by auntimeesh
“I think I’ve made a much better use of the space, Uncle.” Frodo was enjoying himself, but he didn’t want Bilbo to get really upset, so he decided to get things over with. Truthfully, he was a trifle nervous. Well, more than a trifle nervous, really. “You should come look at it, and see what you think.”
Bilbo was visibly trying to stay calm. “Yes, I suppose I should.”
The two hobbits walked down the hall to the study, and Frodo stood aside, allowing Bilbo to enter first. He waited a moment, allowing the older hobbit to take in the changes he’d made before following.
When he entered the room, Bilbo looked at him with sparkling eyes. “So, my lad,” he commented. “You think this is an improvement, do you?” He was trying to sound stern, but Frodo could see hear the laughter that was being suppressed.
“The question is, what do you think?” he responded pertly, feeling much more sure of himself now.
Bilbo looked around the room. Frodo had not touched Bilbo’s desk, but had equipped another small table to function as another desk, for himself. On it, he had placed a thin book that was written in Elvish, a slate and chalk, several sheets of parchment, and a quill and ink bottle.
“What do I think,” mused Bilbo. “Well, for starters, that book is altogether wrong.” Picking it up and returning it to it’s proper place on the bookshelf, Bilbo searched for a moment until he found one that suited him better. “This is the book Elrond gave me, when I left Rivendell to return to the Shire, after my travels. It makes a very good primer. I think you should start with that.”
“So you’ll teach me Elvish?” Frodo asked.
“My dear boy,” Bilbo responded, eyes shining, “nothing would give me greater pleasure.” He cleared his throat before continuing, “But now, we have a party to attend, you and I. I think it is time for us to go greet our guests.”
Heart brimming with love and happiness, Frodo followed Bilbo out of the smial, ready to celebrate his first birthday at Bag End.