It's so exciting to see everyone wondering what will happen in the future chapters in all of my reviews, and I can't help but feel a little giddy. Thank you all for your support, and keep the speculations coming!
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.
-;-
"Ah, Lobelia. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Bilba asked pleasantly as she opened the door to the rather unpleasant hobbit.
Lobelia would be considered a quite attractive lass, if she were ten years younger and lost the extremely sour expression that she had come to wear semi-permanently upon her face. Her dark blond curls were pinned up precisely in a traditional hobbit fashion, whereas Bilba had come to simply pull her mane back and secure it with a leather tie these days.
Lobelia eyed up Bilba in a way that almost had her slamming the door in her distant relations face- that would be the Took in her, she was certain of it. The Baggins in her was growling at her inner Took, though it too agreed that Lobelia was not one of her favourite people.
She certainly had embraced the less formal way of life, preferring loose skirts and tunics and only rarely donning one of the short corsets that she had never really enjoyed lacing up anyway- a remnant of her mother, she supposed. And while she knew that she had come to terms with her less than hobbity ways, the rest of the Shire had not.
She cleared her throat when it appeared that Lobelia was still lost in examining her, and the other hobbit finally straightened, though she did make a faint effort to appear less scornful of her cousin-by-marriage.
"It has come to my attention that there are… concerns… of your behavior." Lobelia sniffed, pushing through the door and making her way to the sitting room.
Bilba was tempted to simply grab her by her shawl and throw her back out the door, but refrained.
"I've no doubt you have." She muttered to herself instead, straightening her skirts before standing to her full height and striding after the other lass, glancing at the cupboard she'd stashed her silverware this time to ensure that the sticky-fingered creature hadn't managed to get into it again. Her mother would be livid if she knew that Lobelia had married into the Baggins line in an attempt to get her hands on some of the fortune that Bungo had amassed over the years.
"And what concerns are there of my behavior now?" she inquired instead, sarcasm veiled within her tone.
"Your running off with nary a word to any of your relations here in Hobbiton, your blatant disrespect of traditions, and your lack of respectability in every sense of the word. Inviting Rangers into your smial, and returning from who knows where injured, of all things! Why, I'm surprised no one has run you out of the Shire." Lobelia immediately rattled off, her features pinching again as she nearly spat the last words into the air.
Bilba had frozen in place when the first words had hit open air, startled that Lobelia would so blatantly come after her reputation, regardless if it were behind closed doors, and she could feel the low simmer of anger roiling in her belly as if perhaps she were a dragon, waiting to be spat back.
"And I suppose that you would rather enjoy if I were to pack my things and leave again, wouldn't you, Lobelia?" Bilba asked in a frigid tone, drawing herself to her full height as she put everything her father had taught her of propriety to use. "While we're being honest, perhaps you would like to know that while I may not be as uptight about the traditions that you and yours uphold to the point where stuffy is the most polite word I could use to describe it, I am still a hobbit and a Baggins, and I will not stand for this behavior in my own home."
She threw her hair back over her shoulder with a toss of her head, taking a step forward as Lobelia seemed to realize the mistake she had made by rattling the bars of a long sleeping giant.
"Furthermore, I would like to mention that I did in fact come into contact with family before I left, and continued to keep in contact with my relations to the south, of which I know quite well your opinion. You would love nothing more than for me to give up Bag End to you- it is the reason that you married into the family, is it not? But perhaps I should disappoint you now, for Bag End is promised to my cousins Primula and Drogo when they marry and settle down, and you will see not one item of my ancestors as long as I have a say in it. So I suggest you leave now, and do not darken my step again, for as a Head of House and as the sole Baggins heir left, I use my right to do so!"
Lobelia hurried to gather her shawl about her shoulders and get out of Bag End as Bilba prepared herself for another rally of verbal fire as she followed to ensure that the vile woman didn't take anything along her path of retreat.
"And mark my words, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, I won't hesitate to tell the Thain about this!" she snarled after the fleeing hobbit before closing the door firmly and locking it. That done, she sighed, slumping against the door as her Baggins sensibility cracked. If she hadn't already ruined her reputation before, snarling at her cousin-by-marriage and chasing her out of her smial certainly would.
"I should write a letter to the Tooks and let them know." She sighed. "They'll be thrilled."
-;-
"When's Bilba coming back?"
"The spring, Ori." Nori replied absently as he worked on sharpening his knives. They didn't get much use in Ered Luin, but all bets were off the moment he left the safety of the mountain city. "You know that."
"But I miss her." The youngest sighed, setting aside his quill for a moment as he leaned back. "She stayed last time."
"But she also left." Nori pointed out, rolling his eyes and wondering how he had managed to get roped into making sure Ori finished his studies. Dori had to cover the Goose since Bombur was needed at home- his wife Ilina was pregnant with their fifth babe and had fallen ill the night before. "She left in the spring, remember."
"So?" Ori frowned, looking over at his brother, eyes drawn downward to his calloused hands.
"You're trying to get out of finishing your writings." Nori huffed in reply, shaking his head and looking back at Ori. "Admirable, but unavoidable."
Ori stuck his tongue out at him before grabbing his quill and making a face at the parchment.
"What does Balin have you doing today?"
"A translation and analysis on the elves and their arrival to Middle Earth." Ori replied. "The Sindarin that the original document is written in isn't one that I recognize, and Bilba isn't here so I can't ask her for help with a few of the words. And I know that you don't like elves, so I won't be able to get much help there, either."
He snorted at the look on Nori's face at the mention of elves, the dwarf in question looking as though he were sucking on a lemon as he slipped his knives back into his sleeves.
"I'll ask Balin for assistance in a few days." The scribe shook his head.
"I think that would be wise." Nori agreed, ending that particular thread of conversation.
-;-
"To my cousins-"
"Oh shove off, we already know what it says!"
"To think we are mere cousins, honestly."
"Enough! The lot of you!"
There were subdued murmurs and agreements, smiles hidden behind hands at the cross tone as Isengrim huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The lot of them were utter faunts sometimes, completely incorrigible when it came to getting any sort of business done if there were more of three of them in a room at one time.
"I write this letter in hopes it will reach you before the latest scandal reaches your ears in Tuckborough, though I know how you all love a good gossip when it comes to those who live in Hobbiton.
I, Bilba Baggins of the Shire and of Hobbiton, finally gave Lobelia Sackville-Baggins the verbal thrashing she's been deserving of for years. And before you begin your dances of joy and laugh at my situation, she completely deserved it and it was hardly an amusing situation to be in at all. However, her words did reveal what I had already managed to figure out on my own- my reputation and my respectability are all but nothing at this point. I fully expect Lobelia to petition you, Uncle Isengrim, to sign the deed to Bag End to her. Now, as there have already been prior arrangements made, I can say that it is highly unlikely she will succeed in her endeavor, but you all know how crafty her lot can be.
I have finally come to a decision regarding myself as well.
Come the summer months, I think I will pack my things and make a final journey west to the Blue Mountains. While I love all of you dearly, I do not think I would make a very good Took- not with my Baggins sensibility holding me back. My father did teach me a thing or two, after all!
My proposal is this- Primula and Drogo are welcome to put down roots here in Bag End so long as there is a bed ready for guests (and even if said guests happen to be myself). On that note, I should mention that my leg is doing better now. It still aches, but it is more a healing one than that of infection, and I thank Yavanna for watching over me.
I will also be hoping to either journey to see you within the next several weeks, or hope to see some of you at my doorstep- yes, Uncle Isengrim, I recall that I would like to speak with you.
May the Mother bless your way,
Bilba"
"I knew she had it in her!" Mirabella cheered, her dark curls bouncing over her shoulder as she twisted to look at Donnamira, who likewise had a rather pleased expression on her features. As the remaining pair of sisters on the Took side- barring Belladonna- they knew Bilba had quite a bit riding on her shoulders. The Sackville-Bagginses continued persistence in getting their hands on the home Bungo had built from the ground up for his wife was definitely one of them.
"You're just over the moon because she's decided to leave Bag End to Primula." Donnamira teased, her own dark locks pinned back in a tail. "Though with how close they were as faunts I can't say I'm terribly surprised."
"Well, to be fair it won't be as if Bag End won't be staying in the family. Primula and Drogo will no doubt be married by the next harvest, and soon with a babe after that. You mark my words." Mirabella said knowingly. "Though honestly I think I'm more taken aback by Bilba's declaration of leaving the Shire!"
The room, full of cousins and other relations from all lines of the family tree, murmured and burst into low chatter again as Isengrim sighed and shook his head at his younger sisters.
"Did you honestly not think that it would happen eventually?" he asked. "Bilba is everything of Belladonna save her more respectable nature. It was obvious that she eventually would have decided to leave, even if it took her longer to see than us. Belladonna's passing hurt all of us, and Bilba most of all."
A solemn pause occurred, and then a mischievous grin lit up the eldest Took's features as he looked around.
"And let's not forget the generous offer our dear cousin Bilba has offered!"
Bilba, who was just putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, felt a prickle up her spine and a strange sense of foreboding wash across her. With a frown, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure that there was nothing there before continuing, though she still couldn't shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was speaking of her.
-;-
To the east, across the plains and amid a plentiful valley, another figure was frowning, though for a different reason.
Lord Elrond found himself wandering the halls of the Last Homely House during the night, the light of the moon shining down onto the pale stone walls and illuminating everything in a clear light. His thoughts, usually so composed, were scattered to the winds.
He had caught glimpses of something to come, in his Sight, and what he had Seen was causing much in his heart to find conflict. It had been the sight of a Shireling lass that puzzled the great elven lord. While certainly not uncommon for him to See other races and people in his brief forays into the future, a Hobbit was not of the usual lines, and what had been found laid out troubled him greatly.
A great mountain, looming on the horizon, smoke curling above it as the sun set behind dark mountains as birds scattered.
A Hobbit, looking at him with a weary smile, blood on her cheeks as she turned to look away.
Eagles in the sky, screaming battle cries that he couldn't recall hearing for many seasons as they dove to attack great masses of orcs.
And a glimpse of his kin to the east, wielding their weapons against shadowy creatures that continued to gain ground upon them. Among them Lord Thranduil's son, who he recognized due to the lad's visits as a younger elleth.
He had seen many years upon the earth, had seen many battles and rises and falls of peoples. He had Seen many of them, as well, and each had unsettled him to his bones and made him truly feel as old as the land he walked on.
But the one thing he did know was that a Hobbit, a Shireling, one of the people who had long since given up their ties to the old ways and their culture by settling in the west, was a deviance from the pattern.
"Ada?"
"I am well, my sons." He said quietly, offering a faint smile to the pair as they joined him.
Elladan and Elrohir had grown into fine elleth, despite their occasional inclination towards less appropriate behavior that their status wielded. Nonetheless, he could not truly disapprove of them, for their mother had been much the same once.
Though Celebrian had, admittedly, done it more politically and cunningly with her sharp tongue than she had actually going about causing mischief.
"Are you certain? You have that look." Elladan asked gently, nudging his father's shoulder.
"The one that Arwen scolds you for." Elrohir added.
Despite his thoughts, Elrond couldn't help the low chuckle that came from his chest, and he paused, reaching out to cup his sons' cheeks.
"I promise, I am well. I am merely thinking deeply on something I have Seen."
They settled, nodding, realizing that it would be best not to inquire after the contents of his visions until he had well and truly puzzled them over.
"Estel will arrive back from his lessons tomorrow." Elrond said lightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "I sincerely hope you two have not planned anything particular to welcome him home."
"Us?" Elrohir inquire innocently. "Ada, I cannot believe you would think of us in such a manner."
"Indeed, brother." Elladan sniffed, though a smile was beginning to spread across his own features. "One would think you only see us as miscreants."
"I am not wrong, and you know it. If your sister were here she would likely be helping you." Elrond replied dryly, adjusting his robe before sighing. "Now off with you. I have no want to be involved in whatever you have planned for Estel. Just please, leave the fountains alone this time."
"Of course, Ada." They chimed warmly, bowing slightly as they retreated and continued down the hall, leaving the darker haired of the trio to his thoughts once more.
-;-
"You most certainly will not be taking my sons on any quest you might be thinking of, Thorin Oakenshield, and that is final!"
The bellow echoed nearly to the bottom of the city in its force, causing many to look to the sky in curiosity and wariness. Thankfully, Fili and Kili were nowhere near their mother at that time, or they would have been immediately participating in the rather one sided conversation that their mother was having with their uncle.
"Dis-"
"No! They are my sons, Thorin!" the livid dam snarled, whirling around and jabbing a finger into his chest. "I've lost enough of my kin to senseless wars and quests. I won't lose any others. Even if I can't stop you, I can certainly stop my sons from following you."
"Fili is my heir, and Kili after him." Thorin tried instead, silently wondering if it was even going to be worth it to argue the point at the moment.
"Because you named him yours after your refusal to get married and have dwarflings of your own, you stubborn mule." His sister growled back, pacing as if she were a caged animal. "I had thought that after- after Frerin and father and grandfather you would finally see sense. That you had finally decided to make a life for yourself here in Ered Luin."
"We have. But Erebor is our home. Ours, Dis. Not that scaly beast's."
"And who put the thought into your head? Was it Dwalin? Or did you see something out there that made you decide that it wasn't good enough to simply have your family and kin with you? If you go on this quest, there are no guarantees you'll return. And you want me to agree to let my sons go with you while I sit idly here on a throne I was never meant to have?"
Well, when she put it like that…
Thorin winced, beginning to realize where his sister was coming from. Sighing, he ducked his head before reluctantly opening his arms to his sister, who immediately moved into them.
"I can't lose you, Thorin." She whispered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and clinging tight. "Nor can I lose my sons. They're all I have of Vili. Would you truly take them from me?"
"No." he replied instantly, regret thick in his tone. "And I am sorry if I made it sound as though I were."
"Just… allow me to think on it." She pleaded. "I know that I do not like the sound of what you plan, and I would rather tell them myself my opinion before you attempt to sway me to take them with you. And I know you'll go on this blasted quest if only because I know you."
"We are of Durin's line." He offered with a weak chuckle that was matched by his sister's.
"And we do not run from a fight. I know." She sighed deeply, pulling away and idly pulling specks of dirt from his tunic in an attempt to distract herself from her thoughts. "Please, Thorin, just reconsider this before you decide to do something that will kill you."
He nodded, and Dis knew that this would be the most civil they would be about the matter. In the back of her mind, the words that the Shireling had told her echoed. Thorin likely would go on this quest, and something big was going to happen because of it.
-;-
She was on the edge of a vast cliff, her heart in her throat as she clung to a branch, her hair whirling around her shoulders-
"You have come a long way from your home, Little One." A tall being- an elf?- said to her gently. His features rippled indistinctly in front of her eyes, and she blinked-
Feathers under her fingers-
Darkness as she was thrown into the side of something heavy and resisting, the sounds of a river harsh in her ears-
White flesh of a horrific creature standing over her, blade hurtling towards her-
And the silhouette of a dwarf, a calloused hand wrapping around her throat as he spoke-
"You did this."
Bilba woke with a shriek, her hands on her knives as she sought out the threat that didn't exist. Her heart felt as though it were going to leap from her chest, and her hands shook as she shook her head, running her fingers through her curls as she breathed deeply.
Why was this happening? She had never had any sort of odd visions as a faunt. They had only started after she had gone west to the Blue Mountains.
It didn't matter, she scolded herself. They were happening, and she would tell her uncle when she saw him. She had received word that he planned on coming to Hobbiton to speak with her as she had requested.
Knowing there would be little rest that night, Bilba decided instead to rouse herself and make a cup of tea to soothe her frayed nerves.