The Prophecy

Party in a Hobbiton

Gandalf's rune mark glimmered brightly in the moon light from where her carved it out on Bilbo Baggins's round green door – unbeknownst to Bilbo, of course. He was inside his neat house, at the beginning of enjoying his first dinner to which was looking forward to. Just as started squeezing out the lemon juice on his fried fish, the bell sounded from his door. Bilbo looked up annoyingly, wondering who was bothering him at that hour. He didn't invite anyone for tea and most hobbits knew that he wasn't overly fond of unexpected guests. The thought that it may be Gandalf who came by for tea, crossed his mind, but disappeared as soon as he opened his door to find a dwarf standing on his front porch.

"Dwalin, at your service." The dwarf bowed as he introduced himself.

Bilbo was beyond surprised and did not know how to approach this situation. He pulled his robe straight and fastened it at the front before speaking, "Bilbo Baggins, at yours."

Dwalin took that as an invitation and stepped inside the hobbit hole, ducking ever so slightly to not hit his head against the doorframe.

"Sorry, do we know each other?" Bilbo questioned hastily.

"No. Which way, laddie? Is it down here?"

Bilbo frowned in both confusion and annoyance, "Is what down where?"

Dwalin took off his coat and threw it to Bilbo. The poor hobbit barely managed to catch it and moved quickly to hang it on a peg next to the door, "Supper. He said there'd be food and lots of it."

"He said? Who said?" Bilbo stuttered and had to jump to the side for Dwalin to pass him.

Dwalin took Bilbo's seat at the table and started digging into his meal. Bilbo watched in disgust as his food was eaten right before his eyes. Dwalin didn't waste any of it. He even ate the head of the fish and had the nerve to ask for more.

"Very good, this. Any more?"

"What? Oh, yes." Bilbo wanted to say no, but he remembered his manners and fetched a jar of biscuits. He managed to hide one behind his back for himself before handing the jar over to Dwalin, who immediately took two. He watched as the dwarf ate his biscuits as well, "It's just that I wasn't expecting company..."

He was interrupted when the doorbell rang again. Dwalin looked at him as if he wanted to say, 'You were saying' before speaking, "That'll be the door."

Bilbo scuttled over to the door, hoping that Gandalf has finally come for tea, like he invited him yesterday. However, upon opening the door, he was met by a much older dwarf with a long white beard.

He, as well, bowed, "Balin, at your service."

Bilbo muttered, "Good evening."

"Yes, yes, it is." Balin agreed as he looked up at the sky, "Though, I think it might rain later. Am I late?"

"Late for what?" Bilbo frowned, but Balin spotted Dwalin in the hallway where he was trying to get more biscuits out of the jar and pushed past Bilbo.

"Evening brother!"

Dwalin put the jar down and approach the other dwarf with a smile, "By my beard, you are shorter and wider than last we met."

"Wider, not shorter. But sharp enough for the both of us." Balin chuckled.

Bilbo was confused beyond words as he witnessed the reunion between the two brothers. Where was Gandalf? How rude not to show up for tea after being invited! He could've at least sent a message saying that he won't make it. Bilbo was shocked to see that both dwarves have found his pantry and were helping themselves to more food and drinks.