This is my first attempt at writing a fanfiction. I've read a dozen or more of similar kinds of stories of late so I've decided to finally try. The story is heavily inspired by the canon and all the different stories I've read. I'm unable to remember most of the names but if you know them, please let me know. I'll be happy to add them as the source of inspiration.
Disclaimer: Absolutely nothing belongs to me.
Bilbo Baggins found himself wandering aimlessly in the Undying Lands. They were beautiful for certain. Everything he could've asked for once upon a time. Alas, now he found himself wanting something entirely different. All these years, yet he missed them all the same. It was agonizing somedays. Now that he had clarity of thought yet again, he wondered if they thought of him too, if his King in particular remembered his Burglar; and if he did, was it in a good context or was he still hated for all the mistakes he made. He wished he could ask, just once if Thorin really did forgive him. If he had lived, would he have welcomed Bilbo all the same. His heart longed to see them, his boys. So young and full of goodwill yet lost to greed of filthy creatures that just couldn't leave his Durins alone. Frodo had told him of what happened to Balin, Oin and Ori. The thought of his dear friends having lost their lives so, he couldn't bear to contemplate it. He'd wondered in darker moments, would it have happened if Thorin were still the King? Would Balin have left? Tiring of Dain and his men to find a new home for the others? Was their death on Bilbo's head too? Had they all met in the Halls of their Maker and cursed Bilbo for what they had to go through? Or was he remembered fondly? He chastised himself and sat below the Acorn tree that reminded him greatly of Beorn's Acorn tree. There was no point thinking of things that would never be answered. He would never be allowed in the Halls of Mahal and they would all never be able to get here. Besides, they had their families there, Bilbo might not have even passed their thoughts, it was a painful prospect to imagine yet it was better than being hated. He wished he'd known something of the world before being thrust with such worldly burdens. If he'd maybe known a bit more about the plight of Thorin's people, their culture or the dratted and cursed Ring, he would've tried to do things differently. Having talked to Elrond, he knew that Erebor had provided one of the biggest resistance from East yet the implied Thorin would have done better was not lost on either of the two. Legolas had come to him too, talked of how he had come to see Gimli as a dear friend and how it pained him to know that he had been grievously discourteous towards Gimli's father, all those who truly had only been looking for a way to find home for their loved ones and Legolas had looked down upon only because he was blinded by his Father's hatred for them. Bilbo had talked him out of those notions, told him that he couldn't have known and reminded him that he had done all he could once he knew better. Bilbo knew he was being rather hypocritical, for he blamed himself just as Legolas did and the words he offered never gave him any peace. He wished though, wished he could've done more, could've tried harder, could've had a chance to apologize for his blunders. He wished for just one chance to tell them, tell them he hadn't meant to cause such a havoc, he liked to think that Thorin would've understood him, would not have blamed him for being landed with the Ring and not realising, for having to put dear Frodo through something he never meant to. For really hadn't, if he knew, oh if only he knew he would've marched to Mordor by himself and jumped with the dratted ring if that's what it took. But by the time anyone had realized what Bilbo possessed, Bilbo had been a frail old thing, unable to understand half the things happening around him. One thing he did understand was the loss of spirit within his dear nephew, how Frodo had become a shell of his former self. It had been like watching Thorin and the Boys die all over again. He hadn't meant to and yet, Bilbo had caused so much grief to all those he only ever wanted to cherish.
Bilbo was startled out of his musings when he registered someone sitting next to him. Only the first glance was enough to tell him he was around a being of higher power, the Lady was clad in forest green robes with earthy brown work on them. She was beautiful beyond what his words could call her and reminded him of how his Mamau had felt like. Her smile felt like Home even though he had long forgotten where his Home was anymore. It was a beautiful feeling, it made him feel accepted for once. With all his flaws and cracks, without any prejudice, without any expectations. And when she spoke, it was like Spring come early. It reminded him of the time when he had finally been able to see sun after being trapped in Mirkwood without a speck of sunlight.
"My dear Bilbo, why do you despair so? Long have I watched you being troubled, dear child. It pains me to know you are hurting thus. What ails you so, little one?"
Bilbo had never in his life imagined to ever come across any of the Higher Beings other than The Judge, yet here he was, sitting next to the Green Mother, for she could be nobody else but the creator of his people, the Lady herself. Needless to say that he was struck speechless. No wonder she made him feel better, that she felt like home. She was why he even existed in the first place. He offered her a deep bow when he finally managed to find his wits and couldn't stop himself from blurting out.
"Green Mother, my mistakes sit heavily upon my soul. I have caused so much grief and I only wish I could tell all those I wronged how very sorry I am. I never meant to.. if only I had tried harder, done better, known more..."
"Child, I know you believe that you didn't do enough, but that is not true. Have you perhaps ever wondered what would've happened if you hadn't come across the Abomination? They had found the ring bearer before you so easily. If the ring had been left with poor Smeagol, the Dark one would have had it, even before anyone knew of its or his existence and nobody would have been prepared in anyway. You, dear Bilbo, were the reason the others even had the chance to destroy the ring without having to snatch it out of the Dark One's hands. Don't you see that?"
"But... but Frodo, how do I forgive myself for the cause of the dimmed light in his eyes? The pain and burns on him? I made him bear the burden I was responsible for. Before that, I prided myself for knowing things yet failed to recognise what I possessed and before that, I caused the death of the ones I called my family. Thorin and the boys... they, they should not have had to lose their lives like that. If only I could..."
"You blame yourself for their fate? Bilbo, my child it is so very ironic that your Heart blames himself for leaving you to deal with all that you did and spends his days brooding in the Halls of My Husband."
"I...I.. Thorin??"
"Of course, little one. It pains Aule to see him despair just as it pains me to see you despair."
"He... he mustn't it isn't Thorin's fault. Oh that stubborn Dwarrow.."
"He gets that from My Husband if you must know, but that is not why I am here, Bilbo."
"How can I be of service to you, My Lady?"
"The current fate of the world is a good one, could be a peaceful one but, the signs aren't all positive. Aragorn is a good King, but he is only one person. He needs more like himself, the Middle Earth needs more Good Kings and Queens to bring an era of peace and prosperity. The Dark One was defeated, but what he polluted, still remains so. The Third Age was to be the age of Purge. The current scenario does not look to be going in the direction that it should. It is a good future, but it could be better."
"My Lady, I do not understand.."
"Bilbo, it will be a huge responsibility, you will have a lot of help but, will you do this? The song must be sung again. It has been decreed so by Father. We have all come up with our own options as to who could know the one that was and will be able to help make the one that should be."
"Me? But I am just a.."
"You should think before completing that sentence Bilbo. You most certainly are not a just anybody. You have done me proud. I like to think that you would appreciate a second chance. Of course, not everything will be the same, even you won't be the same. My Aule agrees with my choice too. He has decided to present you as his own option."
"But won't Thorin..."
"It is not that we think he will not be able to do it. But Thorin StoneChilde would already have the burden of his people on him, he also would not be able to know beyond what happened after he became one with Stone again. You on the other hand, you have lived through it all. The slaying of the Fire Drake was a very important milestone like Mithrandir believed. Had he not been Desolated, he would have wreaked havoc under the name of the Dark One. The Purge is very important Bilbo. The Fourth Age when it comes, it is to be of prosperity and not wrought with evils."
"Are you certain that I will be the right option for this? There are others much more wise and trained than I am.. Elrond for example..."
"Elrond Peredhel has a destiny of his own, he is wise yes but often wisdom and age makes one see things differently. Besides, your Heart will hardly allow the Lord of Imladris to accompany him on his Quest.."
"Haha.. yes. That's the sort of things I need to change though, isn't it? If I agree, how far behind will I be going? And what shall be the different circumstances as you said?"
"Wonderful. You understand then. To begin with, you will be sent at the moment of your otherself's birth. But you won't have complete control or a total recollection of your past until two years before your Quest to Erebor. Seeing as how important this whole venture is, loads of people who are to play key roles in the Purge will be slightly different. They will not know what you do and you will not be able to tell any others anything until it is either done or you have passed, for then, someone else will have to take your place. Also, like I said, due to us being able to be involved in minute capacity, they will all have something more or be different in certain ways. Some a bit more than the others. Males of the last song, for example, might even be females in this one. Much as yourself."
"Right... wait, what???"
"Listen to me Bilbo, the Line of Durin is a dying line unless they are blessed with fertility again. The exile they have faced, is not without a fault of their own. But they have suffered enough and deserve better. You Bilbo, can be that chance. It is also, a gift I wish to extend to my Husband and his own."
"If I must."
"Good. Do you have any questions.?"
"Yes. If I do not succeed? Or if I perish, how will the others know what to do if I cannot tell them of it?"
"Why, you and Frodo have written a wonderful account of your journeys have you not? Also, I want you to remember, things will be slightly different, people will be different. Some who had not been there might be, some who had been there might not. Don't take what you know as something set in stone. It would only be somewhat of a guideline. Do you understand Bilbo?"
"Yes. I am ready should this become my responsibility."
"Brilliant. Speak to nobody of this. If it is you, you will know."
"Thank you, My Lady."
Yavanna left Bilbo to his thoughts with a nod and appeared in her Husband's Forge. She could see the tension in his stance, this was an important task, too many things depended on it after all. He stood up and walked to her immediately.
"What did he say?"
"He agreed. Like we knew he would and understands the consequences of such a decision as much as is his ability. Will you talk to Thorin now?"
"Yes. Immediately. Father grows impatient. The new song must be sung before the Others realise. Worry not, I will make sure my Child understands."
"Of course. Go ahead, my Heart. I will inform Father of our decisions."