A/N: Thank you to everyone who read the previous chapter! Didnt think I'd get much response from it. Also thank you for the reviews and to those who took the time to basically tell me about my poor spelling and grammar skills. I'm not perfect by any means, so I'm going to have a few mistakes happening here and there. Part of life, these things happen. So, I went through this chapter, with a fine brush comb, I apreciate the feedback, alas I'd like it more on the story but beggers cant be choosers. Lets hope I've managed to do better with this chapter. And who knows, seeing as in the UK we're heading towards another lockdown, there may be just a lot more chapters heading your way.

Adventure

"Oh come now Bilbo." I say a little in disbelief. " Just the mere thought of an adventure has made you faint, you are in no fit state to hear of my recent travels." I reprimand him, before taking a sip from the cup of tea he'd just freshly poured for me. He gives me a look, of disgruntlement, for reminding him of said incident.

"Yes, about that." He sighs indignantly and I chuckle quietly to myself.

" My travels aside, tell me Bilbo, honestly, do you want to do this? Join them, I mean." I ask him seriously as he shifts in his seat under my stare and question. "Thirteen strangers, all travelling towards a land you've only seen on map and read of in books." I ask him gently.

"I don't know, a part of me wants to, they seem genuine, when they're not wrecking my home." I smile gently. "This quest of theirs, it means a lot to them, you can see that clearly. But what I can not understand, is why me? Of all people. Why not you?" His nose twitches as he looks to me.

"You don't give yourself enough credit Bilbo." I murmur softly as I take a bite of the pot pie and sigh in delight. Oh, now this is heaven on a plate! "I'd love to tell you, why you, above anyone else was chosen, but my own reasons cloud my judgement." Sighing I gather my thoughts. "I've always believed that you have so much more to give, a part of me thinks Gandalf believes and can see that too, but you have been shied away from that potential because of me." I admit quietly as I take another bite from my meal.

"Wh-what?" He huffs a laugh as he spreads jam onto his scone.

"When we were younger before I started my training, I was always following you. Well, trying to keep up with you, that is, you were always running off into the woods, searching for the very beings you read in your books. If given the chance, I was most certain back then you'd run and jump a mile for your own adventure, you've told me so, on many occasions. And I always saw it happening, the both of us, together on our own adventures, travelling together to vast cities, discovering new things and meeting new people on our way."

We both pause and smile at we recollect the memories of our younger selves, making promises we'd never get to come true on.

"When I finished my training and began going off on my own. Those promises were broken because you could not come with me. That twinkle of adventure was snuffed out each time I came back home. Not because you'd missed out on an exciting adventure, but because the world isn't what we thought it was, we both soon realised that those stories we read about were just that, stories and has nothing on what the real world is truly like. I think, each time I recounted my adventures, you pulled back in on yourself, not believing my word to be true because we had made so many good memories planning our own adventures." A sigh escapes me as I take in my own words. "It's almost like, my telling you of the real world darkened those memories."

"Rose-." He sighs softly, his eyes shadowing with sadness.

"You and I both no it's true. Over the years, you've gotten better at hiding your emotions, we both know that as time has gone on, you've realised that it is I, who is better suited for the adventures and not you." Another twitch, this time of the eyebrow.

"It seems that you have come to the conclusion that if you cannot come with me, as I fight and protect the good and innocence of this world, that you have resigned yourself to being the keeper of Bag End. That you must live your life through your books and partially through the telling's of the better adventures I have taken. And I am sorry for that, for breaking my promise."

"Which promise Rose? We made many when we were younger." He asks softly, of which I almost didn't hear if I hadn't of seen his lips move.

"The one where we'd always stick together. I've been so caught up with my wanderings, that I've forgotten about the most important person in my life. You. You are wasting away in here Bilbo. Don't let my recounts of adventures and battles be the only open door you have into this world. Because there is so much more out there!" I smile as I reach across the table to grab his hand.

"Truly?"

" Yes, the world isn't all full of bad things. Yes, most of my adventures recount the evil and dark things that happen in this world because that is what I fight against, I am called to aid those who need my help against that evil, I myself sometimes forget about the good that is in the world. But then I think of the places I've been, the people I've met. And when I come home, I am reminded of that good, when I see you. The weeks I stay at home, I am further reminded of that good because you show me it, the world needs you Bilbo. It needs your light, good heart and spirit. And whether they know it or want it, those dwarves need you too! Don't let what you've gathered from me of this world, be the reason for you to not go on your own adventure."

"I'm not like you though, I can not fight or be brave like you." He whispers softly in defeat.

"We always think the worst of ourselves Bilbo, but it's the people around us that give us courage to believe in ourselves. A wise hobbit once told me in my darkest hours of need, that I am braver than I believe, stronger than I seem and smarter than I think."

"And loved more than you will ever know." He reminds me. "This hobbit of yours is wise."

"Don't be bashful, you know it's you." I chuckle. "Bilbo, I'm not asking you to suddenly go out there and become a warrior. I'm asking you to think for yourself for a change. I'm asking you to take the leap and travel your own path like I have. I was destined to become a Guardian. You were not destined to be just a gardener, you are that and much more, you just have to believe and see it. Evidently Gandalf saw that in you a long time ago and is here to give you a nudge in the right direction. Well I'm here to give you that push."

He chuckles for a moment as he grasps my hand in both of his.

"I'm afraid Rose, afraid of what will happen on this quest."

"Don't worry on the possibilities of what might happen, live in the now Bilbo."

"Gandalf has already said he cannot guarantee that I will come back from this quest."

"And that's what is holding you back, the thought of dying." I sigh. "We all die eventually Bilbo, it's part of the great circle of life. Some people will see death as an end, some see it as a beginning. Don't think of this quest as one that is leading you to your death, think of it as a journey leading you to something bigger and better. Yes, he cannot guarantee you will live, but I can and I will." He looks startled as I say the last few words harshly and he looks at me in question.

"What, what do you mean?"

"Something told me to come back home. Some higher power or sixth sense. Call it what you will. But I felt like I was needed. And that is why I've come back so early. If this is indeed the reason why, then I am here for you. Whether that be to follow and protect you on this quest. Or extend your blasted garden. It's your decision. I've already told that stubborn headed King of a dwarf that come hell or high water, I will be coming on this quest if you go, whether he likes it or not."

"You can't!"

"Like hell I can!"

"You are a Guardian of this Earth." He points out, not that I need reminding. "You are needed, much more else where. Not following after your brother on a quest."

"I am a Guardian, yes. There are people out there who need me, yes. There is evil out there that needs to be sent back to the depths of hell, yes." I pause.

"Yes! Exactly so-."

"But you are my brother, my one and only brother. And right now, you need me most. There are other Guardians that watch over Middle Earth, some who need to pull their finger out of their arse and actually do said guarding for a change, instead of leaving me to do it all."

"A certain Wizard still being too harsh and condescending with you?" Bilbo chuckles quietly until I give him a death glare.

"And a certain brother will refrain from mentioning said Wizard. Bloody old fool." I mutter to myself.

"He still hasn't forgiven you for that little incident has he?"

"Apparently Wizards hold grudges, especially one as proud as Saruman. He should know better, being the leader of our order and all. Anyway, back to the topic at hand."

"Oh yes, the other Guardians."

"Yes, thank you. They've all gotten so used to me doing the heavy work, that maybe having two Guardians on this quest will make others open their eyes to the matter at hand. They have been blind to the see the darkness that is leaching it's way through the lands, not to mention that they barely take notice when I rid the world of it, they need to see it for themselves now, this may be the push they need too. One Guardian can only do so much, I am not abandoning my duty nor the people I protect, I trust Gandalf, another fool of a Wizard, if he thinks the dwarves need to march on that mountain, then he must have good reasons behind it. If you go, I will follow. I will not let anything happen to you, I will make sure you get to that mountain and back in one peace but understand me when I say this, you will not be the same person who will walk out that door tomorrow morning when you return."

"Who will I be?"

"You, and so much more!" I tell him confidently. "I've shielded you from this world for far too long now Bilbo, it is high time you see it for yourself. And I will be there with you for every second of it."

"Hmm." He hums to himself before shaking himself out of his thoughts, he lightly taps the top of my hand before releasing it. "Enough serious talk, eat your dinner, I don't want you wasting away, you're far too skinny as it is!" I laugh softly as he all but shoves a forkful full of food into my mouth. "And I'm still waiting to hear of your adventure, you're not scaring me away now." He says cheekily, as he takes a mouthful of his scone and I squint my eyes at him.

"If you insist. Nothing much happened, I heard my call and I followed it. Right up until I arrived at a village of Man-." I begin recounting my adventure in between mouthfuls of food, watching his face lifting into all sorts of expressions as I speak. He asks questions, some of disbelief and curiosity. This goes on well after our dinner, until the fire is burning low and the chill creeps in, it's only when I begin to feel my eyes droop, do I suddenly remember how exhausted I am.

"Come now, let's call it a night. You can stay here, no point in sending you to your own room now, goodness what those dwarves are up to and they will no doubt hound you the second you leave this room." He pulls me gently from my chair and guides me over to his bed, he pulls my boots from my feet and fetches the spare blanket and pillow he keeps hidden in his room, for the times when an adventure has taken it's toll on me a bit too much and I need the comforts of home.

"I can't remember the last time we did this." I say tiredly as I lay on my back, we've positioned ourselves to sleep top to tail. He chuckles in agreement as he gets himself comfortable. "We must've been still young last I remember." I hear myself slur my words and he chuckles again.

"Sleep now Rose." He murmurs softly back to me and I hum back at him. As I begin drifting, a sound reaches my ears.

"S'that?" I ask, fighting through the sluggishness of sleep that has grasped its hold on me.

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day
To seek our pale enchanted gold

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep
In hollow halls beneath the fells

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day
To claim our long-forgotten gold

Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold, where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves

The pines were roaring on the heights
The winds was moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light

The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail

The mountain smoked beneath the moon
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon

Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day
To win our harps and gold from him

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old

As I am lulled further into sleep by the sorrowful lullaby, somewhere, hidden in farthest reaches of my mind, to the memories that have been blocked from me, since I arrived in the Shire, one breaks free.

I watch as a woman, with long hair the colour of sunshine and eyes as bright as the blue sky, gazes down, smiling lovingly at me. I do not know who she is or how she came to be in my memories. Nor why, now, of all times, a memory has managed to break free.

I cant ponder on it for long, as she leans forward and a whisper of a touch, presses against the top of my forehead. The gesture makes me believe that I am young, but by how much I do not know. I must know her well, as I feel a sense of calm wash over me as she wishes me sweet dreams before she sings to me. Her voice is a wonder to describe and so serene that she begins to lull me to sleep. One thing that rings around my mind as this memory is pulled back into the depths and back behind that barricade I can not reach, due my current exhausted state, is that she is singing the same lullaby the dwarves have just sung. This revelation is taken away from me as I sink further into a deep sleep.

If I wasn't so exhausted, I'd remember her in the morning to come, to question Gandalf, but fate has never really been on my side when it comes to my blocked memories.

Let's hope one day, that will finally change.

Well, here we go. Tell me what you think!