I'm abruptly woken up the next morning to the sound of loud knocking on my door. Who the hell could it possibly be? Colorful words fall from my yawning mouth as I stumble out of bed, realizing quickly that I have no pants on. My muttering is prolonged while I shove my legs in the athletic pants that were lying on the floor.
"Coming!" I yell out when the knocking continues. I open the door and immediately a smile comes to my face. "Gandalf! What brings you here?"
"Good morning, Evelyn. It appears that I have quite the opportunity for you, that is, if you are willing?" I'm nodding my head vehemently even before he finishes.
"Absolutely. What is this opportunity?"
"All in good time," the wizard replies. "First, you must gather your things and meet me outside. I shall explain everything to you on the way." I nod once again in compliance, turning towards my belongings and deciding on what to put on. Considering how warm it was yesterday, I switch the athletic pants for my thick sports leggings and keep the thermal sweater on as it is long, the hem reaching my knees. I had managed to find a pair of leather slip-on boots at the shop, ones that actually fit me, thank God, so I pulled those on over my feet.
Shoving the rest of my belongings into my backpack, I grab my hiking boots and do a quick once over to make sure I'm not leaving anything behind. Excitement is the only thing I'm feeling right now; well, that and curiosity. Could this be the adventure that Gandalf told me about?
I practically sprint down the stairs of the inn, noticing that the bar is, for once, absolutely dead. Only two people are seated there, one person who I recognize to be Matilda. She gives me a wide smile.
"Leaving so soon, miss Evelyn?"
"I'm afraid so," I reply. Her smile grows wider as she takes in my bouncing form.
"What's got you so merry?" she asks curiously. I grin, the thoughts of what may lie ahead adding to my eagerness.
"I'm finally living life the way I want to, Matilda." Matilda's eyes narrow, but the smile never strays from her lips as she nods a farewell. I waste no time in running out the door and slamming right into a sea of grey fabric.
"Eager, are we?"
"Sorry, Gandalf," I apologize as I steady myself. "So, where are we off to?"
"We are currently headed for the Shire, miss Wolf. There is someone there I wish to speak with." Gandalf's words seem cryptic, almost. Obviously there is a great deal of information he's not spilling and my curiosity gets the better of me.
"Does he have anything to do with this 'opportunity' you mentioned? And, may I ask now, what is this opportunity?"
"Patience, my dear. I will explain everything once we pass the borders of this town."
I'm not very good at guessing time, but if I had to I would say about twenty minutes had passed before we are out of sight of the fence bordering Bree. The morning air is chilly and the grass surrounding the dirt path is wet with dew. The familiar scent of the forest wraps around me in a comfortable embrace.
"So, Evelyn, how are you adjusting? Well, I presume?"
"Quite well, actually. Although I'm not sure I'll be getting used to this new height of mine any time soon. I liked being tall..." I trailed off with a sigh.
"I would not grumble about it too much. Dwarves, however short they are, are a very proud race. You should consider yourself lucky that you are one of them now. They can be stern and very stubborn at times," he says, his voice wavering a bit. "But they are brave and fiercely loyal to those they care about."
"What else should I know about dwarves, then? Since I'm now a dwarf myself, I think it's only right that I know more about...my race." For some reason, saying that out loud sounds strange. Part of me still believes that I'm dreaming and that any minute now I'll wake up. I seriously doubt it though, I mean, I don't recall ever having slept in a dream. It's like having a dream within a dream. It just doesn't make sense.
"For one, dwarves are a particularly hairy race. Even the dwarven women have beards, just as their male counterparts. So, you will be considered rather strange looking to many. But you seem to have all of the other physical characteristics of your kind."
"Like what?" I ask curiously.
"Your height, for one. Your hair, your build-"
"My build?"
"Yes, your build. Dwarves are...strong and very broad." My eyebrows furrow at this. Did my body actually change as well as my height? I hadn't even noticed.
"Okay," I say, my mind reeling with questions and information. "Anything else?"
"Well, dwarven women are not typically seen outside of their homes. Especially alone. Fierce creatures they are, as well and extremely protected by dwarven men."
"Why is that?"
"There are very few She-Dwarves. In fact, they are so few and alike to male dwarves that some do not believe there are any She-Dwarves. Of course, they are mistaken, for I have seen them with my own eyes some time ago. As a result, they are highly coveted."
"And, you said before, that you think I'm a dwarf because it may have something to do with the reason I was brought here? My destiny?"
"Yes, I believe that is so. And, perhaps, what I'm about to explain to you may play a part in why you are here. You said before that you wanted adventure. Does that wish still remain?"
"Absolutely, of course!" I nearly shout with enthusiasm. Gandalf smiles at my outburst, a twinkle in his pale grey eyes.
"I am rounding up a company of dwarves to embark on a quest. A quest to reclaim their homeland."
"Reclaim it? From who?"
"From Smaug. A great serpent from the North who heard of the riches that were hoarded inside the kingdom of Erebor."
"A...serpent. You mean a dragon?" Dragons existed here too? Well, I suppose it makes sense. I mean, if there are dwarves, why not dragons?
"Precisely."
"So, this kingdom, is that their homeland?" Gandalf hummed in affirmation.
"Erebor was a grand kingdom built in the Lonely Mountain. It was known for it's riches and prosperity. But the king, Thror, became greedy and a powerful sickness overcame him. His lust for gold and treasure became his downfall. Dragons have a great infatuation with treasure and when Smaug heard of the wealth that the dwarves of Erebor had accumulated, he attacked the kingdom, taking it for his own. It's been sixty years since. No one has heard from Smaug, so I met with Thorin, Thror's grandson and rightful heir to the throne. We are going to take back Erebor."
I feel as though I just sat in an incredibly interesting history class. A dragon? And a quest to reclaim a kingdom? I might as well have stepped right into my fairy tale books. Scratch that, I stepped into a Disney movie. Would there be a princess locked away in a tower with a powerful sleeping curse upon her as well?
"Right," I say slowly. "Is that who we are going to meet right now? Thorin?"
"No," the wizard shook his head. "At the present time, we are on our way to see a Bilbo Baggins. I have requested to the company that he be brought along the quest as well, as our official burglar."
"Burglar?" I let out with alarm.
"Well, we need someone to go inside the mountain to see if, in fact, a dragon lay sleeping there," he replies as though I should have known all along.
"Why can't one of the dwarves do it?" Or me, for that matter...
"Smaug is very familiar with the scent of a dwarf. Bilbo is a hobbit and therefore unfamiliar to the dragon."
I remember hobbits vaguely. They were those short people with the large hairy feet. It was hobbits that were the main characters of The Fellowship of the Ring, the only book out of the trilogy I managed to read. I'm starting to regret not reading all of them.
"So Bilbo has agreed to coming along then?" Gandalf makes a sort of grumbling noise in the back of his throat and that's all I need to conclude that Bilbo, in fact, has not agreed just yet.
"I have yet to ask him." My head snaps towards the wizard.
"When were you planning on leaving?"
"Tomorrow, actually. The company is meant to meet at Bilbo's house tonight."
"And you haven't even told the poor man? How can you be sure that he'll come?"
"I'm not sure. But I have faith in him and even though his thirst for adventure may not be as great as yours, it's there somewhere. Like a current beating against a crumbling dam, it will break free, you can be sure of that."
"Fingers crossed," I say quietly.
"Hm? What was that?"
"Nothing."
We continue to walk in silence, the forest now edging away into a beautiful open field. Flowers of all colors dot the richly green grass and straight ahead, I notice a sudden drop. Faint billows of smoke rise from whatever lay down there. The sound of quiet chatter reaches my ear leading me to conclude that we have reached the Shire.
"Ah, we are here," Gandalf states, proving my conclusion correct. He begins to follow another path branching off of the one we were already on and within ten seconds, my eyes fall upon the cutest little village I have ever seen. Every person has large, hairy feet, hobbling about the streets either hauling a wheel barrow, an animal, or some sort of vegetation. The Shire is very green. It's evident that these people enjoy nature and gardening and they seem to fit the part with their tiny frames and curly hair. It's all so cute.
I follow Gandalf down the path, passing by what I can only assume to be homes, but they seem to be dug into the ground. We stop at a particularly large one and that's when I notice the hobbit sitting on a garden bench and smoking a pipe. His eyes are closed and his body is slumped back in a relaxed manner. No doubt, Gandalf is about to change that.
The hobbit notices our presence and looks up at the wizard. "Good morning," he greets.
Gandalf, being the ever so cryptic person he is replies with,"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or, perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?"
"All of them at once, I suppose," the hobbit says rather uncomfortably. I can tell that we've seriously disrupted his peaceful morning. His eyes lock with mine and confusion overtakes his youthful features. "I'm sorry, can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."
The hobbit looks downright offended now. "An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner."
"Now, they can't be that bad," I but in. "Aren't you curious?"
"Absolutely not!" He stops and looks at us a minute before letting out, "Good morning," and hastily retreating towards the large green door of his home.
"What a lot of things you use Good morning for, Bilbo Baggins!" says Gandalf. "Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off." The hobbit's facial expression mirrors that of guilt and attempts to cover up his rude attempt at making us leave.
"No, not at all! Do I know you by any chance?"
"Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf! And Gandalf means … me." I bite back a smile at Gandalf's "grand" introduction.
"Gandalf...not Gandalf, the wandering Wizard, who made such excellent fireworks! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Ha! Hmm, I had no idea you were still in business."
It's now Gandalf's turn to take slight offense. "And where else should I be?" he grounds out. Bilbo doesn't seem to have an answer and looks over to me with a wary gaze.
"And you are?" he asks politely.
"Evelyn. Evelyn Wolf. Pleased to meet you Mr. Baggins," I say with a bright smile.
"The...pleasure is all mine." Something tells me he isn't being completely sincere, but I don't blame him in any way. He doesn't look like the type to go on adventures and anyone can tell that he is beyond uncomfortable at this point. I feel bad for him.
"Well that's decided," Gandalf breaks out after a moment of awkward silence. "It will be very good for you, and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others. Come along, miss Wolf."
Bilbo looks like he is about to have a panic attack and I quickly stop Gandalf's retreating figure.
"Are you sure he's the one you want to bring along, Gandalf? He looks like he's going to have a stroke," I say quietly, looking back at the hobbit with worry.
"Trust me, my dear Evelyn. Bilbo will be a very valuable asset to the company, even if he doesn't know it yet himself." I nod at the wizard, trusting his judgement.
"Mr. Baggins, are you okay?" I ask tentatively as Gandalf inconspicuously makes his way to Bilbo's door. Bilbo's face his red and anxiousness is clear in his eyes.
"Yes, yes, quite alright," he lets out. "Please, I'm not looking for any adventures. Whoever you are meant to inform, don't." I sigh, just as my stomach decides to let out a very loud growl.
"Sorry," I say with a blush on my cheeks. "I didn't get the chance to eat this morning."
"Oh! My apologies, miss Wolf. You know, hobbits are quite hospitable folk. Master Baggins, why don't you help Evelyn here get something to eat. I'll come for you later tonight." Bilbo and I share a wide eyed look of surprise.
"No, no, Gandalf. I can't-" I stop short as I see absolutely no sign of Gandalf anywhere. "What the hell?" I whisper.
"Wh-where did he go?" I hear Bilbo ask. I shake my head.
"I don't know. Look Mr. Baggins you don't have to do anything. I'm sure I can find somewhere else to eat." He lets out a sigh.
"No, no. As adverse as I am to letting in strangers, I would never leave a young woman starving at my door step. Come along then," he says. I follow Bilbo inside his home, marveling at the interesting tunneled architecture. It's very cozy, and very...well, hobbit-like.
"Tea and eggs, miss?"
"If you don't mind, yes, that would be lovely," I answer sincerely. "I'm sorry, Mr. Baggins, I don't mean to put you out at all. I had no idea that Gandalf was going to just leave me here."
"It's quite alright. And please, call me Bilbo, miss." I smile at the hobbit.
"Call me Evelyn as well." He gives me a small smile and I silently rejoice that he's at least getting somewhat comfortable with me. Bilbo motions for me to sit down with him at his small wooden table.
"So, excuse me for asking, but what are you? You seem too small to be a human, but your feet are not that of a hobbit."
"I'm a dwarf," I say awkwardly. But who else could call themselves a dwarf confidently if they've only been one for less than two days?
"A dwarf? Shouldn't you have a beard?"
"Ah, well, yes, but I'm a rare case you see. I was...born without facial hair..." God, this is so weird to talk about. Bilbo nods slowly as though he notices how awkward I'm being with the whole ordeal. "What about you?" I ask quickly. "Tell me about yourself."
And so, for the next few hours, Bilbo and I make conversation, growing increasingly more comfortable with each other. I realize very soon that I really like this hobbit. Even though he seems hesitant about the idea of leaving the Shire, I can tell that there is spirit inside him. Hopefully, Gandalf can persuade him to come along. I'd love to have Bilbo as company.
Midday fast approaches, and the intense urge to explore causes me to stand up and excuse myself.
"If you don't mind, Bilbo, I think I'll go out and explore the area a bit. I've never seen anything as amazing as this place. I'll be back at night to meet with Gandalf. That is, if he remembers to come get me." I say the last part to myself, but I know that Bilbo probably heard it.
"Oh, yes, of course. If I may make a suggestion, the orchard is absolutely beautiful this time of year. Just follow the path to your left and you should come across it eventually." I shoot Bilbo a wide grin and thank him before walking out the door.
He's right, the orchard is breathtaking. Small, pink apple blossoms litter the trees and the smell, wow. It's all so serene. I continue to walk around the village well after nightfall. The place is just too pretty for me to up and leave it. I want to see everything there is to see before I head back and leave forever. But, perhaps, if I don't end up going home after all, I could always come back. The idea fills me with hope and I merrily trod back to Bilbo's home immediately taking notice of the ponies standing out in his yard. I didn't realize that Bilbo was expecting company...
"Bilbo?" I yell out as I open the large, round door. I look to my right to see him standing stiff and facing towards his dining hall. I run over to him, concern lacing my features only to have him promptly fall into a crumpled heap at my feet. My head tilts up, meeting the eyes of thirteen dwarves and, of course, Gandalf.
"Miss Wolf, I was wondering where you had run off to."