It's here, the last chapter! Man, I meant to get this up last night! Thanks so much to everyone! It means so much you've stuck with this:) This one is a bit long :P

The Hobbit characters, places, etc. belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and film rights go to P. Jackson and associates.

The two Burrow brothers had gone. Leo, instructed by Mr. Baggins, had directed his elder sibling to one of the pantries after much convincing. Leo had hoped to cool Barley's anger, and admittedly try to convince him to not let the details of the night out to their Mother. Though the young hobbit knew both were unlikely.

Once they had left the room, the Host of the evening began muttering to himself how he might have ruined Bonnie and Leo in the eyes of their Mother, and most likely Hobbiton if word spreads.

"I suppose there is nothing you could do?" He directed to Gandalf.

"Such as?" The Wizard asked, though already suspecting what Bilbo was suggesting.

"Couldn't you...do...something to make him forget this?"

"Bilbo Baggins I do not lend my services to be called because you find it convenient!" Was the heated answer. "You should have considered something like this happening."

"How was I to know someone would come looking for them? And I don't recall ever asking of you for the sake of convince!"

"Ask what of convince?" Inquired Bonnie, who had appeared with Ori, no trace of flour to be found, for they had decided to clean the floors while they were there, and had returned the flour bag.

"Found her." Ori managed to add in as Bonnie let go of her arm.

"It seems your elder brother had unexpectedly come along seeking to take you and Leo home." Balin answered.

"Barley's here?"

"With Leo." Bilbo answered. "I was wondering if there was something Gandalf could do to make him...forget all this."

"And why should he?" Bonnie asked, looking at Bilbo oddly.

"Well...he'd tell your Mother, and then word would get out and your and Leo's reputations would be...well you know."

"Couldn't you ask him to keep tonight between us eleven?

Hugo had followed the tunnel, and found, other than the fact it became narrower as it went on (and eventually had to crawl upon his stomach), but that it eventually led to a dead end. A very dusty and dark dead end.

'I would have given a thousand second-breakfasts to ask the late Mr. Baggins what use he had in mind for all these odds and ends!' He thought. It was a bit cramped, and the dust did not work in favor with the hobbit's nose. He began to sneeze violently. But thankfully was still able to reach the handkerchief in his trouser pocket.

The dust began to make him cough as well.

"I think the little creatures have bested us." Bofur admitted to Nori, returning a series of coats to a rack inside an old closet.

"Perhaps they have. I can't think of anywhere else they might be scurrying to." Nori agreed, though still not ready to actually admit defeat. And was now seriously regretting letting Bonnie have another go.

He looked round the closet one last time before closing the door. He reminded Bofur that Dwalin and Ori were still having at it, and there was still a chance of the Dwarves winning the game.

"Aye, there is. Still we learned tonight these little things are crafty, in any event Ori at least is just as lost as us."

"Then for Dwalin's sake I hope he finds them." Nori muttered as they made their way to the hearth to admit defeat, though the ex-thief was still stepping to the side to check the corners. Just incase.

They came to the hearth, noticing the new hobbit from before, who did not look particularly happy. Neither did Mister Baggins, who was standing opposite him, one hand tiredly rubbing his forehead. Bonnie was next to him, and it looked as though the hobbit lass didn't know if she wanted to laugh or sigh in frustration.

Also there was Ori, who smiled at his brother triumphantly.

"If there was a way to do so I would Mr. Baggins, but our Mother is going to wonder what took me so long in getting them."

"You could tell her you began talking to Bilbo, and lost track of the time." Leo, who was playing with an agile Drac in the corner, offered.

"Leo are you suggesting I lie to her?" Barley asked, eyes widening in shock. "How could you think such a thing!"

"It wouldn't be a complete lie. Seeing how that's what we're doing now." Bilbo added.

"You also lie by what you don't say." The eldest Burrow boy affirmed, looking with scrutiny at Bilbo, who he now had even more reason to dislike.

"Oh, really now! That's not always the case." Bilbo moaned.

"Of course you would think that!"

"...How do you mean?"

Sensing danger, Bonnie stepped in. "Barely, really I could just explain to Mother I did not wish to leave, and time was not on our side."

"Bonnibella!"

"Do you wish to shock Mother to an early grave? That is most likely what will happen anyway!"

Barely still did not look convinced, and his brow pointed downwards with his arms crossed. Bilbo was nearly mirroring the stance, except his displeasure came more from the new guest.

"...I suppose...I can tell her that we lost track of time..." He said finally,"But I'm not going to forget!"

'We are not asking of that.' Leo thought to himself.

Hugo coughed violently, blast this dust! The tunnel was too narrow to try and push it all aside, and it began to get in his mouth

Just as Barley had agreed to keep the evening a sibling-secret, Dwalin came to the hearth, raising an eyebrow to the new guest, who in turn nearly jumped out of his skin when the larger creature spoke,"I am not calling it off, I am here to check something."

Barely had caught a glimpse of the dwarf before, but to turn and see the creature tower over him! Every shred of common sense in his brain told him to take his brother and sister and leave, but at the same time he was frozen in place. His nerves jumped even more when the massive creature put his hand forward to shake.

Thankfully his instincts allowed him to put his hand in the dwarf's, and answer,"Barley Burrow, at your service."

"Dwalin, at yours." He replied, then, passing the nervous fellow, Dwalin stepped to the fire-place and began inspecting it. He had actually been close to calling himself beaten, till the story by the Wizard of Master Baggins in the fireplace gave him an idea.

In an effort to clear some of the dust, Hugo began scraping at the wall before him. A violent sneeze while doing so caused his hand to jerk forward, and one of the bricks was very loose.

To the Roofroot's surprise it moved. After calming himself, he pushed the brick gently, then a bit harder and it nudged forward.

'Bilbo must get this fixed.' He thought. He tried to see if he could ease the loose part forward, but it trying to do so it accidentally fell out if the wall completely.

He heard it plummet below, and to his surprise, he heard voices!

Dwalin had backed away in time. A brick had fallen from inside the fireplace, putting out some of the fire, and causing embers to flutter out.

"Oh dear, is it beginning to crumble?" Bilbo asked, half-groaning as he stepped next to Dwalin and reached for the poker to try to move the brick. He had never had any problems with the fireplace. Oh it would be a shame to have to replace it!

"Tell Mother we were inspecting his fireplace." Leo said to Barley, lifting Drac off his lap and to the floor.

"That isn't funny, Leonard." Barley snapped.

Dwalin asked if it would be too much an inconvenience to put out the rest of the fire, so as he may look up the chimney.

"Fancy Hugo up there?" Bilbo asked, already moving towards a small bucket of sand.

Dwalin looked round, noticing for the first time Bonnie was indeed present. If there was any hobbit hid up the chimney it was Hugo.

Bilbo asked if someone would be kind enough to fetch an extra lamp or two, describing the closet a few steps down that held them. Leo stood up, Drac in tow, and pulled on a reluctant Barley to follow.

'So this is soot.' Hugo thought. He must be covered in the stuff, no wonder he coughed as much as he had. 'Why does he insist on using coal anyway?'

Hugo pulled one of the bricks towards him, and it came loose. Then he freed another and another, storing them to his side best he could manage, till there was just enough room.

There was now a fairly sized opening, allowing Hugo to inch forward and looked down. Someone was putting the fire out. He quickly ducked back into the space. Uh, these bricks! He tried to see if he could push them behind him.

"I must say Bilbo, the elder Mr. Burrow reminds me of you." Was the remark from Balin who stood next to the Master of Bag End as he lighted one of the lamps already present.

"Really?" He answered with a smile, believing the old friend to be joking.

"I was thinking the same!" Bofur agreed, as did Ori and Dwalin. And Gandalf, who began to chuckle.

Bilbo's mouth opened in protest, but was unable to say anything for a moment, looking from one dwarf to another. Eventually managing,"You are all serious?"

"Aye, when we first caught sight of you." Bofur said jovially.

"Remember how timid and prickly you were!" Dwalin teased, fingers brushing the hobbit's face. "Bobbing, and frowning, and protesting every minute."

"Getting yourself all worked up." Balin added.

"Fainting as you did just at the mention of a dragon too." Nori added, the memory earning fond chuckles from all. Even Bonnie was trying to discreetly smile to herself, though Bilbo saw her and felt a good deal of heat rise to his face.

His mouth opened and closed, unable to form a defense (mostly because he knew it was all well grounded in truth). Finally mustering a mock-offended huff and ducking his head, "I'd like to remind everyone, I did not know why there were suddenly twelve dwarves in my house."

"We're only teasing, Dear Hobbit." Gandalf assured, reaching out to pat his head.

"Still to compare me to Barley..."

"Who's doing that?" Leo asked, walking in and carrying two lamps. Drac held candles n his arms, and Barley held a small box of matches and two lamps as well.

"No one. Thank you." Bilbo answered, lighting the lamps and then putting the fireplace out.

Hugo heard some movement from below and tried to keep from sneezing or coughing.

"Do you see anyone?" Ori asked.

"No, but there is a large hole in the wall." Was the answer from the larger Dwarf.

'A hole?' Bilbo thought. 'It is starting to crumble then? Odd, I haven't noticed other bricks falling out.'

Dwalin came out from under the chimney, dusting off some ash and soot. Bilbo asked if he was ready to announce the game over, and the Hobbits victorious. The larger Dwarf playfully swatted at the cocky Baggins, assuring him he still was not quite ready to give-up.

In truth he knew the furry-footed creatures were extremely close to victory, and he doubted he'd be able to find Hugo...

Although he had found Bilbo which was somewhat close to victory, seeing how it was that halfling who had scoffed at the seriousness Dwarves put upon the game.

"Are you sure, my Dwarrow?" Bilbo asked.

"Quite sure."Dwalin asked, playfully swatting again at the cheeky creature. Must spend too much time with the Wizard.

"Well I think we must be heading off." Bonnie began, standing up. "Barley had come here to see Leo and I home, and I think we've stayed too long for his liking."

"Don't you wish to see who wins?" Bilbo asked, earning a hopeful look from Leo, who had been looked very disappointed to hear his sister side with Barley. The Dwarves also didn't enjoy the idea of already wishing the Burrows goodbye, like Bilbo they had also hoped for them to stay till the game's end.

"I do, but my brother's patience wears thin."

Some eyes fell on the eldest Burrow, who looked surprised at his sister's suggestion. In a slight stammer he said, that if their Mother had managed to was it this long, surely she could live till they game was over.

Hugo managed to keep his coughing and sniffling muffled, listening to the conversation. He wondered if it would be possible for him to shimmy down the chimney after Dwalin left? That would certainly catch them all off guard!

He inched forward to look down and see if it could be done. Without the fire things were so dark and the only light came from the glow of the outer room. From what he could tell the inner walling was wide enough for him to carefully scale down. He might scrape a leg, perhaps rip a sleeve a bit, though not too bothersome.

Hugo also considered he'd be covered in a layer of soot, probably never get it washed out. 'Though I imagine there's already a thick amount on me now!' He thought.

His thoughts were interrupted by a little figure that had stepped into the firebox.

Earlier in the evening Dwalin had worried about accidentally stepping on Drac. When he left the hearth young Drac had decided to follow him, and then to run around the bigger being's legs and jumping around him. It was nervous, and difficult to watch where one was going while trying not to injure him.

Dwalin eventually told the little one that he heard a noise in the chimney, and he should go make sure it wasn't a wolf-monster or worse. Drac, with a dead serious promise to not let the evil creature hurt anyone, ran back to the hearth. Dwalin sighed with relief and began one last search.

While Drac had been off trying to make friends with Dwalin, another..dispute..between the host and elder Burrow had been brought up. In later days when friends were recalling the evening, no one could remember how the conversation had turned to this, but it had been revealed that apparently it was Barely who had been paid by the Sacksville-Baggins to organize the auction of Bag End.

A remark from the host about a lost collection of silver plates, which caused another remark made by Leo that suggested it lay in the Burrow house. The rest that led to the near yelling, is best left to the imagination.

As for the remaining Dwarves, who had all decided to merge to the other side of the room, found the thing odd, for lack of a better word. Bilbo explained earlier in their visit the welcoming he received upon his return to the Shire, but they had assumed the former burglar was exaggerating. Of course they saw now this was not the case.

It could be said when need be, Bilbo Baggins could hold his own, despite his usual docility in the company. True he had fought giant spiders, and faced a dragon alone, but this was something else entirely.

"Leo bought those, all's fair!"

"He just said he planned on returning them!"

"Is that why he waited five years to tell you?!"

"Well I'm-"

"You were never meant to get them back, and don't think you will now!"

"They weren't bought fair, I WASN'T DEAD!"

"HOW WAS ANYONE TO KNOW?!"

Again Bonnie was the only one not frightened of coming under their wrath, and tried to remind them they were both full-grown hobbits and not children.

In the middle of all this commotion no notice had been taken when a little hobbitboy had slipped behind everyone, and placed himself in the firebox, promptly looking up to watch for the horrific creatures Dwalin spoke of.

Though due to his young age, Drac's eyes are still too young to see very clearly in the dark. Well, that is to say the little hobbit could make out shapes and such enough to navigate in a dark room, and he had (proof by Ori's storage adventure) been taught by his elder brothers to feel around and not fear the dark.

But looking up the chimney, Drac could only make out the rough and faint shape of a head, and like many children in the same situation, drew the proper conclusions.

Hugo knew the child couldn't see him. But the Father in him began trying to shoo the boy away, he might get hurt! Drac didn't move when Hugo tried to gesture to him, so he began whispering.

"Drac! Drac!"

This got the boy's attention, though for whatever reason he saw the child try to grimace, or something.

"Drac, get out! It's dangerous." Was the child making a fist? Hugo inched himself farther into the chimney, without falling and began speaking a bit louder. Honestly, Drac knew his voice.

"Drac! Get out it's not safe!"

"Grrr!" Was the reply, with the little thing trying to look menacing."I'm not 'friad of you!"

'What?' Hugo thought. He put his hand out to keep himself from tumbling down, and tried agian to shoo the boy.

Gandalf, who like the Dwarves had decided to stay to the side during the, confrontation, noticed Drac standing in the firebox, and alerted Bonnie. The wee woman quickly made her way to the boy and in one motion pulled him out.

"What are you up to, then?" She asked, trying to brush soot off his already disarranged clothes. "Want a brick to fall on your noggin?"

"There be wolves up there!" Drac screamed, surprisingly loud, and pointing to the fireplace, grabbing everyone's attention.

When Bilbo looked to Bonnie, she only shrugged and said he had stood in the firebox, and looked up at the chimney. Bilbo looked to Drac, who very seriously kept to his claim.

Dwalin returned when Drac began proclaiming the logic, that since the big dwarf heard it up there undoubtedly it was, and that he was appointed to fight it.

"Tell 'e'm, tell 'em, tell 'e'm!" The boy said running to Dwalin's side. Who for his part had forgotten the "task" he had given him.

"Why did you tell Drac there's a wolf up the chimney?" Bilbo asked, not at all mad. In the corner Nori tried not to snicker, too loudly, for that was a trick Dwalin had used on students who refused to go home after the time.

"Cause it true!" Drac answered for Dwalin.

"Uh..."

'Goodness.' Thought Hugo, who could hear the conversation. Though he knew well enough he was also guilty of a similar trick with his own boys.

Thoughts interrupted, he caught himself from falling. It seemed he had gone an inch too far out the tunnel. Suddenly, looking down, Hugo wasn't sure he could safely scale it. He wasn't one to dread heights (one of the chief differences between he and Bilbo in their childhood) but, looking down, his heart beat faster, his palms moisten and arms felt loose.

He almost fell again! Loosening a good deal of soot from the chimney in the process.

"See!" Drac pointed to the falling soot.

"I don't think that's a wolf." Barley said.

"Is too!"

While the hobbits were attempting to reason with the boy, while trying to keep him from rushing to the firebox, Dwalin was staring at said fireplace suspiciously. Perhaps he should check it again?

Before he could there was a sound akin to a muffled "Ah!" Then again, louder, and obviously coming from the chimney. Drac began proclaiming the wolf-monster was coming, and tried to free himself from Bonnie's grip.

There was a louder "Ah, ah!", heard, and a scraping sound. Bilbo and Bofur approached the fireplace, glancing at one another. Something was clearly there, but what? Certainly not what Drac thought but...

Hugo fell. He felt his shirt rip and get caught on old bricks, and a "UGgghhhh!" escaped from him. He tried to brace himself for the impact, already feeling the cuts of millions pieces of coal in his back. His eyes were closed and his breath stopped along with his heart, and he felt himself hit the ground.

There was someone calling his name, and he heard several footsteps rushing towards him. Hugo opened his eyes, and saw Bilbo hovering next to him. It took him a moment to come to his senses, and it didn't help matters that every dwarf and hobbit round was speaking at the same time.

But it was Bilbo's asking,"Are you hurt?", that oriented the Roofroot. And made him notice how close their faces were. He managed to sit up a bit, and looking down saw that he hadn't landed on the sand covered coals, but his friend's arms were under him!He must have reacted the quickest, and had jumped forward, trying to break fall.

Before Hugo could respond, the crowd that accumulated parted, and the large figure of Gandlaf helped both hobbits up.

Bilbo's arms were scratched, covered in soot and sand, but not broken. As for Hugo, the poor thing almost looked like a little ball of darkness. There was soot all over him, and he began sneezing and coughing all at once, and tried brushing the stuff off his face, to no avail. Also Bonnie noticed a several tears in his shirt, and a few on the knee of his trousers.

Amid all the inquiries, Bilbo, with the help of Balin, managed to directed a still somewhat disoriented Hugo from the hearth. Moments later Balin returned alone.

"Hugo's fine, a few scratches here and there, but nothing is broken. He's with Mister Baggins getting cleaned up."

Many of the dwarves breathed sighs of relief, for the whole thing had caught them off guard, and had been a surprise, and for a moment none had been sure what to do.

Drac had been surprised, and stopped struggling. But once Balin returned and said Hugo was okay, he began glaring daggers at Dwalin. When Bonnie let go of him, he approached the dwarf, arms crossed and saying something unintelligible but angry.

Bonnie looked to her brother, who had been wide-eyed and shocked by the whole thing. Though to be truthful, he was more shocked by the fact that Mr. Roofroot had been playing as well (when Bilbo had said the name "Hugo", he didn't think he meant Hugo Roofroot), not so much that he fell out the chimney.

But spotting his sister's expression Barley sputtered,"Of course we can't leave till we know he's okay!"

It was some moments till both returned to the hearth. Small bandages on Bilbo's arms, and a few on Hugo's knuckles, and small scraps could be seen on his hands, though it was assumed Bilbo had given him some sort of ointment or cream to heal it.

Hugo had no trace of soot on him, and his hair was wet. He was wearing Bilbo's clothes (a dark red waistcoat over a white shirt and matching breeches), and he smiled cheerfully, if not a bit sheepishly at how all eyes fell on him. He nodded friendishly to Barley, who looked worried as the others.

"Are you okay?" Ori asked anxiously.

"Yes, yes I'm alright. Heh, not worse for wear anyway."

"What were you doing up there?" Leo asked.

"I had come upon some tunnels, that I thought led under Bag End, but apparently they led..." So Hugo explained the whole story, how the had found where the fourth tunnel led, accidentally causing the brick to fall, and trying to shoo Drac out of the firebox. Explaining he must have worked himself too far out of the opening and fell.

Bilbo now wished, very much, he had the foresight when he was much younger to question his Father about these odds and ends.

Brushing the subject to the side, Hugo inquired to the verdict on the game. Of all things! But in all the excitement, no one had given it any thought. Who had won indeed? Dwalin had returned to the hearth, but had not had a chance to declare himself bested. And some thought it might be inappropriate to call Hugo falling from the chimney, him being found.

After some moments of silence, said Mr. Roofroot spoke up, "Perhaps we could call it a draw?"

"I'd say that's fair." Balin agreed. Nods and agreements from around (though Nori had been looking forward to a Victor or some sort).

"I suppose, then, it wasn't meant to say whether form and skill was needed. If at all." Bilbo lightly taunted, the dwarves only knowing who he directed that to. Dwalin, who had stood off to the side, spoke up.

"A draw only means we have a reason to return-"

"For a rematch." Nori finished, a mischievous spark in his eye. The same repeated in Bofur and Ori's own smiles. Leo looked at his sister questionably, though she knew if a rematch did occur Leo would jump to it with or without her (or their Mother's) approval. But that only meant she would have to go with him.

Barley rolled his eyes dismayed at the idea.

As it was, it seemed Mrs. Burrow had sent Barley more than a little later in the evening. More like early morning, for the sun was beginning to rise over the hills of the Shire, and a sudden wave of tiredness overcame all. And, as always, goodbyes were be had. In Bonnie and Hugo minds, so were apologies. Which were quickly brushed off as misplaced, or not to be had at all.

Bofur handed Hugo his old waistcoat. "It's fine, no harm done. I was more worried for you than anything."

"Still, I don't know why-"

"Don't worry about it then!" The toymaker replied, pulling him into an embrace. They let go, and similar act were exchanged. The Dwarves, even Gandalf, were saddened to bid farewell to their new hobbit friends, who they had grown so fond of in just one evening. But sometimes all you needed was good game to make a good friend. As Leo hugged Balin and Ori goodbye, he added the past night had been the most fun he's had in a long time.

Hugo agreed, while bidding farewell to Dwalin. Barley, who did not know the Dwarrows at all, even shook their hands politely,with several "It was nice to meet you."s. Drac had a few tears escaping as he took time to say goodbye to each Dwarf, especially Balin, who he kissed on the nose of before being handed over to Bonnie who offered to take Drac to his Mother's friends, once Bilbo told her who they were.

Though Bilbo would see Hugo, Leo, Bonnie and Drac again, he was not excluded. After all, he had invited them. Barley attempted a civil handshake, to which Bilbo pulled him into an embrace. Though only to whisper in his ear that he planned on paying his Mother a visit about the plates.

Hugo thanked him for the spare clothes-they had both decided the ones he arrived in were ruined-and assured his old friend if he decided to do some much needed catching up at the Roofroot's own hobbit-hole, elevensies tomorrow, it would be of no inconvenience.

So with last waves of farewell the Hobbits departed. To their homes, for some much needed rest.

Bilbo turned to the Dwarves, and said quietly,"I suppose you wouldn't wish to stay for breakfast?"

"No, we've best be heading towards the mountain." Balin answered.

"I understand, long journey ahead of you...Can I at least give you something for the road?"

He gave them some fish and bacon they could cook later, and many pieces of seed cake, and some long lasting cheese rounds (for Bomber when they reached Erebor), and he slipped Gandalf some Old Toby.

Once they were all packed, and ready outside Bag End's door, Bilbo sighed. He hated goodbyes! Looking to Bofur, who was closest to him, he held his hand out and then was pulled into a tight hug.

"Take care, Little One. Let your shadow never shrink."

"May your beard grow ever long."

This continued with the others, thanking him for the night, and promising to visit again, and reminding him he was always welcome to The Lonely Mountain. It was Dwalin who was last to say goodbye.

He managed to lift the former burglar off his feet in the embrace. While doing so he said to him quietly, "Next time you lay beside Bonnie, best you keep quiet."

Shocked say the least Bilbo looked at Dwalin, wide-eyed. Asking whatever his friend meant.

"I heard you two giggling." He teased, setting the hobbit down. Speechless the smaller creature could only gape, feeling a warmth spread to his ears. Dwalin just smiled and told Master Baggins to not go chasing dragons without them.

As they headed off, Bilbo heard Nori asking what Dwalin had said to Bilbo, and received only a low chuckle in return.

Lots of love to everyone! This was the first story I had published here and it means so much that you guys followed/favorited/and of course reviewed! Really it means the world and I hope everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it^^ Tell me what you thought (which side do you think won, personally?) and again thanks so much for reading!