Just as a note this story begins a little after Thorin and his company have encountered the trolls and before Rivendell. I am assuming that most readers are familiar with the story already and know what has happened with the company up to this point. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson's characters or stories. I only own my additional characters and additions to the story.

Chapter One: An Unexpected Host

"We can take refuge at dusk, we should have reached our host by then," said Gandalf.

"What host?" inquired Bilbo.

"Our host and guide for the remainder of the journey, with luck and the Valar be willing," the old wizard responded the last little bit he said more to himself than to Bilbo.

Thorin stopped mid pace to turn around and confront the wizard. His face scrunched in confusion and annoyance, his blue eyes lighting up as anger welled inside of him. It was frustrating enough that they had to have a feeble hobbit tagging along. This little hobbit who thus far had proved himself more of a burden and danger to the company than benefit. Despite what Gandalf said about the hobbit prolonging the trolls from eating them enough to let him come to their aid. Had it not have been for Bilbo they would not have been in the situation in the first place. It was because he had gotten himself caught causing Fili and Kili run to his aid followed by the rest of the company.

"What guide and host do you speak of Gandalf? I was under the impression that you would only provide us with the burglar as discussed in the prancing pony before our quest even began, that was the agreement was it not?" Thorin said this last sentence while folding his arms in an attempt to control his frustration that was quickly rising in his deep voice

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"You are not mistaken, Thorin, but would you not want a warm meal and warm hearth to recover for the night and get out of this endless rain?", Thorin opened his mouth but when it dawned on him that he had no real objection, he closed it and nodded his head just slightly.

With this, Gandalf continued, "It is not certain that this host will even be willing to let us through the front door. It all depends on who answers it". Bilbo found this last part to be odd and was about to ask the meaning behind what Gandalf was saying before Gandalf spoke again.

"As for them joining our company, I would advise that if you want to enter through the side of the mountain and not the front door. Our host will be our guide to that very door. Although that all depends on if we can convince them to come".

"And who might this guide and valuable asset be?" asked Thorin skepticism in his voice as he thought of the last 'valuable' person that Gandalf had suggested to their company.

"All you need to know is that you can trust me when I say, This quest will not be successful without them." Gandalf turned to continue leading the way but before he took another step he turned back around as an after thought came to mind, "I should warn you Thorin, you should not be so judging when we meet our host. That goes for all of you because I know dwarves and this host is not as they may seem when given a first impression. Be sure to watch your tongues of any comments that you may feel obligated to let loose from your lips." This was accompanied with a stern stare mostly focused on the two brothers that brought up the rear of the company. Fili and Kili looked at each other feigning innocence. They made a protest of what he was hinting at and that they would never do such a thing, claiming they had the manners of a hobbit. With the last comment the whole company burst out into laughter at the two young dwarves. If anything, they had the manners of two dwarf children raised by a pack of wargs in the eastern lands.

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It was nearing dusk when Gandalf came to a halt in front of large tree growing along a cliff.

"We have reached out destination for the night" he said gesturing to the tree.

Looking around Bilbo was confused. There was no house or anything that looked like a dwelling for that matter. "I don't understa..." Bilbo began to say but was cut off when Gandalf knocked on the trunk of the large tree.

Gandalf stood up gazing expectantly at the tree as if it something was supposed to happen. "From here on no one say a word let me do the talking until we have made introductions." Kili made to open his mouth to say something but was cut off by Gandalf. "Not a word". He said giving a hard stern look at the dwarf but was cut short when a soft glowing light shone on his face distracting him from the young dwarf.

To Kili the light seemed to emulate from the bark of the tree. The tree was glowing! No that wasn't it. The tree trunk had split open as a door shape swung open to reveal a hollow trunk. It seemed too large to be just the tree trunk but as Kili looked closer he realized there was a cave behind the tree that opened into a narrow crevice. It was just large enough for a man to get through without getting stuck. Standing in the doorway, to Kili's surprise, was a small dwarf child no not a child a dwarf maid probably not much younger than himself. She had light brown hair and big round green eyes that seemed to glow in the dim lantern light that she held in her hind. A look of fear, then surprise fell on her face as she stood gazing around the company. Her eyes scanned each of the members of the company lighting up with curiosity as they fell upon the small hobbit. As she continued to look around a large smile formed as her eyes fell upon Gandalf. Her smile lit up the features in her face making her look angelic and welcoming as she looked up to Gandalf who standing off to the side of the door.

"Gandalf!" She cried with so much cheer in her high voice Kili thought for a moment that she was an angel. Never in all his years had he heard such a sweet melodious voice come from a dwarf in his life.

"Ah, good evening Milla, I was hoping you would be the one to answer the door as always you look more lovely than ever!" Gandalf removed his hat giving a small bow to the small dwarf maid.

She brightened and smiled again. "Thank you Gandalf. It is so good to see you and your...friends," she paused before settling on the word friends as she looked around at the company. "I have to be honest I did not expect to see you so soon since your last visit here".

"I will be honest it is my last visit that brought me here again. We have come in need of shelter and rest. You would not mind if some weary travelers took refuge with you for the night? If it is not too much trouble?" He asked politely.

"Of course I am sure you are all in need of some hot food and good ale please come in out of the rain. You can leave your ponies over by that group of trees" she said to Fili who was holding the reigns of several ponies, gesturing to a clump of trees not too far off from the entrance. Then with another gesture to the rest of the company she motioned for them to follow her down the hallway. Gandalf followed the small girl into the tunnel and after a moment of hesitation and wonder the rest of the company filed into the narrow passage way.

Kili was amazed by location of the home in which they had entered. It reminded him of the hobbit holes in the shire. A person would not expect it to look homie but as they reached the end of the hall it opened into a large cavern that had a kitchen area and a living space. As he looked around the room he saw what looked like a few more small passageways with doors that branched off of the central room. In the middle of the room was a large table with several mismatched chairs and benches that surrounded it. At the far end of the room was a fireplace that had a large pot stew simmering over a low fire. The aroma of the stew smelled delicious and made his mouth water as he inhaled the scents.

"Please make yourselves at home. I am afraid we do not have enough seat but there are several barrels and crates in the cellar room that your can seat yourselves with." said Milla gesturing to one of the passageways that led out of the large cavern.

After some rearranging and pulling up of crates and barrels each dwarf was gathered around the table looking back and forth inquisitively at Milla and Gandalf waiting for some sort of explanation as to who this girl was and who was it that would be joining them on their quest. Surrley it was not this small fragile dwarf thought Kili. There was no way Thorin would allow a female to join them, especially a dwarf maid. Perhaps her father was the one that Gandalf had in mind for their acting guide, thought Kili.

Once Gandalf was settled into a large chair at the end of the table he stood up and gestured to the dwarf maid. "Everyone this is Milla, Milla this is Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Fili, Kili, and Finally Thorin son of Thrane son of Thror king under the mountain".

Milla met each dwarf with a slight nod and smile of acknowledgement as each introduction was given. She found herself blushing when the dark haired dwarf was introduced as Kili. As she met his gaze he gave a wry wink and grin. She quickly averted her eyes to the next dwarf trying to hold her face in its polite smile as she was introduced to the final dwarf. So this was Thorin, she thought. He had a look of air and grace even in his disheveled traveling gear and she was left in awe as she remembered all of the stories she had heard as a child about the famous heir of Durin. "Pleased to meet you" she said catching a glimpse back at Kili. The second she looked at him she regretted it because he was looking at her with a mischievous grin that made her face burn again.

He held her gaze until the older blonde dwarf gave him him an elbow to the ribs. Giving a cry of pain he broke his gaze and looked at his companion who was now giving him a look that Milla could not place but she could sense he was teasing the younger dwarf. As her face burned again with blush she turned to the far wall to hid her ever reddening face. Walking across the room she made her way to the cupboard holding the bowls. Grabbing a stack she began to pass them out to the dwarves now surrounding the table. The largest dwarf stood up and grabbed half the stack and began to help her.

"Let'me 'elp you with that lass" he said as he threw a bowl over to Nori who lifted his hand just in time to deflect the projectile from hitting him in the face. Once everyone had a bowl Bombur went over to the fire. He lifted the heavy pot from the hot flames with a tea towel as if the weight of the cast iron was nothing more than a wicker basket. Taking the large ladle that hung next to the fireplace he went around dishing up the piping hot stew, Grateful for the large dwarfs help, Milla started slicing bread and fetched the butter dish.

The company was weary and hungry and after quite some time of loud slurping and compliments to the chef the dwarves began to sit back in their chairs patting their bellies satisfied. Bofur began to sing a hardy tune as the company drank their pints of ale, their cheeks becoming rosier with every tankard.

Milla sat happily in her corner next to Gandalf, nibbling on a piece of bread as she watched with curiosity and amazement. Every once in awhile she would catch a glimpse of Kili and blush with color as she discovered he was looking at her each time as well.

After several songs Gandalf stood up and cleared his throat. The dwarves began to quiet down and give their attention to Gandalf he took the opportunity to speak. "Milla you have been quit the host and I am sure all of us agree when I say this". A loud chorus of 'Ayes' echoed throughout the room as they all raised their tankards in agreement. "But I am sure you already know that it was not just your hospitality that brought us here". Milla nodded in agreement. "I have to admit I was quite relieved when it was just you home since I am not wrong to assume that if our other host were home we would still be standing on your front door step. Correct me if I am wrong?"

Milla gave a half knowingly grin because Gandalf had it just about right."I believe you would not have even made it close enough to knock". Replied Milla giving a small laugh.

Gandalf nodded and smiled, "Now, despite our luck of just finding you home it is your sister that I had wished to speak to. The night has grown late and I do wonder though and I must ask where is Rylynn?"

Milla shifted in her chair but as if summoned by magic, a burst of the front door sounded through the room. It echoed down the front passageway and started several member in the company.

"I believe that would be her," said Milla standing quickly and walking towards the entrance way.

I hope you have enjoyed it so far. I have a lot of this story already written but I am really trying to improve as a writer so any feedback and constructive criticism you have please review or send be a private message. If you have advice I would love it so that I can improve this story as I go along and make correction.