NOVEL WEB Chapter 21: Chapter 21 – Choice
I was sleeping like a rock. And not one of those peaceful riverbed stones — more like a boulder stuck in a dwarf-made avalanche of snoring. I mean, I was out. Until Gandalf shook my shoulder like he was trying to snooze an overly enthusiastic alarm clock.
"Wake up, Edward. It's time."
I surfaced slowly, eyes half-open, still tangled in a dream where I was fighting a troll in slippers.
After a lightning-fast wash — which basically meant splashing water on my face and putting my boots back on — I stepped outside. The Dwarves were already out there, in their usual unorganized formation, stuffing gear into pouches, pockets, or under coats. You wouldn't think they were heading out on a perilous quest. It looked more like a chaotic picnic.
Gandalf came up beside me, voice low.
"You don't seem worried that Bilbo isn't coming."
I shrugged and glanced back at the tidy little house behind us. It looked peaceful. Too peaceful.
"You can't force someone to change their life, Gandalf. This is his home, his routine. We just stirred things up a little, but the choice to leave — that has to come from him."
"And you believe he will?"
I jumped onto my horse and smiled. "The Tooks have a reputation for being a bit mad, don't they? Well, I believe in his madness."
Gandalf laughed. "That's oddly reassuring."
Thorin, of course, looked far from amused. The dwarf king had never been thrilled about bringing a Hobbit on a dangerous quest — especially not one who hadn't even signed the contract.
Without a word, he gave the signal to depart. The sun was rising over the hills of the Shire, casting golden light over the muddy paths. And Bilbo? Still no sign.
But Gandalf had insisted we leave the contract on the table. Just in case.
We left Bag End in single file. Hooves clopped on damp ground. The morning air smelled of dew and wild mint. And yet… something was missing.
Someone.
---
Inside the silent house, Bilbo jolted awake.
He rubbed his eyes, stepped out of his bedroom… and realized he was alone.
"Hello? Anyone?"
No answer. The laughter was gone. So was the chaos. Even the crumbs had disappeared.
All that remained was the contract — lying neatly on the kitchen table — and a strange emptiness.
He approached it slowly. Hesitated. His hand trembled.
"Do you really want to spend your whole life in a hole?" whispered a voice in his head. "Or be a hero — even just for a moment?"
He swallowed. Then another voice spoke — this one familiar, almost gentle:
"The young Hobbit I know dreams of the world beyond the hills. You carry the blood of Bullroarer Took. Your ancestor beheaded an orc chieftain with a wooden club. And you? Will you really stay here… sipping tea?"
Bilbo took a deep breath.
And ran.
---
Meanwhile, the group mood was… mixed.
"Told you," Fili muttered. "He's not coming."
"Not coming?" Kili snorted. "At least we've got a ranger. That's something."
"Means one less burden," grunted Dwalin.
Bofur chirped, "I bet that Baggins never shows up. He probably doesn't even know how to ride a pony! Who's in?"
Fili jumped in without missing a beat. "He's not coming. I'm in."
Gandalf, calm as ever, pulled out a heavy coin pouch and gave it a shake.
"I wager he will come."
That got their attention. Dwarves scrambled to place their bets.
I sighed.
"Talking smack about someone who's not here? Very classy," I said to Kili. "But fine — I'm in too. He'll be back."
My pouch clinked as I dropped it next to Gandalf's.
Balin, true to himself, said, "I trust Edward and Gandalf. I'm in."
The pile of coins grew. Even Bifur mumbled something that sounded like "He'll come."
The sun filtered through the leaves. We were almost at the edge of the Shire. A few more steps, and it'd be behind us.
Fili, arms crossed, grumbled, "He's not coming."
And that's when it happened.
---
"Wait! Wait for me!"
Every head turned.
Bilbo. Red coat, backpack bouncing, contract flapping in his hand like a banner. He looked like he'd just sprinted through half the Shire.
He staggered up to us, gasping, eyes bright.
"I signed!" he managed between breaths.
Balin stepped forward, adjusted his monocle, examined the parchment like it was a royal decree… then turned to the group.
"Welcome, Mr. Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield!"
The Dwarves cheered. Even the ones who lost their bets smiled. It was official: the Hobbit in slippers had chosen adventure.
Except Thorin. Naturally.
"Get him a pony," he said coolly.
Bilbo paled.
"A pony? Oh no, I can walk! I take long walks, really!"
He didn't get a chance to argue. Kili and Fili hoisted him up and dropped him onto a sturdy little mountain pony.
"Hold the reins tight, Mr. Baggins!" I shouted, barely holding back a laugh.
A pouch of coins landed in my arms.
I counted: twelve silver pieces. I glanced at Kili.
"Silver? Really?"
"We never bet big, Edward," he laughed.
I conjured a gold coin between my fingers, flipped it, and slipped it into my pocket.
"Lucky day."
"You still owe me a bet," Kili said with a wink.
The group resumed its journey. The sun was climbing, birds were singing, and I had a burglar and a pocket full of winnings.
Not bad for a morning.
Bilbo, bouncing slightly in the saddle, gave me a suspicious look.
"They really bet on me?"
Gandalf, pipe in mouth, replied, "Most of them, yes. I never doubted."
A coin pouch landed in his hand with perfect timing.
Bilbo looked from Gandalf, to the Dwarves, then to me.
I tossed back without turning, "Don't thank me, Bilbo. I just like winning."
"Trust," he said, sitting a little straighter, "is the minimum between traveling companions."
I smiled. Nicely played, Baggins.
And while Thorin rode silently at the front, I was thinking.
The real plan was:
1. Kill the dragon.
2. Repel the Orcs.
3. Secure the Arkenstone.
That last one… it worried me.
The gem… it shimmered with a light that wasn't natural. Some said it was a lost Silmaril. Others said it wasn't — that it didn't burn the hand, that it wasn't sanctified, that it was just another treasure.
But I'd seen what it did to Thorin.
And one thing was clear:
The Arkenstone wasn't just a shiny rock.
It was a key.
To what?
I intended to find out.