Chapter 2: A Wizard!
The sun has set several minutes ago, and the stars starts twinkling in the sky when a breathless Frodo reaches Bag End. He pauses outside the round green door, taking a moment to catch his breath and compose himself so he doesn't appear so winded.
He opens the door and steps inside. Voices drift in from the kitchen but cease when the door closes.
"Frodo, lad? Got back finally?" Bilbo's voice calls out in the silence.
"Yes, Bilbo," Frodo answers, walking down the hallway and into the kitchen.
Bilbo turns to him and immediately notices Frodo's flushed cheeks, slightly dirty clothes, wind-blown hair, and his still being a little out of breath like someone who has just completed a sprint. He raises an inquiring eyebrow.
"I-I'm sorry I got back so late, Bilbo. I lost track of the time."
"No trouble, my boy, as long as it doesn't happen too often," Bilbo answers with a chuckle. Then he motions towards the table. "Oh! Allow me to introduce you to our guest."
Frodo's eyes follow Bilbo's hand, and his mouth drops open.
Sitting at the table -- and somehow not breaking the too-small-for-his-size-bench with his weight -- is the Big Person Frodo was spying on earlier! In the kitchen's light and seeing him face to face, Frodo examines their guest more closely. The massive grey robes are enormous, and Frodo finds himself wishing to run his fingers over them to feel their texture. Frodo then lifts his eyes to the man's face. His face is wrinkled, more than Bilbo's. His skin is tanned from the bright sun. His nose is large. And his eyes are of a deep blue, both stern and compassionate.
"Gandalf, this is Frodo, my cousin and heir. Frodo, this is Gandalf, whom I have told you about," Bilbo makes the introductions. "It has been…what, five years since he last stopped by?"
Frodo suddenly realizes that the wizard is returning his examining stare. Frodo blushes deeply and snaps his mouth shut. He realizes what a sight he must be, his hair untidy and his clothes grass-stained. Frodo blinks, his eyes now full of nothing but awe, steps toward their guest, and offers his hand.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," Frodo politely says, secretly relieved that his voice is steady.
Gandalf gives him a small polite smile before enclosing the lad's hand with his seemingly large hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, little one" he answers.
Gandalf does not let go of the hand he holds, nor does Frodo try it free it. They continue gazing at each other. The hobbit senses here is a person whom he can trust, who cares for hobbits, and who would help them if they were in trouble.
Bilbo breaks the spell by announcing supper is ready.
Frodo listens in silence and with immense interest to the conversations between his cousin and the wizard during supper. As he watches them, he sees how deep their friendship is. Bilbo glows with a certain happiness while in the wizard's presence and talks more than he eats, which is a bit unusual for him, considering that Bagginses love eating. And Gandalf is completely at ease in Bilbo's company, not all formal as he was with Frodo. Large smiles easily come to his face, and his laugh is bellowing and great.
As his eyes repeatedly go back and forth between the two, Frodo wonders if he will ever have such a great friendship with someone. With his cheeks turning a shaded pink, the lad turns his attention back to his mushroom soup when he finds Gandalf watching him with an amused twinkle in his eye.
After the dishes have been washed and put away, Bilbo and Gandalf step outside to the porch and enjoy some Old Toby. Frodo decides to go to bed. He hugs his cousin and politely wishes the wizard good night. He looks over the sleepy fields and forests of the Shire and then heads to his room.
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