The Hobbit - Imagines & Short Fics

Bilbo

It was another quiet, idyllic evening in Hobbiton. You were in one of your best dresses, seated in front of your smial with your childhood friend Bilbo, while faint chatter and occasional laughter from your sisters could be heard from behind closed doors right behind the both of you. The sky has turned into a lovely shade of purple, reflected on the calm waters on the edge of the town. Sometimes you could hear the chirps of birds and insects, and the quiet rustle of leaves from the oak tree a few smials from where you were.

"People thought you were already dead, you know," you started speaking, with your gaze straight ahead at the sky slowly turning into a darker shade of purple and red.

"And how about you?" Bilbo asked. He was calmly handling his pipe, just like it was another one of his quiet evenings smoking pipeweed, but she knew he was slightly more fidgety than usual.

"I'll never forgive you for not taking me with you," you sighed. "I thought you knew who's the more adventurous from us two."

He took his pipeweed away to laugh a little. "You've climbed more trees than I did and have always run faster than me when we were kids. We all know who has the strongest Took blood."

"But it's not about that." He stopped for a while to inhale and blow more smoke rings, trying to impress you. But you wouldn't budge.

"Tell me," you said, turning to face him. He has finally caught your interest, again.

"Y/N, you have two sisters, one who is still a little fauntling, to take care of. You have a mother who will worry herself to death if you leave on a whim like that. I... I have no one. I don't have a family who will miss me if I'm gone or people who still depended on me." He paused for a while, frowning, "That sounded sadder than I imagined, but that's the truth. My point is, you'll hurt people if you leave, and you have a responsibility to take care of."

Your grip on the hem of your apron grows tighter. "And you think you don't have anyone at home that'll worry about you?" He was surprised by your reply, and by how hurt you looked over what he said.

"Y/N, I---"

"No goodbyes, Bilbo, you said no goodbyes to me at all."

"But I had to hurry---"

"You left for one year. One whole year, without letters, or anything you left at home indicating where you went. The only words we know you said were "I'm going on an adventure", and you could be going to anywhere, Bilbo. Anywhere. You could be marching right into danger for all we know." You paused for a little while, catching your breath. "You know, I wasn't worried yet for the first three months. You've always raved on about how you really wanted to see the elves, and I had thought that you went to Rivendell or something, and stayed there for a couple of months. I was bitter that you didn't ask me to come with you, sure, but I know that you'd have a story or two to tell when you get home. But then four months passed, then five, then six; I was starting to get restless by then. I mean, if you were about to move in and live with the elves you wouldn't be in such a hurry, would you? At least you'd do something with Bag End first. Then talks circulated that you'll never return home, saying that you're dead or the like, then they started to auction off your items, starting with your furniture, then the smaller items, down to the trinkets. I couldn't do a thing about it because everyone believed that you're dead already, and even if I don't believe that what position do I have to prove that you're still alive? I don't even know where you went."

"Y/N." Something was different in the way he said your name, and it made you stop talking.

"I've honestly thought of going back during the journey. Not because I miss home, but... I don't know if I made the right decision leaving you behind. I know it'd rain hell on me when I get home. But as things progressively get worse I know I did right. I wouldn't want to put you in danger."

"You're right about that. I probably won't have the guts to face dragons," you replied, laughing, "But it still doesn't excuse why you left without saying anything."

"Well, about that..." he scratched his head, frowning, "I simply didn't have the time. You know I would drop by and ask you to come with me if I did, but I didn't. I only had one night and a few hours to decide whether I'd like to come along in the quest or not, and since I woke up late, only a few minutes to run and join them."

"That's an awfully short time," you replied, frowning along, "And you made it?"

"Yes, I did," he said, beaming proudly.

"For the first time you weren't such a bad runner," you chuckled. "Remember when we used to race to the party tree and see who would get there faster?"

He laughed. "Yes, I always lost, don't need to remind me of that."

"And yet Gandalf chose you instead of me," you shook your head. "I'll never understand that. He probably thought you need to go outside more often."

For a while there wasn't any more conversation between the two of you, only the soft rustle of leaves and the sound of insects chirping that has gone slightly louder. But there were no more tension, only companionable silence.

"So, Y/N," Bilbo finally broke the silence, "I'm glad things were alright and everything stayed the same when I got home."

"Well, yes, with most of your items already auctioned off," you snorted. "Where would you be now if I weren't there to help you?"

He seemed to turn a deaf ear at what you were saying. "You know, I thought you'd be married off when I got back home. I mean, you're only 3 years younger than me now. Most of your friends are already married, now, some even with kids already."

"Are you trying to make fun of me? Look who's talking. I haven't seen you courting anyone either," you retorted.

"Well, I was about to, if I haven't been suddenly whisked off on an adventure for a year."

"Oh, really?" You smiled playfully at him, but inside it made you feel a little empty. You've had a crush on him since years ago, but it wasn't something you'll ever admit to anyone. Not even your closest friends know about how you truly felt for him. "Must be a beauty, the girl, for turning the tide so quickly."

"Not so quickly," he replied. "It's been years. I just haven't had the courage to tell her. Especially because when I do now, the girl instead accused me of making fun of her."

You sat still, everything froze still, except for your heart pounding loudly against your chest. "Bilbo, you..."

He quickly got an item from his pocket, a silver bracelet shining under the gentle light of the moon. "Y/N, if I would have the permission, to... to put this on your wrist... as a promise. You know how bad I am fashioning things out of flowers, so I hope this bracelet from Rivendell will suffice. Marry me, Y/N. Spring will be here soon. We'll get married under the Party Tree, the same spot we used to always play as kids."

You couldn't find the words to reply to him, but your eyes quickly welled with tears and your lips curved into the widest smile you could ever remember. Without further thought, you threw yourself into his arms, whispering your reply.

"Yes, Bilbo, you have my permission; and I gladly will."