Anglachel's birthday drabble (challenged to include as many as possible of: four, forty, a dragon, and Bilbo).
"Mister Bilbo!" an eager voice exclaims. "I knew you wasn't dead - "
"Dead?" retorts the late arrival. "Been away, vanquished a dragon, and back to tell the tale! Sackville-Bagginses bought up all my silver at bargain prices, have they?" He snorts. "Remember, Hamfast my lad: it does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near one." He glances meaningfully at Lobelia, and winks.
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"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him" - JRRT, The Hobbit, Chapter 12 (Inside Information)