Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit, or the wonderful, world of Middle Earth everything belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I only own my OC. Hope you all enjoy this chapter please feel free to leave comments and tell me what you think.

Before we start I just want to say a thank you to everyone that has chosen to follow or favourite my story and I also want to say thank you to everyone that left comments on the last chapter. Just to let everyone know I have come to the decision that the story will be told from mainly Ellie's and Thorin's POV. However there will be time when you will hear from other characters because they will probably have information that will help the story move forward.

Anyway here's another chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 9: The Journey Begins

It was beautiful morning when Ellie began to stir. She had fallen asleep on the sofa with a warm blanket wrapped around her body. Everything was peaceful and she was enjoying the tranquillity of the moment. She planned on staying there until someone else woke up but then she heard it. A chorus of loud snoring. What the hell?

Then her eyes snapped open and she remembered everything about the previous day. The book. Middle Earth. Hobbits, dwarves and wizards! Everything suddenly clicked back into place. Her sleep had been so blissfully peaceful that all her worries and cares had been forgotten. Ellie began to remember falling asleep just after the dwarves had sang their song, the tune had lulled her to sleep.

As she pushed herself up and sat up properly -stretching as she went and working the knots out of her back with gentle "pops"- she realised that she was the only one awake. The sun was slowly on the rise and the sky was tinged with slight tinges of pink. If it wasn't for the snoring the morning would be divine. She thought about lying back down until someone else woke up but the volume of snoring was keeping her awake. So with no other options she got up and went to get washed.

Bilbo had given her a small tour of his home the previous day so she knew how to get to his bathroom. When she entered the bathroom she thought that a bomb had landed and destroyed the whole bathroom. She pitted poor Bilbo or whatever poor Hobbit that would have to brave cleaning this room, it really wasn't pretty. The whole room stunk and Bilbo's belongings were scattered everywhere.

Ellie decided not to think about the mess and get on with what she came to do. Which was clean herself up before they had to hit the road. At least the company won't get angry with me for wasting their time she smiled at herself in the bathroom mirror. She had to laugh at her reflection -she was a mess- with her panda eyes, flaky foundation and her hair looking like a she had been dragged through bush, her messy bun had fallen apart.

She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and managed to tame the disaster as much as possible, instead of tying her hair in a messy bun she made the choice to wear her long hair in a high ponytail. Then she began to run some warm water to clean her face. Taking off her make up was an easy task because she didn't wear that much. But, she really hated how she looked without it. Her skin was very pale and her cheeks were red and had a few spots here and there.

However, Ellie made the choice not to care. After all it wasn't like women in Middle Earth walked around covered in make up. So it could have been worse. But, like any young woman or female in general, her spots did make her self-conscious. She was far from perfect but for now she would have to do.

She suddenly heard some movement on the opposite side of the door. Looks like some of the dwarves are up now.

It was now finally morning when Thorin woke up -for the sixth time, not that he would tell anyone that- and a few others were beginning to stir. All the dwarves had opted to stay in the living room while Gandalf slept in the study on a rather large arm chair. Thorin could see that Balin, Dwalin, Bofur and Bombur were already awake and from what he could hear they were in the kitchen.

The rest of the company were still sleeping peacefully especially his nephews. Both curled up on the floor on next to an empty arm chair. From his memory he vaguely remember the girl had fallen asleep there. But now she was gone. Good riddance he thought as he went to the kitchen where the four awake members of his company where.

Both Balin and Dwalin were sitting at the table as Bofur and Bombur were frying bacon. Dwalin was the first to notice his arrival and greeted him with a simple grunt, which Thorin returned.

This got everyone's attention and Bofur and Bombur quickly gave him a friendly good morning and then went back to work. Balin thankfully made eye contact when he said "good morning, laddie!" After all these years Balin stilled called him that, not that it really bothered him. "Anyone else awake yet?" he asked just to make conversation.

"Not from the company, no. Master Gandalf -however- left not long ago to make some extra arrangement for our leaving. I think he was going to try and get some items for Miss Ellie, but I highly doubt he will get everything in the shire for the girl. We might be better off going into Bree."

Thorin simply acknowledged this information with another grunt. This girl is more trouble than she is worth he thought with displeasure.

"Oh stop looking like you have both been crushed by Mahal's hammer! I know this situation is not ideal but if she needs help we cannot turn her away. You two should know better than most." The last words stung and Thorin knew that was what Balin wanted.

"It doesn't mean we have to like it." Dwalin said voicing Thorin's very thoughts "we don't know anything about this girl! For all we know Gandalf has let a spy fall into our ranks and doesn't seem to give a damn!"

Thorin could already could feel the brotherly argument that was about to explode when Bofur placed a three plates of bacon in front of each of them. Thorin gave him a nod of thanks and the sat down beside Dwalin. Everything was quiet for a while -with only Bofur humming a merry tune- how someone could be so cheerful first thing in the morning Thorin would never know. The smell of bacon had completely taken over the air and if Thorin knew friends and kin as well as he thought he did they would all be joining them soon.

So for what little time was left Thorin planned on enjoying the peace. That is until Balin spoke "morning lass," he said with a fatherly smile on his face. That was when Thorin turned to see the girl.

Ellie could smell the freshly made bacon that was making her stomach growl. She carefully followed the smell to its main source. The kitchen. Ellie was about to enter the room when she heard someone humming a lively, happy, tune. Bofur out of all the dwarves she couldn't think of anyone else that would be this happy in the morning well perhaps Kili but Ellie had fun imagining Dwalin being bright and happy at the very early hours of the morning.

Even though there was only the sound of Bofur's cheery humming and the sound of bacon frying Ellie could tell there were more people in the room. She didn't just want to walk in live she belonged, because deep down she knew she did not. But she knew she could not just stay standing by the door like an idiot, besides more company members would be awake soon and someone was bound to see her.

Ellie made the choice to try and see who was currently awake and in the kitchen. She quickly peaked her head around the doorway hoping that no one would notice, but stealth had never been her strong suit, she was clumsy even when she was trying to be careful.

"Morning lass," Balin said to her, Ellie thought she had been quick enough that no one would notice her, but she had not been quick enough. Balin's words had also made everyone in the room realise she was awake. Well no point in hiding now Ellie moved to where they would all be able to see her. So far five dwarves were awake and two of them were Thorin and Dwalin. Great the two dwarves that like me the most she thought sarcastically.

"How are you this morning lass? Do you want something to eat?" Balin asked her, to which she gave a silent nod. Ellie quickly walked over and sat beside Balin, no sooner had she sat down and suddenly Bofur was placing a plate of crispy bacon in front of her.

"Thank you," she muttered.

Bofur gave her a wide grin "your welcome lass, did ya sleep well?"

"Yes, very!" She gave as a quick reply. Ellie could feel an awkward silence fall upon the room, not to mention the fact that both Thorin and Dwalin were staring at her. Honestly if looks could kill!

But thankfully the silence did not last for long. For, both Fili and Kili were both awake. They appeared in the kitchen as quick as a flash and the first words that left Kili's mouth was "we could smell food!"

Ellie could not hold back her giggles at Kili's excited look on his face. He looked like he had been told Christmas had come early. "Here you go lads," Bofur said handing them both a plate "eat it before it gets cold, and that goes for you as well missy!" He said pointing a finger in her direction.

Ellie decided to dig into her meal, not wanting to make Bofur angry. As for Fili and Kili, well they did not even need to sit down to start eating. The moment their plates were in their hands they were scoffing down each and every slice of bacon Bofur had offered them. However, both did sit down after a quick glare from their uncle.

"Morning Ellie!" Kili said happily as he sat down by her side. Ellie really couldn't help but hate him at that moment, she had never been a morning person. Back home it was her little sister that was the morning person. Ellie didn't mind having to get up early -if it was important- but being happy? It's just not normal!

But, those thoughts aside, Ellie gave him her best smile and offered him a good morning in return. The next thing she knew she was having a pleasant conversation with the young dwarf, as the rest spoke in low voices about this and that.

However, something Kili said threw her off guard. "Your face looks different?" he said as more of question than a statement. This got everyone's attention -yet again- but Ellie just ignored all the strange looks she was getting. It took her a while to figure out what Kili meant but when she finally understood what Kili said she couldn't help but laugh.

She laughed so much that her sides began to hurt and she could feel tears stinging her eyes. When she finally managed to compose herself and have a good look at the people that were sitting with her, she had to stop herself from having another fit of laughter. They were all looking at her like she had gone insane and she didn't blame them.

"Sorry," Ellie said "it just took me a bit to figure out what you were talking about. Yesterday I was wearing something called make-up. I took it off when I got up this morning, that's why I look paler. It's just something that women from where I am from wear on their face." She explained simply however she could tell she had lost them a bit.

"And where exactly, are you from?" A very proper voice asked from behind her. It was Dori. Great! It looks like the rest of the company are awake. They were all making their way into the kitchen, that suddenly seemed smaller than it did a minute ago.

"Well -um- you see... I -um," Ellie had no idea where to start she had a feeling that the dwarves were not going to believe her a s easily as Bilbo and Gandalf. As she tried to think of a way to start her story all the dwarves started bickering. The volume level was rising and rising. It would not take them long to wake thee whole Shire if they kept going.

Thorin was about to stand up and silence his company when someone else did it for him. "All right!" The girl whispered loud enough for everyone in the room to hear "I'll tell you everything -that I can- but the truth is I don't know all the facts."

That got them all quiet he thought in surprise. The girl hadn't even raised her voice and she managed to get thirteen very loud and stubborn dwarves to be quiet without any effort.

The girl began to tell his company her story. About her home world known as earth? A story that involved a simple trip to a book store, that ended with a strange book causing her to end up in Middle Earth. It made no sense to him, he would not deny that, but another world could not be possible! Could it?

"I know that my story is strange and I wouldn't blame any of you if you did not believe me. If someone told me that story I would't believe it, but I am asking you to trust me," she paused as a single tear rolled down her face, one that she quickly removed any evidence of. "Please?" She asked in a silent whisper.

Thorin did not know what to think any more, this girl was a conundrum and Thorin had no idea where to begin in solving her. He did not trust people easily but he usually knew what to think of them. But for now he would just have to go along with things, Gandalf would never allow him to abandon this girl and something told him his youngest nephew would not be pleased with him. In a short space of time Kili had grown attached to her, but Kili had always been like that with anyone he met. He was able to get along with most people, something that not many dwarves were good at, in fact Thorin had only ever known one other dwarf that could make friends so easily. Frerin his brother Kili had always had similarities with the uncle he never got to meet.

"Lass," Balin broke the silence "while I do not believe any in this room can begin to understand your -situation. We will try and help in any way we can." There was a murmur of replies around the table -some louder than others- but each agreeing in the end to help the lost girl. After all she was not the only one a long way from home.

After breakfast everyone packed up and got ready to leave, it didn't actually take the company that long. Ellie had to admit it they were efficient. They even managed to clean up some of their mess. Balin had informed her that they were going to meet up with Gandalf at the Green Dragon. Apparently he was going to see if he could get some extra supplies, but to be honest Ellie would be surprised if anyone was up at this time in the morning, after all the sun had only made an appearance possibly just over an hour ago.

"Lass," Balin said walking through the living room to talk to her with a long piece of old, parchment in his hands. "We need you to sign this." He said handing over the piece of parchment.

Ellie opened it and looked at the beautiful, elegant, handwriting. Why can't my writing look this nice she asked herself this almost looks like a work of art. It was clear that even though Balin had only a short space of time to write this contract he had taken his time and made sure it was correct. "So what am I signing exactly?" She asked giving the old dwarf a smile.

"Simple stuff really. Just that you will not divulge any information you may or may not learn about anyone in the company while travelling with us. That you will keep our secrets safe even when our paths go in opposite directions and that while you are with us you will help out with different tasks. Furthermore, you will follow our rules, if you are not from our world it is probably for the best, right now you probably do not understand the dangers of our world."

If only Ellie thought to herself as Balin handed over a beautiful, feather, quill for her to sign the contract. With no more questions Ellie did not hesitate to sign the piece of paper offered. "There you go!" She gave him back the now signed contracted with a genuine smile on her face. Ellie was not going deny the fact that now the journey was so close to the beginning she was getting excited. This had been a story she had lived through a thousand time, as a child -on several occasion- she had single handedly taken down Smaug. Something told her that would not happen this time around, this was the real deal.

"Welcome to the company lass."Balin said to her with that fatherly smile of his face.

After that time rushed passed her, as the dwarves got themselves ready Ellie sat in Bilbo's study for the final time. Even though she had only spent a short time in this home, she knew she was going to miss it, this room especially. She had always found comfort in books and this room just made her feel safe. As she waited patiently for someone to call for her she got an idea. One she saw no harm in.

Quickly she pulled a piece of paper from her notebook and began to scribble a simple note. Something for Bilbo, a thank you. Ellie didn't have anything to offer him but the least she could do was say "thank you" for everything he had done. She planned to leave her letter with the contract, a place that Bilbo would definitely find it.

"Ellie, it's time to go!" Kili told her from the doorway practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Ellie looked at Kili and gave him a quick nod as she turned to sign her short letter.

"Lets go then!"

The company met Gandalf outside the Green Dragon, it was still early in the morning but there were a few Hobbits that were up and about with bright smiles on their round faces.

Gandalf stood with a handful of ponies and one single horse. "Ah, good looks like we are ready. Where's Bilbo?" He asked with confusion in his voice.

"The Hobbit will not come." Thorin almost spat in disgust "you made the wrong choice Gandalf, we saw no point in waking him. He is not suited to the world out side the Shire."

With that everyone started to attach their bags the the ponies and saddle up. Ellie could see that Gandalf was not impressed with the dwarf leaders words, it was written all over his face. But, somehow he managed to not say anything, he merely muttered under his breath about "the stubbornness of dwarves." Then went to prepare his own horse.

"Ellie! Ellie! Ellie!" She suddenly heard Kili call "come on you can ride with me!" He said excitedly with a childish smile on his face.

Ellie waked over to join the friendly dwarf when a voice stopped her with one simple word "no!" Ellie whipped her head around to see Thorin staring at them and he did not look happy, but then again he rarely did. "She will ride up front with either Balin, Dwalin or myself. She is still new to our company and we do not know if we can truly trust her."

"But she signed the contract! Balin said so!" Kili whined.

"Enough Kili!" Thorin said turning and walking to his own pony. Ellie turned and gave Kili a friendly smile, she could tell by the look on his face that Thorin's words had hurt him. He looked like a wounded puppy.

"Hey," she said getting his attention "we an always talk later." Ellie told him with a smile on her face.

"Very well then!" The bight look he wore constantly returned once more as he easily tossed himself on his pony. Crap! she suddenly thought I don't know how to ride. Ellie could physically feel the colour drain from her face as she slowly approached the three dwarves at the start of the line. Okay Ellie just breath, it's not your fault that you can't ride a horse -pony.

"You ready lass?" Balin asked when he saw her, Ellie wanted to say something, anything but suddenly fear had taken over her and she could not find the strength to speak. "Lass!" Balin said putting a comforting hand on her shoulder "what's the matter?" He asked gently.

"P-pony," she managed to stutter which only confused Balin more.

"Aye lass it's just a pony, what's wrong?"

"Um," she shook herself trying to snap herself back to reality. "I-I can't ride," she managed to blurt out feeling stupid at the sudden fear that had taken over her. Ellie could feel her cheeks growing warm even though she knew her face was still pale white. She didn't dare look Balin in the eye, or anyone for that matter, but suddenly she felt a ruff, old, hand take hold of her own. Looking Balin gave her a sincere smile.

"It's alright lass, you can ride with me. It will be fine." Balin told her gently guiding her to his own pony. It took her a while before she managed to find the courage to mount the animal and when Balin followed after her she quickly grabbed his waist and planned on not letting go. As the pony began to move forward she knew her arms had tightened around the older dwarf.

No one really spoke for a while and was quiet happy to follow their example, besides she was more focused on not being sick. But the silence did not last forever slowly the dwarves began talking about Bilbo and if there was a chance he would show up. However, Balin decided to talk to her about something else "so lass, tell me the truth. Is it you can't ride or is it that fear something else?"

Ellie could sense Thorin, Dwalin and Gandalf listening to what they were saying but she really couldn't find it in her to care. "I-I can't ride, that part is t-tr-true. Where I'm f-f-from we don't really ne-need to ride to g-get any-anywhere." She stuttered with shaky breaths. "But, w-when I-I was a child I-I was t-thrown of a h-horse. I-It was an a-accident but I b-broke m-m-my arm and never t-tried to ride again." It had been so long ago but Ellie still had a fear that it would happen again. She was lucky if she was six at the time, she couldn't really remember what happened all she remember was the horse she was riding got spooked and the next thing she knew she was on the ground in pain, with a broken arm and split head.

"Well your fear makes sense," Balin said "happened to me a few times can give you quite a scare. But, you should never allow that fear to stop you."

"Hey," Nori said riding alongside Balin "we are taking bets, to see who thinks the Hobbit will show. Any of you gents want in?" He asked then his eyes found me and her asked "or you my lady?"

Ellie simply shook her head but Gandalf said he would put his money on Bilbo showing up however, both Thorin and Dwalin bet that he wouldn't show. They really didn't have any faith in him. Balin was the only one left and Ellie could tell by his silence that he did not know what to say. "Put money on him showing up." she said in a rush, without taking a breath. Balin turned and gave her a strange look but she quickly said "I have faith in him h-he w-w-will show!"

"And what makes you think that?" Thorin asked with a note of superiority.

"C-call it female intuition." She said quickly as she felt her stomach lurch when their pony decided to toss its head back.

"You could always place your own bet lass." Nori told her but Ellie just shook her head.

"Can't. No money. Not from this w-world." Nori look a little confused by this but did not say anything. In the end Balin took her advice and placed his money on Bilbo. Ellie was happy that Balin had took her advice, for if the story was correct Bilbo would catch up with them soon.

"You'll regret that." Dwalin said in that ruff voice of his, out of the corner of her eye she could see Thorin nod in agreement.

"Y-you two shouldn't doubt h-him." She said taking deep breaths, even though she knew they both heard her she could tell by the looks on their faces they were choosing to ignore her. However, just then the pony decided to throw its head back once again, Ellie could feel her stomach doing back flips. It's a sad moment when I realise that I can ride a roller-coaster, no problem. But a pony make me want to be sick.

It turned out the female was correct, not long after Balin had placed his bet, did the Hobbit arrive. The whole company could hear him before they saw him, as the small Hobbit ran up from behind them and with a signed contract, nonetheless. Thorin would not deny that he was surprised by the Hobbits late appearance, he had doubted that the halfling would show and now he had lost some of his coin because of his sudden appearance.

"I signed it!" The small man said handing over the contract over to Balin. The wise, old, dwarf took a quick looked over the contract with a small smile on his face.

"Everything appears to be in order! Welcome master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." He said, Thorin could see the smile that lit up the Hobbits face when he was told he would be able to join his company. First the girl and now him, Mahal spare me!

Thorin was tempted to ask Gandalf if he truly wanted to help with this quest. After all it was the wizards idea for a Hobbit burglar and he was the one to offer the girl his help, while he knew he would have to bring her along with them. Those two will be of no help, they are not meant for the harsh reality of the wild.

"Give him a pony." Thorin said to no one in particular, if he is going to join us, I will not allow him to slow us down! Thorin thought to himself, he could hear the Hobbit protest from behind him but he did not care. Thorin was not prepared to slow down for anyone or anything, if they could not keep up them they would get left behind, and that was his final decision.

Ellie was only too happy to see Bilbo again, the journey was going to feel a little less lonely with a friend by her side. When she saw him her first thought was to give him a huge hug, but then she remembered she was currently on a pony and decided to not move and opted to give him a large smile instead. Which he returned tenfold, Ellie couldn't wait for them to stop so that she could sit down and talk to him once again.

Ellie could hear Bilbo being lifted on to his pony by Fili and Kili -as the company set of once more- but she did not dare turn around, she could still feel her stomach twisting and making her want to throw up. So until the time came for them to stop she focused on not being sick. She could hear the dwarves tossing small sacks of money to each other but only a few actually gaining from their bet.

"Thanks lass," Ellie heard Balin say to her "I owe you one."

"N-no prob-problem."

It was hours later when the company came to a halt. At Thorin's command of course! Every part of Ellie ached but when her feet touched solid ground again she felt like the happiest person on Earth -Middle Earth- she wasn't sure where they were but she could tell that they had not reached the wilder lands of Middle Earth yet. The dwarves started to prepare camp as night was beginning to fall upon them.

Even though Ellie had not enjoyed the whole day of riding she had to admit that the day had flown by. She had enjoyed watching the scenery go by, when her stomach wasn't trying to make her breakfast show up once again.

When Ellie found her legs again she decided to help out Balin -if he needed it- after all he was the one that wrote the contract for her, she thought it was only right that her orders came from him. "Balin!" she called as she made her way over to him "need any help?" She asked him her voice still slightly shaky but she was stronger than before.

Clearly it showed for the next thing Balin said was "hello lass, you seem a bit brighter than before."

"Yeah well my feet are on solid ground again, can't ask for more then that," she laughed.

"Well it doesn't take long to set up camp but you could always help Bofur and Bombur over there," he pointed in the direction of the fire "they're preparing dinner." Ellie gave Balin a quick nod and then turned in the opposite direction, heading towards Bofur and his brother. Just like in the movies Bombur didn't say much but that was probably because almost every time Ellie looked at him he was eating something.

"You alright lass?" Bofur asked as I walked up to him, he was wearing a cheeky grin as he helped his brother prepare some sort of stew. Ellie wasn't sure what was in it but she had to admit it smelt good.

"I'm fine, thanks. Do you two want any help dishing this out. I've got to help out and Balin said I should come and ask you two."

"Course, we would be happy for some help!" He told her, in some ways Bofur a reminded her of Kili in some ways. They were probably the two brightest dwarves in the company and most importantly -to Ellie- they did not hate her on sight.

It did not take long for Bombur to tell everyone that the stew was ready to be served and with the simple mention of food all the dwarves stopped what they were doing and made their way towards the trio dishing out the warm meal. Ellie wasn't much of a cook but she knew the basics and serving a meal wasn't exactly difficult. In less than a minute everyone had a warm meal in their hands and they were sitting around the warm camp fire.

Ellie quickly took her meal and sat down beside Bilbo were they spent a while having their own conversation about nothing in particular. From topics as simple as the weather to some of the books she had quickly glanced over in his home. All in all Ellie had a pleasant night with her Hobbit friend, even some of the dwarves spoke to them.

Fili, Kili and Ori were the most open of the dwarves, they spoke to Ellie more than Bilbo, but mostly because they were interested in the world she came from. She spent over an hour trying to explain what a car was and how it worked by the end Ellie was happy when Thorin told them to call it a night. He informed everyone that they would make their way to Bree and spend the day there getting some extra supplies, they would also stay in the Prancing Pony and get dinner there, this information was met with some happy cheers and then everyone got ready to sleep.

Ellie had noticed that she had a small problem. She had no bedroll. But Ellie wasn't about to complain, she knew that the dwarves would just think her a a burden so she said nothing, settling herself on the solid ground.

"Ellie!" She turned around on her spot on the ground to look at Kili as her whisper yelled her name. Ellie looked at him for a second with a confused look on her face when she suddenly realised that her was holding his heavy, dwarven coat out to her. "You shouldn't have to sleep on the cold ground. We might not have another bedroll but you can wrap yourself up in this.

Ellie took his coat with a great deal of gratitude. Quickly wrapping herself around it, enjoying its warmth. "Thank you," she whispered back to him as she prepared to fall asleep once again. Amazingly it did not take long for Ellie to drifted off into a peaceful slumber. She had always enjoyed camping as a child, she never had a chance to go very often, her parents and sister had never been the type for sleeping outside. They had always enjoyed comfort and holidays in comfy Hotels that served breakfast.

Ellie found herself drifting off to sleep with fresh, warm, tears rolling down her face but she fell asleep nonetheless.

Yay another chapter, hope you all liked it. That's the journey finally started, I know it wasn't the most exciting chapter but things are going to get interesting soon. I promise!

As always please tell me what you think about the story and until next time!