11 Chapter 10: Bilbo Baggins

[Aldril POV]

"Bilbo Baggins, our beloved protagonist of the Hobbit trilogy. Now I can finally confirm the timeline I am in; my guess was correct and I am at the beginning of the Hobbit plot," Aldril said to himself as he paused to remember a bit of the Hobbit plot.

...

This is the beginning of Bilbo's adventure to reach the lonely mountain.

If I remember correctly, Gandalf traveled to the shire to find Bilbo and ask him to join the team of dwarves led by Thorin Oaken Shield to take back the Lonely Mountain from the dreaded Smaug, and he needs Bilbo so that he can retrieve the Ark Stone, or better known as the Heart of the Mountain.

[Flashback Scene]

Over sixty years ago, the kingdom beneath the mountain was attacked by the dragon Smaug. His attack wiped out the entire kingdom of Erebor and burned the entire city in the valley.

After the fall of Erebor, the Dwarves of Durin had no choice but to flee the lonely mountain and begin to wander to find a place where they could settle.

During this period, Thrór, the king under the mountain, proposed to reclaim the ancestral place of Moria. With his decision made, he led the surviving tribesmen to Moria, but the orcs had already occupied Moria.

This triggered a deadly battle in which many lives were lost, including that of Thrór, who was beheaded by the orc leader Azog the Defiler.

It was in this battle that Thorin earned the name "Oaken Shield", for in the fight against Azog he lost his shield and picked up a piece of oak from the ground to serve as his shield. Because of his bravery in this battle, Thorin Oak Shield was recognized as someone worthy of following by the remaining dwarves of Durin.

When King Thrór died, Thráin succeeded him as king; however, he went mad and disappeared. Because of this, the young prince Thorin was promoted to King under the mountain.

"This is the backstory that happened before the plot of The Hobbit began," shaking his head in order to dispel his thoughts, Aldril hastened his ride a bit to catch up with Gandalf.

"I need to stop doing that, I can't get lost in my thoughts all the time, it can be very dangerous," Aldril said to himself as he caught up with Gandalf.

After a few seconds, they both approached the bench where Bilbo was sitting. Dismounting from his horse, Aldril followed Gandalf and stood silently, as he looked at Bilbo, who was still sitting quietly on the bench with his eyes closed and blowing small smoke rings from his pipe.

Because a tall shadow was blocking out the comfortable sun, Bilbo opened his eyes and saw two strangers, an old man and a young man, standing outside the fence of his house, looking at him.

Bilbo felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by the two people and unconsciously said, "Good morning."

"What's the meaning, are you greeting me, or do you still mean that you feel it's a good morning?", Gandalf replied fluently.

The questions puzzled Bilbo, who put aside his pipe, with some discomfort at the strange man's words.

Thinking of ways to get the strange man to leave him alone, Bilbo thought of the simplest. So he bravely looked the strange man in the eye and said in a friendly manner, "All at once, and it's a fine day to smoke some."

After Bilbo's reply, Gandalf was silent, looking at Bilbo as he raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Watching Gandalf's strange way of approaching little Bilbo, Aldril stepped aside and said nothing as he watched Bilbo's nervous face, which made him chuckle under his breath.

Seeing that the two people were silent, Bilbo looked at them for a few seconds and with a nervous tone asked, "Do you need anything from me?"

Hearing Bilbo's question, Gandalf smiled, "Perhaps you can help me. I am looking for someone who wants to embark on a great adventure," Gandalf said as he leaned on his staff and looked at the little Hobbit.

Bilbo was silent for a few seconds as he muttered, "Adventure." He shook his head repeatedly. Bilbo dissipated from his thoughts and said, "I don't think you are in the right place. Here in Hobbiton we are a simple, quiet people. We are not used to adventures. They are unpleasant and delay mealtimes."

After his words, Bilbo quickly got up from his bench and walked over to his mailbox to collect his mail. As he picked up his mail, his eyes met those of the other man.

Startled slightly by the strange color of the other person's eyes, Bilbo backed away and quickly walked up his stairs and then into his house.

When the door closed, Aldril looked at Gandalf, who was looking at him, and laughingly said, "I think I frightened our dear Hobbit."

"Well, Aldril, you have an intimidating look about you. You scared more than one Hobbit in the tavern," Gandalf said as he shook his head and gave a sigh "I couldn't even introduce myself," muttered.

"I have an intimidating look? But I'm a kind person, does my look really intimidate, big guy?" Aldril asked Shadowstar, who shot him a look as if to say "Not for me"

Ignoring Aldril's interaction with his horse, Gandalf crossed the fence of Bilbo's house and approached the gate.

Then, with his staff, he began to trace a mark on the door. The glow of Gandalf's staff caught the eye of Aldril, who with a knowing smile crossed the fence, approached Gandalf and asked with amusement, "Are you vandalizing the little Hobbit's door? I didn't think you were that sort of person, Gandalf."

Finishing making the mark, Gandalf turned to look at Aldril and with a helpless sigh said, "Just shut up, we have to go."

"Aren't you going to insist on the little one?"

"There's no need. Someone else will persuade him. We'll come back later." With a mysterious smile, Gandalf returned to his horse.

Aldril knew very well what Gandalf was talking about, so he asked no more questions and followed him.

After seeing out of his window that the two people were gone, Bilbo let out a sigh of relief. "What strange people," Bilbo's mood improved and he began to make his breakfast while humming a tune.

[In the evening]

Little Bilbo was quietly preparing his supper. The events that had occurred in the morning had left him a little bewildered, but still putting those thoughts aside, he began to fry a fish until it was cooked through on both sides. Then he added sausage, cheese and a nice glass of fruity wine.

After finishing preparing his dinner, Bilbo sat down and just as he was about to enjoy his dinner, his doorbell (which is a bell) rang.

"Who is coming to visit at this time of night?" he wondered, but after a quick thought, he got up and went to open the door.

Hobbits have always been very hospitable and that also applies to our dear Bilbo. Even the people this morning, if they came at this hour, Bilbo would still welcome them.

"Ding, Ding!"

"Coming!" Bilbo replied and walked quickly to the door, removed the latch and opened the door, looking bewildered at the dwarf standing outside his door.

"Dwalin, at your service," the dwarf bowed chivalrously.

Bilbo was puzzled by the dwarf's attitude and immediately returned the greeting, "Bilbo Baggins at yours." With that said, the little Hobbit's nightmare began.

[Meanwhile.]

Aldril followed Gandalf back to Bilbo's house. Before they approached the house, a helpless cry rang out, "It's my mother's trunk of objects, please don't do that!".

Hearing Bilbo's cry, Aldril looked at Gandalf and said, "Looks like the dwarves have arrived."

"Uh yes, we must hurry."

With a cheerful smile, Aldril quickened his pace, looking forward to his meeting with Thorin and the group of dwarves.

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