For Bilbo, the evening had been nothing but constant stress. He must have wished the dwarves gone half a dozen times underneath his breath, and the chaos had only lessened once Thorin arrived. It was apparent that Thorin could keep them in line, at least [i]somewhat.[/i] When night had fallen, Bilbo had retreated to his own room to sleep, and when he woke, he was surprised to find that all was quiet.

Cautiously, he rose out of bed. Bilbo practically tiptoed into the hall, but no one was there. Every room was empty, and every room was clean. How had they managed this? It was as if his 'company' had never stayed at all. The only tell-tale sign of their existence was the broken mirror. Considering all that had happened, a mirror was a small price to pay.

"Well, I suppose I will replace you today." Bilbo turned one of the larger portions of glass over in his hand, and for the first time in a long while, he felt lonesome. As deplorable as those dwarves had been, they had filled his home with more life than it had seen in a long time. Bilbo had been isolated and on his own for quite a few years ever since his mother had passed. Somehow, speaking to a broken mirror wasn't quite the same. 

As Bilbo entered his dining room, Gandalf's words seemed to echo in his mind, and then the unsigned contract caught his eye. A strange feeling came over him; he felt daring. Without a word, he rolled up the parchment, snatched his backpack, and quickly packed what belongings he could. Today was the start of an adventure.

* * *

Kili couldn't have been more content; the weather was perfect, and everyone seemed in good spirit. Even Thorin. The only downside was that they hadn't a burglar. Bilbo was greatly interesting to him, and he pitied the hobbit for turning down such an opportunity. "We have an extra pony, are you certain you don't mind walking?" The youngest wondered as he looked to their godmother. At least this way, they were somewhat of equal height.