A GAME OF DRAUGHTS

by serennog

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Summary: Bilbo befriends the younger of Bard's daughters. Missing scene, One-Shot.

Disclaimer: Just borrowing some 'Hobbit' characters for my own unprofitable amusement. Don't mind me.

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"You're not a dwarf."

Bilbo found himself on the receiving end of a curious look. It was the younger of Bard's daughters, watching him with large, perceptive blue eyes.

"No." He smiled wryly. "No, I am not."

"Then… may I ask what you are?" She kept her distance. Not afraid, Bilbo decided, but a little shy. He made a small gesture, inviting her to sit with him near the window. She did so hesitantly.

"I am a hobbit."

"I am sorry to say, sir," said the girl bashfully, "that I have never heard of… 'hobbits'."

"That is because we are very good at keeping ourselves to ourselves." He stuck his thumbs behind his braces, taking on a proud stance. It soon dissolved and he wilted on his too-large chair. "At least, my kinsfolk are. I am the exception."

"And you are a long way from home?"

"Yes," said Bilbo, feeling an incredible, gut-wrenching pang of homesickness. "Yes I am." He cleared his throat, forcing a smile to his lips. "What is your name, m'dear?"

"Matilda," said the girl quietly. "Though everyone calls me Tilda."

"Then you will not mind if I call you Tilda as well? Pretty name."

The girl blushed. "Thank you, sir."

"No. None of that. You may call me Bilbo. Or Master Baggins, if it suits. Now, is that a chess board I see in the corner?"

Tilda followed the line of his forefinger and rose to investigate. She pulled the board out from under an old fishing net, wiping it off with her skirt. "We use it for draughts. Do you play?"

"Indeed I do."

A pleasant half-hour was spent at the game, during which time Bilbo answered Tilda's questions, which were thrown at him with increasing speed as the girl grew more comfortable in his presence. At her prompting he described the Shire, spoke of his family, and regaled her with tales of his adventures thus far. He'd have been happy to continue had Tilda's sister not come to fetch her for bed.

"Oh, can't I stay a little longer?"

Noticing the elder girl's quelling look, Bilbo spoke up. "You'd best do as your sister says, Tilda. We will talk more tomorrow."

Tilda reluctantly agreed. "Goodnight Master Baggins."

"And a goodnight to you too, Tilda. Sleep well."

He stared at the bedchamber door long after it had been shut, wondering if they would ever speak at length again.

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Fin.

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