Sorry for the long wait! School started back up and I couldn't get anything done. That being said, I am EXTREMELY sorry about this chapter. It is all over the place, and a little rushed, and I don't like it. Gr.

KiliandFiliGirl: Thank you so much! I hope this was soon enough, I think it was since no sparkly unicorns came after me :)

Lolita-mist: Thank you!

Sabrinabella: I hope you like it!

Nimrodel626: I wonder if your hunch is right...? I'm glad you liked the Bilbo/Kili stuff :)

Vincent Aguila: I'm glad you like it!

Noxy the Proxy: You get a little bit this chapter :)

Note*: Bag End does not have an abundance of bedrooms, according to Tolkien's layout, but I felt like Bilbo wouldn't leave his guests to sleeping on the floor, like in the movie. Hope this is okay!

Like I said before, sorry if it is a little chaotic :/ But I hope you enjoy!


Left Behind

Previously

"Good. Now, why don't we go back; we did leave your brother and sister there all by themselves, and I can't even begin to think what our guests will do in our absence. Probably use the doilies as dishcloths or throw around mother's dishes again."

Bilbo shuddered in mock horror, making Kili laugh again.

"Like you care about those things anyway. Honestly."

"No, I don't. But I do care about you. All three of you. With all of my heart. Please don't ever forget that."

Bilbo muttered softly, more to himself.

There was a tap on his chest, right above his heart. He looked up in surprise to see Kili staring at him seriously. It was a strange thing for Kili to be serious.

"Never."


"Gandalf, I cannot go on this quest. You know it, yet you continue to pester me. I can't leave Lenorah and the boys here, and go off to my imminent death. Can you even guarantee that I will return?"

Bilbo questioned the wizard as he collected sheets from his linen closet. He wasn't about to let his guests sleep on the floor, and there was an abundance of rooms he had to offer.

Gandalf followed him from room to room, watching quietly as the hobbit fitted the beds with covers.

"No. And if you do, you will not be the same; but you will have many a tale to tell when you return."

Bilbo scoffed.

"'Many a tale'. Gandalf, I am sorry, but I can't sign that contract. Not when I have too much to loose."

But the wizard was not giving up easily. He could be quite persuasive when he needed to be.

"Bilbo Baggins, you are a stubborn thing. You have a company of guests, who have travelled a very long way to request your help, and here you turn them down like they are selling buttons at the door! It is quite rude, and nothing a host should do. As for your children, why not bring them along; I am quite sure that Thorin would not deny his nephews, and Fili and Kili should learn who they really are.

"If not, then they are quite old enough to watch Lenorah in your absence, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you return to them."

Bilbo paused, a slight feeling of anger towards Gandalf rising within him.

"How could you possibly suggest that I bring my children along on such a dangerous affair? I am surprised at you, Gandalf; I thought you to have more sense than that. No, I will not be bringing them along, because I won't be going myself. I'm done speaking about it."

He pushed past the wizard into the parlour, where the dwarves, save Fili and Thorin, were loitering.

"I have prepared beds for you all, and I will send you off in the morning with a full breakfast under your belts, but that is as far as I extend my hospitality. I bid you all a good night."

With that, Bilbo turned and retreated to his bedroom, suddenly exhausted. Upon entering, he smiled when he discovered Lenorah curled up in a sleeping Kili's lap, the two sitting on his bed. He silently moved to the bedside, pulling Lenorah from Kili's grasp and laying her beside him. Once she was situated, he did the same to Kili, before pulling his blanket up to cover them. Lenorah's hand swung out in her sleep and landed on Kili's face, but he didn't even flinch. Bilbo smirked, shaking his head.

He leaned down and kissed their heads, returning Lenorah her hand.

"Good night. See you in the morning, when all is back to normal. I hope."


Fili was puzzled. Taken? Was that the story?

"Thorin, we weren't-"

And then the perfect opportunity presented itself to him.

"I-I don't know. I'd never seen them before. I doubt you'll ever find them."

He felt awful. After all, it was his uncle.

But that deep seated fear, fear for what could happen, what would happen, spread like wildfire in his chest. The fear that plagued his dreams and kept him up at night. The danger he could put Kee in...no. This is what he would have to do.

"I will perform every mean necessary in finding this fiend and bringing them to justice. They will not get away with this." Thorin growled his resolve to himself, plans already beginning to formulate in his mind.

Fili paled at his words, but kept silent.

"Well, enough of this disconsolate talk. Come, I think the hobbit is in the other room. We must have him sign the contract for everything to be in order. Fili, you know that you and Kili...are more than welcome to join us? It would greatly hearten me, if you and your brother accompanied us. It would make up, for the time I've lost. That we've lost."

Fili glanced at his uncle, who was staring intently at a point just beyond the blonde's head. He sighed.

"I am sorry, Thorin. Papa won't be coming, and neither will Kee or I. I can't leave the Shire. My friends, Lenorah-they are my family.

Thorin's heart plummeted. He forced any emotion from his face, as he was so accustomed to doing. While Fili's words stung him like a thousand swords, he nodded, turning away. An overpowering anger rose within him, and he could not hold back as he bit out, "Of course. I am sorry to have suggested such a ludacris idea like rejoining your real family. Forgive me."

He hadn't meant it. The words, like so many of his usually were, were said out of rage, of poorly suppressed anger. It wasn't fury that he felt towars Fili, though. No, it wasn't his nephew. It was the hobbit. The one who had been able to enjoy his sister-sons over the past thirty years, stealing the time that he should have had. That's who he was angry with.

But Fili did not care for Thorin's reasoning. His words burned in his mind, and his eyes flashed dangerously.

"They are my real family."

He turned on his heel and stalked away, leaving a speechless Thorin behind.

Fili made it all the way to his room, slamming the door behind him and crawling into bed. The day's event played over and over in his mind, and he groaned.

Why can't it be morning already? Then they'll all be gone, and we can go back to the way it was.


Balin watched with a sigh as Fili disappeared into his room, closing his eyes at the slamming door. Thorin pulled up a chair beside his oldest friend, running a hand over his tired eyes.

"It seems as though we have lost our burglar. It's just as well; the odds have always been against us. I mean, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers and toymakers. Hardly the stuff of legends."

"There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin reminded, a grim smile gracing his face.

"Old warriors. That aside, I'm sorry, about the lads. I hoped they would have a change of heart."

Thorin exhaled, shutting his eyes once more.

"There is nothing we can do about it. Come, we should rest."

Thorin led the old dwarf back into the foyer, where the other dwarves smoked their pipes.

"It seems as though we are still in need of a burglar. Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to gain one along the way. But that can wait until morning; everyone get some rest. We leave at first light."

Fili listened as the dwarves complied, snuffing their pipes and stoking the fire one last time.

That's when it began. A low rumbling, like a thunder storm brewing in the distance; but there was a melodic tune, a melancholy sound that pervaded the air. It filled the house as the dwarves moved to the rooms Bilbo had prepared. Then they started to sing.

Far over, the Misty Mountains cold

to dungeons deep, and caverns old

We must away, ere break of day

to find our long forgotten gold

The pines were roaring, on the high

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

the trees like torches, blazed with light


Bilbo woke before the sun; Kili and Lenorah were still fast asleep, and would not wake for many more hours. After stoking the dying fire, he crept out of his room, careful not to make any noise. Making his way to the kitchen, Bilbo began preparing breakfast, which would consist of anything he could find remaining in his depleted pantry. It was not long before he was joined by none other than Thorin himself.

"Good Morning! I hope that sleep blessed you well enough?"

"Indeed, burglar; I thank you for your generosity to my company and me."

They stood in awkward silence, before the whistling kettle called for Bilbo's attention. Thorin sat at the little table before the fire, contemplating bringing up his thoughts.

"Burglar-"

"Bilbo," The hobbit corrected, pouring some water into a cup.

"Bilbo." Thorin disliked being so formal. "Bilbo, surely you know that I will try everything in my power to have you join us. Gandalf has been very keen on the fact that you would be a worthy asset to this journey, and I shant be one to trifle with the will of a wizard."

Bilbo was silent for a moment.

"I can see your predicament, but you must understand; I cannot leave my children behind, as I have repeatedly told Gandalf. I wish I could be of more help."

"Your children", Thorin growled, "happen to be my nephews. I have offered Fili to join us, but he has declined my offer. Beside the point; I will leave the contract behind, in the chance that you change your mind."

Thorin left the room without another word. Bilbo stared after him, his mouth slightly agape.

The rest of the morning passed by fairly quickly. Bilbo served the company of dwarves breakfast, then sent them on their way. Fili, Kili and Lenorah still hadn't emerged from their rooms. The hobbit was busy scrubbing the mud from his poor carpets when his gaze settled on the abandoned contract. He picked it up delicately, reading over it once again.

The thought of going on journey across Middle Earth frightened Bilbo, if he was to be honest with himself.

And yet...it also excited him. It sent a thrill through him that he had never experienced.

No, no! What are you thinking, Bilbo you fool. You have children to think about. You cannot go traipsing off into the blue.

Then something Tookish woke up inside of him.

"Fili! Kili! Lenorah! Wake up! I need to tell you something!"

Excitement coursed through him, and he began rushing around, throwing things haphazardly into his bag. A sleepy Lenorah was the first to enter, and she frowned at the sight of her father running about manically.

"Papa, what on earth are you doing?"

"No time to explain! Where are your brothers?"

"Here, Papa. What's going on?" Kili yawned, rubbing his eyes. Fili appeared behind him, though he looked like he had been awake for a while.

"Good, you're all here. Now, I know what happened last night was a bit unexpected; but...I think that I will take Thorin Oakenshield's offer and become his company burglar."

Lenorah's eyes widened, and a shiver of excitement shot through her.

"Papa, you mean it? We're going on the quest?"

Bilbo paused his frantic packing, fixing Lenorah with a small smile.

"No, Lee, sweetheart. I'm sorry, but it is much to dangerous for you to come. Fili and Kili will stay here and keep an eye on you. I'm sorry to leave you, but they have come to me for help, and I feel like I should offer it as best I can."

Lenorah faltered. She looked between her father and her brothers, before nodding. She rushed forward and embraced Bilbo, hugging him tightly.

"Just promise that you'll be back soon. Please."

This was much more painful than he thought it would be. Then again, he was leaving his children for Eru knows how long. It shouldn't be easy, not in the slightest. He pulled her close.

"Of course. I promise with all of my heart."

Lenorah pulled back, trying to inconspicuously wipe the tears forming in her eyes. Kili took her place, his face a wave of emotions.

"I'll see you when you get back. Be careful."

Bilbo smiled and reached up, tapping him on the chest.

"Always."

It was Fili's turn. His face was set, his jaw tight. He wasn't about to be weak, not when Papa needed him to be strong.

"I'll keep my eye on them. Keep them safe. I won't let you down."

"You could never let me down, Fili. Not even if you tried."

He hugged them all once more, before walking out the door.

"Papa! The contract!" Lenorah raced after him, shoving the paper into his hands and throwing her arms around him one last time.

"I love you all, and I'll see you soon."

He smiled and took off, but couldn't resist stopping and turning back every few feet to wave. His heart pulled every which way it could. As he crested the first hill, and his children were lost from sight, Bilbo breathed in the morning air, and listened to the birds singing in the trees.

This is it. I'm really going.

"I already miss him. When-when do you think he'll be back?" Lenorah sniffled, leaning into Fili's side. He shook his head, squeezing her shoulder.

"I'm not sure, Lee."

"Well, what are we going to do?"

Kili sighed, throwing his arm over his brother's. Fili chuckled.

"What do you think? We're going after him, of course."


Hope you don't mind if I used 'sweetheart', I couldn't come up with anything else that the people of Middle Earth might use :/ Anyways, I hope you enjoyed, and hopefully the next chapter will be up soon! Until then!