I like this very much. Estel is roughly 10? That seems about right. I don't have my book handy to check the timeline. I know Tolkien had not thought of him at all when he wrote the Hobbit, or he would have put something like this in.

A nice little story. Something of a gem amongst all the romancey/MarySue fics floating in the LoTR fandom. Loved it.

i love the hobbit.

I LOVE this.

It actually feels like a lost chapter of the book, it's that good.

This is wonderful. I love Bilbo's and Estel's observations on hobbitishness, dwarvishness and elvishness, and your characterization of Bilbo so early in his quest -- longing for home, but falling love with Rivendell at the same time.

"Rivendell... is like a memory of happiness." Beautiful.

A truly lovely tale. Very much in homage to the master. You DO write Bilbo very well. It left me wanting to read more.

I especially like your take on the Elves. I have thought quite a bit about why, if I would be blessed with an existence in Middle Earth, I would hope so very very much to be a hobbit. The elves are beautiful, and wise, and possessed of such long long lives and wonderful gifts...but they never seem truly happy. They lack the joy that I think comes from knowing that each day may be your last, that there is not always tomorrow. The elves do not seem to take much honest simple pleasure in the small things that the world is full of! The butterflies, picnics, hot buttered rolls.

Thank you.

Now this story, my friend, is charming, delightful, feels very Tolkienish, and is going to be added to my favorites. Thank you for such a wonderful tale!

Aw, how sweet! You write Bilbo very well!

Great story, of a meeting of Estel and Bilbo. I love how you have written them, and that Estel would like to see a dragon. Hopefully Bilbo meets Estel again, when he makes his way back.

Adorable. I loved it!

Mouse,

This is a lovely scene. Sweet w/o being cute or precious, and full of interesting cultural observations. How lovely to see these two mortals find common ground in a place that was home for both of them for a time!

Amy