Skinchangers were a rarity in Middle-Earth. Gandalf said that they were common in the undying lands, but only a few had come over with the wizards. The most well known was Beorn, a great big man who changed into massive bear. He'd taken up residence between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood, his territory long and wide. Those who wished harm on any creature knew to stay well away from that area. If you were peaceable, you could pass through as long as you did not harm any of the woodland creatures. There was an elf who changed into a great bird who resided in Lotherien and a man who turned into the horse was in the North with the rangers. It was said there was a man who was in the court of Gondor who changed into a large cat and a rumor that there was another being in Fangorn Forest who transformed into a white stag. But one who was nothing more than whispers of tales was one that Gandalf was interested in. And so he informed the company of 13 dwarves as they rode into the Shire, "Hobbits are curious creatures. Shorter than even you, they are quiet and rarely leave the Shire. Only a few have ever gone adventuring, which is something a respectable hobbit does not do. But you need a burglar and hobbits are known for their quiet feet."

"Will we find a hobbit willing to come with us on our quest? From the way you are talking, this could be harder than we first thought," Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain and leader of the company, frowned from his pony next to Gandalf. With him were his nephews, Fili and Kili, his trusted advisor, Balin, and his brother, Dwalin, the brothers Dori, Nori, and Ori, brothers Oin and Gloin, and brothers Bifur, Bofur and Bombur. "It seems like a waste to go chasing after a hobbit if they won't come."

"We aren't looking for a hobbit, though," Gandalf smiled brightly. "We are looking for someone who looks like a hobbit but isn't a hobbit."

"And how can that be? A hobbit who ain't a hobbit?" Dwalin growled.

"That, my friend, brings me back to the story I was telling you all last night," Gandalf tapped his nose.

"Skinchangers," Fili, Kili and Ori gasped together, looking at each other excitedly.

"Correct!"

"But you didn't talk about a skinchanger in the Shire," Balin frowned. "And I think we would've heard of one in the Blue Mountains."

"This skinchanger is very clever, actually. He hasn't always been a hobbit. It was actually that his animal form was his common form and his other form was the one he changed into," Gandalf shrugged. "Because of this, he became long forgotten. I feared he had died since I hadn't heard from him. You see, we came over together and traveled for a while together. After the great war, he disappeared. I had feared he'd succumbed to his wounds, but a reliable source within the Shire has confirmed his presence here."

"And how are we going to go about approaching this skinchanger?" Thorin raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, it's quite simple, really. We get ourselves invited over for tea," Gandalf smiled brightly. "He'll know we're on our way and he'll know it's me, so he'll probably have it all ready by the time we arrive."

"Tea?"

"We'll be there in time for possible elevensies if not lunch," Gandalf nodded. "I do love visiting hobbits. They have the most wonderful eating habits. There's first breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, teatime and supper. And quite a lot of snacking and lazing about."

"How shall we know he's the skinchanger?" Dwalin sounded annoyed.

"We won't, but he will know who I am. The name he came over with was Bilbo and yes, he is related to Beorn. I believe cousins if not brothers. I could never figure out how the skinchangers were all related," Gandalf shrugged. "I am sure he goes by a different name now."

Gandalf refused to answer any more questions on the subject, pulling out his pipe and blowing smoke rings, much to Thorin's annoyance. The others were forced to just follow the crazy wizard. It was Bombur who drew everyone's attention to their shadow, "Look, boys, I've never seen flowers that color."

He was pointing off to their right, but his face was covered in a look of worry, not surprise. The others soon saw what he was seeing, a large shape flitted through the woods, keeping pace. Only glimpses of it was caught. Gandalf frowned before pulling to a halt, "Well, he does know we are here."

"That's him?" Thorin's hand was resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Aye, just as big as ever. Hail, Bilbo! It is I, Gandalf!" the wizard called out. The woods around them were silent, not even a bird.

"It is not wise to have such a large company of dwarves together. It draws unwanted attention," something hissed from Thorin's left and he turned around to see a small person standing next to his pony, not looking at all impressed. He stood a good head shorter than Thorin at the most and had sandy brown curls. His skin was smooth and had a light tan to it. He was wearing tan trousers, tan undershirt, green waistcoat and a brown overcoat. The most surprising feature were the bright blue eyes looking up at him. "What is it that you want, Gandalf Greyhame?"

"Why, Bilbo, you've gotten smaller!" Gandalf smiled happily. "And may I say you look much better than the last time we met."

"I know you, wizard. One does not travel," Bilbo, obviously a hobbit, stopped and breathed in deeply through his nose, his eyes closing. "All three heirs to the throne of Erebor together in the open without good reason."

"That, my friend, is a conversation for a more private location," Gandalf grew serious. Bilbo looked over the group before clapping his hands together, smiling brightly.

"Of course! You all must be hungry. Keep going down this road and up the hill. Hobbit hole with the bright green door. I will have something ready. You're just in time for lunch," his smile took on a feral quality. "Or to be lunch."

With that, he walked off into the woods and not seconds later, a great sandy-colored wolf, the size of a large charger, raced out onto the road, looking expectantly at them before racing down the road. Thorin looked at Gandalf, who was smiling, "Yes, that is Bilbo. He seems to find your scent appealing if he's offering to eat you."

Gandalf kicked his horse forward, leaving a very pale Thorin in his wake.

Bilbo lived in a large hobbit hole known as Bag End. Long ago, way before Gaffer Gamgee was born, it had belonged to the Baggins. No one remembered what happened or why, but Bag End was given to Bilbo and he took up the name Baggins. He was even known to take in a few of the older Baggins for a few years or sometimes a Took or a Brandybuck. No one knew where he came from but they knew in their own way he protected them from the outside world. A few, like the Gaffer, had placed Bilbo as a skinchanger, but not one to be feared. Most just thought he was a wizard or something of the like. He was a very good healer and had taught many a hobbit the basics over the years. He was well liked and a common sight in Hobbitton. But the hobbits always looked up the hill if a stranger came through, seeing as most were there to see the great Bilbo Baggins. So when a large troop of dwarves rode through, they all looked up the hill to see the bright green door closed and no one outside, but the chimney was puffing up a storm.

"They're going to Bag End," the hobbits whispered amongst themselves. "What do they want with our healer?"

No one had an answer, so they went back to their work, although Old Farmer Collins gave the group and evil stare. Gandalf just nodded and rode on. The dwarves shared curious looks before following. They let their ponies be in a flat grassy spot near the front door and made the rest of the way on foot. Before Gandalf could knock, the door was thrown open and a beaming Bilbo ushered them inside, "Wipe your boots on the mat, please, and cloaks and weapons can be left in the entry hall. On through to the dining room. If you want to freshen up, take a left and down the hall on the right. Food will be ready soon."

With that, he dashed off to what looked like the kitchen, where sweet smells were wafting from. Thorin sighed and did was told and soon all the dwarves and Gandalf were seated around a rather large table. Bilbo strode in, arms laden with platters and started laying out the food, "Eat up. I know how dwarves can be and there's plenty more in the kitchen. Drinks are on the table behind Gandalf and no need for the introductions and bowing. I know you all already."

"And how would that be," Thorin asked and Bilbo stopped on his way out, a knowing smile on his face as he tapped his nose.

"I never share my secrets, Master Thorin," he strode out and was back shortly with more platters. The dwarves ate as much as they could and were surprised when Bilbo told him there were more in the kitchen if they got hungry later.

"I've traveled the world, gentlemen, and the best way to start off good relations is to know how your counterpart eats," Bilbo was sitting back in a chair between Gandalf and Balin, smoking a pipe. "Now, onto business. What brings you to my humble abode?"