Chapter Text
Bilbo had had a long life full of adventure, especially in comparison to your average hobbit, living to the grand old age of 131 years old. This is why Bilbo was able to accept death with open arms, and greet the reaper as if he was an old friend. At least that was the way he thought it would go. What he had not expected was to wake up in his fifty year old body, sitting outside Bag End blowing rings from his pipe. From down the path he watched a bearded old man carrying his signature staff wearing his signature grey approach. Gandalf. Of course it was Gandalf.
“What is going on?” Thought Bilbo. He had just been dying, what was this? Was this just his life flashing before his eyes? He’d always assumed that it would be quicker than this, perhaps a montage of memories that would flash quickly before he was pulled into the black void of nothingness that is death.
He watched as Gandalf walked closer, still puffing away on his pipe.
“Good Morning,” Bilbo said as Gandalf came to a stop in front of him.
“What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” Gandalf said, his eyes glistening with a mischief you can only find in an ancient wizard.
Bilbo chuckled to himself softly. Of course he remembered this moment, how could he not, for he had promptly been swept away on an adventure that would shape his life forever.
“Gandalf, my old friend, you have not changed a bit. I suppose I mean all of your definitions at once.” He said. Hmm that was strange, he never said that originally.
A look of stifled surprise washed over Gandalf’s face, he had not expected Bilbo to know his name, Bilbo had only been a fauntling when Gandalf had last visited the Shire, back when his parents were alive and he was a lot more adventurous than his adult self. Gandalf would often tell tales of a baby Bilbo running through the forests of the Shire looking for elves. It only took a moment before Gandalf chuckled himself.
“Bilbo, my dear boy, I did not think you would remember me!” Gandalf said. That’s strange, thought Bilbo, that also never happened before. Either my memory is going mad or this is not a memory at all.
“How could I forget you Gandalf? Your fireworks are still spoken about today, and your tales of goblins, ghosts and orcs aren't easy to forget in a hurry.” Bilbo said.
“Good to hear that my reputation precedes me.” Gandalf chuckled, walking closer to Bilbo and moving to sit on the bench next to him.
“What can I do for you Gandalf? It’s unlike you to visit these parts without some sort of motive.”
“You read me too well, Mr Baggins. But I’m afraid you're correct, you see, I’m looking for someone to share an adventure with.” Gandalf replied.
“An adventure, well I’m afraid you might be in the wrong part of Middle Earth for that. An adventure is a rather unhobbitly activity you see.” Bilbo smirked, he remembered vividly his own apprehension for the quest that ultimately was one of the best things to happen to him.
“Well Mr Baggins, I was rather hoping that you would be inclined to join me. If I remember correctly you are part Took, are you not? Always running through the forest as a fauntling looking for any of the elves or fairies that your mother would tell you stories about.” Gandalf smiled with a crooked grin, his eyes once again glistening with the mischief he was well known for.
“Well, Gandalf, what sort of quest would it be?” Bilbo asked, he might as well play along, see where this strange event would take him.
“Well it involves stealing from a dragon!”
“A Dragon?!” Bilbo replied, hoping his acting skills would be enough to convince the wizard of his surprise.
“Yes Bilbo, a dragon,” chuckled Gandalf. “You would be our burglar.”
“Our?” questioned Bilbo.
“Yes, our, you see we would be accompanying a group of at least 13 dwarves trying to reclaim their kingdom.”
“Sounds… interesting!” Bilbo said. “When would we set off?”
“In two days, at the latest.”
“That is not a lot of time Gandalf, you see I need to sort out my will for events like these. I don’t want that cow Lobelia Sackville-Baggins taking my silverware while I’m gone.”
“Ahh, so you will join us?” Gandalf replied.
Bilbo pretended to think for a second, knowing full well he would never give up this opportunity, before firmly saying, “Yes!”
Gandalf looked ecstatic. He had obviously prepared for a bit of a fight on Bilbo’s end, and looked positively overjoyed at the willing participation of the hobbit.
“Excellent!” the old wizard said, standing up and stretching his legs. “The company shall meet here tonmorrow night to discuss your contract and start on our adventure. But first I must depart for a short while, but I shall see you tonight.” Gandalf walked towards Bilbo's front door, freshly painted and polished before asking, “May I?”
Bilbo knew what was going to happen, his anger towards Gandalf for destroying the fresh paint on his door had quickly faded years ago. The mark on his front door he always kept as a reminder of his adventure and those he had lost. Gandalf carved the rune into the wood door, briefly said a goodbye and walked away down the path and out of Bilbo’s sight.
Bilbo sighed, slumping on the bench. This was weird. This wasn’t a memory, no it had to be something else. He sat and pondered for a little while, all the possibilities that it could be. Perhaps he had travelled through time, the gods had given him another chance. Another chance to save the friends he had lost. Another chance to destroy the one ring before it had any chance to effect Frodo's life, to protect his nephew. Whatever had caused this strange turn of events was unknown to Bilbo, however he could be glad that it had happened. This gave Bilbo another chance, to save everyone, to save Fili and Kili, even Thorin. The thought of them still caused tears to prick his eyes
No use dwelling on the past, he thought. Not when I have a chance to change it.
“Well!” Bilbo said out loud to no one in particular. “I guess I have 13 hungry dwarves to feed and a will to correct.”
With that Bilbo stood, and began a trek down to the market, he had a lot to do in under 36 hours.