~Water was everywhere, all around and all powerful though he was not crushed. Blue became stained with red, the tendrils licking his face with malice. He waved his arms, seeking desperately to flee from this nightmare. Shadows were above him, he could hear dull screams through the water, and he was helpless to flounder and watch as the larger shadows attacked the smaller ones. A howl ripped through the air, eerily real, and he gasped, choking on the red water seeking to smother him. He began to flail, trying to swim, trying to get away, to help or to be safe. The water pushed him and pressed him harshly against a sunken stone, he choked and grabbed on, trying to pull himself back to air and away from this sickening red slurry. His hand broke the surface of the water, and he felt the light leave his eyes as he tried to get his head above water. The last he saw was a shadow of a hand reaching for him…~

"NO!" a small voice cried loudly, and Bilbo was startled awake rather quickly. He found Frodo had already scrambled out of bed and was in one corner of the room sobbing, hiding behind his chest filled with his trinkets from the adventure. His heart ached for a moment until he noticed Ilaurënda next to him and mewling softly. Quietly, Bilbo shucked the sheets off of him and padded over to the frightened young hobbit. Bilbo could hear the roar of thunder many miles off. He saw Frodo flinch harshly.

"Frodo…Did you have a nightmare?" Bilbo asked gently, resting a hand securely on the lads shoulder. The only response he got was incoherent mumbling and more sobs. Ilaurënda looked up to Bilbo and for a moment he lost himself in her entrancing eyes, before backing up a step. She looked back to Frodo and wormed her muzzle in between his legs and arms (which were clutched up tightly, mind you). Another roll of thunder and a clear flash of lightning through the cracks in his window's shutters, and Ilaurënda was curled up in Frodo's arms, looking very much like a comfortable house cat. Bilbo smiled forlornly, sitting down on his knees to watch patiently.

Ilaurënda lay there in his arms for a long time, so long that Bilbo had begun to doze despite the thunder rumbling every few moments, until a piercing howl broke through the night. Bilbo startled into awareness at the pair of shrieks that followed. He found himself hurrying over to the two young creatures and hauling them up into his arms as he bundled the three of them back up under the thick covers of the bed. Rather unceremoniously he pulled the comforter completely over their heads, blanketing them in darkness and a false sense of security. He held his arms open and both young hobbit and young drake crawled into his welcoming embrace.

"Hush now… Everything will be alright my darlings…" Bilbo whispered soothingly, one hand petting Frodo's hair and the other smoothing over Ilaurënda's leathery wing membranes. One of Ilaurënda's paws reached over Bilbo's legs and he smiled as he saw Frodo's hand reach out promptly to clutch it securely. Another howl rent the air, followed by a frighteningly close boom of thunder. Frodo and Laurë both let out little screams at the sounds. The empathy Ilaurënda was showing was incredible, and Bilbo was sure that she was going to become a great and powerful drake one day, in a much more ideal fashion than her sire had been.

For what seemed like hours, but was probably only one, they sat there under the protection of their thick blankets and encircled in each other's arms. Ilaurënda would whimper and mewl almost constantly, and Frodo would sniffle and yelp anytime he heard a noise louder than her or their breathing. After a little while of consistent silence, it was broken with laughter.

Why laughter? Because the silence was broken by the sound of a rather loud grumbling tummy, to which Frodo cried in embarrassment and wrapped his arms tightly round his middle. Ilaurënda gave a small chitter which was obviously a giggle, and Bilbo smiled, patting his nephew's head gently.

"The storm seems to have passed, my children. Come, why don't we get something to settle our stomachs and our hearts?" Bilbo suggested, waiting patiently for Frodo's nod before slowly drawing back the comforter and revealing thin beams of moonlight on them all, seemingly quite bright until their eyes adjusted. Bilbo guessed it was about three in the morning, far too early to be awake! But nightmares were no thing to brush aside, and frightened children were a mess to deal with in the best of times.

With Ilaurënda on his shoulder and one of Frodo's hands grasping his tightly, they went to the kitchen where Bilbo lit the oven with some wood that would burn long and slow, once he got it started. He didn't need it to be extremely hot, just enough to warm up some of the cheese and ham scones and perhaps make some scrambled eggs to tide them over till breakfast. As he looked at the drowsy younglings he scrapped the idea of eggs. Those would wait till proper morning. Instead he set out three plates and cups, pouring chilled milk for the younglings with an honest amount of wine for himself. Then he set the scones to bake for a few minutes over the warm fire, just a few moments. The house was a bit chilly so he would let the oven continue to bake with nothing in it to warm the house some.

After eating their scones (Laurë ate one, Frodo had two and Bilbo had four) and downing their drinks, Bilbo loaded their dishes into the sink to clean later, mainly due to the fact Ilaurënda was now asleep on the table top and Frodo's head was dipping every few moments. Food was the best way to calm a frantic fauntling and Frodo was no exception. The young lad was just unlucky in that he was seeing hard times, extremely hard times.

He gathered the both of them in his arms; well Ilaurënda was half draped over his right shoulder while Frodo clung to his side sleepily, and walked them back to his bedroom. He laid Frodo down and set Ilaurënda on top of him before climbing under the covers himself, lying on his side with an arm draped over them protectively. At one point Laurë ended up cuddled in between Frodo and Bilbo's chests, her head tucked under Frodo's chin and her tail wrapped loosely around Bilbo's arm, and her wings furled tightly around her body like a cocoon.

This was what Bilbo awoke to sometime midmorning anyways. And that was all that mattered, he thought as he smiled at his two precious charges. Today he would write Kili and Fili, telling them he was safe, and later that day he did, along with a missive to Bree to beseech the humans there to send Ranger's to help protect the Shire.

Several months later…

Frodo gave a scream as he ran through the garden at full speed, glancing over his shoulder a few times as he ran along the cobblestones. Something was looking for him – someone? – And he was not about to let them catch him! He focused on what was ahead of him just in time as he leapt over a stray rake that had fallen over the stone path in Uncle Bilbo's back garden.

He dove into a tall lavender bush that Bilbo had said he planted many years ago when his own mother had fallen to Orcs and wargs so long ago. Ignoring the scrapes he received from the twigs he buried himself deep in the good-smelling flowers. If he was lucky his pursuer wouldn't notice he had dodged into the large foliage. He could hear them calling out after him a few times, also to Sam who had ran in the opposite direction than Frodo. The back garden was large; hopefully they would both remain undiscovered.

He pressed his hands to his mouth to stifle his panting breath as a few moments later he saw a glimpse of a figure between the branches, and he hoped they wouldn't hear him. His blue eyes were large and unblinking as he tracked the figure's feet below the lowest bearing leaves. He gave a curse in his head as he saw some dirt and leaves he had kicked onto the path when he'd scrambled into the bush. He'd surely be found! Well, at least Samwise wouldn't be found then. Frodo screwed his eyes shut and prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for his friend.

Bilbo stood inside, working on decorating a cake while the children were outside in the back garden. Samwise had come over for a while so assured that the slightly older hobbit child would be able to watch Frodo and Ilaurënda, he'd sent them outside to play while he decorated a special and secret cake. Ilaurënda's birthday was soon, it had been nearly a year since he had left from Erebor. He, Kili and Fili sent letters routinely, he got one from them about once a month and he sent one back in the few days after.

They were sending them through the very kind speaking ravens, who while they were not particularly happy to be flying such great distances, Bilbo treated them with much hospitality and they never complained. They enjoyed speaking with Ilaurënda as well, as they held much wisdom and loved the chance to speak with someone that wasn't a dwarf, hobbit, elf or man. The ravens had set up a sort of aerie in one of the nearby trees next to The Hill. Bilbo made sure to tend that particular tree very well, leaving out food for the ravens once a day whenever they were there as well, as more than one was present sometimes.

In three days however, was Ilaurënda's birthday, or perhaps it would be hatching day for her? Either way, Bilbo was happy to have time to work on her cake (although she wouldn't eat this one, he had a special ham he was going to cook up the day before for her since she couldn't eat the cake). Frodo's birthday had passed several months ago, and while Ilaurënda was not very happy about it, they had a party for his sixth birthday at the big party tree. Everyone was more than eager to make it a big affair and spoil him absolutely rotten that day; everyone knew the tragedy that had befallen him. Ilaurënda had been upset since she wasn't allowed to go – Bilbo was still nervous about her being in the back garden, let alone in the middle of a party with intoxicated and merry hobbits all around. He wasn't sure when she'd be out of her impressionable stage, and she was progressing rather nicely in the right direction. Proper, polite and always had good manners. Curious to a fault, but she was a child, it was in her nature. She still made mistakes but again, she was a child and that was how she would learn.

Unfortunately, his peace was interrupted by a loud and high pitched screech. His shoulders slumped and he gave a groan.

"FRODO!"

Frodo gave out the loudest scream he could as the figure that had been hunting him discovered his hiding spot and promptly pounced on him in the lavender bush.

"I found you Frodo!" came the feminine, bell-like voice. Frodo groaned and flopped onto the ground completely, limp like a bone fish. Ilaurënda was on top of him, now the size of a small dog and more than capable of knocking the air out of his lungs if she tried. The loud steps of Sam came first then the bush split open as he looked down at Frodo and Laurë. Sam gave a wide grin.

"I was sure you'd have gone after me, Laurë! I was only hiding behind the wood stack, as easy as a pie on a sill!" Sam laughed merrily. Frodo gave another groan.

"You always go after me, Enda!" Frodo complained, glaring at her as she sat on his chest. She batted her eyes at him, smiling that reptilian grin of hers slyly.

"Because you're easier to find, silly!" she giggled in return, poking his nose with one paw. He sneezed. She shook her paw in disgust and rubbed it on his shirt in revenge. He gave a sound of disgust before sitting up and forcing her to bounce off of him and out of the bush. He crawled out on all fours and brushed his knees and hands off after he stood.

"No fun, Enda…I'm no good at finding either of you! Sam you always find good spots when it's me seeking, that's not fair!" Frodo pouted, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Well then pick another game, if you think it isn't fair Frodo. One that all three of you can play without screaming and scaring all the neighbors!" hissed Bilbo, bearing a wooden spoon and wearing a dirtied white apron. Frodo stifled a burst of laughter and it came out as a snort instead, noticing that there was icing on Bilbo's face and apron.

"What attacked you, Uncle Bilbo?" Frodo asked before he began to laugh, unable to hold it in with the comical view in front of him. The funny part was that Bilbo wasn't aware half his face had an icing beard and there were crumbs all over his shirt. Sam and Laurë were more concerned, Sam bowing his head in embarrassment, Laurë sitting like a disciplined hound. Frodo was alone in his laughter, and he slowly stopped, clearing his throat when he noticed Bilbo was not in a mirthful mood. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry Uncle Bilbo, Enda surprised me was all. I didn't mean to scare anyone…" Frodo apologized quietly. Bilbo gave a sigh, smiling slightly.

"I would believe you Frodo, except that every time you three play hide and seek one of you ends up screaming and alarming the neighbors!" Bilbo chuckled, lifting his apron and wiping his face of the icing he had forgotten was there. The only reason it was there was because the scream had startled him so badly the pouch he was using to squeeze the icing onto the cake had exploded in his hand he had gripped it so tight, sending the icing flying.

"Sorry Mister Bilbo, we was just playing was all. We'll do something different after this, I promise. Twas my idea anyhow…" Sam mumbled bashfully, red creeping onto his cheeks and ears. Bilbo shook his head a bit and gave a soft chuckle.

"No need to worry Samwise, just go occupy these two rascals a little longer for me, will you? I'll send you home with some of those raspberry tarts I made yesterday if you can occupy them for another hour!" Bilbo suggested with a sly wink when the slightly older hobbit's head shot up with a blooming red blush.

"y-yes sir!" Sam sputtered, grabbing one of the straps of Frodo's overalls and tugging him away. Frodo's face was priceless.

"But Uncle Bilbo I want something too!" he whined pitifully.

"Behave and no more screaming and you all will get a treat! But no screaming, you hear? I want peace so I don't look like a snowman in the middle of spring bloom! Goodness gracious I'm a right mess…" Bilbo started to mutter as he hobbled back inside to finish his work.

Sam tugged Frodo along who needed no more prompting after that.

"I know how we can apologize to Mister Bilbo, Frodo. Come on, it'll be fun!" Sam promised, grinning widely.

Bilbo, a surprising peace-filled two hours later nearing sun-down, has finished the cake with a flourish and squirrels it away in his secret hiding place that the younglings don't know of and can't reach even if they knew where it was. He cleans himself and the kitchen up to perfection, and sets a kettle on the oven to boil for a spot of tea to relax with before dinner. He was a little interested in what Sam had managed to come up with that had kept the trio quiet for so long, but he was not about to spoil a good thing and he simply enjoyed a good cup of tea while it lasted. Just when he was beginning a second cup and a muffin he heard the back door creak open and two pairs of hobbit feed padding along the main hallway. He smiled and set the cup to his lips, drawing a long gulp from it contently, closing his eyes in bliss.

When he opened them he was rather surprised that the three younglings were standing in front of him, all three holding an object out for inspection. Speechless and nearly breathless, Bilbo smiled and set down his cup, kneeling on the ground in front of the two hobbits and one young drake.

In Frodo's hands was a crown woven out of leaves and lavender, and a sprinkling of the little white flowers that looked so pleasant in the mix. Sam held a long necklace of expertly woven daisies. Laurë, on the tip of her nose, held a single glorious tiger-lily by the stem in her mouth. A crudely woven wreath of daisies was around her neck – probably her failed attempt at weaving with her tiny thumbs. She could pick up some objects but she wasn't too dexterous with her small frame. Her tail wagged a little just before the spade, twitching with her excitement. Bilbo knew that tail could get-a-going if she was excited enough. He gathered the gifts, carefully setting them on the table and gathering the three of them into his arms.

"Thank you, dears, this means a great deal to me." Bilbo whispered lovingly. He released them and gathered the flowers in his arms, heading for his study promptly. All three toddled after him expectantly, watching.

Bilbo, with all the tenderness he could manage, pressed all of the beautiful flowers into a large book he had begun filling with notes and sketches whenever he had the time to reminisce about his trip. Thorin's map of the Lonely Mountain was tucked neatly away in the back. Fili had sent it with one of the ravens a few months ago, and Bilbo had been more than ecstatic.

"These will save nicely, thank you so much." Bilbo smiled at the three of them.

"Okay…Now can I show you what I really found?" Laurë piped up, a mischievous grin on her face. Bilbo's smile dropped in dread.

"Oh goodness what did you do Laurë?" Bilbo moaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. She bounced out of the room, and Bilbo attempted not to faint imagining what trouble she had gotten herself into this time. When she came back, she was pulling a basket along the wooden floor with her mouth. It had a blanket in it, and there was something moving underneath…She looked up to him pleadingly, and Sam bent down to pull back the top layer of the blanket.

Underneath was a pile of three squirming kittens, their eyes and ears barely open, mewls spilling from their mouth as they saw the light again. Bilbo smiled in relief.

"Now that is something I can handle and don't mind." Bilbo sighed, a weight off his shoulders. Laurë looked up at him sadly.

"We found them back behind the daisies, under a bush. Their momma was dead a few feet away…She was really skinny…There was two more kittens but they were tiny and dead like the momma…" Frodo commented quietly, petting one of the kittens with surprising gentleness. Bilbo's frown returned for an entirely different reason. He knelt by the basket and picked up the darkest of the three, a rich blue-silver little tom that had a lighter gray face and dark tabby stripes all over his body. He was thin and mewling pathetically.

"We'll take very good care of them, then." Bilbo replied, settling the little boy back with his – as he checked quickly – two sisters. He picked up the basket and took it to the kitchen, settling it safely on the table while he fetched Sam his raspberry tarts. He gave the lad five, and gently ushered him on his way back home, as it was nearing dinner time and his parents ought to be missing him. He gathered up his ceramic jug of milk that was kept in the cold-box, a miracle invention. Gandalf had made it for his mother before Bilbo was even born, a wedding gift for Belladonna Took from her special wizard friend. Magic kept the inside cool like the chill of the outside during winter, but it did not escape the moderately sized box.

As the oven was still warm, he replaced the jug of milk in the spot the kettle had been and waited for it to become a little warm to the touch. It was rich goat's milk, so the kittens should have no qualms with it, he thought. He poured some into a bowl and held one kitten to the bowl, as they could not walk yet. Frodo followed his lead and took another, while Laurë struggled to help the third, the little tom cat. All three drank till their little tummies were round and taut and they struggled to stay awake. There was still a little milk left so Bilbo let Laurë finish it off, it wouldn't hurt her any. Frodo settled the kittens back in their basket and carried it back to Bilbo's room, as both Frodo and Laurë had not yet the courage to leave their Uncle's room. Bilbo didn't mind that much, he rather enjoyed it.

Then Bilbo made the three of them dinner as usual, told them some of his adventure with the dwarfs and of Kili and Fili especially, since the brothers loved to hear about the younglings and Bilbo wanted them to know about them. After the story followed a small supper and feeding the kittens again, before getting ready for bed.

Bilbo had to wake routinely whenever the kittens started to mewl for food, but he found it didn't bother him. Frodo and Laurë's faces had brightened so much when Bilbo immediately took the kittens in. It wasn't a bother on him or his resources to have some house pets around – he could hardly count Laurë as a house pet, since she was intelligent and talked, and they might keep down the mice that he had been finding as of late.

No, Bilbo Baggins did not mind this at all. After all, anything for his precious charges. Anything at all.