AN: I don't own any of these characters. I am merely borrowing them from Tolkien.
I really struggled to get this chapter out. Between work and the not knowing what is around the corner day to day, my Christmas spirit is hiding. So, I went for a walk in the crisp air and looked at all the pretty, sparkling night.
Advent Day 19
Snow Day.
My Dear Dwarves,
Small children are fonder of snow than adults, or so I have come to realise. They get bundled up in their colourful winter clothes and run shrieking and falling and playing into the soft whiteness. Adults seem to be more reserved. They are the ones who do the bundling up, the building of the fires and the cooking of rich hearty food.
You know since I've returned that my reputation has become a little tarnished among the adults of Hobbiton (my Took cousins are however ecstatic). The faunts were not entirely sure what to make of me when I returned tired, grumpy and covered in bruises and mud from that blasted pony.
The Gamgees were my saving grace, and once it was deemed the most respectable couple in Hobbiton accepted me, I was lumbered with what appeared to be child-sitting duties for the whole of the county.
However, it snowed last night. And believe me, I never thought I would be thankful to see snow, ever, in my life. As it stands, I am currently writing this having, somehow, being roped into building snow forts for the kits to play their snowball games. I've shown them how to make snow hobbits, and fallen hobbits. How to craft the perfect snowball, how to make their walls sturdy enough they can climb over them. I've even, (to the distress of some parents), shown them how to make an ice slide.
After a lunch of hot chocolate and spiced, parsnip soup (provided by the kindly Gamgees) I was handed a pair of knitted mittens and sent to help the kits sledge down the sides of Bag End.
I haven't been this exhausted since Goblin Town.
I do hope this letter finds you well.
Much love and I hope to be on my way to you again when the weather turns,
Bilbo Baggins.
P.S. Bombur did you manage to get a hold of the venison for the Yule feast? And did my cousins arrive with the trade goods from the Shire? I do hope Thorin, Balin, Dwalin and the boys have remembered to take a break from work to spend time with you all. Bofur! Bifur! Stop carving for five minutes and join the others in song. Nori! Stop winding Dori up. Dori! Stop letting him. Fili! Kili! If Ori hasn't left the library wind him up. Someone collect Oin from the healing wings and Gloin from the forges please. Now Try and enjoy Yule as the family I know you all became.
AN: What do you think then? I love to hear your thoughts.