Reading the Hobbit instead of, you know, S T U D Y I N G.

[pocketings]

Sounds pleasant.

[ And there he goes—thinking of better things. The singing kettle, a comfort yet tickle to his ears. The prickly warmth of a comfortable fire, of course purposely set before his most comfortable chair. His hobbit-hole. A blanketing memory very thin against his now exhausted limbs, eyes weary and causing quite a fuss in that stomach of his.

Not like you're relaxing in the middle of something, Mun. Leave the poor hobbit to become acquaintances with the woods. Spiders and webs and rock throwing, no, one does not simply pause. Thankfully, he is long past that point. Just nearing their last effort to simply survive.

√ Leave the Shire.
√ Trolls, just trolls.
√ Goblins and other things who possibly want to craft up a feast.
√ Riddles.
√ Spiders and practicing aim.
√ Heights...

( Ah, well, as you know, etc. )

□ Don't die, Thorin afterwards.

We're making some progress here, why not continue? ]

Comments

[elvenking]

Do not be discouraged, friend. Your story comes to its fulfillment.

[pocketings]

[ The term 'friend' immediately rings in his ear and knocks lightly for comfort, despite the things to come and an adventure to be had. A struggle through elves and gates barrels and water and waterlogged dwarves and...

Oh well, like a spell, the events find them selves skipping right ahead in the hobbit's head. Call it the magic of a mun, stretching her 'break' to snuggle with the tale. The hobbit slightly hops to the sudden familiarity, reaching into the pit of his pocket, if he should be needing it.

After all, it's quite difficult when you're caught, not that he is currently in service of any thieving. He does recall a king, one set on groping for answers or bars for them all. ]

That so?

[ Ahah! What could the king remember what he has not already seen? ]

[elvenking]

[Bilbo paid for his sneaking around many times over. In a couple of different ways. The Elvenking senses yet again s;kahsdflgksdh that Bilbo is not quite up on the latest news about T not being that bad a guy.]

Most assuredly.

[pocketings]

[ ( Shhh, Mun is dropping these updates on his head like chestnuts from a tree. )

Nevertheless, he will continue his tread, as he is the burglar and hobbit. Clever enough to be seeked by Gandalf, so why not be optimistic about how he plays with these conversations?

His look is kind. ]

I don't mean to sound doubtful, but what makes you say that? [ Another chirp with that questioning tone, go figure. ]

[elvenking]

[There is, assuredly, the temptation to mess with Bilbo's head here. But that would be wrong.]

I have seen it. You depart Erebor the wealthiest of hobbits, alive and quite well, and with the name of Elf-friend.

[pocketings]

[ It does play with the hobbit's head, in fact. Dangling from a high place and landing his head, burrowing and causing an itch. Set in the wrong place, events that have not happened and take space in that fuzzy head. Still, he's curious. The words really are kind, surely they aren't meant to deceive?

Then again, this is the king they suspected would want the same riches. Take what he could and leave them all very unsatisfied. Much like his situation, it's a stalemate in his impression. ]

I'm not seeing how that could be true. [ That requires seeing into the future, you know. Very unfair. ] You act as you know me, and well?

[elvenking]

Well enough. [A gentle correction.] You were a guest in my halls, were you not?

[Okay, now he's teasing.]

[pocketings]

[ Well, imagine the surprise from the poor Bilbo Baggins! He would later find this again and again, as steps of caution would mean very little for the Magnificence of Smaug, sniffing out the burglar who means to trick.

Although the case isn't the same for the king, he suspects even the ring was not enough to go away without some tracings. Perhaps his need of food? He is just one humble Hobbit, that does not go without some form of return later ( which turns out to be a 'gift,' much, much later in our tale ).

But the Hobbit is startled, not to lie through teeth, but deal with the facts as they are said and done. ] This is true...

[ A brief pause, most hesitant. ]

And without a peep, I have hoped!

[elvenking]

Not a one. [This is, admittedly, a little embarrassing for Thranduil, but he admires it nonetheless.] The finest burglar ever to cross my threshold. A fortress full of wood-elves could not find him!

[pocketings]

I see.

[ His confusion requires a very brief pause between the 'I' and 'see,' but it comes perfectly together—threading the idea that there was nothing to worry about, his statements and kindness true.

Harmless, at least. Ha! Think of it, Elf-friend! ]

Can't say I am entirely proud of the deed, but still pleasing to hear. [ And there's that small pause. ] The end result of my troubles, of course! No harm or insult.

[elvenking]

Perhaps a little insult, but no harm. [Spoken in a somewhat laughing tone.] I must remember to ask my guard how you slipped past.

[timespacemessiah]

You. You mere presence reminds me of a song I heard when I was very young....

[pocketings]

A song?

[ There's something dreary about his voice, matched with the absent-minded gesture at his face. A lingering itch, as if exhaustion cradles his small form and his attention. As this is not the forest, but a stalemate that gives him time for rest.

But a song? Why, that just reminds him of the dwarves. Most merry, perhaps not now. So, he's looking at the other expectantly. Go on. ]

You asked for it, Bilbo!

[timespacemessiah]

In the middle of the earth in the land of Shire
Lives a brave little hobbit whom we all admire.
With his long wooden pipe,
Fuzzy, woolly toes,
He lives in a hobbit-hole and everybody knows him

Bilbo! Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins
He's only three feet tall
Bilbo! Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins
The bravest little hobbit of them all

D'aww!

[pocketings]

[ It's not everyday you hear songs bearing your name, especially one noting your height! But he's quite pleased with the song, one that actually perks up his mood.

( Not too much, it's not the time. )

Still, he acknowledges it with a very wide smile. ]

That's very kind to hear! [ Even his voice rises a pitch! ] You said from childhood, but I don't see how that could be true.

Hope I don't kill his good mood...

[timespacemessiah]

I was never entirely sure what it was, actually. Supposedly the song is not regarded as being very good, and it was the lowest point of its' singer's career. And since this man played a character who, like me, regards logic over emotion, I can see why that is.

[pocketings]

[ Oh, well then. ]

And that is most... [ A beat. ] disappointing, but still a very great honor for a hobbit such as myself!

[timespacemessiah]

If you accept an embarassment as an honor, than you truly are a simple minded fool.

[pocketings]

Then I suppose I am!

Taking what lies before my feet, why not?

[timespacemessiah]

I do not wish to answer that.

[iorhael]

There are fewer things finer than a good book, good fire and excellent company.

[pocketings]

You did say 'fewer.'

[ There's the briefest pause, as if in wait for the snap of a shush or his input being whisked away. But most incredibly brief, as his amount of respect has definitely grown from one drastic point to another. There is some confidence amongst the hints of exhaustion, one that just might jolt back into alertness if needed.

But there's nothing quite familiar in those eyes blinking back, only the company of another hobbit drawing in a smile. It's inappropriate at the time, so it is small. ]

Although I'm bargaining for more at the moment.

[iorhael]

Well, there are some things finer than those as well; a good walk under a clear sky with all the stars peeking out, to start with.

[he does look...well, there is no better word for it, and certainly no polite one, he does look rather rumpled, and worser for the wear. But there is something very keen and very familiar in this other hobbit's eyes. Frodo leans in, studying him for a moment]

Yes, I imagine you must be at this rate; you could do with a few more hours of sleep than you seem to have gotten lately.

[pocketings]

There are much greater things at hand!

[ But those words are a comfort to that funny head, a walk under a clear sky is very good, indeed. Considering their current situation, most definitely!

He allows the distance to close in, simply studying back. Perhaps a memory or a face that rings something... familiar? ]

There is a terrible sheet of darkness without warmth, without food and we are one less of our party.

pb confusion?

[solvescases]

...what on earth happened to you? [Watson is looking a little...small.]

go right for it! )o)

[pocketings]

[ The question can be easily taken in another direction, and the hobbit does just that! ]

Many things, a tale when there is rest and my belly is at peace with food!

[solvescases]

[Sherlock gives him a scrutinizing look, paying no attention to such things as personal boundaries.] How good for you. [His voice devoid of emotion.] You're not Watson but the resemblance is uncanny. [circling the hobbit]

[pocketings]

Watson? [ My, such a tall fellow as well. The hobbit simply follows the motion, politely lacing his fingers together and holding his best face. ]

You have me mistaken for another hobbit.

[solvescases]

[There's a small scoffing noise, Sherlock looking increasingly amused. This was definitely not boring.] A hobbit, you say? Interesting. How long have you been such?

[pocketings]

[ A squint, as if contemplating on the answer, but he is simply puzzled by the question. ]

Since birth. [ And what does he have to say about that now? A hobbit is a hobbit, although EXTREMELY unlikely to accept an adventure of any kind. ]

[solvescases]

[Sherlock must be the anti-hobbit, he wants nothing but adventure all the time, 365 days a year.

To prove it's not a magic trick or trick of the light, Sherlock leans to pick up the hobbit and set him on a nearby counter.] How long ago was that? Round about 30 years ago?

feeiiiiiii.......

[ringbearer]

[ perhaps it's the nature of kin to somehow feel familiarity even with the different timelines, as this frodo also seems to take note of it when he finds bilbo. it's always a comfort to find another of his people nearby, for it is an easy thing to feel particularly smaller in the company of spaces like this.

still, it's with a small smile, a nod of the head that frodo draws near, finding something clearly familiar but unplaced as he looks upon him. ]

I think this is one of the finer places I have stumbled upon here. Far more comfortable than most.

[ the fire for one, comfy and reminded him of the earlier days of his journey when a fire could be had. second, the book, and third, a fellow hobbit, doing as they often did: making comfort where they could. ]

wow who r u GET OUT

[pocketings]

[ Perhaps so! The face simply gives another knock on the hobbit's head, dizzy with the feeling until the conversations strikes back. And another of his kind, well, one shared feeling to another!

Perking his mood, a very slight smile from weariness. ]

Most true.

[ But there isn't anything on that face that calls for rest just yet, especially with the things about to unravel. ]

Although the kindness of this, it was not upon my request.

WOW UM EXCUSE YOU??? i go where i want??

[ringbearer]

[ it's not unfamiliar to note the weariness, but there's something in the mouth, the eyes that is so very familiar. or is it the brows? whatever it is, it makes frodo return the small smile far more easily, a shared weariness there.

he inclines his head, a silent ask to sit. ]

And how goes it? Your adventure. I believe I know quite a few hobbits who would have a thing to say about that.

then please go to the nearest dumpster

[pocketings]

It goes as it goes!

[ Bilbo manages that squeak before taking the offer, sitting himself down and even giving his hair a ruffle. Is that a twig? Maybe a spider has started a nest his hair?

No matter, hair grooming is for another time, another place! This adventure calls for necessities, the bare minimum being survival. ]

Gracious me. [ Bright eyes blink up at the thought, his mind crafting the scenario upon his return. Well! It's better to be hopeful than not. Perhaps it will be brushed aside?

( Little does he know, this adventure does much more. Reputation and all. ) ]

'Try over The Hill or across The Water,' I might have said? [ The smallest chuckle. ] And look at me now, a hobbit having his adventure! My garden has asked for less, but it is something to be done, tended.

[ A terrible reminder for Thorin, one less, but not forgotten. ]

[hadbadays]

[ Ah.

Tiny face-twin. ]

That's not something you see every day.

[pocketings]

[ Of all things, this is most surprising! Why, it's in the face, purely in the face! The hobbit's own appears to discolor and pale, as with the difference in hair, clothes, and well... everything else!

This is not a hobbit, but a mirror!

Do not mind his caution, suspecting something at play when the events seem to climb into heightening levels of unexpected, but forgive as he is only bewildered. ]

Yes, but I do see this with my eyes, on this day! The next day and another that follows, I do not know!

[hadbadays]

[ Okay...

Very different way of speaking too. ]

Probably not beyond today.

[ Maybe it's a bit rude but he just has to get a little bit up in Bilbo's personal space. Sorry, lad. ]

[pocketings]

[ He will simply try his best to lean and regain that space, but he will study and map out the similarities. Even the voice, think of that! ]

Hopefully not beyond today. [ An similar echo. ] Bilbo Baggins.

[hadbadays]

...

Bilbo... Baggins... Bilbo?

[ Wow. Wow. Just. ]

You are kidding me.