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Bilbo had been woefully depressed when Thorin died. When he got back to the shire he struggled to get out of bed and often slept through the days. Despite this he still took in the young Frodo Baggins when his parents died. Despite being unable to take care of himself Bilbo couldn’t let the Sackville-Baggins get their grubby hands on Frodo and corrupt the young boy. Gandalf had also insisted on Bilbo taking the fauntling in.
Once Bilbo finally took in the small boy things actually seemed to be looking up for Bilbo. Now that he had a child to look after it gave him a reason to get up in the morning. Frodo had been more quite than any fauntling should be. Frodo would often silently eat his food and would only leave his room if Bilbo dragged him out. Despite this Bilbo never gave up on trying to connect with the young boy. Often at bed or during meals Bilbo would tell Frodo stories of his adventures with Thorin’s company. Bilbo felt that telling the fauntling about his adventures helped Bilbo move on from them.
Slowly but surely Frodo started to smile and talk more. Frodo would start to ask questions about Bilbo’s adventures and laugh at the jokes Bilbo made. Bilbo felt his heart warm whenever Frodo smiled at Bilbo after hearing one of his tales. Bilbo truly couldn't be happier that the faunt was starting to become more active in the world he was in.
Everything was going so well for so long Bilbo started to foolishly think that he had fully moved on from Thorin and could finally live a happy simple life. Of course Bilbo was wrong.
One fateful morning Bilbo found himself feeling overwhelmingly depressed. Thoughts of Thorin’s death swirled in his mind and it made it hard to move. Instead of getting out of bed Bilbo simply curled tighter into his blankets and closed his eyes tightly. He felt tears prick at his eyes as he thought about Thorin and the life they could’ve had together.
It wasn’t until a bit after Tea Time when Bilbo snapped out of his depressive state and finally got ready for the day. Bilbo slowly rose from his bed and wiped his eyes before jolting and suddenly realised that Frodo probably hasn't eaten all day. Bilbo swiftly got dressed and rushed out the door of his room to find the poor fauntling.
Bilbo found the young boy sat criss-cross in front of the fireplace, staring up at Sting. Bilbo gently walked into the room and coughed into his hand so Frodo would know he was there. Frodo jumped before smiling and running over to Bilbo, hugging him. Bilbo smiled softly and hugged the young faunt back before picking him up.
“Hi Uncle Bilbo!!” Frodo said cheerfully as Bilbo picked up the boy. Despite definitely starving the boy still smiled brightly
“Hello Frodo,” Bilbo replied. He felt his chest tighten as guilt consumed him. Bilbo doesn’t think he’ll ever forgive himself for letting this poor boy go hungry
“When are we going to eat? It’s been hours!!” Frodo pouted as he spoke.
“Right away my boy. I’m sorry I kept you waiting for so long” Bilbo said as he walked himself and Frodo into the kitchen.
Bilbo gently sat Frodo down in a seat and started cooking up the largest dinner he could. Frodo deserved to eat all the food he wanted after today. Frodo deserved a caretaker who wouldn’t lay in bed all day being depressed about something that happened years ago.
“It’s okay! I forgive you!” Frodo yelled from where he was sitting. “Why were you in bed for so long?” Bilbo didn’t need to see the boy to know Frodo was tilting his head slightly.
It took Bilbo a moment to answer the fauntling’s question. Bilbo didn’t want to burden the poor boy with his problems and mental struggles, but at the same time Bilbo felt like he owed the boy an explanation. Bilbo thought over his words for a long while before answering Frodo.
“Well I suppose I was just thinking too much.” Bilbo replied. While not the full truth it technically wasn’t a lie.
Frodo didn’t respond to that, instead the young boy started talking about what he did all day. Bilbo smiled as he listened to the fauntling go on about all the “adventures” he went on that day. It warmed Bilbo’s heart knowing that the boy wanted to follow in his footsteps and become an adventurer. Bilbo hopes that Frodo’s first adventure isn’t as dangerous as his was.
Once all the food was done he placed down a plate for himself and Frodo and then placed down all the platters and bowls with food in them. Bilbo chuckled to himself as he watched Frodo’s eyes widen and gleam with shock and joy as he stared at all the food in front of him.
Frodo wasted no time placing food on his plate and digging in. Bilbo smiled softly at the boy as he ate his food gleefully. Bilbo then started placing food on his own plate and started eating as well.
Bilbo vowed from that day onward that no matter what he would always feed Frodo on time. The poor boy had already gone through more than enough hardship and didn’t need more.
Bilbo looked towards the fauntling again and also vowed to keep the fauntling happy no matter what. He promises himself that Frodo will always be safe and sound as long as he was in Bilbo’s care.