Hello there, you look nice today. This one is longer then the last one, but still pretty short. As usual, I hope you enjoy my story.

I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me. i.e. The Hobbit, random movie/TV show/book references, etc.


60 or so years later…

I trudge my way back to my cabin, my game slung over my shoulder. I had a good hunt this evening, I could've caught more but a wise friend of mine once told me to never take what I didn't need, it was wasteful. So I've stuck to that rule since. It's been years since I've seen her, might need to take a trip to the golden wood. Though if I've done my calculations correctly a certain old grey Wizard should be visiting me soon about traveling with a group of 13 dwarves and a hobbit. I'm just worried about fangirling to hard when I see them.

When I arrive at my surprisingly well built cabin, I see the door has been opened. When I left this morning, I remembered to close and lock it. I assume its old grey beard, but just in case, I place my game by the door and nock an arrow in my bow. I push the door open and it creeks like in one of those horror films.

"You don't see me for a few years and when I come back you start aiming your weapons at me!" when I hear the voice I immediately turn and almost loose my arrow. Once my mind comprehends that's its Mithrandir, I immediately put my bow down on the table and place my arrow back in the quiver. I quickly run at the Maia standing in my kitchen and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I missed you!" I practically squeal.

"And I you child, I you…." He chuckles.

"Oi!" I let go, back up a step and poke him in the chest. "Who are you callin' a child, old man?"

That just made him full out laugh at me. Who does this guy think he is, laughing at me? He may be a Maia that will, later in his life, kill a Balrog and then come back to life, but that does not excuse him laughing at me!

"When you stop pouting like one, I will stop calling you a child." Oh, ouch, I felt that burn… Maybe I should teach Gandalf how to snap his fingers in a 'Z' formation…

"Well, sir, what brings you to my very humble abode?" I ask, walking over to my table, and unhooking my sheath from my belt. I keep my knifes on me at all times. Always be ready for anything, another tip from another old friend; though if he heard me call him old he'd eat my head off. I sit myself down on a chair and prop my feet up on the table.

"That, my dear, is something that I feel you already know..." Gandalf, you sly old Wizard…

"How am I supposed to know your mind? You could just be here for a simple friendly visit." He knows I know it's not like his usual visits. If I did my math right, the quest should start in a few months to a year.

"I think you know why I'm here, Vash. The question I have, though, is if your answer still stands?" Gandalf asks. I set my feet on the floor, rest my elbows on my knees, clasp my hands together, slumping my shoulders and give him an affirmative nod. I motion to the other seat, where he presently sits. He pulls out his pipe, and I mine. We fill them and he lights them. We sit in silence for a while, contemplating things.

"So, what have you all discussed so far?" I ask.

"I have given Master Oakenshield his map, and he has sent word to me about a council he wants me to attend in the Blue Mountains," I nod along with him. "I know we need a burglar, you've told me that before, but whom?"

I smirked at him "Spoilers…" He gives me an unimpressed look and huffs. "Well, I'll give you a hint: He's a Hobbit."

"… Race and gender…" Gandalf says, in a voice that's urging me to tell him more.

"His mother was a Took…" I tell him. "But that's all you're getting."

"It's going to take a while to convince a hobbit to go on an adventure…" He says, mostly to himself, I smirk.

"Or you could just do it usual Gandalf style…" I state happily. The Maia chuckles. He seems to do that a lot, or maybe he just thinks I'm funny. Fucking laughing at me, old man? Bloody eternal beings and their ability to find me amusing…

"'Gandalf style'?" He questions, mirth colouring his tone. Did I stutter?

"Yeah, ya' know, your usual way going about things. Dangle a potentially life threatening quest in front of them, and then walk away. Then the subject usually runs after you and joins the quest willingly." He amusedly hums into his pipe. I stand up and walk out of the door, grabbing my game. Gandalf walks out after me taking a seat on my chopping block, while I sit on the ground. The wizard still has his pipe, while I left mine inside.

I skin the animals while Gandalf and I discuss various subjects, anything that comes to mind really. We can have very meaningful deep conversations and then a few minutes later we can just be talking random shit.

After I finish skinning and deboning the meat, I hang up the pelts and some meat to dry. The rest I put it in a pot to brown a bit before adding vegetables and finally, water.

Half an hour or so later, the stew is ready. I bring out my only bowl and fill it with stew for Gandalf, while I just eat out of the bowl. Shut up, I can be a lady when I wanna be; I just like being a barbarian on occasion, and on occasion is a lot.

"So, how long are ya' stayin'?" I ask, food in my mouth. Gandalf gives me a chastising look, and I just grin at him.

"Just for the night, if that's acceptable?" Gandalf asks, I nod.

"I've told you before, you're always welcome in my house," I say with a smile. These Middle Earthlings and their manners, they're always so polite. "You can take the guest room."

After we're finished eating, I clean up the mess and talk with Gandalf. We sit out after the sun goes down, smoking some really good pipe weed that Gandalf brought.

In the morning he sets out again, and as I am waving him goodbye I start planning things out in my head. I'm making a mental list of the things needed for my trip, and I'm going to set out in a month or two. I want this journey to not be as tiring and in case I run into some trouble along the way, I want wiggle room. I don't want them to leave without me.

I'm still wondering how Gandalf is going to convince them to let me come, especially Thorin. Dwarves are, by nature, very protective of their woman. Adding to that, the fact that there is so little Dwarf woman, makes them more protective. And I, being a woman, will also seem like a liability. They're already bringing a Hobbit…. I somehow need to prove to them that I can take care of myself. I'm totally banking on Gandalf vouching for me…. Great.


There you go, my fair people. Uh, yeah... Please review and tell me what you think. If you see any mistakes, tell me. Um follow or favorite if you really like it. It would totally make my day, and I would give you virtual cookies.

Well, peace out. Hope you all have amazing weeks and you finally get your letters from Hogwarts.

-JenniFromTheBak