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Chapter Text

His husband's kingdom was beautiful, an oasis in a seemingly endless desert in the East, far beyond where typical maps on Middle Earth ended.

Which is why Bilbo Baggins could not remember the kingdom's name for the life of him, no matter how hard he searched his brain for an answer.

It was awfully embarrassing, to be the ruler's spouse and yet not recall the kingdom's name.

That was just one of the many things he could not seem to remember; just like he could not remember how he met his husband, or what had happened in between his adventure with the dwarves and meeting his husband, and most damningly, he could not recall his husband's name.

Bilbo knew his lord husband's name was elegant as one befitting his station and his beauty, but it remained just at the tip of his tongue.

So he continued to sit in the palace gardens, watching the sunset melt into the horizon, trying to solve the mysteries presented before him.

"There you are, my love." A silky voice said from behind him, "I was wondering where you wandered off to."

The hobbit turned around, looking at his spouse who was walking towards him.

His husband was an elf -or elven adjacent-, with knee-length silvery blond hair that hung freely, clad in a red robe that exposed the sides of his lithe legs from his thighs down, his feet covered in dark brown boots, his skin was as pale as milk without blemish besides a scar on his throat, and his most beautiful feature was his golden eyes that pierced into the very soul of Bilbo's being.

"My darling." His husband said, cupping his face, stroking his cheek with his thumb, "My beautiful Bilbo."

Bilbo leaned into his touch, practically melting into his warmth, "My beloved husband."

His husband sat beside him on the pale stone bench, his hands never straying far from the hobbit's face or hips even as lips met briefly before parting again, their foreheads resting together.

"My precious, I have some questions for you." The elven-esque male said

Bilbo looked at him, pale green eyes meeting gold, "What?"

"Do you love me, my dearest Bilbo?" His husband asked

The hobbit nodded immediately, even though he could not recall his husband's name he knew that he loved him dearly, "Very much so."

The taller male smiled, then asking, "And you are happy with me and our life together?"

"I have never been happier." Bilbo smiled, being completely honest as his life had been lonely ever since his parents had died just over two decades ago but even before that he had felt as if he were alone

"Wonderful." His husband hummed, "And finally, where is the ring?"

"What ring?" The shorter being asked, his head tilting slightly

"The golden ring, the one that you found in that mountain lake." His husband explained

Bilbo's eyebrow rose, "I-I do not remember."

"Are you certain?" The other male asked

"Yes, I am sorry but I cannot remember." The hobbit apologized, "Why?"

"I was just curious, my dearest." His husband soothed, kissing his hand, "You were just telling me about your adventure last night so I was just wondering."

A post-coital cuddle and conversation seemed vaguely familiar in his mind, but he could not think of the specifics, though he did not question it.

Taking his husband's offered arm as they walked back into their home, a thought came to Bilbo.

Mairon, his husband's name was Mairon, a name that fit one as admirable as him; how could he ever forget such a perfect name?

***

Hamfast 'Gaffer' Gamgee frowned as he entered Bag End, walking to the bedroom where his new wife was tending to the third hobbit in the room.

"How is he, Bell?" The gardener asked

"Same as yesterday." Bell replied, "He is still sleeping, his breathing looks normal and he is taking water and porridge well."

It had been two months since Hamfast had found his employer passed out in his armchair and try as he might, nothing would wake Bilbo from his coma.

So, the thirty-four year old gardener and his wife had moved into his smial temporarily to tend to him until he woke up or died.

The latter fate he prayed would be avoided, but Gaffer had already heard whispers that many in the Baggins family -especially those Sackville-Baggins- were hoping the bachelor died so his smial would be up from grabs and his title would pass.

Maybe that wizard fellow, Gandalf -if his memory served-, would know how to wake him up, but no one has seen him in this year since Bilbo had come home from his adventure with those dwarves.

Because none of the healers the Shire had to offer could offer an explanation on why Bilbo Baggins had fallen into this coma nor a way to get him out of it, but Gandalf left the Shire all the time so he had to know something.

If not, then Bilbo might not ever wake up again.

***

Hours later, Bilbo sat on the balcony of their bedroom, clad in only his white cotton nightgown, the hems of the long skirt and long sleeves lined with white lace and the string that held the collar closed undone, the stars in different places than where they lay over the Shire.

“Come to bed, darling.” His husband’s voice called from behind him

Bilbo stood up from the rocking chair he sat on, turning to head back into the room before stopping in his tracks.

Side sitting on the bed was Mairon, his long hair tied back into a simple braid.

But that is not what took the hobbit’s breath, no, it was what his spouse wore: while Bilbo was wearing a normal nightgown, Mairon was wearing a teddy nightgown  that just barely reached mid-thigh made of golden silk and lined with black lace -and if that were not inviting enough there was a slit on his left leg that exposed up to his hip without revealing anything naughty.

Bilbo may not be sure of a lot of things in his life currently, but he was absolutely sure he wanted his husband to bed him.

Chapter Text

A week later, or was it the next day? time was passing so strangely to Bilbo that he could not be sure, but the hobbit was walking through the palace and made his way to the library.

Plucking a book from the shelf, he made his way over to a chair and sat on it, getting himself comfortable before flipping it open to read it.

But where the words should be, were just faded squiggles that gave no hint to be any of the known languages in Middle Earth, it hurt his eyes to look at it for too long, so he just shut the book and put it on the coffee table.

“What is happening to me?” Bilbo asked himself, holding his head in his hands

He rested his eyes for a few minutes, distrusting his own eyesight before distrusting his reality.

But when he looked at the book again, nothing had changed.

His frustrations began to bubble over the metaphorical rim and tears formed in his eyes, sobbing despite his best efforts to avoid it.

When he felt composed enough to open his eyes again, wiping the tears away with his jacket sleeve.

Taking a deep breath, Bilbo steadied his breathing and stood up, trying to assure himself that he was not going mad and that he was just tired, that perhaps a walk through the oasis would help ground him.

Walking out of the library, maneuvering through the maze-like halls of the palace, Bilbo made his way outside and began to walk down the many steps of the small mountain toward the city below.

But as he made it about halfway down the staircase and onto the platform where the second half began, he was blocked as crossed spears held by guards that seemingly appeared from nowhere stopped him.

“Pardon? Let me pass, sirs.” The hobbit said, confused as to why he was being prevented from going into town

“Apologies, your majesty, but the king has ordered that you are to remain on palace grounds.” One of the faceless guards says

The hobbit frowned, he did not want to be made a prisoner in his own home, “I will only be a moment, I swear that I will not let my husband punish you if you let me pass.”

But the guards refused him, stating that King Mairon wanted him safe within the palace.

So, the hobbit went back up the stairs and began to search for another way down, eventually finding a side of the mountain that would be a difficult but not impossible climb.

Sitting on the sandy ground, he set one foot on the rocky cliff, but before he could get the second foot off the ledge and carefully make his way down, he was startled by a hand on his shoulder.

Looking up, Bilbo was greeted by the sight of his husband, the taller being clad in white robes, his long silver hair flowing freely and shining in the sunlight.

“Are you...leaving me, Bilbo?” Mairon asked, cupping the hobbit’s cheek, “I love you.”

“No, No!” Bilbo immediately denied, “I love you too, I would never leave you! I…I just wanted to walk through the city and the guards would not let me pass.”

“It is not safe in the city, you are safest here with me.” Mairon said, pulling him back up to his feet, “ Why did you want to go for a walk there? Have the gardens displeased you?”

“No, the gardens are beautiful, it is just that I feel like I am going mad.” Bilbo sighed, airing his frustrations, leaning against his husband’s chest as he told him about all the little oddities he had noticed

Mairon frowned, kissing his head, assuring him everything would be alright.

Eventually, the king led him back inside, “I have a gift for you, my love.”

“What is it?” Bilbo asked, lacing their fingers together

With a wave of his hand, a glittering object appeared in Mairon’s free hand, a band of woven silver wires that was littered with various gems shaped like flowers.

Bilbo’s pale green eyes widened in amazement, his unpleasant mood temporarily forgotten at the sight of such a wonderful gift, “Oh, Mai, it is beautiful.”

“Only the best for my darling consort.” The elf-like being said, placing the circlet on Bilbo’s golden curls

The hobbit’s smile was absolutely infectious, the older being could not help but smile as well.

Mairon almost snarled to himself wickedly as a thought popped into his head: he would not let Bilbo ever leave. Ever.

Bilbo belonged to him now. Only him. Even if someone missed him. They wouldn't lay a hand on Bilbo, as his body also belonged to him.

Of course that included his comatose body in the real world. 

***

Gandalf had barely been in Hobbiton for twenty minutes, had not even had a chance to set up his firework stall among the rows of booths in the Farmer’s Market, much less light his pipe when Bell Gamgee rushed up to him and told him Bilbo Baggins had been in a coma for four months.

His cart was forgotten as he was whisked away to Bag End, taken to the master bedroom where the hobbit was laying.

The stench of dark magic permeated the room, was thicker than smoke upon the very air, Bilbo’s sleep was not of natural cause -of that he was certain.

Pointing his wooden staff at the hobbit, where the dark presence was thickest, he announced, “Show yourself, monster, who is it that plagues this innocent!”

A blueish light appeared, slowly taking the form of an elven male with pale hair and clothing, sitting on the side of the bed with Bilbo’s head on his lap, his eyes glowing orange.

“Sauron!” Gandalf exclaimed, “Let go of the hobbit, accursed beast.”

“Now why would I do that?" The fire maia asked amused, slender fingers swept aside Bilbo’s golden curls, sharp nails scraping at pale skin, his golden gaze never leaving the Wizard, “Look how peaceful he is in my arms, so quiet, so at rest; painless. Would you deprive him of this?”

“If it means freeing him from you, yes.” Gandalf replied, his hands clenched around his staff, “Why have you done this to him?”

Distorted, dark laughter emanated from the walls as the ghostly figure found his words humorous -as if he could stop him.

Gandalf grimaced but stood his ground, ready to fight him as he had in Dol Guldur a year previously.

“He manifested me, accepted me.” Mairon smirked, “So no, Olórin, he is mine and mine alone.”

“Bilbo is not yours to corrupt.” The Grey Wizard declared

Sauron laughed again, the candles littering the room growing larger, “So you claim.”

When the flames grew so large that they threatened to start a housefire, Gandalf was temporarily distracted by the sounds of Gaffer and Bell screaming to keep his eyes on the Dark Lord.

When he looked back, Sauron was gone and the bed was empty.

Chapter Text

The Grey Wizard immediately turned to the remaining hobbits in the room, “Besides the comatose sleep, has there been anything else strange about Bilbo since his return?”

“No, nothing strange.” Gaffer denied, “Nothing strange besides how Mister Bilbo typically is.”

Bell took her husband’s hand, “There was one thing, I did not think much of it then. But when I first brought Mister Bilbo in here from the sitting room I changed his clothes so he could be more comfortable and he was wearing a ring. I tried to take it off of him, but it burned me when I touched it.”

Gandalf’s blue eyes widened, “What did the ring look like?”

“A golden band, no gems on it or anything. There was an engraving on it for a moment when I touched it but it disappeared.” Bell answered

“What did the engraving read?” He asked

“Something elvish, I dunno.” She replied, “I did not get a good look at it.”

The Istari had known Bilbo had found a ring during the journey but had thought it to be an elven artifact like the Gondolin-made swords they had found, and had known Bilbo lied about losing it during the Battle of Five Armies.

If he had even suspected for a moment that the ring could possibly be the One, he would have derailed the entire quest from going to Erebor to Mordor instead so the ring could be destroyed -the deadline of arriving by Durin’s Day be damned, Smaug could have slept another year, but the forces of darkness grow stronger with every moment as the Dark Lord gathered his forces and strength.

Since Sauron was the one that had been possessing Bilbo and forced him into a coma and had just taken him away, it was only a matter of time until he got the One Ring back -which would spell doom for all of Middle Earth.

Rushing to leave without explaining anything to the Gamgees, Gandalf left the smial and got his horse from his cart, hurrying to gather allies to save Bilbo from his possession -or if that failed, to face Sauron.

***

The oasis of a kingdom looked strange today, things seeming to fade in and out of existence if stared at for too long, the sky burning a dark red, details going fuzzy.

Bilbo had tried ignoring it, but unlike before these oddities could not be brushed off.

Now, he sat on Mairon’s lap in the garden, looking into the desert that looked more like a sea of blood than a golden expanse.

“This is not real is it?” Bilbo asked in a whisper, leaning against his husband

Mairon’s left arm held him tighter against him, as if afraid to let go, “It could be. This might not be real, the kingdom I mean, but it could be. You would just have to do one little thing and we could have this life together in reality.”

“What would I have to do?” The shorter male asked

“Give me back my ring.” The taller answered, running his fingers through the hobbit’s curls

Bilbo turned his head, pale green eyes looking up into golden, “But I don’t have it here.”

“Yes, but you have it in reality, you would just have to bring it to me.” Mairon explained, “The ring will guide you to me -it wants to be returned.”

Something in his gut told Bilbo that returning the ring to Mairon would be catastrophic, but he found that he did not care, “Okay, I will do it.”

The silvery blond smiled, kissing the other’s lips, “You are so perfect for me.”

***

Bilbo groaned softly, using his hands to support his weight as he sat up slowly.

Rubbing his eyes with his hands, he looked around, finding himself lying in a field of grass by the border of Hobbiton, nestled in the shade of a tree.

Standing on shaking legs, the hobbit managed to walk the path through the outskirts of town back to Bag End.

Opening the circular door to his smial, Bilbo immediately set about gathering supplies for the journey that he did not know how long it would take.

“Mister Bilbo, you are awake!” Gaffer exclaimed, trying to help him sit down, “You should rest.”

Bilbo shook his head, “I am alright, I need to go.”

“You have only just gotten up, sir.” Bell pointed out, “Have something to eat.”

“No.” Bilbo refused again, going to his room to change from his nightgown to something suitable for travel, packing a bag of supplies and irreplaceable things, “I have to go.”

Once he was mostly ready to go, filling a bag with coins for the road to get food, he looked at his gardeners, “Thank you both for taking care of me and for helping me out for all these years; you two can keep Bag End to raise your own family. Tell my cousin, Fosco, that I want him to be the new head of the family.

Not listening to their pleas for him not to go, Bilbo left his smial anyways, walking where the Ring prompted he should.

***

It was odd, to be taking directions from a ring like it was a map, but it was lightly buzzing on his finger and somehow it translated in the hobbit’s brain to make sense without using words.

The initial stretch of the journey was the same as when he traveled with the Company of Thorin Oakenshield but instead of going north towards Rivendell, he traveled south towards Rohan.

When they reached the bottom of the Misty Mountains -where Bilbo would eventually learn is called Isengard-, the ring pulled him into the unseen world so they could pass without the White Wuzard noticing their passage.

Saruman would try to steal the ring from Bilbo if he saw them and use its power, the One Ring knew that and it knew Gandalf likely had the White Council on high alert by now looking for them.

They passed through the Gap of Rohan and said kingdom itself, leaving the Ring with a choice: to try and sneak the hobbit into Mordor through the Black Gate or Minas Morgul.

The Black Gate was virtually impenertrable but the wraith city was very risky as they would be able to see them in the unseen world. -but it could also order them as their rings were tied to it and then Bilbo would have armed escort to Barad-dûr.

So Minas Morgul it was, not that Bilbo knew where they were going.