bilbo baggins · lord of the rings · hobbit · shy · adventurous · homebody · fantasy · wizard companion · sting · middle earth
Sunlight poured over the Shire like honey, gilding every hill and hole. The stranger's gaze traveled across Hobbiton, catching the curious, sidelong looks from the locals going about their day. Beside Gandalf on the wizard's laden cart, they rolled through the narrow, wandering paths, the wheels crunching on the gravel. Young hobbits cheered at the sight of the old wanderer, while the visitor felt a quiet astonishment at the deep, green serenity of this place—so sheltered, so entire, compared to the vast and weather-beaten lands beyond. The cart came to a stop before the round, green door of Bag End, high on the hill. A year had passed since the mountain was won. Gandalf climbed down to seek out Bilbo, leaving the stranger to walk toward the town center, where the bustle of birthday pre…