GIFTED
Prologue
When Bilbo Baggins woke he couldn't help but feel as though he'd forgotten something.
He pulled himself upright on his sleeping mat, gazing thoughtfully at the high ceiling of Beorn's home. They had been there for a few days now, whilst Thorin was recovering his energy and healing from Azog's attack. Thinking on it more thoroughly though, all the dwarves needed a few days rest before they were ready to move on towards Erebor, Bilbo realised. But that still did not explain why Bilbo had this nagging feeling within his mind, something of great importance.
He sighed and got up, thinking that a cup of tea would do him nicely. He tiptoed out of the large den where the dwarves all lay snoring, slipping into the kitchen where Beorn sat at his large table eating a bowl of steaming stew. Bilbo offered the skin changer a weak smile, for a hobbit such as himself it was somewhat intimidating being alone with a man so large. And despite being what he was, Bilbo was quite relaxed around Beorn – even if the man was nearly three times his size.
"Good morning little hobbit" Beorn said gently, chewing on a large chunk of meat. "You're up early" he added thoughtfully. "Something on your mind?"
Bilbo shrugged non-commitantly as he pulled himself up onto the high benches to peer awkwardly over the table top. "I rather feel like something has slipped my memory" he admitted. "Though for the life of me I cannot quite grasp what that is"
Beorn chuckled. "I often have the same problem after full moon" he admitted. He frowned. "That reminds me – the next one is in a few days, I should best prepare for that" he mused, getting to his feet and pulling a scrap of parchment off the nearby wall. It appeared to be his calendar of sorts. "Let's see" he murmured, lifting a pen to cross off another day. "Yes the third week of spring and the next full moon is. . ."
Bilbo zoned out what Beorn was saying, his mind focusing on the skin changer's previous words. Third week of spring? His mouth dropped open and he reached across the table hurriedly, sliding the calendar towards him and peering over it. Beorn did not say anything and merely sat back with a noise of amusement, returning to his stew as though used to sudden outbursts like the one Bilbo had just displayed. Bilbo let out a soft groan of realisation and let his head fall forward to drop with a loud thump upon the sturdy table.
"I wouldn't do that again lad, if I were you" Beorn said humourlessly, getting up to drop his bowl into the sink. "Now what's got you all in a panic, little hobbit?"
"It's my birthday in three days" Bilbo announced. He lifted his head and it let it drop back down again. "I will be fifty-one years of age and . . . . oh for the love of all that's good in this world I am not prepared for this!" he groaned. Another thump echoed as his head hit the table.
Beorn ambled over and used a giant hand to pull Bilbo's head away, lest he caused more damage to his dining room table. "Come now" Beorn said. "I am certain it is not so bad to be a year older and wiser than you used to be"
"That is not the issue here, I have at least another fifty years or more before I am considering the age thing to be a problem" Bilbo said wearily. "It is the hobbit customs that are required of me, something I cannot necessarily provide for those closest to me at this point in time!"
Beorn raised an eyebrow and settled himself back down onto the bench, forcing Bilbo to look him in the eye. "Calm down" he soothed. "I think it's time you explained what this is about Mister Baggins and you tell me what it is you need"
Bilbo looked at his new found friend consideringly, dragged a hand over his face and then rolled out his shoulders. "I need some space to work privately and as many supplies as you can afford me" he said politely. "And anything you can do to keep those nosy dwarves at bay would also be most appreciated"