An Alternate Journey

Hi everyone. This is a Hobbit fanfic with a little of my own flare in it. (I do not own "The Hobbit") Can't tell you the details, you'll just have to read for yourself. I would very much appreciate feedback and constructive criticism in reviews. That would really help. This is also my first fan fiction that I've ever written so go easy on me. Thank you!

Summary: While the dwarven party is currently ransacking Bilbo's cozy little hobbit hole, a strange girl from far, unknown lands in Middle Earth (or so it would seem) wakes up to the rolling hills and the sweet smell of fresh scented grass. This one girl gets thrown in the adventurous tale of J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit". Therefore, giving the company and readers an alternate journey.

(Bilbo's POV)

Chapter I

The Unexpected Knock

"Ahhhhhhhhhh?" Bilbo thought as he tried to keep his calm. Trying, and flat out failing. They were actually throwing his dishes around. And to think he was almost convinced to give them a chance when one of the young ones (Ori? Nori? He couldn't remember) had asked him what to do with his plate, until another young one (Kili? Bili? It's all a blur, really) took it and threw it to one of those other forsaken dwarves. Bilbo was panicking as the air around him felt like it was consuming him. It took more effort to inhale and exhale, and he found himself that this evening he was having to lean against a doorway every few minutes and take deep breaths.

Bilbo nudged his way to the table to find that all his dished were clean and stacked in a somewhat neat manner. That's when a knock pierced through the chuckles and merry making. A knock that Bilbo assumed, considering the immediate silence upon the dwarves and Gandalf's blatant, "He's here", meant that the person who conjured up said knock was to be, more or less, important.

Bilbo found himself to be right. This dwarf was important; important, and impeccably rude. Calling him a grocer for goodness sake. What did this dwarf take him for? Apparently a grocer. This so called Thorin Oakenshield was going to make this evening, none too pleasant. Not that Bilbo found this evening very pleasant to begin with. No. This evening was far from pleasant. The only pleasant thing that came with this particular dwarf was the wave of quiet that his presence bestowed upon the rest of his uninvited guests.

They gathered around at his dining room table that they ended up moving (without his permission, he might add) to the hall outside of the dining room. The dwarves then started talking about, what Bilbo guessed to be, the adventure Gandalf had mentioned and he, being the Baggins he was, had turned down flat. The thought of going on an adventure with these dwarves made Bilbo nauseous.

"…the reign of the beast will end," said the white haired dwarf, who Bilbo had decided was the oldest out of all of them. (Except for Gandalf. Who knew how old the wizard was)

"What beast?" Bilbo asked. His curiosity had been growing since they began the discussion of, what was assumed, the quest of a lost homeland.

"Why, that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious met…"

"Yes, I know what a dragon is." Bilbo quipped back to the dwarf with the floppy hat. Knowing well that he was trying to scare him. Bilbo knew quite well that he was just a simple hobbit, but he was not an idiot.

One of the dwarfs (the same one that asked him what to do with his plate, Bilbo noted) stood up and shouted out just what he thought about this dragon quest, earning him cheers from most of the other dwarves and a firm 'sit down' from the silver haired dwarf sitting next to him.

Knock Knock Knock

The room went eerie quite. Much like before, only the look on everyone's face held confusion and caution, instead of anticipation. Bilbo realized everyone was looking at him now. Well of course they were, he thought. He was the owner of the house. Even though Gandalf was the one to open the door for Thorin Oakenshield. Maybe, they were trying to tell if he was expecting a guest, which was a ridiculous notion, really. Who would visit him at this time of night? It was far past supper (which Bilbo hadn't forgotten how he had been interrupted, and his stomach deprived of a good meal), and unless there was an accident no one should come to see him.

Bilbo had a moment of panic. He walked briskly to the foyer and quickly threw the door open to find… a… women.

What?

How did a woman find his smial? What was she even doing in the Shire? It was blatantly obvious that she was wealthy, going by the gown she wore. It was a shimmery bright red with white embroidery down the sleeves and the skirt. She took the hood of her cloak down, which was also red, and spoke.

"I uh…," she said. Bilbo looked up. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back out of her face into an elegant bun of sorts. Her face was stunningly fair, the moon lighting it up in a way that seemed most unearthly.

Bilbo straightened up. "Can I help you?" He said. Her face had seemed troubled and confused ever since he had opened his round, green door. Her face swiftly changed however, from confusion to determination. She took one deep breath and said.

"Yes, you can. At least to some extent. My name is Ashley Brooks and…, this is going to sound crazy, but I have no idea when or where I am. You see I've been wandering for about an hour and I am quite tired and put out, so if you would be so kind to invite me into your home and allow me to stay overnight, I would be much obliged."

Bilbo had to think about this. She definitely looked harmless. Plus he had many strong and skilled dwarfs in his house right now, not to mention that meddling wizard, and he was most certainly not someone to turn a person away in need. Her eyes flicked up to look behind him. He looked behind as well and found that the party had gathered in the foyer to meet the late visitor.

Bilbo turned back around to face her. "Of course, of course come in," he said very quickly, not wanting the awkward couple seconds it took him to answer make her think that she was not welcome. "My name is Bilbo Baggins of Bag End." She walked inside, barely having to duck to get in, being that she wasn't that tall. About the same height as the average dwarf. "Let me take your cloak. If you could come with me, I'll take you to the sitting room, and I get you a nice warm cup of tea. We may then talk about your predicament." He hung her cloak up and then turned to lead her to said destination, but stopped abruptly. "If you'd like, that is," he said, uncertainly. He didn't want to pressure her into saying anything.

He had no idea what could have happened to her. The Shire was not a dangerous place for travel, so maybe the people she was traveling fell ill. He deemed it highly unlikely, however, for her to be traveling. She was not properly equipped. Aside from her inefficient clothing, the only things she had were the cloak he just hung up, and a little velvet purple bag hanging at her neck. Probably holding some keepsake or what not. Not something that could be useful one the road.

"Thank you Mr. Baggins," She said. "You are very kind. I feel horrible for intruding, considering you have company, but this was the only home that had any lights or noise coming from it, and I did not wish to wake anyone." But before the hobbit could reply, the wizard spoke.

"Do not fret, my dear. Bilbo is a gracious host and will see to your needs."

"I'm sure he is. You seem to have quite the company tonight. May I ask what the occasion is?" She was very polite, and seemed to be used to talking to people she had never met.

Gandalf was about to answer, even though the question was obviously pointed at Bilbo. However, Thorin Oakenshield beat them to it.

"Who is this Gandalf? You told me nothing of a fifteenth member joining our company?" He stepped out a little more to the center of the entrance to Bag End. "Is this how you will treat me and my kin? By keeping secrets from us. It's bad enough having the hobbit coming along, but this women who, from the looks of it, has probably never gone hungry for a day in her life."

Gandalf looked like he was fuming and was about to retaliate and humble the stubborn dwarf, when a high, and soft pitched snort reached everyone's ears. They all looked to the mysterious girl. She did not seem aggravated, nor put out by Oakenshield's last remark. No. She seemed… amused.

"Something funny!" Thorin said. He was most definitely irritated by the reaction of the girl.

"I'm sorry, it's just… What's your name?" she asked. The dwarves were now watching with adapt interest. Waiting to see how this would play out. Gandalf's anger seemed to dissipate and was watching with new amusement, and Bilbo just stood there, wandering how long it would take to sit his guest down so they could both enjoy some tea.

"Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain," he said, raising his chin up, daring her to continue. This attempt did not seem to work on her though, much to the dwarf's frustration. She took a step toward him with a calm that the bravest dwarfs would not be able to muster under the stare of the intimidating figure.

"That's quite the title." Thorin smirked "However," she continued, "How much can I really know about you just by your name and what I see in front of me. Very little I'm afraid. You see, those are very minor details about you, and will not tell me how you treat the people around you, whether they are loved ones or complete strangers. They will not tell me what you do in your spare time. And they will not tell me how you will react to what I'm saying to you now. So what you just said about me and Mister Baggins, was the assumption of your first impression. You took in our appearances and polite nature and deemed it worthless. That we are beneath you. That, Mister Oakenshield, is how enemies are made. And I am not a person to be reckoned against." She smirked. "So remember that next time when you go insulting people on a whim." She then turned to Bilbo. "Now, I believe you mentioned tea."

"Oh… yes… I did…. Well then, if you would follow me, I will heat up some water."

Oh Yeah! I finished it. So what do you guys think? There will definitely be much more exciting once they finally get on the road. I just didn't want to rush into things. Hopefully, this will be a long fanfic.

Review and give me your opinion. Please and thank you!