A/N: after reading and watching the Hobbit quite a number of times over the last five years, I've come to love Bilbo's character; Martin Freeman really does him justice, he's very endearing. But I've always thought Bilbo, as a gentle hobbit, deserves a lady friend, so I've decided to go down the Bilbo/OC route!

Interlude

It was late in the evening when the party of dwarves, a wizard and a hobbit arrived at Rivendell. Bilbo was positively exhausted following their less than entertaining encounter with orcs and could think of nothing better than settling into a warm, cosy bed.

Lord Elrond had been most gracious in allowing them food and shelter, especially considering the dwarves rough countenance. It was quite amusing really – elves and dwarves certainly do not go together well.

Bilbo had been allowed his own room for the night, which could only be a good thing. One night without listening to Bombur snoring or Fili and Kili's incessant chatter would be very welcome.

He stared into the floor length mirror in the light, airy room and wondered how much weight he'd lost since he was clearly eating half of what he normally ate during the day at home. The sandy haired hobbit in the mirror stared back at him, worriedly.

He then flitted about the place, sorting his meagre possessions out and examining objects. He found that he was extremely interested in Rivendell; he'd only ever read about it really but now he was here he could discover and learn all manner of things.

He perched himself on the bed and his heart felt lighter; just being in this magical place made him feel quite cheerful... he spent a while composing words to a song before falling asleep where he lay.

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The following morning Bilbo dined with his travelling companions, who were as usual, completely disinterested in the elves and complaining about the menu. He felt quite embarrassed when they started a loud belching competition, and could not look the fair folk in the eye.

Thorin however managed to both meet their gaze, and make it look highly mistrustful as well. Almost as though he doubted them so much that the true origins of the bread on the table were in question.

'What I'd like to know is why these women don't have beards?' asked Dwalin seriously, eyeing a nearby elven woman.

Gandalf tried to look as if this was a fair question, whilst Nori answered 'Don't be absurd!'

Everyone turned to look at him.

'Well they shave them off of course!' to the general groans and head shaking of the company.

Across the table Bombur was attempting to stuff an entire loaf into his mouth whilst Fili and Kili had taken to playing a rhythm with the teaspoons.

Bilbo looked around incredulously; perhaps he and the ponies were the only sane members of this party.

'Well.' He stood up and politely took his leave. 'If you'll excuse me I think I will take a stroll.'

'Bilbo?' Gandalf called, seemingly unfazed by the mad crowd he was part of, 'mind you be back by mid morning – there is something I wish to discuss with everyone.'

'Yes, alright,' Bilbo smiled, then turned on his heel and left before someone engaged him in a sword fight with the butter knife.

He decided to take a walk through the gardens though he had to traverse what seemed like half a mile of open corridor to get there. Several elves bowed curtly at him as he passed and he responded with a polite 'Good morning,' hoping they wouldn't contest this statement like his friend Gandalf. After all, how difficult were the implications behind 'Good morning'? Wizards can be so insufferable at times.

After walking past rather a lot of tall elves, Bilbo was most surprised to pass a person the same size as himself. He was so surprised his mouth fell open slightly and he stared. She was a rather pretty woman; though what race he did not know. She had long, curly brown hair and was dressed as an elven maiden – though she didn't have the pointed ears. Most curious, he thought.

Bilbo usually attempted to avoid women as he did not know how to speak to them. He got even more nervous than usual and often started talking about subjects that a lady might think boring – like his writings or pipeweed. He suspected himself doomed to be a bachelor for the rest of his life. Add to this the complete absence of fair faced people, let alone women, on this adventure and you can imagine that he was quite taken with this lady at first glance.

Noticing his gaze, she smiled politely and greeted him, 'Good morning.'

Bilbo stuttered a reply and continued to stare at her though she had passed him. In his mind, she was obviously less surprised at seeing another person of similar stature here in Rivendell than he was.

He turned away as though wondering at his own behaviour, adjusted his braces and cleared his throat as if to compose himself. He walked onwards to the gardens, humming cheerily, the madness of the last weeks temporarily forgotten.

Well this is just the beginning... what do you all think? I know it's a bit short but I want to see what people think first. Please let me know! MoonliteShdow