Looking up from the newspaper Bilbo finally took note of the wizard staring at him with an almost fond expression. Covering up his slight shock at the stranger's presence, Bilbo greeted Gandalf with a polite good morning. "What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?", Gandalf replied, both serious and joking with the puzzled Hobit. "All of them at once I suppose," Bilbo continued, getting even more confused by the stranger and eventually deciding it was best to see what the old man wanted.
Both put off and slightly saddened by the lack of recognition in Bilbos eyes Gandalf proceeded to inform the young Hobit of the adventure he was about to embark on, which didn't quite get the reaction Gandalf was both hoping for an expected. Trying to not look to put off by Bilbo's lack of interest Gandalf made to continue when he noticed said Hobit retrieving his mail and awkwardly retreating to his house with a final good morning. "To think that I should have lived to be good- morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!", Gandalf shouted, catching Bilbo's attention and causing him to 180 on the spot. "Im sorry but do I know you," Bilbo asked more confused now than ever. "You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins im Gandalf which is a name you know all too well," he finished, resting himself on his staff with a look of indignation on his face.
Having informed the Hobit that he will inform the others of there meeting place the wizard was interrupted by Bilbo locking his door in protest. Seeing there was no more to gain from talking Gandalf etched a small ruin on the freshly painted door before turning to leave to join up with his newly acquainted friend a soft smile on his face not quite masking the amused glint in his eyes. Following the gently winding roads of the shire, Gandalf exited the beautifully cared for fields and farms of the shire and into the large and slightly worn looking woods at which he was at the day before with a certain young wizard. Having agreed to meet young Harry at the previous nights camp, Gandalf took a steady walk knowing he had a long day ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Harry had made his way to his secret stash of supplies and was currently packing for a long, eventful journey ahead of him stocking up on arrows, emergency rations and healing supplies. Strapping a few more knives to himself, one on the left forearm and the other on his right leg Harry nodded in satisfaction before slinging his bag onto his horse and mounting in one swift motion. Quickly observing his, surrounding Harry settled on a slow trot not wanting to tire Padfoot out, knowing just like him the horse had a long, and perilous journey ahead of him.
Harry met Gandalf at the campsite as just as it hit midday, greeting him with a friendly nod and wave harry sat patiently while the wizard lit his pipe and remounted his horse for there short journey back to the shire to meet up with a group of dwarves and a young Hobbit. Again setting a steady and relaxed pace knowing they had more than enough time to arrive at there destination. The duo made idle chatter trading stories and laughs, keeping it light-hearted whilst it was still possible both knowing through experience that quest such as these never went the way people hoped.
The sun began to set as Harry and Gandalf reached the edge of the shire, the sight taking Harry's breath away as the soft golden light streaked through the soft green valleys and glinted through the fields of corn. "Welcome Harry to the rolling hills of the Shire," Gandalf all but shouted, gesturing with his arms at the magnificent sight before him. "Well this is an excellent start to this bold quest of yours Gandalf, whats next the best feast I've ever had," Harry replied, with a sarcastic tone but with a smile on his face, noting the amused glint that Gandalf had been supporting most of the day become more prominent within the old man's eyes.
Before Harry could say anything more, the pair of wizards were interrupted by the loud and obnoxious footfalls of eight dwarves stumbling out of the forest and into the welcome arms of the shire. Shaking there heads one out of amusement the other out of annoyance Gandalf greeted the dwarves before ordering them to follow him, getting a round of acknowledgement and cheers in return. The noisy group of dwarves and humans made there way disturbing the soft peace that had settled over the landscape, attracting a few glares form the inhabitants of the shire. Making their way to the home of one Bilbo Baggins Harry was shocked when the eight dwarves in his current company fell through doorway into there rush to get inside. On the other side of the door was most shocked Bilbo Baggins who was starting to become angry and began demanding answers from Gandalf and ranting about the dwarves he currently found invading his home.
Noting Gandalf almost lack of interest in Bilbo's complaints Harry made his way over to the irritated Hobit and tried to make pleasantries and relax there not so welcoming Host.
updates will be made to this and chapter 1 tomorrow to flesh out the detail before the next chapter which will be posted Friday. Hope you enjoy.