Chapter 04

"Issa?" Igny asked. "Why do you volunteer now, when you could have spoken during the meeting?"

"I wasn't at the meeting" she replied as she walked to the front where the others were. "I've only now returned; I managed to catch most of what happened from the talk of the others as we passed."

Gorstern snorted. "A female as an envoy? Unheard of."

"But she volunteers" Nortin noted, "and that was what was asked of a dwarf. Surely you don't deny her the right?"

Bilbo followed the conversation as he looked at Issa. Of course there must have been women dwarfs, but he had never seen one before. She was still half a head taller than he was, and a bit stouter, but even so she was the closest thing to his size he had seen of any dwarf.

"...and as a member of the clan Amethyst I see no reason why I can't; as a matter of fact no one knows the land above better than I." And it was a truth, that Issa was one of those dwarfs who seemed almost as much at home above ground as below it. "Do I have a challenge?"

No one present wanted to challenge for the right to go on the trip; most had already refused simply by their silence earlier when the request for a volunteer was made. Even Gorstern remained silent; it was rare that he wasn't grumbling or complaining about something.

The reader will note at this point that dwarfs, even with their differences to men, were very much the same as a whole. Some were outgoing, others timid; while some did nothing but complain, others were cheery and supportive. The same applies to all folk and even among the orcs there are said to be differences, although this writer has absolutely no inclination to investigate the matter.

"So be it, Issa. The Council hereby appoints you as envoy of our community, charged with the task of escorting Bilbo Baggins to High King Peter, there to follow whatever directions he may set upon you. Go with speed and safety and leave when you are prepared." Igny handed Issa a token that was her identification; etched in the stone on one side was the symbol of the council, while the other side had the unmistakable image of a lion.

...

Much later Bilbo and Issa were making their way through a twisting tunnel away from the main living areas of the dwarfs after stocking up on a few things. Bilbo had taken the opportunity to eat, something he hadn't done in far too long. His stomach satisfied for the time being, he was ready for whatever came.

"So you don't come from Narnia?" Issa asked. This stranger didn't dress like a dwarf; in fact his clothes didn't look as though they were meant to work in at all.

"I...don't think so" Bilbo replied. "I'm from a place called The Shire, in Hobbiton. I'm a Hobbit, that's how it got it's name you know. I've never heard that Narnia name before, so I don't think I come from there."

"Do they even have dwarfs where you come from? Men? Animals?"

"All those things, yes; although it's only Hobbits and animals in the area where I live. But I've...gone on a trip with dwarfs before, and I've encountered Men. Elves too, a dragon, and trolls. Quite a lot of different things, come to think of it. Most of my kind prefer to stay at home and not leave our village unless it's to travel to one that is very near. I was at home under the hill when I somehow managed to end up here."

"You live under a hill? Below ground? I knew there was something I liked about you" she smiled.

"My home is below ground, but I spend most of my time above. What about you?" he asked.

"Almost the opposite" Issa answered as she gestured to the tunnel with it's reinforcing and light crystals. "We live and work below ground. But I'm considered kind of odd because I like to go above ground when I get the chance; I've gone on walks around the top. I don't know why, but I like the change sometimes."

"I know; seeing the same thing every day for years just puts your spirit to sleep I think. If I stay in my home too much I start to feel like a mole."

"I know some moles, and they're very nice and hard workers too" Issa commented.

Bilbo was just about to ask her what she meant when they had to climb a tall ladder. When both were at the top she asked "I have a question: just how did you meet these dragons and things?"

Sidetracked, he began telling her about his adventure with Thorin and his band. He didn't intend to say a great deal about it, but I'm sure the reader knows that once a hobbit starts talking about himself he's on his favorite subject and has a hard time stopping. Bilbo described his companions on the trip, their encounters with elves (which he had to describe) and men, and of course the dragon Smaug. He even mentioned his riddle game with Gollum, hoping to impress Issa with his cleverness. He didn't tell her about his ring and what magic it could do, however, and skipped on to his encounter with the dwarfs that mined the mountain for medicines. This writer has chronicled that adventure elsewhere, and if the reader has not heard it then it is no small wonder considering Mr. Baggin's reluctance to repeat it to others.

So much time passed in the telling of his life that they drew up to a heavy door. Actually, all doors here seemed heavy to Bilbo but this one seemed...rougher. Once again, the handle was designed in the shape of an animal.

"That's the door that leads to the above" Issa said as she noticed Bilbo staring at it. "We go through there next, but it's been a long day and we best rest here for the night."

"Night? How can you tell when there's no sun?" asked Bilbo, who realized that he did feel tired after all.

"The small space along the bottom lets in light when it's daytime; there's no light, so it's dark. Don't worry, this door is almost never used. Unpack your bedroll and we'll sleep here." Besides some food and drink, their packs contained a bedroll and a few other supplies. No lantern was needed because of the light crystals in the wall, but they carried one along with a length of rope; the stairs and ladders they had encountered so far on their journey had kept the rope safely packed away.

Both spread out their bedding to one side and laid down.

"So what do you do now?" Issa asked of her company.

Bilbo yawned. "I am retired. I spend my days in quiet comfort, dodging family, with only the occasional visit from someone to disturb me. I am thinking of writing a book about my adventure, but haven't started it yet."

"That would be grand; I'm sure others would be interesting in reading it" Issa said. "Maybe I'll be able to tell people about our adventure if anything exciting happens."

"Maybe" Bilbo said as he rolled over. "Goodnight Issa."

By the light coming from under the door it must have been the next day when Bilbo awoke, startled out of a dream about dragons. Issa was already awake; they quickly ate, packed up their few belongings and made ready.

Issa stepped to the door and slid back a bolt before turning the handle and opening it.