Disclaimer: Don't own the Hobbit.

Not sure on pairings yet or if there will be any at all.

Chapter 1

Bilbo Baggins was a very normal hobbit as far as he was concerned. Sure he liked walking a bit more than his neighbours, he even travelled as far as Bree when he wanted something out of the normal to give as a gift but even so he was a normal gentle hobbit. So Gandalf's strange visit had left him a little unsettled. An adventure, once he would have jumped at the chance but that was years ago, before…..before everything changed. It was dangerous enough going to Bree with all the Big Folk there, a lot of unsavoury sorts lingered in the town but he had learnt to take care of himself and he was known in Bree so he was fairly safe. But to travel even further? His mother had, he remembered her stories fondly. Had she lived she would have taken him with her once he was of age but they had never gotten the chance to go. Maybe she would want him to take this chance but he couldn't, he had too many responsibilities now to just up and leave even if he wanted to. And he didn't…did he?

Bilbo shook of such thoughts and went through his mail before putting a nice rich blue velvet coat on and picked up his basket to head to market. He needed a few things and he had the urge to fry some fish for dinner. He walked through the market slowly, picking up what he needed and then hesitated. He had not seen Gandalf in over twenty years but he remembered his mother's stories, he may have turned the Wizard down but that did not mean he wouldn't show up. So he went back to shopping, this time making sure he had enough for two. He didn't want to be a bad host if he did show up after all.

Bilbo spent the day puttering around in his garden and answering business correspondence. His father may not have been an adventurer like his wife but he had a good head for business and when they had died that business passed to Bilbo as their sole child. It wasn't hard work or anything but it could get quite involved, especially since he had branched out into Bree.

As night began to fall he set all that aside and began to cook. He never knew exactly how much the big people ate so he made enough for two hobbits and a little extra. There was soup and fresh bread to start and then beautifully seasoned fish with sautéed vegetables as well as some small meat pies with roasted potatoes and pumpkin. Dessert was a fresh blueberry crumble with cream and some scones, still fresh from earlier in the day. Once that was all either done or merrily cooking in the oven he quickly went to dress for company and sure enough just as he was buttoning his waist coat there was a knock on the door. "Coming!" He called, quickly ducking into the kitchen to put the kettle over the heat. He pulled open his door only to stare in surprise.

"Dwalin, at your service." The tall, partially bald dwarf said and manners had Bilbo giving a small bow.

"Bilbo Baggins at yours Master Dwarf." He stepped back to allow entrance while mentally berating meddling wizards. "If you'll just hang your coat up and place your pack by the wall please, supper is in the kitchen. I...well I don't mean to be rude but Gandalf did send you?'

"Aye."

"Of course he did." Bilbo muttered, shaking his head. "Am I to expect any more guests this evening?" He asked as Dwalin sat, moving to serve.

"You don't know?"

"All I know is Gandalf showed up this morning, for the first time in over twenty years, asking for someone to share in an adventure. I told him no but I heard enough stories as a Fauntling to know that he doesn't always listen so I assumed he may show up tonight and cooked for two." Bilbo answered as he placed a bowl of soup before the dwarf along with a good serving of nice warm bread and butter.

Dwalin was shocked. Cooked for two and now he would have thirteen dwarves and a wizard to feed. Why had Gandalf not told him? Or better yet send them word that their burglar had said no. "Including yourself and the wizard there will be fifteen of us tonight Master Baggins."

"Oh my." Bilbo was horrified, so many! But he drew himself up, was he or was he not Master of Bag End? "Very well. Once you have finished your soup there is a bathroom at the end of the hall that you may use to clean up, the bath has a steady supply of hot water if you wish to bath fully. I need to get cooking." With that he vanished into his pantry to gather supplies. Hungry dwarves who had been on the road for several weeks at least probably meant he could get away with simple yet filling food.

Dwalin gazed after him in surprise, he had expected the smaller male to insist he leave after hearing that. Instead he offered a bath and simply stated he needed to cook. A hot bath, when was the last time he had enjoyed such a luxury? He quickly finished his food and went to grab his pack, if he was getting the chance to bath then he was not putting his travel filthy clothes back on. He found the bathroom easily enough and was impressed. The tub was large enough to easily accommodate him and sure enough there was a tap marked with a rune for hot. He soon had the tub filled and sank down to soak before washing his hair and beard, they desperately needed re-braiding anyway. By the time he made his way back to the kitchen all he could do was stop and stare in awe at the dishes of steaming food.

"Ah, good. Give me a hand with the table please? We'll need to add it to the one in the main dining room to seat everyone." Bilbo told him so Dwalin moved to take the end and between them they soon had it settled and enough chairs placed around for everyone. "Well while we wait for your companions could you tell me what brings so many dwarves to the Shire? Every few years one or two of your people may pass through or even stop to trade but never such a large group."

Dwalin took a deep breath, wishing his brother had arrived first since he was better with words. "Do you know anything of Erebor?"

Bilbo frowned in thought. "The Lonely Mountain? It was destroyed by a dragon or something. It took years for rumour to reach here and who knows how accurate it was, it was about one hundred and seventy years before I was even born."

"Aye, Smaug the Terrible attacked the mountain and claimed it for himself. Many of our people died that day and the rest of us fled into exile. Eventually we settled in Ered Luin." That got a nod as it was the closest Dwarven settlement to the Shire, it was from there that traders sometimes came. "There has been no sign of the beast no for sixty years and the portents are good."

Bilbo stared in shock. "You're going to Erebor?"

"We will take our home back." Dwalin stated even as a knock sounded on the door.

TBC…