Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
There was once a time when the skies were filled with soreing harpies. They happily chirped in the sun and settled together in colder months.
Many of them were honoured for their bravery, loyalty and beauty.
They settled all over middle-earth, from the highest of mountains to the dencest of forests to the broadests of plains with golden wheat hiding them perfectly.
Adaptation was a large part of the species survival, until there lands were invaded by others and they couldnt adapt to other places fast enough.
The mountain Harpies were taken over by greedy and desperate dwarfs getting land and gems, forest Harpies were cast out by elves, claiming the land as there own.
The ones in the plains and hills survived the longest, and they were fine with that, even breeding with another species, called Hobbits, to survive.
They lived happily that way for a long time, until they were asked to fight in war for their unique abilities in battle. They agreed, of course they did, to loyal and kind for their own good sometimes.
After that, they then became a dying species, very few full Harpies lived from the war, but something that has very few left, become very valuable.
With something valuable, there is always some who wants it. To kill something that pure, innocent and kind was seen as the worst crime committed. An act going against their creator themselves. Many tried to stop this massacre. Many elves, who saw the harpies as divine and beautiful creatures.
Lots a men who saw the hunting as unjust.
Some dwarves who belived they brought the sun across the sky and tracked their days for them while they were working hard under the ground.
Lots of Hobbits lended their homes and aid as they weren't much for fighting but did when needed and what they could to help.
Though they hide, flew and ran, there wasn't much they could do against the want of others. Hunted for sport or greed. Displaying their wings like it doesnt belong to something with thoughts and feeling before being shot down.
After that, only the halfling's remained. The hobbit halfling's. The one's that no one but the hobbit's knew about. They had kept this secret for years, about a centry now. Not long compared to some lives.
Hence their suspicion for outsiders, as many halfling's still lived happy lives tucked away in the safety of their homes. Some were dotted around, hiding in plain sight and watching, never to be seen again, but living regardless. Or most in their smials in Hobbiton for that was the furthest from other places and least visited. This was currently the case for one Bilbo Baggins.
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CHAPTER 1
It was a pleasantly warm summers day when Bilbo was sat comfortably on the bench in his garden. His eyes closed against the glare of the sun. He sat breathing it all in and slumped slightly against the bench.
When the slight breeze came rolling over the hill and brushing through his feathers, he found it was a most perfect day to sit out with a pipe in hand.
He was particularly enjoying the taste of some lovely Westman's weed and puffing it back out into fluttering rings. A slight chill shot through him as a shadow crept up on him.
When a whisper of air poofed upon his nose, he knew his peace for the day was done as someone was infront of him. Not that he particularly minded, his neighbours where nice and friendly (with the exception of Lobbilia sackvile-baggins). This one though, he felt was not one his neighbours as that shadow was much larger.
_Well, here goes._
Squinting to open his eyes to see not a Hobbit, nor a man, not even an elf, even though it shouldve been with his vastness. His puzzled expression went on for a moment too long gazing at this, somewhat familiar face, but most likely a trader?
He broke the silence with a polite "Good morning", while trying to take in this person's features in front of him while not being too rude as to stare.
"What do you mean, do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not. Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?", the looming man questioned quite hurriedly, tilting his head slightly.
_Hmm...so maybe not a tradesman but part of a wondering circus? Has to be with that riddle!_ Bilbo thought considerably.
"All of them at once, I suppose?", His confusion evident as he spoke.
"Hmmm", the part of a circus act growled down at him.
_Why was he still here anyways?_
Going off that that thought he looked up in those squinting and frankly judgemental eyes and asked "Can I help you?".
Looking quite unimpressed he aired out the words "That remains to be seen..."
Whatever that meant he didnt have time to think on it, as it was followed up by "I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure"
Looking quite dumbfounded Bilbo just got the words "an adventure?" confusedly out.
Suddenly looking a bit sick he rubbed his trousers and pointed with his pipe, making a firm point of "I dont imagine anyone west of bree, let alone in the shire would be willing for an adventure, thank you".
Shuffling his way over to his mail box while staring the man down he opened it and quickly got his letters out and shifted through them to look busy. "Id say they're quite dangerous and uncomfortable things, make you late for dinner!", He tried at a slight joke to get some reason out of this brute but nothing seemed to budge him from his post at his lawn.
Its not like he could even leave the shire with the very obvious pair of wings on his back anyways.
Continuing his shifting with his pipe hanging from his mouth, he decided he'd had plenty enough sun for the day and went to turn with a final "Good morning". folding his wings up from there relaxed position and making his way up the stairs.
The stranger moved foward while stating "to think I should have lived to be 'Good morninged' by Belladona Took's son - that made bilbo stopped and snap his head back to the stranger, _how did he know his mother?_ -as if I were selling buttons at the door!"
So not a merchant at least.
Being quite taken back at his mothers name being do freely dropped into the conversation all he could manage was a quiped "beg your pardon?"
"You've changed from when I last knew you Bilbo Baggins, and it seems not for the better", the now head hight stranger stated as if read out a fact.
Now Bilbo was extremely currious as to who this person was and why he knew him!
Replying with the question that had been on his mind he asked "Sorry, you mentioned my late mother, do I know you?" Still squinting against the sun.
He moved a wing to slightly cover the sun from blinding him.
"For how long you've know me I thought you remember by now, alas it has been a time since we last met, very well". He mumbled followed by a more audible "I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means...me!"
Thing were starting to look up in Bilbo mind as he got exited at the prospect that this was actually Thee Gandalf.
"Not Gandalf the wondering wizard who made such Excellent fireworks at midsummer's eve with old Took!" If this really was him he may want to invite him for tea!
Not only that, Bilbo remembers hearing Gandalfs name from story about his mother, he had helped her during The Hunt and on her adventures. Her looking more Harpie than human made her a target, so did his Father in trying to help hide her.
Eveb so Old Took was a Long time ago now though, Bilbo had "no idea you were still in business...", placing his hands in his pockets and puffing his wings slightly he was happier already.
"And where else should I be?" The Wizard asked glaring at Bilbo now.
_had he said that out loud?_
How embarrassing for this hobbit to have insulted a person, nay Wizard such as this!
Looking away embarrassed he tried fumbling a response "hmm, well -- I", promptly clearing his throat he stayed silent and puffed his pipe and shifting his wings slightly at the awkwardness of this situation now.
"Well at least that's something you remember about me, that's decided then, itll be very good for you to get out of this smial" he said with no explanation and with a finalisation as if he decided that Bilbo would already go! "And most amusing for me, I shall inform the others" Gandalf added this after thought with a smirk.
What was this Wizard thinking! "Wha-wh-no, others? What? Adventure-no", pointing his pipe he briskly turned around with a straight back, neatly proped wings in place and with what little courage he can get, he stood at the top of the steps and continued "we do not want any adventures here! Thank you, not today, not anyday, I suggest you try someplace east of here, Far east of here, now, Good Morning". Not letting this miscriant get another word in he swift ducked inside his door, careful of his wings, shutting and locking it. His back and wings pressed to it like that Wizard may try barge in.
He did not want to be dealing with any adventures anymore. He has had quite enough in his life and sincerely doesnt need any more!
Stopping and listening to see if that tree of a Wizard had retreated he heard something most unexpected. A sort of scraping or scratching sound against the wood. Peaking out of the side door window quickly to see what that blasted fool was doing to his freshly painted door, he was met with the celidascope face of a Wizard and promptly ducked under the window and hid within his wings.
After just a moment he scampered to another window and saw a retreating long robe and pointy hat. Phew. Now that whatever that was, was done with, he could get on with his day.
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Wanting to be done with interactions for the day Bilbo popped on an open back delicate blue waistcoat, fastened the side buttons, grabbed a small basket, looked over his pristine feathers and left his smial to wonder to the market place.
When he landed a from his glide down the hills he walked up to the market and creeped around with weiry eyes. Getting the usual looks and whispers from the people of Hobbiton about having his wings on display was usual. Not that it was anything bad, he knew they were just admiring, as well as a few other withing hobbiton who wondering with bird features about.
As he searched, he sauntered over the fish stall and picked a rather fine looking one for tonight's dinner. Paying for it, placing it in his basket and turning he was ready to make a brisk exit when his neighbour Hamfast stopped him to feel his Turnips. After answering how they felt very firm he enquired if he's seen a Wizard with a pointy hat.
Just the he spotted a familiar triangle looming over the stalls and went to hide behind the bridge, Hamfast answered that he hadn't seen anyone of a Wizard description. A tower of boxes with a pile of cloth on top emerged from behind a stall carried by 2 hobbits revealing no Wizard.
Sighing in relief he said a quick goodbye to Hamfast before rushing off away from the market so he could fly the short distance to his home and get sorted for that night.
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