A/N: I have no idea why this chapter took me so long to finish, but rejoice! It is finally here! I'm very sorry for the long wait, I just had a lot on my plate the last coupe of weeks and barely had time to write. I tried to keep all of your feedback in mind and put in a lot more conversation in this chapter. I'd really like to know what you think of my writing style now, so please leave me a comment with your thoughts. A huge thank you is in order for 'ImmerWennEsDunkelWird' for helping me with this chapter and especially with the witty banter that ensues further on. Thank you so much, hun! *hugs* Okay, so, without further ado, enjoy~
An enormous shoutout to all my reviewers from last time: 'Rubi Malone', 'LarienSurion', 'Siamsa', 'CookiewMonstuurrr', 'Shadow-whispers', all the 'guests' and especially 'Phantomessangel' because she is an amazing person who leaves the most wonderful and meaty reviews! This chapter is dedicated to you my dear, I hope you like it.

. . .

~ Part II ~

. . .

Of Headaches and Jests

Before I went outside to confront my sister, I hesitated for a moment in the doorway leading to Bilbo's front garden as a strange sensation overtook me and abruptly restricted my natural movements. I placed one of my hands against the cool and curving wall surrounding the round front door for support when a shiver found its way down my spine and I could feel myself become dizzy, the sensation resembling a ride on a carousel that was spinning out of control.
I had no idea what was happening to me and the incertitude froze me to the spot. The palms of my hands were slick with sweat and I could practically feel my heart thumping loudly in my throat. I reflexively placed my free hand on my chest when my breathing became shallow, while the knuckles of the hand holding me upright turned completely white as I pressured the sinews in my fingers to keep me grounded when my legs betrayed me and started to quake.

I was about to let the frightened sensation that was now rapidly washing over me take control and call out for help when, just as quickly as it had started up, the dazed feeling disappeared in one sudden sigh and the world ceased its mad tumble.

Blinking slowly in confusion, I straightened myself and decided to trust my own feet in carrying my weight once more. What was that? I mentally questioned myself, my heart beating erratically behind my ribcage.

A frown materialized itself on my brow, my hand still clutching my chest as I tried to soothe my heart in assuming its natural rhythm again. Several thoughts crossed my mind, trying to comprehend what had been the cause of this unknown -and quite disturbing- experience, when I slowly looked straight ahead -through the circular doorway and into the green fields before me- and realized that I was once again perfectly fine. No dizziness, no clammy hands, no frantic heartbeats,... Nothing.

"Huh," I hummed out loud and raised my eyebrows in wonder. Strange... I mused. Oh well, I shrugged any anxious thought that had tried to squeeze its way into my head off, I'm probably still adapting to this new world.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that I was treating this bizarre sensation without the proper amount of caution, but I never really liked to ponder on negative thoughts when all it did was make you feel uneasy and miserable. I rather enjoyed to stay focussed on positive sentiments, and right now, the task at hand could use all the sun-filled notions it had to offer.

No longer allowing myself to think about anything else than the attempt at trying to help and comfort my sister, I lightly skipped off the steps and into Bilbo's front garden where Lillian was seated on the wooden bench, her back supported by one of the green cushions and one of her legs lifted up so she could put the ball of her foot on the edge of the narrow wooden support, one of her arms leaning onto her bent knee, while her other leg dangled over the grassy ground. She was trying to massage her temples with the hand hanging onto the supported arm while her other was balled up into a fist, her teeth clenched and her eyes screwed tightly shut. But it was only when I heard the silent groan escape her lips, that I was one hundred percent sure of the fact that she was in actual physical pain. And when something as trivial as pain was visible on my sister's face, you could bet on it that it wasn't an act, for Lillian never showed weakness.

I fumbled with my fingers before I spoke, my voice small and unsure as the seriousness of the previous thought had had time to sink in."Are you okay?"

Lillian did not startle and did not lift her head in acknowledgement of my presence. "I'm fine," she answered through the fabric of her sleeve, covering her mouth.

"A- Are you sure?" I continued, my voice skipping a beat when I noticed the colour hadn't returned to my sister's face yet, her flaming hair a vibrant contrast against the ivory of her skin -illuminated even more by the bright morning sun- and the green of the grassy background. "Because you still look rather pale and y-"

"I said I'm fine!" She snapped and I involuntarily flinched at the sharp edge of her voice.

"But-"

Lillian sighed and seeing the crease on her forehead, I could ascertain that she regretted her outburst, but still seemed too wary to deal with my presence for the moment. "Audrey, please," she pleaded, before she tried to distract me by spinning the conversation in another direction. "Go back inside and finish your breakfast. It might be the last descent meal we'll have in a long time."

"I've eaten more than enough, I'm not hungry anymore," I said truthfully. "What about you?" I wondered. "You barely touched your eggs... Should I go and fetch you a plate?" I proposed, hoping Lillian would see the gesture as some sort of peace-offering. "You could eat it out here in peace and quiet?"

"I'm not hungry," Lillian grumbled in between gritted teeth. "Please, Audrey," She tried to brush me off again. "Go back inside. I-" Her breath hitched when she physically flinched, making it evidently plain for me to see she was still in pain. "I just- I... I need to be alone for a while." She still tried to act as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening to her, but the groan that unconsciously escaped her and the falter of her voice as she tried to complete her sentence convinced me otherwise.

I set my mouth in a stubborn, thin line and ignored her plea for solitude; instead I invited myself to sit down on the wooden seat beside her. "Lil..." I breathed out exasperatedly, trying to sound like I was scolding her unwillingness in accepting help when it presented itself so freely.

"Audrey," she warningly growled in return. "Don't."

But I would have none of it. "Talk to me, Lillian," I spoke in a plea of my own, probably sounding more timid than demanding, and decided to babble on when no response came. "I know you think I'm completely clueless when it comes to my surroundings, but trust me, I really am not." At that statement, Lillian couldn't keep her eyebrows from knitting together in mocked disbelief, but she stayed quiet, which was enough of an opening for me to start discussing the current problem at hand. "I saw you holding your head... I- I saw you flinch... Did- Did you have another... headache?"

Lillian sighed deeply, her face softening considerably as she realised I wasn't going to go anywhere and effectively wanted nothing more than to help my older sibling in any way that I could. "No. I- Well, yes," she admitted. "But it was... nothing important."

I rolled my eyes at her stubborn perseverance. "It looked painful enough to be a little important, at the very least."

My attempt at a light-hearted pleasantry did not bode well as Lillian looked at me with such a forlorn expression that it almost seemed like she was on the verge of tears.; an observation that made my own stomach clench in nervousness, seeing as I couldn't remember a single memory where Lillian had cried in front of me. An act she would undoubtedly see as a display of weakness. Literally nothing came to mind.

"Do you think this is funny?" She still managed to scoff, but her voice was small and wavering.

"Of course not! I'm only trying to help you, Lil!" I exclaimed quickly, afraid that she would shut me out once more because of the nonexistence that was my subtlety. "Please, just talk to me," I continued more calmly, intent on getting my sister to open up and accept my help to solve the question of whatever it was that ailed her. "We can work this out together."

Lillian tilted her head sideways so she could look me in the eyes, a stubborn frown still present on her brow. "Audrey, I don't need anyone's help," she insisted with a sense of pride that made her straighten up instinctively. "I'm okay, really," she stressed.

If my sister thought the light-hearted smile that she had forced onto her lips was going to convince me of the fact that she felt perfectly fine, than she had another thing coming. I was thoroughly aware of my own naivety; knowing full well that I would have most definitely believed her at this point in our conversation, if I had not experienced a little inconsistency of my own just a few minutes ago.
Once more since I had woken up here in this new world, I felt that same gut-clenching sensation which had made me to believe that Bilbo was supposed to be the Dwarves' burglar and was supposed to accompany them on their quest. A feeling that was vividly turning into a certainty with every passing hour. And somewhere in the back of my mind another light had flared to life; a spark making me realize that my own spinning-wheel-sensation from before and my sister's painful headaches were somehow connected.

'Click' said the piece of the puzzle.

I frowned deeply as I tried to digest my own thoughts, strengthening myself to refute Lillian's words. "I don't believe you," I stated without hesitation and hastily continued as I saw my sister getting ready to contradict me. "You are not okay, Lillian. You know why I know this? Because sometimes when I say "I'm okay", I always wish someone would just look me in the eyes, see how much I'm screaming for help inside, hug me tight and say, "I know you're not". Why? Because that's what I actually need at that moment, even if I don't realise it myself. And that's the way it is with most people." I took a deep, lung-filling breath when I saw Lillian was still looking at me with sceptical eyes; and I tried to find words that would penetrate that stubborn skull of hers. "That's also the case for the strongest and most independent ones," I said and I still added, "There is no shame in accepting help. It doesn't make you seem weak, it makes you acceptant and appreciative of others around you."

To my surprise, a soft chuckle escaped the barrier of my sister's lips and she directed her stare back towards the rolling landscape in front of her, a faraway look in her eyes; envisioning something only she could see, belonging to the restrictions of the past. Her hazel gaze was fixed on the horizon, shining brightly as they reflected the rays of the golden sun, and the corners of her lips were pulled upward showing the faintest of smiles, but a smile nonetheless.

Seeing my sister's contented expression made me momentarily lose the austere thoughts that were swimming around in my head and made my own lips twitch, mimicking her smile. "What?" I asked her with a laugh.

Lillian just shook her head and shifted her eyes downward, staring at the yellow daffodils and blue forget-me-nots alongside the neatly maintained earthen pathway running through Bilbo's front garden. "Nothing," she smirked.

"Oh, come on Lil. Tell me!" I exclaimed with a broad toothy grin, my eyebrows raised in curiosity.

Lillian chuckled at my eagerness and shook her head again in response. "You just..." She paused, and looked back in my general direction, her eyes locking onto mine and shining with mirth. "You really are something, you know that?"

I blushed at her words of praise, her compliment warming both my heart and my cheeks simultaneously. Lillian reacted to my flushed face with a lovely, wide smile and at that moment I could not find the words to respond, my eyes falling downward onto the folded hands in my lap. My sister had always been that one person I had looked up to, that one person I had always strived to become; but the way her face lit up when she smiled and the way her eyes glowed golden in the sun made me once again realise why I had never been successful in becoming just like her.
Because she always was, and always would be, so much better than me.

I had no idea why something as innocent as a smile made me think back of the past; sombre and grey. Memories came flooding back to me, summarizing the fact that -all my life- I had felt some sort of contained envy towards my sister. I kept my eyes fixed onto the grass beneath my feet and furrowed my brow as that ugly feeling of jealousy came slithering back into my heart, trying not to think off the scene at the breakfast table which had initiated those green sentiments in the first place. But I still saw those thick fingers wrapping itself around my wrist and I still heard the desperate question that had belonged to the owner of that hand: "Your sister doesn't like me very much, does she?"
I tried to shake the insecure feelings away as I did not feel very proud of these negative thoughts bouncing around in my brain and reprimanded myself that Lillian had never cared for anyone's approval, and she had never cared for the affections of others; the Dwarves' probably being no exception.

It wasn't her fault that everyone looked right passed me whenever she was in the room. It wasn't her fault that she had been gifted with angelic features and graceful limbs. It wasn't her fault that she was brilliant in everything that she did. And it wasn't her fault that she got complimented for all of her virtues, as they were many and -undoubtedly- worthy of praise.

But that did not mean it didn't hurt.

I heaved a sigh as I told myself I should just feel happy for the appreciation Lillian held for me and for the fact that she cared for me and loved me unconditionally. So I willed my mind to focus back on the present and felt my chest become less constricted as I simply tried to enjoy the comfortable silence that had settled between us.

After a few minutes, however, Lillian broke said silence with another groan, and my personal reverie completely evaporated into thin air at her words. "I acted totally inappropriate in there, didn't I?" She asked as I clearly saw the embarrassment jade her face.

I couldn't help but chuckle when she nearly physically face-palmed herself at her momentary loss of control, my own pessimistic thoughts disappearing in a single sound of laughter. "Well..." I breathed out long and slow as the incident played itself over and over again in my head; each repetition making it more and more hilarious.

"I should probably apologize, shouldn't I?" Lillian made a face at the thought of apologizing to anyone, let alone someone as immature as Kíli.

"Probably," I agreed, as I did feel all of the Dwarves deserved an apology and maybe even a pat on the back for living through Lillian's notorious morning-temper.

The volume of Lillian's voice increased when her own thoughts displaced themselves back to the realistic corner of her mind, her words sounding heavy in the air. "I just felt so- so confused and angry all of a sudden!" She exclaimed, and the frustration she undoubtedly felt was plainly visible on her face. "This situation we're in... it's just... It's so..." She faltered slightly before she shook her head from side to side, cleaning her mind from the doubts that addled her rational thinking-process and started to massage her temples, her eyes screwed tightly shut in a determined expression to find a solution to this 'situation'. "There has to be some logical explanation for this... There just has to be."

I looked at her hunched-over form with a mildly worried expression. "Lil, you know just as well as I do that there is nothing logical about this," I said and I felt the doleful feeling I had also felt this morning -of Lillian's refusal in simply accepting our apparition in this fantastical world- come back to me.

Lillian abruptly opened her eyes, her nose scrunched up and her brows furrowed in an expression that I knew well enough from all the years I had seen that look cross my sister's face; she was going to figure things out. "Who says we're not having the same crazy dream?" She proposed. "Or maybe..." She pondered out loud. "Maybe it's some kind of prank..."

My own expression screamed 'completely confused' at that. "How d'you figure?" I asked wonderingly.

"This could be some sort of hidden camera show. You know, like that Jim Carrey movie, but in a fantasy-setting," Lillian explained to me with such a wild look in her eyes that I thought she was going insane. "And all those hairy guys in there are actors who get paid to play with our minds."

I immediately saw the flaws in her thought-process and couldn't help myself from voicing them out. "Then how do you explain our new appearances? Or the fact that -if we kept our normal height- Gandalf still looks 12 feet tall? Or the fact that we lost the major part of our memory?" I listed up the obvious inconsistencies in my sister's observation.

Lillian opened her mouth to retort, but no sound came out when she realized I had made some valid points. "Shite," she mumbled under her breath and she furrowed her brow once more, trying to come up with another explanation. "Perhaps..." She breathed and her eyes lit up as she voiced a proposition that seemingly sounded more suitable and believable in her own head. "Perhaps we're both in a coma and... because we're sisters and we share the same blood, our minds are somehow connected," she mused and her expression became triumphant. "That could be it!" She exclaimed and started to ramble on about it, the only words I could still distinguish being; "I think I read something about that in the Times..."

"But..." I hesitated. "How do you explain your headache than? I'm not sure but... shouldn't it be impossible to feel pain when you're in a coma?"

Lillian's excited and elaborate babble died down at my words and she stayed utterly silent while her brain started to process what I had just suggested. She scowled at her toes when my survey had once again pointed out a flaw in her thought-process -even though I had to admit it could still be true- and I could see she was angry at herself for not being able to solve this arduous riddle.

I hated seeing my sister like this, mentally beating herself up because she couldn't find a single clue that was able to clarify whether or not our appearance in this world was something that could be graced with an answer. I cleared my throat, "Speaking of which," I started and hoped my inquiry would distract Lillian enough to put a stop to her own mental punishment. "Won't you tell me what... caused your headache? What memory did you see?"

My voice ended in an almost-whisper, afraid of the fact that my sister would much rather decide to shut me out again, instead of confiding in me. As Lillian stayed silent for a very long time, the seconds dragging into minutes, I was starting to get really worried and nervous, hoping that this just meant she hadn't heard me correctly.

"Lil?" I barely stopped myself from whimpering her name.

Lillian did not turn to look at me, preferring to keep her eyes locked onto her toes, but at last she spoke. "... I remembered our parents."

It was like my heart had stopped beating its steady rhythm. The strain that had unconsciously seeped into my sister's voice percolating my ears like a drum. "Oh," was the only -pathetic- sound that passed the barrier of my vocal cords in response.

"You never lost the memory of our mother and father, didn't you?" She guessed, and maybe I had heard wrong, but it sounded like an accusation. Like I should have known she had forgotten all about them and I should have started listing up everything I still remembered from the moment I had flung myself in her arms.

I decided not to argue with my sister on the matter, thinking that I probably should have done something of the sort. Maybe I was partly the blame...

My voice still hadn't fully returned which made me only capable of a weak stutter. "No. I- I thought... I- I just... I didn't know you-"

"Had forgotten about them?" Lillian supplemented.

"Well... yes."

Lillian simply nodded at that. "Tell me, Audrey... How much do you remember of our parents?"

"Uhm... well, let me see..." I stalled as her question caught me off guard, forcing my mind to bring up all the memories I still had of our mother and father. "You looked exactly like mum, but your personality was more similar to that of dad," I began to speak when lights started to flicker to life in every little corner of my head, giving me enough clarity to locate the pieces of the puzzle that I required. "And with me it was the exact opposite; I looked like dad and had our mum's character," I continued. "Mum was lovely. She always hummed or sang and baked wonderful cakes and helped me with my homework. Oh! And she could sow like the best! She always made me handmade skirts and cardigans." The memory made me smile broadly in melancholy as our mother's bright and beautiful face -so similar to Lillian's- hovered in front of my mind. "Dad was a silent man. I don't think I ever really laughed or played with him. I remember he was very proud and strict, and wanted nothing but the best from me. So I worked very hard in school and... I think he was mostly always happy with the results I brought home."

The image of my father's face was harder to see, but it still was clear enough for me to believe the explanation I had just given Lillian. Seeing all those memories of my parents floating in front of my eyelids made my heart ache painfully for home for the first time since I had found myself here, in Middle Earth. A sensation of pure melancholy took my heart in its clutches and I could feel a familiar sting in my eyes, the corners already watering in sadness. Though mixed with the longing, there was also another feeling stirring uncomfortably in the pit of my stomach when I tried to focus on keeping the translucent faces of our parents vivid. But I couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was, so the sensation quit my mind as soon as I stopped my inner slideshow.

"So, yeah... I think that about sums it all up?" I sounded hoarse as I tried to stop the unshed tears from spilling, and swallowed hard in order to push my mind back to a more positive light.

"I see," Lillian hummed and then paused to think, her hazel eyes staring back into my own with such intensity that it looked like she was trying to peer into my soul. "Tell me, in all those memories you just recited... Where am I?"

I was completely taken aback by her question and I imagined I was a comical sight; my eyebrows raised until they disappeared into my curly hairline and my mouth hanging open slightly in confusion. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to get a better grip on what she wanted me to say to that.

Lillian did not scoff at my sluggish brain and just took a deep breath, explaining herself more thoroughly. "I mean that the only time you mentioned me was when you said I had the physical appearance of our mother and the personality of our father," she elaborated. "But when you started listing up their character, you only reflected those memories on yourself," she said as she absentmindedly gestured in my general direction and it started to dawn on me what she was trying to ask, but when she finally formulated her question, the words still hung heavy in the air. "Where was I in all of that?"

Up to that moment I hadn't stopped to think at the possibility that I had lost more important memories than I cared to imagine; so speechless and astonished was I when I couldn't find any recollection in my head that could explain my sister's inquiry. I started to stutter when I realized that all of my childhood memories that concerned my parents were completely void of my own sister. "I... I don't know..."

"You don't know or you don't remember?" Lillian stressed, still trying to get me to remember something. Anything.

But as much as I wanted to, I couldn't answer her with a unilateral 'yes' or 'no'. That fact freaked me out even more and I started to move my legs to and fro in agitation. My sister was still waiting patiently for my reply, so I simply uttered, "I- I'm not... sure."

Lillian simply nodded at that and pursed her lips in thought, an expression floating over her face that I couldn't quite make out and made me feel somewhat uneasy to see. "Okay," she breathed and stayed quiet after that, almost making me think that she was once again lost in her own thoughts and had totally forgotten I was still sitting next to her.

I was about to start up the conversation again, when Lillian suddenly clapped her hands together, startling me so that I almost bit down on my own tongue. "Well! No use in dillydallying. I'm sure the Dwarves have already gobbled up everything edible that they could get their hands on, so we're probably going to move out in a bit. Better check our packs one final time before we leave," she exclaimed all in one breath and proceeded to stand back on her feet and stretch her back.

"B- But..." I stammered, baffled at the change in the air and in my sister's mood. Both off them lightning up exceedingly with this turn of events. "What about your memory? "

Lillian had an unreadable expression on her face when she tried to sooth my worries away. "It was not as detailed as your description," she said. "But as I said before: I just remembered our parents. That's it. Nothing to worry yourself about."

Don't get me wrong, I was happy to see my sister so easily cured of what was obviously ailing her and what was meddling with her rational thoughts, but the offhand change of attitude had me doubting her sincerity. "But... just now you nodded your head and had that pondering look upon your face, like you had just realised something," I said.

I eyed Lillian curiously when she spoke. "No, I didn't," she assured me, and added with a sarcastic undertone when she found my incredulous expression still plastered on my face. "But rest assured, if I have an actual life-changing epiphany, you'll be the first to know about it."

"Lil..." I still tried to fish for something she was obviously not telling me.

"I'm serious!" Lillian exclaimed with a huff. "Come on, Audrey, don't read too much into this. I'm telling you the honest truth when I say I have no more advanced thoughts about us being here and about those tattered shreds of memories that keep flooding our brains than you do." She sounded so mature and sure of herself that it had me doubting if there really was anything to worry about anymore at all. "You believe me, don't you?" She hastily inquired as I didn't immediately respond.

I gave her one more doubtful look before I couldn't help the smile from gracing my features, happy that my sister seemed genuinely satisfied and had somehow stopped to think of what had tormented her just moments before. "Yes," I said with a firm nod and a beaming laugh.

"Good." Lillian copied my smile and waved me along back towards the front door of the Hobbit Hole. "Now come," she said. "Let's pack up and start this crazy adventure."

When we came back inside Bilbo's home, the Dwarves were finishing up on getting packed and ready to travel. My sister and myself hastily clasped the forest-green cloaks around our necks and secured the leather rug-sacks on our backs. Fully clothed and deemed fit to accompany the Dwarves, Lillian stepped forward and apologized profoundly to the gathered group for the lack of manners she had shown at breakfast. I stood in one of the curved corners of the hallway, looking at my sister's profile in awe. She managed to sound genuinely sincere when she excused her poor manners, while she kept her posture upright and graceful and her words eloquent and learned; in so she still eradiated control over the situation and was able to maintain her independent nature. She apologized with such charm and wit that not one single Dwarf questioned her sincerity and they all immediately forgave her little burst of temper; Kíli the first one to do so.

I couldn't find any other way to say it; but Lillian had once again succeeded in wrapping every single one of these Dwarves around her little finger. Just like she had done when she had challenged Thorin Oakenshield for the first time.

Speaking of which, Fíli then told the company he had gotten orders from said brooding Dwarf to lead their group on foot to Bywater where their leader, Dwalin and Gandalf were going to wait on them with ponies and supplies.
I spend the walk to our designed destination chattering amiable with all of the Dwarves I still had the pleasure to get to know and tried my hardest to remember all of their names. Lillian walked along close to me but stayed silent for the entire thirty minute-trip; though I was sure that she was listening in on every word that was being said and I knew my sister had probably memorized every single one of the Dwarves' names already and would be able to address them all personally when she had the desire to.

I had been having a conversation about the contract that the Dwarves had left in Bilbo's kitchen -in case the Hobbit would still change his mind (which I had no doubt he would) and wanted to sign the yellow scroll of parchment still, to become an official member of the company- with Balin, who turned out to be the scholar and trusted advisor of the lot; when we stopped in front of a grass-covered Hobbit Hole where we found Thorin, Dwalin and the gray wizard. The Hobbit Hole turned out to be an inn, and the inn was called "The Green Dragon", and once again a little tingle of recognition passed my mind when I saw the sign, though I couldn't exactly pinpoint the reason why the name sounded familiar and hoped it would come back to me at some point.

There were sixteen ponies and one horse tied up along the fence of the -practically empty, as it was still very early in the morning- Hobbit Inn and the company started to load their mounts with all kinds of baggages, packages, parcels, and paraphernalia; when agitated voices rose in the air and everyone turned to see Thorin and Lillian standing face to face, on the brink of a heated discussion.

"What are you exactly implying?" Lillian asked as she stared at Thorin sternly, her whole posture screaming indignation.

I shuffled closer to my sister at the exact moment when the Dwarf-leader huffed and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "I shall repeat this no more. You and your sister will be sharing a pony with my nephews to ensure the speed of our journey," he ordered. "We cannot and will not risk any further inconveniences caused by poor riding skills."

I winced at his cynical remark as I saw my sister's eyes narrow dangerously, her jaw set in stubborn vexation. Our leader could not possibly fathom yet what that look meant and what consequences his solemn words carried along. For Lillian's face was set in an expression of cunning aggression and whenever she wore that shrewd mask, she was determined on engaging in an argument that would preferably -and most likely- end in her victory.

"Oh," Lillian started, low and dangerous. "Is that so? You mean to state, kind leader, that you do not deem us capable?" She pulled herself to her full height and cocked a pedantic eyebrow, never breaking Thorin's gaze. "Your distrust of our competence almost renders me speechless. I at least demand you give me and my dear sister a chance at proving our worth." Her lips curved into a frugal smile. "Will you not allow us even such an opportunity?"

I fleetingly wondered how Lillian could pull it off, sounding so intelligent, grown-up and even regal when talking to these Dwarves, and most especially to Thorin. A sensation of pride towards my sister filled my heart with warmth and I couldn't fight the small smile that curled itself on my lips as I came to stand about a foot diagonally behind her.

Thorin growled lowly at Lillian's challenging inquiry, fully aware of how she had him cornered. To hold the respect he had as leader of this expedition and to maintain the bonds of trust he had developed between his fellowship, he had to show he was willing to extend the same amount of respect and trust. "Very well," he conceded with clear displeasure. "This day, you may ride on a pony. A test," he continued with an arrogant tilt of the head and a mocking stare, "to see how much that will impede our journey."

Kíli had the audacity to snicker and, for the first time that day, he turned to face me. "Such a shame, lady Audrey," he added playfully. "I would've rather liked to spend the voyage engaging in good conversation."

His playful jest made my cheeks burn and his crooked smirk made my stomach flutter in that same unfamiliar way as it had this morning, when he had taken a hold of my wrist. On the other hand, his sudden attention and added proximity made me somewhat nervous as well, and I wasn't sure anymore if I liked the way his smouldering stare was trying to burn a hole in my soul.

"Now, my lady," Fíli interrupted the stalemate that had arisen between Lillian and Thorin, and addressed my sister with a sly smile. "Would you comply with my uncle's polite request to sit atop my noble steed with me if you and your lovely sister were to fail this test? Or would you still so bravely demand a pony for yourself?"

I could practically see Lillian biting her tongue as she tried to contain her temper. "Nothing has been proven yet, master Fíli," she answered, cautiously.

"Very true, but the possibility exists," he taunted lightly. "Although I do not for one foolish moment doubt your capabilities, we must take in account all the outcomes. And I would have no qualms in sharing necessary and vital items with an honourable maiden such as yourself."

"Nor would I!" Kíli announced and for a reason unknown to me, he sent a meaningful glance my way. "It would be an honour and a blessing to take upon your protection," he said as he closed the distance between us and placed a warm hand on my shoulder; the contact making my already flushed face tinge a deep scarlet.

I could sense that Lillian was now barely managing the urge to scream. "We thank you for your concern, but we haven't had our chance yet," she grounded out as she kept a close eye on the young, dark-haired Dwarf next to me.

"And you may," Thorin spoke up, posture straight and shoulders squared. "My nephews are merely pointing out the other options. Making vows they will not take lightly." There was a hint of amusement in his voice and it was mirrored in the faces of the entire company scattered around us.

I felt the urge to say something, hoping it would distract me from Kíli's close proximity. "Oh dear, you shouldn't bother yourselves,..." was the only thing I was able to silently mumble.

Fíli interrupted me with a positively charming smile. "A privilege. An honour, my lady."

Kíli nodded in enthusiasm. "Surely it could not be anything else."

While I was being smothered by the two brothers, Thorin threw Lillian a look of superiority. "We will saddle two of the ponies reserved for carrying our supplies. For our revered female companions."

Lillian clenched her fists, "Your kindness knows no boundaries, Thorin Oakenshield."

Kíli then proceeded to lean in even closer. "Ah, how wrong it is to wish you will not succeed just to not lose your company," he whispered confidentially to the side of my face as his warm breath ghosted against the shell of my ear.

Fíli made the whole clammed-up sensation that I was now distinctly feeling even worse by wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "Your absolutely wonderful company, he means," the blonde Dwarf clarified.

"That will be quite enough," Lillian exclaimed loudly as she came over to steer me away from the royal menaces. "You must understand, masters Dwarf, we need to get accustomed to our ponies and adjust our luggage," she offered as a poor excuse, but she looked like she couldn't care less about the credibility of her words. "Come Audrey, dear. Our leader must be getting impatient by now." She mumbled under her breath, "Self-righteous arse."

I let go of the breath I had not realised I was holding, when there was once again some welcomed breathing-space between the brothers and myself. Followed by the humour-filled eyes of the Dwarves, Lillian helped me in ascending a pony before she climbed up in front of me. Her attempt at flinging her leg over the little horse -called Daisy- being much more graceful than my own, of course. When asked about the other pony, who was called Myrtle, and had been saddled for one of us as well, we both claimed that the little mount was for Bilbo as I told everyone who wanted to hear it that I was certain their burglar was still going to show up. My conviction of the matter had some of the Dwarves muttering amongst themselves and I could swear one of them -the Dwarf with the star-hairdo who was called Nori, I thought- was making some sort of list with one of Balin's pens he had borrowed.
As I finished trying to explain to Bombur why I was so convinced of Bilbo's expected arrival -while trying my hardest not to reveal anything that could unravel the white lie Lillian had told them- Fíli and Kíli joined the throng of mumbling Dwarves and I could have sworn the blonde-haired brother gave me a wink and the dark-haired brother gave me a conspiratorial grin when they unlinked themselves for the group and ascended their own ponies.

I had no idea what that was about though, and as they had had great pleasure in teasing me before, I just assumed they were still at it. Which could have been the case as it seemed like Fíli couldn't contain himself any longer and desperately wanted to continue the little banter from earlier.

"Your spirit is commendable, lady Lillian," he addressed my sister once more and steered his pony closer to ours. "But, tell me, with no man to hold on to, how do you propose to stay on the horse?"

I could feel Lillian tense up in front of me, which I deemed was a clear indicator that she had no desire in prolonging this teasing game any longer. She breathed out slowly to compose herself, before leading our pony closer to Fíli's, a smirk that could compete with that of a she-devil on her lips and her voice utterly sinful. "As you do, Master Dwarf..." She whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. "With my thighs."

Lillian's sly remark was met with the snickers of some of our fellowship and Fíli's ears -along with Kíli's and Ori's, as they stood closest to us- turned a nice, visible shade of cherry-red at the ambiguous meaning of that sentence. Even my own ears started to burn and probably looked just as red when I finally realized what the older Dwarves were all snickering about. A timid, "Oh," escaping me in unison.
Though I was seated behind her and could only see her back, I had no trouble trying to imagine what my sister's face looked like; a playful smirk and an expression of pure victory gracing her features. And she had earned that pleased sensation in my opinion; most defenitely.

As we made our way along the earthen pathways towards the borders of the Shire, I noticed how peacefully quiet everyone was and how Fíli and Kíli, who rode right behind us, did not even so much as mutter something under their breath. Well, that shut them up quite effectively, I thought to myself as I wrapped my arms a little firmer around Lillian's waist.

"Wait!" A voice erupted from behind us suddenly. "Wait!"

One of the ginger-haired Dwarves in front of us -Gloín, I thought he was called- pulled on the reins of his pony. "Whoa, hold on," he called out to the company to make them come to a halt.

"Bilbo!" I exclaimed happily when I saw the panting Hobbit run towards our little queue of ponies.

He skidded to a halt alongside Balin's snow-white mount. "I signed it," he said out of breath, but smiling proudly while he waved the long yellow parchment in the air with a sense of triumph.

Balin arched an eyebrow and held out his hand to take the record, subsequently proceeding in closely examining the Hobbit's signature with some sort of monocle. "Everything appears to be in order," he declared and folded the contract back into a square. "Welcome, master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

The other Dwarves chuckled and cheered, and both me and my sister beamed happily down at our lovely host. "Glad you could join us, Bilbo," Lillian said with mirth in her eyes and I nodded enthusiastically at her greeting.

"Give him a pony," Thorin grumbled from the front and kicked his own mount back into a trot.

Bilbo's head snapped up and his eyes turned wide like saucers. "No, no, no. That won't be necessary," he gulped and I saw Fíli and Kíli share a grin behind him. "I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know. I've even been as far as Frogmorton once- ack!"

The hobbit's legs dangled in midair for a moment before Fíli and Kíli uncomfortably dropped him in the saddle of Myrtle, who plodded along with a great cooking-pot and a considerable amount of provisions already strapped to her. Poor Bilbo grimaced as he tried to keep his back straight, his fists clenched around the reins, dangling uselessly before his chest.

"Come on Nori, pay up. Go on," Oín prodded his fellow-Dwarf gleefully.

"One more," Kíli exclaimed with a laugh, and a sack filled with gold coins was tossed over our heads and in Kíli's outstretched hand.

I was about to question their actions, when Bilbo -who rode alongside Gandalf- spoke up, "What's that about?"

The wandering wizard chuckled. "Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up," he explained. "Most of them bet that you wouldn't."

The small gathering of Dwarves in front of the Hobbit Inn from before, their heads bend together and their rumbling whispers vibrating through the air now started to make perfect sense to me. When Fíli's pony suddenly trotted forward to flank our left and Kíli's pony did the same to our right, and they both looked at me with smiles in their eyes and a pouch of money each in their hands, I understood why they had winked and grinned at me before. They had believed me when I had declared Bilbo was still going to come, and somehow, it made me feel warm and appreciated inside.

"What did you think?" Bilbo's voice piped up as he was still conversing with Gandalf.

The wizard hummed lowly before another pouch flew through the air and he caught it with remarkable ease. "My dear fellow," he chuckled, "I never doubted you for a second."

Bilbo met my eyes and I smiled along with him, as I mouthed, me neither, and the little Hobbit beamed brightly. Just then, I saw his nose scrunch up and his face contort funnily as he sneezed seconds after. "All this horse hair," he grumbled. "Having a reaction."

He started to search around in his pockets when he yelled out, "Wait, wait! Stop!" The caravan of ponies halted once more at the Hobbit's sudden outburst. "We have to turn around," he stated.

Gandalf arched an eyebrow. "What on earth is the matter?"

"I forgot my handkerchief," Bilbo explained and I had to hold in my laughter as I saw the bulky-looking Dwarf, Dwalin, roll his eyes in clear vexation.

Bofur smiled wickedly and tore a piece from his beige tunic. "Here, use this," he offered as he threw the cloth towards Bilbo.

The Hobbit caught it and looked at the filthy piece of fabric with barely hidden disgust written all over his face, and he scrunched up his nose when he tried an experimental sniff; nearly gagging at the smell of Dwarf-sweat that had thoroughly penetrated the cotton.

Thorin decided he had had enough delays for the day and clicked his tongue to make his mount jump back into action. "Move on," he ordered loudly and everyone obeyed; even Lillian, who had looked as if she would've liked nothing more than to chide Bofur for pulling a -to her- tasteless prank like that.

"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey's end," Gandalf said sternly and continued in a more gentle tone when he glanced sideways to see Bilbo's crestfallen expression. "You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. But home is now behind you," his deep and soothing voice made shivers of excitement run up my spine. "The world is ahead."

. . .

~ Will be continued ~

. . .

A/N: Thank you for reading! If you haven't seen it already, then take a look at my DeviantArt account (you can find a link to it on my main page here) and see all the wonderful art people have already made for this story! And don't forget to take a look at the poll on my Main Page when you have the time! ;)