Chapter Text
Billa turned thirty three in the golden month of September. Her parents threw her a great party. It was a special year, after all, for at the age of thirty three, Hobbits became adults. Billa had been introduced into Hobbit society on her thirtieth birthday, as was custom, giving her a chance to meet and socialize with many handsome Hobbit men. She had enjoyed those three years, but never did she meet anyone who stirred her heart to make her want to consider marriage.
But on the day of her party, something happened that no one was expecting, least of all Billa. A pair of dwarves arrived in Hobbiton. They were passing through on their way back to the Blue Mountains, but they were weary and needed a place to rest and some food to eat. Billa met them in the market place as they were trying to bargain for some meat pies. The merchant was trying to over price them and they knew it. One did not try and over charge dwarves, but unfortunately, when it came to food, no one could out bargain a hobbit, except for a hobbit.
“I’ll not pay so much!” one of the dwarves nearly shouted.
“Sorry, sir, but that’s the price,” the hobbit merchant said, cowering down just slightly at the upset dwarf in front of him. “And if you use that axe on me, everyone will know it was you.”
The dwarf backed away. “I’d not use my axe against a gentle creature such as yourself.”
Billa hated to see the two being treated in such a way. She went up to them. “Come on now, Mungo,” she said, “I’ll pay you the normal price. Your meat pies are good, but they aren’t that good.”
“We won’t be taking any charity from anyone,” the second dwarf grumbled.
“It’s not charity. It’s my birthday,” Billa smiled. “And in hobbit tradition, we give gifts on our birthdays rather than receive them. This is my birthday gift to you.”
“That’s awfully kind of you miss,” the first one said. “But you don’t know us and owe us no gift.”
“Please let me,” she said, really looking at the two dwarves for the first time. One was taller than the other, although they were both taller than her. The one closest to her looked quite a bit younger than the other. His hair was a deep, rich brown that reminded her of fertile soil in the spring. His beard was thick and came to his shoulders. His eyes were green, like the leaves on the oak trees in the summer time. Billa’s breath was taken away. She had never thought a dwarf could be so handsome, but this one was. She looked to the other one, who had more lines around his face and seemed to be missing a finger on his left hand. His beard and hair had streaks of silver in it. His brown eyes looked angry, but Billa also found him to be quite handsome. She looked back to Mungo, who was sneering at her. “Or, I suppose, I can lead you to another merchant for better pies at a better price. My second cousin twice removed has a stall over there,” she pointed, “and his are much better.”
“Alright, Billa, alright,” Mungo conceded. “Here, two meat pies and half price for you, since it is your birthday. If you want to spend your money on two dirty dwarves, be my guest.”
Billa bristled. “No thank you, Mungo. Come,” she said, taking the closest one by the sleeve. “Cousin Hyacinth’s right over here.” She pulled them away. “I do apologize about Mungo. He’s not nice to most hobbits either.”
“You don’t have to do this miss,” the dwarf said again.
“It’s my birthday and I’ll do as I wish,” she smiled. “Hello Hyacinth, three of your best meat pies, please.”
“Of course. Happy birthday, Billa” she smiled and then saw the dwarrow behind her cousin. “Oh!” She quickly pulled out three thick pies from under a cloth. “Here you are. Are those dwarves?”
“They are,” Billa smiled, dropping some coins into Hyacinth’s hand. “I’d introduce you, but I’m afraid I don’t know your names.” Billa turned back to the dwarves.
“I’m Kirin,” the younger one bowed. “At your service.”
“Noli, at your service,” the second one bowed.
“It’s lovely to meet you both, Noli, Kirin, this is my cousin, Hyacinth Chubbs.” She handed them their meat pies. “Now, how about we go sit under a tree together and enjoy these pies.”
She turned and started to lead them away. The younger of the two, Kirin, handed his pie to his companion and he went back to Hyacinth. She pointed at another merchant and Kirin approached him. The poor hobbit was so nervous at having a dwarf at his stall, that he made no fuss and gave Kirin what he asked for. Soon, Kirin was walking toward them with three mugs of ale in his hands.
Billa smiled and she led the way, not too far, but far enough they wouldn’t be disturbed by anyone and they found a large, shady tree to sit under. “Here we are,” she said.
Kirin handed her a mug. “I hope you like ale.”
“I do,” she smiled. “There is nothing better to go with a meat pie than an ale.”
“So it’s really your birthday?” the older one asked as he bit hard into the meat pie.
“It is. I’m thirty three now.”
Kirin about choked on his pie. “Thirty three? But that’s hardly more than a baby. You shouldn’t be drinking ale at your age.”
Billa frowned and then laughed. “Oh, obviously, you dwarves reach adulthood at a much later age than us hobbits. Today is my coming of age day. “
“It’s very young,” Noli said.
“It’s not for a hobbit,” she smiled. “How old are dwarves when they reach adult hood?”
“Seventy seven,” Kirin answered.
“Oh, my!” Billa said, setting her pie into her lap. “How different we are.”
“Not too different,” Kirin smiled. “We all agree that pies and ale are a fine meal.”
“You never told us your name, lass,” Noli said. “We’d like to know whose birthday meal we are sharing.”
“Forgive me!” Billa said, horrified by her lack of manners. “You must think so terribly of me. What manners I’m displaying. My name is Billa Baggins, daughter of Bungo.”
“Happy birthday, Billa,” Kirin smiled.
“Will you come to my party tonight?” she asked.
“Ah, lass, that wouldn’t be proper,” the older one said. “We’ve not been invited and I’m not sure we’d be welcomed there.”
“It’s my birthday party and I’m inviting you.”
“That’s very kind of you lass, but we’re only simple dwarves, passing through,” Noli said.
Billa looked into Kirin’s handsome face. “I would truly like for you to come. There is lots of food, music, ale and dancing,” she said hopefully. She was surprised by her own boldness.
“Thank you, we would be honored,” Kirin said, “and if I may ask, will you do me the honor of dancing with me one of your first dances?”
“You can have the first,” Billa blushed.