"I have some important things to discuss with Lord Elrond; so I'll meet you in the Misty Mountains. I trust you all to take care and to not be so wary of the Ranger. He is a stern but kind man who is trustworthy." Gandalf said while staring intently at the dwarves beneath his bushy eyebrows.
A few of the dwarves mumbled a few things amongst themselves before a young man walked out from one of the buildings towards them.
"Are we ready to go?" the man asked.
The dwarves looked up in surprise at the man before eyeing him warily.
"Ah, yes we are now that you are here, Strider." Gandalf said smiliing at the man.
The man, Strider, had a small smile on his face as he turned and looked at Thorin.
"I have heard much of you Thorin Oakenshield. It is a great honor to be able to travel in your company." Strider said before he bowed to Thorin.
Thorin inclined his head. "You are the Ranger that is to accompany us?"
"Indeed I am."
"Is there anything else that you need to tell us before we go?" Thorin asked Gandalf.
Gandalf smiled and shook his head. "No there isn't. Go and don't lose heart. Keep a watchful eye for any enemies and keep your swords handy."
The dwarves then checked to make sure they had everything before they left. Once Bilbo had made sure his bag had everything in it that he needed, except for a handkerchief, he longingly looked back at the elvish buildings. He didn't want to leave Rivendell but knew that he had to.
Fili and Kili found Strider fascinating. They had been piling him with questions and thought that the life of a Ranger sounded like fun. Kili had even secretly wished that he could be a Ranger, but told no one and the rest of the dwarves, including Bilbo were starting to trust Strider more and more but they still remained wary of him at times. About a week and a half after leaving Rivendell, the Company was fast approaching the Misty Mountains. Bilbo was astounded by the sheer size of the mountains and hoped that the path he had everyone talking about to take over the mountains was safe. Little did he or the others know that they were still being pursued and that they now had a price on their heads.