Bilbo took a glance about the camp. The dwarves had settled into their usual parties to sleep—Fili and Kili close together and Thorin would settle near enough to them to keep an eye but far enough away that it was not obvious. Or so, that was the lie he told himself. Even now, the dwarf leader's breathing was light; he would awake at a moment's notice if need be and any time either if his nephews would groan or shift, one eye would open.
Dwalin as always stayed closed to Durin's Line. It was a duty he took seriously even in periods of rest. As it was, the two youngest dwarves—Fili and Kili—were gifted the best sleeping spot, tucked against a rocky enclave. Thorin guarded their side exposed to the right and Dwalin to the left.
Balin took bed near the remains of the fire as did the three other brothers: Nori and Dori cocooned Ori between them. Gloin and Oin slept back to back not too far away.
Bifur, Bombur and Bofur took up their own circle, midway between the others. And to just the right of them slept Bilbo's younger self, giving him a center spot between the Durins and Bofur. It was no secret that he was beginning to feel more comfortable. They were bonding.
Good. That was good.
"Bango." The deep, revered voice of Gandalf drew Bilbo from his thoughts. The old wizard was manning watch at the moment, sitting by the low fire with his back to them. "I know you're awake." Laying a hand on the log beside him, Gandalf said, "Will you grant me your company for a time?"
Bilbo bit his lip but how could he resist that? Gandalf had always been a strong confidant for him and he remained so. As he stood and made his way over to Gandalf, his mind fretted and ran. What was safe to say to him? Would it be okay to warn him? He remembered, well and good, Lord Elrond's warning but what if they could make things better? What if he accidentally made it worse?
Time travel was ever so confusing!
Stepping over the broken twigs and damp earth, Bilbo eased himself to sit beside the older wizard. It was odd to see him in such a way. He's grown so accustomed to him as Gandalf the White after Frodo's adventure. All the same, he accepted the offer of old Toby from him with gratitude and the two of them sat in silence for far too long.
"You are an odd creature, Bango Goodbody," the old man finally said.
Bilbo laughed good-naturedly. "Am I?" He took an inhale and blew out a light smoke ring. "I do suppose one might call me that. I don't exactly fit in with other hobbits. Haven't for a long time."
"No but you remind me very much of Bilbo—of how he was so many years ago before the expectations of society and properness got to him." Gandalf set him with a look, not quite scrutinizing but baffled and intense all the same. "And I've never seen a Hobbit with the feel of Valinor about them." He touched Bilbo's hand lightly. "Even fewer return with a mark of the Valar upon them."
Bilbo turned his hand over, looking at the light tattoo that had been marred into his skin. It looked so similar to the designs he saw on the dwarves' armor or in some cases, as with Dwalin, permanently marred into the skin. "That was quite the surprise for me as well, I assure you."
"No doubt." Releasing an exhale himself, the old wizard remarked, "I do not know what spurred you onto this quest but it must be vital indeed for you to bear the mark of Aulë. Rarer still for a hobbit to be so involved in the comings and goings of dwarves."
Bilbo gave the man a cynical look. "Not unlike a wizard that interferes with the life of a Hobbit that was quite uneventful?"
Gandalf scoffed. "It will be good for him."
With a nod, Bilbo agreed. "I dare say you are right on that account. But you've put more in play here than you know, Mithrandir."
With a low chuckle, Gandalf remarked, "I have not been called that since my last voyage to Gondor. I was unaware you were well versed in Elvish. Much like our curious Bilbo over there."
Feeling emboldened, Bilbo added, voice low. "Or I believe you once answered to Olórin once, did you not?"
There was the nervousness in the returning voice. "I have not heard Quenya for many an eon, my friend."
"Do not expect to hear much else." Holding his hands up in defeat, Bilbo said, "I know only a sampling of the words. But I know YOU much better than you might think. I know you to be more than a mere wizard."
"Do you now?" Gandalf had genuine interest in his face. "Do enlighten me then."
Was this right? Bilbo didn't know but he had already pushed forward and he could do nothing else but accept it. "For as much as you are a kind sort, Gandalf and seeing our hobbit children laugh at your tricks does bring you joy, you serve a greater purpose here. You are Istar, a Maia."
Eyes aglow as he had never said as such to anyone—truly unimportant honestly—Gandalf took a sharp inhale then released it. "Indeed, so I am. And you know much more than a mere hobbit should."
"I know because I have lived through much." Bilbo poked the fire with an abandoned stick absentmindedly. "I know you were taught under Aulë, long ago. I also know that the colors of you wizards, you Istar, have less to do with power than with mission." He added, as if to prove himself. "Radagast the Brown serves the beasts and land. Saruman was meant to be the leader and commander. You are a wanderer, learning and teaching—rallying the people under one cause. I confess to know not what the Blue Wizards did." He pointed at the man's hand. "But I know you hold Narya."
"If you meant to garner my interest, you have done so." Gandalf addressed the hobbit firmly but not unkindly. "Who are you, truly, as you are no Goodbody."
"No," Bilbo admitted. "I am not. I am one that has walked this path before and I would see it end more pleasantly than last time." Setting the older man with a look, he advised. "I would have you be frank with the dwarves, Gandalf."
"Frank?" The wizard parroted. "I know not what—"
"Do not take me for a fool," Anger colored Bilbo's words. "True, you did not lie to them but you had another purpose beyond helping them reclaim their land."
Gandalf looked away. "I think you assume too much—"
"The Shadow in the East," Bilbo answered. "You dread what it is but I'm here to tell you that it's EXACTLY what you fear." Pushing forward, he said, "You fear the dragon coming under its sway."
"Smaug is no simple opponent," Gandalf admitted. "Stubborn and independent as the fire drakes of old were, they could be persuaded."
"And Sauron has the means to do so if he continues to gather strength." Bilbo reached out, took the man's hand. "And you are right to fear him, Gandalf."
Coughing a bit, the man said, "What would you have be frank about?"
"Everything. That while yes, they deserve their home returned, it goes beyond them, beyond us. That Erebor will serve a vital role in the conflicts ahead, that having the Line of Durin back in those halls will command far more than the lives of just dwarves."
A warm smile graced Gandalf's face. "You carry much respect for them but dwarves can be quite obstinate and they are protective of their own lives."
"And so can I." Folding his arms, Bilbo accused, "You say Bilbo has lost much of the fire of his youth but you have lost some of your innocence as well. Do you trust dwarves so little? You've let your time with elves color your vision, old friend."
The wizard frowned but he did not reject. "Perhaps in some ways. Do you feel so strongly that they would react to a threat beyond their borders with the compassion they display for one another?"
Bilbo nodded firmly. "Unlike Lord Elrond, much as I respect him, I know dwarves do not live within their caverns out of greed. They care for others. They seek to protect their own, yes but they know well enough that they are part of this world and would not see it burn to ash. And no one more than Thorin knows the importance of responding to people in need. He has been on the side when aid was needed and not given."
Gandalf considered this and nodded, "Perhaps you are right, my friend." He turned his eyes to the fire. "Perhaps I have put too little faith in them."
Chuckling a bit, Bilbo added, "Thorin can be stubborn and tiring, yes but I think he can surprise you too. You'll see."
