I'm sorry for not updating sooner my people! This chapter was tough to power out for a couple of reasons- namely Bilba being stubborn with me and my work and health and all sorts of fun stuff you won't want to hear about.

Inspired by a prompt I stumbled upon by lateforerebor on tumblr.

Summary: Bilba "Bell" Baggins decides that she's waited quite long enough to take her mother's advice and old stories and go on an adventure of her own. What she didn't expect was to end up in Ered Luin and be adopted by dwarves! AU, Pre-Quest, Undecided Pairings.

-;-

Unlike the prior time that she had returned to the Shire, Bilba could not quite manage to feel as though she were a part of the societal group that was well-established there any longer.

At least, not with her Baggins relations. The Tooks and Brandybucks of course loved her unconditionally, embraced her heritage and laughed at the Baggins nature that she occasionally proved she had. But the Bagginses, those who had chosen to discard their wandering pasts and most of their culture with it, sneered at the lass as she re-entered their world, changed from her journey to the west.

They wouldn't do it quite so openly, of course. There were certain boundaries to uphold and not cross under any circumstances- Bilba's position as the head of the Baggins family certainly helped keep most of the rumors at bay from them. The Gamgee groupings were too well-natured to speak ill of their employer, who was kind enough to continue hiring them as well as giving them additional wages once word got out that they were providing services to the-hobbit-who-would-not-be-named. By doing so, of course, Bilba was publicly declaring that they were under her protection, and given who her relatives, it put a damper on those wishing ill-will toward them.

As she had not gone through Tuckborough to return to Hobbiton this time, Bilba instead penned them a letter the day following her return. She had seen the rangers out her door with enough food to last several days and an open invitation to return whenever they needed a warm bed and food in their bellies before limping heavily back into her smial and to her study, where she quickly put her words to parchment.

To my family,

As you have no doubt heard by now, I have once again caused quite a stir in Hobbiton with my arrival from the west. I was travelling with a group of rangers following an encounter with an orc and warg- do not worry, for I am alive and well- though I was injured and will need some time to recover.

My travels have brought much thought to me over the last several seasons, and I now wonder if Bag End was truly meant for me. While I understand that it is a Baggins home, I have already promised it to Drogo and Primula following their marriage- and do not act so surprised, you know they will get married one way or another. But I think that I have found another family in the Blue Mountains. You would all love them- there are three dwarrow brothers, and oh, I am certain that mother would have loved them all. Of course, they age a bit differently than Hobbits, but that is to be expected with the differences between us.

The eldest would just be a few years older than I, with the middle brother only slightly younger and the youngest enough so that I see him more as a sibling… perhaps even as a son? I do not know, for I am still coming to terms with the idea that they have taken me into their hearts and their home and put up with "such a fussy creature as myself" to quote you, Auntie Mira.

I am not under any illusions that my reputation will withstand the latest gossip, no thanks to Lobelia I am certain, but I hope that should anything reach your ears you would write me to let me handle it. I may not have found need to invoke my status as one of the oldest of family lines before now, but I am certainly not afraid of putting these meddling ninnies in their place once and for all, if only so I may get some peace. You would think that I went off and married an elf, for all of their mutterings!

But back to my original thoughts.

I do not know if I will desire to remain in Hobbiton in the coming months. I find that while I am able to leave my dwarves- and they are indeed mine- I do not find it easy, nor do I enjoy the thoughts of them getting on with their lives without me. Perhaps it is to do with my loss of my mother and father, but I have a feeling- an ache in my chest that I fear is telling me that something terrible will happen if I am away from them. Mayhaps it is only an overactive imagination, but there is a part of me that recognizes it as truth.

And to you, Uncle Isengrim, Thain of the Shire, I ask that you and I meet in person before the winter snow approaches, for I find that I need your wisdom in several matters. That is not to say that I do not wish to see any of the rest of you, dear family, but I believe that I must get this business out of the way first. Remember that you are all welcome in my home, and may the Mother bless your way.

Yours always,

Bilba

It was a long letter- long by her standards, given how little she had interacted with anyone following her parents death, but Bilba was satisfied with it when she sent it off with one of the doves that frequented the Shire. Similar to the methods that the dwarves took, hobbits also utilized the skills of birds to send missives and letters back and forth, though it was mainly the Tooks and Brandybucks these days. Most others used the post. Such an odd thing, now that Bilba thought of it. She had a foot in each society- the rich history with the Tooks, as well as their language and culture- but the Baggins sensibilities and hospitality.

Unless it happened to be a Sackville-Baggins, of course.

-;-

Her pantry was well-stocked in preparations for the winter, Bilba noted as she stood among her shelves and cupboards of dried and canned foodstuffs. She had gotten rather skilled in hoarding food since the Fell Winter, and with her luck and tenacity, she had enough to fend for herself and perhaps any who might seek refuge with her, however little the chance may be. Starvation could motivate a hobbit like nothing else, and she was half expecting there to be a handful of the younger tweens knocking on her door at any moment on behalf of their parents.

She sighed, running her hands through her hair, catching on the beads that she had strung altogether on a single lock of hair. She felt more comfortable in the beads now than she had last time she had returned home, she mused. Most likely given how her relationship with the trio of dwarrow had changed again during that time. Her knife throwing with Nori, her studying with Ori, helping Dori create new blends of teas…

It had all been so domestic, so lovely and quiet and full of warmth there in that home in the Blue Mountains. Nothing like the place that Bag End had become.

"It's an awful lot like the last time I thought about it." She said out loud, a smirk twisting her lips as she limped back out to the kitchen to put her kettle on. Her leg was bothering her- the same that had been injured during the Fell Winter, coincidentally- and she had several herbal remedies that she had made into a tea of sorts that she could use to relieve some of the aches and pains that the injury brought her.

She had, briefly, considered continuing to the Last Homely House to speak personally with Lord Elrond about her visions, but the injury had rather put a damper on that. She already planned on speaking with her Thain and Uncle about some of it, but even so, the warning that the Lady Dis had given her rang clearly throughout her mind. Shortly before departing, she had "run into" the imposing dwarrowdam and pulled aside for a brief conversation regarding what she could do about her situation. The conclusion from that had been that she should wait to speak with the elf lord until the spring months rather than attempting to send word via a letter. There were too many possibilities of getting intercepted, and Bilba had agreed that there was something moving within the world that even she couldn't quite pin down.

She liked Dis, despite the obvious wariness of the visions that Bilba had shared with her. Particularly those pertaining to the dam herself. It insinuated that there were times ahead in which dwarrow and other races would call upon one another in aid, and the information troubled Dis greatly. It troubled Bilba even more so, given the visions of battles and orcs and places that she had never seen.

But there was little she could do about it for the moment, and so instead she had gone back to the Shire to think upon what she could do in the future.

-;-

Bree – One Week Later

It was raining thoroughly by the time that the wizard in grey finally arrived to Bree. His memories of the town were much the same as they had always been- a place of refuge regardless of one's race, and oftentimes a place of good trade, food, and rest. Now, however, it was beginning to close down from the summer months, preparing for the colder winters and the rain and mud sure to follow.

Rumors had followed him further and further south, and he had finally managed to pinpoint that Thorin Oakenshield and his guard would be staying for at least this evening in Bree. Now as to whether or not he could pinpoint precisely which tavern they would frequent was another matter entirely, and not one that even he could do.

Wizards were not entirely in the know at all times, after all.

Of course, he had a feeling that The Prancing Pony would be a likely option- it was the best food, the most cheer, and the place of the most gossip available. The loud atmosphere would be welcome in keeping their conversation to themselves as well. Yes, a good plan indeed.

But, just to be sure, he ensured that there were no other dwarves in the area, and that meant personally visiting each tavern in a circle before finally finding himself standing at the stoop of the Prancing Pony.

There were many memories of being in this place, he mused, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he entered. Of course, not all of them were as pleasant, nor was it always a place of safety.

He waded through the lot of rowdy folk, almost tugged into a rather persistent lass' lap when she caught wind of him, and caught a glimpse of the dwarf he had come to see, though there was no sign of his second shadow. Perhaps they had been separated, or chosen to go their own ways. Regardless, it was the rather shady pair who flanked the dark haired dwarf who caught Gandalf's attention, and he made his move swiftly.

"Mind if I join you." He asked mildly, seating himself across from the elusive dwarf lord and watching carefully as the pair no doubt meaning him harm made themselves settle back down. They would likely remain to watch the exchange carefully.

"I'll have the same." He flagged the pretty serving girl as she busied by, giving him a nod and a warm smile before continuing on her course.

"I should introduce myself. My name is Gandalf." The wizard hummed, eying up the dwarf before him as he warily glanced away from him- assessing to see if the danger was still present. A wise move- never assume that one who rescues you also does not mean you harm. "Gandalf the Gray."

The piercing blue gaze settled on him, though the wariness of the dwarf didn't leave his frame.

"I know who you are." He replied quietly, his voice a low rumble.

"Well now." Gandalf chuckled, diverting attention to a warmer disposition. "This is a fine chance. What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?"

The grandfatherly persona certainly wouldn't sway him, but it would go much further in assuring that he didn't mean harm to him.

"I received word that my father," he paused, looking uncomfortable for a moment, "was seen wandering the wilds near Dunland. I went looking, but found no sign of him."

"Thorin, it had been a long time since anything but rumor was heard of Thrain." Gandalf shook his head slightly, feeling his brows furrowing. This was not the same lord that he had expected to meet. Perhaps a bit more… lost, had been his expectation. Then again, Thorin had been through much since the attack on the Lonely Mountain.

"He still lives." Thorin stared at him, conviction strong in his voice. "I am sure of it."

They stared at one another, assessing, studying, when the serving girl returned, placing a plate of warm bread and ale before him. A rather simple, but enjoyable meal, and one that Gandalf had returned for several times over in the past.

"My father came to see you before he went missing. What did you say to him."

"I urged him to march upon Erebor. To rally the seven armies of the Dwarves. To destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I would say the same to you. You, and your kinsman who travels with you. Though I must admit, I expected the two of you to stay together rather than part ways." Gandalf spoke plainly. There was little point in lying or misleading him, though he was genuinely curious as to where the guard had vanished to.

"This is no chance meeting, is it." Thorin drawled, pushing aside his meal in favor of the ale.

"No." Gandalf admitted grimly, "It is not. But the Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, dark forces and minds will turn toward it. Whilst travelling along the road, I ran into some rather unsavory characters who mistook me for a vagabond. One of which was carrying a message."

He revealed the leather, marked crudely with black ink, pushing it forward across the table so that the dwarf could see it before quickly hiding it away once again.

"Black Speech. A promise of payment." He remarked.

"For what."

By the look on the lord's face, Gandalf knew he likely had an idea of what exactly it was that the words said.

"Your head. Someone wants you dead. Rally the seven armies and take back your home."

"The seven armies swore allegiance to they who wields the king's jewel." Thorin growled back, staring at him with a glint of mistrust in his eyes. "And in case you have forgotten that, it was stolen from us by the beast Smaug."

"What if I were to help you reclaim it."

"How. The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried in beneath the feet of a fire breathing dragon."

"Yes." Gandalf agreed. "Which is why we're going to need a burglar."