Chapter 8: The Wrong Hobbits

After recovering from the fainting, Bilbo and Belinda sat in their armchairs, drinking tea. "We'll be alright. Just let us sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo said. "Yeah. That would be nice. Sitting quietly." Belinda said. "You both have been sitting quietly for far too long." Gandalf said. "Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember 2 young Hobbits who were always running off in search of Elves in the woods. Who would stay out late, come home after dark trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. 2 young Hobbits who would have liked nothing more than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire." "Gandalf is actually right. The world isn't in any of your books and maps. It's out there." Selindra said, gesturing to out the window.

"We can't just go wandering off into the blue. Belinda and I are Bagginses of Bag-End." Bilbo said. Belinda nodded. "You are also Tooks." Gandalf said. "He's right. We are Tooks on our mother's side, Bilbo." Belinda said. "Did you know that your great-great-great-great uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large, he could ride a real horse?" Gandalf asked. "Yes." The siblings answered. "Well, he could! In the Battle of Greenfields, he charged the Goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard, it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off and it sailed over 100 yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus, the battle was won. And the game of golf invented at the same time." Gandalf explained. "What a great game. Wish I was playing today." Selindra sighed.

Bilbo and Belinda were unconvinced. "I do believe you made that up." Bilbo said. "Yeah. No Hobbit could be that strong." Belinda said. "Well, all good stories deserve some embellishment." Gandalf said as he sat down. "You know he's right. You 2 will have a tale or 2 to tell on your own when you come back." Selindra said. Bilbo had a thought from that. "Can you promise that we will come back?" He asked. "No. And if you do, you will not be the same." Gandalf said. Bilbo sighed. "That's what I thought." He said, getting up. "Sorry, Gandalf, we can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbits." Belinda got up and walked out with him.

Thorin, Tharia and Balin saw the siblings as they walked to their bedroom. "It appears we have lost our burglars." Balin said. Tharia looked sad from hearing that. "Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkerers and toy makers. Hardly the stuff of legend." Balin said. "There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin assured. "Old warriors." Balin corrected. "I would take every single one of these Dwarves over an army of the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart. I cannot ask no more than that." Thorin said. "You don't have to do this. You and Tharia have a choice. You've both done honorably by our people. You both have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. And that is worth than all the gold in Erebor." Balin said. Tharia looked at her brother. "From our grandfather to our father, this has come to me and Tharia." Thorin said, holding up the key. "They dreamed of the day the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me. Or Tharia." Balin felt unsure, but he knew Thorin was right. "Then we are with you, laddy. We will see it done." He said, patting Thorin's shoulder. Tharia felt unsure herself. She could feel that this journey would not bode well for her or Thorin.

The Dwarves had all gathered in the living room and all started humming. Gandalf, Selindra, Varder, Bilbo and Belinda listened from afar as Thorin started singing.

Far over the Misty Mountains' cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away at break of day

To find our long-forgotten gold

As Balin joined in, the rest of the Dwarves joined in too.

The pines were roaring on the height

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches blazed with light