Gandalf opened the door and a deep voice said, 'Gandalf, I lost my way twice, would not have found it at all if that mark wasn't on the door.' A short man stepped into the hallway. He put off his cloak and gave it to kili.

The hobbit said, 'Mark? There is no mark on that door! In fact it has been painted a week ago.' And walked around the man.

'There is a mark, I put it there myself.' Gandalf stated when he closed the door. 'Let me introduce you to the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield.' And he gestured to the man.

Thorin circled around Bilbo and said, 'So, this is the burglar. Tell me master Baggins, have you done much fighting?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?'

'Well I have some skill at conckers if you must know. But I can hardly see why that is relevant.'

'Thought as much, he looks more like a grocer than a burglar.' And Thorin crossed his arms for his chest. All the dwarfs chuckled and followed their leader to the dining room where he would face another surprise.

'Gandalf, what is the meaning of this?' And he gestured to the four men sitting at the table, talking with Aurelia. 'They will aid us at our quest.' He simply answered.

'This is a secret quest, I will not allow any one of another race aid us at our quest.' His blood boiling from anger.

'Now, don't let your pride stand in your way, my dear friend. Let me introduce you to them. These are Athos, Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan.' Gandalf gestured to the four men sitting and watching suspiciously to the old man.

'How do you know who we are?' And Athos stood from his chair. 'Like I said before, I know more than you wished me to know.' Then he turned to Thorin. 'And they are highly skilled in sword fighting.'

'Well, let us all sit down and let me fetch you all a drink. We don't want any fighting here.' Bilbo jumped in. Athos sat himself down and so did the rest of the company.

When Bilbo gave everyone an ale, wine or tea the dwarfs had their conversation about the dwarfs of the Iron Hills. In the meantime the musketeers were chatting amongst themselves and to Thorin's dislike his daughter was talking to them.

'…till the last dwarf!' Fili slammed his fist on the table. 'Dwarfs? I thought you were looking odd, but what is a dwarf?' D'Artagnan asked with wide eyes. The dwarfs looked mad at him and started to shout. Aurelia sighed and covered her eyes. What a child! She thought. Doesn't he have manners?!

'What my friend is trying to tell you is that in our world there are no dwarfs.' Athos mangled himself in the shouting game the dwarfs were playing with his young friend. At least he has some senses.

'Watch your tongue lad.' Dwalin told him, angry and with a pointing finger.

'Please, do calm down. They are not used to the company of dwarfs, in fact neither am I.' Bilbo said from behind Thorin.

'I can imagine that, dwarfs are not the most beautiful creatures on this earth.' Gandalf mumbled under his breath. Thorin heard that but decided not to comment to his statement.

'Back to business. You four..' pointing to the musketeers 'are coming with us, because of Gandalf's will. Let us see what you are worth.' 'Thank you.' Aramis stood and made a little bow. Hm, manners.. I like that.

Thorin looked at D'Artagnan and added 'You will leave your comments behind, or we will leave you behind.' 'Yes, sir.'

'Father, he did not mean it that way. He is just a young boy.' Thorin looked at his daughter. 'I simply state you will not entwine in those comments.' 'Yes father.' Aurelia looked at her hands, folded in her lap.

Aramis looked at her. 'Are you coming as well?' What a stupid question to ask! Could you make yourself more stupid in front of her and her father?

Aurelia looked him in the eyes. 'Yes, I will help them reclaim our homeland.' Thorin saw the two in conversation and tried not to take notice of it. No one comes near his daughter as long as he breaths.

'Now, listen please.'

Gandalf explained to Bilbo and the musketeers what this quest was all about. 'Balin, I'm sure you have enough time to write four more contracts.' Balin sighed, one contract to write took a lot of time, let stand it will be four!

'I suggest we all rest for the night. We will ride at first light. Who falls behind, stays behind.' Thorin stated and gave one knowing look at the four man.

The next morning Aurelia got up very early, in fact she was the first to wake up. She decided to make some breakfast and a pot of tea. While she was busying herself in the kitchen she did not notice someone standing behind her.

'Goodmorning.' Aurelia startled at the sound of the voice. When she turned around she saw Aramis leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded.

'Goodmorning.' She began a bit shy. 'Do you want some breakfast, I was just making some for everyone. And it seems you're the first to wake up.' When Aurelia was nervous she always started to rambling.

'It smells delicious. I would like some.' Aramis sat himself at the table. 'You slept well?' He asked while he ate his breakfast. 'Yes, thank you. You?' 'Me too.' He gave her a small smile. I'm melting! Thank Mahal I'm sitting or my feet would just gave away. She thought.

They rode the whole day without any breaks. Thorin ordered Fili and kili to make sure the ponies were save. Bombur started to make dinner. The rest of the company took their bedrolls and choose a place for the night. Gloin and Oin made a fire going.

Bofur walked to the four men with their stew in his hands. The always jolly fellow handed them their food. 'It's not something special, but it will fill your stomach till the morning.' He said. 'Thank you. What was your name again?'Porthos asked. 'I'm Bofur. Well, enjoy your dinner.' And he made his way back to the fire to get his own share of the food.

'What a strange fellow.' Aramis said when he took his first bite.

'Eww!' D'Artagnan threw away his food. 'This is disgusting!'

'Mind your words boy!' Athos warned his younger companion.

'It's not that bad.' And Porthos started to eat his bowl.

'It's not to my liking, but it is warm and it fills.' Aramis added.

Aurelia sat herself by the fire next to Ori. 'What are you doing?' She asked him.

Ori did not took notice someone took a seat next to him. 'You startled me.' He said. 'I'm sorry, that was not my intention.'

'I wanted to make a journal of our journey. And I'm writing about our first day.' He said shy.

'I would like to read it. Do you mind?' Aurelia gestured to the book in Ori's lap. 'No, not at all.' And he handed her his journal.

Aurelia's eyes went over the words. 'Wow, you're really good at this.' She said. 'Thank you.'

'May I suggest something?' She looked at him for an answer. Ori looked at her and said, 'Ofcourse.'

'You can improve it with some drawings. That will give the text more power.' 'Thank you, I'll keep that in mind.'

'May I ask you something?'He asked Aurelia. 'Sure, anything.' She gave him a small smile.

'Do you like reading?' 'Yes, I do. Back in Ered Luin I was always to be found in the library.'

Aramis heard the conversation between the two of them. It was rude to eavesdrop, but he couldn't help it. He found her so delicate, fragile, friendly, open to everyone.

'Strange.' D'Artagnan said. 'What?' Asked Porthos with his head against the rock and his eyes closed. 'She is a daughter of a dwarf, but she looks more like a small human to me.'

Aramis turned his attention to his friends. 'The thing I don't understand is why he brought a young woman with him on such a dangerous quest.' Still gazing at Aurelia's back. 'She is his daughter. Why not?' Athos answered. 'Daughter or not. I can see Aramis his point. She may hurt.' Porthos chimed in the conversation.

'That my lads, has one answer.' The four of them looked up and saw Balin standing in front of them. 'Thorin is very protective about his daughter. She had not place to go and she may seem very fragile. But she has a dwarf as a father. That means she has strong bones, and she is trained to be a fierce warrior.'

'Women should not fight. They only bring misery.' Athos said annoyed. Balin looked at him. 'You had a hard time with a woman. I can see that. Remember one thing. Not all the woman are the same.'

When the night fell, most of the company were already asleep. Except for Aurelia, Thorin, Bofur and the four friends.

Aramis saw Aurelia coming their way with her pack. 'Do you mind me sleeping here? There are no spots left.'

'No, not at all.' D'Artagnan said and made a bit more space.

'Thank you.' She turned to Aramis. 'I suggest you take a sleep now. They planned you in the second watch with Thorin.' 'Why didn't they tell me?' He asked her. 'Because it has been planned 5 minutes ago and I said I would tell you. And I did.' 'Thank you.' He said.

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