So, this story is based on the movies, mainly because I can't be bothered to keep referencing the book, and I've got the film pretty much memorised. Also because, Richard Armitage. Need I explain any more?

Chapter 1

The night was warm, spring having fully arrived in the Shire, and the sky was clear, stars lighting the way as a small hobbit girl made her way through the night. Her hair was mussed, her dress was dirty and the light of adventure still shone in her eyes. It was not an uncommon sight for this particular hobbit, by name of Aya, to be travelling under the cover of darkness, far too late for any respectable Halfling to be found out and about. But Aya paid no mind to the glares she received from behind curtains, and continued on her merry way, up the hill towards Bag End.
As she reached the green door however, a crease appeared between her eyebrows in a frown. More odd than the strange mark on the usually pristine green paint of the round door, was the noise coming from inside.

Bilbo occasionally held parties, usually to keep his relatives happy and to assure everyone that he was not becoming odd (heaven forbid), but he always, always, made sure Aya would be present. He said that she was the only one, excluding himself, that he could have an intelligent conversation with. Besides the fact that parties held within hobbit homes were rarely so… exuberant (it was perfectly fine to be lively when the event was out of doors or at the tavern, but a hobbit home? Well. That just wasn't proper).

Needless to say that she knocked on the wood with caution, tensing in anticipation of what she might find, as the racket from inside ceased…..

(X)

Thorin, who had met and arrived with Gandalf and the last eight dwarves, was sat at the head of the table, eating his dinner and doubting the wizard's choice in burglars, as chaos raged around him. He paid little attention to the noise, deciding it was for the best that they all get their excitement out of their systems before getting down to business. He somehow managed to avoid all of the food flying around and ate in relative peace.

As he was bringing another forkful to his mouth however, there came three loud raps at the door, and everything went quiet.
Fili and Kili were the first to the door, followed closely by the rest of the company, their weapons raised as they glanced back at Thorin who stood at the front of the group gathered in the entrance hall. He inclined his head in permission and Kili opened the door...

She blinked at the sword in front of her, glanced up briefly to the bearded face, and then narrowed her eyes in anger. She ducked underneath the sword, her combatant holding it in anticipation of a taller foe, and barrelled into the body with surprising force for one so small, forcing them both to the ground. In his surprise, her would be attacker loosened his (the beard gave away his gender) grip on the sword and she wrenched it from his hand before scrambling to her feet. She gave her second opponent, a blond male, no chance to recover from his shock before lunging at him and swinging her newly acquired sword into his, disarming him.

As she began to turn, her instincts begging her to check her surroundings and identify any more threats, a pair of arms encircled her waist and lifted her of the ground, squeezing her tightly enough to force the breath out of her. She dropped the sword and tears welled in her eyes as she started to panic at the ever restricting hold.

"Dwalin! For heaven's sake, put her down. She can't breathe," the voice was vaguely familiar to her ears, but Aya found herself unable to concentrate as she felt the arms tighten a little more, before letting go all together. She dropped to the ground in a heap, her legs unable to support her as she sucked in deep breaths.

Warm hands pushed the curls from her face and she lifted her head to see Bilbo peering at her in concern, unharmed and unafraid, other than his worry for her. She frowned before standing, Bilbo helping her a little, "Uncle Bilbo?" She glanced around at the group of dwarves quickly, noting the lack of hostility, before turning back to Bilbo, "you don't need me to risk my life in a daring rescue, then?"
He chuckled warmly, relieved that she was okay and her breathing was back to normal (he would be having words with Dwalin before he sent them all on their way), "not this time I'm afraid. Though you did a marvellous job, I must say. What would the Sackville- Bagginses think, you fighting like that?
Aya pulled away from Bilbo, standing with the door to her back and the odd group before her (Fili and Kili having joined the others as they watched the exchange in confusion), "I don't suppose it's any of their business. Now, is someone going to explain?"

"Why don't you allow me to explain as the others clean up?" The same voice that had called a cease to her suffocation, now proved to belong to an old man, stooping behind the dwarves, for now that she looked at them, that is indeed what they were.
"Gandalf!" Aya cried, now recognising the old wizard. She beamed, remembering that he had been kind enough to indulge her requests for stories of faraway places and teach her of the world when she was younger.

"Ah, someone at least remembers me," he shot a glance at Bilbo, "yes my dear, it is me. May I say, that while I doubt I have changed much, except to get greyer perhaps, you have become quite the beauty. With skill enough to match your looks," he winked at the last and she blushed at the praise. "Now, if you would like to follow me to the living room? I will explain all that I can." Aya nodded and made her way to the appointed room as most of the dwarves dispersed to clean the mess they had made. Gandalf turned to Thorin and Bilbo who had stayed behind, "perhaps you should both join us as well?" They nodded and followed.

(X)

Thorin was not sure what he expected to see when Kili opened the door. He realised that anyone who intended to spy on him or harm him in any way would hardly announce themselves in such a brazen manner. But years of travelling, never trusting anyone and having to constantly watch his back had made the Dwarf Prince cautious.

He stood in front of the group and slightly to the right, so he had a clear view when Kili allowed the door to swing open. An impression of a slight figure, even shorter that the hobbit he was already familiar with, and an impressive head of curls, was all his mind registered before Kili was sprawled on the floor and the small creature was scrambling to its feet, sword in hand. His stunned surprise prevented him from acting as she disarmed Fili and it was Dwalin who finally moved, stepping forward and lifting the hobbit, for what else could be so small?, and disabling its attack.

The sword fell to the ground, and in the struggle, the curls flew back out of the hobbits face to reveal the soft, pretty features of a female hobbit. A face which was slowly turning red from lack of breath. Before Thorin could act, Gandalf's voice came from behind him, ordering Dwalin to let her go. She slid to the ground, gasping for breath and he watched as Bilbo rushed forward, checking to see if she was alright. From the familiarity they treated each other with, and her calling him 'uncle', he deduced that they must be close.

He felt a pang of guilt in his chest as Bilbo had to help steady her as she stood, guilt that it was one of his own who had caused her harm. For now that he had the chance to study her properly, Thorin realised how tiny she truly was, perhaps standing just higher than his elbow, and how easily Dwalin could have done irreversible damage to the poor thing. She looked young, her pale skin smooth and her cheeks had a constant natural flush, ensuring that she always looked like she had just been laughing. Her eyes were a warm brown, kind and inviting, though her hair was constantly falling into them as she tried to keep the honey brown curls at bay. Her dress was dirty and there was a small tear in the hem, as if she had fought her way through a bush.

Then her weakness left and she was all annoyance and frowns as she demanded an explanation, and so he found himself sat opposite her in the living room. Gandalf was in a chair, big enough to accommodate him, to his left, closer to the fire and the two hobbits shared the sofa across from them.
"Now then. Introductions first, I think." Gandalf gestured to Thorin, whilst addressing Aya, "This is Thorin Okenshield, son of Thrain and leader of this fine company of dwarves." Then he gestured to Aya and looked at Thorin, "this is Aya. Bilbo became something of a carer to her when she was around thirteen years of age."
Aya stood and curtseyed, "it's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Thorin."
Thorin, who had risen as she did, paused, "you know me?" He reached for her hand as she straightened and placed a kiss on the back of it as he bowed his head.
Aya's cheeks warmed and she smiled, "I'm afraid I was quite a bother to poor Mr Gandalf in my youth. No sooner would he settle down in Bilbo's house, and then I would charge in demanding tales and details of the world. I'm sorry to say that I found myself much more interested in Elvish history than Dwarven, but not so for your story," her eyes became wistful, "a dragon. An actual dragon." She sat, a dreamy look on her face, before her eyes became sad and she looked back to Thorin who had taken his own seat as well, "not that I suppose you have any fascination with the beasts anymore. I remember when I first heard your story, Bilbo gave Gandalf quite the telling off, for I wept for an hour."
"Yes, well. It was perfectly inappropriate, considering what had just happened," he glared at Gandalf who looked saddened. Thorin looked between the two, confused and curious.

Aya hadn't looked away from Thorin and she spoke quietly, regaining his attention, "I may understand all too well how you felt in losing your home in such a way, Mr Okenshield." She shook her head and straightened and Thorin held back his questions, not wishing to sadden her any more than she appeared to be already. "Gandalf, you may continue."
"Yes, well. As to why they are here, we require Bilbo's help on a little job -"
"And I have yet to hear what this job is. Perhaps you could enlighten me, before you go giving Aya any ideas about adventures -"
"An adventure? Where are you going? Oh, can I join y -"
"No you may not Aya. We are hobbits, we don't go on advent -"
"You can't possibly be thinking about saying no, Uncle Bilbo. You said you don't even know where they're going."
"Ahem," Gandalf cleared his throat, clearly amused by the smaller beings, "if I could be allowed to finish?" At the sheepish looks he received, he inclined his head and turned to Thorin, "if you don't mind Aya listening?"

Thorin considered Aya for a moment. She had been genuinely upset just thinking about his story and the empathy he saw in her as she spoke of understanding was welcomed. A surprising turn of events, as he usually scorned others pity. But then, she had been surprising him right from the off and he found that he had no objections to her knowing of their quest. He nodded to Gandalf.

"Very well. It is Thorin's wish to travel to Erebor and banish the dragon, Smaug, in order to reclaim his homeland. I have chosen Mr Baggins to be the fourteenth member and our burglar. Thirteen is far too unlucky a number, and we cannot afford to take chances."
Poor Bilbo was stunned, he had felt a little uncomfortable with the word 'travel' and had almost fallen out of his chair at the mention of being chosen to help face a dragon, of all things. He had been against the idea before, but now he was adamant that he would not be leaving the Shire. Though he was having to battle a very small part of him that was greatly interested.

Aya on the other hand, was practically bursting with excitement. There was no way she was allowing this opportunity to slip by. She glanced at Bilbo and knew that there was very little chance of him being convinced to go. Besides, she would be far more useful. Though she had no training and the most experience she had in fighting was scraping with the boys before she had been deemed too old for such things, she was at least willing to learn. More than willing, which was half of the battle Bilbo seemed to have already given up.

"You know Gandalf, if it's a burglar you want, I'd be more than happy to go in Uncle Bilbo's place. He doesn't seem too keen on the idea," she tried hopefully.
This seemed to wake Bilbo from his thoughts, "absolutely not! I've already told you that you will not be going anywhere! In fact, I think it's about time you got home." He stood, pulling Aya with him, dragging her towards the door.
She struggled in protest, "but you don't want to go! They obviously need the help of a hobbit. We're good at sneaking around; I assume that's why Gandalf thought of you. Not that I know why he would choose you of all hobbits, not when I only live down the road. Oh, please Bilbo. Let go."
"No. No, absolutely not. You will not leave the Shire while I have anything to say about it," they had reached the front door, having made their way through the group of dwarves that had slowly gathered in the living room.

Aya went from pleading to angry and Thorin and Gandalf, who had followed the two, watched as her eyes flashed in warning. She wrenched her wrist from Bilbo's hand and turned on him, standing in the now open doorway, "well you don't have anything to say about it. You are neither my uncle, nor any relation of mine and I am seven years past the age of maturity. If I want to leave the Shire, I will leave the Shire with or without your permission. With or without a group of dwarves." She flipped her hair out of her face in an angry gesture, before turning on her heel and stalking into the night without a backwards glance.
Bilbo stared into the empty darkness for a while, before shutting the door to the now chilly air. Thorin felt a wave of relief. For some reason he could not bear the thought of having the young girl in harm's way and probably would have refused to allow her to join in on what he knew would be a very dangerous journey, even if Bilbo had been agreeable.

"Balin, hand Master Bilbo the contract," he looked towards the remaining hobbit and caught his eye, "we leave at dawn. If you are not up we'll accept that as your answer." Balin brought the contract forward and handed it over. "Read through that carefully."
Bilbo nodded and retired to his room. He sat contemplating the contract long after the dwarves had finished their last song.

(X)

Aya slept for four hours, rising an hour before dawn. Her bag was packed and she pulled on a pair of trousers and a tunic she had made especially in anticipation of this day. As she reached the front gate, she looked back and said a silent goodbye to her home, before making her way to a hiding place she knew of where she lay in wait for the dwarves to leave Bag End.