Chapter 6

Summary: Where an object is found and a sentence such as: '' VOI PERKELE!'' is an appropriate statement to utter in a situation where you've ended up in the middle of nowhere in an unfamiliar land.

Disclaimer: I do not own the fine work of J.R.R Tolkien. I only own the adventurer I myself created.

…

I uttered a long yawn as I shook the still clinging tiredness off my limbs and sat up in my soft warm bed that I'd stumbled into last night, only to fall asleep as soon as I'd went under the warm covers.

I brushed the tendrils of blond hair away from my eyes and smirked softly at the sound of light snoring next to me.

I hadn't heard Ori tip-toe into the room at some time in the night, but obviously she'd decided to use the bedroom that Bilbo had chosen for the two us on our first meeting, instead of joining her brothers in another guest-room. How she'd managed to convince Dori and Nori to agree with that idea with when her siblings were being so damn protective of her, I didn't have the faintest idea.

I glanced out the window and noticed that it was very early in the morning as it was still quite dark. No noise could be heard from within Bilbo's smial other than the snores creeping into my ears from behind the walls.

Everyone else must still have been asleep, and as much as I wanted to get out of bed, the warmth and closeness of another person snuggling against my side froze me. The sound of Ori's steady breathing reminded me of a time in America when my sisters and I had all shared one large bed in one of the guest bedrooms whilst our mother had a bed just for herself.

So I stayed, for a moment longer thinking of last night following the song of the Lonely Mountain. I'd been exhausted by then but I had known that I couldn't just leave Bilbo's smial looking like a tornado had slipped inside to turn everything upside down.

I'd expected a great number of dissatisfied grumbling and moaning when I'd bade the group of ''guests'' to help me clean everything in Bilbo's house, but I hadn't been happy about their laziness either and I'd showed how I'd felt with putting my foot down; and firmly reminded them that Bilbo would have been in the rights to kick everyone into the night for turning up without his approval.

Most of the dwarves had agreed to join me on the cleaning mission after I'd pointed out those facts; and most I meant Fili, Kili, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori and Nori.

Well, the latter had been bullied into agreeing by his elder brother's 'tender' ministrations.

That left Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Oin and Ori showing their appreciation by planting their bottoms on the chairs surrounding the fireplace around the dinner-table.

Balin and Oin I couldn't begrudge, as they were rather old dwarrows.

And poor little Ori was almost asleep on his haunches in the comfy, squishy armchair, her young face a tad pale and pained as she rubbed at her ankle which had apparently started aching again from her having walked on it.

But the other two were still more than hail to help us, but for some reason they decided to be a pair of royal asses; and I found great joy in causing them to yelp and grumble when I (accidentally) poked Dwalin in the butt with the tip of the wooden broom handle and made his Royal Highness raise his cumbersome feet a number of times when I swiped the same area twice to make the floor perfectly clean.

There was a shit-eating grin on my face the whole time, and it only grew wider when I overheard Nori whimpering: '' Mahal's Bal- OUCH, Dori! I'm jus' sayin' what your all thinkin'; this privy bloody reeks! An' which of you bleedin' dunces left feces on the toilet rim?!''

'' I didn't want to even imagine what's been going on with the bloody toilet! Thanks a load, Nori!'' I grumbled out loud, rolling my blue eyes at the ceiling even as Ori couldn't stop giggling at his brother's misfortune.

...

Finally I decided that enough was enough and that it was my time to rejoin the world. Still grinning at the memory of the dwarrows submitting to my wishes, I quietly slipped off the bed and gently touched Ori's forehead with the back of my hand.

She was warm, but not the kind of warm that indicated she was running a fever.

Smiling in relief and amusement when she gave a faint mumble in her sleep, I wrapped Ori in the soft blankets and patch-work quilt I'd abandoned before putting my other layers of clothing back on (I'd slept in my white tank-top and thick black leggings).

I finished up my morning rituals by brushing my wavy hair until it shined and braided it tightly into a long braid that I knew would stay in place.

I then grabbed my red backpack and coat (which I'd ventured out to retrieve from the wood-shed last night) from near the door and tip-toed out the door and towards the kitchen to make myself a strong Morning cup of coffee.

But once I'd reached the kitchens I realized something important as I stared at the medieval kitchen equipment; I'd never made coffee the old way before. Sure, I knew how to make a fire with matches (but Gloin had taken the flint back in with his belongings) and yeah, I had made coffee in a coffee-pot before but the beans had been pre-powdered.

My mood turn sour and I slapped a hand over my face before making my way to the hall and quietly sinking into a chair that sat around the table (shoved into the hall of Bilbo's house last night).

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the ridiculousness that I had no idea how to make myself that one last cup (or two) of coffee that would help get through the day of travel.

To think that I couldn't even do that, let alone use a weapon to save a life was laughable. It was pathetic. I was pathetic!

'' Yritä nyt olla hyödyksi,'' I muttered out loud,glaring into my hands,'' kun en edes osaa keittää yhtä hemmetin kahvikupposta ( You try being of use, when I can't even make one damn cup of coffee).''

I would probably have been fuming over my inability to be of use a lot longer, if not for a couple of voices out in the garden catching my attention.

I quietly walk over to the window and peered outside. I spotted Dori and Nori standing out in the gardens facing each other and arguing with raised voices.

I frowned as I planted myself on a chair closest to the window.

It wasn't like I truly wanted to know what they were arguing about, but last night as I was listening to the dwarrows sing that very deep song of their lost kingdom, I had noticed an underlying tension between the two elder ''Ri'' siblings that was always hidden whenever Ori had been aware of what had been going on around her.

I hadn't heard the beginnings of the arguement, but I hadn't needed to, for the things I did hear were disconcerting enough.

I winced as Nori blatantly blamed his elder brother for having 'mothered' their sister to the point where she'd become too soft for his liking.

The accusing nail was hammered deeper as Nori explained his reasons for why he'd left their home years ago to begin a life out in the wild in great detail. One significant reason being him afraid that Dori would try to smother him, too, and make him weak.

I winced a second time. Such cruel words spoken before a dangerous journey wasn't the smartest thing to do on Nori's part.

Especially when none of the company could be certain whether they'd make it to the end of their journey.

I could only imagine what Dori's expression might have been at the time, but no doubt something entirely opposite of happy.

Whatever had caused their relationship to to turn so sour, I had no idea, but it was obvious that Nori's words would soon drag the elder dwarrow to a breaking point.

And as if proving my thoughts correct, Dori's next words were spoken with a snarl: '' I will NOT be taking anymore insults from you, Nori! Yes, I might've become overbearing when it came to Ori's education, but I only wanted what was best for her! The education was all worth it when she became a Scribe for the royal family. You have NO right to say that I've ruined our sister!''

I quietly stood up and looked out the window, only to wince and duck out of sight as Dori turned and made his way up the old stone stairs and towards the door.

'' Tyhmä, tyhmä, tyhmä (Stupid, stupid, stupid)!'' I muttered to myself, hoping I hadn't been noticed eavesdropping.

Loud noises and the sound of a scuffle outside me caught my interest for the second time in a short while and I rouse to take another peek outside.

My mouth dropped at the sight of the two brothers exchanging physical blows at each other. '' Ei helvetti!'' I muttered out loud in disbelief as Dori dealt a punishing blow to the side of Nori's head which had the slighter dwarrow stumbling backwards with a grunt of pain.

'' But you know its the truth, Dori!'' Nori snarled out as he righted himself, his blue-grey eyes resembling two cold icicles.'' If you'd allowed me to train Ori the way I'd believed to have been the right way, she wouldn't have needed to run from that orc-pack! She wouldn't have needed to put her life in another's hands; or needed help to get to Bag end!''

I gasped at that. Why throw me into their verbal argument?! Ei saatana!

Dori's voice sounded extremely strained as he replied: '' We should be thankful that Maija hadn't left Ori on the road my herself, when she'd been coming down with an illness. And especially thankful that she hadn't attempted to slay our sister on the spot, when Ori had showed her distrust towards her upon finding out Maija knew about Gandalf's whereabouts inside the Shire.''

'' Tha's exactly my poin', Dori!'' Nori spat out.'' Ori had bin severely weakened by the illness and if tha' lass had decide' it would be best to kill our sister, than she could have succeeded. Ori was lucky that day! ''

I closed my eyes, breathing in deep breaths of air.

Lucky? Did Nori truly believed I would have killed his sister in my rage?!

Yes, I had been afraid (and resentful) after Ori had attacked me, but still... I had been raised in a world where killing was an inexcusable crime!

And even here, in a world where people did kill each other in combat, I would still think twice over whether to kill someone from the race of men, dwarrows or elves.

My eyes flew open as Nori snarled something in 'Khuszdul'', but whatever it was it made Dori's eyes flash with rage. He uttered a scathing 'something' in the same language before growling in the common tongue:

'' If you wish to hold a grudge towards me, Nori, then do as you wish. But DON'T show that grudge around Ori! Or Maija, for that matter!''

I blinked at those words, as I wasn't expecting Dori to defend me so vehemently. So Why? I would have been less surprised with Dori being suspicious and condemning with the kind of manners I'd displayed and the kind of clothes I was wearing.

And Nori had taken a step back at his brother's words, a strange expression on his face that I couldn't place, and didn't have time to stand around and figure out.

I ducked away from the window as Dori made his way back up the stairs and to the round green door.

I leaned forward and leaned my elbows against the smooth wood of the table and rested my head against my open heart was pounding in my chest as I went over everything I'd heard.

It was really quite obvious now that despite his earlier actions towards me the russet-brown haired dwarrow didn't trust me, and I suppose it was valid that he didn't, despite Ori had been the one to attack me first.

And If he didn't hold any trust towards me, then how would I be able to initiate trust with the middle- son of Fitoria?

I wouldn't be! It was as simple as that!

I would just simply have to try and act normally around Nori and watch my back.

I uttered a low groan and let myself fall across the table. Back in my world there were occasions where you did have to be aware of the potential to be attacked by people who were consciously looking for trouble.

But it wasn't everyday-life. At least not in the country I'd lived in.

But here...

Nori sure was a prime example of how dangerous and sneaky a person could be if you didn't watch yourself. Especially with his thieving ways...

'' EI SAATANA!'' I groaned as sudden realization hit me like a falling boulder. I couldn't refrain from slapping a hand across my face, hard.

Yesterday when Nori had been putting his thieving hands into work, it hadn't been anything playful to rile me up.

It had been a sneaky sort of warning towards of what could happen if I were to bring harm on any member of the company.

I hadn't realized the truth of his actions back then, and I don't think Nori had ever wanted me to find out what he truly thought of me but in light of what I'd heard just minutes ago, the sneaky gesture was now all too clear to me.

Bring concious harm to my siblings in any way, and your back will be stabbed...

'' With your own weapons, most probably. Forget that warning, and your in trouble.'' I thought tensely, my forehead furrowed with worry, just as the sound of the door open and close could be heard. '' Someone better teach me how to defend myself soon so I can be more at ease. Otherwise, I'll just end up telling Nori I don't trust him with my actions.

My head snapped up and I sprung to my feet the second I heard a loud gasp echoe through the room.

'' Hienoa (great)!'' I though inwardly, cringing as I realized that Dori must have noticed me in the dining-room.

I stiffened slightly as I watched him approach me carefully. I probably looked like a skittish animal for the second time in two days, I morbidly thought as the dwarrow stopped inches from the chair I had been sitting on just moments ago.

'' You heard all that?''

I really just wanted to leave this room and put as much distance between this awkward moment as I could, but when I looked up into the eyes of the dwarrow standing in front of me, something stopped me.

It could have been the very put-out, and sorrowful expression on Dori's face or the very odd, warm feeling that rouse from within me as I looked at him.

A feeling that prompted me to stay in the room.

I relaxed my posture, hesitantly turning my back on Dori and briefly glanced out the window.

I could see that Nori had seated himself on the bench overlooking Bilbo's garden and was staring out into the distance with stiff shoulders.

'' Yeah, I heard most of it.'' I admitted dryly. I did feel quilty for having eavesdropped, but at the same time morbidly glad to now know that I wasn't truly trusted amongst some members of the company.

Even justified to hear what I was being seen through others eyes.

'' Lass, if you speak of this to anyone...'' the dwarrow spoke through clenched teeth.

'' I won't be speaking of this to anyone, Dori, I promise.'' I answered him stiffly, ignoring the stab of hurt that he would think I'd be a tattle-tale.

I gritted my teeth and leaned my palms againsts the table. I rested my full weight on my palms, glaring at the surface of the wood.'' Its not my place to tell anyone, anyway.''

My answer came out laced with sarcasm, and I knew it. I didn't dare to look up into the dwarrow's eyes, but if I'd done it, I would have seen Dori's brow wrinkling in a frown as he slumped into a chair.

'' You were never meant to overhear any of it, Maija.'' Dori spoke softly.

'' But I did, so let's skip that part and make it known that I no longer know whom I can really trust not to hurt me anymore.'' I muttered out bitterly.

'' I can understand why it would be hard for you, but whatever Nori might think,'' Dori replied quietly,'' I know you would not have harmed our Ori further than you had in that moment of distrust. There is just something in your manners that made me realize the sincerity of your words last night when you and my sister both recalled your first meeting to the company.''

I looked up at these words, my expression still disbelieving, and was surprised to see the slight tremors of his shoulders as Dori breathed in and out.

'' And your reaction only makes the truth so much clearer to me. You don't deserve Nori's distrust and suspicions.'' he continued with pain in his voice.

I winced at his tone of voice. Honestly, who could blame the dwarrow for sounding the way he did. After all, he'd gone through so much with just travelling to get to Bag End and having that orc-pack attack their camp.

And then their little sister had gone missing during the raid and the two brothers must have been frantic when they'd had no idea what had come of her.

Nori (apparently very affected by what had happened and totally disregarding the truth that his elder brother had been as scared as he'd been), deciding to blame Dori for Ori being too soft must have been another vicious blow.

And to top it all of, Dori found out that I'd been eavesdropping on an arguement I was never supposed to overhear.

I really couldn't hide that the arguement had affected me deeply, too, but I felt he was sincere in his words towards me. It was better to at least hope that there were two of the ''Ri' siblings who didn't find me insincere.

I hesitantly walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder in show of comfort.

Dori stiffened immediately at my initiated touch, and I would have pulled away my hand had he not suddenly put his own much larger hand on top of mine.

'' Thank you for trusting me.'' I told him quietly.'' I know its not really any of my business to say, but I feel you should make an effort to patch things up with Nori. If something happens to either of you on the course of the journey, those words are going to eat you both up from the inside.''

Dori looked up into my face and grimaced.

'' I have,'' Dori muttered wearily,'' tried to put up with the scamp for years. I've put up with his stealing and his ''almost insults'' at my tendencies to mother him and Ori (Ori more than him). But this... I've had enough with the insults. I WILL NOT put up with them anymore. If he wants to not appreciate my ways of taking care of my own family, then he can do and think as he pleases. As long as he doesn't pull little Ori into our dispute.''

'' He is still your brother.'' I pointed out to him.'' And he'll realize how much he cares about you before the journey is over.''

Dori grimaced again, shoulders slumping. '' But do I have the patients to put up with him, even if he were to want to be my brother?! That, I do not know.''

'' As I've already said, he is still your brother.'' I chided the dwarrow. '' You need to put effort in forgiving him. The two of you are going to need each other wether you realize it or not.'

'' I will try.'' Dori answered dully, staring down at the floor between where we were standing.

My eyes were suddenly compassionate as I looked into his blue ones. It was painfully obvious that Dori loved and cared for both his brothers equally, but he was hurt by Nori's words, and the hurt was causing a rift to be formed.

And the rift would not be so easily mended unless both of them were willing to make it mend.

Dori sighed as he finally pulled his hand away. '' Would you like some coffee, lass?'' he asked me with a hesitant smile.

I smiled at him thankfully.'' Yes, Dori, I wouldn't mind having a large steaming mug of coffee. Or two. Thank you.''

'' Well then,'' Dori answered with a nod and a wider smile, pulling me towards the kitchen area,'' let's get to it, shall we?!''

I grinned and followed along without a fuss, happy to have some hot coffee in me before the rigorous riding with the ponies (the very likely choice of transport we would be using at the start of this journey).

…

Dori and I were enjoyed a nice, hot full pot of coffee and quietly talking about anything and everything that came to mind.

'' I started school in the land I was born in,'' I was in the process of telling him of my life back on Earth,'' Lappeenranta, Finland, but my mother, my sisters and I moved to another land that is called America for a whole turn of the seasons whilst our dad was getting used to his new job in a land called Belgium. During that time the rest of us stayed at our grandmother's house in America.''

'' Wasn't very difficult to get used to the new culture there?'' Dori asked with widened eyes.'' And such distance between husband, wife and children!?''

''School was difficult for a while since my sisters and I had only tiny knowledge of the new language you know as the common tongue when we first arrived in America. Mother was an American by birth but she'd been learning Finnish and she rarely spoke the common tongue with us children.'' I answered, fiddling with the straps of my red backpack.'' But I was only eight years old, and my sisters were five and four years old. This enabled me to learn to speak in sentences after a whole six moon cycles had past. My youngest sister, though, learned to do it more quickly.''

Dori blinked at me, no doubt trying to wrap his head around what I was telling him. No doubt it was difficult for him to understand why our family had needed to move so far away from the land we'd lived in, and us children born in, to find a new home.

'' We moved back to Finland for the summer following the year we spent in America. Our father had traveled back to Finland to be with us, before we all headed to Belgium together. Our old house was already in sale when we returned from America.'' I continued with a sad sort of remembrance. '' Unfortunately, mom wasn't able to stay with us for long. She was very sick, and died only a year later from said illness. I was only ten, and my sisters even younger.''

'' She was sick?!'' Dori inhaled, looking incredibly sad for my family.'' You three little ones were so young to have lost a mother. Ori was only a wee baby when our mother passed away. Her lungs had never been quite the same following Smaug's attack on Erebor, and bearing Ori had been extremely difficult for her. She couldn't handle the aftermath of the delivery. Ori's father had died in the events of a mine accident before her birth which left me to raise two little brothers. ''

''Oh, I'm sorry for your losses.'' I answered with sympathy.'' Our father found someone who made her happy again, and he didn't need to raise all of us on his own. Well, as for how my life continued, my sisters and I started school in Belgium but four years later I moved back to the country I was born in. But that was just me. My father and stepmother still live in Belgium, but both my younger siblings moved to another land our kind call England once they'd finished school.

'' So now your saying your entire family was separated by choice.'' Dori exclaimed with a rather stunned expression. '' Why in Mahal's name would you all go along with it?''

'' Life's choices,'' I answered,'' and something else that is known as work. Women have the same sort of privileged as men when it comes to the way of life and we aren't always expected to stay as housewives and mind the children. Besides, distance doesn't really matter as long as your family loves you. We had our ways of communicating through long distances that are faster than sending letters. Such as this.''

I reached into my pack and pulled out my yellow-shelled cellphone.'' Though I can't get it to work in this world.'' I added glumly, glaring down at the blank screen.

Dori reached out to put his hand on top of mine but pulled back when the two of us heard the ''creak'' of the door opening in the hallway.

A tell-tale warning of Nori's entrance to the smyle.

Dori's expression hardened for a moment before turning unreadable.

Nervousness flooded me and for a moment I was afraid, until Dori's kind hand on my arm calmed me down to a point where I was able to school my expression back to neutral.

Dori lifted his hand just in time, as moments later Nori entered the dining area.

I looked up at the younger dwarrow and noticed that he'd paused in surprise at seeing me sitting around and drinking coffee with his brother.

Something else, that I couldn't place, flashed in his blue-grey eyes as he looked from me to Dori.

I gave him a nod and a small smile as he approached our table and offered him an extra mug before gesturing towards the still rather full coffee-pot.

'' Morning, Nori,'' I greeted him,''care for some coffee?''

'' Morning.'' Nori answered with a half-hearted smile of his own,'' And aye, I'll have a mug-full.''

He glanced at his brother who tensed slightly, gripping the coffee-pot a little harder than necessary and avoided the star-haired dwarrow's eyes.

I wanted to put a hand on Dori's arm to calm him down less he accidentally break the coffee-pot, but I was afraid to give Nori any clues that I'd overheard their arguement as the middle-brother finally slid into a chair on the other side of the table.

Right across from me.

I handed him the extra mug and Dori poured him coffee, all the while resolutely avoiding his brother's sharp eyes.

Nori, too, was tensely looking away from his brother and was sipping the hot coffee with pursed lips.

The tension was so palpable that I was afraid it would erupt into another arguement with the explosive power of a supervolcano.

It was extremely awkward to be stuck between these two surly figures, and I needed to defuse the situation before the eruption happened a second time.

And inside Bilbo's smyle it wasn't a welcoming thought. Especially if they wanted to keep their enflamed relationship secret from Ori.

The awkwardness became too much for me to bare, and in my need to lighten things up I started spouting out funny stories that involved my cousin and I getting into loads of trouble for ditching my two sisters and running off somewhere.

By the time others were beginning to wake up in their guestrooms, I had managed to get Nori laughing rather heartily at my tales.

Even Dori was chuckling as I was finishing my latest tale that involved going under my grandparent's neighbor's electric fence and running from the cows grazing in the pasture as we'd trecked to the neighbor's there was the bright idea that had come to our minds, that we would chase the neighbors pet rabbits which ultimately ended with us running into a room filled to the ankles with sludgy, reeking cow-dung.

''Ugh, the memory of that stench,'' I finished, wrinkling my nose in disgust, '' is unforgetable.''

'' Served you two rascals right,'' Dori chuckled, shaking his head at me as Nori and I howled with laughter at my cousin's and mine childhood shenanigans,'' for chasing your poor neighbors pet rabbits.''

'' Well, it seemed like a fun plan at the time, Dori.'' I answered, eyes twinkling from mirth as I swallowed a mouthful of the cooling coffee in my mug.'' And we were just children back then.''

…

The large pot of coffee sitting between us on the able top was almost empty by the time the first dwarrows stumbled bleary-eyed into the dining-area.

Bombur and Ori being the first to arrive (no doubt the ginger-haired dwarrow was too hungry to have wanted to stay sleeping).

I looked up and smiled kindly at Bombur and bade him a good-morning (which he returned with wide grin of his own which quite resembled Bofur's), before the stout dwarrow waddled into the kitchen in his search for food.

I then waved at Ori who waved back as she made her way towards our table. I was happy to see that her limp wasn't as prominent as it had been all through last evening.

Nori stretched his back and yawned as he suddenly stood up from his seat. He patted his sister on the back on his way around the table.

Dori and I shared a knowing look as Nori took something from the folds of his pocket and slinked off to follow Bombur in his search for something to make for breakfast.

Dori pursed his lips together tightly and I muttered something along the lines of: '' Ei tarvi kahteen kertaan miettiä mihin se äijä hävisi ( you don't have to guess twice as to where the guy's gone).''

'' Hmmm... what are you saying?'' Ori mumbled at me sleepily as his elder brother poured her the last of the coffee.

'' Nothing important, Ori.'' I yawned out, smiling at the bleary-eyed dwarrowdam who slumped down on the chair beside me and returned my smile.

…

Eventually all the dwarrows eager to sample some good breakfast, and Gandalf, had woken up and were clustered around the small dining-room table.

I grinned as Dori handed over another full mug of coffee to me along with my share of food that consisted of bacon, ham, cheese and bread (probably found in Bilbo's other pantries; and no need to double-guess who had opened them up without a key).

I was very quiet as I ate my food and looked around the table at the others. I really hoped I'd get to know them all better during this journey; to learn how much more wasn't shown in the films.

So I discreetly peered at them all, noting the slight differences in appearance to what they'd looked like in the Hobbit films (there really where subtle differences which quite suited the realistic part of me. I mean, why should the dwarves look exactly like they'd done in the film?!

Their manners turned out to be quite the same as they'd been in the films, however, but they weren't roudy this morning like they'd all been last night.

Only Fili and Kili were being loud in their conversation with Bofur who was being just as noisy.

I had to chuckle at the trio for a moment before returning back to my half-finished breakfast.

...

As we were finishing our meal, Thorin Oakenshield urged us to finish up quickly and gather up our belongings. We would apparently be leaving soon after breakfast.

I shook my head with a sigh and headed towards the kitchen to clean up my plate and mugs.

I had nothing to pack except for the belongings I'd had with me when I was brought to Middle-Earth.

Once the crockery were almost shining from being clean, I returned to the dining-room and wriggled into my blue coat and shouldered my red backpack (that I'd left under my chair) before sitting down again to wait for the others.

'' Here, Maija,'' Gandalf spoke up suddenly as he walked over to me and handed over a folded parchment,'' it is from Bilbo.''

'' Hmmm...?'' I hummed in question, blinking down at the letter the wizard had handed over. I quickly pulled the parchment open and read it over quickly, then a second time as shock took over.

It read:

Miss Maija,

As perturbed as I was from the unexpected arrival of Thorin Oakenshield's company into my smyle.

Very much unvited, I should add, I hadn't forgotten that I had invited miss Ori and you to my home. Please assure Miss Ori that I hadn't found her presence to have been a problem.

As for you having to go on this ''Journey', 'I find it unsatisfactory on your part and wished Gandalf could have found a solution to your problem without having to resort to asking you join the company.

And yet, I truly wish you the best of luck on your long journey to Rivendell and that you will find your way back to your world and be reunited with your family.

I have made it my duty to give you some equipment for the journey.

These equipment belonged to my dear mother, Belladonna Baggins, and if possible, I'd like to see them returned.

But if such requiest proves to be impossible, I won't begrudge you for not fulfilling it. My mother had a wonderful tendency to find joy in simply helping others in need, and I'm sure she would have given these equipment to you without asking them to be returned.

You will find everything packed and ready inside my mother's 'Glory-box'.

Sincerely Bilbo Baggins

I felt tears appearing in the corner of my eyes as I read through the letter a third time in a row.

No one, apart from my family or my one true friend back at home, had ever shown me such kindness and care.

Bilbo Baggins was truly a saint in the form of a gentle-hobbit.

I was aware of Gandalf looking at me as I wiped away the tears that tried to sneak up into view of others and handed the short letter over to the Istari who read it over quickly, a fond smirk appearing on his wrinkled beard-clad face as glanced at the paintings of two hobbits (no doubt Belladonna and Bungo Baggins) sitting over the fireplace.

''Blessed Belladonna Baggins,''' Gandalf voiced out brightly as he handed back the letter,'' your son is more like than even he realizes. He will find his thirst for adventure soon. There is no doubt about it.''

I rolled my eyes at the wizard's logic and looked over the words one last time.

Was it really necessary for me to take something that had belonged to the poor hobbit's mother, without certainty that it would be returned?

I rolled my eyes again as Gandalf asked: '' You would turn down his offer, lass?''

'' I just don't like the idea of taking something that could be important to him.'' I muttered quietly.

'' And yet it would be beneficial for you to accept what is given to you,'' the wizard answered and lowered a hand on my shoulder,'' for your belongings don't cover even the barest minimal of acceptable equipment you shall need on the road.''

'' Fine,'' I muttered, irritated a the wizard's meddling,'' I will accept his generosity.''

'' You will find Belladonna's 'Glory-box over there.'' Gandalf answered, his voice irritatingly bright as he gestured towards the hallway leading towards the round green door.

The mentioned glory box was a beautiful piece of furniture made out of wood that looked like chestnut. And the furniture looked more like a chair than a box (or a chest).

'' Hmmm...'' I hummed quietly, as I noticed Balin sitting by the fireplace in the living-room writing something on a long piece of parchment.

I walked over to the snow-haired dwarrow and peeked over his shoulder with interest. It was a note for Bilbo Baggins. I gave a small chuckle when I realized had an idea as to what to do before getting out the equipment from the Glory-box.

Balin was about to finish the letter with his signature, when I gently put my hand on top his bigger, time-worn hand and stilled the path of the quill on top the letter.

'' May I write something to Bilbo, Balin?'' I asked him, showing the old dwarrow the letter Bilbo had written to me.

'' Aye, lass, go right ahead.''

Balin had looked very surprised at my executed touch, but had quickly composed himself and answered me with a kind smile as soon as he'd looked over the letter.

He stood up and let me sit down in the vacated chair.

I immediately sat down and lifted the quill that Balin had left in the ink-bottle. I took the excess ink off by scraping it on the side of the bottle before poising the quill over the parchment, wondering what exactly I should write to the kindly hobbit.

Finally, I simply poised the quill some four inches down from where Balin had finished his own writing, and wrote as neatly as possible with my brow furrowed in concentration.

Dear Bilbo Reppuli( Baggins)

Olen erittäin kiitollinen kaikesta (I'm truly thankful for everything). For your hospitality and care for the durance of my stay; as unexpected as it was. I've come to carry fond memories of my short stay in your homely smyle.

I also understand why you would ask for your mother's belongings. She was an important person in your life.

I shall make sure the elves of Rivendell will find some way of returning what you've allowed me to borrow, Bilbo.

You are a wonderful, kind hobbit Bilbo and I wish you the best of health and abundance in your life. I will carry the short friendship we shared in my heart for the rest of my life.

Sincerely Maija (Reetta Ranta- Aho)

I cringed and blushed slightly at the messy scrawl displayed under the beautiful writing done by Balin.

'' Looks like I must practice writing, too,'' I muttered gesturing towards the disgrace of a letter I'd finished, '' for this is rather horrible hand-writing.''

The snow- haired dwarrow only chuckled good naturally at the embarrassment displayed on my face and patted me on the shoulder.

'' I'd say it is rather well done for someone who mentioned yesterday evening that she has never used a quill before.'' he answered, taking the quill from my hand as I handed it back. He dipped it in the ink-bottle.'' And it is not often you see woman, of the race of men, who display knowledge for writing. Its rather refreshing sight to witness.''

'' Hmm...'' I hummed, looking down at the parchment between us as Balin put in his own signature. Now that I thought about it, the female population in my world (in most countries) were rather blessed to be allowed the kind of education that was given to them yearly.

I ran a finger over the rough parchment and marvelled how different it felt compared to the paper used in my nowadays in my country. So rustic! And the ink and quill, as well.

But like pencils and pens, these were used for writing.

'' Balin, have you finished writing that letter to our 'burglar'?'' Thorin's loud voice could be heard from the hall leading to the door of Bag End.

Balin looked up with a sigh and put the quill back in it's holder and rescrewed the lid of the ink-bottle.

I lifted the parchment and set it down on the same table I'd remembered seeing in the film. The one sitting next to the round window.

Balin reached out from over my shoulder and set Bilbo's unsigned contract next to the open parchment.

I stared at the contract for a long moment, reading through the words. My legs had, all of a sudden, started to feel like they were glued to the floor as sudden fear for what might happen to me on the journey in the wild made me hesitant to leave the safety of Bag End.

It was Balin's gentle hand on my shoulder that broke through my conscientiousness moment and steered me towards the rest of the company.

I made my way towards Bilbo's mother's 'Glory-box', under the curious and confused eyes of the dwarrows standing around the door and proceeded to open the box carefully and respectively.

I smirked as Gandalf explained what Bilbo had written to me in his letter and pulled out a beautiful, cornflower blue cloak (that was thick and made waterproof) and clasped the copper clasps closed so that the fabric was over by my collarbones. The cloak was feminine, which deduced the logic that it had belonged to Belladonna Baggins.

Next I pulled out the travelling pack filled with all the essentials, and the sleeping mat and blanket attached to the flaps.

''Everything did look to be in good shape despite not having been used in years.'' I thought (inwardly thanking Bilbo again) as I swung the bigger, heavier pack on top my much smaller pack (effectively squishing it against my back).'' Bilbo must have kept his mother's things well maintained even if he hasn't used any of it himself.''

'' You look very nice with that cloak.'' Ori chirped in with a smile.'' The color brings out your blue eyes.''

'' Good thing I like blue, then.'' I answered with a laugh, fishing out my retractable pocket knife and '' puukko'' from the outside coat-pockets and stashing the lot in the inside pockets of my sailor blue- coat.

'' You might want to take this, too.'' Gandalf spoke up, holding a hobbit-sized axe used for cutting firewood.'' It was next to the Glory box, along with another note said to borrow this from him.''

As some dwarrows gave uttered noises of surprise and even congratulating Bilbo for his un-Hobbitish thinking, I simply uttered a loud: '' OH!'' and took the axe into my hands.

My eyes going wide as I inspected the blade, noting that it looked very new and not having been used once. I knew that for certain, having used the older one several times last evening. '' This is... too much from him, Gandalf. I couldn't possibly...''

'' You are going to need a weapon, young lady.'' Gandalf argued with a twinkle in his eyes.'' And Bilbo Baggins has kindly given you the kind which you have used in the past and can wield even it its not in a battle. One which you shall accept without further arguement. Time is short and we must be off, soon.''

'' Confounded old geezers and their meddling in other people's decisions!'' I burst out in frustration and stepped towards the wizard whilst brandishing the blade in Gandalf's direction with one hand.'' When am I allowed to make a decision without you nulling it in a blink of an eye?''

I shook the blade slightly before lowering it to my side with a ''huff''.

Thankfully none of the dwarrows had seen my actions as threatening enough to cause a scene inside the smyle, and hadn't acted upon me stepping towards the wizard with the sharp axe in my hands.

The damn wizard hadn't even flinched as the axe was lifted at him.

The dwarrows did look a little surprised, though, and Fili, Kili and Bofur were quietly laughing at the scene I'd made in front of Bilbo's door.

I was still glowering at Gandalf as Dwalin cae over to me and took the blade from my slackened fingers.

'' This blade is of decent quality for one wrought by men.'' Dwalin said to me as he inspected the small axe.'' You better do as the wizard says and accept this show of kindness from the halfling.''

'' He is a 'Hobbit', Dwalin.'' I answered, taking back the axe as he handed it over.'' Very well, if you all insist...''

I rubbed the bridge of my nose is exasperation,'' I will take this weapon.''

Dwalin's answering nod was firm as he helped me find a way to carry the axe without it being in the way.

In the end, the axe handle was slipped into the rope- belt Dwalin had made for me from the equipment Bilbo had packed for me to use.

'' Now, If you are all ready to head out, '' Thorin Oakenshield spoke up, sweeping his eyes over his fourteen- person company gathered near the door with all their packs and choice of weapons,'' we shall leave for the 'Green Dragon Inn'.''

''He sure was eager to head out,'' I thought dryly as I nodded at the crown less king, '' And now he is in a rush!''

My expression was somber as I glanced back at the smyle that had been my sanctuary for the past, after wondering whether I'd have to sleep outside with the elements; without knowing if there was civilization close by, staying at Bilbo's had been like staying in the home of a king.

For the second time that morning the fear and uncertainty for what was to come, reared its ugly head and made my legs freeze on the doorstep. My hand was suddenly gripping tightly at the wooden handle of the axe strapped to my belt and I was quite sure my face showed my apprehension to everyone.

It was embarrasing to say the least, to be showing your fear in front of these people who'd seen many dangers in their life, if not war.

I could practically feel Thorin Oakenshield, Dwalin and Gloin giving me looks; and I was quite sure they weren't encouraging for my reputation among the group.

'' Whoa! ''

I almost jumped as a large hand fell on my shoulder and looked back to see Dori standing beside me with a caring look on his face.

''A mother-hen, definitely.'' I thought with a smile, allowing the dwarrow to lead me out the door and down the old stone stairs of Bilbo's house.

Then the smile abruptly slipped as I could feel that same warm feeling flooding me (as the one that had occurred early this morning before the others had woken) from the inside and like before it brought up a lot of questions to my head as to what it meant.

The feeling was too strong to be ignored, and it had happened whenever I looked at Dori in certain ways, or touched him. And even more bizarre, I always felt safe in his presence despite knowing him for less than a day.

I glanced at the dwarrow from the corner of my eyes every now and then as we made our way towards the 'Green Dragon Inn', wondering if perhaps he felt these strange sensations as clearly as I did, and whether he knew exactly what they were about.

Dori happened to glance back at me at the same instance as I turned my blue eyes in his direction and... Saakutin saakutti!

For a split moment I'd actually been flooded with how he was feeling. Dori was well aware of what this was, and was… afraid?! Shocked? Even joyful?

'' Ei hemmetti!'' I thought, rubbing a hand across my face. My heart was still pounding in the aftermath of his thoughts being shoved at me.

Was that… what I think it was? Was this whatever I'd read in a number of fanfiction stories? Did I actually have a ''One''? Had I found a true soulmate?

''Voivatko asiat enää huonommaksi muuttua (could things possibly turn any worse than this)?!'' I thought with an inward moan.

I had no idea what to think of the possibility of Dori being my 'One'. I was on a 'freaking' mission to find a way home to my loved ones.

I hadn't been looking for a boyfriend to share the rest of my life. Actually, I'd never even dated in my past for a reason that I hadn't found… the person I could truly be happy with?!

'' No on tämä niin saatanan hanurista (well isn't this such a freaking butt-load of fun)!'' I grumbled out loud, drawing questioning looks from Ori, Fili and Kili whom were walking near me.

I grinned sheepishly at them and was immediately drawn into an excited conversation with the lot of them.

Fili and Kili asking me questions of my home world and I eagerly drew myself into the conversation, wanting to curb their curiosity and not be left in somber thoughts.

And I wasn't disappointed. The conversation didn't fail to bring me out of my funk and to forget the queer feelings that had brought a lot of difficult questions to my mind.

I never noticed the contemplative, worried expression appear on Dori's face before he masked it and quickened his steps so that he was walking with the middle of the company; when before he'd been staying at the back of the group with us young ones.

Nor did I realize that the Middle sibling ' Ri ' had slowed down his steps and was glancing at me every now and then with the sharp eyes of a spy. And hiding worries of his own under a mask of indifference.

...

END OF CHAPTER 6

...

P.S. I've read so many stories where one of the younger dwarrows, such as Fili and Kili, always find themselves with someone to love. Thought I'd try something different. I've always had a soft spot for the three 'Ri' brothers in the film (Nori being a favorite). It won't be instant romance in this story, though.

And the life- story ''Maija'' told Dori is an almost mirror of my own past.