Rather than speaking outside the room the dwarves and the wizard occupied, Eryne led Bilbo to the bench outside, and as they sat there together, he had never felt so warm. Bilbo indulged her in all she had missed since the company had arrived, and though rather confused, she seemed quite interested, unlike Bilbo, who seemed more shocked.

"You best go back and tend to them" She whispered, and as if he had no choice in the matter, left her to the breeze of the night. She had not sat long alone before her thoughts began to explode with excitement, "An adventure, a quest! How long it has been since I have taken part in such things, and how dearly I have missed it! Oh but poor old Bilbo". Eryne knew he would never approve, the dangers of their last journey together had brought them closer together than ever before, but he would not risk their lives again for the sake of the promise of gold. No, but she would. Though Enidei was more than an acceptable partner on the road, she couldn't help but feel lonely sometimes. With these thoughts in mind, Eryne lifted herself from the bench and returned to the room with the hearty fire.

Remembering the feeling the dwarves had given her the first time she entered their gaze, she took a deep breath before returning to their presence. Just like the first time, the room fell silent, but this time, it only annoyed her.

"Why do you fall silent everytime I present myself? It is because I am a woman? Am I not worthy of the words you speak to each other? Or am I too frail and fragile to hear them? Come on, speak."

As she finished she caught a glimpse of the wizard in the corner, a grin lay upon his face, although it was not clear, surely the wizard did not wish to mock her? Knowing Gandalf, you will know this was not at all his intention, in fact, he was quite happy with the girl to speak to the mighty dwarves in such a manner. The company's eyes were still upon her, yet they did not speak until she prompted them again.

"I said speak" She demanded.

At this command a blonde dwarf, stood quite close to the wizard, stepped forward.

"Fili, at your service, my lady. We did not wish to insult you with our silence, just merely startled by the presence of a woman, you see, Master Baggins did not mention he had a wife".

"Nice to meet you, Fili, and I at yours, but I am not the wife of Master Baggins, though I am a friend of his. My name is Eryne Ailithia. Bilbo has told me your plans of adventure, and I do believe I could be of assistance to-". Before she could finish the dwarf with whom she had locked eyes stood forward, his hand raised.

"Enough, I do not mean to offend you, my Lady, but the roads to The Lonely Mountain are dangerous, they're not meant for the likes of you to be travelling upon".

Eryne was not given the chance to snap back a reply, for the wizard came forth. Gandalf stepped forward, and as his face appeared from the shadows Eryne's mood instantly changed.

"Gandalf! How long it is since our paths last crossed"

"Ah my dear Eryne, I was wondering how long it would be till you recognised me. There are only five wizards on these lands, you must have suspected, did you not?"

With that the pair walked away from the group and went outside to discuss their recent travels and how the roads had faired them. As they left, Eryne did not notice the glares that dwarf by the fire sent her way, nor did she care to.

Bilbo was left in the presence of the dwarves alone and though he was hiding in the shadows in the corner he did not avoid their attention.

"Where'd you meet her then, Baggins" called Kili, clearly interested for only one reason. Bilbo failed to satisfy his curiosity and would continue to do so until the night was over. A part of him knew that he could not avoid the tale forever though, for he knew, the moment Eryne heard of a quest, she would join, whether they wanted her or not, she was going, and on this particular occassion, Bilbo felt obliged to join her. One by one the dwarves settled down to rest, and so Bilbo sought out Gandalf to sign the papers Eryne had already probably signed, he was not mistaken, and by the time he was ready to sleep his head was spinning with the memories of his previous adventures and how this one would turn out.