Author's Note: I am sorry it took me so long to update! I was having a few shootings, but I think most of the filming work is done now ^_^ sooooo I can finally dedicate myself to making some progress with this (and some more :P) fanfic :)

Months before...

It only needed one strong gust of wind to yank the map up into the air, where it performed a few loops until it landed on the muddy ground with a spalsh. A curse cut through the silence of the night, as she ran up to the map and picked it up. Grimacing and sighing, she wiped off the dirt from the thick parchment, before holding it up to the moonlight again. She could hardly recognise anything on it, especially now that it was wet and full of stains.

For several hours already she wandered about this unfamiliar environment, getting lost every now and then, despite the explicit inscriptions and lines of black ink she constantly studied.

"'You'll have no problems finding it.'", she mimicked the deep voice of the tall wizard, who had spoken to her uncle about the meeting place, as she took a look around. In the daytime, this region called 'The Shire' must have been stunning, green grass and colourful flowers as far as the eyes could see, though, she'd only reached it on her pony when the sun had already set and in the dark, everything was of the same grey.

"Is somebody out there?", a high-pitched voice rang out suddenly, making her cringe and spin around.

Only now that she spotted the small woman at the round door, timidly staring into the darkness, she noticed that she was standing in the front yard of one of those hill-houses she'd seen douzens of on her way.

For a long moment she considered remaining in her frozen posture, not uttering a peep, so that the woman would give up on searching and go back inside, since she hated asking for directions. She didn't want anyone to know that she was lost, unable to find the way herself, despite map. However, she was aware that this could be her only chance to find the place Gandalf has told her uncle about on time, so she quickly plucked up all her courage, took a deep breath through her nose and stepped into the thin streak of yellow light that urged its way through the slightly opened door. "Good evening! I am sorry to disturb your peace in the house at such a late hour, but would you be so kind as to tell me where-"

The shocked looking hobbit woman abruptly interrupted her by slamming the door shut. A brief moment of silence followed, before her shaky voice sounded again: "There's nobody home!"

"...Alright..." Apparently, this woman was not very fond of nocturnal visits of strangers, and although it was rude to not lend an ear to her after she'd put on her kindest smile, she couldn't even blame her for her actions. The kindest smile doesn't help one bit, if the rest of the face was obviously marked by the exhausting journey. She must have been a terrible sight for the small lady! And still was, as it seemed, since she was absolutely sure that the halfling was watching her through some peephole.

Sighing, she turned around and marched out of the front yard and down the path towards the pony she had left there standing. Getting hold of the reins, she let the map disappear in her thick cloak again and continued leading the animal over the road lightened by the pale shimmer of the moon.

If she'd only come here earlier, not wasting time with resting, then it wouldn't be so damn hard to find that meeting place. But no, she didn't want to be the first one there, wanted to avoid the awkward silence that spread between strangers until someone of her kin would join them. Turning up as last of all would made her feel uncomfortable as well. The golden mean was what she had been aiming for. Now, though... it looked like she would come too late anyway. She wouldn't be part of this meeting at all. All would be for nothing.

She stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide.

Ponies... At least ten ponies lined up directly in front of another one of those round doors on a hill not far away. That could be it. It had to be it. She hadn't seen any other ponies on her way, so, seemingly, they weren't that common for hobbits. They must belong to the dwarves attending the meeting.

Excitement began to rush through her veins and a smile spread over her face. Drawing in the reins, she said: "Come on, Rumples, we found it!" and hastily headed towards the hill.

She tied Rumples down next to the other miniature horses, scurried through the garden gate und the small stairway up to the door the moon was painting with its silver light. Already in approaching it, she noticed the mark Gandalf must have fixed to it, the mark he had told her uncle about, the mark that left no doubt. Beaming by the thrill of anticipation she came to a stand, lifting her fist to knock on that door she had been searching for so long, when she suddenly paused.

She closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of food that came from inside, making her stomach grumble, since she hadn't eaten anything in a while. Also, she perceived various voices from inside, deep ones, high-pitched ones, voices with a strong accent... but none of them was familiar to her.

Slowly the euphoria changed into nervousness. She most probably didn't know any of these dwarves. Would she be welcome at all? Would they let her explain? Maybe she should wait for someone coming out...

Nonsense! She hadn't made the long way from the Blue Mountains to this meeting to chicken out now.

Taking a deep breath, she looked straightforward again, shoved all bad thoughts aside and knocked at the door. All of a sudden, all voices fell silent. Rumbling was to hear instead, hurried footsteps, until those sounds hushed as well.

It was a hobbit with ruffled golden brown hair - probably the one the wizard had spoken about - that finally opened the door, a look of annoyance on his face, however, that look changed entirely once he laid eyes on her. He seemed completely taken aback, just like the numerous dwarves she noticed standing behind him and even Gandalf the Grey, who towered above them all, frowned in confusion, as they were staring at the beardless dwarf woman with the soft features.

To make it easier for herself she fixed her eyes on those of her counterpart, adorned her face with a wide smile and bowed low. "Ilvì. At your service."