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One night around the campfire the subject of wishes for the future comes up. It’s brought on naturally by a conversation about the treasures they were all going to earn from their Quest. Many spoke of fine clothing and jewelry, creating new homes for their families, even opening up Guilds. And then, eventually, all eyes were pinned on the Hobbit.
Bilbo just blinked at them all nervously, “What?”
“What do you wish for Mister Baggins?” Dori asked politely in a tone that suggested that Bilbo had forgotten the topic of conversation
Bilbo felt an immediate rush of anger and embarrassment, his cheeks heating as he blustered, “I beg your pardon!”
The Dwarrow jumped slightly. Even Thorin looked a mixture of shocked and confused by the reaction as he asked, “Something wrong burglar?”
“You can’t just…just…ask that!” Bilbo tried to take a calming breath as the Dwarrow just continued to look confused. Bofur was even starting to look concerned. Bilbo cleared his throat, “I...I’m sorry. It’s just, well, wishes are serious business you know.” he shifts in his seat when the confusion doesn't lessen
“Master Baggins.” Bilbo looks over at Ori who is rubbing at his own hands nervously, “I hope this doesn't cause more offense, but are wishes really so bad to talk about?”
Biblo huffs again, this time in disbelief, “Bad?! Heavens no! Why would they be, I mean it’s…” looking around he realizes something in that moment, “Oh, I see. You really don’t know about Hobbit Wishes.”
“It’s what we were trying to find out.” Nori quips with a crooked smile
Bilbo can’t help but return the gesture. Then he sighs and pulls his pipe out of his pocket, loading it from a pouch on his hip as he thinks of a way to explain. The Dwarrow give him time to collect himself, clearly recognizing that something important is about to be shared. Once Bilbo has exhaled his first lungful of pipesmoke he begins, “Long ago, during the Wandering Days, Hobbits would migrate from one end of Arda to the other. Nowhere was safe for them to stay. Many animals and races were considered a constant danger. Our Lady Yavanna saw the suffering of her children. They lived hard lives that often led to much work for little reward. To try and give them hope she granted them the Rite of Wishes.” Bilbo took a dramatic pause and puffed his pipe, just the way his grandfather had done every time he told the tale. It had the same effect on most of the Dwarrow that it did on little faunts. Their eyes widened slightly and they leaned forward in anticipation. Bilbo blew out a rather impressive smoke ring before he continued, “Every Hobbit born gets to make a single Wish directly to Our Lady.” and just like faunts, the Dwarrow gasped, “Now, there are rules of course. The Wish must never be used to cause purposeful harm to any living creature. And a Wish can not grant life to that which is already lost. But the last rule is the most important.” another pause, another smoke ring, “The longer you hold onto your Wish, the stronger it will be. And one day, when you realize what you really want, you must wait until it is time. If you dont…” this puff was much deeper and by the time Bilbo blew his smoke ring Kili had actually scooted partially across the ground so that he was almost touching the Hobbit’s toes with his knees. Some of them might even be holding their breath, “...then your greatest hopes may never come to pass for the rest of your days.” a few more gasps, these ones far more shocked than awed like before, “So you see, speaking of deepest wishes is a bit…touchy.”
“Oh my.” Dori looks like he feels terribly guilty, “I had no idea that such things were that important to your people. Please forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. As you said, you didn't know.” Bilbo looks around at all the awkward looking Dwarrow and smiles, “But I can share my hopes. And I hope that we will get you back your lost home. And I hope that perhaps I might be able to help do that.”
There are many smiles and cheers at Bilbo’s statement. Even Thorin looks touched at his words, which makes Bilbo feel warm inside. He hopes that he’ll be able to share more with Thorin soon. Perhaps more than simple words if those occasional glances are any indication.
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“Thorin, no, please.” Bilbo pleads into the blood covered chest of his Heartsong. His hands fist in damp fabric, numbed long ago by the cold. Dwalin’s hand is rubbing his back as he weeps at Bilbo’s side. The rest of the Company that survives are gathered around in a similar state. Biblo feels a longing build up inside him the likes of which he has never known and he chokes around his tears, “I wish…I Wish…”
“Bilbo.” the hand on his back migrates to his shoulder to give a very solid squeeze, “He would not want you to waste it like that.”
“But I want…I need…I Wish so badly…” Bilbo wants to say the words desperately. But something inside him tells him it’s not time. Dwalin is right. Bilbo can’t waste this, not when it might be the only hope he has left in this world. So instead of finishing his thoughts Bilbo bites into his bottom lip until it bleeds while he continues to cry and mourn.
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As the warm light of Valanor becomes visible in the distance Biblo feels something stir in his old chest, “Oh my.” he says with surprise, drawing the attention of his nephew
“Uncle?” Frodo leans forward so he can see Biblo’s face more clearly, “Is something wrong?”
“I think it’s almost time to use my Wish.” Biblo feels his eyelids getting rather heavy
“You’ve never used your Wish?” Frodo sounds absolutely astounded. It’s a fair reaction. No Hobbit who lived to their natural ending had failed to use their Wish. It was usually what brought happiness in the later years. To hear Bilbo had yet to use it must have shocked the lad very much indeed.
“No.” Bilbo closes his eyes and takes a deep breath of sea air, “But I’m finally going to see them again, after all this time. I’ll be able to ask for it.”
“For what Uncle?”
Bilbo manages a weak chuckle, “That’ll be between me and Our Lady.” Bilbo manages to take hold of Frodo’s hand without opening his, “Be a good boy. I love you.”
“Uncle, wh-” Bilbo feels Frodo stand, thinks perhaps he might be saying something else, but Bilbo can no longer hear him.
The sound of the sea around them fades to be replaced by the sound of birdsong and buzzing insects. The smell of the sea is replaced with fresh flowers and ripe berry bushes. And then, a soft voice reaches Bilbo’s ears that he hasn't heard since he was young, “There you are my little adventurer.”
Bilbo opens his eyes and can’t help but laugh with joy. Belledona Baggins is standing right in front of him, pretty and healthy as she was in her prime. She’s wearing her favorite dress as she spreads her arms to welcome her son to the Gardens. Bilbo collapses into her and just weeps tears of joy. The flow increases when another pair of familiar arms joins the embrace and a soft male voice whispers in his ear, “I am so proud of you Bilbo.”
The next few hours are simply a family embracing. Enough tears are shed to drown a man. But at the end of it Bilbo is led into a familiar home and eats his mother’s meat pie for the first time in over a century. As he does so he hears that his parents are aware of his adventures. Apparently even after death Hobbits love to gossip. Belledonna assured Bilbo that there would be plenty of time to get him fully caught up on it all in the future. Bungo is currently going on about all the new books that have been written here in the Gardens that he can’t wait for Bilbo to read. And as Bilbo listens he feels the urge well up in his chest once more.
“I want to do all of those things with you both.” Bilbo lowers his teacup and clears his throat, “But first, I have to do something very important.”
His parents trade a look before Belledona asks, “What’s that?”
“I must speak with Our Lady.” Bilbo says with surety
Belledona’s eyes look like they might pop out of her head for a moment. Bungo looks like he’s choking on a rotten lemon. Eventually his father manages to croak out a simple, “Why?”
“I have to make my Wish.” Bilbo replies simply, bracing himself
“YOU HAVEN’T WISHED!” Both his parents yell in shocked surprise
“It’s a rather long story.” Bilbo says nervously, “I’m sure others have mentioned that I never settled for anyone. That’s because my adventures gave me my Heartsong. And then, at the end, he was taken from me.” His mother reaches forward and takes Bilbo’s hand on the table. Funny, he hadn't even noticed it shaking until she did that. Bilbo took a deep breath and said, “My Wish came to me then. I’ve been waiting to use it all this time because it wouldn't have done me any good while I was alive.” Bilbo stood and straightened his vest, “So, where do I need to go?”
“You only needed to summon me.”
All three Hobbits yelp and spin around. Standing at the entryway to the Kitchen is a female Hobbit. Her skin is sun kissed and smooth, her curls a rich earth brown that cascades over her shoulders. She wears simple skirts with a cream linen shirt and a light pink knitted shawl. The hair on her feet is perfectly brushed. But it’s really the eyes that give it away. Eyes that seem to be green one moment and then blue the next followed by pink and brown and a continuing cycle of all natural colors. The Lady Yavanna offers Bilbo a warm smile that makes him feel so safe he slumps back down into his chair.
“Our Lady.” Bungo mutters to himself in awe, “Welcome to our home.”
“And a lovely home it is.” Yavanna praises, her smile growing slightly and becoming more joyful, “So full of love and growing things, just as nature intended.”
“You flatter us.” Belledona says with a smile in her voice
“I only speak the truth.” Her eyes fix back on Bilbo and he shivers with excitement at what he knows is about to happen, “Speak your Wish child, and I shall grant it.”
Taking one last deep breath to make sure he gets through without pausing, Bilbo says, “I Wish there was a way for me to be with Thorin again.”
Yavanna’s smile grows to an almost unnatural length as she raises a single hand and points to a bare patch of wall next to the hearth, “Your Wish is granted Bilbo Baggins, from now until the end of all that is.”
The Baggins family watches in awe as the wall seems to stretch and bend. A spiral of light blue wood appears and grows outward in the center of the newly created space. By the time it stops growing it resembles a traditional front door, a silver knob in the middle completing the look. Except, as Bilbo takes an astonished step closer, he realizes it isn't actually silver. It has the very familiar and very distinct shine of Mithril. Bilbo looks back at Yavanna and realizes that she’s already gone.
“Well?” Bilbo looks over to see his parents watching with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Belledonna would probably be vibrating if not for Bungo holding tight to her hand. She’s looking between the door and Bilbo with obvious impatience.
Bilbo chuckles and turns back to the door with an odd feeling of confidence swelling up inside of him. Without a word he reaches out and twists the knob. The door opens inward easily. What Bilbo sees on the other side confuses him for a moment. Then it hits him. A long stone hallway, marbled with green and gold veins of minerals. Walls that look very familiar to what Bilbo knows of Dwarvish craftsmanship. The hallway is not long and seems to come to a T intersection a few yards away.
“Go on then.” Bilbo manages to tear his eyes away from the sight to look over as his smiling father. Bungo makes a sort of shooing gesture, “We’ll prop the door open while you’re gone.”
“And bring back your Thorin.” his mother says with her own smile, “I’ll have tea and cakes ready.”
“Make a lot please. I plan to bring back more than just one of my Dwarrow.” Bilbo says with a wink that makes his mother giggle. Then he’s walking forward, wooden floors giving way to stone that isn't really as cold as it should be. Bilbo feels so giddy he giggles to himself as he reaches the intersection and sees Dwarvish runes carved into the walls. They’re probably meant to tell him which way to go, but of course he can’t read them. No matter. Bilbo can already feel the returning pull of his Heartsong. Not wanting to waste another second Bilbo lets the pull take over and starts running quickly in that direction.
The hallway ends quickly and Bilbo runs into an open space that he’s sure he’ll take time to really enjoy later. There are an untold number of bridges, ledges, and stairways that intersect through an immense cavern. The sounds of mining, forging, and singing fill the seemingly infinite space to perfectly mix with the lively atmosphere. An untold number of Dwarrow bodies fill the walkways as they move from place to place. It truly is the Halls of Mahal. Bilbo barrels through it as if he’s always belonged here, the lead he’s following makes it an easy task. And it isn't long before someone takes notice of his very different appearance. Soon he’s being followed by shouts of surprise, some of anger, and a few that sound like fear. Bilbo ignores them all and just keeps moving. He hasn't moved this fast since he was chased by a Dragon. Eventually Bilbo confronts his first real obstacle. A stone door so large he can’t see the top. It’s engraved with the familiar crest of Durin. Bilbo is panting and smiling as he reaches out, still ignoring the shouts behind him that are growing louder by the second. The stone seems to vibrate under his palm as he starts to push. He doesn't even have to use all of his strength before the door starts moving.
“Got ya!” shouts a rough voice as large hands take hold of Bilbo’s shoulders and pull him backward
“What is it!?” another voice shouts as Biblo is spun around and lifted off his feet to face a sea of confused Dwarrow
“Look at its feet!”
“Who cares about feet! What about that bare face!?”
“How did it get in here!?”
“It’s not Dwarrow, that’s for sure.” The one holding him says. This Dwarf looks like a warrior, scared and tattooed with a fierce glare, “How did you get here little thing?”
“My Lady gave me my Wish.” Bilbo answers, unable to keep a smile off his face. Even though he isn't moving the pull is getting stronger and stronger inside him. Thorin is coming, because he feels the same thing Bilbo does. The pull of their Other Half. Bilbo kicks his feet slightly as a release for the mixture of nerves and joy that wells up inside him, “I’m going to see my Dwarf again.”
“What nonsense is ya spouting?” asks a red bearded Dwarrowdam who squints at Bilbo distrustfully, “That there is Kings Hall. Ya aint ta go there without a invitation.”
“Who left the door open?” a voice Bilbo hasn't heard in almost a hundred years says with mild curiosity
Bilbo looks over his shoulder and can’t help but shout in delight, “Kili my lad! Over here!”
“Wha…” Kili, brave and loving Kili, is standing stock still in the doorway to what is apparently Kings Hall. His eyes are locked on Bilbo in absolute shock. It takes many, many moments before Kili blinks and his eyes fill with tears even as a smile splits that lightly bearded face, “BILBO!?” Kili is running and snatching the Hobbit from his captor in an instant. Bilbo is wrapped in the tightest hug he’s ever experienced. He does his best to return it but Bilbo doubts he’ll ever achieve what Dwarrow strength is capable of. Regardless, he tries. All the while Kili is laughing and crying and spinning around as Bilbo just clings and lets his own tears fall.
Eventually there is another cry and the familiar form of Fili joins the hug with equal enthusiasm. Bilbo has a brief thought that it’s a good thing he’s already passed or the boys would probably have squeezed the life from him. All Bilbo can do right now is reach up and wrap an arm around each of their necks.
And then, finally, something in Bilbo clicks into place. He wriggles in the boys’ grip and looks over to see…
“THORIN!” Bilbo shouts with all his might. Fili and Kili drop him instantly and the moment Bilbo’s feet touch stone he is moving. Thorin is also moving. When they meet seconds later there isn't a moment of hesitation as Thorin scoops Bilbo up and begins to kiss him. It’s the sort of kiss Bilbo has been dreaming about for decades. The sort of thing that steals breath while consuming the body. Bilbo tries to give as good as he gets but eventually he yields as his Heartsong shows the suffering of their separation. Eventually they part and Bilbo can do nothing but gaze dazedly up at Thorin and whisper, “Missed you.”