What was this place? The green grass, the blue skies, the crystal lake in front of her? Where was she? she pulled herself into a sitting position. By the Gods! All of her joints hurt, and her head, and her fee,t and limbs, and all of her hurt! This surely wasn't the after life...she knew she was not in Sovngarde. she had just been there; and hopefully now it was safe there. It would be bright and beautiful, and the wonderful heavenly paradise of her race.

Standing, her hand went to her side where her daggers were hid...or they were supposed to be? Her hands found naught but air. No daggers. She felt incredibly light too, her hand flew up to grab her axe, nope. Not there either, nor was her bow. What did I go with? I'm sure I at least had Wuuthrad with me? Erika felt almost naked without her large axe; how could she have turned up her?...Wherever here was...without her weapons!?

Erika looked abut her, for a moment she had wondered if she was in the hunting grounds of Hircine; but she couldn't be, this place was warm. It was friendly, it was bright. The hills were luscious and brightly coloured round doors were scattered along the hills, houses? She could see little people, and she was sure it wasn't perception, were walking about. What were they exactly? They wore no shoes and had rather large feet; Erika found herself even more confused, if not a bit relieved that she was not in the hunting grounds of Hircine. Erika could remember a rather long history lesson about Hircine, about his hunting grounds and how they were overall blessed with his gift.

Erika slowly pulled herself up, still hurting as much as when she had first woke only to fall back onto the grassy hill. Erika turned her head as she head someone call to her and the padding of feet as someone ran to her. Erika looked, it was one of these small people; well she had never been the tallest of people, but they were still rather small even to her. A woman, with curly auburn hair, the woman wore a dress and apron and as Erika had seen before, no shoes. The woman knelt down next to Erika, and place a hand on her shoulder before speaking.

"Are you alright dear?"

"Uh...I think so?"

"You think so? It looked like you feel quite hard? What ails you?"

"Umm...I fear..." This was not anywhere that Erika knew, and she felt details of her life may cause more trouble, "I fear I am just weary and aching from journey."

It wasn't a lie, she just didn't know where her journey had took her. Although that wasn't at all new to her. The young girl had loved exploring her homeland; having been brought up in a small village, she had took the chance of adventure when it had showed it's beautiful head.

"Ah, I see. There's an Inn not far from here."

"I'm afraid I have no gold, no coins. I was hoping to work for my keep." Erika said quickly and smoothly, thankful for her training with the bards.

The smaller woman smiled. "I may take you in if you please, I've been having trouble collecting water from the well and collecting my chickens; I'm not as young as I used to be you know! If you do that and a few chores around the house I'll give you your board and food. But I'm afraid it'll only be for the night; and then you'll have to be on your way."

"Of course Ma'am!"

"Ma'am! Well never have I been so formally addressed! Tis Sally, my lovely!" Sally then helped Erika stand, and took her firmly by the elbow to help steady the younger woman.

Erika had helped Sally as she was instructed. She'd brought in four bucket of water thus far, put the chicken in their coop and helped sweep the house. Sally looked thankful for the help, and when Erika had finished her chores she was called into the dining room where Sally had set two places. Normally the old hobbit would just set her meal; but for her guest a small feast was laid out. Erika was really quite surprised at the little woman, who had welcomed her into her home. The two sat at the table and began to pile food onto their plates, for a start the two were quiet; but that wouldn't last long, Sally was as interested in Erika, as the young'n was with her.

"If you don't mind me asking lovely? Where are you from?"

"I come from a village in the North. What is this place?" Erika suddenly felt very ignorant; she had meant to ask Sally sooner.

"Oh, this little haven? It's called Hobbiton; we're in The Shire. And I'm a Hobbit, I could see the question brewing in your eyes! You're just too polite to ask lovely!"

"Oh, we don't have hobbits where I come from."

"You are of the race of Men aren't you, lovely?"

"Yes; I'm afraid I wasn't blessed with the gift of Height. I was told my father was of average height but my mother was rather small."

"Told? Didn't you know them?"

"No, I can't remember what they said had happened to my father and they say my mother died with fever, when I was just a babe. They said father was there; he had named me Erika. He stayed for a few months but then went out and he didn't return. I was too young at the time to ever remember his image so I suppose it doesn't bother me. How can I miss something I never knew?"

"That's...rather sad dear." Sally said, she didn't mean it in a horrible way; and she supposed she could understand Erik'a logic; but she wondered if this was what the girl had taught herself so hadn't felt the pain of loosing her parents. "Did you have any family?"

"Not that I'm aware of." That wasn't entirely true; For all she knew Erika had met her father. She was sure of it; but she never had the chance to ask him before his cruel death. "I never had a family, but I found one, several. Groups of like-minded people and we were a family."

"So you're well travelled?"

"Aye, started at 16. Just left home and..." I was almost beheaded."..Things happened. I didn't return t the village for a while; I travelled."

"You must've seen a lot. A lot more then a child should see. I've no taste for stories of adventure; but I know someone that does."

The two continued their supper in a content silence and Sally showed Erika to a spare room, for which Erika was very grateful. Sally had given Erika one of her nightgowns so the girl wouldn't have to sleep in her odd Black Armour. something Erika had picked up too, she had arrived in Hobbiton in Armour and circlet; but she had no weapons. Erika would have to find a way to raise a bit of coin to buy new weapons, she felt horrifically vulnerable with no weapons. Erika, once clad in Sally's nightgown, lay down in the warm bed and fell asleep.

Erika sat rather awkwardly in Sally's lounge; The older hobbit had went to get her neighbor. This was the someone did have a taste for stories and who Sally had picked to be the next carer of Erika. Sally entered with him, he stood only a few inches taller then Sally. Sally left the two and went to pot a of tea on.

"Hello! I assume you are Erika?" He asked, happily.

"Yes sir, I am. Who, may I ask, are you?"

"My name is Bilbo Baggins."

"It's nice to meet you mister Baggins."

Erika smiled warmly at the little man, and watched as he fidgeted. If anything, she definitely found these Hobbits, incredibly friendly and amusing. Bilbo edged closer to Erika, and spoke to her in a hushed voice,

"Sally...Sally said, she said you've been on adventures?"

Erika couldn't help but think of the small children in Riverwood when she would return, asking for stories of her travels.

"Yes, Mister Baggins I have; I've had many. Would you like to hear about them?"

"Oh!" For a moment Bilbo's eyes lit up and he looked as excited as a child being given a new toy, "you...you would would indeed share your stories?"

"Yes Mister Baggins if it please you."

"Sa-Sally! If you don't mind I think it would be best if we went!"

Sally rounded the corner, hands on hips and a small smile on her lips. She played this out, she knew stories of adventure would capture Bilbo.

"I can show Miss Erika around my home, and around Hobbiton."

"That sounds like a very good idea Bilbo!"

Sorry this was so short, but at the moment I'm working on three stories to keep updating.

1. Demons (Harry Potter)
2. Cheeky Pride (Harry Potter/The Hobbit)
3. Between Two Lives (Skyrim/the Hobbit)

Hopefully all three should be updated but I'm bulk writing for this one at the moment. So a few chapters should be up soon, tell me what you think! No deadly flames please!