Chapter 2
Bilbo hadn't spoken all morning, choosing instead to pace up and down, throwing glances over his shoulder at the contract that lay on the chair.
Eirian had said nothing to him, keeping out of his way. She had seen the Dwarves off in the very early morning, wishing them good luck on their quest and forcing herself not to blush as those two young brothers – who she had found out to be Thorin's nephews – kissed her hand and winked. After setting the house to rights, she had remained in the dining room, watching Bilbo's struggle.
"Oh, I don't know what to do, Eirian! Help me!"
Bilbo's sudden outcry startled the woman and she felt her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. After a moment, she answered, choosing her words carefully.
"The quest will be dangerous…but I'll be there to help you. You'll see places you've only dreamed of; do things you never thought you could do. The world is out there, Bilbo, just waiting for you."
She had glossed over the fact that this trip was more than likely one-way but she had promised herself that she would do everything within her power to send Bilbo home, alive and in one piece, at the end. Whether she herself would be joining him was another matter and one she didn't expend too much thought on.
Silence once again fell and Eirian was beginning to think Bilbo was going to stay when he suddenly snatched up a quill and hurriedly signed the contract. He turned to his friend with a giant grin. Eirian returned it and the two bolted to their respective bedrooms to pack.
(*)
Twenty minutes later saw the pair sitting astride Eirian's sturdy mountain pony, Cade, trotting down the road.
Eirian carried few possessions and, as such, was always ready to move on at the drop of a hat. She had left her weapons with Cade in his stall, at the back, and after gathering up the few clothes at Bilbo's house and her cloak, she was ready to go. Her bedroll and other travelling items had remained in the saddle-bags with Cade. Bilbo had taken a little longer but with Eirian's help, they had packed a bag and rushed to the stable.
As they made their way down the road, a Hobbit peered over his fence, surprise painting his face as he took in the sight.
"And where are you two off to?"
He sounded slightly suspicious and Eirian could hardly blame him – they did make an odd sight.
"We're going on an adventure!"
Bilbo sounded ecstatic and Eirian let out a laugh, feeling her friend join from where he was seated behind her. Knowing he wasn't the world's most natural rider, she instructed him to hold on to her as she spurred Cade in to canter, heading towards the forest road she knew the Dwarves to have taken.
(*)
"Are you sure they went this way, Eirian?"
The woman sighed at her friend's question, feeling faintly annoyed. It had been an hour since they set out and they still hadn't caught up to the Dwarves. Eirian knew they would eventually but she couldn't canter the whole way – whilst Bilbo and his pack didn't weigh that much and Cade was a sturdy beast, he was carrying more than he was used to and Eirian didn't want to risk an injury or exhaust her mount. They were walking now and she could practically feel Bilbo's impatience.
"Peace, Bilbo. We'll catch them up; they're a large Company so will move slower than most. You must have patience."
A huff was her only answer and she smiled to herself; sometimes, he could act like a child. Quiet descended over them and Eirian was content to listen to the bird-song above her and watch the many small animals skittering through the undergrowth, peering out curiously as they passed.
"Are you scared?"
The question was unexpected and Eirian took a moment to answer, pondering the question.
"Yes, I suppose I am."
It was the truth – she was scared but it wasn't enough to stop her. This quest was never going to come around again and the end result was something she had wanted for a long time.
"That makes me feel a little better. I'm terrified, Eirian, but…I'm also excited. I've never seen anywhere outside the Shire before! What if we see the Elves? Oh, that would be wonderful! I've always wanted to meet them."
Bilbo sounded giddy, like a child who'd had too much sugar, and he carried on speaking, words tumbling out like a waterfall.
"Maybe we'll go to Rivendell…could you imagine it? I bet it's beautiful. Have you ever been? You must have done…you've been everywhere! You could teach me how to use a sword as we go; I rather think that Thorin Oakenshield would want me to know how to use one. And then…I have to face a dragon. Me! Against a dragon! Oh goodness, that's frightening...I…I don't even know how to speak dragon!"
Eirian couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up and out of her chest, the sound echoing round them. She turned her head a little so she could see Bilbo out of the corner of her eye, noting the slightly manic expression on his face.
"Fear is not something to be ashamed of, Bilbo, but you mustn't let it rule you; find a place within you that you can calm down and breathe. This quest will be hard, make no mistake – but I'll be there with you. As for the dragon…you're the Burglar. You'll be able to slip in and out without even waking it up. And if you do somehow wake the beast, it will have to get through me first."
It was Bilbo's turn to laugh at Eirian's poor attempt at sounding menacing and she grinned, knowing how she must have looked. There was a brief lull in their conversation before Bilbo piped up again, sounding genuinely confused.
"Can a dragon play conkers?"
(*)
Finally, after what seemed like an age, the sounds of a number of ponies and riders reached the duo's ears on the wind.
"We've caught up!"
Eirian lifted her head at Bilbo's exclamation, spotting the end of the train up ahead. They had indeed found the Dwarves again. Spurring Cade forward, they cantered after them, riding past the line until they drew level with Thorin at the front. He called a halt and turned to look at them, a mild look of surprise on his face. Bilbo slipped off Cade, somewhat ungracefully and produced the contract with a flourish. A white-haired Dwarf – Balin, Eirian remembered he was called – took the contract and read it over. He suddenly smiled down at Bilbo, tucking the paper away.
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Several of the Dwarves let out a cheer and Eirian caught the faintest flush to her friend's cheeks. Feeling eyes on her, she looked up and caught Thorin's gaze. He looked mildly unimpressed with the situation but his tone was perfectly civil when he spoke.
"We have no contract for you to sign, Miss Eirian. We were only expecting fourteen members."
Eirian nodded her hand, not surprised in the least.
"It is no problem. You may trust on my loyalty to your Company."
For a moment, Thorin looked like he was about to say something and then he shook his head slightly, looking down at Bilbo.
"Get Master Baggins a pony."
With that, he turned a rode off. Bilbo began spluttering and protesting, looking to Eirian for help. She was laughing far too much to help him and her mirth only increased when he was picked up and deposited on a shaggy chestnut pony. The Company moved on and Bilbo's pony followed after its fellow ponies. Eirian fell in behind her friend, biting her lip to contain her laughter.
The Hobbit was not a graceful rider – that much had been obvious when he had rode with Eirian. Now, on his own, he seemed even worse. He sat stiff as a board, his hands up by his chin, the reins loose and baggy. The pony tossed its head with a whinny and Bilbo let out a squeak, a terrified look settling on his face. Eirian took pity on him and rode up beside him.
"Here, hold the reins like this…"
She spent the next twenty minutes tutoring Bilbo in how to hold the reins and finally, he achieved it. He seemed more settled but still nervous and Eirian fell behind him, deciding that this was the best place to be should he fall off – which was highly likely. The red-haired woman was so focused on her friend that she only noticed the two Dwarves riding up to her until they were on either side of her, grinning widely. She recognised them as Thorin's nephews and spoke up.
"Fili and Kili, yes?"
The two young Dwarves cheered as she got their names right and she rolled her eyes a little at their antics, but couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"So how is it that a beautiful young lady such as yourself comes to be on a quest with thirteen Dwarves and a Hobbit?"
Eirian raised an eyebrow at Kili's question but he just looked back at her, waiting for an answer. A glance to her other side told her Fili was expecting the same and she sighed, patting Cade on the neck before answering.
"I'm here to look after Bilbo. He's not…he's a Hobbit. They are a kind and gentle peoples, content to remain in their Shire, eating good food and telling wonderful stories. He's my friend and I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe."
She had not told the whole truth and while Kili nodded and accepted her answer, she found herself looking over at Fili, who was studying her face intently. She looked away quickly, fixing her eyes on the nodding of her pony's head. She felt his eyes – the exact same shade of deep blue that Thorin's were – fixed on her for a few more moments before the feeling faded and he started a new conversation on a completely different topic.
As they continued on the path, Eirian remained sandwiched between Fili and Kili. They chattered at her, telling her the names of the Dwarves and little bit of background on each. She was sure she would get them muddled, but she nodded all the same, trying to commit names and faces to memory. The woman was a little overwhelmed with all that had happened, but she was happy that the two youngest Dwarves had taken a liking to her; she would need a friendly face or two apart from Bilbo's. The day wore on, and Eirian spent it listening to the brothers chat and bicker, occasionally speaking when they paused to get their breath. She wore a smile for most of it, content just to be allowed in to the fold, but also wondering just what on Middle-earth she had gotten herself in to.
(*)
A/N: Slightly shorter (I think) than the other chapter, but I hope just as good. I know there is not many Dwarf encounters in this one, but there are thirteen of them. More will appear so bear with me! As for the barely-there interaction with Thorin, more will come later so don't you worry!
