Chapter Text
Bilbo Baggins sat at the breakfast table trying to finish first breakfast as quickly as possible. Today was a very important day, one for which he had been waiting his whole life. He had woken up at the crack of dawn full of energy and anticipation. He had gone for a long walk to release some of it since he wanted to be as presentable as possible. He had even taken the most thorough bath in his life. His father had set asside his paper in astonishment as he watched his only child eat.
"Slow down, Boy! The food will not disappear!" He exclaimed as continued reading once more.
"Bungo Baggins! You know very well what has him so excited!" His mother replied. "It is our precious boy's special day! Isn't it, little one?"She started pinching his left cheek. He quickly batted it away as he blushed furiously. He was glad they were safe inside their hole. It was so embarrassing when she did that in public.
"Motheer! Stop it! I'm no longer a child!" He yelled in mortification.
"You will always be mommy's little boy!" She proceeded to smother him with hugs and kisses.
"Donna, dear. Let Bilbo finish his breakfast. You not want him to be late to meeting with the fairies. After all these years, I still cannot believe those creatures exist."
While everyone in Shire knew that all Tooks had fairy blood and used this fact to explain their bizarre behaviour. Some like the Bagginses, believed that fairies were myth and the Tooks were simply mad. Nobody apart from the Tooks and those who marry into the line knew the truth. Not only did the fairies exist, all those born into the line got to meet the Elder of their kin during their Tweens. The Elder read their future and leave a mark on their skin that would lead them to their soulmate. The one person that was meant solely for them. The mark was usually a name or an image tattooed somewhere on the body. Just like the time they were called to their kin, it was different for each person. All his cousins had already had their meeting and most of them had already found their soulmate. One of his older cousins, Sigismond Took, was now engaged to her. He was the only one left.
The first time his mother had told him the story as a little boy, he had been thoroughly enchanted by the prospect of the mere existence of such a person. He wanted the love that his parents shared. Most people did not understand how the respectable Bungo Baggins ended up tied to a Took of all things but he knew that his dad loved everything about his mother even her Tookish ways. That was exactly what he dreamed of. Someone who would love him for all his qualities and his faults.
"Well then dear, should I request that one of my fairy kin pay you a visit again?" His mother said sweetly.
He saw his father's face pale until it was white as sheets.
"Nno, dear... Of course not. There is no need for that."
"I thought that our Fairy kin only showed themselves to the Tooks." Bilbo commented feeling quite curious. It was the first time he had heard of that.
"Oh they do, little one. But when a soulmate is being particularly difficult, they send someone to help smooth the process." She replied. "Your father was the most stubborn soulmate they had every encountered. More stubborn than they had anticipated."
"But they read your future. Wouldn't they know?"
"Oh no, Dear One. They only look to see who it is, not their personality. Once they place the mark, they don't give any more information regarding the soulmate."
"What if the mark isn't enough to find her/him?"
"Our fairy kin are not so cruel. They would never dangle the promise of true happiness if they were going to snatch it away. Don't worry, my sweet child. All you will need to find your soulmate will be in the mark that they give you."
She kissed his forehead and hugged close to reassure him. Bilbo hugged her back and as he basked in her warmth his worries faded away.
"Dear, I hate to interrupt but if Bilbo does leave soon he will be late for his appointment." Bungo said as he read the papers.
Bilbo quickly pulled away from his mother to look at his pocket watch. He gasped at what saw and took off for the front door while yelling his goodbyes over his shoulder. As soon as he was outside, he took off in the direction of the Tuckborough. He ran taking shortcuts through other people's gardens and nearly running into several indignant hobbits.
When he finally reached Tuckborough, he was panting heavily and was in need of a large jug of water to sate his thirst. It was tradition that an elder Took take him to the grove where the connection between the Fairy realm and middle earth existed. The grove was located in the woods near Tookland where the Tuckborough was located. One of the main reasons for the scepticism in regards to their existence was that outside of their realm, fairies were little blobs of light that could quite easily mistaken for fireflies. According to his mother's tales, within their dimension, their kin where actually about the size of a Hobbit if not more slender and delicate. He had seen several of her sketches and they quite looked like little elves.
"There you are Bilbo Baggins! I quite thought that you would be late!" Said Isengram Took as he gave a whizzing laugh. "I dare say you would be the first in history to make the Fairy Elder wait and I thought that the Bagginses prided themselves on always being on time."
"Well, I am a Took as well you know!" Bilbo said as he puffed up with pride.
"Don't you ever forget it!" Replied Isengram. "Well then come along. Best be on our way."
Bilbo followed the old Hobbit matching his slow pace as they headed for the glades that lead to a small forest. The elder droned on about his encounter with the fairies to which Bilbo only half listened. He was too busy trying to calm his pounding heart. His whole body was brimming with excitement, he could feel it down to his toes. All too soon, they reached the grove as the old man stopped and turned to Bilbo so suddenly that he nearly did not stop in time to prevent himself from running into him.
"Well m'boy. Here it is. I will wait for you here. Once you're done, you'll be taken back to Tuckborough where you're parents will be waiting for you. I wish the best of luck."
"Yes, of course. Thank you very much" Bilbo replied as he bowed with respect to the elder.
He looked around for the first time and found that there was pond in the middle. Creeping closer, he realized that there were blobs of light floating over it. They were dancing around each other in a multitude of colors. As got closer, one of them zipped right to his face. A light green light illuminated his face as he realized that within the ball of light there was the outline of a winged figure. He heard bell-like laughter through his head as they beckoned him to the pond.
Come forward! Join us, Little Took! Their voices rang through his head as they laughed merrily.
Mesmerized he step forward into the water without hesitation as he followed the lights. Soon the water reached his waste and the fairies surrounded him as they illuminated his whole body in a blinding light.
One his vision cleared he realized that he was no longer in the grove. He was standing in a throne room before the most heavenly creature he had ever beheld. His breath caught in his throat as he gaped in astonishment at the delicate wings that were behind the taller male. They were a mirage of blues, violets and greens; their color shifting endlessly as if they were in constant movement. He shifted his gaze back to the face before him. It had an almost silvery glow to it. A pair of glowing grey eyes regarded him in amusement. Bilbo blushed when he realized that he had been staring for quite a while.
"Sorry for my rudeness." Bilbo stuttered as he bowed low. "I am Bilbo Baggins, son Belladonna Took and Bungo Baggins. I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance."
Laughter rang through the room as the majestic figure exclaimed:
"Come, come! Relax, little one! There is no need to be so stiff for we are kin!" He felt an arm go around his shoulder as a crystal goblet was presented to him. "Drink up. It will help relax you."
With trembling hand, he thanked the taller being as he took the cup. The liquid was clear but had a strange sheen to it. He did not want to seem rude so he took a small hesitant sip. Groaning in pleasure at the taste, he continued to drink until there was no more left. It was better than anything he had ever tasted.
"May I ask what it is, sir? I have never tasted anything like." He said shyly. He wished to ask for more but he did not know if his request would be met with an acceptance.
"Call me Oren. You would never find anything like because it is water saturated with Fairy Dust. It is required so that I can read you."
"Why is it a requirement?" Bilbo asked as he was lead to the most confortable cushion he had ever felt. He felt the Fairy settle nearby and wiggled closer to the warm presence.
"Well, how do I put this… It helps make your bodies more receptive to our magic and in turn makes it easier to read your future as well as gift you with the symbol to find the mate of your soul."
"Oh, ok!" Bilbo said as a bubbly feeling settled in his chest. "So, Oren. When will I meet the Elder of the Fairies?"
"Let's say that you have already met him." Oren said as he took Bilbo's face between his hands.
"What? When? I don't remember…" The tweens' eyes widened in realization as he gaped at the beautiful being. "You mean, you're…"
"Yes, I am Oren the Elder of the Fairy Kingdom."
"B-But you look so young!" Bilbo protested before he could stop himself. Thankfully, the Elder was not offended for he just laughed.
"We do not age as you do! I am far older that I look since we do not age." Oren replied his eyes dancing with mirth.
To Bilbo's mortification, he burst into a fit of giggles and found that he could not stop. The Elders face was beginning to blur. He felt very drunk as leaned against the Elder breathlessly.
"It seems that you are ready for us to begin."
He looked at the Fey creature in confusion until he realized that the hall was now filled. When did… He started to think before it interrupted by the strange floating feeling. Giggles escaped him as he realized that he was floating and glowing. He looked at his skin as he chortled. Warmth enveloped him like a warm blanket and soon he knew no more but the faint sound of murmur and the feel of soft hands caressing him.
End of Chapter 1