Archive of Our Own

Bilbo was in his study, reading over his last addition to his writing. It was late now, he’d put his young nephew to bed hours ago and he was about to blow out his candles and turn in for the evening.
Frodo had been living with him for a month or so now, and they’d gotten into a routine of things. It was nice for old Bilbo Baggins to have someone else around the house not only to help him out, but to be a permanent company. And Bilbo never figured on getting married. In his younger years he focused on much more simple things and never gave a life of love much thought. The closest thing to a love life he ever got was Thorin Oakenshield, however that was long dead. With Thorin.

But Bag End was very nice, and much too spacious for just one hobbit. Bilbo enjoyed Frodo’s presence immensely and knew there was no better hobbit than he to keep him company. Though Bilbo had noticed a few odd things about Frodo since he’d begun living there. The first was that Frodo wasn’t actually very shy, he just didn’t have much to say. When he did have things to say, he would practically jump out of his skin to say them. Another thing Bilbo needed to adjust to was how moody Frodo could be. Bilbo knew he would be taking in a child in his teen years, but he never suspected that Frodo could be so…temperamental. HE certainly didn’t remember being so unstable as a child.

And last he noticed how Frodo did not like to be around the other hobbit children. In fact, oftentimes he would resent Bilbo if he asked him to go play with them. Or at least, he seemed to grumble about it.

But for the most part Frodo was a good kid, he did what was asked of him and he was pleasant to be around.

Lost in his thoughts, Bilbo barely heard the small rap on the door. “ Come in, Frodo.” He told the door, put his quill down and stood up.

In walked Frodo in his nightclothes, his hair all messy as if he’d been tossing and turning since Bilbo put him to bed.

“Sorry, cousin Bilbo…” He said

“It’s quite alright, Lad. Whatever are you up for?”

Frodo shrugged slightly, then said, “ I had a nightmare.”

“Oh I see,” Bilbo walked over to him, “Well, let’s put you to bed and you can then tell me about it.”

He put his hand on Frodo’s back and led him back to his room.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Said Frodo finally, once they’d gotten to his door.

“That’s okay.” Bilbo said, pushing Frodo into bed and smoothing his cotton blankets down. “Would you like me to get you some tea before you sleep or do you think you’ll be alright for now?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” Frodo said quietly and Bilbo nodded.

“Well okay then, lad, but you let me know if you have any more of them.”

“Yes.” Frodo responded and Bilbo set his candle down.

“This is dimming now and maybe it’s faint light will help you sleep better.” Bilbo suggested, patting Frodo on the head.

“Thank you, Bilbo, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Bilbo said, and left the room. Not before peering at Frodo with his eyes shut, peacefully lit by the dim light of the candle.

Bilbo worried a lot about Frodo. Increasingly since he started to know his habits better. He already knew that it’d be tougher to raise a kid who’d been raised by a few separate people. Frodo’s parents Drogo and Primula did a fine job raising him, that Bilbo was sure of, but what Frodo needed was some stability in the home department, since after their death he had no real home to call his.

‘Well.’ Bilbo thought in bed that evening, ‘I will always do my best to provide this child with a stable home that he can feel loved in.’ When he proposed he adopt Frodo, he said it would be as an uncle. He only hoped Frodo would soon start to call him as such. But he understood the title gave him some kind of guardianage, or parentage that perhaps he didn’t want.

The next few days proved uneventful for the hobbits. Bilbo stood folding laundry one evening while Frodo was reading at the table. Ah, laundry. That’s one thing Bilbo missed about living alone. The clean up and organization was a lot easier with just one person. And not that Frodo was all that messy, because he really wasn’t. It’s just twice the dishes for cleaning and the clothes for folding, that was all. Frodo of course helped with all those menial tasks most of the time, but every once in a while he would have to be asked by Bilbo to do them, and also, he didn’t like his folding technique all that much.

‘I should teach him how I fold laundry.’ Bilbo thought to himself.

“Frodo.” Bilbo said.

Frodo looked up from his book. “Yes, Bilbo?” He asked.

“Would you like me to show you how I fold laundry?” He asked his nephew.

Frodo looked at him for a pause, then said, “What’s wrong with the way I fold laundry?”

Bilbo smiled, “Oh, nothing, nothing, my boy, it’s just that I think it would be nice if you learned the way that I do it..”

“You don’t think I do a good job?” Frodo asked. He was smiling now, too.

“Now, I never said that.”

Frodo sighed and stood up, walking over to Bilbo he said, “It’s fine. I know I’m not very good at it.”

“Okay, well then, yes I do think you could use a little refining.”

Frodo nodded, awaiting Bilbo’s instructions.

“Now pick up your shirt here, lad, and lay it right flat on the table.”

Frodo followed his instructions through, to fold the sleeves for shirts and legs together for trousers.

“That’s right, and make sure to line up the edges all rightly.” He nodded at Frodo’s work and gave him a pat on the back.

“There you go, son, you’ve got it.” Bilbo smiled at him, still with his hand on Frodo’s shoulder.

Frodo nodded, with his smile wavering. Bilbo sensed something was wrong.

“What’s wrong, Frodo?” He asked him, “I don’t mean to insult your folding abilities.

“Oh nothings wrong..” He said.

Bilbo looked at him expectantly.

“Don’t worry about it..” Frodo said finally, when he realized Bilbo was waiting for him to elaborate.

He walked away from Bilbo and back to his seat at the table with his book. He swallowed thickly and his uncle gave him a funny look.

“Now, dear, whatever is the matter?” He said, crossly, putting a hand on his hips.

“Nothing!” Frodo said, raising his voice and standing up with his book.

“Don’t shout at me, boy!” Bilbo said. “It’s clear to me that something is wrong.”

“Just stop pushing it!” Frodo said, starting to walk away.

“Now wait just a moment son-”

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!” Frodo shouted, yanking the door open and storming out.

Bilbo stood struck for a moment, then collected his thoughts. Frodo behaved very rudely to him, however the reasoning was much so evident. ‘Frodo did not like the idea of Me replacing his parents.’

‘I’ll have to apologize to him.’ He thought. ‘But first I ought to leave him alone for a while, to simmer.’

Eventually, Bilbo got a knock on the door.

“Come in, Frodo, You don’t have to knock.” He said, expectantly.

“It’s not Frodo!” He heard a familiar voice say.

“Lobelia?!?!” He said surprised, walking over to the front door.

“Yes. I was coming here to tell you that your damned boy is causing a ruckus and disturbing my Lotho! It’s clear that you care very little about the mischief that boy gets up to and it’s no wonder everyone suspects him being the root of every problem for our little ones.”

“Now wait a minute Lobelia, what are you talking about- Frodo causing trouble?”

“Oh yes, ever since he’s moved in here with you. Tch.. I expect no less from you but just so you know, we’ve got a lot more to deal with around here than that Frodo lad.”

“What do you-”

“There’s a thief around, didn’t you know?” She asked, “Or are you too busy in your own foolish world?”

“Okay that’s enough, get out of my house.” Bilbo said, shooing her out of the house and following on his way out.

“Where is the boy?” He asked her.

She didn’t answer, instead stomped her way towards a bit of shouting which Bilbo assumed was the problem.

“You let the fight continue?!?”

“It wasn’t a fight. And of course not, that’s old Camilla and Bell yelling at each other about it.”
“No, the whole thing with your boy was very one-sided, yes. Picking on those younger than him like Meriadoc Brandybuck and hitting my poor Lotho!”

Bilbo began to advance on Lobelia, walking quickly in the direction of the shouting. Soon they were close enough to hear what’s being said.

“Now you just leave him alone!” Bilbo heard Bell Gamgee say.

“I don’t understand why you’d defend the damned nuisance!” Camila Sackville shouted, “Something needs to be done about that boy.”

Bilbo walked up to them and assessed the situation. Bell was standing next to Frodo, her hand clasped tightly around his wrist. Bilbo figured Frodo would’ve fled otherwise. Frodo was looking down at the ground very hard. Standing around them were several other faunts, waiting to see where the screaming match would go next. Little Merry was there, as well as Sam, Bell’s own son, Lotho who was sporting an ugly black eye, Frodo’s first cousin Daisy Baggins, and a few others scattered around. It was evident they were awed at the adults yelling at one another. Bilbo didn’t like the idea of all of them watching what their elders had to say about Frodo.

“Stop with the yelling, now, all the shire can hear.” Bilbo said as he arrived. Frodo looked up at the sound of his voice, and for a moment, they made eye contact. Frodo’s eyes were red and teary. When he saw that Bilbo was looking at him, he quickly looked back down at the ground.

He was crying.

“Bilbo!” Bell said, looking relieved.

“You’ve got to do something about this boy, Bilbo. It’s getting out of hand.” Camila said.

Bilbo ignored her, “All you children better get home to your folks this instant.” Most of them turned tail right away, with the exceptions of Samwise, Lotho Sackville-Baggins and Merry.

“What happened?” Bilbo said to Bell, exasperated.

Before Bell could answer, Camila piped up, “Frodo was bullying the younger faunts! He even hit Lotho! It was unprovoked and he was just being downright disrespectful to me and Bell when we told him to quit it! He’s always causing this sort of trouble, Bilbo, I’m always saying to Otho, ‘Did you hear about what the young Baggins has done next?’”

“Now wait a moment Camila, his actions weren’t unprovoked. Sam told me Lotho had been nasty to him..”Bell retorted.

“Just because of the ways he’s acted in the past! Nothing he isn’t deserving of, but to hit-” Camila was interrupted by Bilbo.

“Okay just wait, were you two here while this was taking place?” Bilbo asked them.

“Ah, no, Sam got me.” Bell told him.

“And I came out with my mother as soon as I heard the noisy little ones.” Lobelia said, “We were having tea before we were disturbed.”

“Well then clearly things may have happened that you didn’t see. We can let Merry, Lotho and Sam tell us what happened- and of course Frodo, too.” Bilbo said.

Lobelia rolled her eyes and Sam opened his mouth to speak.

“Yes, Sam?” Bilbo asked.

“M-mister Baggins.. I uh, was walking down the way when I heard a bit of a racket comin’ from o’er here.. I saw Mister Lotho on the ground, coverin’ his eye and Mister Frodo over him.. But I-I don’t think Mister Frodo meant to-”

“I was with the others when it happened.” Merry said, “Lotho was walking a ways ahead of us, you see. Frodo came along walking and Daisy and I were confused at what they were doing. Frodo said something about wanting Lotho to leave him alone, but then Lotho said something about how just cause his parents died years ago didn’t mean he needed to act like a ‘reject’ all the time and-”

“I didn’t say none of that!” Lotho interrupted Merry,

“Any, Lotho!” Lobelia interjected.

“Yes you did, you liar! That’s when Frodo punched him and then Sam ran to get Mrs. Gamgee..” Merry shouted.

“Now wait a moment, Lotho did you or did you not say that?” Bilbo asked Lotho.

“I didn’t say any of that!” Lotho answered loudly.

“M-Mr. Baggins.. He did say that..” Sam said shyly.

“My Lotho wouldn’t lie! It’s clear they’re lying to save him!” Lobelia said at once.

“Oh hush Lobelia, it really doesn’t matter anyway.” Bilbo said, shaking his head.

He took Frodo’s hand at once, “I’m so sorry Lobelia, and all of you. Frodo will apologize when he’s ready and there will be a formal apology for Lotho of course. I sincerely hope he’s okay and.. I’ll bake you a pie, or something.” Bilbo gritted and then promptly turned around, dragging Frodo behind him back to Bag End.

After quite a few awkward steps of silence, Bilbo finally spoke,

“Oh my dear… I’m feeling very sorry for you.”

Frodo looked at him with wide eyes, “You mean you’re not angry with me?”

“Oh, heavens no! Of course I’m angry! I’m livid! Hitting someone- Frodo, what possessed you to do such a thing?”

Frodo was silent.

“It wasn’t me, was it? Were you upset because I called you son, and you wanted to take your anger out on someone?”

“No!” Frodo said quickly. “No, it was Lotho. What Merry said Lotho said was true. Lotho’s always rude to me.”

“I see.. Though that’s no reason to hit someone!” Bilbo said.

“I… I know.. I don’t know why I did that..”

They arrived at Bagshot row.. And Bilbo walked behind Frodo into Bag End.

“Well I’ve got a pie to bake and you ought to help me. Then you’ll write an apology to Lotho.”

“Write an apology? Bilbo, do I have to?”

“Of course you have to, young Frodo. It’s the least you could do for hitting him!” Bilbo said, “And we still have things to discuss about what happened earlier. You need not storm away when you get upset, and certainly not shout at me. I understand completely where you’re coming from but I’m not here to antagonize you, I’m here to guide you, and you should come to me when you need something, not flee.”

Frodo did not say anything in response but nodded sadly.

So Bilbo began to make the pie crust which would evidently take up most of the time for the pie.

When the crust was finally done and in the oven, Bilbo started looking over his recipe book to make sure he had all of the ingredients.
“Ah, Frodo, we don't have enough button mushrooms. You’ll have to go get some tomorrow. We’ll continue then, you may go do what you like but stay inside, please.”

Frodo obeyed and went to Bilbo’s bookshelf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Frodo, lad, since you’re leaving to get the mushrooms please pick up some eggs for me as well. I need them for the wash on the pie crust and I used too many eggs this morning.”

“Yes, Bilbo.”

With Frodo out of the house for a bit, Bilbo wondered what he was to do about the poor boy. It was evident that Frodo was troubled by a great deal of things about his life and that resulted in his inappropriate actions towards the other fauntlings. He wished badly he could heal all of the internal wounds Frodo received from the death of his parents. He wished mostly that Frodo would just be open to talking about his troubles instead of taking his frustrations out on others, in forms of yelling and in actual violence. Bilbo decided he couldn’t wait for Frodo to suddenly feel like talking to him about his actions and the reasons behind them, and he wanted to make sure the trouble that Frodo had been causing-that he wasn’t aware of- was put to a stop and Frodo grew up into the well rounded and polite gentle hobbit Bilbo knew he could be. He supposed he needed to go talk to Frodo’s friend, Merry, and see if he could get some more knowledge on Frodo’s emotions as well as what trouble he’d been causing. Lobelia mentioned a thief in Hobbiton. Now who would do that? Frodo had had his history of thievery, about a year before he lived with the Brandybucks. But why would he steal now? It’s not like he was in need of anything that he couldn’t get or didn’t have.

Bilbo shook his head in thought and then started to write a note to Frodo. If Frodo were to return before Bilbo did, he’d know that he’d headed out and that he should start the rest of the pie without him.

Bilbo finally arrived a little outside Hobbiton, where the brandybucks had been staying for a short time after the Autumn festival. He rapped the door.

“Ah Bilbo, what a lovely surprise!” Esmerelda answered the door. “Why don’t you come in? Saradoc just got back, he’d love to see you.”

“Thank you, Esmerelda, but is little Meriadoc here? I would like to talk to him.” Bilbo said, stepping inside

“Oh of course! Let me just go and get him for you.” Esmerelda left the room.

“Good afternoon, Baggins.” Saradoc said to Bilbo. “Whatever do you want to speak to Merry about? Not that trouble with your Frodo lad and him, I hope?” He brought out a tin of cookies and offered them to Bilbo.

“Oh no thank you, Saradoc, and yes, I would, actually.” He shook his head.

Esmerelda walked back out with Merry who looked very excited to see Mr. Baggins. He walked up however, to the tin of cookies first and Bilbo supposed they were more exciting than his presence. Saradoc snatched the tin away from his son as Merry took three cookies with one already in his mouth. “Shoo Meriadoc!” He swished at his son. “How will Mr. Baggins talk to you with your mouth stuffed?”

“You two can go talk on the porch if you’d like.” Esmerelda suggested, stifling a laugh.

“That would be great, come along, Merry.” Bilbo said, leading them out to the porch.

“It is a very nice day out today.” Bilbo said. Merry agreed with him through his cookies. “I’ll just wait for you to finish, there, boy.” He said patiently.

“Sorry Mr. Baggins, that’s a fresh batch, ya’see and Papa hid the tin.”

“I could never imagine why he’d do such a thing. Tch.” Bilbo chuckled a little, “Now, I’d like to ask you some questions about Frodo.”

“Oh, yes, Frodo. I hope you know that I wasn’t lying when I said what I said about what Lotho said about Frodo! It was really terrible.”

“No of course I believe you, Merry, however I wanted to know if Frodo has talked to you lately about his.. Feelings? Since you’ve been around Hobbiton?”

“Ah.. Well,” Merry said, “Not really his feelings. He sometimes acts weird, but he’s always done that. Since he’d lived with us and now that he’s not. I think he’s seemed happier since living with you, but I dunno..”

“Hm.. Well, do you know about any kind of mischief he’s been up to lately? I heard from Mrs. Sackville Baggins that he’s been up to quite a bit, however I haven’t heard a word about it.” Bilbo asked him.

“I know that he sometimes doesn't say nice things to others, but he never says mean things to me… mostly, if he’s upset he’ll ignore me.” Merry said.

“I see, and he doesn’t let you know why he does and says such things?”

“No..he doesn't.”

“Well, then, I have one more question for you. He’s not the one who’s been stealing things, is he? I heard there’s a thief about.”

“Ah.. I don’t know.” Merry said solemnly.

“Well thank you very much anyway, Merry, please let me know about Frodo if he tells you. It’s very important to me.” Bilbo told him.

“Yes of course.” Merry smiled.

“Have a good rest of your stay here.”

“Thank you.” Merry said to Bilbo as they walked back into the house.

“Thank you very much Esmerelda and Saradoc. I hope it’s not too long until we meet again.” Bilbo said.

“Naturally, Bilbo, it’s always lovely seeing you. Tell young Frodo lad we say hello.”

“Of course. Goodbye” Bilbo said, before waving and closing the door behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frodo was nowhere to be seen when Bilbo got home and the pie wasn’t in the oven, however there were button mushrooms on the counter top.

Bilbo tapped his foot impatiently, knowing that Frodo had refused to do what his note had asked of him.

He walked to Frodo’s room, trying not to get himself too angry. The boy had so many troubles..It made sense that he behaved so erratically, where one day he was good and followed directions perfectly and the next he was absent and even violent.

Frodo was not in his room, but the journal that Bilbo had given him was gone. Bilbo intended it to be a book he could write whatever he wanted, however Frodo used it more for drawing flowers. This led Bilbo to the garden where he eventually found Frodo, laying under his overgrown petunias, sketching the blades of grass in front of him.

“Frodo.” Bilbo said, sitting down in front of him. “I’m flattered that you like my grass but I've asked you to do something for me. I understand you don’t want to and since you’ve had a rough day yesterday,I'll excuse it. But just this once, mind you.We can finish the pie together.”

“I’m sorry..” Frodo said. “I forgot.”

“Well that’s not a very good excuse but it’s fine enough. Up you go, lad.” Bilbo said, taking hold of Frodo’s arm.

They went to the kitchen and began preparing the pie for the oven. Bilbo had Frodo cut up the button mushrooms while he cut the onions.

“Can you beat the eggs for me, Frodo dear?” Bilbo asked as he started to prepare the dough for the top of the pie.

Frodo nodded and cracked the eggs into the bowl.

Bilbo focused on the task , trying to make the pie top as perfect as possible.

CLANK

Bilbo jumped and turned quickly around to see the bowl of beaten eggs face on the floor and a guilty looking Frodo crouching over it.

“Oh my, Frodo.” Bilbo stooped down to pick up the bowl and then to wipe up the egg with a cloth.

“That’s alright lad,” Bilbo said calmly, “it’s a good thing you went out and got more eggs, huh?” He smiled at Frodo whose face was bright red.

“Now don’t be upset about it dear.” Bilbo said, standing up and giving Frodo a tight hug.

He went to let go from the embrace and discovered that Frodo was still holding onto him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked him, still in the embrace.

“Why don’t you yell at me? Or hit me?” Frodo asked

“Now why would I ever do those things?” Bilbo asked, looking into Frodo’s eyes, slightly stunned.

“Because I’m bad.”

“Now, Frodo. You aren’t bad. You’ve had quite a few instances of mischief but that doesn’t define who you are. Besides, this was an accident you-”

Bilbo looked at the expression on Frodo’s face.

“You did this on purpose?” He asked

“I…” Frodo closed his mouth and nodded.

“Oh my boy did you want me to yell at you? Or hit you?”

“No.. I just wanted to see if you would if I pushed you to it.” Frodo told him, looking down at the floor.

Bilbo shook his head and pulled Frodo back into an embrace. “I love you, Frodo.”

When Frodo’s grip on him finally loosened, Bilbo detracted from the hug and got a good look at the boy.

Tears filled his eyes and flowed into fully sobbing.

“Oh dear, it’s okay, it’s okay,” Bilbo said, reassuringly, kissing Frodo’s forehead.

“You can take a break from the pie if you’d like now lad, I can handle it from here if you’d like to sit down at the table.”

Frodo nodded and put his hand over his eyes, his shoulders hitching every time he sobbed.
He walked over to the table and sat down. He rested his chin on the table top.

“I’ll make you some tea to settle down. Some ginger hm?” Bilbo nodded at him.

He put the kettle on and got to whisking the eggs. He then prepared the rest of the pie and tried not to think of his little nephew trying to quiet his sobs.

By the time the tea was ready, Frodo had stopped crying and the pie was in the oven.

Bilbo brought both of them a cup and sat down with him.

“You’re alright now, Frodo?” He asked

Frodo nodded and sipped his tea. “Yes I’m fine, Uncle Bilbo.”

‘Uncle!’ Bilbo thought.

“Now that you’re settled and it’s been a day, I think we’ve got some serious things to talk about. Don’t you?”

“Yes, I guess so.” Frodo stared into his tea.

“Alright then, Frodo, the first thing I want to talk about was the way you acted when I called you son.”

Frodo blushed slightly.

“I recognize that you acted that rashly because you felt I was trying to take the place of your parents which is not what I mean to do at all, I understand the loss of your parents has been extremely hard for you, even after all of these years, and it may feel as though they are still around sometimes. Trust me when I say I will not make that mistake again and I apologize for overstepping.”

Frodo frowned, “Thank you Uncle, but that’s not why I was upset at all.”

“Oh?” Bilbo said, surprised.

“No, it was because I don’t want you to be like my father, I’d prefer if you were my old uncle Bilbo. It’s not that I feel offended you’d refer to me as your son, but that whose son I actually am isn’t as important to me as you.. Especially now.” Frodo said.

“Well, Frodo this comes as a big shock to me..But I guess this makes more sense now that I have more context. This brings me to my next question, tell me if I'm asking too much, but, have you ever been harmed by your parents?”

Frodo shrugged, “Well not really, maybe once or twice I was hit for doing something stupid. Once I dropped a plate and it shattered all over the table and ruined my mother's meal. I got a good hard smack for that.”

“Hm well I don’t know if I can judge parenting techniques but that doesn’t seem to have had a good impression on you, huh.”

“Well, it was mostly that they always threatened to, even for stuff that was clearly an accident.” He added after a pause, “I miss them a lot, though.”

“I imagine you would, and I’m sorry such a horrible thing happened to you, especially so young. But these things get easier with time. Why when my mother died I thought i’d never drink tea again- Earl Grey was always her favorite.” He shook his head, “But a life with no Earl Grey tea? Mother wouldn’t have wanted it that way.”

Frodo smiled at him, slightly, awkwardly.

“Anyway, Frodo, there’s another problem I’ve heard you've been having. Now, I don’t know for sure, but my sources tell me that you’ve been behaving very rudely to other children?”

“Ah…Well not on purpose.. Though sometimes I just want to be left alone and I feel like people are always bothering me.”

“Well, pardon me if this bothers you, but that's not the best way to go about it. Have you considered just asking them to leave you be?” Bilbo asked.

“Ah..I guess not. I'll try to behave better, Uncle, I promise.”

“Thank you, I’m sure that you will, my boy. One last thing I wanted to tell you was that I went to speak to Merry about what you did yesterday, and he didn’t tell me much of anything. What he and Sam had said about Lotho was true?”

“Ah…Well yes, for the most part it was true. Lotho was walking down the path and I guess I glared at him.. And then he started yapping at me about it. When I didn’t say anything in reply he called me a bad word and then I called him a bad word and told him to leave me alone. And then he called me a reject cause of my parents and I punched him.”

“Oh dear.. Well, you certainly need to apologize, and while I think it would be best if Lotho would too, I really doubt Lobelia would have that for a second..”He thought for a moment, then Bilbo said, “Here’s what we’ll do. Tomorrow you'll apologize to the Sackville-Baggins’, I want it to be very polite and clear, and you’ll deliver them the pie. Then, afterwards, if you do a good job, little complaining, we can pick up some sweets on our way back.”

“Well..Okay, I guess that’s fine. But that makes Sam and Merry look like liars..” Frodo said.

“Well, I’ll talk to Lobelia about it one on one, and speaking of the Gamgee’s, you shall also apologize to them tomorrow too.”

“What?” Frodo said, “Why should I apologize to them?!”

“Because the way you acted was inappropriate and caused trouble for them. Mrs. Gamgee didn’t have to step in the way she did, but she was kind and even defended you. You owe them an apology.” Bilbo explained.

Frodo huffed.

“Now don’t be sour, it’s only right. You aren’t rotten, yes? And you don’t want people to think you are.”

“No, I don’t want that..”

“Good boy, then you should get to writing an apology. Just a general one, it doesn’t need to be too thought out, just enough they can see you care.”

“Ah,” Frodo frowned, “I have to write it out? Can you help me?”

“I’m not going to write it for you, but if you want me to look over it, I will.” He told him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Bilbo, is this good?” Frodo handed Bilbo his journal with his apology written out under his drawings of the grass.

“The drawings are nice, Frodo.”

Frodo smiled, “I’m not talking about the drawings! I’m talking about the apology.”

“Yes, I know. I’m just teasing you. Your apology is fine, but make sure it’s easy enough for you to remember because you ought not to read off of it.”

“Okay, I've got it.”

“We’ll leave in a few minutes, then.” Bilbo told him, cleaning off the counter top where he had just rolled dough.

Once the counter was cleaned off and the pie was packed and ready they headed out. Frodo slowly followed Bilbo out the door of the smial, Bilbo figured he was dreading getting there.

Looking behind him, Bilbo said,“Come on lad, the sooner we get there the sooner it can be over with.”

“Yeah I know, I’m just embarrassed.” Frodo told him, as he caught up.

“Well you should be. Hitting someone is very childish behavior.”

They soon arrived at the Sackville Baggins’ smial Bilbo let Frodo in front of him to knock on the door when he was ready. Frodo put his hand up to knock on the door, but hesitated.

“It’ll be okay, Frodo.” Bilbo said reassuringly. Frodo knocked on the door.

The door opened after a few seconds and there stood Otho Sackvill-Baggins, he frowned when he saw them.

“What do you want, Bilbo?!” He said sharply, “And why’d you bring your troublesome boy with you.”

“Frodo would like to apologize to Lobelia and Lotho, and we baked you a pie. We’d appreciate it if you let us inside.” Bilbo smiled politely but was boiling about it inside.

“Ah, alright come in. But don’t touch anything.” Otho said grouchily.

‘ME?!? Not touching anything!’ Bilbo thought, ‘The Hypocrisy!’

They walked inside and Otho left the room to get Lobelia and Lotho. They returned a beat later.

“Well then, Frodo.” Lobelia said, “What do you have to say to my poor Lotho?”

Lotho stood with his arms crossed, glaring at Frodo.

“I’m sorry that I hit you, Lotho. It was immature and wrong for me to act that way and I want to make it up to you..” Frodo said solemnly, with a nod he handed them the pie. “And i’m sorry Lobelia, for causing an inconvenience to you and Mrs. Sackville. Please tell her my apology since she isn’t here.”

“Well” Said Lobelia, “I will! Thank you for the pie.” She gritted.

“I’m glad we have that in order, thank you.” Said Bilbo. “You can keep the pie tin.” He said.

Lobelia nodded and gestured to the door, for them to leave.

Bilbo smiled lightly and waved. He cursed something under his breath as they walked out the door and Frodo looked at him with a wide grin on his face.

“Uncle!” he said, surprised.

“Oh hush Frodo! We’re still going to the Gamgee’s. You did a good job, lad.” He told him.

“Too good of a job?” Frodo said, looking back at the Sackville's house.

“I said hush, Frodo! I don't want to hear another word about that! The Sackville Baggins’ are rotten people, but that doesn’t justify hitting Lotho.”

Frodo shook his head. “I know..”

They kept walking on, and soon got to the Gamgee residents.

“I don’t want to apologize in front of Sams’ whole family.. He has sisters. They’ll laugh at me!”

“Frodo, it will be fine. No one will laugh at you.” Bilbo said, walking up to the door and knocking. Not before giving Frodo a pat on the head.

Bell Gamgee answered the door with a smile, “Hello Mr. Baggins! And dear Frodo! How are you two on this fine morn’?”
“Ah, we’re alright, thank you, Bell. Frodo would like to speak to you and Sam.”

“Me?” Sam appeared behind his mother and she stepped out of the way.

“Come in! Move out of the way, Sam.” Bell said.

Sam moved out of the doorway and Bilbo and Frodo walked in. Bilbo noticed Sam and Frodo smile at each other. Frodo then looked at Bilbo, who nodded at him to apologize.

“I’m very sorry Mrs. Gamgee, and I’m sorry to you, too, Sam.” He started, “Thank you for being so kind to me, when I didn’t deserve it.”

“Oh nonsense, dear! Everybody makes mistakes. You’re just a boy, anyhow, there’s no harm done, I’m sure.” Bell told him.

“Yes, Mister Frodo, it’s okay. What mister Lotho said to you was just awful! Why if my ma and gaffer were gone and someone said that to me I don’t know what i’d-”

“Okay Samwise, that’s enough.” Bell said.

Frodo nodded.

Then Bell said, “Would you two like to stay for tea?”

“Ah, no thank you Bell, we’re headed for the market next. I appreciate your hospitality, though.” Bilbo answered.

“Of course, of course. Have a nice rest of your day, then.”She said.

“You as well, you as well.” Bilbo said.

“Bye Sam.” Frodo said and Sam waved to him.

“Good day Mister Frodo.”

They left the smial.

“Very good job Frodo! I’m proud of you.” He told his nephew.
They then headed to the market to get some sweet apple tarts for Frodo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The days passed quickly and Frodo had been very swell. Bilbo could tell the boy was putting in effort to be more cooperative with him and even be nicer to the other fauntlings. He’d frequently send him off for chores around and Frodo often went above and beyond. When old Hamfast Gamgee was taking a break for his birthday Frodo trimmed Bilbo’s petunias without even being asked to. As the days drew colder and the chirping of crickets lessened, Bilbo found himself able to relax more often, his heart knowing that Frodo would get tasks done correctly the first time, rather than having to worry about. One drewrey afternoon, Bilbo was baking cookies for the upcoming Winter Fest.

“Ah, Frodo, lad.” He said, calling Frodo into the room.

Frodo walked in with a pleasant smile on his face and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

“Yes, Uncle Bilbo?” He asked

Frodo turned to look at him, “Are you cold?” He asked

“Yes. It’s almost winter, I don’t even want to go outside in the garden anymore.”

“Ah, well. Sorry lad, I was just going to ask you if you’d go to the market and pick up some of Marcho’s sanding sugar. I Forgot to ask you to get some last time.”

Frodo frowned. “Do I have to?”

Bilbo titled his head slightly. “Oh now come on, Frodo. You don’t want to because of the cold?”

Frodo nodded and pulled the blanket further around his shoulders.

“Well just so you know. It’s barely even cold yet. It gets this cold here every year, I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to it.”

Frodo frowned even more.

“Oh now don’t give me that look. I’ll tell you what. You can borrow my thickest fur cloak. I got it on my adventures, you know.”

Frodo looked intrigued at that notion and Bilbo went to retrieve it. He returned in a moment and Frodo laid his blanket on the back of a chair.

“I guess that looks pretty warm,” He said.

Bilbo could almost sense disappointment in his tone. “You know what, we can both go to the market.”

“Oh no Bilbo! You mustn't, I can go myself!” Frodo said quickly.

“Nonsense Boy! I’m coming with you. It will be nice for me to get out of the house” He nodded out right and smiled.

Frodo seemed miserable the whole walk there, but Bilbo pretended to not notice. They finally arrived and when Marcho saw them, his expression got distasteful.

“Well there the little cretin is!” Marcho said loudly. “Back again so soon?”

“Whatever are you saying that for?!” Bilbo asked, shocked at Marcho’s remark.

“That one right there,” Marcho pointed to Frodo, “Has been stealing from me!”

“What!” Bilbo said, looking at Frodo who was hiding in his cloak.

“He has been for a while! And I’ve always known it was him, but I couldn’t catch him! Stealing my baked goods! Three days ago I finally caught him stealing one of my syrup cakes! The damned thief got away with it, too.”

“Well by goodness, Marcho, I had no idea. I’m incredibly sorry. How much do I owe you?” Bilbo asked.

“AH, I can’t say. Maybe about 30 copper coins?”

“FRODO BAGGINS!” Bilbo said loudly to him, then quieting down when people turned and looked he said, “I can’t believe you. You’re in a lot of trouble.”

He paid what Marcho said and then paid for the sprinkles he needed, apologizing several times for Frodo, who became unresponsive.

Bilbo said nothing to Frodo the whole way back to Bag End. He was practically fuming. Why was Frodo so terrible? He couldn’t wrap his head around why he would want to steal. Bilbo had plenty of gold and silver coins. Enough for Frodo to not work a day in his life. It was important that he did however, and Bilbo didn’t understand why Frodo would want to be so dreadful. Surely now this wasn’t about anything that Bilbo was doing. He thought that Frodo was okay after they talked it out, but apparently he’d been the thief around hobbiton all along!

He shook his head. ‘How terrible.’ He thought to himself. How many times would he have to apologize for Frodo?

They arrived at Bag End and Frodo walked in the door, dropped the cloak around his shoulders and ran to his room.

“FRODO-!” Bilbo shouted

But by the time he got to Frodo’s room door it was already shut and locked.

“FRODO! You know I have a key to this door! If you make me go and get it I will not be happy.”

“YOU ALREADY AREN’T HAPPY!” Frodo yelled through the door.

“Don’t yell at me, boy!” Bilbo raised his voice, “Get out here this instant! I don’t intend to have a screaming match with you.”

There was no response from the door, instead there was a loud Crash!

“What have you done?!” Bilbo shouted.

He began to tap his hand on his leg impatiently.

“Do you want me to count, Frodo?” He asked.

There was still no answer.

“1..” Bilbo paused, “2…” He waited a bit longer again, hopeful Frodo would come out himself.

He didn’t.

“You leave me no choice Frodo.” He told the door.

He walked quickly to his study and grabbed the key to the door. Hurriedly, he shuffled back over to Frodo’s room and put the key swiftly in the lock.

Click!

He opened the room door to see it empty. With Frodo’s things strewn about, his blanket not on his bed and An old vase Bilbo got from one of the dwarves was in pieces. Bilbo’s heart leapt. Why couldn’t he see him?! Did Frodo somehow get the ring?! But Bilbo had it! He quickly checked his coat pocket, and felt the small piece still there. Relief flushed over him and he shook his head.

Frodo was in the closet.

He walked over to the closet door and knocked on it. “Frodo?” He said.

“Go Away!” He heard faintly from inside the closest.

“I won’t be putting up with that.” Bilbo said simply.

He sighed and opened the closest door. Inside he saw Frodo huddled in his thick blanket. Bilbo could barely see his face, but what he could see was wet with tears.

“You know, Frodo.” He said, sitting down in front of him. “It’s a good thing you’re so distraught by this, it shows you care. That your heart is where it should be.”

Frodo sniffed and hid himself in the blanket more.

“I’m not going to ask you why, because though I don’t understand even a little why you’d do such a thing after we had already talked about it and you blatantly lied to me, but I am going to ask you something.” Bilbo told him.

“W-what?” Frodo said sheepishly.

“Is it anything that I’m doing? Do you intend to cost me money and dignity?” He asked his young nephew.

“No….” Frodo said.

Bilbo sighed and stood up. “Good. Come along then, lad, let’s get you fixed up. I have something for you.”

He took Frodo’s hands and helped him up. He then put Frodo’s blanket on the bed and took one sad look in the direction of the vase and walked out of the room with Frodo.

Frodo saw him looking and Bilbo said, “That was a very mean thing to do to me, but I understand your emotions well enough.”

He led him to the settee and Frodo sat down while Bilbo fetched him something to eat.

“Here, lad,” Bilbo said, handing Frodo a scone.

Frodo took it gratefully. “Thank you Uncle.” He said.

“Yes yes, you’re welcome.” Bilbo said. “I’ve got an important story to tell you. One of me, when I was a lad.”

Frodo raised his eyebrows, interested.

“I may have been around your age. I wasn’t nearly as troublesome as you, but I had my days. Why! I remember one time I insisted I needed to go to a party hosted by my friend at the time, Togo Boffin. He died about twenty years ago- but that’s beside the point. I begged my mother to let me go but she told me I was far too ‘impressionable’ she told me I would get addicted to ‘kill drugs’ and die much too early. I don’t think she really thought that, she just wanted to scare me into not going.” He explained.

Frodo looked at him with interest, so he continued.

“Anyway, I desperately wanted to go to the party so I asked my father. Well, do you think he let me go?”

Frodo shook his head, “No.” he smiled.

“Of course not! He more than didn’t let me go, he yelled at me. He said, ‘Bil! Wha’do you think you’ trying to pull askin’ me!’” Bilbo imitated his father, “‘Do you think me a fool?!’ Boy did I regret that!” Bilbo laughed a bit. “Still, I desperately wanted to go to that party.”

“Did you end up going?” Frodo asked.

“Wait, I’ll get to it.” Bilbo paused, “I struck and idea Id read in a book. I’d pretend I was going to bed cause’ of how disappointed I was, and then put my pillows in my place as if I was sleeping!” He told Frodo, “The problem was that It was raining! And my coat was in the hall, so I couldn’t go and get it. Boy, I ran through that rain like hell! Got soaked right and through when I showed up, good old Togo laughed his head off. I told him to keep it a secret and I believe he would have.” Bilbo paused to take a bite of the scone when Frodo offered.

“Thanks lad, anyway, when I got home it was almost morning, and I went to my window, relieved I was getting away with the whole ordeal, when I went to open my window, guess what? It was locked!”

Frodo gasped, “They caught you? And locked you out?”

“Damn right they caught me, I was too afraid to knock on the door and stayed out until the mid morning. My mother was ticked! She gave me a smack and I only got one meal that day! Boy was I flushed!”

“Wow! That’s awful!” Frodo said.

“Awful? I certainly deserved a punishment. My father told me if that were him he’d be disowned. I also think that was a lie to scare me, however.” Bilbo smiled then added,
“I almost forgot! On top of it, I got sick from the rain not long after! My mother told me that was just another punishment.”

“Gee, did you often get into trouble like that?”

“Not often, My parents certainly weren’t expecting it! Which is why they were even more upset. When Togo found out about the trouble I got in he laughed and laughed. I felt like he always had a reason to laugh at me. Rightful, though.”

“Did you regret going to the party?” Frodo asked

“Yeah, I regretted it badly. I never did anything like that again. Which pays to my next question, why are you so keen on getting yourself into trouble?” Bilbo asked him.

Frodo shrugged and started frowning. “ I don’t know. There must be something wrong with me.”

Bilbo shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Frodo. Wrong things have happened to you and you’re having a hard time coping with them.”

“But why! I don’t feel that bad about my parents. Sometimes I feel like I don’t feel anything.” Frodo said.

“Well if you care so little, why’d you hit Lotho?”

Frodo was silent for a second. “I dunno..I’m just tired of feeling like I don’t fit in anywhere since my parents died.”

“Ahh, I understand. This isn’t really the same, but when I got back from my adventure, all those years ago, it took me a while to get back into the swing of things. I felt like I just didn’t fit here anymore. Some of the friends I made died on that journey, and I never imagined it would have such an impact on me. However I'll never regret that experience, and I love being back home at the shire.”
“Do you think I’ll ever get to go on such an adventure?” Frodo asked Bilbo, eyes wide with childish curiosity.

“Hmm, maybe Frodo, but only if you quit this bad kid act.”

“Bad kid act?!” Frodo smiled, “Okay, I promise, Bilbo, I will try really hard. I won’t steal anymore. I felt bad about it, anyway.”

“Well, I’m glad you did, but I always knew it was you.”

“Really! Merry even lied about it for me!” Frodo told him.

“No! Not Meriadoc! Really?!” Bilbo said, surprised.

“Yes. He lied for me.”

Bilbo shook his head. “I won’t tell his parents, but that’s very disappointing. I’m glad you at least have a nice friend looking out for you.”

“Sam, too! Though, I don’t know if Sam would lie for me. He’s a bit of a coward.”

“Ah, well keep your friends around, lad.” Bilbo said.
He began to space out for a bit, thinking of his old friends. After a bit of peaceful silence Bilbo got up to get the smoldering fire burning bright again. Frodo thanked him and there was more silence as the fire crackled. Then, Frodo said,

“Uncle, can I ask you a question about your adventure?”

“I can’t promise a good answer, but go.”

“Does your adventure have anything to do with how young you look?” Frodo asked him.

Bilbo laughed at the bluntness of his statement. “Ah well-”

“Like was it some kind of Dwarf ale that makes you not age?” Frodo interrupted.

“Well, I actually do age, just.. Very very slowly since my adventures.”

“..Why?” Frodo asked.

Bilbo hesitated, then said, “Frodo, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I don’t know.”

Frodo raised his eyebrows. “You don’t know?”

“Yes, I know that my adventure is linked with the rate of my aging, but I don’t exactly know why. The wizard, Gandalf never said anything about aging being affected before or after the events and I’ve never read it anywhere. I suspect I may have gotten some kind of luck.”

“Luck!” Frodo gasped, “That’s amazing!”

Bilbo ruffled his nephew’s hair. “Amazing as it is, I feel older and older every day, and I’m surprised I haven’t gained hundreds of grey hairs from you under my roof.”

Frodo sighed, “I’m a ‘troubled soul’.” He said.

Bilbo laughed. “A what!”

“Bell Gamgee says so.” Frodo shrugged.

“Heh, well okay, lad. Let’s start preparing supper, eh?”

“Yes, Uncle.” Frodo stood up and walked to the kitchen.

Bilbo followed

“And Frodo?” Bilbo started,

“Yes..?” Frodo peeped out at him.

“You’re not going to fetch things from the market for me anymore.”

Frodo flushed and nodded.