Welcome, Welcome and Thrice Welcome to An Unexpected Guest's sequel!

Many of you probably hate me right now because of the ending of my last Fic, but fret not, this one doesn't end in heartbreak. Maybe. I'm not sure, you know what I'm like.

To the newcomers, you don't necessarily have to read "An Unexpected Guest" to understand this fic, but it would be nice of you to leave some feedback there.

The 22nd day of September in the year 1400 by Shire-reckoning.

Bag End, Bagshot Row, Hobbiton, Westfarthing, the Shire, Middle-Earth.

The third age of this world.

There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale.

By Bilbo Baggins.

Concerning Hobbits.

Hobbits have been living and farming in the four farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years. Quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk. Middle-earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count, Hobbits must seem of little importance being neither renowned as great warriors nor counted among the very wise. In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbit's only real passion is for food.

A rather unfair observation as we have also developed a keen in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipe-weed. But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good, tilled earth. For all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.

And, yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint. But today of all days, it is brought home to me: It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.

And so life in the Shire goes on very as it has this past Age full of its own comings and goings, with change coming slowly. If it comes at all. For things are made to endure in the Shire passing from one generation to the next. There's always been a Baggins living here under the Hill in Bag End. And there always will be.

Ruby sat on a branch on the outskirts of Hobbiton, watching the merry people from the shadows. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. The laughter of children reached her ears, as well as the careless chatting of the Hobbits. She let her eyes wander across the open field, the small town, the market in the middle, the lake on the far edge.

A farmer and his son were working the field and leading their cows that were pulling the plough. Another Hobbit tugged on the end of a rope tied to a hog. The village square was bustling full of Hobbits at work. Other Hobbits were hard at work milking cows and tending to their houses, gardening and raking. They looked quite cheerful and happy. Peaceful and content, some of them even sleeping on the job.

A Hobbit gave the girl he likes flowers and she leaned in for a kiss when he spotted some rolls being carried by and grabbed one, stuffing it in his mouth, temporarily forgetting about his girlfriend. More Hobbits were carrying barrels from the orchards. Another was carrying one on his shoulder with a mug in hand, drinking as much ale as possible. A group of pipe-smokers were sitting around and enjoying each other's company.

From a distance, Ruby recognized Sam, one of Frodo's friends and the Baggins' gardener, planting flowers outside of his home, taking pleasure in that hobby and the beautiful flowers. The Hobbits were also setting up for Bilbo's big party, putting up banners and ribbons and tents.

In a less dense part of the forest, she saw Frodo sitting with his back to a tree, his nose stuck in a book. Probably imagining himself in an adventure. His head snapped up as he heard something. Ruby's eyes shifted slightly and landed on a familiar figure. The one horse carriage was simple and old, but sturdy. The grey Wizard sitting on it was humming and singing quietly to himself as he brought his famous fireworks to the party.

"The road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began

Now far ahead the road has gone

And I must follow if I can..."

"You're late."

Gandalf stopped the carriage. His face could barely be seen under his big, pointed floppy hat. He slowly turned to look at Frodo.

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." He looked at Frodo with a strict look that softened until they were both laughing. Frodo jumped onto the carriage and into Gandalf's arms.

"It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!"

"You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?" Frodo sat beside Gandalf as they drove through Hobbiton. "So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence."

"You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar." Frodo answered.

"Well, that should please him." Gandalf chuckled. In the distance, the corner of Ruby's eyes crinkled with a small smile as the remembered the uptight Hobbit she once knew and how he had changed.

'How we all changed.' She thought gloomily, fiddling with a thin braid behind her ear.

"Half the Shire's been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway." They laughed at this as they passed the Hobbits hard at work in the fields. They crossed over a small stone bridge over a stream and into the little town square, making their way towards Bag End, passing through the little town of Hobbiton and observing the other Hobbits. Frodo seemed to be looking for someone.

"Isn't Ruby coming?" he asked. Gandalf looked sideways at him.

"I'm not sure." The Wizard answered. To be honest, the girl had been awfully absent these past seven decades, having made a home for herself in Fangorn Forest with the Ents. He decided to change the subject. "How is Bilbo?"

"To tell you the truth, Bilbo's been a bit odd lately. I mean, more than usual." Gandalf listened attentively, his face displaying concern. "He's taken to locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking." Frodo paused, deep in thought. "He's up to something." Gandalf grunted and gave Frodo a sideways glance. Frodo looked back at him, waiting for him to answer. Gandalf just looked away, as if he didn't know anything. Ruby snorted on her branch. "All right, then. Keep your secrets."

"What?" the Wizard turned back to him.

"But I know you have something to do with it." The Hobbit accused.

"Good gracious me." Assuming a look of innocence, Gandalf tried to hide his smirk.

"Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of."

"Indeed." Two bushy eyebrows shot up as the elder nodded.

"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." Frodo continued. Ruby raised her own eyebrow, remembering how dull her visits were, back when Bilbo was still a 'respectable Hobbit'.

"If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was...give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." Ruby snorted out a laugh.

"Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace."

"Oh, really?" the Wizard wasn't impressed. They drove past a Hobbit hole with a grumpy Hobbit working in the garden. He looked at Gandalf, turning even more grumpy, as if to confirm Frodo's words. Hobbit children ran after the carriage as soon as they spotted it.

"Gandalf! Gandalf!" they screamed at him, running down the grassy hills towards the carriage. "Fireworks, Gandalf! Gandalf! Fireworks, Gandalf!" they whined in disappointment as he drove along, wanting to save his wares for the party. There was no point in lighting fireworks in the middle of the day, where they could not be fully appreciated in the sunlight. Frodo looked up at him, judgingly.

Ruby narrowed her eyes at the Wizard and snapped her gaze to the back of the carriage, searching for one of the smaller tubes. Finding it and its fuse, she flicked her fingers, as if to rid it of a small piece of dirt, sending a tiny spark to her target. Suddenly, a blast of fireworks went off from the carriage. The Hobbit children clapped their hands and cheered. Even the grumpy Hobbit man laughed, a grumpy Hobbit woman coming out of their hole, giving him a disapproving look, successfully bringing the sour look back on his face again.

'So she did come.' Gandalf chuckled to himself.

"Gandalf? I'm glad you're back." Frodo said and hopped off the carriage.

"So am I, dear boy!" he answered happily, then thoughtfully to himself. "So am I." He continued on his way to Bag End, when the softest of thuds was heard next to him, where Frodo had been sitting.

"You're a mean old bat, you know that?"

"Ah, Ruby. Nice to see you too." Gandalf turned to look at her. For those who did not know her well, she had not changed much. But for a father's keen eye, he saw so much had changed since that fateful day at the Lonely Mountain. She looked frail, tired and weak. Gandalf sighed as he took in her appearance.

"Not a word." It was as if she read his thoughts. Gandalf grumbled, but looked back at the road. They drove in silence until they arrived at Bag End, stopping at the gate. They mused at the sign that read 'no admittance, except on party business'. Gandalf walked up to the door and knocked on it with his staff. He noticed the marking he had made so many years ago was still there.

"No thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers or distant relations!" came an irritated yell from inside. Ruby snorted. That was more like Bilbo.

"And what about very old friends?" Gandalf called back.

"Gandalf? Ruby?" Bilbo asked in disbelief.

"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf smiled and knelt to the Hobbit's height.

"My dear Gandalf!" Bilbo hurried closer and hugged the Wizard.

"Good to see you. One hundred and eleven years old! Who would believe it?" he stood again.

Ruby bent her back forward and hugged Bilbo tightly, then holding him at arm's length, inspecting him as much as he was her.

"You haven't aged a day." She mused. Highly uncommon for a Hobbit.

Bilbo looked at her, seeing the same things Gandalf had, a sad smile on his face at her state. He shook himself mentally and ran inside, beckoning his guests in and holding the door open for them.

"Come on, come in! Welcome, welcome! Oh, here we are." He closed the door and took Gandalf's staff and hat from him, putting them in a corner as Ruby shed her hooded scarf and hung it on a peg. "Tea? Or maybe something a little stronger? I've got a few bottles of the Old Winyard left. 1296. Very good year. Almost as old as I am! Hahaha! It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, eh?" his voice became fainter as he disappeared further into the Hole.

"Just tea, thank you." Gandalf denied.

As Bilbo ran around the Hobbit Hole, Gandalf backed into the chandelier, quickly crouching lower and steadying it with his hands, before turning and bumping his head onto a beam. He rubbed his forehead, ignoring Ruby's sniggers and walked into Bilbo's study. He looked at the papers on the desk, a map of The Lonely Mountain among them. Ruby caught one glimpse of it and quickly turned away, head bent low. Bilbo continued to talk to them enthusiastically.

"I was expecting you sometime last week. Not that it matters. You come and go as you please. Always have done and always will. You caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid. We've got cold chicken and a bit of pickle…there's some cheese here. Oh no it won't do. We've got raspberry jam, an apple tart…But not much for afters–Oh, no, we're all right. I've just found some sponge cake. I could make you some eggs if you'd lik—oh. Gandalf? Ruby?" he looked around his study, looking for them.

"Just tea, thank you." Gandalf said from the kitchen, where Ruby was already making herself comfortable by the table.

"Oh, right. You don't mind if I eat, do you?" the Hobbit asked, already stuffing food into his mouth.

"No, not at all." Gandalf sat by Ruby.

"Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins!" sharp knocks were coming from the door, making Bilbo choke on his cake. He threw himself to the wall in a desperate attempt to hide.

"I'm not at home!" he whispered to them. He tiptoed over to the window in the study, taking a peek at who was outside. "It's the Sackville-Bagginses."

"I know you're in there!" came the voice from outside.

"They're after the house. They've never forgiven me for living this long. I've got to get away from these confounded relatives hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace! I want to see mountains again. Mountains, Gandalf! And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book. Oh, tea!" he took the kettle off the fire with a towel.

"So you mean to go through with your plan, then." Gandalf asked.

"Yes, yes. It's all in hand. All the arrangements are made." Gandalf helpfully opened the lid on the pot. "Oh, thank you."

"Frodo suspects something."

"Of course he does. He's a Baggins! Not some block-headed Bracegirdle from Hardbottle." Bilbo replied proudly.

"You will tell him, won't you?" the Wizard asked, concerned for the boy.

"Yes, yes." The older Hobbit was dismissive.

"He's very fond of you." Ruby chimed in.

"I know. He'd probably come with me if I asked him." Bilbo had a faraway look on his face. "I think in his heart, Frodo's still in love with the Shire. The woods, the fields. Little rivers. I am old, friends. I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart." They saw him stick his hand in his pocket, fingering something inside. "I feel thin. Sort of stretched like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to." Ruby nodded in understanding.