Sarafina awakened to see the sun peeking up from the horizon. Immediately, she jumped up from her positon and climbed up the tree that she was lying against the night before. As she reached the top of the tree, she inhaled the sweet fresh air that enveloped the area. It felt like Sarafina hadn't breathed in all of her life until this moment. Her lungs filled with the intoxicating air and she sighed, gazing toward the sun rising in the East. Not only was she in a tree, but she was at the highest point of the Shire. She had a perfect view of the horizon that was slowly glowing brighter every second.

Sunrises had fascinated Sarafina from the moment she arrived in Middle Earth. In fact, almost everything did. Especially the sun and stars. Back in Lorien, light in the night and day was almost…too perfect, always the same. Here on Earth, the view and the scene was never the same. Every dawn, sunset, and starry night was filled with different possibilities. One sunset could be an explosion of oranges and reds flaming in the air, when the next day could have a sunset where pinks and purples glanced throughout the sky. And even when the stars didn't twinkle as brightly, or the sun was covered by clouds, Sarafina found it beautiful. For it gave her an appreciation for beauty.

Stars were like hopes and dreams to Sarafina. They seem far away now, but with hard work and faith, you can obtain them. Much like with her goals to please the White Council and the Valar. The lights seemed to represent different hopes and dreams with their brightness. There were so many stars out there. Every night, there seemed to be a different number of stars. Sarafina thought that everyone had their own star. When people were all wishing and hoping, or finally obtained their goal, there would be more stars in the sky. When it seemed that the stars were dimmed, veiled, or in fewer number, people had given up faith in their dreams. This made night skies even more hope, because the more stars there were, the better the world seemed.

As she gazed at the rising sun, she felt at peace. After a few moments, Sarafina wondered if the rest of the company would be awake yet. So, she climbed down the tree and landed on the "roof" near the chimney. Sarafina then looked to see no smoke arising from the chimney. She decided that should look down the column to see a small licks of a flame over the fire wood. She thought that someone must be awake. Sarafina stood up straight and took a deep breath. She then ran into a sprint and leapt off of the roof. She flipped for the thrill of it and planted her feet firmly on the ground. It was only when she stood up straight that she heard a small squeal. Sarafina turned to see Ori recovering from a small heart attack while Fili and Kili were standing behind him laughing.

"OH MY GOSH SARAFINA! YOU TERRIFIED ME!" Ori yelped. Behind him, Fili and Kili were laughing their heads off.

"Oh, 'Fina! That was good. We were just on our way to fetch you." Kili laughed.

"That's very kind of you, but I don't need to be fetched. Know that for next time." Sarafina responded.

"Well, alright then," said Fili. "How about we go inside and have some food. If I recall, you barley ate anything last night." Sarafina thought for a moment. It was true. She hadn't eaten much while in her state of anxiety.

"Yes, I suppose you're right." Sarafina nodded. Her stomach then let out a quiet growl.

"Oooh," Kili began. "Never a good idea to start a journey hungry."

Ori grabbed her arm and dragged her inside. "Come on Sarafina, let's go inside to eat."

Only a couple people were awake. All of the others were stirring in their sleep. She looked inside of the kitchen to see that Bombur was awake and making breakfast for the select few that were awake. Bofur was sitting at the table with a mug of coffee, staring out the window, enjoying watching the morning's dawn. Sitting across from him, was Gloin. He seemed to be having a fight with the sausage he was eating. Clearly making a show of it. Standing in the corner of the room stood Dwalin of all people. He had his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the few people in the room. When his eyes laid on Sarafina, he gave her a dark glare. Dwalin then looked away, seeing that glowering at her would do no good.

Bofur looked away from the window to see the Sarafina and the three dwarves standing in the doorway.

"Well hello there lass," Bofur greeted. Sarafina smiled. "Thought you abandoned us last night. Good thing Gandalf said you left too, or these three would have been worried." She turned to look at the trio behind her. Ori shrugged.

"Sure, I guess we would have worried a bit. But we all know Bofur over exaggerates our emotions." Kili shrugged. Fili and Ori nodded at this. Sarafina grinned. Everyone then entered the room and sat down. On the table, Bombur had already laid out a plate of bacon, ham, scrambled eggs, and muffins. How long it must have taken him to prepare the food? What amazed her even more was that Bombur was still cooking. Sarafina took a plate and placed a muffin and an apple on it. She decided that she would fill it up as she went.

Not much time had passed and everyone was awake and moving around the house. Thorin seemed to be concentrating on his plate, not touching anything on it. Others were grinning from ear to ear, ready to leave any moment. There was only one person missing. Bilbo Baggins. She then turned to Fili.

"Have you seen Bilbo?" He shook his head.

"Nope, not since last night. I bet he won't show up." Fili continued to eat his food.

"Oh, don't be so rotten Fili. He'll come, I'm sure of it." Kili interjected.

"Absolutely not," a voice called from the corner. When Sarafina turned to see who spoke, she scowled. Dwalin stood with his arms crossed in the corner of the room. "There is no way a pansy like him will have the guts to join us." Dwalin paused and looked directly at Sarafina. "The same should be said about you lassie, but it appears you'll have to be a part of this journey before you leave the company." Sarafina scowled at him. She then heard him mumble, "I'd expect nothing less than from an elf."

"We shall see won't we Master Dwalin," She seethed. "Out of curiosity, how long do you think I will last before I leave or die?" He laughed.

"Well, if you must know, I'm not exactly thinking about a number of days."

"Then what are your thoughts?"

"I'm thinking that if you aren't killed by orcs, you'll leave us after you see them from the first time we encounter them." Sarafina glowered at him. How defenseless did he think she was?

"And which of your two choices do you think is more likely?"

"I believe that you leaving the group is the most plausible, but that is not what I hope for you."

She heard Fili gulp and Ori let out a small squeak. Kili tried to put his hand onto Sarafina's shoulder, but she raised her hand to stop him. He had seen the anger in her eyes grow.

"Are you telling me that you would rather me DIE?!" Sarafina demanded. She was humiliated, and hurt beyond belief.

"At least if you died you would have left us honorably. Even if you hadn't done anything to earn it other than be foolish. Leaving the company any other way is COWARDICE!" Dwalin growled.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" A new voice shouted in their ears. Gandalf stood in the doorway with a terrible look in his eyes. "How dare you speak to her that way? Is that how treat women Master Dwalin? By insulting them?" Gandalf then turned to the rest of the dwarves in the room.

"The same goes to all of you! Why wouldn't you standing up for her?!" Gandalf turned to look at Fili and Kili. "What would Dis say?" Sarafina wasn't sure if she was necessarily thankful for having Gandalf come to her rescue.

Addressing the entire room, he continued. "By insulting my student, you insult me. Sarafina alone seems to have more honor than the lot of you, and I couldn't wish for another student. So next time, chose your words carefully." Gandalf then walked out of the room. Sarafina smirked at his last comment, as the company appeared stunned to hear that she was Gandalf's student. Maybe a newfound respect would come from this. Then again, I had hoped to earn the respect of these dwarves through my own actions.

After Gandalf left the room, the dwarves silenced themselves, still trying to grasp the new information.

"So…," she broke the silence. "Anyone want to place a bet on whether or not Mr. Baggins will show?" Sarafina then pulled out four silver pieces and put them on the table. "I bet four silver pieces that he will show. Anyone else want to place a bet?" The dwarves looked around to each other, seeing who will make the first move.

"I'll bet two silver pieces that he won't show up," Fili volunteered.

"Well, I hand over three silver that he will come," Kili added.

"No lads," Balin interjected. "Betting isn't something you want to get into at your age."

"Aye," Dwalin added. "It isn't the most noble or respectful thing for princes to be doing." At this comment Fili and Kili both scowled.

"Since when did respect become something you cared about, Dwalin?" Kili spat.

"It's always been something that I've always given and valued." Dwalin shrugged. I snorted. Yeah right.

"Well you sure have a funny way of showing don't you?" Ori squeaked. I turned to look at him. His face was pink from embarrassment and anger. Sarafina smiled at him, showing him thanks.

Dwalin, on the other hand, was not amused. Neither was Balin.

Regardless, the company continued to make bets. Sarafina had to pull out a sheet of paper to keep track of the bets. Even Gandalf returned to place his bet. Of course, he had bet that Bilbo would come with the company on the journey. Unfortunately, most of the company thought that he wouldn't come.

She just hoped that they were all wrong.

It was now seven o'clock in the morning, and the company had decided to head off because they wanted to leave before the sun was risen. With still no sign of Bilbo, Sarafina began to worry. Has was she going to be able to protect the small hobbit when he isn't even traveling with the company.

Thorin seemed to be on edge. Everyone seemed to be excited and jumping for joy. Completely forgetting about the danger that awaited them on the journey. But she supposed that it was all well. I mean, what harm could really come to them while in the shire?

"Let's get a move on. We need to purchase supplies still," Thorin barked. As ordered the entire company grabbed their belongings and walked right out of the door

Everyone had a pony, except for Gandalf, who had a horse. Even Fili and Kili were given ponies, though they had not traveled with them on the journey to the Shire. Sarafina however, did not see a horse in sight. The only steed without a rider she saw was carrying all of the supplies, and there was another one pony that must have been for Bilbo. Sarafina grunted. Of course no one had bothered to get her a horse. She was an unexpected member of the quest. Besides, why would any dwarf give an "elf" a horse?

The fact that she didn't have a horse didn't necessarily bother Sarafina. It was simply that the dwarves hadn't cared enough.

It had become apparent to Sarafina that there was another factor at hand causing the dwarves to treat her the way that they did. It wasn't only because she was a girl, let alone a young one. Nor was it that she was training to be a wizard. It was that she had taken the form of an elf. This particular group of dwarves had an obvious issues with the dealings with elves. Though what shocked Sarafina the most was that she had no idea how to "act" like an elf. So how could they already dislike her? Just because she had pointy ears? She had thought that Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond had seen her as a sorry excuse for the fairest races of Middle Earth.

At the same time, Sarafina was contemplating something else. What better way to show the dwarves what she can do by displaying it for herself right there and then. And Sarafina knew just how to do it.

A month after Sarafina and Gandalf attended the council meeting, she had met Radagast the Brown. It was an accident meeting him. Gandalf and Sarafina were training in the woods in between Lothlorien and Mirkwood. The wizard did not want to disturb either kingdom, yet he wanted her to practice in a spiritual area. Though Gandalf is a wise and powerful wizard, some may over look that he is an older man. Therefore, he has the tendency to wander about. The two of them were walking along the woods, when suddenly Gandalf realized that he had no recollection of what direction he was walking in.

It was then that Sarafina met Radagast the Brown. He had emerged from the bushes, fussing over a certain weed that he needed to refill his supply of. When the wizard found the two, he insisted that they followed him to his home and share a cup of tea.

Seeing that Gandalf was in the presence of an old friend, told Radagast about Sarafina and her journey to becoming the first female wizard in Middle Earth. After hearing this, the wizard of Brown insisted on teaching Sarafina some knowledgeable skills. With these lessons, he taught Sarafina how to communicate with certain animal and how to heal battle wounds with the help of Gandalf or an elven healer. Most importantly, he taught her how to call upon a certain animal.

With this lesson, she also received a whistle to call the animal of choice. It was carved out of one of the olden trees of Lothlorien. Along the edges of the white wood, constellations were carved, along with the silver leaves of its homeland. Down the ridge of the whistle, there were holes where the player would place their fingers to play a certain not. By blowing into it, she was able to call upon a certain animal to aid her. The animals that she could call upon were limited, but one animal she could call was a horse.

Sarafina pulled out the whistle and blew. Unfortunately, the note that sung into the air was very loud and shrill. Due to the sudden sound, several of the dwarves lifted their hands two their ears, while others drew their swords and axes. Oin was the first of the lot to realize that there was no enemy, but that it was only a whistle. He was also the first to realize that Sarafina had caused it.

"Whatcha do 'at for?" He asked. "Even I could 'ear 'at!"

"Oh," Sarafina chuckled. "You'll see in a moment."

Right on cue, a horse's whinny was heard. Galloping was softly pounding against the Shire's hills' getting louder and louder as it progressed towards its caller. The company turned towards the east to see a beautiful stallion with a white coat. Sarafina turned to the dwarves with a mile wide grin.

"Hello Fei," she greeted the horse. She had grown a close connection with Fei over the past few months. He was the first and only horse who came to Sarafina when she blew her whistle. After their first encounter, Sarafina had used her whistle on multiple occasions.

Some of the dwarves had stopped what they were doing and gazed upon her and Fei with confusion. Dwalin then stepped forward with a snort.

"You think you're so tough that you can ride hat horse all the way to the Lonely Mountain without a saddle?"

"Actually, Dwalin," Sarafina snapped. "I brought a saddle with me, just for the occasion. Surely you wouldn't think that I'd ride a horse without a saddle for days on end. That would be foolish, wouldn't you agree Balin?" The old dwarf seemed surprised that he was addressed.

"I have no say in this matter." He then turned and mounted his pony, steering it to the correct direction. Following suit, the other dwarves got onto their ponies as well, and directed them down the road. Fili, Kili, and Ori had ridden towards her. The four of them glanced at each other and burst out in laughter. Sarafina smiled at the three. Perhaps she wouldn't be so miserable on this journey with these three with her.