Fire and Ice

by MadHatterLove7011

She grew up with no family, her childhood erased. She has powers completely out of her control and as then she joins her mentor and twelve others on a journey of a life time. Where those powers grow stronger and stronger. Will she find love and the goodness of the world or will her heart turn to the dark side and hurt any who get in her way. A Thorin/OC

1. I Am More Than Just A Woman

{Hey guys I've finally brought this story back onto my newaccount. This is my first attempt at a story in this section. I am taking on the Hobbit as a request from a close friend and once she gave me a little idea it just took off after I watched the first hobbit. I post the schedule of my updates in my bio if anyone is curious but, realize these are subject to change based on h how popular a story is and I try to get all updates out in two or three weeks. I do base how quick my updates come on how many reviews (good or bad but, no flamers if you don't like it don't read it), favorites or follows the story gets. If you're not comfortable reviewing, messages/pm are included as well. If there is something you would like to see throughout my story let me know or if you would like to request a different story review or message me. I do not own anything from any of the Hobbit movies but, I do own my own character and anything else you do not recognize.}

There it was...the Shire. It had been years since I was last here and even then it was only in passing. I had just reached my home in my cottage out by Bree, when I had received a letter from my old mentor Gandalf. There are some things you need to know about me. I'm not a hobbit nor a dwarf, a wizard, elf or human. In fact I'm not exactly sure what I am, I age like an elf, my skin is a tan colour like a dwarf but just as soft as an elf and I have long golden blonde hair that reaches the middle of my back, my eyes are a very clear blue and even though I was only five foot four, I was stronger than the average women. I also have two tattoos on my wrists and one back piece. The dwarven symbol for hope was on my left wrist, the Elven symbol for miracle was on my right wrist, they both meant the world to me, if there were two words to describe my existence it would be them. I also have the tree of life spread across my back in a light brown ink with bits of it twisted petals surrounding it. I also have the ability to use magic and that is how I met Gandalf.

The earliest memory of my childhood (and really the only memory) I have, was in the very cottage I lived in now. My parents owned it and the only memory I had of them, was when Gandalf found me covered in their blood, sitting on the front steps. Gandalf took me in under his wing and it wasn't too long after that, that we figured out that I could control the elements. When I was sixteen, I left Gandalf in search of myself and the home I had left behind. Gandalf didn't exactly approve, he believed I could do so much more than control the elements but, when I started to dwell into more magic, the power I could possess scared me. I would black out and felt completely exhausted and drained for the days that followed. I stopped learning about what else I could control after an incident I had with the Radagast the Brown and his animals and after a healing experiment gone wrong. I now hunt and protect the city of Bree when they believe it is important and I also take on the odd task that comes my way.

The letter had indicated that he required my assistance in a journey and the protection of a hobbit if he chooses to join said journey. Which struck me as odd at first because most hobbits do not seek out adventure, instead they hide in their peaceful town and their homes under the hills. But, if Gandalf was asking for my help I could hardly pass up the offer, let alone the chance at another adventure with him, they never proved to be dull or boring. I slid on a fresh set of dark brown pants with a set of black boots that laced up the front and ended about mid calf. I also wore a matching tight fitting tunic that had a white design engraved on it and dipped down to my chest slightly but not enough to really show anything, I also had my royal blue clock that had fur trimming on the outside and a little bit on the inside. I placed my hair in a braid going down to the side of my neck, once it reached the bottom of my neck I left it open so my waves fell out of the braid landing around my chest. I grabbed a second cloak along with the one I was wearing, a few extra weapons and a bed roll. Before long, here I was just outside of the Shire. I gripped tighter to the chain I had around my wrist, it was a silver chain that brought me luck and calmed my nerves. It was my fathers and it also had my parent's wedding rings on it. It was the only thing I had left of them and I held it dear to my heart and never left it behind.

Most people in the Shire were just arriving home from the bar in town and paid no mind to me. I threw my hood over my head and kept my head down as, I followed the instructions to the hobbit hole we were supposed to be meeting at. I stopped under a nearby tree and strained my eyes to see where I would be going. The bad thing about the Shire is that it has so many twists and turns that if you are not familiar with where everyone lives, it is easy to get lost. I could hear a faint loud banter coming from just around the corner and I choose to follow my gut. I continued to ride my horse around the corner and my eyes settled on a dark green door with a light blue dwarven letter on the bottom of the door. The lights were on in two windows of the home and it seemed the closer I got to the door the louder it got. This had to be the place. I hopped off of Adagio and pulled him closer to the fence where I could tie him up. I gave him an apple before I ran my fingers down his snout and left for the door.

Once I reached the door, I knocked a few times and a bit harder than normal because of the level of loud noises you could hear coming from inside the house. I removed my riding gloves and looked behind me as I waited for someone to answer the door. I looked back when the door opened to see a handsome blonde dwarf standing in front of me with a mug of ale in his hands. Behind him stood a flustered hobbit who was shouting at people that were obviously ignoring him. My lips fell into a frown and my eyebrows knitted together, "Well, who do we have here?" The blonde dwarf asked

"Arabelle but, I prefer Bell. Is Gandalf here?"

"Fili at your service." he bowed to me and basically shouted

He stepped to the side so I could walk in, I took the invitation and my eyes searched the area for Gandalf, "Oh, there is my little troublemaker." Gandalf said from behind me

I instantly felt the blush rise to my cheeks in embarrassment at my old nickname. I turned around to face my old friend and gave him a smile. Before any words could leave my mouth though, an even bigger smile flew across my face as my eyes connected with someone else in the dining room. "Ori!"

Once Ori saw me he came flying through the dining room and straight into me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I let a little bubble of laughter escape my lips and when he pulled away, I took a good look at him. "Wow, you have grown so much since the last I saw of you. Look at that beard and those braids." I gushed

Ori's cheeks turned red but, he mumbled a thank you in return. When I heard the front door close, my attention was then drawn to the growing crowd around me. I gave Ori a pat on the shoulder and looked to the rest. I caught the look that Gandalf was throwing my way and I cleared my throat "Ori, took shelter in my home a few years ago and took me on quite the journey. Hi everyone my name is Arabelle but, please call me Bell." I introduced myself

If there was one thing Gandalf the Grey taught me, it was manners. Gandalf went around the room and introduced me to everyone and by the end my head hurt with all the rhyming of their names. I knew it was going to take me a while to remember them all but, then again there was time wasn't there? The room grew loud again as all the men continued on with what they were previously doing. I looked up to Gandalf and asked, "Is there somewhere we can talk for a minute?"

He gave a nod of his head and motioned to the back of the little home. It wasn't as quiet as I would have like but when you have a bunch of dwarves in your home, how quiet can it actually be. I made sure that no one was within ear shot and asked quietly, "This journey...it's to reclaim Erebor isn't it?"

He pushed his lips into a thin line and replied, "How did you know?"

"There have been whispers throughout Bree for a few months now and on top of it, from what I understand there is a pretty price on a certain dwarves head. People are looking Gandalf and rumours are being spread and unfortunately that means that people in Bree tend to ask a constant traveler like me questions," He gave another nod of his head so I continued on, "Well, I will still come on this journey Gandalf I would appreciate being kept in the loop on all things."

"Do not fret my child, all will fall into place when the time is right."

He placed a hand on my back and started to push me out of the room we were in. I rolled my eyes at what he said, he has been saying that to me for years now. We stepped out of the room together to see the hobbit called Bilbo freaking out in the kitchen. He stopped me and Gandalf the moment he saw us. "My dear Bilbo whatever is the matter?" Gandalf asked, side stepping the hobbit

"What's the matter? I'm surrounded by dwarves. What are they doing here?" Bilbo asked a little freaked out

"Oh, they're quite the merry gathering. Once you get use to them."

What Gandalf said wasn't a lie but, I didn't believe that it was my place to step in. "I don't want to get use to them. Look at the state of my kitchen, there is mud ruining my carpet, they pillaged the pantry and I'm not even going to tell you what they have done to the bathroom. They all but destroyed the pluming. I don't understand what they are doing in my house!" Bilbo hissed

During his rant we ended up walking through the kitchen and into the hallway. " 'scuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt but what should I do with my plate?" Ori asked Bilbo as he walked up to him

Ori and his manners, which I always found amusing since most dwarves lacked them. Before Bilbo could answer Fili came up behind me. He rested a hand on my back and reached over to grab the plate from Ori. "Here you go Ori, give it to me." He told him

Next thing I know the plate is being thrown across the hallway into the waiting hands of Kili and then thrown into the kitchen. I didn't hear anything break so I supposed that another dwarf was in the room. I looked forward just in time to duck out of the way of another flying plate that went straight for Fili. " 'scuse me that's my mother's west party dishware its over a hundred years old!" Bilbo tried to get in the way to stop them from throwing the plates.

The men in the dining room started to stomp their feet and use their utensils to make a bit of music, "Can you not do that, you will blunt them."

He seemed to be getting more stressed out by the minute, "Oh, did you hear that lads, he says we will blunt the knives." Bofur mocked.

Gandalf danced in and out of the way and I smiled in amusement when Kili started to sing, "Blunt the knives bend the forks."

Fili continued the song, "Smash the bottles and burn the corks."

The men in the room started to sing without the brothers, "Chip the glasses and crack the plates. That's what Bilbo Baggins hates."

Then everyone around me started to sing together, "Cut the cloth and tread the fat,

Leave the bones on the bedroom mat,

Pour the milk on the pantry floor,

Splash the wine on every door,

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl,

Pound them with a thumping pole,

And when you've finished if they are whole,

Send them down the hall to roll,

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"

All the dwarves broke out in laughter and Bilbo pushed through Fili to find that all the dishes stood cleaned and stacked neatly on the table. I had sat down about mid way through the song to get out of the way. I couldn't help the little bubble of laughter that escaped my lips and I clapped at the dwarf's performance. I knew from the look on Bilbo's face that he was not only exhausted and tired from chasing the dwarves around but he wasn't all to amused or impressed either. If there was one thing I loved about dwarves it was their love for music and that they knew how to have a good time, make the best out of the moment that's given to them. Especially these dwarves given all they have been through. A loud knock came to the door and everyone immediately went quiet. My face fell from the smile that was on it to confusion. "He's here." Gandalf said simply from beside me

I watched as everyone's eyes stayed glued to the door but no one made any move to open the door. Not even Bilbo who was still marvelling at the clean dishes. I stood up from my chair and walked the door. As I reached the door, I could hear the scrap of another chair over the wood and knew someone was coming with me. I opened the door to see a handsome dwarf with deep black hair with a few odd streaks of white and a smaller beard then some of the other dwarves in the hobbit hole. He looked tired and more than a little annoyed. But when his eyes settled on me, curiosity over took his features. He nodded his head to me but, I was still a little miffed by the dwarf who stood in front of me. Something was different about him but, yet an odd familiarity was there. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way twice. I wouldn't have found it all if it wasn't for that mark on the door." He said to Gandalf

He broke eye contact with me as he stepped into the house. "Mark? There is no mark on that door, it was painted only a week ago." Bilbo remarked

"There is a mark on the door, I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins and Arabelle let me introduce you to the leader of our company Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf introduced

"Bell is fine." I blurted out, only Gandalf ever called me by my full name and I hated it

"So...this is the hobbit and the other companion you refused to tell me about." Thorin said unimpressed

I raised my eyebrows at Gandalf who was avoiding my gaze. "Tell me Mr. Baggins have you done much fighting?" Thorin asked Bilbo as he walked around him, checking him out

"Pardon me?" Bilbo asked confused

"Axe or sword, what is your weapon of choice?"

"Well I do have some skills at conkers if you must know. But I fail to see why that's relevant." Bilbo bragged a little

Thorin crossed his arms over his chest and my eyes connected with his, "And you girl, what can you do."

"Me? I can do a great many things but I suppose I specialize in magic and sword combat."

Thorin looked skeptically at us and said, "Thought as much, they look more like a grocer and a housewife then a burglar and guardian."

I scoffed under my breath as the rest of the dwarves laughed at his comment. With that he turned around and walked away.

~~HOBBIT~~

It had been almost an hour since Thorin arrived. We had waited while Thorin and I had gathered some food. Thorin sat at the head of the table and I sat between Kili and Fili where I felt most comfortable at the moment. I picked apart my bread as Balin spoke up first, " So what news from the meeting of Ered Luin. Did they all come?"

"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms." Thorin replied

The dwarves around me gave small cheers at this news. "What do the iron hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked

Thorin looked down for a moment, "They will not come," All the dwarves started to murmur their regrets and anger towards this news, "They say it is our quest and ours alone."

There were more disappointed statements murmured between the dwarves. Bilbo, who was almost pacing in the hallway in front of the dining room stuck his head in and asked, "You are going on a quest?"

I gave out a small short laugh and asked, "What, you have not told him yet?"

"Told me what?" Bilbo asked

Gandalf gave me a look that told me to keep quiet and he looked over to Bilbo and asked, "Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light."

Gandalf stood slightly, or at least as well as he could given the space he had, and pulled out a map. Bilbo returned quickly with a candle and set it in front of Gandalf. I had finished my supper and pushed my plate forward and sat up a little straighter so, that I could see the map a little better. I realized quite quickly that I had seen this map before when I was a child. But, Gandalf had taken it immediately from me and after a horribly long scolding, I had never seen it again. Until now that is. "Far to the east, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak." Gandalf read while his finger trailed over the map

Bilbo peaked over Thorin's shoulder and read the bolded letters on the map, "The Lonely Mountain?"

"Aye, Oin has read the portents and the portents say that it is time." Gloin remarked

"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." Oin mumbled

"Uh, what beast?" Bilbo asked

I looked up to see Bilbo who seemed slightly curious but, more concerned than anything. I don't blame him, the idea of a beast let alone a dragon would terrify anyone, even if they choose not to say it out loud. "Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible. Chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Air born fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks, extremely fond of precious metals-" Bofur started to rant

I gave him a kick from under the table to stop him from speaking, seeing as the previous look Bilbo had on was growing more concerned by the second. "Yes I know what a dragon is." Bilbo mumbled, a little out of breathe.

"I'm not afraid, I'm up for it! I'll give him a good taste of the dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!" Ori shouted while he stood up

I couldn't help but, smile at the little dwarfs ambition and dedication to the quest. He always had a lot of loyalty to his people and a lot of energy when he chooses to use it. That was definitely one thing I missed about it. A few dwarfs shouted their agreement and some even stood up from their seat to agree. "Sit down." Dori demanded of his brother

Ori went back to being shy and sat down quietly. "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen and not thirteen of the best nor brightest." Balin stated the truth.

Even though Balin was only stating the truth most of the dwarves started to shout at each other in disagreement or offense to Balin statement. "We may be few in number but, we are all great fighters. All of us down to the last dwarf." Fili argued from beside me, slamming his hand against the table

"And you forget that we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf would have killed a hundred dragons in his time!" Kili supported his brother's statement from beside me

I let out a small amused laugh as I crossed my arms over my chest and looked over to Gandalf. With Gandalf being put on the spot, he froze and started to stutter, waving his hand over to Kili "Oh, well now, uh I-I wouldn't say that I-"

"How many then?" Dori asked

"Uh what?" Gandalf asked even more flustered then before

"Well, how many dragons have you killed? Come on give us a number!" Dori started to shout angrily

Gandalf started to choke a little on his pipe and the next thing I know all the dwarves have stood up and started to shout at one another. I rolled my eyes and placed my fingers on my forehead and tried to ease the growing headache I had coming. I looked over towards Thorin and Bilbo. Bilbo who was now standing behind Thorin was trying to get everyone under control and unsuccessfully at that. My eyes caught Thorins and I could see that he was growing irritable with everyone. "Shazara!" Thorin shouted as he stood

He held authority with his voice and no one dared to continue to fight with anyone else. I let out a sigh and listened to the rest of what Thorin had to say, "If we have read these signs, do you not think that others would have read them to? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen in over sixty years. Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering and weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people lies unprotected. Do we sit back and let others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize the chance to take up Erebor! Du Bekar! Du Bekar!"

Once Thorin ended his speech, the dwarves started to cheer with him. Once everyone settled back down Balin was the first to challenge the idea of the journey, "You forget that the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain."

"That my dear Balin is not entirely true." Gandalf challenged back

Gandalf then pulled out an iron key and showed it to the group of dwarves before turning to Thorin who was looking at the key in hope and awe. "How came you by this?" Thorin asked, almost as if he couldn't believe his eyes as he reached out to grab it from Gandalf

"It was given to me by your father...by Thrain, for safe keeping. It is yours now." Gandalf replied and let Thorin take the key

"If there is a key there must be a door." Fili said hopefully

Gandalf pointed at the mountain with his pipe and replied, "These ruins speak of a passage to the lower halls."

"There's another way in." Kili whispered in my ear

"Well if we can find it but, dwarf doors are invisible when closed...the answer lies hidden somewhere within this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in middle earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage. But if we are careful and clever, I believe it can be done." Gandalf explained

"That's why we need a burglar." Ori nodded his head, speaking up for what everyone was thinking

My eyes landed on Bilbo's, "Hmm, a good one to, an expert I'd imagine." Bilbo mumbled thoughtfully while he played with his coverall straps

I believe this thought was meant to be more kept to himself but Gloin took him seriously, "And are you?"

"Am I what?" Bilbo asked confused, once more

"He says he's an expert! Hey, hey!" Oin cheered

Several of the dwarves laughed in amusement. "Me? No, no, no, no. I'm no burglar, I've never stolen a thing in my life."

"I have to agree with Mr. Baggins, he is hardly burglar material?" Balin suggested

"Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor defend themselves." Dwalin stated motioning to me and Bilbo judgingly causing me to narrow my eyes in his direction

"And what about your mystery companion over there? She doesn't look like much fighting material let alone a guardian." Thorin retorted

By this point I had enough of the judgemental assumptions "Hey, just because I have a body of a women do not assume that I cannot take any one in this room down with me. I have just as much experience as most of you in this room if not more. So do not assume you know me because I am a woman and if you continue to assume as much, I will show you how wrong you truly are!" I seethed

That was the one and only thing I could not tolerate and I was going to put a stop to it before it even got started. Me and Thorin started to have a staring contest across the table, neither of us backing down and the anger clearly written across both of our faces. What broke us away from each other was Gandalf who stood up and the room grew visibly darker. I knew what this was and it wasn't the first time this had happened. "If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is. As for Arabelle she has been a guardian to many people before and does not need to protect herself from the accusations of you! She has protected your own in the past and can do it again."

I swear every dwarf looked down ashamed at this and even Thorin looked shocked. I gave Gandalf a thankful look and as he continued to talk the darkness faded. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact they can pass unseen by most if they so choose. And while a dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of a hobbit is all but unknown to him. Which gives us a distinct advantage. Arabelle has traveled and protected many people and while not everything goes as planned, she still protects what is hers and will be just as loyal as any of you, if you would give her the chance. You asked me to find two more members for the company and I have chosen Arabelle and Mr. Baggins. There is a lot more to them then appearance suggests. And they both have a great deal more to offer then any of you know, including themselves. You must trust me on this."

Thorin seemed to mull this over in his mind, his eyes connected with mine before he reluctantly agreed, "Fine we will do this your way."

"No, no, no." Bilbo started to protest

Thorin cut him off and motioned to Balin, "Give them the contracts."

Balin reached over to pass the contract to Bilbo and my contract was passed down the line of dwarves to me. I mumbled my thanks to Fili and unfolded the contract. "It's just the usual summary of out of pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." Balin summarized

"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo asked shocked

I basically skimmed mine as, most of it was the same type of contract I was forced to sign for my jobs. Except the part about the dragon, that was new but, they had to include that in there. As I was signing the bottom of my contract, Bilbo was pacing the hallway once again, reading through his contract. "Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding, one fifteen of total profit, if any. Seems fair. Present company will not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained by consequence there of including but not limited to lacerations...evisceration...incineration?" Bilbo asked a little freaked out by the end

By now everyone's eyes were on Bilbo, "Oh aye he will melt the flesh of your bones in the blink of an eye." Bofur stated with a smug smirk on his face.

I knitted my eyebrows together, I was starting to worry about Bilbo who seemed to be a growing a little pale rather quickly."You alright?" I asked a little concerned.

"Uh yeah, I feel a bit faint." Bilbo replied

Bilbo leaned over and gave out a few short breathes. I got up to help the poor hobbit move away from the group and Bofurs unneeded comments. But, Bofur didn't seem to catch onto the fact that he needed to stop and continued on with his unnecessary remarks, "Think furnace with wings."

"Ah, I-I need air."

I was caught behind some of the dwarves as I tried to get around them. "Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash." Bofur continued

I stumbled a bit as I pulled myself from the chair I was stuck behind. I continued to walk towards Bilbo but, I shot a glare to Bofur to shut up because Bilbo looked worse than he did moments ago. "Mmm...nope!" Bilbo said in front of me, sounding completely out of breath

I tore my eyes from Bofur just in time to see the hobbit falling towards me. I held out my arms and grabbed him awkwardly. For such a small hobbit, he sure did weigh more then I originally thought. "Very helpful Bofur." Gandalf remarked.

"Come on, let's get him somewhere more comfortable." I told everyone.

Fili practically raced over to me to help me with moving. We sat him down in a comfortable looking chair, in an adjacent room. Gandalf followed me into the room and Fili left us alone. "Thank you for what you said in there." I spoke up quietly after a few minutes

"I only spoke of the truth, do not mind Thorin. You will grow on him in time."

"I'm going to go make him some tea for when he wakes up. When I was in the kitchen earlier I am pretty sure that I found some."

Gandalf nodded his head to me and I walked past him towards the kitchen. Most of the dwarves had dissipated from the dining room to do their own thing but, it still remained just as quiet as it had been when I left. No one was in the kitchen as I prepared the tea for Bilbo. I was standing over the stove waiting for the water to boil when a deep voice startled me, "Are you actually planning on joining us?"

I turned around to see that Thorin stood leaning against the door frame. "Yes, what does it matter to you?" I replied

"It matters because I will not be responsible for you or the hobbit."

"For one we have names and I will not tolerate being called you, woman or girl. Second of all, I would appreciate the common courtesy that I have shown you. You have no idea who I am or what life I have lived that has led me into your company." I told him sharply

"Do you realize who you are talking to even?" he asked slightly angry

"I do. You're Thorin Oakenshield King under the mountain. If you expect me to bow and treat you as if you are so much better than me then you are sorely mistaken. In my opinion a title does not make you any different then someone like me. In fact it's just a pampered life that someone with that title lives compared to a commoner like me."

I didn't mean to rant as much as I did or talk to him like I did but, his assumptions were wearing me down to my very last patience. The water was boiling behind me and I quickly grabbed it, pouring it into the cup. Thorin still stood against the frame of the doorway when I turned around to walk by him. His eyes never left me while I moved around the kitchen. Once I reached him I dug into the back pocket of my pants and pulled out the contract I had signed earlier. I placed it on his chest and my eyes connected with his for a while, "I am joining this company whether you like it or not. I know what it is like to live without a home and to have it taken from you so, let me help you. Even if Bilbo doesn't come, I will be coming."

With that I left him and walked back to the room where Gandalf and Bilbo were. Bilbo was awake when I walked in and I offered him a warm smile as I passed him the cup of tea. "Thank you." He mumbled as he took a sip

Gandalf stood in the corner with a worried look on his face. "I'll be alright, just let me sit quiet for a moment."

"You've been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit who was always running off in search of elves in the woods, who'd stay out late, come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps...it's out there." Gandalf told him

"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins...of Bag End." Bilbo protested

Gandalf started to walk over towards us as he disputed what Bilbo said, "You are also a Took. Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle, Bullroarer Took was so large he could ride a real horse."

I laughed a little and we all looked over to portrait of Bullroarer that was hanging on the wall. "Yes." Bilbo said as if it was a stupid question.

"Well he could! In the battle of green fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin king's head clean off and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won and the game of golf invented at the same time. "Gandalf said rather quickly

Even I knew this to be a lie but, Bilbo still had a small comforted smile on his face, "I do believe you made that up." Bilbo said

"Well all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back." Gandalf said light heartedly

Bilbo looked over to me in complete seriousness and asked, "Bell, you're here to help me along the journey are you not? Can you promise that I will come back?"

I let out a sigh and bit my bottom lip, I decided that being truthful was the way to go. "I'm here to help make sure that everyone makes it but, if you want the honest truth...no, I cannot promise you anything just give you the reassurance that I will always try my hardest to protect everyone...including you."

"And if you do return...you will not be the same." Gandalf added

"That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf. I can't sign this, you've got the wrong hobbit."

I looked over to the contract that he had laid down and the air grew heavy as Bilbo left the room. "I am sure that he will come around by morning. I trust you in all the decisions you have made in the past and I don't believe you would have brought everyone here tonight if you would have had even the inkling that Bilbo would say no." I reassured Gandalf

We walked out together and I caught a glimpse of Thorin and Balin talking quietly among each other as Gandalf directed me back to the living room.

~~HOBBIT~~

Everyone gathered together and got comfortable. Everyone still wide awake and smoking from their pipes or watching the fire. I sat in the corner of the room, my legs and arms cross, my hood over my head so I could attempt to sleep. That's when Thorin started to sing, a hint of sadness in his deep husky voice "Far over the misty mountain cold. To dungeons deep and caverns old. We must away, eer break of day. To find our lost forgotten gold."

Everyone else started to join in but, Thorins deep voice could be heard above all the others. I peaked up from my hood to marvel at the dwarves around me, especially Thorin. I might have said some harsh words earlier but, it didn't mean that he hasn't gone through enough in life. "The pines were roaring on the height, the winds were moaning in the night, the fire was red it flaming spread, the trees like torches blazed with light."

I listened to the dwarves sing their song and couldn't help but feel a bit sad for what they had been through. I knew what it was like to feel lost and without a home and it wasn't a pleasant feeling. I knew then that the choice I made to come here and be a part of the journey whether Thorin liked it or not, was the right choice.