Three weeks had gone by fast. Melawen made her way to Hobbiton, to meet Gandalf and the rest of the company she will be joining. Her first time stepping into the Shire, and it was a sight to behold. There was so much green everywhere, and there was laughter and happiness in the air. There were Hobbits everywhere. From children running around to men and women about doing their chores. Their homes were also interesting. They were holes in the ground. She could only imagine how their homes looked like on the inside. She couldn't help but smile at the sight before her. Now, she just had to find the home that Gandalf mentioned they were meeting at. He said it would be an easy find, but Melawen wasn't exactly sure what she was looking for. All the doors looked exactly the same everywhere she looked.

It was nightfall by the time Melawen spotted Gandalf. And with Gandalf was about seven dwarves. Letting out a sigh of relief, she gently kicked her pony to catch up to them.

"Gandalf!"

The wizard turned, along with all seven heads in front of him. Her still wore her hood up, hiding her elf ears from the rest of the dwarves. She got off her pony once she caught up to them.

"Ah. Melawen. You made it," he said, giving her a soft smile.

"Barely. You didn't exactly say what door to look for," she said. "I was lucky to have spotted you. Otherwise, I probably would still be lost."

"Well, you are right on time. We are on our way to the Hobbit's house," Gandalf told her. "Let me introduce to some of the company you will be with on this quest. Meet Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Nori, Ori and Dori."

"Melawen. At your service," was Melawen's reply, giving all of them a bow.

All of them were a bit dumbfounded at the fact that a female was accompanying them. But, they were more so surprised that it was a female dwarf. She was thankful that her hood stayed up, hiding her ears. She may be half dwarf, but she definitely had the height of one. She stood there, just smiling, waiting for one of the dwarves to break the silence.

"So you're joining in on this quest to then, lass?" asked Bofur.

"That I am. Gandalf asked for me join, and I accepted."

"But, you are a dwarrowdam?" asked Nori.

"Yes, how very observant of you," Melawen retorted. "I am more than capable of fighting just as any of you lot. My father taught me how to fight. Just because I am a woman does not mean I am incapable of protecting myself or able to hold my own in a fight. Now, are we just going to stand here all day questioning me, or are we going to make our way to this Hobbit's home? I for one am hungry."

Without another word, the dwarves carried on, not wanting to deal with the wrath of an angry dwarf. That they understood very much. They were all very hungry, and were eager to have a meal together.

"So these are the dwarves that responded to Thorin's message?" Melawen asked Gandalf.

"These are his kin," Gandalf responded. "Just one big family."

"Well, at least there are some dwarves with some backbone to take on a dragon."

Gandalf couldn't help but chuckle at the young dwelf's comment. He nodded his head in agreement, glad to see that other dwarves answered to the quest. Gandalf was worried that if the Lonely Mountain was not taken back by Thorin, then evil forces would try to create an alliance with Smaug.

"Are you sure I am needed on this quest, Gandalf?" Melawen asked again. "You saw how they reacted when they realized I am a woman. I'm not so sure Thorin will be just as accepting."

"Melawen, my dear. You are very much needed on this quest," Gandalf explained again. "There is more to you than meets the eye. You have your mother's blood in you."

"You say that, but I don't really know what you mean."

"I'll explain when the time comes. But for now, we are here."

Melawen looked up, and noticed the door was marked with a glowing blue rune.

"You could have mentioned that you marked the door. Then, it would have been easy for me to find."

"I thought I did."

"You didn't."

Bofur rang the doorbell, and Melawen could hear yelling from inside. Everyone was crowding around the door, and if they kept crowding the door, they would all fall on top of one another.

"No! There's nobody home! Go away and bother somebody else! There's far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is. If this is some clotttered's idea of a joke, I can only say it is in very poor taste."

The door was opened abrubtly, and, like Melawen predicted, all the dwarves fell through. Gandalf bent down, and could only smile at the young hobbit that stood there, a bit dumbfounded with the number of dwarves that just literally fell into his home.

"Gandalf," was all the hobbit said.

The dwarves picked themselves up, and started to raid the pantry. Melawen stood aside, not wanting to get in the way of everyone. The hobbit, named Bilbo as Melawen learned, was furious at the both the number of dwarves in his home, but also them emptying his pantry.

"Excuse me, those are my plates! Oh, not my wine! Put that back! Put that back!"

Bilbo accidentally bumped into Melawen, and he couldn't help but be a bit flustered when he noticed it was a female that he bumped.

"Oh. I'm so sorry, um..."

"Melawen, at your service, Master Baggins," Melawen said, giving a slight bow. "I am sorry for the sudden intrusion. Gandalf should have explained himself better."

"Huh? Oh yes. Right. He should have," Bilbo replied.

Bilbo continued to try to get everything back in order, and Melawen just stood against the door frame. Gandalf, on the other hand, was doing a head count, making sure everyone is accounted for.

"It appears we are one dwarf short," Gandalf sighed.

"He is late, is all," said a big dwarf, whom Melawen learned is name Dwalin. "He travelled North to a meeting of our kin. He will come."

Gandalf nodded his head, glad to hear the news. The one dwarf that wasn't here, Melawen noticed, is Thorin himself. Dwalin eyed the dwelf, who still kept her hood up. He was wary of her, wondering why a female was here. He didn't question though. If she was here, then she was here on Gandalf's behalf. He knew Thorin would be greatly against having a female on this quest, even if she is a dwarrowdam.

Melawen was then approached by Bombur, who had a plate of food in his hands. She was surprised that she was offered a plate, but thankful though. She smiled at the dwarf, and took the plate in her hand. Bombur smiled back, and took a seat at the end of the table. Melawen peaked her head in, and was surprised that twelve dwarves were able to fit in the small room.

"Melawen!" called out Bofur. "You can sit right here."

She hesitated at first, but she took a seat next to him. She nodded her head in thanks, and started to eat with them. They were a loud and energetic bunch. But, it was a nice sight to see. Everyone was cheering, just having a laugh. Gandalf was smoking from his pipe, and Bilbo just stood there, annoyed that all of his food was being eaten by people he didn't know. Another dwarf, a blonde named Fili, was standing atop the table, passing around drinks. Melawen took one in hand, thanking Fili for the drink. Bofur tossed Bombur an egg, who managed to catch it in his mouth. Everyone, including Melawen, cheered. Taking their cups in hand, everyone cheered and took big gulps of their drink.

When they were finished drinking, they all slammed their cups down, and a few of them started to burp. Ori let out a big one, and everyone cheered. But, Melawen let out a big burp, and everyone at the table was silent. She just sat there, her eyes going back and forth with each dwarf at the table. Even Bilbo was a bit surprised to hear her burp. The silence was then broken with loud laughter.

"Good one there, lassie!" said Gloin.

Melawen smiled and nodded her head. Never had she burped in front of so many dwarves. The only other person that heard her burp was her father. And he always enjoyed it whenever she did let one out. She is still part dwarf, and takes after her father some days.

When everyone had finished eating, everyone started walking about. Melawen got up from her seat, and started to clean up after her. Before long, her plate was suddenly grabbed by Fili, who then tossed it over to his brother Kili. By then, everyone was tossing plates. Then, a few of them started hitting the forks and knives against one another and against the table. Melawen noticed that they were all playing in sync with one another, as if they were ready to sing. Bilbo, as usual, was upset.

"Can you not do that? You'll blunt them!"

"Ooh, d'hear that, lads? He says we'll blunt the knives," said Bofur.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks," Kili began to sing.

"Smash the bottles and burn the corks," continued Fili.

"Chip the glasses and crack the plates...That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" sang the rest of the dwarves.

Soon, dishes were being thrown everywhere, but not one had hit the floor. Not one dish broke as the dwarves tossed them around, singing their song.

Cut the cloth and tread on the fat

Leave the bones on the bedroom matt

Pour the milk on the pantry floor

Splash the wine on every door

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl

Pound them up with a thumping pole

When you've finished, if any are whole

Send them down the hall to roll

Melawen couldn't help but smile and nod her head from side to side, enjoying the dwarves' singing. And she couldn't help but be in awe as they tossed the dishes from one another, not breaking anything. Bilbo looked like he was holding his breath the entire time, waiting for one of them to break something.

"That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" they finished loudly, laughing once they finished their song. Bilbo went through the crowd, only to be surprised that all the dishes were neatly stacked. And there was still not one broken dish. Melawen could only laugh with them, and even Gandalf joined in. But, the laughter died down when there were three loud knocks on the door. Melawen's smile vanished from her face, knowing just who it was that was at the door.

"He's here," whispered Gandalf.

Melawen stood there in silence as she watched the hobbit open the door. Standing there at the entrance was Thorin, and Melawen couldn't stop her heart from beating out of her chest.