Whistling birds flutter through the forests overhead, singing their little tunes out of time with the clicking of horse feet on the stone path. Slowly my horse wonders along the road towards the shire with me happily humming on his back. I almost forgot how beautiful the forests around the shire are, how green and vibrant everything is, even the animals seeming more peaceful and happy amongst this different almost mythical land. It's been years, probably more than I realise since I had even come in this direction. So long ago, with my dear friend Gandalf alongside me in a cart full of fireworks we came down this road, telling tales and humming tunes much like the birds around us. I can't express how excited I am to see the shire again, I always loved it here, how completely safe I would feel here. How it reminded me so much of home...I quickly force that thought from my mind completely.
I feel a warm smile spread over my face as I get to the top of a hill, like a blanket being pulled off my eyes, I see all the little hobbits on their daily jobs be revealed to me, smiling and laughing as always. The colourful little hobbit hole doors radiating into rainbow off the lust green grass. Old memories quickly flash through my mind as I catch sight of Bilbo's hobbit hole from here. I begin to ride down the stone path into the Shire, feeling almost like I'm embraced by the familiar land. I get a few strange looks from some of the Hobbits but many of them recognize me, giving a wave or friendly greeting to which, I reply the same. I don't get this in many places that I travel too which only makes me like this place even more.
Finally, I get up the hills and to Bilbo's hobbit hole. As I'm riding down the road, I see a familiar grey pointy hat walking down the other side of the hill towards the exit road of the Shire. I stop to look, feeling surprised yet not at the same time, a light chuckle escaping me. Yep, it's definitely Gandalf, never leaving any plan to fate. Maybe he was letting Bilbo know I'm coming? Or perhaps he has other plans in mind to make Bilbo see the error of his ways, whatever that may be.
I shrug and begin to ride up to the beautiful green round door. I swiftly climb off my horse and tie him to the gate, allowing him to graze on the light grass. Taking in the familiar garden and door, I take in a nice breath of air, walking up to the door quickly unable to wait any longer to see my old friend. I knock on the door a couple of times, a mark on the bottom catching my attention.
I bend to examine it further but am distracted as I hear a little voice yelling through the hobbit hole "I've already told you! I don't want any adventures!" With that, the door flings open to a red-faced hobbit "Gandalf! I said no-oh! Sorry!" The hobbit apologises, realising I'm clearly not Gandalf. He lightly blushing when realising so.
"Oh, it's quite alright Bilbo," I say with a smile. I let my eyes wonder over the hobbit, having not seen him for so long he could almost be an entirely different hobbit. Bilbo has grown a lot since last time I saw him, his features having matured beyond what I remember. However, I still see familiarities as I look over Bilbo, his brown locks having not changed, nor his greyish eyes or his nose.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Bilbo asks looking over me for but a second. I must look crazy having been staring at him for much longer than he has at me.
"Bilbo! Have you forgotten me? Has it really been so long?" I ask, shockingly putting a hand to my chest.
Confusion fills Bilbo's face as he looks me up and down once again, this time taking more care in noticing my appearance. He turns his head sideways for a moment then straight again before a sudden smile stretches across his face "Ivy! Is that really you?" I give a small nod "Oh my-it's been so long!" Bilbo cries excitedly pulling me into a hug before I can react.
I laugh as I must lean down to hug him "It's great to see you, Bilbo," I say as we pull away from the long hug.
"Yes, you too," Bilbo says "how about you come inside for a cup of tea?"
YOU ARE READING
In The End-The Hobbit
Fanfiction'In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take..." Ivy has walked Middle Earth for almost as long as the beginning of the land itself, surviving the world she was thrown into all alone, with no title. She has lived to see battles and wars th...
