Hi there! I know I said this last chapter, but I am just BLOWN AWAY by the responses this story is getting, and it's the only the third day! I'm sorry this wasn't up earlier, but I have a very specific way of doing things, including writing at three in the morning in the pitch black, listening to bad pop music while everyone else is asleep. Weird, I know. Well, I couldn't stay awake for the life of me last night, so I apologize. Thank you to everyone who has favorited/followed/reviewed, it means so much!
Guest: Thank you, I was hoping to get away from the traditional form! I am already in love with this story, so there will DEFINETELY be more chapters with family fluff!
well: Thank you! I hope this was soon enough!
SakuraDragomir: Thank you so much, you are so sweet! In regards to your letter idea, I like it alot, but there is a slight problem. Bilbo doesnt know who their family is, so he wouldnt know where to send it to. It's a wonderful idea, though, so maybe I'll be able to work it in in future chapter!
fu*kusername: Thank you!
chickenwafflez321: Thank you, I love fluff!
alexma: Thank you, I hope this was soon enough!
*Note: Please know that my timeline does not directly correlate with that written by Tolkien. Paladin would not be born yet in 2911, but I am tweaking this and future things to fit my needs. I hope it isn't too confusing! Also, I use the hobbit calendar, so when I refer to Astron and Thrimidge, I'm really talking about April and May.
With that, enjoy!
Acceptance
Bilbo woke to the sun streaming through his window, shining right in his face. He groaned and turned over, blocking the light with his pillow.
And then he remembered.
He lept out of bed, grabbing his robe off of the chair nearby and dashing down the hall. He slowed when he reached the door, taking a deep breath. Slowly and quietly, he pushed it open, sighing sadly when he discovered the bed empty. So it had been only a dream. A deep feeling of loss rested itself in the pit of Bilbo's stomach as he made his way towards the kitchen.
I suppose it was too good to be true, he thought to himself as he set the kettle over the fire for tea. He sat down at the table, his head falling into his hands as he thought about the sweet little boys that had seemed so real.
"No Kee, there! Yes, the jam. Do you want pickles on your biscuits?"
Bilbo froze, his ears perking up.
"What do you suppose Bilbo wants on his biscuit, Fee?"
"Well, just ask him when he wakes up, you dunce. Honestly Kee, it's a shame I'm the smart and good looking one, and you're just a trouble maker!"
"That's not very nice, Fili! I'm going to tell Bilbo you said that!"
Bilbo stood up quickly, knocking over his chair as he rushed towards the sounds. Rounding the corner, he nearly ran over the dwarflings.
"Fili! Kili!" He squeaked, his eyes so wide in astonishment, they were bigger than dinner plates. The brothers smiled up at him, their arms laden with food.
"Good morning, Bilbo! We wanted to surprise you, so we're making breakfast!" Kili piped up, struggling to see over the pile in his arms.
Bilbo stood there, shock preventing him from doing anything else.
"You...you're...real!" He spluttered, failing to find the right words to express his surprise.
Fili frowned, setting his stack of food down on the table.
"Yes? Of course we are. Are you alright, Bilbo?"
Bilbo shook his head, then began laughing. It rose to a manic cackling, and Fili stepped in front of Kili, his body tensing to protect his little brother. Bilbo continued to laugh until he was in tears, falling over and landing on the floor.
"What's wrong with him, Fee?" Kili asked curiously, a slight hint of fear in his voice. Bilbo heard it, and fought to compose himself.
"I-I'm sorry, boys, I'm not trying to scare you, not at all. It's just-I thought-you're really here!"
Before Fili could stop him, Kili set down his pile and raced to Bilbo's side, climbing up on top of him and laughing.
"Of course, silly Bilbo! Where else would we be?"
Bilbo sat up and hugged him tightly, shaking his head again.
"Nowhere. I'm sorry, I'm just being silly, like you said. Now, what exactly were you boys planning on fixing for breakfast? Actually," he paused, glancing at the clock on the mantle.
"Oh my, it's nearly time for Elevenses! I really did sleep in. No matter, I'm sure what you are preparing will work wonderfully! Would you like some help?"
Kili shook his head vehemently.
"No! We want to do it by ourselves!"
Bilbo threw up his hands in surrender, smiling.
"Alright, alright! I won't help."
Fili, who had visibly relaxed, nodded approvingly. He started to move towards the kitchen when he paused, a puzzled look furrowing his brows.
"But we don't know what baby hobbits eat; what should we feed Lenorah?"
Bilbo lept up, careful not to drop Kili as he had Fili.
"Good gracious, I've forgotten her again! I will feed her, Fili, don't worry. Perhaps later on today we can go to the market and see if anyone knows about a missing baby."
Kili's face fell, though Bilbo didn't see. He was already half way down the hall, opening the door to the bedroom Lenorah was sleeping in.
"I don't want her to go, Fee." He said quietly, making sure Bilbo couldn't hear him. Fili clapped a hand on his shoulder in understanding.
"I know, Kee, I don't either. But what if she has a family, family thats worried sick about her?" He smiled and moved on to make breakfast, or elevenses, rather.
"We can be her family." Kili whispered to himself, but said nothing more.
"What is that?" Kili exclaimed, pointing to a large vegetable being polished by Farmer Maggot.
"That, my dear Kili, is a gourd. Farmer Maggot-yes, that one there-is known for his rather large garden prizes, and that gourd has been growing for longer than you've been alive! It'e been passed through his family, and is the pinnacle of their pride. It's quite silly, really, but hobbits love their gardening. Here we are; Amaranth Took's shop. If there is anything you should need to know, Miss Amara will be able to tell you. Hopefully she will be able to tell us who's missing a child."
Bilbo, balancing Lenorah in one arm, knocked on the wood counter with his other, announcing their arrival.
"Hello? Amara? Are you in today?"
"Oh Bilbo, is that you? My dear cousin, it's so good to see you out and about! Give me a moment dear, I'm be right out."
Bilbo turned back to Fili and Kili, gently bouncing Lenorah.
"Miss Amara is married to my cousin, Adalgrim Took. She runs this herb shop, when she's not running around after that son of hers. Actually, Paladin is about the same age as Lenorah. You boys would get along fine; maybe he's here, and you can meet him!"
"Bilbo!" Amaranth called, emerging from behind a rack of herbs with a towel in her hands. She stopped short when she saw Fili and Kili, her mouth gaping. Bilbo shifted uncomfortably, moving Lenorah to his other arm.
"Hello, Amara. Allow me to introduce Fili and Kili. They will be staying with me in Bag End."
Amara turned to face Bilbo, her mouth growing even wider, though Bilbo wasn't sure that was possible.
"Staying...in Bag End...but...they are dwarves!"
"And what are you trying to say, cousin? That I should leave them out in the wild to fend for themselves, simply because they are not the same race as me? I thought better of you, Amara." He chided, disappointed that she would respond like this. If his own cousin was not accepting of the boys, who would be?
Amara shook her head furiously, coming around to stand beside Fili and Kili.
"No, no! I am so sorry, Bilbo, you misunderstand me. I am simply-shocked, at this turn of events. Only yesterday you were holed up in that hill of yours, refusing to see anyone. And now you've gone and adopted two dwarflings and-oh my! Please tell me that child isn't yours!"
"Actually, that is what we are here for. We were wondering if you knew of anyone missing a baby."
Amara shook her head again as she took Lenorah from Bilbo's arms.
"No, cousin, I haven't heard a whisper. No one around here has even been pregnant, besides myself of course. She looks to only be about a month old; born in late Astron, if I presume correctly. Where on Arda did you find her?"
"Fili and Kili discovered her in the woods, near the borders of Hobbiton."
Amara gasped, gazing between Fili, Kili, Lenorah and Bilbo.
"My my, she really was out there. I wonder...?"
Bilbo shook his head, taking Lenorah back into his arms.
"I know, I was thinking just the same thing. I don't think-" he lowered his voice so only Amara could hear him. "-that there is anyone looking for a lost baby. I think she was left there-on purpose. Which makes me feel sick to my stomach." He frowned at the thought. Amara nodded, pain flashing across her face.
"Yes. I could never do that to Paladin, no matter how much of a pain in the side he is."
Bilbo chuckled, throwing his dark thoughts to the back of his mind.
"Where is the rascal? I was hoping to introduce him to Fili and Kili."
"Oh, he's at home, keeping Adalgrim company. Adalgrim's caught a cold, though I am not sure how. It's the middle of Thrimidge, for Eru's sake! Hotter than a kettle on the fire, it is. Anyhow, Paladin is keeping Papa occupyed, allowing Mama some time to herself. You are welcome to go round the house if you'd like, I'm sure Pal would love to have someone to play with." Amara smiled warmly at Fili and Kili, who immediately perked up at the sound of a playmate. Bilbo grinned at Kili's smile, and nodded.
"I think that's exactly what we'll do! Thank you, Amara, for everything. Please let me know if you do hear anything."
"Of course. Tell Adalgrim there shant be any messes when I return, if you will dear."
"Will do! Take care! Oh, Amara, you and Adalgrim-and Paladin, of course-are invited to tea next week. We expect to see you there!" With that, Bilbo led Fili and Kili down the road towards the Took home. Before long, they were standing in the doorway, being greeted by a sniffling Adalgrim and baby Paladin, who was staring at Fili and Kili with wide eyes.
"Bilbo lad! It's so good to see you out in the world; Amara and I were beginning to worry." Adalgrim fixed his cousin with a knowing gaze, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, well, I'm past that now. Cousin, I would like you to meet Fili and Kili. They will be living with me, in Bag End. And this little one here is Lenorah."
Adalgrim smiled down at the boys.
"Well hello there! I'm Adalgrim, Bilbo's cousin, as you know. Now which one is the oldest?"
Fili raised his hand and stepped forward, though he was visibly shaking. Bilbo placed a hand on his arm, smiling warmly.
"It's alright Fili, Adalgrim is the nicest hobbit you will ever meet. There's no need to be shy."
"Well, a pleasure to meet you, Master Fili! If you are comfortable, would you do an old hobbit a favor and take Paladin and your brother down to the garden? I am in need of some cabbage and celery for supper tonight, and Amara has prevented me from going outside."
Bilbo immediately caught on, and gave Fili a small nudge.
"O-of course, Mr. Adalgrim."
Fili took Paladin in his arms, looking down at the little baby and smiling.
"He reminds me of you, Kee."
Kili stood on tip-toes to get a better look.
"But I was cuter, right Fee?"
The boys started down the path, arguing about the cuteness of objects around them. Bilbo grinned after them, before shaking his head and following Adalgrim into the foyer.
"Tea?" Adalgrim offered, already pouring a cup.
"Please."
Bilbo accepted the cup and took a small sip, noticing his cousin staring at him from the corner of his eye. He sighed and set his tea on the table next to him.
"What would you like to talk about, cousin? You sent those boys looking for foods not in season, so you want them gone for a while. What is troubling you?"
"I think you know, Bilbo. I mean, one day you are a happy hobbit, following behind his parents like a lost puppy, and the next, you haven't been seen outside in months. I know that Bell and Bungo's deaths have been hard on you-"
"You have no idea how I feel, Adalgrim." Bilbo grit out, his eyes squeezed shut. "You have no idea the pain, the hurt. You don't know."
"No, I may not, but I do know that holing yourself up and cutting yourself off from the world is not how to deal with it! And you know that too. Why didn't you come to me, or Amara, or anyone? We were ready to help you get through it, to support you, but you never gave us that chance."
"I didn't want to talk about it, just like I don't want to now. What is the point of this, Adalgrim?"
"The point, boy, is that you were not seen for almost three months outside your home, and suddenly you are traipsing about with two dwarflings and a baby that isn't yours! What happened to you?"
Bilbo sighed and took another sip of tea, before recounting the day before to his cousin. Adalgrim was silent the entire time, allowing him to finish his story before sighing as well.
"I see. Well, you certainly have had quite a day, I should say. What are you going to do?"
"About what? The boys? Nothing! I already told them that they could stay with me, and, if I am to be completely honest, I have grown immensely fond of them in our short time together. I'm not lonely anymore, Adalgrim. They have filled the-the hole, in my heart, that my parents left when they did." He said quietly, his thoughts drifting to Fili and Kili out in the garden. He smiled faintly, turning back to his cousin. He bounced Lenorah in his arms, mesmerized by her brown eyes and curly hair that was already growing on her head.
"As for Lenorah, I'm not sure. I don't think anyone will claim her. If that is the case...I will keep her as well. The boys, especially Kili, I think, have grown fond of her, as have I. It wouldn't be fair to them for her to go somewhere else. I couldn't live with myself. Adalgrim, I may be a child myself; I may not be the wisest or most mature of hobbits in the Shire. But I am the most equppied hobbit this side of the Anduin to care for those children; there is no one better. I-I...love them, Aldagrim. In just a few hours I have grown to care and love for these dwarflings and baby, more than I have anything else. I cannot explain why, or how, but I don't need to. All I know is that I cannot send them away. Not now, not ever. If they are willing to go through the difficult times ahead, then I want to go through it with them; together. Confusticate any stuffy hobbit who peers down their nose at us. I can do this."
Bilbo stared at Adalgrim, his chest rising and falling quickly. His cousin was unmoving, like a statue, before he broke out into a huge grin.
"Bilbo Baggins, you are the bravest hobbit I know. I can see you are passionate about those children, and I cannot tell you how happy I am that you feel this way. Bell and Bungo would be especially proud of you. Amara and I are behind you, always. If ever you should need something, just ask; we will always be there to help."
Bilbo felt relief flood through him at his cousins acceptance, and he grinned, the thoughts of the future sending bolts of warmth through his body.
"Thank you, Adalgrim. That means-everything. Thank you," he repeated, shaking his cousin's hand.
"I think it's time we should be getting back; we have quite a few things to discuss."
Together they walked to the garden, happily chatting about the weather and the goods being sold in the market these days. They discovered the boys sitting beneath a tree next to the garden, their sacks unsurprisingly empty. Paladin was asleep in Fili's arms, looking serene, while Kili was curled up against his brother's side, softly snoring. Fili looked up at the hobbits standing in front of him, blushing slightly.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Adalgrim, but we couldn't find any cabbage or celery."
Adalgrim chuckled, taking Paladin from Fili. "It is quite alright, my boy, I would have been quite impressed if you had." He winked, and Fili frowned, before smiling slightly. He decided that he liked this hobbit fellow; he was cheery and nice. He didn't glare or sneer at him like the other hobbits in the market had.
"How long have they been asleep?" Bilbo reached down to pick up Kili, careful not to wake him. Cradling him in one arm and Lenorah in the other, Bilbo thought about the talk he just had, and smiled.
"Not very long; I told him not to, but he never listens."
"That's alright, we had a long night last night. Well, cousin, I will be seeing you and your wife for tea next week. Until then!"
"Goodbye Mr. Adalgrim," Fili waved before grabbing Bilbo's shirt as they plodded back towards Bag End.
Bilbo carefully lowered Lenorah into the cradle, kissing her forehead and smiling.
"Goodnight, little one."
After closing the door, he made his way to Fili and Kili's room, where they were already in bed, waiting for him. Bilbo settled himself on the edge, turning so that he faced both of them.
"Boys, I have something very important to talk to you about. Are you listening?"
Fili nodded, and Kili crawled over to climb into his lap, staring up at him with acute attention.
"Yes!"
Bilbo laughed and wrapped his arms around him.
"Alright, here goes. You already know that you are welcome to stay here for as long as you would like, right?"
"That's what you said last night, silly!" Kili interjected, clapping his hands.
"Yes, I did, didn't I? Well, we didn't talk about Lenorah, or what exactly the future holds in store."
"The future?" Fili questioned, his blue eyes wide with fear.
"Don't worry, Fili, it's alright. That's what I want to talk about. Would-would you boys want to live here, in Bag End, with me? As...my children? It is entirely up to you, and you will not hurt my feeling either way! Please, I want this to be what you want to do. I, in no way shape or form, want to pressure you into doing something you are not comfortable with. And you don't have to answer immediately, we have all the time in the world, I just thought that I would offer it to you-"
"You...you would be our Adad? Our Papa?" Kili asked, his brown eyes sparkling.
"Only if you want me to be." Bilbo responded, his voice quiet but hopeful.
Both Fili and Kili were silent for a moment, exchanging a glance, before erupting in huge grins.
"YES!"
They threw their arms around Bilbo, crushing him in a hug. Bilbo laughed, pulling them closer as joy blossomed in his heart.
"You shall be my sons." Bilbo's heart lifted at the word, and his smile grew.
"What about Lenorah?" Kili asked, still concerned about his friend leaving.
"Well, that was going to be my next question; how would you feel if Lenorah stayed here with us...as your sister?"
Kili's face lit up like a Mid Summer's Eve party. He squealed and clapped his hands, a picture of pure happiness.
"I'll take that as a yes," Bilbo chuckled, ruffling Kili's hair.
"Fili Baggins...I like it." Fili grinned, and Bilbo kissed his head, too happy for words.
"That settles it! Welcome, Fili and Kili, to the Baggins family."
Whew! This took me hours to write, and it's is the longest chapter I have ever written in my life! I hope you liked it!
