Many a person has heard the tale of the Quest for Erebor, of how the brave members of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield placed themselves in grave danger in order to reclaim their halls and home. However, not many know there is much more to the tale—and even less what that 'much more' is.

It begins, as it always does, in a hole in the ground. Not just any hole, one full of worms and oozy smells, but a hobbit hole, and that meant good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home. The location was Bag End of Bagshot Row, Hobbiton, in the Shire. The occupants: Bungo Baggins, Belladonna Took, and their lovely twins Hawthorne Bramble-Thicket Baggins and Bilbo Brandywine Baggins.

It was a lovely summer day with the sun shining brightly overhead, and the birds swinging sweetly in the trees. Hawthorne and Bilbo were off playing with their cousins in the fields (most likely stealing from Old Farmer Maggot) leaving Belladonna and Bungo to relax in their front yard, the former reading a book and the latter smoking a pipe of Old Toby.

"It's almost a shame none of your elf friends could see this," Bungo commented absently causing his dear wife to smile.

"It has been some time since they visited last," she replied wistfully, "though I know Lord Elrond to be quite busy watching over our corner of Arda."

Bungo knew the sigh of longing when he heard it and realized it could only mean one thing: "You're itching for another adventure, aren't you."

Bella simply shot him an amused glance. "Of course I am. I am a Took, after all."

"I am aware," he acquiesced, "and it is part of why I love you so." He beamed fondly at the woman beside him, wondering as he often did how he could have been so lucky to have married such a spitfire. "What I meant was only a question. So soon after Belle and Bilbo? They are barely eight years of age, Bella, hardly old enough to go traipsing off to Rivendell."

She sighed. "I know," she said quietly, warm brown eyes gazing off into the golden day. "And it is for them I stay. I can only teach them so much before Yavanna takes me back to her Garden, Bungo, and nothing teaches as well as experience. I only pray it will not come too late."

In his heart he felt an ache, the same ache that came with his wife's restlessness. When she wanted to go, he wanted to go with her. But they couldn't leave their precious sprouts, nor take them along. No, if adventure were to come, adventure would just have to wait.

~.*.*.~

And here it is, chapter one of my newest fanfiction escapade! I won't update the next chapter until I finish the one I'm currently writing, but rest assured I have at least six other chapters done and waiting. Also: I haven't decided how I'll post each chapter since they are in segments, so any suggestions would be nice. Check out my other Hobbit fic The Pale Orc and, if you like Star Wars, Time Out of Mind (which I will be fixing soon). And remember to hit that Review button; I'll only keep posting if I get at least five reviews/like/follows per chapter. Sorry, but I need to feel inspired, ya know? Anyway, enjoy!