Chapter Text
The gentle rattling of wooden wheels and low singing drifted through the forest that surrounded the Shire. The trees swayed with the words of the song ,as if it was an enchantment, while the birds joined the old man in his singing. The woman that sat beside him, slim and beautiful, smiled gleefully as she bobbed her head. Her ruby red lips were drawn back to reveal beautiful pearly teeth and a pair of slightly pointed canines. The sun seemed to be captured in her dazzling eyes, jewel like mixtures of greens, blues and golds, while the light of stars was bright in her pale skin.
Gandalf continued to sing gently as Maleficent hummed along, her slim fingers smoothing across the soft fabric of her dress. She never usually wore anything other then her pants but, it being Bilbos birthday, she decided to wear something nice. It was a deep yellow with an off the shoulder collar and long flowing sleeves. Her pin straight hair, as deep and dark as the bark of an oak tree, lay against her shoulders and back with a simple twisted gold and leather band holding the strands back. To match the golden designs on her dress, two intricate gold covers were placed on the claws of her wing joints.
Maleficent was very proud of her wings. They were strong and big, dragging along the ground as she walked, and were as dark as the deepest night. The feathers would shimmer as light bounced across them. They would bring her high into the sky, so close to the stars that she could almost touch them, while the clouds would break as they floated through her slim fingers. She had gifted Bilbo an enchanted wisp of cloud after the quest 60 years ago. It was like a miniature cloud that would just float around and occasionally rain or snow but the hobbit had been more than amazed at the small piece of magic.
The sound of pounding feet and and rustling grass came from the right of the wagon before a Hobbit, supporting the natural curls like many others, appeared on the ledge. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the pair with ocean blue eyes that matched his shirt.
"You're late!" He pointed out. Maleficent raised a perfect eyebrow while Gandalf turned his head towards Frodo slowly. He glowered at him from beneath the brim of his pointed blue hat.
"A wizard is never, Frodo Baggins. Nor are they early. They arrive precisely when they mean to"
Maleficent and Gandalf share a glance while Frodo tries to hide the smile that was threatening to break out across his face. Laughter bubbles from the three before the young halfling jumped into the cart and wrapped an arm around each of them. Maleficent smiles as she patted his back as her wings ruffled happily.
"It's wonderful to see you two!" Frodo beamed.
"You didn't think we'd miss Bilbos birthday." The brunette woman chuckled as the boy sat between herself and her older friend. The ravenette shook his head and beamed at the tall woman, excited to see her after her long years of travels. She visited a lot while he was young and after his uncle returned from his adventure so, like Gandalf, she became a regular face around the Shire.
Though, probably a more welcomed one.
"So, how is the old rascal? I hear its going to be a party of special magnificence." Gandalf asked as the winged woman took in the sights of the Shire. Oh how's she's missed the rolling hills. The twisting paths and the stretching forests full of wild flowers and the sweet smell of spring that seemed to last forever.
"You know Bilbo." Frodo chuckled at the though of his beloved uncle "He's got the whole place in an uproar"
Maleficent couldn't help the chuckle that slipped past her perfect lips "Well, that should please him." Her voice was full of fondness and nostalgia as she reminisced about times before Frodo.
Frodo continued with a small smirk "Half the Shire's been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway."
They all laugh as they pass the Hobbits hard at work in the fields. The smell of fresh earth filled the air as well as the sweet scent of garden flowers. They cross over a small stone bridge over a stream and into the little town square, making their way towards Bag End. Maleficent waved and smiled at a few familiar faces. They pass through the little town of Hobbiton and watch the other Hobbits while doing so. She had always loved their simple way of life. It was so calming and pleasant that she wouldn't mind just stopping and staying her for the rest of her life, living out the last of her years in a warm home with a plate of cakes in front of her.
Frodos voice grew slight worked as his smile fell ever so slightly "To tell you the truth, Bilbo's been a bit odd lately. I mean, more than usual. He's taken to locking himself in his study."
The two magical beings sent each other a worried look before turning their eyes ahead to watch the road and listen to their friend.
"He spends hours and hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking. He's up to something."
Gandalf grunted and gave Frodo a sideways glance. Frodo looked back at him, waiting for him to answer while Maleficent just blatantly avoided his gaze as it flickers to her. Gandalf just looks away looking as if he didn't know anything.
The Hobbit laughed with a huff "All right, then. Keep your secrets."
"What?" The old Wizard hums while the woman just watched the clouds.
"But I know you have something to do with it." Frodo pushed.
Gandalf took on a look of innocence as he let out a huff "Good gracious me."
Frodo laughed softly "Before you two came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of."
"Yes, Indeed. Lovely family" Maleficent cooed as she avoided the young man's gaze. Thoughts of the party of Dwarfs swarming poor Bilbos home filled her mind and if she wasn't careful she would begin to laugh.
"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."
Gandalf finally caved "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door."
The brunette snorted and rolled her eyes at the blatant understatement about what had happened. He basically threw a party at the man's home.
"Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace."
"Oh, really?" The wizards voice was full of false shock at the not so unexpected news.
They ambled past a hobbit hole with a grumpy hobbit working in the garden. His face was weathered and tired and when his narrowed eyes settled on Gandalf, he turned even more grumpy. A group of several Hobbit children run after the carriage as soon as they spot it. They cheer and wave at the two magic user while the hobbit between the smiled brightly. The children call their names and cheered for fireworks as they continued to move along in the horse drawn cart.
When there was no gleeful explosions or burst of color, the children sighed and murmured to each other in disappointment. They waited as Gandalf pretended not to notice them, Maleficent and Frodo eyeing him expectantly as a grin spread across the old man's face slowly. A small snap went off and butterflies made of golden sparks sprang from the back of the cart like a plume of smoke before they began to flutter around the children. Gandalf laughed gleefully, eyes crinkling at the sides in joy, while the witch beside him clapped her hands and chuckled.
"Gandalf? Maleficent?" Frodo hummed with a thoughtful smile "I'm glad you're back."
"So am I, dear boy!" The old wizard laughed to himself with a thoughtful smile "So am I."
"It's great to be back, my dear" The brunette smiled and she patted the young man's shoulder fondly.
He stood up as they passed a grassy ledge before shuffling to the edge of the cart. He jumped from the seat as they kept moving slowly along the beautiful winding roads of the Shire, the dirt tracks leading all the way to Bilbos on top of the hill. He waved over his shoulder, Maleficent waving back with a motherly smile, before turning back to the rolling hills. Birds sung and the sun shone brightly as the evening drew nearer, the party drawing closer, while the buzzing of honey bees mingled with the sings of the birds.
It was a beautiful day for a party.
𝔙𝔞𝔩𝔨𝔶𝔯𝔦𝔢
" casualties of war "
FACE CLAIMS
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𝔐𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱
" the witch "
ANGELINA JOLIE
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𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔉𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔭
" the companions "
THEIR RESPECTIVE ACTORS