![\"dickens\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/dickens1-150x150.jpg\")
Thank you to everyone that submitted entries for December’s Rewrite Tolkien contest – The Hobbit as written by Charles Dickens.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Thank you to everyone that submitted entries for December’s Rewrite Tolkien contest – The Hobbit as written by Charles Dickens.<\/p>\n
December’s Grand Prize winner is….<\/p>\n
The Quest for Erebor. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Durin\u2019s Day by Andr\u00e9s Carrandi of Mexico City, Mexico<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
Runner-up: A Hobbit Carol by<\/strong> Arlothia\u00a0 of Washington, U.S.A.<\/b><\/p>\n Congratulations!\u00a0\u00a0 And stay tuned for more information on January’s contest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *************************<\/p>\n The Quest for Erebor. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Durin\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n by Andr\u00e9s Carrandi (Mexico City)<\/p>\n \n Stave 1<\/p>\n \u00a0Thror was dead: \u00a0to begin with. There is no doubt about that. Thorin saw him fall in Azanulbizar at the hands of Azog, and Thorin\u2019s word was good among dwarves in any corner of this Middle-earth. You will therefore allow me to say emphatically that Thror was as dead as a gemstone. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Beren had died by the wounds inflicted to him by the Hell Hound, there would be nothing more remarkable in Dior being born at Dor Firn i Guinar , than there would be of any common Hobbit coming to existence in any Hobbit hole on the Western side of the Water.<\/p>\n Once upon a time, Thorin was counting his profits in a well-lit room in the heart of his new domains in the Blue Mountains. Business was good, and the gloomy shadows of Erebor had begun to slip away from his first line of concern, although he was sure they were never to completely go away. In short, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, the dwarves had everything before them, they had nothing before them–<\/p>\n There was no King on the Throne of Gondor. There was no King Under the Mountain. In both kingdoms it was clearer than crystal that the echoes of evil had triumphed, that things in general were settled for ever.<\/p>\n It was the year 2940 of the Third Age of the World, and Thorin was startled by a cheerful voice crying his way: \u201cHappy Durin\u2019s Day, uncle!\u201d It was Fili, Thorin\u2019s sister\u2019s son. \u201cWhat\u2019s happy about it? It\u2019s a poor excuse to remind us we were driven from the Halls of our Fathers by a worm. Every silly dwarf with Happy Durin\u2019s Day in their mouth should be shaved clean with his own battle axe, and thrown into a feast of Elves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut uncle\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNephew! You keep Durin\u2019s Day in your own way and let me keep it in mine. Good morning!\u201d Fili understood and left his uncle, who made for home only a few moments later.<\/p>\n Thorin\u2019s rooms were in a dark chamber in the dark corners of the Dwarven tunnels deep in the Blue Mountains. He had lived there with his father Thrain in the early days of their exile, when their mood too was dark. As Thorin approached the door a shadow caught his attention near the knocker.<\/p>\n Now, it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular about the knocker on the door, except that it was very large. It is also a fact, that Thorin had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence in that place. Then let any dwarf explain to me, if he can, how it happened that Thorin, having his key in the lock of the door, saw in the knocker his grandfather Thror\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Thorin was startled, but immediately, the knocker was a knocker again. \u201cIt\u2019s just anger,\u201d he said to himself, and entered his deep dark chambers mumbling the words of a song, brought forth to memory by Fili\u2019s talk: \u201cFar over the Misty Mountains cold\u2026\u201d A gust of wind crossed the chamber, even though there were no open doors or windows to account for. A bluish glimmer appeared to emanate from the room next door, a deathly shine akin to an Elven blade near a goblin.<\/p>\n \u201cThorin\u2026.,\u201d said a familiar voice. \u201cThorin!\u201d<\/p>\n It was definitely his grandfather\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandfather?,\u201d asked Thorin timidly, terrified and painfully aware that he was addressing a dead Dwarf.<\/p>\n \u201cCome forth and know me better,\u201d said the Ghost. Thorin obeyed immediately, brought back to his childhood days in which Thror\u2019s words commanded not only him, but the entire realm of Erebor. He found the dead King Under the Mountain much similar to the way he remembered him, only wearier, and carrying long chain made of mithril and solid gold.<\/p>\n \u201cThorin, you have abandoned all plans to reclaim our land in the East\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a good life here, far away from the dragon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo excuses, Thorin! You dishonor our father Durin as I did\u2026 going elsewhere looking for wealth and riches, instead of going back and reclaiming my own. The attempt on Moria cost me my life, and the mercy of A\u00fcle. Look at these chains\u2026 they were forged with every day I maintained our kin away from the kingdom A\u00fcle entrusted to us. Yours was as long the day of the Battle of Azanulibizar\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Thorin answered amid tears: \u201cBut, is there nothing you can do to save yourself? Is there nothing to regain the mercy of A\u00fcle and go rest in the Halls of our Fathers with Durin and his folk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing left for me,\u201d said Thror, \u201cbut there is still hope for you, Thorin. Tonight you will be visited by the spirit of a Wizard. Take heed of his teachings, as only they lay between you and your damnation. Wait for him when the Moon reaches its zenith.\u201d Then Thror vanished into the darkness, and Thorin was left alone in his chambers, musing over what his grandfather\u2019s ghost told him.<\/p>\n \n Stave 2<\/p>\n \u00a0The bell announced the coming of the first hour. Thorin awoke hesitantly and found himself surrounded by a bright light; not the deathly hue of his grandfather\u2019s ghost\u2019s glow, but the glimmer of all that is good and hopeful about magic in the world.<\/p>\n \u00a0Trying to block the light out of his eyes, he got up and saw the silhouette of a tall figure with a pointy hat in the corner of the room.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cAre you the Spirit of the Wizard whose coming was foretold to me?, asked Thorin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI am,\u201d answered the Spirit. \u201cMy name is Gandalf. And Gandalf means me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShow me the way Gandalf. I follow you humbly and with a spirit willing to learn from your teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cTouch my staff,\u201d Answered the ghost whose name was Gandalf, \u201cWe shall have to go through fire and water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cSpirit, I am but a mortal dwarf, and prone to burn and drown.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0The Wizard\u2019s spirit looked sternly at Thorin Oakenshield. \u201cYou shall have to face fire before the end, Thorin, but fear not for now. Everything you shall see are but shadows of things that have been or things that might yet come to pass. They shall not take heed of you, they cannot harm you. Touch the staff, now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Thorin obeyed the Spirit, and in an instant his chambers vanished in a haze, and transformed into the shadows of a memory of years past: amid a crowd of merry souls, he recognized a sight very dear to his heart.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cDo you know this place?,\u201d asked the spirit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cKnow it? Here I lived my first moments of joy after our exile! Why, it\u2019s the Inn of The Prancing Pony!\u201d Thorin was as giddy as a Dwarf boy first prenticed at the forge.<\/p>\n \u00a0The Spirit of the Wizard allowed himself a smile of joy upon seeing a trace of the Thorin he desired to awaken, but swiftly returned to his stern countenance. \u201cThorin, we should sit down. There is much to say.\u201d As soon as the two of them were seated, Gandalf went straight to the point of this most extraordinary meeting.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cYour kin is disgraced, Thorin son of Thr\u00e1in son of Thror. You have met your grandfather earlier, but you do not yet know the fate of your beloved father. His penance was much harder, I am afraid to say: \u00a0found in the dungeons of the Necromancer, having lost the mind with which he was left after the horrible events of Erebor,\u201d Thorin did not speak. There was nothing he could say. Gandalf went on: \u201cThey did not honor their royal lineage and only timidly spoke of reclaiming their throne. They forgot Dwarven ancient magic, and forsook the chances the sacred days offered them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cThey forsook the sacred days?,\u201d asked Thorin almost appalled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cBut that is right, is it not, Thorin? Every silly dwarf with Happy Durin\u2019s Day in their mouth should be shaved clean with his own battle axe, and thrown into a feast of Elves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Thorin then looked ashamed of his earlier words. \u201cBut tell, me Spirit, are there not kind words you might offer me? Words of hope? Words of comfort?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cMake for Erebor and be there on Durin\u2019s Day. I have none other. Now, Thorin touch the staff again. There is still one more thing that I would have you see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Thorin touched the Wizard\u2019s rod and the shadows of the tavern faded as his chamber\u2019s had done before. Now he was on top of the Misty Mountains on a clear day, all of Middle-earth within his gaze to East and West.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cNow look East, Thorin,\u201d said the Wizard\u2019s spirit.<\/p>\n \u00a0As Thorin turned, he saw the East covered in flames. From the Grey Mountains to the Ash Mountains, over Mirkwood and across the Sea of Rh\u00fbn there was nothing but fire and smoke. In the far Northeast a blazing speck of light gleamed above it all.<\/p>\n \u00a0His voice trembling with fear, Thorin mustered the courage to ask the question to which he knew the answer well: \u201cO, Gandalf, what poor realm of Middle-earth is that blazing spot to the far North and to the far East?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cThose are the Iron Hills, razed to the rock by Smaug and other worms from the North.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Thorin, now openly cried in anguish: \u201cBut tell me, Spirit, are these things that will come to pass or only things that may yet come to pass? What of my cousin D\u00e1in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI see an empty throne,\u201d said the Spirit, \u201cif the shadows follow their course, your cousin D\u00e1in will die, and with him his Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cO, Spirit! Please tell me I can yet change these events, please tell me there is still hope,\u201d Thorin sobbed as he fell to his knees clenching the Wizard\u2019s Spirit\u2019s robes in his hands, \u201cI shall go to Erebor, I shall be there at the sacred time! The Mountain shall see me at sunset of Durin\u2019s Day! I shall honor my forefather and I shall reclaim my Kingdom and my throne, and be merciful and bring glory back to my people and my kin! O, please, Spirit!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Thorin then opened his eyes and found himself clenching his sheets at the foot of his bed, within his own chambers.<\/p>\n \u00a0He went out into the caverns and asked a young dwarf who was passing by: \u201cLad, what day is today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cWhy, it\u2019s Durin\u2019s Day!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI haven\u2019t missed it! Gandalf\u2019s Spirit did it in one night! Of course he did! He can do anything! Thank you Gandalf, thank you, Grandfather! From this day on, I shall not rest until I am King Under the Mountain, and I shall honor the spirit of Durin\u2019s Day and his memory all throughout the year!\u201d<\/p>\n Thorin was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more. Until his death, he became as good a friend, as good a leader, and as good a Dwarf as Middle-earth knew. And it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Durin\u2019s Day well, if any Dwarf alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as many Dwarves observed, may our beards grow ever longer, every one\u2019s!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **************************************************<\/p>\n A Hobbit Carol by Arlothia (Washington State)<\/p>\n \n Bilbo Baggins had finished writing in his notes for the night and had just settled down with a nice cup of tea to stave off the December chill when there came a knock on the door. Startled, and slightly annoyed at the interruption, Bilbo rose from his seat and, thinking he knew who it was, yelled to the offending person as he walked to open the door.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLobelia, I\u2019ve told you already! I\u2019m not going! So if you would please leave me in\u2014\u201d He was cut short as he jerked the door open and saw that it was not his dreadful cousin, but none other than Gandalf the Grey.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you always yell at your visitors when they come calling?\u201d Gandalf asked dryly. Bilbo smiled with a glee he had not felt for some time. But before he had the chance to invite his old friend inside Gandalf spoke again.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAm I to believe you are not going to the Yule Feast tomorrow Bilbo Baggins? And look! Your home isn\u2019t even decorated! Not a shred of festivity to be seen! How do you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bilbo was taken aback by this unexpected criticism and was not at all pleased by it. \u201cWell, not that it\u2019s any business of yours, but I don\u2019t feel like celebrating this year. Now if all you\u2019re going to do is show up here unannounced and tell me how to live my life then I suggest you leave me alone. Goodnight!\u201d And with that Bilbo angrily slammed the door in the wizard\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gandalf stood on the doorstep, shaking his head with a sigh. \u201cI helped you out of your shell once,\u201d he muttered, walking away. \u201cAnd maybe I can again. But it won\u2019t be thirteen this time. Just three.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Inside, Bilbo hadn\u2019t gone two steps when his doorbell rang. With a very agitated sigh Bilbo yanked open the door, a scathing remark ready, when he stopped dead in his tracks. It was not Gandalf who stood before him, but a very pretty Hobbit lady.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bilbo\u2019s mouth and eyes gaped wide at the sight of her. \u201cThis isn\u2019t possible. This is a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell, dream or not, aren\u2019t you going to let your own mother inside out of the cold?\u201d she said, for this was indeed Belladonna Took, Bilbo\u2019s own long-departed mother. Without knowing what else to do Bilbo let her in.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Belladonna looked around the Hobbit-hole, nodding approvingly. \u201cYou\u2019ve taken good care of Bag End since I\u2019ve been gone,\u201d she said. \u201cBut why haven\u2019t you put up all those wonderful Yule-garlands and Yule-wreaths?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m not putting them up this year,\u201d Bilbo managed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat?! My little boy who so loved Yuletide refusing to decorate? Oh Bilbo,\u201d she sighed. \u201cWhere is that wild little Hobbit boy who would run around the house wrapped in evergreen fronds and race outside at the first sign of snow just to catch a snowflake on his tongue? What happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bilbo couldn\u2019t meet her gaze. \u201cI\u2019ve grown up,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m too old to do that any more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNonsense! You are never too old to enjoy the holiday season. Look at all the fun you used to have.\u201d She gestured out the window and when Bilbo looked he saw not a snowy winter\u2019s night, but a snowy winter\u2019s day with little Hobbit lads and lasses all bundled up and chasing each other around with snowballs in hand and shouts of laughter on their lips. Among them was young Bilbo himself.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAre you saying that you are too old to even enjoy the simple things you use to?\u201d Belladonna continued. Bilbo had no answer to that but his mother smiled lovingly at him. \u201cCome now,\u201d she said. \u201cWhere are those boxes of decorations you have hidden away?\u201d Reluctantly, Bilbo led the way to a small storage closet at the back of his smial.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThere they are,\u201d he said, opening the door. But when he turned around his mother was gone. She was nowhere to be seen. Crestfallen, for he really had started to feel the Yuletide joy swell within him, he slumped off to sit back by the fire. But he hadn\u2019t been there a wink when the doorbell rang again.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWho could this be now?\u201d Bilbo asked with a mixture of exasperation and hesitant curiosity.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Opening the door he found himself looking upon a very kind and familiar face with a long white beard and red hood.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBalin! My dear chap! Whatever are you doing here so far from home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cFar from home, maybe,\u201d he said, stepping inside. \u201cBut exactly where I am needed I expect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Bilbo followed the old Dwarf into the living room.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI told you the last time I was here that I was at your service and I have come to honor that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat service could that be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAre you really refusing to go to the feast tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot you too,\u201d Bilbo groaned. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re just a dream as well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMaybe. But I\u2019m right, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot to seem rude, but I believe that\u2019s my decision and it\u2019s been made. So I thank you for your visit and you are welcome to stay but I am in no mood to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhyever not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou know very well why not.\u201d Bilbo rubbed his face and sat down heavily in his chair. \u201cIt\u2019s been a year. It doesn\u2019t feel right to celebrate with them gone. It feels too much like forgetting them.\u201d Bilbo looked up to face Balin. \u201cWhich is why I am choosing to stay home and work on my book. Like any other night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe all miss them back home. But do you think that sitting sad and alone is the best way to honor them?\u201d Balin pointed to the fire in the hearth and, following the gesture, Bilbo found himself gazing not at a small, cozy fire, but a fierce blaze in a grand stone hall filled with Dwarves nursing mugs of ale while they feasted and talked and laughed without a care in the world. Bilbo recognized all the remaining Dwarves from the Company celebrating among them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThey have more reason than most to mourn,\u201d Balin said, \u201cbut that isn\u2019t stopping them from enjoying life enough for those who can\u2019t.\u201d He turned to face the Hobbit. \u201cI know you\u2019re hurting laddie. And it\u2019s your right to. But don\u2019t you think it\u2019s time you let go of that pain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAre you asking me to forget them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course not. All I\u2019m saying is that you need to go on with your life instead of wearing your past on your sleeve.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry Balin. But I don\u2019t think I can.\u201d The grand halls around him faded until only his drawing room was left.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Balin smiled sadly. \u201cIt\u2019s your choice laddie. But I think you might come to regret it.\u201d And with that the old Dwarf left. Bilbo sat there, sadder than before. That glimpse of the Dwarves had made him realize how much he missed the wider world and excitement.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you think your grief is only affecting you?\u201d asked a voice from behind. Startled, Bilbo stood and turned to face the intruder.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Standing there at the room\u2019s entry was a young Hobbit lad whom Bilbo had never seen before, though he did look familiar with his mass of dark curls and wide blue eyes set in a bright cheerful face.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWho are you and what are you doing in my house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI live here, or I will soon enough.\u201d Bilbo\u2019s brows furrowed but the other Hobbit continued. \u201cAll your moping around is having a bad influence on those around you, especially your younger cousins. They look up to you, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but do I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot yet. But you will. Let me show you.\u201d He led Bilbo to one of the guest rooms. Sitting on the bed was a young Hobbit child. His shoulders were shaking and occasionally a muffled sob would escape him. In his hands was a small wreath.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd who is this?\u201d Bilbo questioned.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s me the year I came to live here. You see, I always loved Yuletide but you\u2019d have none of it. No decorations. No feast. No celebrating. All because you were still stuck in your mourning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A voice rang through the house.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBoy! You\u2019re not still in your room are you? Go wash up now or your supper will get cold.\u201d The voice was cross and tired and Bilbo gasped when he saw himself coming towards the room.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cComing sir,\u201d the young boy answered, hiding the wreath under his pillow and wiping his eyes and nose before the old grump could see. But not quickly enough.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMy word, are you still going on about it? Stop your snuffling. There is no point in parties. I\u2019ll have nothing to do with them and neither will you. Now hurry up or you\u2019ll go to bed hungry, understand?\u201d And with that the older Bilbo stomped away.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI hate you,\u201d he heard the child whisper before he scurried off to the washroom.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bilbo watched them go in horror.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd that wasn\u2019t the first or last time I said that,\u201d his companion told him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWill I really be that cruel?\u201d Bilbo asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be. You can change all this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow? Please, tell me how!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou know how. Go to the Yule Feast tomorrow. Laugh again. Celebrate. Do you really think that Thorin, F\u00edli, and K\u00edli would want you to become a bitter old man because of them? No one is asking you to forget them. Far from it. But you are doing their memories none of the service you promised them cooping yourself up in your house all day. So what do you say? Will you go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes!\u201d Bilbo said without hesitation. \u201cI will. Oh forgive me I\u2019ll do it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The young Hobbit smiled. \u201cThen I must go. You have a party to prepare for after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \n A loud popping from the fireplace startled Bilbo awake, making him drop his cold mug of tea. He paused. Had that all been a dream?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But dream or not he remembered it all and it had made its impression on him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He quickly set about decking his halls with garlands and wreaths and preparing the gift he would give to whoever\u2019s name he drew out of the Yule-hat.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In the blink of an eye it was time to leave for the Yule Feast and Bilbo walked briskly out his door and down to the Party Tree. It was a lovely party and Bilbo found himself quite enjoying himself despite his former mood. He felt more like his younger self. But not completely. He had changed in his time with the Dwarves and it was up to him to decide which direction those changes would take him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the time came for the gift exchange the name he drew was a cousin of his from his father\u2019s side, a Drogo Baggins.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you here Cousin Bilbo,\u201d said the dark-haired Hobbit once Bilbo had found him. \u201cWe didn\u2019t think you\u2019d be coming.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNeither did I but\u2026I had a change of heart I guess you could say. Here, this is for you.\u201d Bilbo handed him a small wrapped box.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Drogo smiled in delight, accepting the gift. \u201cWhy, thank you!\u201d He opened the box and pulled out a small wreath. Drogo stared at it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s not much,\u201d Bilbo said hastily. \u201cIt was a last minute change of heart, you see, so I didn\u2019t have much time to prepare\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Drogo looked up at his cousin with tears of gratitude in his big blue eyes and Bilbo was taken aback by the resemblance Drogo had to the boy in his dream. \u201cIt\u2019s more than enough. You see, we\u2019re a bit on hard times so we haven\u2019t been able to make much of Yuletide at home. This really means a lot. Thank you. And bless you, Bilbo Baggins.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thank you to everyone that submitted entries for December’s Rewrite Tolkien contest – The Hobbit as written…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[85,14,197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events-contests","category-events","category-fans"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1tLoH-moB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86093"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86095,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86093\/revisions\/86095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}