Attack of the Plot Bunnies Chapter Five
Timeline: Circa 1403/3003; between Chapter 1.I and 1.II
Credit where Credit is due: Previously posted to shirebound's livejournal and as AotPB chapter 1 at ff.n The plotbunny came from Shirebound's Livejournal.
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Tolkien (except for the bits that belong to Peter Jackson and the rest of the people who made the movies.) I'm just playing with the toys.
Author: rabidsamfan
Title: Pipeweed
Elrond Half-Elven, Master of Rivendell, didn't have any warning. He sneezed. Loudly.
"Are you all right, Master Elrond?" A small hand patted his knee worriedly, and Elrond made himself smile reassuringly at the elderly hobbit who had appeared in the corridor in answer to the explosion. It was too late to rescind the offer of permanent hospitality. Gandalf would blame him forever if something happened to Bilbo now. Of course, Gandalf never stayed for long, and always took his obnoxious habit out onto the porches.
"I'm fine," he lied, fumbling out a handkerchief. Rivendell had rooms aplenty. Rooms for dancing, rooms for singing and playing, rooms for food, and rooms for friendly company. Surely there was room for one small hobbit! Even one that insisted on igniting himself on a nightly basis. "I came to see if you were comfortable." And not burning the place down.
"Oh, well enough," Bilbo replied, fidgeting with his pipe. "It was kind of you to put me so close to your rooms."
Something in the way he said it rang a slow bell in Elrond's head and he peered over the linen with streaming eyes. Bilbo was definitely working his way up to saying something. "You are our guest," he said, hoping to invite further confidences.
Bilbo flushed, and fidgeted some more, and bowed. "I wouldn't put you to any trouble," he said carefully. "But…"
"But the room does not suit you," Elrond finished for him, going on into it and through onto the porch, where the night breeze brought him some relief. When Bilbo joined him he carefully maneuvered so as to be upwind. "I am sorry."
"It's a grand room," Bilbo said, avoiding the edge of the porch and the magnificent view. "But it is… upstairs."
"Upstairs?" Elrond echoed.
"Well, and the ceilings are very high," Bilbo added, very uncomfortable now. "And the bed is…"
"Too large," Elrond guessed with a laugh. "A new bed, more to your size is already being made," he told Bilbo. "That much at least I have already done. But you would like a room which has a lower ceiling, and not on the upper levels, would you not?" One lined with brick, and with a good chimney. And so both our desires can be granted. "I think I know the very room. Give us a day or two to make the arrangements."
"Wonderful!" Bilbo perked up immediately. "Care to join me for a pipe, Lord Elrond?"
"No thank you," Elrond said gravely. "I have never acquired the taste. And I have things to do. If you'll excuse me?" He bowed and left, making plans. A window, a door. And a good cleaning, too, before Bilbo moved in. It could all be arranged. And he'd be conveniently close to the kitchens as well.
Now all he had to think about was where to put the new oven.
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