What Peace Brings

AN: Hello, everybody! This will be my first contribution to the Hobbit Fanfiction and my first fanfic on Archive!. I know that many people have done something similar to this kind of plot line, but I really love it and wanted to try my hand at it. I'm no expert on the Tolkien world, so if you see anything that it glaring wrong, please let me know! I will fix it! Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy!

It is midterm time for me, which means I might not have another chapter up for a few days, but spring break is very close and particularly long for my school, so after a week, you can expect fairly regular updates!

My plan is for this story to be roughly 13 chapters with an epilogue, but it could end up being more.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights for any of Tolkien's work! I am writing this simply for pleasure and earn no profit whatsoever, except for the happiness in my heart!

Chapter 1

It was a brisk summer morning the day that Bilbo Baggins, hobbit burglar extraordinaire, and Gandalf the Grey, meddlesome traveling wizard that he is, left the gates of Erebor and traveled down the broken cobblestone streets of the once great city of man, Dale. The sun was barely rising in the sky, rays of gold and red bathing the travelers with warmth. They traveled lightly in their provisions, riding astride strong ponies laden with satchels and leather pouches. But in many ways, at least for the young hobbit, they traveled with heavy hearts.

Bilbo looked around at the old wreckage of Dale, his bright hazel eyes trailing forlornly over the city's once beautiful structures and buildings all laid to dust by the wrath of a dragon, and felt a now familiar stinging sensation in his chest. Thorin Oakenshield, now King of Erebor, was still as infuriated by Bilbo's "betrayal" now, as he had been those fateful nights ago at the stone Gates of Erebor. He had refused the hobbit entrance into the royal chambers, not even to inquire about the health of Thorin's nephews, Princes Fili and Kili.

Bilbo had been abruptly commandeered by Dwalin, newly returned to his position as the King's personal guard, and had been escorted out of Erebor with barely a by-your-leave. Balin had accompanied the two down the winding stone staircases, embossed with fine veins of precious gems, glaring furiously at his brother all the way. Dwalin had remained as unmoved as the mountain they had just reclaimed, but Bilbo noticed that his grip on the hobbit's elbow was markedly gentle.

When they had reached the gates, Gandalf stood waiting, his wizard staff held in a white knuckled grip and his eyes cold as ice. Dwalin had let go of his arm, turned around, and headed immediately back into Erebor, without so much as a glance back. Balin had stayed, his large, aged hands reaching out for the young hobbit's shoulders, and brought him in for a warm embrace.

"We're with you, laddie," He said softly, releasing Bilbo enough to look into his eyes. "Thorin is not yet seeing sense. He will come to see the error of his ways, I assure you. This is not good-bye. We will see each other again, in much happier times and soon. I promise."

Bilbo had looked into his eyes, not believing in his words but dearly wishing to. He grasped Balin's hands, feeling warmed by the acceptance in his old friend's eyes, and smiled as best he was able, for it would be impolite to leave a friend without one, and not even this crazy adventure, full of dwarves, trolls, orcs, elves, and heartbreak had managed to beat the hobbit out of Bilbo Baggins.

"Farewell, Balin, son of Fundin. I have been incredibly blessed to have met your acquaintance," Bilbo replied softly, tears filling his eyes despite his efforts to contain them. Balin had been one of his very close friends during this journey. To leave in such a state of affairs…Bilbo could only feel sadness at this parting. "Could you tell the others…? I fear I will not be able to say so to them myself…"

"Of course, laddie," Balin assured him. "I will send word to you the second that Fili and Kili are recovered. Hopefully by that time, you will be here to see for yourself. I am confident that…" He trailed off, one wizened hand stroking his long white beard.

They embraced one more time. Balin, even with his somewhat diminutive stature for a dwarf, completely enfolded the smaller hobbit in his arms, painfully reminded again of how much this small being had risked and sacrificed for a group of strangers. Accompanied with that pain was searing anger and disappointment in his King to treat such a valuable friend in such a way. But he pushed it aside for now, not wanting his friend's last sight of him to be his face twisted in rage. He had loved and followed Thorin for a long time, but found himself unsure if this was the dwarf that he had sworn by. Balin was confident that he could make Thorin see his mistakes and change his mind, but he feared that he would be too late. He watched his friend, shoulders slumped and quivering with what Balin was sure was sorrow, and became resolutely determined to fix this situation.

And so, here they were, Bilbo and Gandalf astride their ponies and headed in the direction of the elven forest Mirkwood, their hearts heavy.

With the surprising generosity of the King of Mirkwood and his son, Bilbo and Gandalf made great speed through the dreaded forest with little incident. Despite the beauty of the world around, something that he had previously marveled at on the way, Bilbo found no peace in the beautiful landscape as they traveled to the Hidden Valley, the House of Lord Elrond.

Hobbits, as a race, were greatly blessed. They had experienced relative peace for many, many years and had been free of true strife for multiple generations. Always a populous race, hobbits had children aplenty and families full to bursting with members. It was in this fact that laid a closely guarded secret of the Shire. It was common knowledge that the courtships of hobbits were long, arduous affairs, followed with strict rules of conduct. Hobbits were not allowed to have sexual relations at all until they had married to prevent any surprise conceptions. The worlds of men and dwarf had all assumed this to be because hobbit women were especially fertile, and this was the truth.

It just wasn't the full truth.

The secret that was strictly guarded by every hobbit of the Shire with any sense of decency was this: Hobbit males could also become pregnant. The same fertility of hobbit women was also the fertility of hobbit men, in much the same way. To prevent the over population of the Shire, and out of fear of the possible consequences of the outside world knowing, hobbit men and women were subjected to very serious codes of propriety. The after-marriage prospect of this code was also to ensure that there was enough of a support structure for the family and child, to ensure that pregnant hobbits, male or female, would have a stable home for their child.

In other words, the codes were to protect hobbits from the situation that Bilbo now found himself in.

It had happened on a warm summer night that the company of Thorin Oakenshield had spent in Laketown, during those few days they had been awarded rest and food aplenty. In the aftermath of Bilbo's triumphant deeds, the company had much warmed up to their hobbit, in particular Thorin. Bilbo had believed that they were in love, that he was safe and welcomed in the arms of Thorin, and had given in to their desires, despite every warning of his up bringing. It had been a glorious night; Thorin was all passion and tenderness, taking Bilbo gently but with a fire that still heated Bilbo's body to think upon it.

The memory of the love and heat in Thorin's eyes that night had long since been replaced by the cold fury that had been present in the dwarf's ice blue ices that day at the gates.

Bilbo refused to feel guilty for his actions with the Arkenstone. He had acted to ensure the lives of the companions that had grown to mean the world to him, had acted to save the life of the dwarf that he loved with all of his heart. And he had been scorned by that dwarf, the very same one that swore to protect him and cherish him over all the gold in Erebor.

Bilbo discovered that, more than his sadness, more than his anger, he felt bitter at the events that had transpired.

"Ah, the Rivendell, the Last Homely House East of the Sea. We shall find great rest and company here, at last. It will be nice to have a proper meal after these couple months of smoked meat and dry bread." Gandalf sighed in relief, interrupting Bilbo from his ruminations.

The sun was just descending from the sky when they reached the Hidden Valley. Rivendell was just as beautiful as it had been so many months ago. Tall, white structures brimming with elegance, lush gardens and forests encasing the House of Lord Elrond with utter magnificence. The great rush of water as it poured from the fissure in the cliff side, the soft twittering of birds dancing in the trees, and the sweet fragrance of flowers made for a sense of peace that Bilbo had not experienced since before his journey had begun.

Gandalf smiled quietly at his friend, noting the relaxing of his shoulders and the age lifting minutely from his eyes. He knew the predicament that the hobbit now found himself in. He knew of the young child Bilbo now carried with him, perhaps before the hobbit had realized himself. There had been a change in Bilbo's bearing, a slight one that Gandalf would have probably not been aware of for some time had he had not become concerned with the lack of food the hobbit would eat.

When he had carefully brought up the subject with Bilbo, he had found the hobbit surprisingly hardy, unwilling to let the circumstances of his child's creation affect his feelings toward it. Bilbo had listened attentively to Gandalf's concerns and had endeavored to eat more, though he was frequently plagued with bouts of sickness.

Now that they had reached Rivendell, Gandalf was relieved that Bilbo and his child would receive the care they needed. He was sure that Elrond would instantly know the hobbit's condition and would endeavor to keep the hobbit here for the duration of his pregnancy, possibly even after. Bilbo was incredibly endearing, and Gandalf was sure that, with even more time to get to know Bilbo, the elves would come to love and care for him as Gandalf himself did.

"Yes," Bilbo said quietly, his hand rubbing soothingly on the small swell of his stomach. "I greatly wanted to stay here longer than I was afforded before. I had so wanted to explore the library more. So many books I never got to even look at. Terrible shame." He sniffed, reminding Gandalf of the young hobbit he had first encountered at the start of his journey, all pomp and propriety. It warmed his heart that Bilbo's fire had not been greatly diminished by the events in Erebor.

"We haven't discussed yet how long you wish to stay in Rivendell," Gandalf began, a smile tugging at his lips. "Lord Elrond will insist we rest for a good while, I believe, especially with your rather…tender condition."

"Tender?!" Bilbo spluttered indignantly. "I did not face down a dragon, fight orcs and goblins, and suffered the horrible river rapids in a barrel to be called 'tender' at the end of it!" Even as he muttered in outrage, his hand continued to glide over his stomach.

"Yes, yes, you're the most valiant, dragon slaying hobbit in Middle Earth. Forgive me, if you feel I offended you, " Gandalf carried on, in that way of his that seems both sincere and somehow patronizing. "However, I feel I must point out that riding on the back of a pony is certainly not healthy for the baby, especially since it will take a good long while to make it back to Hobbiton. Life on the road is no place for a pregnant hobbit, of that I am sure, Lord Elrond will staunchly agree."

Bilbo shifted rather nervously in his saddle, his eyes fixed on the marble arch marking the entrance to Rivendell as they steadily grew nearer. "I would hate to impose on Lord Elrond for a couple of weeks, much less the months that a pregnancy would endure."

"Lord Elrond is a father himself, you know, as well as a healer of great skill. Very persuasive, too. He will be most pleased to have you. " Gandalf assured him as he rode ahead a bit to greet the elf lord that stood by the entrance.

Bilbo followed, feeling, as he quite often did around the meddling wizard, as though he were a game piece on Gandalf's chessboard.

Lord Elrond looked much the same as he did before. His bearing was ever noble and regal, draped in the fine garments befitting his status as a revered elven lord. His fair features were bright with warmth and welcome, his bright blue eyes shining in the dim light of the summer dusk. He wore fine robes of deep brown and gold, closely fitted around his chest and arms, but loose and flowing around his long legs and feet. His dark curtain of silky brown hair fell to his lower back, with twin braids softly dancing with the winds against his chest and shoulders. A young elf stood near his side, her long wavy dark hair framing her beautiful face as she smiled.

"Welcome, Mithrandir, Master Baggins, once more to Imladris!" He greeted loudly, his arms sweeping wide in a grand gesture.

Gandalf quickly dismounted from his pony and strode over to Lord Elrond. They greeted each other with great familiarity and talked in Sindarin for a few moments.

Meanwhile, Bilbo struggled to get off his pony without completely falling off, something he did quite frequently, unfortunately.

"May I be of assistance, Master Baggins?"

Bilbo started in surprise, before he turned with a slightly red face to look upon the source of the proffered aid. The young female elf stood close by, a smile lighting up her blue eyes, so similar to Lord Elrond's. She wore deep blue robes with exquisite silver trimmings. A slender pale hand was raised in offering to him.

Bilbo flushed hotly, embarrassed that he was so hopeless that he required help, but unwilling to offend any of Lord Elrond's House due to pride.

"Well, th-thank you, my Lady. That would be very much appreciated." He fumbled his words, much to his humiliation, not noticing the amused indulgence playing in her blue eyes.

Bilbo took her hand, steadied himself on the side of his pony, and was able to dismount without incident. He turned to offer her his gratitude a couple times more, but was quickly swept away by Lord Elrond, who had finished his conversation with Gandalf.

"Come, come, there is a bountiful dinner being prepared this very moment, and I'm sure you would appreciate some rest, yes?" Lord Elrond said, smiling at the hobbit. Bilbo had not traveled with Gandalf for many months to be complacent enough to miss the amused glint in the elven lord's eyes. Bilbo sighed.

"Rooms are being prepared for you as we speak and will be sufficiently ready for you after the evening meal. Now, Master Baggins, Gandalf has apprised me of your condition, and while we have never handled a hobbit pregnancy before, I can assure you that our healers are very adept. You will be greatly cared for here." He continued, barely stopping for a breath. Bilbo struggled for a moment to process his words – Curse it, Gandalf! As meddling as the Sack-ville- before he attempted to interrupt.

"I must admit that I'm rather curious as to the nature of hobbit pregnancies. I've not had the fortune to meet many of your race and certainly not one of your condition. I wasn't aware that male hobbits could become pregnant. Would you-"

"My Lord Elrond," Bilbo said rather abruptly, not wanting to be polite in front of such a venerable lord but needing to speak up. "I would hate to inconvenience you in any way. I would certainly be happy to discuss the logistics of hobbit pregnancies with you, but I refuse to burden your hospitality in such a way. I would be honored to stay a few nights, and then we will be on our way." He finished in a huff, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.

Lord Elrond looked at him for a moment quietly, before saying, "Nonsense, Master Baggins! You cannot possibly travel in your condition!" and continuing on much the same thread, refusing to even hear of a different opinion.

Persuasive, indeed, Bilbo thought with a sigh. Well, he would need at least a couple cups of tea before he was ready to hash it out with Lord Elrond. He couldn't help but feel that he would be fighting a loosing battle, though.

All right, so that's the first chapter! Please let me know what you think! I might be able to churn another out this weekend, but I do have midterms, so probably not!