Chapter Text
As Bilbo awoke the next day he felt jittery. He had set a couple buttons to drop at this time by candles. They had worked, so it was not like he woke up late, he had no reason to be jittery. Nonetheless he felt anxious with no reason why.
Still with the churn in his gut he slowly listened around to make sure no one was awake yet. When he found there was indeed no one but him awake at this hour he let his feet hit the floor and stretched his limbs. After a little shake of his wings he was about to set off into the kitchen.
Just incase someone decided to wake up and have a wonder, he took the cloth from his side table and bound his wings and tail feathers gently again. He popped on a nice and long waist coat and prodded off to make some breakfast.
As he rounded the corner into the kichen his stomach let out a sharp grumble. This breakfast wasn't just for the dwarves after all. Well he had better get too it then!
He took the key off the inside of the first pantry and unlocked the second. As he went in his eyes wondered around, trying to decide what to make or let them take.
Knowing how big, actually no, how considerably hefty the company was he decided to bring out a variety of ingredients to make many dishes.
Bilbo then struck a small flint and started up the coals for his oven. Putting on an apron he sorted the ingredients into the dishes he'd do.
There was some shifting that he heard when he'd started on rolling out dough for pasties but he thought nothing of it.
Bilbo was almost done with cooking the savery side of breakfast when a voice spoke behind him.
"This is a lot of food halfling, whats the need?"
He almost dropped the sizzling tray of potatoes, vegetables and bacon he pulled from the oven as the dwarfs voice started him. Placing the tray down on the side he turned around to Thorin standing in the door way.
"Oh, its for you and everybody else, didn't think you'd be stopping on you way to eat so I cooked it for you."
"Very well, Hobbit"
That was starting to get on his nerves, but he passed it as he simply may have forgotten his name. Either way it shouldn't matter much as he'd never see him again after today.
The next second there was a slap and hissing as Thoring retracted his hand from grabbing a sausage.
"How dare you strike me, you offered this food yet still hit me for going for it, what is the meaning-"
"Its not done yet, I've still I'll got more to do, its also hot, so leave."
_what could he possibly not get from the plume of steam coming off of it? Stupid dwarf_
Bilbo retracted the spoon in his hand and replaced the tray he'd gotten out with one of bread rolls and Flapjacks. Before he places the apple pie in he glanced at Thorin to see him staring at his hand. _hope I havent hit him too hard, how embarrassing to hit your guest!_
"What are you doing?" Bilbo asked when Thorin just stood there.
Seeming to be snapped out of his daze Thorin stared back at him.
He cleared his thoat and replied. "Nothing of concern to you, I'll tell the others to get ready and come eat breakfast from our host." With a slight snarl in his voice he took a petty nod and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Thorin swirled back around. Raising an eyebrow at Bilbo he answered the inquiry.
"As I said the foods not done, and I dont want to be bombarded while im still getting the food ready, so if you would please not tell the others until I fetch you it would be appreciated."
"As you wish." With another nod Thorin turned and left for good this time.
He stood there for a moment trying to figure out how he didnt get throttled. In all honesty he was prepared to be shouted at. That dwarf is a strange one. He felt something shift and was very glad his wings were covered as they itched under the cloth.
A little flicker of sunlight caught his eye and made him turn.
_wow, I've been at this for a while, its sunrise already!_
Getting back to his cooking he popped the apple pie in next to the bread rolls and Flapjacks.
As the pie baked he set the table, each space filled with fruits, honey, pancakes, sausages, bacon, potatoes, eggs, stuffing, oats, nuts and now soon to be bread rolls, muffins, Flapjacks, a sponge cake and an apple pie!
Frying some toast while he waited he realised how wonderful it smelled. It would make the brandybucks jealous to even smell such a feast.
Once everything was set he got to work on some travel pouches. He placed some simple dried nuts, some oats, honey, nut and fruit bars and dried fruit in there, also tied with a bread roll each. Making sure he had the right amount he took in his work. Taking a plate for himself he loaded it up and ate before there was nothing left.
~~~~~~
Thorin made his way back to the others. When the enticing smell had him leave earlier only Bifur was awake, but on returning nearly everyone had awoken. Still thinking about the audacity that Halfing had for hitting him he looked at his hand.
"Where were you off to?"
Looking up he saw Balin speaking to him. Remembering he just standing there staring at his hand, he straighted up.
"Went off to see where the spare rooms were to put all this mess back, stopped by the kitchen on the way back, not the best experience if you'rethinking of going." Thorin grumbled in reply.
"Good, we'll be able to clean this up and be off soon enough. What may I ask, happened in the kichen?" Balin looked amused by Thorin's mood, sometimes it seemed like he knew too much.
"If you must, our host was in there cooking breakfast, as he said as much, yet when I went to grab some he striked me with a spoon. A wooden spoon Balin! Of of all things, for grabbing the food he offered, stating it apparently 'wasnt ready' and told me to be off." Thorin snapped his reply, he was still irritated by that interaction.
Letting out a chuckle Balin clapped him on the shoulder. "Seems our host appreciates a bit of order in his guests, anyhow I'll let the others know theres food to be had, that'll at least get them up!"
His hand slipped away as he turned, so he grabbed Balin's shoulder and turned him back around.
"Not yet, that kitchen nightmare has asked to not be disturbed while setting up, so we shall wait until he arrives."
"Thorin, when did you start listening what others told you?"
"Since I get hit for taking food, be my guest if you wish to try."
"Very well ladie, well, help me get this lot up and moving then, we've got a long day ahead of us."
"Only if you get Dori and Ori up, I've had enough of grumpy morning people."
Chuckling again they both went off to get everyone up.
~~~~~~
Just as the last of the pillows were put away a quick clap sounded out as someone entered.
"Right, if you lot are willing I've cooked breakfast for you in the dinning room, you're welcome to as much as you like."
Every eye turned to Bilbo as he explained, he was getting nervous now. _what if they didnt like it?_
"Breakfast?" Kíli asked from the floor, in what looked to be a card game with some others. _do they have a different word for it or something, how could he not know what is it!_
"Well, yes?"
"Like right now." Fíli then questioned.
"Again yes!"
"But where'd you get the food? You had none left yesterday!" Fíli asked then in disbelief this time. Ahh, the confusion makes sence now as from what they knew there was no food left. He rolled his eyes and looked around.
"Fortunately for me I have a second pantry that you couldn't raid."
"No way! As much as we wan't ye say?" Who he thinks is Nori spoke.
"Yes, as I said its in the dinning room!"
Bilbo was visibly irritated by their slowness. As he was so irritated the shared looks and smirks made him none the wiser to what was about to happen.
"I CALL THE MEAT!!"
"YOU CANT DO THAT!"
"IF I GET THER' FIRST I CAN!"
"GET BACK HERE BOFUR, YOU CAN'Y HOG THE BEST STUFF!"
"STOP SHOUTIN' MA HEAD STILL HURTS FROM THAT ALE!"
Arguements continued as Bilbo narrowly avoided being crushed by the stampied of dwarfs rushing past. Within the minute there was only Balin and Thorin left.
He was now extra glad he ate before them as from the sounds of it they had already dug in.
Balin being the only reasonable one, faced Bilbo. "Thank ye laddie for the meal, the company surely appreciates it after long without such a service."
Before he could respond Thorin walked past and Balin followed straight after.
Being the only one there once again be was about to follow when a knock interrupted his thoughts.
He went up and answered seeing Gandalf stood at his door step. "Ive brought the pony's for the trip, I hope you all are up and ready to load your stuff, we have much to do." As usual he left no space for Bilbo to even say hello.
"I, uhh, they're currently eating first breakfast, why do you have ponies Gandalf?"
"Well dear Bilbo for the journey of course! I'd imagine you havent forgotten it so easily. Fret not as your pony is smaller that the others so you'll have not a problem being on her!"
In his usually cheery tone he explained how the company will need there stuff loaded onto the ponies and then everyone is off.
As Gandalf stepped inside Bilbo denied about going on the journey once again. Walking down the corridor to the dinning room he was still complaining and all while Gandalf simply smiled and followed along.
He didnt have time to complain much longer as when he stepped into the dinning room there was sausages and boiled eggs being thrown about.
_why did I put myself through this?_
Standing there staring at the carnival infront of him he had not idea what to do. Turning towards the wizard he told him how "this is your problem, not mine, goodbye."
Bilbo then walked off straight off to the smoking room, leaving Gandalf to deal with that. As he entered he didnt expect to see three dwarves sitting there already.
"Oh, my apologies for interrupting, ill leave you to it."
"Oh its no trouble ladie, its your home, come, sit!" Balin made a waving gesture over his own plate of food towards a chair opposite.
"Well, if you're sure."
Bilbo sat down on his luckily unoccupied usual chair. Lighting his pipe felt a little awkward as everyone was just eating breakfast or smoking.
"Soo, why are you lot here and not with the others?"
"Ah well, as you saw the company gets very roudy when all together, especially with plenty of food, they get very energised you see." As Balin explained once again Thorin and he's pretty sure Dwalin simply stare at him. If he wasnt invited in he'd think he was intruding, in his own smial mind you!
"Yep, I did indeed see that. Oh Gandalf has also just arrived and mentioned how you'll need all your belongings loaded onto ponies if you know anything about that?" Bilbo inquired to get more information as Gandalf surely wouldn't give him any.
"Indeed, he had mentioned the use of ponies for our travels, right, I had better get that sorted. Come along brother, you can help load things up while the others finish off! Thank you again for the service, we'll be off now lad."
Just then Balin and Dwalin left the room. Dwalin just about glanced at Bilbo with a small scoff as he passed. Bilbo heard them walk away toward the dinning room, after that he didn't bother to listen. Realising who was still in the room made his hairs stand on end. His and Thorin's last interaction ended with him hitting him with a wooden spoon and telling him not to tell the others food was being cooked. He hoped it didnt end like last time now. Not wanting to disrupt the quiet the dwarf seemed to enjoy he simply sat there and puffed his pipe.
In the deafening silence of the room he shifted slightly, in the process he moved his wings about. At that moment he sat up straighter and didnt move a bit, Bilbo had forgotten about them being bound up. Feeling feathers being shuffled and out of place he knew they would need a good clean later but as of right now all he could do was not face Thorin and hope nothing could be seen.
Thankfully dwarves weren't the most inquisitive about creatures they didnt know unless deemed a threat. What Bilbo didnt know though was that he was being stared at by said dwarf for another reason. Thorin looked him up and down, then studdied his face, trying to figure out why he was still here and why he offered then his food so freely. Others always cost a price, so what was this halfings price for his hospitality?
At that moment a head popped into the room munching on a bread roll quite dramatically.
"Uncle! There you are, was wondering where you'd popped off too!" Still chewing on the roll the words sounded muffled from the dwarf.
Another lighter head popped in this time. "Kíli, I thought you'd finished that by now? Oh and we came to tell you everything's packed up, we're ready to be off if you two are!"
"Shut up Fee, I said I'd almost finished, plus Mr Boggins said it was all we could eat, right Mr Boggins?"
"Uh yes, I did but my names actually-"
"See Fíli, all good, anyways, we better be off, Gandalf's waiting!"
"Wait what do you mean if us two are ready! Im still not going boys!"
Bilbo stood up ready to go after the already retreating dwarves but they had gone too far by the time he finished.
"As my nefews said, I am off now, your service was appreciated." Thorin then got up and started to follow behind the others.
'Wait!" Bilbo called out a second time that morning. Thoring stopped without turnibg around and waited again for Bilbo to continue.
"Ive-uhh, made some travel pouches for the lot, just simple food that wont go rotten easily, ill show you them if you like."
"What do you want in return." Thorin then fully faced Bilbo and crossed his arms, mimicking the first time he met him.
"Oh er, well nothing? I figured you'd be on the road for long and it may not be the most but im certain itll help, even a bit." It was starting to get to Thorin how this bossy little creature could want nothing in return for his offerings. There was no way he could just be doing this for them, he didnt even know them!
"So, would you like them?" Realising he'd be staring too long he simply nodded and moved out the door way to let the hobbit past.
Bilbo walked to his study and helped Thorin move the lot of them outside to the rest of the company. Upon explaining what they were to the rest, a round of cheers sounded out. Oín stated how it was one less thing to worry about getting now.
Adjusting his hat Bofur then walked over to Bilbo. "Well, where's your stuff?" A pair of eyes was watching the conversation now, Bilbo felt them bore into him but didn't know from who.
"Sorry what, my stuff?"
"You know, your journey bits, I need to get it loaded on you pony, she's saddled up for ya. You've got it ready right?"
"For the last bleeding time, I am not, going on this quest!" Bilbo was definitely frustrated now, more at Gandalf than any other at this moment.
"What'd ye mean? The wizard said you'd be our burglar, you've got to come with!"
"No actually, I don't think I do thank you very much!" At that moment Balin waddled over with the contract from earlier in his hands.
"Ive heard ye resistance towards this, but for an old dwarfs sake take this and keep it. Weather you change your mind or not is up to you okay- but if Tharkûn sees something then we shall see in time as well what you become Mr Baggins." With a small bow he handed Bilbo the letter and set off to his own pony.
Suddenly a loud voice spoke up over the rest from atop a dark pony. "Everybody on their pony's, we've a long way to travel and if the hobbit will not come with us then we must leave him behind, come along!" At that Thorin turned around at started a slow pace down the hill followed by others. Hearing a sigh next to him he turned towards Bofur as the dwarf looked back.
"Well it was nice to meat ya Mr Baggins, and a ruddy good meal you cook, could almost rival Bombur's cookin'." With a small tip of the hat he mounted his pony and followed after the rest. With a few waving goodbye, and with Gandalf's tip of his hat he waited until they were all round the corner to leave.
At the disappearance he went back into his Smial, contract still in hand and stood there for a moment. He walked through the hallway a bit and placed the paper down. After that he simply went to his room, took off the waistcoat, unbound his wings and tail feathers, and sat there for a little while.
~~~~~~
Grooming his feathers was always so calming to Bilbo, it gave him time to think and the methodical rhythm to it helped to set him straight and centre himself. What he was thinking of this time wasnt exactly making him any calmer though. His thoughts drifted from each dwarf that had left earlier that day, usually, landing on a particular one who wouldn't stop staring at him. He wondered how they were doing, their quest seemed like a lot of fun but very dangerous, especially for someone like him!
When he groomed his feathers It was always the same process, pluck any loose feathers, put them in a draw or away somewhere, straighten out crooked ones, lightly brush through with a smooth brush, get a cloth with warm water and wipe them down, ruffle them out and done! Though it may seem a little long it was very worth it, especially for how compact his wings are.
From the moment he knew he had wings he always wanted to figure out what type they were and what they couod do! As a child and even into his maturing age Bilbo had read all about different types of wings. What he found didn't shock him too much as it was very evident to see. He had rounded wings, proper name being elliptical shaped wings. They were about a hand or so longer than his own arm on each side, with quite close feathers up top and bottom, but further apart the bottom and going from his shoulder blades down to mid back. Many compared them to those of owl wings, it made sence with how he silently flew and the shape as well.
The colour did help with that too, they were a shimmery brown with darker up top and almost golden as you went down, speckled with white all along making them sometimes look to be shining. His tail was the same, though slightly harder to groom as he'd have to twist his body to get to it properly, at least it was faster to do. Although the underside simply had a bright white with speckles of brown on both his wings and tail.
All things considered he loved having wings, and would long for them if he didnt. The only problem was outside the shire he had to hide them so others didnt see. He didnt want to get hunted for something he couldnt control, like his dear mother had been. Bilbo then snapped out of his dreary thoughts and focused on the part where his back connected to his wings, it was always the most difficult and annoying to deal with. _much like those silly dwarfs!_ In all fairness, he would usually get his cousin to help him as sometimes he couldnt reach properly. Wings weren't something anyone could touch, they were very precious to those who had them and are particular about who's aloud to touch them.
That made him smile at least. Now he was done washing them over with the warm cloth he ruffled everything out and went to get ready to head once again to the market. Just as he was walking down the hall way, considering how much of everything he'd need, something bright caught his eye.
Stopping mid stride he gazed at the peice of paper infront of him. That unanswered line was enough to make him really think about what had happened. For the next 30 minutes Bilbo sat there, looking at the paper and just, thought.
What could possibly be drawing him in to want to consider that damn signature! I mean it had been a long while since he had been out of the shire, oh how he did long to see different places and have those lovely nights under the stars surrounded be a mix of floral and herby scents. He knew it would be a useless dream to go on, his wings put a bounty too high on his head for him to leave. Hanging his head in his hands, he continued to think, think about what it would be like if he could just saunter off and do as he pleases without having time worry about such things.
Surprisingly a thought stuck him then. _the dwarfs didn't notice when my wings were bound before, and if I bring my waistcoats with no open back then they wont know. We'll be on the move so often itll be easy to slip away and have a small flight, or even clean them. This could very well work!_
Being so exited by his new idea he quickly got up, dipped one of his sheded feathers into some ink and signed his name onto the sheet. Folding the letter up he rushed back to his bedroom and pulled his largest bag out of the closest. Finding four pairs of pants, four open back long sleeves, two closed back ones, fiveclosed back waistcoats, a couple undergarments, and a thick cloak that belonged to his father, he folded and stuffed then in the bag.
After the clothes he fetched a travel notebook, a couple quills and an ink pot, a coin purse stuffed to the brim, his old mother compass, a comb and finally a pocket watch. Once he'd stuffed those bits in his bag he hastily shuffled to the kitchen with everything. Scoffing some left over Flapjacks in his mouth he moved into the second pantry again. Filling one pouch with some food for the road and another with small vials and bottles of herbs. Most with medicinal herbs but only two with cooking seasoning, he clipped both onto a large belt he wore with more spare pouches. Filling and clipping a water skin to his pack he went out and left it by the door.
Back in his room he grabbed extra cloth to bind his wings and tail with, and a waistcoat to put over them. The last thing he grabbed was a small switchblade belonging once to his mother and father, it was now his, but had their engravings in the handle. Holding it close he fastened a leather strap to each arm and slipped the blade into his right one. Rushing back to the door he stuffed the cloth and waistcoat into the top of his bag and closed it up. Checking everything over and grabbing the folded letter that now had his signature and threw open the door.
Bilbo grabbed his pack, letter and key in one hand, and with the other scribbled a quick note to his neighbours before stepping outside, locking his smial and leaving the key and note on the door step. In the note is states:
Dear neighbours,
Do not worry, I am off on an adventure! I dont know how long it shall take but if it happens to be longer than when the next summer arrives then leave everything to my dear cousin Drogo Baggins and his wife, Primula Brandybuck. If they cannot care for it, then pass it onto my neighbour Mr hamfast! I wish all the best.
(P.s. do not let the sackvile-baggins near my property! Under any circumstances!)
After that he was out his gate within the second. Stopping suddenly he turned to look at his home one last time. _this was really it, im finally going on an adventure!_
With that he turned and was off. He took off into the sky with a leap and glided speedily down the hill. Waving to those he passed by on his way out. He was giddy to be finally off somewhere again! As he approached the border of the shire the trees got closer and dencer together. Lucky for Bilbo he was made for weaving hurriedly between trees and shrubs. Sniffing the air he turned more to the left as he caught scent of the dwarves. Listening out for any sounds of them he found pony's trotting along and stopped close by when he could clearly hear them.
Landing next to a large tree he dropped his bag and dug out some of the cloth and the waistcoat. Smoothly wrapping his wings and tail back up he then hid them further under the waistcoat. Making sure the letter was secure in his palm he twisted his bag onto his back and rushed off towards the voices he now heard.