There and Back Again ~ Bilbo Baggin's Tale

[banaili]

Hello, everyone! ^_^/

Well, I meant to have this up some time ago, but I've finally got some free time to properly set it up! So without further ado, here goes...

Bilbo Baggins here, your typical, everyday hobbit. We don't want any adventures here, no thank you. (Unless of course you happen to be part of a pack of dwarves and one wizard who enter my home unannounced and trick me into getting myself involved in one. ...Then again, I suppose I could consider another adventure or two.) No matter where you try to take me, however, I will always long for the comfort of my life in the Shire—my comfortable bed, a warm hearth, lots of books to read, and plenty of ale and food to go around. And ah, I mustn't forget a nice leisurely night of pipe-smoking either.

Well, anyway! It's nice to make your acquaintance.

- - - - - - -

I'm honestly open to any plot ideas. We could roleplay out some sort of relationship in the Shire, or go on a side quest together. There are lots of different possibilities, and it's really up to you and what you're open to trying! Just let me know your thoughts here or in a PM!

Big thanks to lovetobetheunderdog for the beautiful GIFs used here!

[pumpkin]

It's so lovely-looking! \(^0^)/ So let's see...

Balin finds Bilbo intriguing. He has something of an interest in hobbits, probably especially because he admires their simple and peaceful lifestyles, though he will certainly not pretend as though he knows or understands them well, even if he wants to. (I get the feeling Balin secretly wants to try being a hobbit, haha. )

Probably to Balin, as well, Bilbo's not-at-all-burglar-like appearance and gestures are actually a good thing. He feels bad that the simple hobbit is being swept up into their adventure, pities him, and probably develops some extra concern for the hobbit's well-being once it's all over. (He knows well enough how a lifestyle on the move can change a person; it's probably also one reason why he went back to visit Bilbo after the quest in the actual books.)

Of course, all that complicated stuff aside, Balin genuinely likes Bilbo as a friend and as a companion. He worries for him and longs to keep one good eye out on him during their adventures together. More than that, he grows to feel not just admiration for Bilbo's character, but eventually in Bilbo's incredible abilities in stealth (via the ring), too.

Balin is definitely a fervent ally and friend of Bilbo and will stand by him until the very end. Bilbo becomes part of his family.

And on that long-winded note, though we already have a thread going with the two of them, I'd love to have more! I like writing the two together~ ^^

[banaili]

Thank you! ;D I usually suck at making character plots, so I'm glad you liked this one!

I certainly think Bilbo is fond of Balin, at least compared to all the other dwarves he is venturing with. Balin seems to have something of a soft, wise, and understanding side to him that Bilbo appreciates. I also think Bilbo can sense that Balin feels the Hobbit is out-of-his-element in joining them on their quest, but he also doesn't mind the other's concern for him so much. Bilbo very much wants to prove that he can tackle this quest, even if he is constantly longing for his home. But having someone around who genuinely does seem to care about his welfare (and not just whether he'll make a poor burglar) is somewhat reassuring for him.

I think, aside from the thread we have going, it would be nice to start that thread at Bag End! We will have another lovely Hobbit joining us as well, so it should be a lot of fun! We could get stuck indoors because of a giant rainstorm or something of the sort, and Balin can tell lots of tales about being a dwarf! What do you think?

(Bilbo certainly doesn't mind sharing his home with friends, although he might have to offer his bed to someone else and sleep on the armchair overnight! ^^;

[pumpkin]

That sounds fantaculous! ^^

I like the idea of them being stuck inside Bag End because of a storm. They should be...oh! Oh! Can they get stuck babysitting a bunch of hobbit children? Don't ask me why--I don't have the slightest idea--but I can imagine it being somewhat funny, the three of them doing battle with a house full of kids, then finally having a chance to relax and eat and swap stories and such (whatever we'd all like!), once all the kids have finally dozed off. Another "don't ask me why," heh heh...I'd love to have the opportunity to write Balin with kids. He needs to be with lots and lots of kids. (Just so he can play the "grandfather dwarf" role properly! (I realize that sounded a lot funkier than it should have, hahaha~ xD) And I'd love to see the hobbits having to run around with all the kids, too!) Just a thought! ^^

(Poor Bilbo. Let Balin take the armchair...he can manage fine. )

Anyway, this all sounds very very fun, so I'm quite game for it! I think the questing bits between Bilbo and Balin are already going superbly, so tackling something a little more "homey" might be really cool to try out, especially with other players!

Let's have fun!

[kendra]

I think the babysitting thing might be a bit odd... I mean, don't the hobbit folk start treating Bilbo a bit differently once he's home because he went on an adventure. What hobbit would do such a thing?! Not to mention, what hobbit would send their children to such an odd fellow's house? Haha. Though it would be really cute if we could find a way to make it happen. xD Grandpa Balin would be adorbs.

I'm super excited about the idea for this thread! Lily meeting her first dwarf should be interesting! And the three of them should get along famously!

[banaili]

Great ideas, guys! I think with any luck (and if you both are up for it), we could get this thread started today! I'll definitely do it if it's okay for you two!

About the babysitting idea, I think Balin meant something accidental? So perhaps the children were playing at the top of the hill and were far from home in the rain, so they just knocked on the door of the nearest home to get out of it (which happened to be Bag End). Maybe they're far from their own home and just needed shelter. I think we could certainly make something like that work!

Also, if this is the second time Balin is visiting Bilbo, Pumpkin (since he first visits again with Gandalf), maybe he can talk about going to Moria...which would be a tad bit depressing, but you know...XD

Let me know your thoughts! And thanks so much for joining in, guys! I'll try to get this set up shortly! ^_^v

[kendra]

Oooooh. Accidental babysitting! That makes more sense! Not to mention it would be adorable and hilarious in so many ways!
I'm game to start whenever you guys are!!

Also, Alex, would you like another Bilbo/Lily thread after I'm done with my thread with Hades. Pretty sure it's set prior to the main plot, and she could be traumatized and recount her tale of almost dying via owl. xD

[hades]

HAHAHAHAHAHA....... >.> /thread crasher

[banaili]

Look at you, crashing my plot page, Ginger! *sends Ginger para-eagling with one of the Eagles*

And Lily, I agree! I think it could be a lot of fun with the kids! Hope they won't be too frightened of me for being the town loony... ^_^;;

I think I'll try to get this thread set up right away! (And I'll go reply to your message right now! ^_^) I'm also certainly up for another thread, if you'd like to do another! What sort of premise would you like for that one? The one in the past that we talked about?

[pumpkin]

Hahaha! ^^ We could have so much fun with accidental babysitting! And finally a heart to heart by the hearth for the poor, worn-out folk after they've finally managed to get the kids to sleep. Sounds like a really great setting to write! And I agree, Ai, that it could be a good time for Balin to talk about his plans for Moria! It's sad to think he's gone after that!

Well, I most definitely will keep posted for the thread, dear lovelies! ^^ I'm very very much looking forward to it!

[banaili]

And I've finally finished it! It's a long post, some of it might not even fit with what I was trying to get at (XD), but I had a ton of fun with it~ (I think it might be my best post yet!) You can check it out right here:

truelotr.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=hobbiton&thread=333