Goodbyes

The sun seeped through the curtains as another glorious day was dawning. The magnificence of the light slowly woke Bilbo up from his slumber. His eyelids opened cautiously, and he quickly shut them again due to the harshness of the light on his eyes. His head hurt, he knew that much. Then the memories of the night before suddenly crashed into his mind. He moaned as he recalled his humiliation and quickly grabbed a pillow and placed it over his head.

Perhaps if he stayed in bed long enough, last night would be a long distance memory, but as he lay not moving he admitted to himself that that was just plain wishful thinking. There was only one thing for it. He needed breakfast. He certainly needed a cup of tea too; he hoped that it would soothe his sore head.

Finally getting out of bed he wrapped himself up in his dressing gown and pottered to the kitchen. Would it be wrong to have a scone for breakfast? No, said the voice in his head, you deserve a scone after last night. Maybe even two! After all who will eat them if you go on a long journey? The journey! He had almost forgotten about that.

Heating the kettle on the stove, Bilbo grabbed himself a scone from pantry and spread some strawberry jam on it, and then walked into the living room to look at his possessions he hadn't got round to packing. He took a bite of the scone, carefully holding up a plate to prevent crumbs falling on the good carpet, and counted off in his head everything he should need. It didn't appear like he had forgotten anything. Well once he had finished his breakfast and had a nice cup of tea, he would get ready and be on his way.


Stepping out the door, his pack on his back, Bilbo looked up into the sky. Breathing in deeply, he felt a calm excitement creep over him. He was on his way! Making sure for the second time that the front door was locked, Bilbo took a few steps then stopped. He was convinced he had forgotten something and so once again he went over the list of things he needed in his head.

There was nothing he could possibly have forgotten, and once he came to that conclusion he soon realised that his right hand had gone into his waistcoat pocket and was clasping on the ring that lay inside. Looking around, Bilbo made sure no one was about before taking the ring out of his pocket and he simply looked at it. He would have been very upset if he had left this at home, and yet he couldn't understand why. Thieves obviously, he thought to himself, imagine one of the Sackville-Bagginses getting their hands on it; he'd never see it again.

Putting the ring back in his pocket securely, Bilbo continued on his way. He closed the gate behind him and walked down the path towards the road that would lead away from Hobbiton. He didn't get very far down the road however before he heard a voice calling his name. Turning around he saw Hamfast running towards him.

"Mister Bilbo!" exclaimed Hamfast when he finally caught up with him, "I'm so glad I caught you before you left!"

"Hamfast, what on earth is the matter?" asked Bilbo bewildered.

"I wanted to catch you before you left." He replied, panting from all the running, "I just wanted to apologise for last night."

"Apologise?"

"Yes, about me and Bell… you know… trying to encourage a match between with you and Lola." He said going slightly red. "We were just trying to help, and it all went wrong. I'm so sorry Mister Bilbo."

"Oh…" responded Bilbo, lost for words. He preferred not to talk about what happened. "Don't worry about it Hamfast. It's all forgotten about."

"Are you sure? You left without saying goodbye. I would hate to think that this has affected our friendship in anyway." said Hamfast grimly, "And now you're leaving again."

Bilbo felt sympathy for Hamfast; he knew it was never Hamfast's intention for him to get hurt. "Please don't think I'm leaving because of Lola. I mean she's right. I'm not normal… for a hobbit. I just need to go Hamfast, maybe it my Took-ish side coming out, but I long for adventure. To see the world! Please understand that. It's just something I need to do."

His friend nodded in response. "I understand Mister Bilbo. I'm just going to miss you, tis all."

Bilbo smiled and put his hand on hand on Hamfast's shoulder, "I'll miss you too. You've always been a good friend to me, and don't worry I'll be back before you know it. I need to give this town something else to talk, don't I?"

Laughing Hamfast replied, "That you do Mister Bilbo, that you do. Just take care of yourself out there won't you?"

"I will. I'll be alright."

Hamfast nodded and as Bilbo made to turn away, he said, "Make sure you have plenty of stories to tell when you get back."

"I will," smiled Bilbo, "I promise." and so the two finally parted ways.

Hamfast headed back to the safe and comforting world of Hobbiton, and Bilbo to the unknown world of Middle Earth.

As Bilbo walked away he felt as if a weight was being lifted from him. He felt free. He had no idea where he was headed, but that was part of the excitement. He let his feet lead the way, and his mind free to wander.


Author note: Short but sweet chapter this time. I've been mega busy this past week so I haven't managed to write as much as I'd like. I promise the next chapter will be longer. I'm off to lovely London for the week so I won't get anything published until I'm back. Many thanks for reading my story and thanks to everyone that has reviewed it so far. It is much appreciated :) x