Chapter 01

Bad News - Check. Good News - Looks like it!

Author's Note: Not mine. No money is made from this.

This is my first story in more than a decade and it is un-beta'd so all mistakes are mine. Please be gentle.

Cross posted on Archive of Our Own. Any explicit content in the future will be posted there.

I've moved up the start of the Quest for Erebor to the year 2926 instead of 2941. Fili, Kili and Ori are still old enough to go on the quest.

Chapter 01

Bad News - Check. Good News - Looks like it!

Author's Note: Not mine. No money is made from this.

This is my first story in more than a decade and it is un-beta'd so all mistakes are mine. Please be gentle.

Cross posted on Archive of Our Own. Any explicit content in the future will be posted there.

I've moved up the start of the Quest for Erebor to the year 2926 instead of 2941. Fili, Kili and Ori are still old enough to go on the quest.

oOoOoOo

"Upon my death I leave all my worldly possessions to the husband Bilba Baggins for she is my only child, but as a daughter can not herself inherit. Should Bilba be unmarried at the time of my passing Gerontius Took, Thain of the Shire, or his successor shall become guardian of my daughter, and for the span of up to one year from the date of my death, steward of my estate. During that year, if Bilba should marry, my estate shall transfer immediately to her husband. If for some reason my daughter does not wish to choose a husband, the Thain may choose a gentle hobbit for her to marry. If at the end of one year after my death, should Bilba still choose to remain unwed she then forfeits any future claim on my estate, and it shall pass to Otho Sackville-Baggins."

When her father's solicitor had contacted her about going over her recently departed father's will Bilba hadn't expected anything like this! Bilba couldn't believe what she was hearing. This couldn't be her father's will. Her beloved father wouldn't do this to her. He wouldn't force her to marry. He just wouldn't!

Bilba's shocked gaze met the gentle one on her grandfather's face after the solicitor finished reading. Gerontius Took was a very elderly hobbit at one hundred and twenty four years of age earning him the moniker 'Old Took'. Between his age and being the Thain, this meeting had been scheduled to take place in his home. She had not expected the reading of Bungo Baggins' will to include anyone beyond her grandfather, the solicitor and herself. The presence of Otho and his wife, Lobelia, was irksome. However, given what she had just heard, it was the attendance of Willoughby Boffin that was now the most alarming.

"Is this legal?" Bilba questioned.

"Yes, My Blossom, it is," her grandfather said. "Here is a book on inheritance law if you wish to read it."

Bilba took the book he handed her. Considering hobbits didn't have very many laws compared to other races, she was not surprised to see it was very thin. It wouldn't take her long to read it.

"Your father wanted to make sure you had someone to take care of you," Old Took continued. "The earlier the marriage is taken care of, the less interruptions there will be in your life and in the running of your father's estate. We can start making the arrangements immediately and the wedding can take place in three months. I know you have never been in any rush to marry, but this is for the best."

"I don't need someone to take care of me!" Bilba objected. "I took care of Papa after Mama died. I've been running Papa's estate as his health declined. I don't need a husband to do something I am perfectly capable of doing myself!"

The snorts that came from Otho and Lobelia's direction were ignored.

"Now Bilba, penning letters your father dictated to you is not the same as running an entire estate," Willoughby said in a gently condescending manner.

"I've been doing much more than that!" She was incensed to be treated as a simpleton by someone Bilba doubted had the ability to read or write anything beyond his own name.

The elderly hobbit sighed. "That may be true, but it does not change the conditions of your father's very valid will."

"I assume since he is here, your choice of husband for me is Mr. Willoughby."

"He is," Old Took informed her.

Bilba was appalled. Half the Shire, including Willoughby, had been trying to pair them up since she was in her tweens. Socially it was an excellent match. He was the second son from a prominent family, could make any plant in his garden flourish, and had the full, rounded figure many lasses had sighed over since hitting their tweens. He was perfectly respectable and considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the Shire.

Willoughby Boffin was also the most tedious and controlling hobbit Bilba had ever met. Not only had he been trying to curb her more Tookish ways for years, but he was very critical of nearly everything she did. From her choice of clothing to the running of Bag End's household, nothing was done in quite the manner appropriate for a perfectly respectable hobbit. Her cooking was about the only thing spared from his nitpicking. Most of the time. She had always thought that he and Lobelia should have married, then they could spend their lives criticizing the inhabitants of the Shire together.

There had to be something Bilba could do, something in the book that would help her, but she needed time to read and think. Old Took had always doted on Bilba because she was the only child of his favorite daughter, Belladonna, and she was going to take advantage of that fact.

"Grandfather, I'm sure you can understand this information has come as a surprise. Could I have a few days to process it before we proceed with any plans?"

"You are turning thirty-six this year! Thirty-six!" Lobelia didn't hesitate to point out. "Most lasses your age are at least expecting their first faunt. You call the Baggins respectability into question becoming an old maid like this! Either get married or quit Bag End so Otho can run it properly!"

"Now Lobelia, it is a reasonable request and a few days won't make much of a difference in the long run." Turing to Bilba Old Took smiled, "My Blossom, I want you to go ahead and take a week to recover from the shock. Take this opportunity to read the book if you wish, then come visit me again and we will discuss further plans."

Little did he know the difference that time would make for the fate of Middle Earth.

oOoOoOo

The walk home had not given Bilba the chance to think of a solution because she spent it avoiding being caught by either Willoughby or the two Sackville-Baggins. If after arriving home there were any knocks on her door, she didn't answer them.

Bilba read and thought long into the night, forgetting completely about dinner or supper. She'd not found anything in the book that would help her situation. Though she fell asleep at some point, she gained little rest.

Upon waking Bilba made a pot of tea and took it and a plate of scones out to sit in the front garden. There she continued to try to come up with a plan to keep Bag End without having to marry that odious clot-head.

Hobbit lasses normally married in the year after coming of age at thirty-three. She knew it was odd that she was nearing her thirty-sixth birthday and was still unwed. It wasn't that Bilba was against marriage. She did want a husband and children, but she wanted that life with someone she loved. Such a hobbit didn't seem to exist though. Family members and friends had introduced her to so many bachelors, Bilba was sure she had met every unmarried male in the Shire, including the ones just out of their tweens. Not one drew her eye. Not one made her heart beat just a little bit faster.

Bilba was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't notice when a tall man dressed in a travel worn gray robe and pointed blue hat stopped at her gate until he cleared his throat loudly.

Startled, it took a moment for her to respond. "Er, good morning."

"What do you mean?" the tall man in gray asked. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

"Today? Just the first two I suppose," she sighed, still a bit distracted by her thoughts even with the rare sight of one of the Tall Folk before her. 'Manners, Bilba!' she mentally shook herself and focused on the man. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

"You know my name, though you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!"

"Gandalf! Not the wandering wizard that made such excellent fireworks?!" A smile confirming Bilba's words encouraged her to continue. "It has been years since you've visited these parts. You must have some new stories to tell! Can I tempt you with tea or second breakfast in exchange for one?"

Bilba couldn't believe it! Gandalf! The wizard friend of both her mother and grandfather had returned to the Shire. She didn't know exactly what wizards did or what they were capable of, but she did know he was well respected by Old Took. Maybe, just maybe, he might be able to help her. Surely it couldn't hurt to ask.

Gandalf smiled, "Tea sounds wonderful."

Bilba ushered him inside and pulled the man-sized chair her mother had kept for such occasions out from where it was stored. She fixed tea, and Gandalf spoke of things he had seen in far away lands.

When Bilba's stomach growled loudly she realized she had been listening to the wizard's tales for so long it was already time for elevenses. Gandalf smiled and encouraged her to eat, even taking a scone for himself at her insistence.

Pulling out his pipe, he silently asked her permission to smoke. At her nod, he lit it and took several puffs.

"Now, Bilba, what did you wish to speak to me about?" the wizard surprised her by asking.

"Well," she hesitantly started. "I don't know if there is anything you can do to help, but I am in a bit of a jam. More than a bit actually," she wryly smiled and told him about the conditions of her father's will, feelings towards her grandfather's choice of potential husband for her, and lack of even remote interest in anyone else.

Gandalf listened intently to every word. Bilba was grateful he didn't seem to be listening just to humor her because she was female like many of the hobbit lads did. After her tale was done he sat a few minutes in contemplation.

When he finally spoke Bilba was both intrigued and disappointed.

"I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."

Oh, that last word called to something Bilba's heart, but she had her own problems to deal with. "An adventure," she sighed wistfully. "I don't know, Gandalf. I don't see how that will help me keep my home."

"You know the saying 'Home is where the heart is.' Where is your heart right now, Bilba? Does it embrace the quiet, comfortable ways of the Shire? Or does it long for you to go see the things from your books and maps for yourself? Ask yourself these questions. Do you love Bag End or do you love the memories from living here with your dear parents? Is this still home now that both of your parents are gone? Or is it just a smial?"

Bilba did not have to think long about that answer. Had not the mere mention of adventure stirred her heart more than anything had since the death of her vivacious mother?

"Perhaps you could find another home," offered Gandalf. "Although, it stands to reason, if the one who could win your heart is not in the Shire, he must be out there somewhere," the wizard said waving his pipe. "What better way for you to find him than by going on an adventure? Who knows, you might even find him in time to keep Bag End!"

Seeing the yearning in her eyes Gandalf nodded. The wizard stood and collected his things while saying, "Very well. It is settled then. This will be good for you," a secretive smile crossed his lips, "and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others."

"Others?! And when is this adventure to take place? My grandfather is expecting to speak with me next week about what I have decided to do."

Gandalf moved towards the door. "Oh, we will be gone before that, my dear. Two or three days at most. Perhaps you should write him a letter for after we have departed. You wouldn't want to worry Old Took too much. He is very fond of you."

"Yes, that is a good idea. But Gandalf, you still haven't explained about these 'others' you mentioned," she said calling his attention back.

"Oh, they are the group of dwarves we will be assisting on the adventure!"

"Dwarves!" Bilba exclaimed.

"Yes. I believe there will be thirteen of them," the wizard confirmed. "They should arrive here late tomorrow. I suggest you have dinner ready. They are fond of a good meal. Not as much as hobbits, of course, but they do have quite the appetites."

"Dwarves in my home! I've never even imagined such a thing. Oh, but wait a minute! What do dwarves actually eat? There are some strange stories told about them and I'll not have any guests in my house go hungry!"

"They do not consume dirt and stone like some tales say and in fact find that very insulting. Dwarves will eat your usual fare, but they have a strong preference for meat over vegetables. They will certainly help you clear out your pantry before leaving on our journey!" he informed her merrily.

The wizard then turned to head to the door, forgetting about the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and ran into it. Grabbing onto it to stop its swinging, he huffed then ducked around it and was out the door.

What fortune! A party of dwarves in her home and an adventure to go on! Oh, she had so much to do!

oOoOoOo