Chapter 1: Shire
It was a good day to be outside. Sunny, with white wisps of clouds, so warm and welcoming, with little to no wind down here on the road it was a good day indeed. I could tell that up there with the clouds, the wind held, soft, perfect for flying. Flying. It has been so long since I last taken to the skies with Fírnen. So long since I've been all alone in my own head. I missed the soothing presence of my dragon always here with me. And I still felt guilty as hell for being alive while he was dead. Three thousand years I wandered, but the grief, the pain was still as fresh as if the Last Alliance has fought against Sauron just yesterday.
"Arya?" Gandalf's voice broke through my heavy thoughts.
"Yes, my friend," I smiled slightly at him, reigning in my stallion, Grey Wind, and riding closer to his seat on his cart. He studied my face for a moment and sighed.
"You cannot let go," he murmured, watching me. I shook my head. He sighed again. "I remember how bad it was when I met you, and it has been a while already. You have gotten better."
I smiled a little brighter, "It's all Bilbo's fault. Him and his hobbitish ways. I'm glad we are coming here again, Gandalf. Hobbits are such innocent and funny creatures. It soothes my heart."
"And Frodo? I know he is quite fond of you."
I smiled wider still. "I think I have corrupted this one worse than you and Bilbo together. I like the little lad. He reminds me so much of my brother, Roran…" I trailed off, deep in thought. I remembered his funeral. I came back from my travels when I saw him on his death bed. I would regularly check on him, and I would always send him little gifts for his wife, Katrina, and their children. I met the little rascals and they were quite fond of me, their dragon riding aunt. I came rushing back and found his sons already adults, his wife an old woman that was not so far from death herself, and him lying there on his bed…
They always understood my need to travel. They knew how much pain Alagaesia held for me, everything reminded me of some struggle or another. It all always came down to what I have lost there. And now… he smiled wide, seeing me there.
"Arya, my dearest little sister…" I moved closer, leaning over him, softly hugging his frail body. "Still haven't changed a day…" he murmured looking me over fondly. I smiled a watery smile. There was scratching at the window and one of his sons opened it to let Fírnen stick his nose in. Roran laughed breathily. We all smiled at the dragon who has gotten bigger still. Roran went still and I knew Fírnen was talking to him. I didn't mind being left out. "I'm so glad you have come back to say goodbye…" Roran grasped my hand. "I know how much it pains you to be here, how much blood you've shed, how much you've lost… All for us, Alagaesians, to have peace again…" he was fading I could tell. Everyone gathered around him, seeing as we all knew the end drew closer and he would want all of us close to him.
"I love you, brother," I whispered, cradling his hand to my chest, tears falling slowly. "I'm sorry I have been so distant… I - "
He just squeezed my hand and smiled. "You always come back. Arya, you have done enough in your life to earn yourself some happiness. I know we are just cousins, I know you've lost everyone else you held dear. You have helped the rest rebuild, made sure everyone was happy, but you. Travel makes you happy. Do me a favor, Arya. Find happiness." At his words I just cried harder and buried my face in his shoulder whispering how much I loved him, and that he was always my true brother. We all said our goodbyes before he breathed out one last time and left with a content smile on his face.
"We should be there soon, Arya," Gandalf rescued me from my mind again. I shook my head to clear it and decided to avoid my own mind and concentrate on the present. Before Fírnen's death, he helped me greatly to keep all my memories at bay. I was older, but he always insisted on protecting me, as if I was a frail flower – and in a way he was much stronger, wiser. We both knew how much destruction I was capable of, but it was always him watching out for me.
I started humming an old lullaby from my home that always soothed my nerves and always put Fírnen to sleep.
"You're late!"
Gandalf and I both reigned in our horses and turned to the person that accused us of tardiness. On the bank next to the road stood a hobbit in short pants and a white shirt, his arms crossed across his chest, his dark hair in tangled curls, a leaf sticking out the top, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth.
"A wizard and a Dragon Rider are never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor are they ever early. They arrive precisely when they mean to," lectured Gandalf while we all tried very hard to hold in laughter and look serious. Finally we cracked. Frodo laughed merrily jumping onto my horse, making me grab him and pull him to me. He proceeded to wrap his little arms around me in a crushing hug, while Gandalf and I chuckled at his eagerness.
"I missed you so much! Arya, you should come more often!" I patted the little hobbit's back and picked the leaf out of his hair softly.
"I missed you too, darling little one," I smiled at his curly head. I really did love the boy.
"It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!" He let go of me and scrambled off my lap to give Gandalf a hug. I snorted in a very unladylike manner and carefully lowered the exited hobbit onto the cart. He bounced over to Gandalf, making the old man laugh again.
"I missed you, too, dear Frodo," Gandalf carefully sat the hobbit next to him and picked up the reigns. I kicked Grey Wind's flanks lightly making him start and we continued down the road. "You didn't think we'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?"
"How's is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence!" Gandalf asked Frodo as we set a leisurely pace. I chuckled, thinking about the hobbit and remembering the good times we've had travelling together.
"You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in uproar," Frodo told us with half amused half annoyed expression.
"That should please him," Gandalf chuckled and traded a look with me. I shook my head good-naturedly.
"Half the Shire has been invited," Frodo continued, not noticing our mirth. "And the rest are turning up anyway." At that we all started laughing again, disturbing some hobbit that were working in the green field we were passing. I gave them a polite nod in greeting as we passed and headed for the bridge into the main part of the settlement.
Nothing really changed in Shire. I knew it never did, and I reveled in the stability of their life. As we rode, I tuned out Gandalf telling Frodo about life outside of Shire and instead drank in the sights – rolling green plains and hills, pretty houses and bustling life everywhere you look. After a few years of wandering in the harsh wilds of the North this was a warm and pleasant sight, although I much preferred the landscapes of Rivendell. Last time I've been through there, I barely spent there a day before the dwarves pestered me into showing them a way out towards the Lonely Mountain and the end of their and by extension my quest. They, too, were a lively bunch, Thorin's dwarves and I was sad to see that tale end.
But I have learned a long time ago that everything eventually comes to an end; and if you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. My long life had been spend travelling all over the world and the three thousands of years that had passed since the Battle of Black Gates have given me as much happiness as they gave me sorrow.
"To tell you the truth," Frodo's voice brought me out of my musings after the two shared a silence, "Bilbo has been a bit odd lately." I gave Frodo a look that clearly said all he needed to know about his uncle's odd habits and Frodo elaborated. "I mean, more than usual." At that, Gandalf gave him a sideways glance as Frodo stared ahead, thinking about Bilbo. "He's taken to locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking. He's up to something." Frodo finished and looked to Gandalf and me. We traded a look, both knowing full well what Bilbo was up to – it didn't take much to figure out that he wanted to leave the Shire and would likely head to Rivendell. The place Bilbo admired and thought of as a sanctuary.
Suddenly realization settled over Frodo's face and he regarded me and Gandalf with a suspicious look. I hid a smile and looked ahead, while Gandalf tried to look innocent and busied himself with looking around and puffing his pipe. "Alright, then. Keep your secrets. But I know you both have something to do with it."
"Why, Frodo," I chuckled at the amused hobbit.
Gandalf resorted to his 'how so?' expression, lifting his eyebrows almost to the brim of his great pointy hat and Frodo divulged in mock accusatory tone, "Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of."
"Really?" Gandalf hid his own amusement and stared ahead, watching me maneuvering around the cart and to the front- the road has become too small for us to ride next to each other.
"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Frodo explained his point. Gandalf looked at him defensively.
"If you are referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out the door," Gandalf looked to me as if asking me to confirm his story to Frodo and thus verify it.
"Don't look at me like that," I snorted. "I had no idea what was going until it was too late and the dwarves declared I was helping them. And that was that."
Frodo laughed heartily at my rebuke. "Whatever you two did or did not do, you've been officially labeled as disturbers of the peace." Gandalf hummed, largely unconcerned, just as I was.
As Frodo finished his sentence we found a confirmation of his words in a form of a hobbit that was swiping the yard in front of his home. He looked up to see who was riding past and as soon as he noticed Gandalf and I he gave us a suspicious look before noticing the covered cart and starting to outright glare.
Both Gandalf and I looked away, more amused than concerned with such hostility. It was bound to turn out an interesting few days for us both, staying in a place full of unfriendly hobbits. Although, just how unfriendly we were going to find out later, if at all. As far as I knew, they were too peaceful to really do anything about their dislike.
Further conversation was interrupted when Gandalf's cart was ambushed by children calling out to Gandalf to show them fireworks. Gandalf kept on riding for a minute with a solemn expression as the children's cries quieted and they stared after the cart in disappointment. Frodo and I gave Gandalf an amused look, counting in our heads how long he will last this time before the guilt will get the better of him and he will give in.
It didn't take long at all and the back of the cart exploded with colorful swirls and flashes. The children cheered excitedly, jumping up and down as we rode away; Gandalf and Frodo laughed loudly as we continued on our way, but all too soon it seemed Frodo had to go.
"Gandalf, Arya," Frodo stood on the cart, "I'm glad you are back." He jumped off and waved.
"So am I, dear boy," Gandalf and I waved back and Frodo headed into the trees with a spring in his step. "So am I," Gandalf added quietly glancing around with nostalgia.
"Well, my friend," I smiled at the wizard as we continued up the hill to Bilbo's residence. "Time to see the old troublemaker. Gods give me patience," I looked at the looming home in chagrin.
"I'm sure he still remembers your explosive temper," Gandalf chuckled at my scowl. "You're not exactly the epitome of patience and serenity, Arya." He stopped his horse and stepped down from his cart as I dismounted and bid Grey Wind to stay where he was. The destrier neighed and bobbed his head up and down, as I loosened the saddle and fished out a treat.
Once Gandalf and I were both done and ready, we headed for the door with a large sign of 'No admittance, except on party business.'
Hello, hello. This is an old story that I've started a couple of years ago but quickly lost interest in; I've found it recently and re-read my notes, before deciding to post it anyway. This is one of my most ambitious projects, as in the plans this was part of a few stories that detailed different parts of Arya's life. This is actually the last part in the planned series, but since this was the most worked on, I decided to write this and see ow it goes.
Please review and tell me what you think. All your comments and input will help me to improve the story and give me ideas of how to continue.
Thank you for reading
Lia