(no subject)

[barrelrider]

You say I should request an amendment of sorts to the Contract? Thinking about it, it could use a few changes now that we're on our way.

For example: re-provisioning of the pantry as soon as this is over. Sorely needed, I dare say!

[At any rate, thinking about things like that keeps Bilbo's mind off the larger details, like exactly how the company plans to deal with Smaug once they arrive at the Lonely Mountain. He's not always successful distracting himself, but it helps. The hobbit has even managed to get used to dwarf snores and rocks digging into your back when you're trying to sleep.]

Comments

[bringssnowdays]

Contract huh? That sounds official. What kind of business are you on that involves a pantry?

[barrelrider]

Dwarves can be exceedingly thorough. [Dryly. Bilbo had no idea until a herd of them showed up on his doorstep] The adventuring into caves and dales business, I suppose. Dwarves ate me out of house and home.

Add in more danger than I think is healthy for any hobbit or dwarf or wizard, and...well! There you have it!

[bringssnowdays]

Can't say I've met any dwarves before so I'll take your word on it. Better keep that pantry locked next time they're over.

You didn't mention the wizard before! Isn't adventuring supposed to be more of a spontaneous thing? You know, less about legal documents.

[barrelrider]

The next time? [Bilbo looks aghast and goes several shades paler. The idea of hosting more dwarves almost makes Smaug the Terrible look easy] Oh dear!

Ah, well, I suppose so. The real thing doesn't appear to go the same way as they did in all the stories. [Bilbo cranes his head to look up at the fellow] Have you any experience with wizards? Or adventures?

[bringssnowdays]

[Jack has to laugh at Bilbo's reaction.]

Weren't planning for another visit I take it.

[He hooks an arm over to curve in his staff to lean on it casually.]

Not exactly. Something like that if North's magic counts. You could say I've been on an adventure though. Yours sounds more like the stories with the dwarves and wizards part. This all new to you?

[magic101]

[Watch out, Bilbo... she's clearly shopping at the same store as a certain... somebody.]

Oh, hello. What's got your ears all tangled up in knots?

[barrelrider]

[All Bilbo can tell is there's a distinct air of Different and Adventure (and possibly magic-y things) around her. It's enough to get him nervous after that fateful morning with Gandalf]

My ears are not - [Bilbo cuts himself off, flustered, and tries again. He tries to look down his nose sternly at her, which...probably doesn't have the same effect given the height difference] Anyway! Hello. I'm trying to look forward and back at the same time, if you don't mind. It's burglar business.

[Bilbo tries to make it sound very important.]

[magic101]

[At this the girl starts and taps a finger to her cheek thoughtfully.] Burglary? [She considers this for a moment.]

Is this what you want to do? Burglary is usually a crime, and of what I have learned Elves aren't too keen on committing something that goes against their conscience.

[She gives him a look, maybe a little stern but mostly of curiosity.] That is, not without a very good reason.

[barrelrider]

I'm sure burglary doesn't quite count if you're burglaring a dragon. [Bilbo sniffs disdainfully, trying to make it sound like he's burgled his fair share of dragons and this is just another day as usual]

Elves? [He looks baffled. How they went from burglars to Elves is beyond him]

[kinginexile]

You could have asked for amendments before signing, Mister Baggins.

[barrelrider]

I'm afraid the last thing on my mind at the time was the pantry. Now I've had opportunity to give it thought.

[kinginexile]

A contract is a contract, you will get what you signed for.

[But he does owe Bilbo his life now... and the hobbit is still helping them yet, so he should play nice. A little.]

... but perhaps something could be arranged, once our journey is seen through to the end.

[barrelrider]

[Now wait a moment! Bilbo would beg to disagree with Thorin because really, he had no idea he was "signing up" to entertain a gaggle of dwarves at the time! And that was before he was suddenly being given Contracts and wondering what his neighbors would think and there was suddenly a point where he stopped worrying about the neighborly gossip.]

I would appreciate that. I worry my share wouldn't cover the pantry. It wasn't built for dwarves, you know!

[The little smile on Bilbo's face is wry, however. ]

[iorhael]

Can you even do such a thing after already signing it?

And that would be the very first concern you would address, above all others?

And what other changes would you put onto the Contract?

[barrelrider]

[Quiet, future-nephew. Stop waving things like logic at him, it's quite annoying]

Well, it would hopefully be up to negotiation. Surely they would understand that hosting dwarves can be an expensive business, and, furthermore, that said hosts may have forgotten to address that when he rushed out his door.

[The other hobbit's question stumps Bilbo. "Getting back alive" would be at the top, but he knows the dwarves can't be expected to make those sorts of promises]

I'm not sure. Not yet, but I could probably think of some things...

[iorhael]

I hope so as well, for the sake of Bag End's larder. I don't think she has ever seen it so gutted and in so short a time; and that is counting the sudden arrival of a starving Took and a Brandybuck.

They may very well consider it part of the expense and that unless otherwise noted at that time, nothing to be done for it.

[He's thinking what you want is likely not going to be recognized by hobbit legalities at this rate; you would need some witnesses for the signing and to have signed before this dinner.]

Hazard to life, limb, and an additional charge for strained nerves, lack of handkerchief, broken pipe, and the (temporary) loss of one's home due to the length of said-Adventure?

You made me smirk. SO SASSY FRODO.

[barrelrider]

A Took and a Brandybuck would surely find themselves equals with a company of dwarves! [Bilbo sounds convinced of that fact, if only because he'd seen what sort of damage dwarves can do to a full pantry first-hand. It's almost impressive if you overlook the muddy boots on the foyer] You may be right, unfortunately, and I couldn't very well leave them out in the evening without entertaining them.

[It's a curse, being a good host. Being surprised by uninvited guests apparently didn't change the fact that Bilbo can entertain them at the drop of a hat. He wonders if Gandalf knew that.]

...Why yes, those all are something to consider! Very well said! Well said, indeed! [Bilbo looks impressed.]

Hope a LOTR: Online hobbit is okay.

[ambitiouslynamed]

[Something seems familiar about this hobbit...hmm...maybe it's his nose?

Oh well, it will come to her later. Though it's usually hobbits of some wealth who chatter on about contracts. Maybe he's one of those well to do Tooks or Brandybucks? Or a Baggins? Hopefully not any of those troublesome Sackville brats.]

Ah, please keep a copy of the contract. The Shirriffs and Bounders can't help you when a dispute comes up if you don't have it in writing.

Sure thing

[barrelrider]

I'm not sure the Bounders would be of much help in this case. [That said, he does still seem impressed by the feathers in her Bounder's cap. Old habits and such] Speaking of disputes, you haven't seen the Sacksville-Baggins lurking around Bag End, have you?

[Bilbo has to know. By now the neighborhood gossip about his disappearance must have reached the boiling point.]

Re: Sure thing

[ambitiouslynamed]

Some of the big folk then? That can be a bit of a hitch for sure. [She's quite happy to show them off and impress. She had to work hard to keep folks in line, chase of bears and wolves, and stick a few spiders.

At his mention of the Sackville-Baggin's, she has to surmise he's related in someway. And she snorts in disgust.] They've been skulking about, but they've found I'm not easily bullied or needled. They either show me papers or they move along. I doubt highly Mister Baggins gave them any sort of permissions to be let in.

[Nope, still no clue who he is. She was still small when Bilbo looked anywhere near this young.]

[barrelrider]

If only it were Big Folk! [Bilbo heaves a sigh. Having to fend off the few traveling merchants who won't take no for an answer suddenly seems like a long time ago! Somehow he doesn't think the Bounders are equipped to handle dwarves - at least not Thorin's company!]

Wonderful! [That news lights up his face as Bilbo beams] They're not the sort I would like to see in Bag End myself, if you know what I mean. They must certainly do not have my permission and luck willing, it will be some time before they do!

[Bilbo tilts his chin stubbornly]

[dwarvling]

You'll be able to re-provision your pantry yourself once we've gotten back the mountain, surely.

[barrelrider]

Probably but that is hardly the point!

[dwarvling]

Sure it is! You'll get your pantry's worth, and it will be just as new.

[barrelrider]

Yes, but - [With Bilbo, there always seems to be a "but" involved] - the point I'm trying to make is proper warning ahead of time would have been much appreciated. It's the principal of the matter!