Elven Beauty or Shire Roses

Chapter III

"I'll be alright. Just let me sit quietly for a moment," said Bilbo. He was seated on his chair as he shivered and clutched a mug of hot tea. 

"You've been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember two young hobbits who were always running off in search of Elves, in the woods. They'd stay out late, come home, after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. Two you hobbits who would've liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world in not in your books and maps. It's out there. And Rosa has already agreed to join us," explained Gandalf.

"I can't just go running off into the blue! Neither can you Rosa. We are Baggins', of Bag End!"

"But we are also Tooks'!" I exclaimed to him.

"Did you know that your great, great, great, great uncle Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?" said Gandalf. Bilbo and I both nodded our heads. "Yes, well he could! In the battle of Greenfields, he charged the goblin ranks, he swung his club so hard, it knocked the goblin king's head clean off, and sailed a hundred yards through the air, and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time."

"I do believe you made that up," said Bilbo. I let out a scoff.

"Well, I believe him," I said and crossed my arms at Bilbo. 

"Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back," said Gandalf.

"Can you promise that we will come back?" asked Bilbo.

"No. And if you do, you'll not be the same," said Gandalf.

"That's what I thought."

"Well of course. We'll have been through quite a lot. I mean, a near death experience with a dragon will no doubt leave one traumatized," I said. Gandalf gave a nod.

"Sorry, Gandalf, I cant sign this. You've got the wrong hobbit. And Rosa can't sign it either. I don't want to risk losing my sister," said Bilbo. He rose up out of the chair and onto his feet before he turned and walked away.

"It appears we have lost a burglars. Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchant, miners, tinkers, toy makers. Hardly the stuff of legend," said Balin after Bilbo had left the room.

"There are a few warriors amongst us," said Thorin.

"Old warriors," retorted Balin. 

"I would take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills, for when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, honor, a willing heart. I can ask no more than that," explained Thorin. 

"You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor," said Balin. Thorin then pulled out the key Gandalf had given him earlier.

"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me. They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me," said Thorin.

"Then we are with you laddie. We will see it done."

"And don't forget that I have already signed the contract. Even if Bilbo decides not to come, you will still have me as a burglar. I will not back down just because my brother doesn't give me permission. Though I am certain that Bilbo will change his mind and come with us," I explained. Thorin threw a small nod my way, and all the other dwarves smiled. One smile specifically caught my eye.