From the Prologue
The Green Tongue (IRISH):
Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála (William Took-Baggins)
Thain Gerontius (King Aaren)
Tsí-Cineál (Fae-Kind)
Fáilte a chur roimh Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála chuig an Ghlac Teaghlaigh. (Welcome William Took-Baggins to the Family Took.)
Fáilte a chur roimh Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála chuig an An Mála Teaghlaigh. (Welcome William Took-Baggins to the Family Baggins,)
Tá mé ag teacht Mhamaí! (I am coming, Mama!)
Mhamaí! Mhamaí! Sean Broc tá chlann clainne! (Mama! Mama! Old Badger has grandchildren!)
Iontach! (Wonderful!)
Anois, tá mé duine éigin ba mhaith liom tú chun freastal ar, tá sé ina chara d'aois. (Now, I have someone I want you to meet, he's a old friend.)
Ó do chuid eachtraí? (From your adventures?)
É aige col ceathrar bás a fháil ar ard? (Is he a tall immortal cousin?[an Elf])
Uimh Uilliam ar sé ina Draoi. Is é ina ainm Gandalf. (No William he is a Wizard. His name is Gandalf.)
A Draoi! (A Wizard!)
Cé thusa? Conas a fuair tú a fháil i anseo? (Who are you? Who did you get in here?)
Tsí! (Fairy!)
Is ea Uilliam, Tá mé an Tsí-Sinsear. Is féidir leat glaoch orm Seanmháthair Fedlimid. (Yes William, I am the Fairy-Ancestor. You can call me Grandmother Fedlimid.)
Tá mé anseo chun múineadh tú de stair do agus oidhreacht. Beidh mé ag múineadh tú freisin chun tú féin a chosaint ar na bealaí traidisiúnta ár ndaoine. (I'm here to teach you your history and heritage. I will also teach you to defend yourself in the traditional ways of our people.)
Tsí-Sinsear (Fairy-Ancestor)
Chapter 1
THIRTY-FOUR YEARS LATER
Bilbo Baggins was sitting on the wooden bench outside his smial, he was relaxing in the morning sun, before he would be required to attend Council in the underground city of, Cheilt Ar Shiúl. Quite suddenly and with no footsteps to foreworn, a large shadow fell over Bilbo. He opened his eyes and smiled, "Dea-maidin, Gandalf," he said jovially as he caught sight of the Grey wizard.
"Dea-maidin, Bilbo." Gandalf replied.
"What can I do for you this fine morn?"
"Well, dear boy, I'm in search of someone to share in an adventure."
"An adventure you say? What sort of adventure?" Bilbo asked, leaning forward his curiosity was peaked. Bilbo had always wanted to go on an adventure, but his mother was worried about him being kidnapped by Big-Folk and used for his Fae-Magic.
Gandalf laughed, "It seems I've come to the right place, your taste for adventure hasn't waned I take it?"
"Shh, it's a secret!" Bilbo joked, "Would you care to join me for elevenses? Perhaps you can tell me more of this adventure?"
"That would be lovely, Bilbo," Gandalf had to stoop to enter the smial but once inside he could stand easily, it was a Royal smial after all.
After preparing tea and scones for elevenses, Bilbo and Gandalf started to discuss the adventure. "… and so we require someone light of foot, quick of mind and swift of blade."
"Hmm," Bilbo hummed trying to come up with a hobbit who fit all the criteria, apart from himself of course, "A pity I am unable to join you, but I'm sure one of the strapping young Brandybucks would be adept."
"My dear boy, why can you not join us? You are the one I had in mind after all," Gandalf said around his pipe.
Bilbo sighed, "I have responsibilities as 9th In Line and Lord Baggins you know this Gandalf."
"Can you not appoint a Caretaker, in your stead for the Lordship?"
"Well yes I suppose, bu-"
Gandalf held up a hand, "And can you not get the Thain's permission to go on a political mission?"
"Yes, bu-"
"Then all is well and expect us tonight," Gandalf replied as he left the smial.
It took a few minutes for the news to sink in but suddenly Bilbo smiled, "I'm going on an adventure!" Then he got a look at the clock on the mantle, "Gnéis!" It was passed mid-day, he was late for Council. "Rádala!" he called as he stuck his head out of the front door and a young female hobbit with dark curls and a bow and quiver strapped to her back popped up out of seemingly no-where, "Eolas a thabhairt don Thain go mbeidh mé leithscéal a ghabháil as a bheith déanach agus iarraidh ar lucht féachana pribhéad. Buíochas a ghabháil leat."
After Council the Thain asked Bilbo to remain behind, "Your request for an audience has been accepted, Col Ceathrar-Deartháir Uilliam. Come and join me for a cup of tea."
"I thank you, Col Ceathrar-Deartháir Fortinbras." Bilbo took a seat at the Thain's table, "I had a visit from Gandalf, this morning."
"That was why you were late." It wasn't a question.
"Yes, Gandalf requested my aid on behalf of Thorin II Oakenshield, rightful King Under the Mountain." Bilbo explained.
The Thain sighed, "Their going to retake Erebor aren't they?"
"How did you know?" Bilbo asked slightly bewildered.
"I heard tell a week or so ago of a group of Darrows meeting in Ered Luin. Called together by Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror. It was the next logical step." The Thain replied, with an elegant shrug.
"I see," Said Bilbo, "the Darrows are arriving tonight, I wish to accompany them. Uncle Longo and Holman can become Airíoch, Caretaker. All I need is your permission to take temporary leave of my duties as 9th in Line. Will you give it?" Bilbo was nervous, if the Thain said no then Gandalf would probably just kidnap him, not that Bilbo would be complaining, but still, best not to cause an international incident.
The Thain was silent for a good many minutes, then lifted his head, "My preliminary answer is yes, Bilbo. But I would meet with King Thorin and Company before giving a definite answer. Prepare the Meeting Hall of Bag-End for my arrival. I will be there in two hours and I'll bring the Royal Cooks."
Bilbo smiled, "Thank you Thain Fortinbras!" he called as he rushed from the meeting chamber.
Two hours later saw Bilbo welcoming his Uncle Longo, Aunt Camellia and Col Ceathrar-Deartháir, Brother-Cousin, Otho into his smial, he showed them to the meeting hall, deep within Bag-End where Hobson 'Roper' Gamgee was waiting. Once his guests were seated, Bilbo headed to the kitchen to check on the cooks the Thain had sent. As they were coping well, Bilbo left them to it. He entered the Receiving Hall just as the Thain and his son Ferumbras III arrived by carriage. "Thain Fortinbras, Flaith Ferumbras fáilte roimh," Bilbo said with a bow from the waist, baring his neck, as was proper.
"Dea-Tráthnóna, Flaith Uilliam." The Thain replied. Bilbo showed them to the Meeting Hall as well, everyone stood until the Thain and his heir had settled themselves.
Not three minutes later the front bell rang. Bilbo hurried to the Receiving Hall and checked his appearance in a mirror. He stood tall with his glamor on, showing only his Hobbit features and hiding his Fae ones, it was one of the many things Grandmother Fedlimid had taught him. Bilbo was draped in a forest green robe, the colour of the Took family with a yellow waistcoat – the colour of the Baggins family – over a very pale green silk shirt and brown leather trousers that stopped at mid-calf. The delicately carved wooden crown sat perfectly of his coppery curls and the thick carved wooden Muineál-Choróin (meaning literally Neck-Crown) sat straight on his throat, showing his status as Lord Baggins. Bilbo opened the door and found himself facing a fierce-looking Darrow warrior. "Dwalin, at your service," The Darrow said bowing at the shoulders, keeping his eyes on Bilbo, a completely acceptable dwarven bow to an acquaintance, but highly disrespectful to a Hobbit Prince and Lord.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Dwalin, I am Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála," Bilbo noticed the slight confusion on the warrior's face, "My name in Common is William Baggins, but I prefer Bilbo."
"Ah!" Dwalin nodded.
"Well, come in, come in, you are the first to arrive. Are we still expecting thirteen Darrows?" Bilbo asked as he showed Dwalin where to place his cloak.
"Yes, they will arrive soon," Dwalin answered.
"Very good," Bilbo smiled, "If you would leave your larger weapons and boots by the door in an orderly fashion I would be appreciative. Dinner will be served when all have arrived and been properly greeted."
Dwalin grunted doing as Bilbo asked. Bilbo thought the complacency was from shock at the non-timidness of the first Hobbit he'd met, rather than of respect for Bilbo's wishes. "You will wait here in the Receiving Hall until your kin and Gandalf arrive. Then I shall introduce you to the Thain, he will make the final decision on whether or not I will accompany you on your quest."
Dwalin grunted again, though this one had a different tone and feel to it, Bilbo was coming to realise that Dwalin was a Darrow of very few words. Hopefully I time he could become fluent in Dwalin-Grunt. "If you wish to refresh yourself after your journey the washroom is directly across from you." Dwalin nodded, making no move to leave. "If you'll excuse me I must await the other guests outside. Rádala!" Bilbo called and the same Hobbit lass from that morning stepped out of the kitchen, "Inform Thain Fortinbras that the guests of honour have begun to arrive," Bilbo ordered.
"Yes Prince William," the Runner replied.
Bilbo had his back to Dwalin so he missed the surprise at the title. Bilbo stepped outside and left the door open, he didn't have to wait long before the next Darrow arrived. He was short for a dwarf, shorter than Bilbo, though Bilbo was tall for a Hobbit. He had white hair and a large snowy beard. Bilbo thought he could see a resemblance to Dwalin around the eyes and nose.
"Balin at your service," the dwarf said bowing in much the same way as Dwalin did.
"A pleasure to meet you Balin, I am Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála, commonly known as Bilbo Baggins," Bilbo would not reply to the bow in kind as it was completely inappropriate to bow to someone who did not know the correct way to bow to someone of his station. "You are second to arrive Dwalin is already inside and knows his way around the appropriate areas."
"Thank you Laddie, though I have a question before I enter," Balin replied.
"You may ask, Balin."
"What is your station? You wear a crown, which in my culture means Royalty."
Bilbo smiled, "You are correct in your assumptions Balin, I have two titles: Prince Uilliam 9th In Line and Lord Baggins of Hobbiton and Surrounds." Bilbo said inclining his head.
"Then I must apologise for my lack-lustre bow My Lord, we were lead to believe that you were a simple, if respectable, Hobbit."
"I understand Balin and do not hold misinformation against you. Please join your brother inside where it is warm," Bilbo replied and smiled when Balin bowed from the waist before entering.
As he waited for the next Darrow, Bilbo could hear a conversation between Balin and Dwalin. Though it was in the Dwarven tongue, he could make out the tone of their words, surprise mostly, Bilbo thought, perhaps some anger too. Not a minute later Bilbo saw two Darrows approaching, from what he could see they were young, the Dwarven equivalent of tweens. Soon they arrived, one was slightly shorter than the other but quite obviously older, though not by much, the younger was night to the elder's day, "Fili and Kili at your service," They said bowing from the waist together, Bilbo replied in kind.
"A pleasure to meet you Fili," He said to the older, "and Kili," he said to the younger, "I am Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála, most commonly known as Bilbo Baggins. In you go lads, the others are yet to arrive, but Dwalin knows his way around."
"Yes Mister Boggins," the younger, Kili, said as they entered the smial. Bilbo winced at the butchering of his name.
The next few minutes were filled with Darrows filing into his smial. At the end of the procession was Gandalf. As soon as he saw the full regalia Bilbo was sporting he fell into an appropriate bow with practiced ease, "Beannachtaí, Flaith Uilliam Ghlac-An Mála Naoú Chun Gné Dhílis, Tiarna An Mála."
Bilbo replied in kind with his bow, "Beannachtaí, Draoi Gandalf an Liath."
"Thorin appears to be late, perhaps someone should be sent to guide him?" Gandalf suggested, after divesting himself of his boots and staff.
"We'll do it!" Fili and Kili said in unison heading for their muddy boots.
"No!" Bilbo called loudly to be heard over the din, "That is highly inappropriate. Reathaithe!" Bilbo called as the Darrows and Wizard went quiet.
Six fit young Hobbits entered the Receiving Hall from the kitchen, they lined up in front of Bilbo and bowed from the waist in unison. "Prince William, how may we be of service?" the most senior Rádala asked.
"One of the Darrows, King Thorin, son of Thrain son of Thror, is late and perhaps lost. Spilt up and travel the roads out of Hobbition, find him and guide him here."
"Yes, Prince William," the Runners, for that is what Reathaithe means in the Green Tongue, the ancient Hobbit language, said once again in unison.
"You really are a Prince?" one of the Darrows asked, he had a floppy felt hat on his head, Bilbo thought his name was Bifur – no Bifur was the one with the axe in his head, this must be Bofur, "I thought Dwalin was pulling my leg." Then he swept into a deep bow closely followed by the other Darrows, Bilbo now responded in kind.
"Bilbo is a Prince and a Hobbit Lord, besides." Gandalf said standing next to Bilbo.
"Prince William," A matronly Hobbit, interrupted before Gandalf could say more, she stepped into the room. "The food is prepared. Shall we serve it now?"
"Not yet Madam Cotton, we are yet one Darrow short, perhaps another fifteen minutes?"
"It will keep, My Prince," Madam Cotton replied before leaving the Hall.
SOMEWHERE IN HOBBITION
Thorin Oakenshield had never really had much of an interest in love, even as a young and virile Prince, he only had a few brief dalliances, nothing more, even though he could have had any male in the whole kingdom. Or female for that matter, but women had never really held his interest. After the coming of Smaug, Thorin lost all interest in carnal desires and focused totally on the protecting of his people. But that all changed when he met the 14th member of his Company.
As Thorin wandered through Hobbition, completely lost but too proud to ask for directions, he pondered Gandalf's wisdom in choosing a Halfling of all creatures, to steal form a Dragon. Every one of the Halflings he'd seen so far was soft in the middle and content to stay inside their little hills, not one among them appeared to be a fighter. Just as Thorin had given up all hope of ever finding his destination a young male Halfling ran up to him and bowed, "My Lord Darrow, are you traveling to Bag-End?" when the Halfling bowed Thorin could see a long, thin, two-handed sword strapped to his back.
"I am," Thorin answered, this Halfling carried himself as a warrior would, perhaps he was the Halfling Gandalf had chosen?
When Thorin suggested this, the Halfling laughed, "I am no Tiarna nor Flaith as my Master Baggins is. I am Adalbert Bolger, at your service My Lord." Thorin only nodded in reply. "I am to guide you to Bag-End," the lad said removing a small horn from his belt and blew it thrice, "The others sent to search for you will join us as we walk."
The young man started walking ahead of Thorin. Within five minutes Thorin had gathered a guard of six Halflings to escort him. It was quite a sight for Thorin stood head and shoulders above the Halflings.
When they arrived at Bag-End, there was another male Halfling standing on the doorstep. He seemed to either be someone of importance or flamboyant, what with wearing a crown and a thick wooden necklace. Aside from this he appeared to be no different to any of the other little Halflings, though he was quite tall, for a Halfling. Thorin looked into the man's blue-green eyes and was immediately mesmerised. Something pulled in his heart, the Halfling, William, Prince William, as Adalbert called him, transformed before Thorin's very eyes. Gone was the soft-looking man and in his place was a creature of beauty. William's feet had shrunk to a more rational size for his body (they remained hairy and thick-soled), his shoulders appeared broader, if only slightly and his softness had transformed into lean, solid muscle, only a small pudgy stomach remained, though it didn't take away from William's attractiveness, in fact it added a homely factor to his beauty.
When Thorin looked again the soft little Halfling had returned.
AT BAG-END
Bilbo's prediction was right fifteen minutes later the last Darrow, led by six of Bilbo's ten Reathaithe, arrived. "My Prince," the oldest and most senior Runner, Adalbert, bowed, "May I present Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain." Bilbo bowed low from the waist keeping eye contact. Something sparked inside Bilbo's gut as he looked into the Dwarven King's blue eyes, there was a tug on his heart, Bilbo wanted to fall into the Kings arms and kiss him senseless. "King Thorin, may I present Prince William Took-Baggins 9th In Line, Lord Baggins of Hobbition and Surrounds." King Thorin also bowed keeping eye contact, but not nearly as low as Bilbo, as was appropriate.
"F-fáilte, Cara. Welcome, Friend," Bilbo said stuttering only slightly over the traditional greeting for foreign dignitaries.
Bilbo bayed King Thorin to enter and followed behind. He shut the door to keep out the cold, Bilbo waited a moment while King Thorin greeted his kin, then called, "Reathaithe!" startling Thorin slightly though only an Elf, Hobbit or Fae would see it. The six Reathaithe who guided Thorin to Bag End again lined up in front of Bilbo. "One of you inform the Thain that the Darrows are all here, the rest of you gather the other Reathaithe and help the kitchen-hands serve Dinner." Bilbo spoke his orders in Common to be sure the Darrows were comfortable. "King Thorin," Bilbo called getting the King's attention, "I humbly request that you leave your boots and larger weapons with the others," Bilbo indicated to the neat pile of Dwarvish boots and weapons. "If you would all follow me, please?" Bilbo called, he made no move to enforce the no boots and weapons rule on King Thorin, but saw out of the corner of his eye the King complying anyway. Bilbo could feel the curiosity pouring of the Dwarven King.