Chapter One

A Father Figure Named Bilbo Baggins

It was the middle of the night when the fire first started. I sighed and silently walked in the building, seeing if there was any surviours and praying that I had arrived in the nick of time. The fire had no effect on me as I climbed up the stairs. I stopped walking when I heard coughing from a room to my right. I quickly ran to the closed door and opened it and saw a small child in her bed. I went over to the bed and gently picked the child up. There was another child that was coughing by the window. I smile at this child and noticed the child relax a little.

"I will not hurt you little one," I say to the child who was in the middle of coughing "Let us get out of here."

While holding onto the child in my arms, I managed to grab the other child with my hand and we quickly ran back outside. The little child in my arms, never made a sound.

"Looks like I got here just in time," I whispered to myself. "You will both be safe now, little one."

I used my staff on the ground and tapped the earth on the gravel, making a light appear. The light went all around us then we were in a very familiar surrounding.

"We are now back in Middle-earth, Hobbiton to be exact!" I remarked, walking up to a blue door and ringing the door chime.

The door opened and there was a hobbit staring back at me.

"You have no idea who I am," I began "but I need your help!"

I have been watching this hobbit for a while now. His name was Bilbo Baggins and unlike the other hobbits that lived here, Bilbo seemed different. I could see at once this hobbit was destined for something greater, except I somehow knew Bilbo had no idea of that yet.

I remember one time, I had followed him, thinking he was just going for a walk. How wrong was I. Bilbo took out a map from his bag and kept checking his destination. I had kept a safe distance from him, I did not want to discourage him on his little adventure. I followed him all the way to Frogmorton, where Bilbo had stayed for a few day.

I had no doubt in my mind that day, that Bilbo Baggins was indeed a strange hobbit but thinking that, I knew I had found a suitable solution to the problem that was about to unfold.

"Y-you need my help!" asked Bilbo, looking up at me with wide blue eyes.

The child in my arms was stirring and I knew I had to make my point across.

"I am Gandalf the Grey and I need your help," I pause, noticing the other child holding my hand had a worried look on her face "I would like you to look after these small children."

"Y-you want me to look after what?"

I sighed, this was going to be on of those days, I just knew it.

I briefly explained what had happened to these children, how a fire nearly claimed their lives. I did not admit that I was actually searching for the child in my arms. That the Lady Galadriel had requested me to see her concerning the child, she explained that Elaina was in grave danger and needed to be put in a safer place. I was not expecting the other child of course, but I knew I could never leave her.

So here we all were, waiting for Bilbo's answer, which seemed to take a long time.

"You want me to take care of two small children!"

"That is correct."

I could tell that Bilbo was mulling things over but I must admit, I was getting a little impatient, I had other things to attend to.

"Well!" I ask him, after waiting for Bilbo to say something.

"Very well, I shall look after them, even though I have no idea on how to take care of them."

I chuckled.

"You will Bilbo," I replied, placing the sleeping Elaina in Bilbo's arms. "This is Elaina and I think you and Elaina will get on just fine and this here, is Hetti."

Hetti looked from Bilbo to me with wide green eyes. I knew then I had made the right decision. Hetti would be a good friend to Elaina in the coming years, I was sure of that.

Hetti slowly stepped forward towards Bilbo and curtsied to him. The look Bilbo gave her was comical and I laugh softly. I was must surprised to see Bilbo bow his head to her, which to me was a good sign that I had indeed, made the right choice. Bilbo Baggins the guardian of two children.

"I will take care of them for you Gandalf." said Bilbo smiling at Hetti, who looked more relaxed than a she did a little earlier.

"I don't doubt that at all Bilbo," I reply, noding my head "Just keep them safe and sound."

I looked at Elaina once more and remembered the necklace that Lady Galadriel had given me. Crouching down, I gently placed the blue topez necklace around her neck and sighed. My job with Elaina was done, for awhile at least. I knew even then, that Elaina had her own destiny to contend with. Sadly however, she had no idea what that was.

~~Twenty Years Later~~

~~Bilbo's POV~~

I stretched in my bed, wondering what the day would bring to me today. Then I remembered, it was Hetti's birthday today. I remember like it was only yesterday when that man in grey who I could never remember his name, had sent two children for me to look after. At first I thought I would be looking after them for a few weeks, but here I was twenty years later with two grown up ladies, that both mean the world to me.

Sitting up from my bed, I yawned then slowly got out of bed, remembering to straighten the bed covers over. I then went to my chest of drawers that used to belong to my beloved mother Belladonna Took Baggins and took out my yellow waist jacket and my white shirt. I walked towards my wardrobe and grabbed my dark green trousers, before placing them on my bed so I could change out of my nightwear. Having a last look in my room, making sure everything was tidy, I left my room and walked in the hallway seeing Hetti by the front door.

"Where are you going?" I asked her.

Hetti had really blossomed, her long ruby hair was pulled into a ponytail, so I could see her face more clearly, 'for once.' She had an oval shaped face, full lips with a pert little nose. She was smaller than Elaina though, Hetti was 4.2 in height and had a slim body. Though she ate just as much as I did.

"I'm going out, in search of apples," Hetti replied, her green eyes looking back at me "I want to make apple crumble for our desert tonight Bilbo."

I shake my head, smiling at her. For the past ten years Hetti had developed a craft in baking. She was rather good at creating many meals for us all.

"As long as your back before sundown, young lady," I muse to her "It is your birthday after all!"

"Of course Bilbo," smiled Hetti, opening the green front door "As if I would forget my own birthday."

With that, Hetti walked out the front door and left me to my own devices.

~~Elaina's POV~~

I knew Hetti was coming and I lay in wait for her. I was sitting on a tall branch, high in the tree, watching Hetti come nearer to me. I slowly climb down the tree, making sure that Hetti had not seen me. Hetti walked by me, completely oblivious that I was spying on her. When she was near the end of the lane, I threw a little ball at her back, seeing her turn around.

Hetti smirked at me and picked up the little ball, before trying to throw it back to me. I was to fast though and I ran back towards home, knowing Hetti was close behind me. I managed to reach the green door, taking no notice of two new arrivals and shout out,

"I won!"

"Only because your legs are longer!" retorted Hetti, slightly out of breath "Your taller than me for a start. Though," smiled Hetti, holding her basket tightly in her right hand "I won't hold that against you."

It was true I was taller than her. I was 5.2 in height but to me, I also felt I was small. Which was ridiculous considering Hetti and I had an even smaller father, our adopted father that is, Bilbo Baggins. We both loved him equally.

A strand of my chestnut hair had escaped my braid, so I tucked that strand behind my ear.

"Now," began Hetti walking back towards the pathway, "I will try again and leave."

She walked a little, then stopped, I was watching her carefully, knowing full well she was up to something. Sure enough, Hetti threw the little ball but she was not expecting it to hit one of the new arrivals. Hetti looked on in shock as I went up to the strangers, picking up the ball in the process.

"I am so sorry," I say to this elderly man, noticing for the first time he had his son with him "My friend has alway been rubbish with her aim."

I look back at Hetti, who was in the process of running away.

"You coward!" I shout back at her retreating form, whether she heard me, I had no idea. "Again, I apologise for her anti social behaviour." I add returning my attention to the now smirking older gentleman.

"It is quite alright Elaina."

I frown at him, how did he know my name?

"I'm sorry, have we met before, because I really can not place seeing you before?"

"We met briefly Elaina, many, many years ago." replied the man in grey garb.

I heard the front door open, but my brown eyes were still on this mysterious man. I did not feel any bad vibe around him, quite the opposite in fact. This man was intriging. I heard movement behind me and I finally turn around, seeing Bilbo sitting down on the bench, smoking his pipe.

"Um, Bilbo," I began seeing him look my way "We have visitors!"

Bilbo looked at me then at the man in grey, then at the old man's son who was watching me with an amused look in his blue eyes.

"Good morning." remarked Bilbo towards our visitors.

"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or, perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?" asked the older man.

I watch him with a puzzled look on my face. I had the feeling his answer was really a riddle of some sort but I couldn't be sure on that matter.

"All of them at once, I suppose." replied Bilbo, equally baffled by the answer we both heard. The man shifted a little and looked at Bilbo disapprovingly. Bilbo himself, looked a little lost himself.

"Can I help you?" Bilbo finally managed to say.

"That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."

"An adventure? Now, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner, hm, mm." remarked Bilbo.

"Bilbo you said the other da-," I trailed of when I saw the glare from Bilbo "Never mind!"

It appears that Bilbo had had enough, as he got up from where he was sitting and walked towards the mailbox. He opened the mailbox up and retrieved all the mail in there, including many birthday cards for Hetti. I gave Bilbo a strange look when I heard him make strange noises coming from his mouth but I could tell he was getting uncomfortable because of our guests in our front garden. Bilbo walked towards the front door, trying to distance himself from the eyes that were watching him.

"Good morning!" said Bilbo, grabbing onto his front door.

"To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son, as if I were selling buttons at the door." remarked the man in grey once more, staring at him with a look of disgust.

"Beg your pardon?" asked Bilbo, not understanding him.

"You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins."

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

I could tell that Bilbo was more confused than ever, as was I. After all, this strange man even knew my name. Just who was he?

"Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf! And Gandalf means … me!"

'Nope, never heard of you.' I thought to myself.

"Gandalf...not Gandalf, the wandering Wizard, who made such excellent fireworks! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Ha, ha! Well. Hmm, I had no idea you were still in business."

At that remark, I burst out laughing as it was so out of character for Bilbo to say something like that.

"And where else should I be?" demanded Gandalf, clearly not amused by my laughing and Bilbo's little outburst, even the man on Gandalf's left was smirking a little.

"Ha, ha! Hm, hmm...!" was all Bilbo could say, who then puffed on his pipe.

"Well, I'm pleased to find your remember something about me, even if it's only my fireworks. That and the fact, I placed two small children in your care twenty years ago," Bilbo's face suddenly looked at Gandalf with wonder "Ah, the penny has finally dropped has it?"

Gandalf caught me staring at him, who smiled at me. Not knowing what he meant, I just smiled back.

"Well that's decided. It will be very good for you, and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others." remarked Gandalf, looking at his friend.

"Inform the who? What? No. No. No! Wait. We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today, not-mm. I suggest you try over the Hill or across the Water. Good morning."

With that, Bilbo huffed a little, before marching back in our home. I heard him bolt the door from the inside.

'Great, Bilbo in a bad mood. That is not good news!' I thought to myself.

Gandalf walked towards the window and for a split second, I saw Bilbo look at the window the same time as Gandalf and again, I chuckle at Bilbo's started reaction, before he retreats back in the safety in his home. Gandalf then walked to the door and I heard a scratching noise.

Arching my neck a little, I saw him draw something on Bilbo's front door. At first I thought it was scribble until I looked more closely. It looked like a rune that I had read from one of Bilbo's books.

"That looks like a rune marking!" I whispered to no one really, only Gandalf had heard me.

He turned around and smiled at me.

"Yes, it is a dwarven rune marking. To guide our guests here. How did you know this was a rune?"

"Bilbo has many books, I like reading." I admitted to him.

"Ah, then you will get on with my friend," smiled Gandalf looking at the younger man who was now coming towards us.

"Elaina, allow me to introduce you to Loki Laufeyson."

Loki held his hand to me and I shyly took it, notiching his hand was a little cold.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Elaina." smiled Loki.

Loki had medium raven hair, very skinny but looks can be deceiving. He was wearing dark green armour that had gold etched on it.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr Laufeyson." I replied, letting go of his hand.

"Loki will do." he smiled.

"Right, now that you two have met," began Gandalf walking away from Bilbo's front door, "I think it would be wise if Loki stays here with you Elaina."

I look at Gandalf not understanding what he meant.

"Bilbo at first will be overwhelmed by the others coming, he will try and shut them out of his home."

"And Loki," I watch Loki while I continue "will stop Bilbo from doing that, I suppose!"

Both Gandalf and Loki laugh.

"No, Loki is really here for another reason!"

I noticed Gandalf give Loki a stern look but did not question that. It was not my place to say anything. Gandalf then walked down the path shouting back to us,

"You'll both find the front door is not bolted from the inside now!"

Turning towards the green door, I again look at the strange marking on the door, it was now blue in colour.

"Best keep quiet about this mark," I say to Loki who raised his eyebrow at me "Bilbo only painted the front door last week!"

Loki chuckled while I opened the front door. We both walked in. I had no idea what this day would bring, but if anything, it would be a night to remember that's for sure.