The Black Istari (IN PROGRESS)

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Percy and Bilbo could only watch as chaos descended onto Bag End in the form of eight dwarves and a wizard arriving. They haven't had the chance to confront the gray wizard yet but Percy knew she would before the night was over.

Bilbo was frantically trying to salvage as many items as he could, snatching back dollies, his prize tomatoes, anything and putting it beside Percy whom none of the dwarves went near. Gandalf had locked eyes with Percy when he first entered and had been keeping an eye on her since. He sensed something different from the woman but he couldn't tell what it was.

Their little merriment paused when there was a knock at the door, silence descended on Bag End. Bilbo moved forward and answered the door to see two fauntlings at the door. Both were sniffling, clothes dirty and torn a bit.

"Mister Bilbo!" One of them sniffled out. Bilbo took a moment to recognize who they were. Merdoc and Taron Took.

"Merdoc, Taron, what on Eru are you two doing out this late?" Bilbo demanded as he ushered them inside from the faintly chill weather.

"W-We were playing with some of our friends and started heading back home before sunset but we got turned around. Taron remembered where your house was and led the way here." Merdoc explained, it was clear to all that both were exhausted. It was a couple hours past sunset now so they had been stumbling around for hours now.

"Where's Miss Percy?" Taron demanded. Percy couldn't help a smile from forming as she moved through the crowd of dwarves and knelt down. Neither faunts noticed as they kept their eyes on Bilbo.

"I'm right here, little ones." She said gently. Both faunts gasped and darted around Bilbo and into her arms. Percy easily rose back to her feet with the little ones tucked safely in her arms. "I'm going to take them home, Bilbo. I'll be back soon, okay?"

"Yes, yes, please do. The little ones have had an ordeal!" He ushered the three out and Percy disappeared into the rolling hills of the Shire, the two faunts already half asleep.

"Does that happen often?" Dori asked, Nori rolling his eyes subtly at his mothering.

"Hmm? Oh, faunts getting lost? Rarely, maybe once a year."

"And what about asking for the lady?" Ori asked. "I would've thought they wanted you."

Bilbo immediately began shaking his head. "Nope, the little ones stick to Percy like glue. The parents know that they can drop them off with her and they will return to them safe, tired, and fed."

"Who is she?" Bofur asked.

"She's a dear friend to all Hobbits," Bilbo said, not liking how the dwarves were asking questions about his friend when they were avoiding her all evening. Poor manners, they have indeed.

The previously paused activities started once more, the last line: "That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" Laughter echoed but stopped once more as a loud knock echoed throughout Bag End.

"He's here."

>linebreak<

"Thank you again for bringing them home, Miss Percy," Doyle Took said as he followed her out of his home. In Percy's arms was a basket of goodies given to her by Doyle and his wife Donna for bringing the little faunts home.

"It wasn't a problem. I'm happy they were able to find Bag End to take them home. They are young still. I will see them later this week, okay?"

"I will make sure of it. Thank you again. No appreciation can be shown for how grateful we feel towards you."