Anniversary

"Esgaroth flourishes?"

"The river still runs gold, so they say."

Bilbo smiled. "Fifty years... I can hardly believe it. And what news from Erebor?"

Bifur's smile widened. "The rivers may soon run true-silver, if our hopes be not cheated. Balin has set out for Moria --"

Bilbo coughed on the pipeweed-smoke he had inhaled. Moria! The Lonely Mountain held many treasures, and the skill to forge new ones. But beneath Khazad-dûm lay wealth beyond any dwarf's dream. What an adventure!

He would follow Balin someday. The Took heart still beat in his breast. Adventure would call him ere the end - but not quite yet.