Chapter 35
Back to the Shire

We walked for what seemed like days. We only stopped to eat and sleep. Elli slept peacefully on my chest or Fili's. We took turns carrying her. Bilbo held her at night when we stopped.

We finally reached the borders of the Shire and we knew we were close to home. Film pulled me close as we stopped to say goodbye to Gandalf. I knew it wouldn't be the last time we see him. Gandalf and Bilbo talked for awhile.

"We are so close." I said as I handed Elli over to her father. He cradled her close as she snuggled in his arms.

"I'll give you both a life you deserve." Fili said.

"We do already. We have you." I said. Fili smiled and leaned down to kiss me. I returned the kiss.

"Magic rings should not be used lightly, Bilbo." Fili and I pull apart at his words. Magic ring? Bilbo begins to protest. "Don't take me for a fool. I know you found one in the Goblin tunnels and I've kept an eye on you ever since." Bilbo smiles.

"Well, thank goodness." Bilbo said. He holds out his hand. "Farewell, Gandalf." They clasp hands.

"Farewell. Bell. Fili. Elli. Farewell. You will know when the time is right to go back to Erebor. Now isn't the time but you will know." Gandalf said. Fili nodded and I said my farewells. Fili and I walked ahead, but we stopped as Bilbo stops to talk.

"You, uh... You needn't worry about that ring. It fell out of my pocket during the battle. I lost it." Bilbo said. I had a feeling that he was not telling the truth, but I didn't say anything.

"You're a very fine person, Mister Baggins. And I'm very fond of you. But you're only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all." Gandalf said.

"Come on, father. Let's go home." I call. Bilbo turned and smiled at us.

"Yes, let's go home." Bilbo said. We walk the way towards home. We come over the last hill to Hobbiton. I raise an eyebrow as we see a lot of activity by Bag End.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Looks like a party or something." Fili said.

"We will find out." Bilbo said. We walk and see people heading our way with stuff from our house. Fili and I shared looks. "Wait a minute that's my mother glory box. And that's my dining chair."

"This can't be good." I said.

"What is going on?" I ask. A hobbit which I reconized as a GAmge stopped in front of us with a wheel barrow.

"Hello Mister Bilbo. Miss Bell, it's lovely to see you..." He stops for a minute and his eyes widen. "You're not suppose to be here." I raised an eyebrow at that comment."

"What do you mean?" Bilbo asked.

"On account of you being presumed dead and all." Gamgee said.

"We are not dead! Presumed or otherwise." Bilbo said. Bilbo hurries off to Bag End. Fili and I quickly follow after him. I saw a sign that they were auctioning our stuff off.

"Our next bid..." The Bidder started but Bilbo hurries up to him stopping him. Fili and I stood by him.

"Stop! Stop! There's been a mistake!" Bilbo said.

"Who are you?" Lobelia asked. I moved closer to Fili and he wrapped an arm around me pulling me close.

"What do you mean who am I?! You know bloody well who I am, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. This is my home! And my spoons. Thank you very much!" Bilbo said taking the spoons that Lobelia held in her hands.

"I take it she's the woman that wanted you to marry her son?" Fili asked as Elli stirred but Fili rubbed her back and she fell back to sleep to her father's touch.

"Yes, but I got a husband and daughter now. She has no say of my life now." I said. Fili smiled and kissed my forehead.

"A contract of employment as a never mind on that. There! Mine and my daughters signature." Bilbo said. I turn to see the auctioneer holding the contract we signed for the quest. Bilbo winked at me. We walk up the stairs to the door.

"Uh, certainly seems to be in order. Yes, seems are in order. Who is this person you pledged your service to? Thorin Oakenshield?" The auctioneer said.

"That would be my uncle and I'm married to Bell so I can vouche for him." Fili said. I turned to Lobelia.

"Your not getting your wish for your son to marry me. Don't try to come near my family alone." I said. Lobelia was sheathing. Bilbo, Fili, and I stepped into Bag End. Fili closed the door behind us.

"We will get everything back." Fili said.

"Of course." I said.

"Right now all that matters is I got my family here with me right now." Bilbo said. Fili and I hugged him. He was right. We had each other and we survived the quest.

AN: one more chapter and onto the sequel which will be a separate story. Till next time