Chapter 1: Life In The Shire

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As dawn returned to the Shire once again I was awoken by almost familiar crashing from the kitchen. I threw on my robe and slippers and crept through the house to find out what crashing was although, it didn't take me long before I found Father, Bilbo Baggins, down on his hands and knees picking up pots and pans off the spruce wood flooring. The comforting scent of home on an early morning; the aromas of soft pastries and the aged, rough pages of our favorite books with withering covers.

"You know, for a Hobbit you aren't that quiet." I crossed my arms and leaned against the wooden circle doorframe as a grin crept on my face. Bilbo's hand jumped to clutch his heart, startling him, puffing out an exasperated exhale. "Gosh Juliette you gave me a terrible fight," I bent down to help him pick the final pots off the floor. "I am sorry that I woke you, Juliette, god I'm such a klutz." He apologized, shaking his head, trying to scoop everything into his clumsy arms.

"It's fine, the best way to wake up on my Sunday morning." I smiled. Bilbo offered back an apologetic smile before helping him stand up, his arms full of pans. God knows why we own so many. But before he could balance on his two feet he knocked off the table nearly stumbling back. I tried to reach out to him so he didn't fall but I dropped my hand as well as my face as I flinched. Luckily he was able to stabilise himself and plant his two hobbit feet on the floor.

"I don't think i've ever met someone quite so unfortunate when it comes to balance; here let me take those before you launch them across the kitchen. Aren't we supposed to be fragile creatures, us hobbits?" I carefully took the pots out his hands and gently placed them back where they lived as Father wiped himself down.

"I prove otherwise to that theory," He bitterly chuckled before distaste lingered on his deep wrinkles "We need to take a day to dust every surface of this house, I have dust all over my robe." Bilbo tutted as he wiped off clumps of dust that he has collected whilst on the floor. I brushed off Bilbos repetitive cleaning tasks as I began to make myself a cup of tea and once it was done I took it with me into my room. "Are you going out today, Juliette?" Father called from the pantry. "This is the Shire, there isn't anywhere to go." I call back whilst shutting the door behind me, knocking it sealed shut with my heel.

As much as I love the Shire and living here with Father, I wonder what life is like outside of it. What creatures live beyond the village? What other kins live in middle-earth? Is someone out there just waiting for me to leave those doors? Will I ever get to answer the questions that have been kept in my mind all these years? The answer being sat into my cramped bedroom that confined me in my small world deemed it unlikely.

It was the final day of the week which meant it was market day. The morning always brought me a joy as I can wonder through the Shire whilst sweet and bitter aromas that dance like wind chimes up my nostrils; vintage items with all different stories that come from other ends of the world. The excitement fulfilled me with serenity. I slipped on my beloved floral yellow dress that fell down to my knees, some brown ankle boots, tied my hair is a loose bun and made my way to the front door, however I was stopped in my tracks by paternal eyes drilling me into place.

"I thought 'This is the Shire, there isn't anywhere to go." A grumpy voice spoke from behind me as he mocked my words. My hand was just inches away from the brass door knob before Bilbo stopped me; at this point it is just a routine. I slowly turned around to Father to see his arms crossed and foot lightly tapping against the spruce wooden planks. "When did you get there?" I questioned as I didn't recall passing him as I crept through the tiny hobbit hole.

"We hobbits are fragile creatures. I may be clumsy, but I can go unnoticed when my daughter is trying to leave the house," He thinned his lips and waited a few beats, his brows furrowed in deep wrinkles "Where are you going?"
"The market." I answered. "Only the market?" He interrogated. "Yes." Bilbo held eye-contact with me and thinned his lips more than ever before breaking it.

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