Hey everyone Thankyou so much for reading this far.
Ok so this is more of a lighter chapter with some Bilbo and Hildegard mainly having a conversation. Plus the bonus of Hildegard treating our favourite Hobbit like a doll. Could say a bit of fluff.
Bilbo was awoken with a startle as a loud crash shook the whole room. Though the Hobbit did not appreciate the rude awakening due to relentless struggles throughout the night. It seemed every 10 minutes he was woken by at least three of his many injuries crying out for attention. Making by far the most awful nights of his life, and he had been out with Hamfest Gamgee. With countless and disastrous misadventures of their all night benders. Serving as a stark reminder why himself and Gamgee should seriously stay away from the Leffe Blonde Ale.
If he did not end the night battered, cut up or wake up with at least one new injury from falling out off trees, bridges or into ditch. They were chased by the human farmers just outside of Hobbiton when they dared to venture to far onto their land. The numerous times he was also beaten when his friend decided picking a fight with the wrong people was a good idea. Usually resulting in him being the soul receiver of all the punches and kicks. Though the worst by far had to be the hiding he got from Bell when they would fall through the door at 6am and attacked with a rolling pin. That woman truly was the scariest entity when angered, even giving Orcs a run for their money.
Thinking about it now Bilbo questioned why he still hung around with him?
Shifting slightly Bilbo winced as his ribs protested against the movement and sent his lungs into spasms. He let out a rattled cough and could once again feel the sticky wet bile rise up his throat and into his mouth. Though he immediately swallowed the substance back down.
" Ahh good you are awake."
The voice instantly snapped the Hobbit out of his thoughts. He could vividly hear the approaching footsteps and felt a small shiver run down his spine when fingers began tickling him under his chin.
"How are you feeling?"
By now and by sheer effort and willpower Bilbo pried his eyelids open to look up at the girl who was crouched in front of him. He couldn't help but let out a long grown as the light of the new day painful penetrated is eye sockets. " I feel as if a couple of trolls decided to use me as their own personal football if I am honest." He replied with a horse tone.
Hildegard chuckled at the response but also had a mixture of slight pity on her face. " Well let's have a more quieter day shall we. So is not to make you feel as if it was bunch of fire drakes were doing the football match."
"Yeah that would be much appreciated." He could not help but let out a small smirk.
"Good well I may take you up on your offer of brushing your hair this morning. It is completely knotted and in need of a damn good comb."
Bilbo couldn't help but let a frown cross his features" Hobbits hair is naturally curly."
" That maybe so but right now them curls are completely untamed."
With that Hildegard immediately got up from the floor and made quick work of unfastening the rope from the wall bracket again. The Hobbit gazed on as the girl then wrapped the binding securing his wrists around her own. He mentally prepared himself for the intense pain he knew his body was going to experience when he was again moved. He let his muscles relax and fall limp into the hold. As the girl picked him up in one swift motion. Then strode over and placed him on the edge to her own bed. She then quickly climbing on herself to sit behind the smaller creature.
Realizing that the brush was sitting nearer to her pillow. Hildegard huffed before grabbing Bilbo under the arms and dragging him further back so he was now completely in the centre of the large bed.
Looking at the sheer enormity Bilbo right now felt even smaller. By any standard the bed was huge even for a normal sized human adult. Let alone a young tween.
He was quickly pulled out of his thoughts when he then felt the rough bristles of the brush connected with his head and the harsh tugging as the large girl got to work running it through Hobbit's strands.
She was unpleasantly rough as she fought to brush out the numerous knotted strands of hair. Bilbo could feel the pulling of his roots every time the brittles were pressed and dragged against his scalp. And couldn't help but let out struggling grunts as it felt like chunks of his hair was going to be ripped away with every stroke. Soon the movement began to get a lot less vicious as the brush could be pulled my easily through his hair with no resistance.
" So tell us a bit able yourself Keonie."
Bilbo looked ahead with a perplexed look. "What do you want to know?"
" Well where a little thing like you came from. Your general bio...interests. Basic things like that."
The Halfling thought for a moment not knowing if it was a good idea to reveal any sort of information about himself. It may prove disastrous if this girl found out to much about him and passed the information onto more dangerous individuals. This could put others in the Shire at risk if she decided one Hobbit wasn't enough and wanted several. He doubted that even The Master would go to that length and travel to the ends of Middle Earth to retrieve more. Even if his daughter begged him too. But the guy was more than willing to kidnap a Company member from a bunch of strong minded warrior Dwarfs. So he couldn't rule out any possibility and just didn't want to take that chance. Deciding it will be best to steer the conversation away from his homeland. And try and keep the subject of questioning on himself and twist the truth in others areas.
" Well you know already know that I'm a Hobbit. I'm 50 years old and I come from Underhill."
Hildegard shifted her weight in her spot as she gave the Hobbit a bemused look as she stopped brushing his hair for a moment.
" No way are you 50 years old. You look no older more than a adolescent with that youthful face. Seriously you have pudgy cheeks and the larger head of a child."
" I will take that as a compliment and been told on occasions I have a youthful appearance for my age. But it is true. A Hobbits lifespan on average is 100 years."
A beam crossed over the large girls face as this new detail came to light. " How exciting and delightful. This means I have you for at least another 50 years."
Bilbo shuddered at the thought and maybe realising he maybe shouldn't of said that. So quickly decided to change the subject.
" Anyway my hobbies are my books, smoking my pipe, eat good food. Enjoy sitting in my garden, sharing good memories and laughter. Drinking, parties just mainly all the simple things in life." Bilbo let himself breathe.
" May be simple but they do sound like nice interests to have. Though I could never give up my possessions and wealth."
There was a long pause before Hildegard again spoke up.
" So that is your hair done. Now I think a better outfit would be in order. Something I was wondering about and dug out not to ago while you were sleeping."
The Hobbit allowed himself to share a quick glance over his shoulder. "Was that the bang I heard earlier?"
" Sort of I was actually looking to see if I owned an old pair of shoes that would fit you. But unfortunately I do not have any that will."
Bilbo couldn't help but let out an inner sigh of relief upon hearing he didn't need to also go through that forced torment. There was a reason Hobbits did not wear such things. Mainly because their foot hair was a symbol of pride and ran deep in their heritage. But also the items were very intolerable on their large appendages, let alone having an already broken foot. It would of been another form of torture.
He watched as Hildegard got up and went to a nearby red felted chair. Placed on it was a neat pile of folded up garments which she picks up and strolled back over to the Hobbit. She puts them down in front of him and held up the first item for him to clearly see. It was a is a dark navy blue pinafore.
The smaller being inspects it for a second and then gives the girl a puzzled look." Shouldn't that be dressed on a girl?"
" No it came as an outfit for my large teddy bear so it should fit you no problem...Look it is shorts and it's own little pockets." She chuckled as she folded the pinafore over in her arms to show them off.
The Hobbit didn't no which was worse the fact that to him it looked more like a female garment. Or the annoying truth of the matter was that around these parts he was small enough to fit into a stuffed toys clothing. Looking at the large bear he assumed was the one she stripped. It was indeed the biggest stuffed animal he had ever seen in his life. In fact it was even larger than him.
" But first that top needs to come off so I can put this one on. So word of warning before I start do not move."
Bilbo nodded his head to comply and with that the girl put down the blue garment and once again went back to undoing the ropes on his wrists. Both individuals were beginning to feel the repetitiveness of this action.
"This is becoming tiresome. Honestly if I could just trust you to behave I would not have to keep doing this."
" It would be easier if you left them off you know. " The Hobbit immediately regretted the words that slipped from his mouth.
" Don't start being cocky or you will get a smack for your lack of manners again. We have had such a nice beginning to the morning so don't ruin in it now." She spat back in response.
He decided to just remain quiet and let the girl undo his bindings and not react to the rough jostling as the last tight knot finally gave way. He pulled is hands in front of him and began rubbing them to try and get the blood to circulate back into his numb fingers.
Soon enough Hildegard was pulling the new grey shirt over his head and manoeuvring it so he could slid his arms through the sleeves. Just as he thought the top was a little to big for his small frame. With the jewel neck hanging down just past his collar bone. And the large gaping sleeves flowing freely below his elbows.
Next was the pinafore and just like his wrists the ankles too were untied to allow the next garment to be dressed on him. Again the clothing was to big with the shorts swamping beyond the Hobbits ankles. And the straps not even resting properly on his shoulders.
" All done and you look absolutely adorable. Like a mini blacksmith." Hildegard clapped at her work before she walked off and came back with a medium size mirror. Holding it up so the Halfling could see his reflection.
Taking in his appearance Bilbo had to admit he didn't feel so much that he was dressed as a female. Instead more as if a faunt had decided to play dress up in his parents clothes. But he had to admit the outfit was comfortable and there was more of it too help keep him warm which was a bonus.
He nodded in approval "It look nice."
The girl grinned with the positive response and went to put the mirror back where she got it from.
While she was obviously in a good mood again. The smaller being decided that he would himself do some digging into the girls life. Maybe in the process it would build a bit of a trust if she allowed herself to open up to him.
" So I told you a bit about myself. How about you? Can you tell me a bit about yourself."
"Why?" Hildegard span around to face him making the Hobbit flinch a little. But he continued.
"Well like you said we will be spending a lot of time together So I just thought I should get to know you a little better as well."
He could see the large girl contemplate his words for a moment. There was an eerie, awkward silence which make Bilbo begin to think that he wasn't going to get anything out of her. So he let his gaze fall to the side.
" My name is Hildegard Joanna Moneybag. I'm 11 years old, have lived in Lake Town all my life and as you can see I like the finer things in life."
Bilbo's ears immediately pricked and brought his attention back to her. He gave himself a little cheer in his head that he managed to get a response. Even if was a small victory, it was definitely a start.
" Any siblings or other family members or is it just you and your father?" he continued.
" No just myself and my Da. Why are you so curious about my personal life all of a sudden?" Hildegard eyed him suspiciously as she began to walk back towards him.
" I didn't mean for it to come across that I'm prying or anything. I am just curious that's all. If you don't want me to know than that is completely understandable and I will respect your wishes." Defending his words as he held his hands out in front of him.
The girl suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her once disgruntled expression then turned into a sober look.
" No it's fine it's just...No one has ever asked me before or taken an interest." She breathed out and in a few steps took her place sitting beside Bilbo.
" It is just me and my father no other relations. Though since Alfred began working for my Da about 5 years ago he has sort of become like an uncle to me."
The Hobbit matched the other individuals solemn look as he stared up at her. He could feel himself in a strange way begin to feel more sorry for this girl. It was obvious the she was not only brought up in a toxic, untrustworthy environment. But it was very clear she was also lonely.
" What about your mother?"
Hildegard took a sharp intake of breath as it felt like a small electric shock to her heart." She died 3 years ago."
With that statement Bilbo could feel the colour drain from his face and a large lump begin to form in his throat. He truly had overstepped the mark.
" I am so sorry. I didn't mean to...I mean please forgive me." The Halfling couldn't stop himself from falling over his works. Which didn't go unnoticed by Hildegard.
In truth she couldn't believe herself that she just exposed a weaker side to this small creature. In so many years she had closed herself off and buried many of her deepest painful emotions to others. It was her defence mechanism but some how in such a short amount of time this Halfling had managed to put a dent in the wall she had built to keep the world around her out.
" It's fine I am over it." She wiped her nose with her sleeve and sniffed.
" Truth be told I can understand. I also lost my mother... also my father as well so I know how difficult it is to loose a parent." He admitted.
He was trying to comfort and sympathize to the obviously upset girl. He could in reality relate so much to how she was feeling and the emotional pain. Loosing his parents was by far the most hardest thing he had ever had to go through in his life. And would of undoubtedly been extremely more difficult for someone at an even younger age.
" I don't want talk about this anymore." She resorted back in a more harsh tone. Which made Bilbo flinch a little at her now defensive demeanour.
Hildegard abruptly got off the bed and accidentally knocking into the Hobbit's injured foot. Causing him to let out a loud wince of pain from the impacted. She looked at him with a confused glare before then realising what she had done. The girl exhaled and dropped her shoulders as she watched his body wither as he gently petting his broken foot.
"Maybe it will be in your best interest if I get Da to reset that."
Bilbo with wide eyed gazed up "No, No, No that won't be necessary I will cope with it. Just may take a bit off time."
She crossed her arms over her chest. " No my mind is made up and you will have your foot fixed. I am not going to keep carrying you around everywhere. For it to reset wrong and you having a deformity for the rest of your life."
The Hobbit could feel himself begin to shake with fear at the thought that this giant pompous snake of a man. Was again going to inflict so much pain without mercy. It was true that for his own good his foot needed to be put back in the right position. But the thought of the man who brought this upon him in the first place was going to do it. Send a cold chill down Bilbo's spine. Truly his worst fears last night were going to come true and without a doubt he did not believe his body would cope with that punishment.
So with Bilbo's new outfit I maybe thinking of a cross between Agnus from Despicable Me and Handy Smurf. No idea why I just wanted to picture Bilbo in that outfit XD 3
Though our favourite Hobbit's pinafore not made out of modern denim.
I hope this was ok.