The Trials Of Mr Bilbo Baggins

by illyria-pffyffin

Bilbo Baggins was worried about what would become of his beloved Bag End after his death. He obviously did not like the idea of the S.B.'s occupying it. Bilbo tried a lot of ideas to prevent this from happening, until he met a lad named Frodo Baggins.

7. Old Rory Wrote

22nd August, 1389 SR

Gandalf came for a brief visit, bringing much exciting news.  We talked all through tea and dinner and supper.  It was just like old times.  Only I can't help thinking a lot about Frodo and how he would love to hear the tales Gandalf told.  Then afterward, while we smoked and blew smoke rings outside, he asked:

"You are not quite yourself tonight, my dear Bilbo.  Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing, nothing," I muttered without thinking.  Then I remembered it was Gandalf I was speaking to.  He is my dearest friend.  If there is someone I can trust with my troubles, it is him.  So I told him of the Sackville-Bagginses and their ambition to invade Bag End, of Frodo and why I thought I couldn't adopt him.  Afterward, I felt a lot better, though I must say it was embarrassing telling Gandalf of my petty problems while he had more serious matters to think about.

But Gandalf did not laugh.  He thought for a while, then his eyes lit up and he said, "Well, Bilbo, I don't see why you should add another silver curl to your head thinking about this.  It's really simple.  All you have to do is adopt Frodo."

"But I told you, Gandalf, I can't.  I can't be a parent to him," I said.

"He is twenty now, Bilbo, right in the prime of his tweens," said Gandalf gently, his eyes twinkling.  "He is more than able to take care of himself, or even take care of you.  You really have nothing to worry about.  I don't think he wishes for a parent.  He wants a friend, someone who understands him.  And you are that person."

As always Gandalf's advice was sound and convincing.  So last night I wrote a long letter to Frodo and another to the Old Rory. 

Thought up another song about smoke rings!

26th August, 1389 SR

A letter from Old Rory.

"Bilbo," he wrote "I will let Frodo live with you for a year.  If he enjoys it and wishes to stay longer, he may.  But you had better be true to your word and look after him well (not that he needs a lot looking after these days).  And I expect absolutely NO tramping around with conjurors, dwarves nor elves and absolutely NO seeking riches in dragon dens.  The lad has gone through a lot.  If you leave him and break his heart again, though I am generally a peace-loving hobbit, I will not hesitate to kill you, even if you are already dead.  The same goes if I find that he is unhappy living with you but you force him to stay.  I will make sure, Bilbo Baggins, that you die twice.  Remember that.

Rorimac Brandybuck"

I never knew he wrote so well.  There's more to the old Godfather than meets the eyes.