✓ | Forget-Me-Not ~ Fili FanFiction / Hobbit FanFiction / Fili FF

「 Chapter 2 」

The Hobbit took another deep drag on his pipe with relish.

Old Toby. The best pipe-weed in the whole southern district.

He sat on the orange cushion of his bench in his front yard and let his gaze wander over his cozy home.

The Shire.

There really was no more peaceful place in this world.

Bilbo had to grin widely. The sun was shining, it was warm and a mild breeze was blowing.

The market was already open and Bilbo was planning on getting something for his dinner tonight from there later.

A couple of children could be heard playing in the neighboring front yard. A perfect day for righteous people like Bilbo.

Satisfied, he closed his eyes. Nothing could tarnish that day.

Well, maybe the cloud that was just pulling in front of the sun in that moment.

Bilbo waited for it to move on and for the warming rays of the sun to fall on his face again. Expected did not happen.

It had to be a pretty big cloud.

Bilbo frowned and quickly opened his eyes.

The cloud that stole the sunlight turned out to be a tall man, dressed entirely in gray, with a long beard and a pointed hat. Leaning on his coiled wooden staff, he looked down at Bilbo.

They both said nothing for a moment.

The situation was already more than uncomfortable for Bilbo. He shifted restlessly on his little bench and chewed on his pipe.

"Good Morning.", he said curtly.

"What do you mean?", the old man replied immediately, "Do you wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning, whether I want it or not?"

Before Bilbo could answer, the bearded man was already talking again.

"Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning?"

Bilbo looked around, puzzled.

"Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on? Hm?"

An uncomprehending look was the only thing the gray gentleman got in return.

"All of them... at once, I suppose.", the Hobbit stuttered.

Bilbo's discomfort increased and he hoped he could get rid of the stranger as soon as possible.

"Can I help you?", he asked quickly.

Bilbo could not fail to notice the expression with which the old man looked at him, over and over again.

"That remains to be seen.", the pointed-hat then said, "I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."

Did Bilbo get that right? Was... was this strange gentleman just trying to convince him to just go into the unknown? He shook his head in shock.

"An adventure?", he asked confused and cleared his throat briefly, "No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree," Bilbo gestured with his pipe to his left, "would have much interest in adventures."

The little Hobbit got up quickly and took a few steps to his mailbox. He opened it, took out some letters, which he sorted while he continued talking.

"Nase, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner.", he gave a short laugh and then, with some exaggerated interest, dedicated himself looking through the letters again.