possibly looking to place him. maybe.

[mithrandir]

 Oh, there is no need to place further duty upon yourself, dear one. I am quite fine where I am, I assure you. My days of adventure have come to an end, and as much as I would like to see my old friends, they are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.

[But, he knows once his writer gets a notion in her head, it's near impossible to sway her into any other direction]

.... You are as stubborn as a Baggins.