Chapter seven: Bree
Today was a particularly soggy day, luckily the rain did not last too long as they reached the town of Bree. Dahlia eyed up the ginormous gate in awe, It was larger than the ancient oak trees she had saw in the forest.
A gruff old man opened a little sliding eye door at the middle of the gate.
"What business do you have here" He said eyeing up the odd mix of companions before setting eyes on Gandalf.
"Ah Gandalf!" He said opening the gate "It's been quite a few months hasn't it, are you back for a game of-"
Gandalf cut him off "I'm just seeing my friends find their way home safely"
The gatekeeper eyed up the smaller hobbits and then looked at the dwarves.
"I see" He put on a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, and let them into the town.
The floor was slick with mud, and horse dung. There were a few hobbits scuttling about. But this was the first time Dahlia and Bilbo had seen large people.
"Wow these buildings are HUGE" said Dahlia excitedly pointing different things out to Kili and Fili and chatting about them.
"This is so amazing"
Thorin chuckled "If you think this filthy dump is amazing, just wait until you see our home"
Our home, that resonated deep within her. Would not Hobbiton always be her home, or would she stay in Erebor… why was she here. Her mind swarmed with thoughts; she almost didn't even realise they had reached the tavern.
The prancing pony.
"We will stay here for the night, recuperate and get you a pony, and we set back off tomorrow aiming for 10 miles a day we should get there by Durins day" Thorin stated helping Dahlia and Bilbo off their ponies.
Dahlia's feet met the floor with a splash, she could feel the mud stick to her toes and she crumpled her nose in disgust, she felt Bilbo do the same. Thorin looked down at them both and realised they didn't actually wear shoes.
As they went into the tavern, it was loud, it was boisterous. Nothing like the Green dragon in Hobbiton.
There were men, dwarves and hobbits all mingled together around tables, benches and the bar.
There was an awkward pause as they entered but it resumed shortly after being loud again.
Gandalf went to the bar and sorted them out rooms, giving Bilbo and Dahlia one to share. The company gathered around one of the large dinner benches and ordered a round of drinks and food.
The waitress had long curly hair like Dahlia's, but it was more of a roasted chestnut colour. She was half hobbit half human, so about a head taller than a dwarf.
She smiled sincerely at Bilbo and Dahlia. Dahlia herself did not recognise her, but Bilbo said she was a distant cousin of sorts.
They all dug into their meal which was an assortment of meats, breads and soups.
The dwarves chattered amongst themselves a lot in Khuzadul. Leaving Bilbo and Dahlia feeling quite awkward.
"You should probably get some shoes" Muttered Bilbo
"Shoes?" Laughed Dahlia wiggling her slightly mud stained toes.
"Well your soles are quite as tough as mine" He noted remembering how she got a splinter in her foot a few months back.
"I suppose, it stops them getting dirty…"
"Bofur" Called Dahlia "Would it be okay if you picked me up some shoes when you go to the market tomorrow?" The dwarf with the funny hat, smiled at her. Mouth full. She assumed that was a yes.
"Did you know they do full pints here?" Bilbo said cheekily.
"Full pints?"
"Yes, they serve them for the large people, but I can also get you a half pint too if you'd like a small drink" He replied.
She nodded as she bit into her sandwich.
He hopped off the bench and made his way through the bar, Bilbo returned shortly after with two full sized pints.
"Gosh these are HUGE" Dahlia laughed, Bilbo joining in. Which made the dwarves look and laugh too. The pint was larger than both of their heads.
"That's a lot of drink for you both are you sure you'll be okay?" Joked Fili
"It's green dragon ale we will be fine" Bilbo said drinking a big gulp.
The night flew by, the company bonded over tales and drinks.
It was evident that the poor hobbits were slightly tipsy when they begun to sing.
"Hey ho" Dahlia started
"To the bottle I go" Bilbo finished
This caught the eye of many patrons and hobbits who begun to join in.
"Hey Ho to the bottle I go Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
To heal my heart and drown my woe
Rain may fall and wind may blow but there'll still be
Many miles to go
And the stream that falls from hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook,
Is a mug of beer to bring me luck."
"Alright lassie" Dwalin said bringing Dahlia down from the table.
"I think it's quite time for us to retire" Gandalf said chuckling at the hobbits antics who now have the hiccups.
"Agreed" Thorin said, cheeks flushed from ale and smiling broadly at his company.
They all mumbled in protest but marched upstairs into the rooms of the inn.
Dahlia flopped onto her bed, it had nothing on her bed at home. But It was certainly better than the muddy forest floor and branches.
She slept soundly for the first time in a week.