meant no one was fooled. I sideways glanced at my friend to see him sat trying not to look at me with a smirk on his face.

'Sit down!' Dori told the young dwarf.

'The task will be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen. Not thirteen of the best, nor brightest' Balin commented, looking around with a raised eyebrow.

It caused a slight uproar. I picked out a few sentences 'Who are you calling dim?' 'Watch it!' 'No!'

Fili sort of silenced them 'We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!' He said with conviction.

'And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!' Kili chirped up

My head flicked to Gandalf with an amused raised brow, this should be interesting for I knew just how many dragons he had slain. None. Gandalf choked a little on his pipe smoke.

'Oh, well, now, I wouldn't say-'

'How many, then?' Dori asked.

'I, uh, what?'

'How many dragons have you killed? Go on, give us a number!' Dori demanded

Gandalf choked a little on his pipe smoke as the dwarves started to argue amongst themselves. It got louder and louder and something in Thorin must've snapped because he stood up and banged his fists on the table.

'Atkât!' He said loudly 'If we have read these signs, do you not think that others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!'

The dwarves cheered but Balin spoke above them.

'You forget: the front door is sealed. There is no way into the mountain' He said regretfully.

Gandalf leaned forwards then 'That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true'

He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out an ancient looking dwarvish key. It was ornate, heavy but still elegant, classic of dwarvish design. Thorin looked at it in wonder, he either recognised it or was surprised it even existed, possibly even both.

'How did you come by this?' He asked finally.

'It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now' Gandalf replied, handing the key to the dwarf.

'If there is a key, there must be a door' Fili said firmly.

Gandalf pointed at runes on his map with his pipe. And everyone leaned forwards to look.

'These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls' He said

'There's another way in?' I asked

Gandalf nodded 'If we can find it. Dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle-earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done'

'So that's why we need a burglar' Ori exclaimed.

Everyone looked up at Bilbo, who was unaware of the attention he was suddenly being given, he was still looking down at the map.

'And a good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine' He said innocently.

'And are you?' Gloin asked

The hobbit's eyes flicked to the dwarf 'Am I what?

'He said he's an expert! Hey hey!' Oin called

Bilbo looked around him in horror, suddenly realising. It was almost funny 'Me? No, no, no. I'm not a burglar; I've never stolen a thing in my life'

'I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material' Balin said regretfully.

Bilbo nodded vigorously in agreement.

'Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves' Dwalin said.

Bilbo continued nodding in agreement but the dwarves began arguing again. I began to massage my temples slightly and I looked up at Gandalf. He glanced at me before he rose to his full height and cast darkness into the room, it shut them all up immediately.

'Enough!' He commanded, his voice deep with his power 'If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is'

He sat back down and I lowered my hands, folding a lock of loose hair behind my ear.

'Perhaps, you should explain your reasoning to them?' I asked, raising a brow.

Gandalf nodded 'Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fifteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this'

There was moments silence and everyone looked around at Thorin expectantly. He gave a nod finally.

'Very well. We'll do it your way. Give him the contract'

'Alright, we're off!' Bofur declared happily.

Bilbo was still protesting but his words were falling on deaf ears, Balin handed him the contract which Bilbo began to look at in slight horror.

It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth' Balin explained.

'Funeral arrangements?' The hobbit asked, his face going slightly pale.

Bilbo stepped back to read it and Thorin leaned closer to Gandalf.

'I cannot guarantee his safety'

'Understood' Gandalf nodded.

'Nor will I be responsible for his fate'

'Agreed' Gandalf replied.

I cocked my head, glancing at the hobbit who was pacing slightly.

'Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any.' Hmm. Seems fair. 'The present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations ... evisceration … incineration?' He looked up in horror, his face went another shade paler 'I feel a bit faint'

'Think furnace with wings' Bofur said, obviously tormenting him.

'Air, I need air' Bilbo muttered, turning completely white.

'Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash' Bofur said, almost gleefully.

I could hear him breathing heavily and he sort of paced around until he got into his hallway. He almost looked composed.

'Nope' He said suddenly, before collapsing onto his back in a faint.

I got up and went to him, kneeling on the floor to touch his forehead. I heard a chair push back.

'You're very helpful, Bofur' Gandalf said in annoyance.

I looked up at him as he approached.

'Come now, Narylfiel. Help me with him'

I helped Gandalf lift him up off the floor and into an armchair in a separate room.

'Go and fetch him a cup of water' Gandalf said.

I nodded and went off to do as he asked. Bofur followed me, a sheepish and slightly guilty looking expression on his face.

'I didn't mean to make him faint' Bofur said.

I glanced around at him 'I'm sure he'll forgive you' I replied

'If he faints at a bit of teasing though, how will he manage the journey?' He asked.

I sighed, pausing in my search for a mug 'He either will or he won't'

Bofur left me to my search to rejoin the others who were starting to spread out a bit around the hobbit hole. I finally found a mug and pumped some water from the tap into it. When I went back, Bilbo was sat up and Gandalf was dealing out some harsh sounding words.

'-Tell me; when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who always was running off in search of elves and the woods, who would stay out late, and come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young Hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps; it's out there'

I handed Bilbo the mug and sat in the stool next to him.

'Thank you-I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of Bag End' Bilbo argued back.

'You are also a Took' Gandalf replied 'Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?'

Bilbo glanced up at a portrait on his wall 'Yes' He sighed.

'Well he could. In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time'

I gave a small grin, Bilbo glanced at me with his own amused grin before refocusing on Gandalf.

'I do believe you made that up' He replied

Gandalf settled into a chair opposite him 'Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back'

Bilbo looked up at him 'Can you promise that I will come back?' He asked, his voice small.

Gandalf looked at him carefully, glanced up at me and then back at the hobbit 'No. And if you do, you will not be the same'

Bilbo gave a small smile 'That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit'

Gandalf gave a sort of nod and got up to walk away, glancing at me. I stayed seated and watched the hobbit sip his water shakily before he looked at me.

'Go on then, I'm sure you have something to say' He said, not unkindly but expectantly.

'There's not a lot I can say that hasn't already been said' I told him 'No one can force you, Gandalf is right; we cannot guarantee that any of us will return, let alone you' I told him.

'Why would he choose me?' Bilbo asked.

'Gandalf has been coming to the Shire for years, he holds a soft spot in his heart for this place and its people. Indeed this is my first time here and the first time I have met you so I cannot tell for sure' I paused 'He only chooses special ones. Gandalf can sort of tell when someone is more than what they seem to be. No matter how hard they try, they can never hide it from him'

Bilbo listened intently, he was crying out for some sort of reason behind all this. I looked at him carefully.

'He has seen something in you, Bilbo. Something that makes you more than what you think you are' I said.

'But what? What has he seen'

I fixed my eyes on his 'I don't know. Wouldn't you like to find out?'

XxXxX

So please leave a review! I hope you liked it and enjoyed it. If you'd like, feel free to look at my other stories and note that this is based from a discontinued LOTR story but give it a look at share your thoughts.

Thank you very much for reading!