In the days after meeting with old wizard Gandalf the fireworks master Bilbo couldn't shake the feeling something is coming for him. He didn't like the feeling. It was accompanied by slight sensation of dread. He avoided public gathering and when he had to go to the market he would check are there any grey pointed hats are sticking out behind the corner. There were rumors already of his behavior and description of Gandalf was spread around.
Besides that he couldn't help but to think of his childhood, of fireworks, spider webs, and elusive elves.
What did Gandalf said? That it would be good for him.
No, no thank you, there were no need for him to get himself into trouble. There were nothing good in it.
Besides that, despite of his will, old tales that Gandalf used to say swirled before Bilbo's eyes. But that meant nothing because in those tales there were nothing but misery for its heroes. Sure it was fun to listen to it and imagine it from aside but it surely hurt terribly to be pierced by arrows, struck by sword or enchanted by a wizard.
That was the reason he couldn't remember Gandalf face despite his quite good memory. It was because he never got to really see him. Instead of memories of Gandalf there stood stories he would tell with such precision, like he witnessed them all. There were no false shades in those stories, embellishment Hobbits would give into their gossiping around. On contrary there were the feeling that most of the story is hidden, that true greatness and sacrifice wasn't even seen.
He was just a small boy when he heard those stories but they stuck with him driving his desire to experience more, to see the world of tales for himself.
Luckily those foolish days of his youth were behind him. There were no need to even slightly expose himself to uncomfortable and dangerous.
That's why he walked with care looking out for Gandalf so he can disappear and avoid him completely. Although he was pretty sure he wasn't the one to be persuaded into foolishness he wasn't so sure old Gandalf wouldn't pull something out of his broad sleeve.
But as days passed nothing happened so he got a bit relaxed hoping that nothing will come out of it. Lastly he painted his door just to be safe. Old man did scrapped on his door. There was nothing to be seen but just to be on the safe side fresh batch of paint wouldn't hurt anyone and he was a diligent hobbit.
After a week he still went carefully to the market but after he was scared by a grey bag he said to himself there is enough of that. He was determined enough, wizard can just put him into a bag and carry with him, and if he would Bilbo would surely find a way to wiggle himself out of it.
With that he sat by his dinner when there was a strong knock on the door. Who would be so rude to come unannounced?