Chapter 6 To the Shire
Râlia sat seething, glaring out from the ramparts in the general direction of Rivendell. The guards nearby knew better than to disturb her as everyone in Erebor now knew the princess was missing since the caravans had left. More than once, a worried glance was thrown her way. Her near unblinking stare and almost unmovable body was starting to touch their nerves. From the left, where the stairway was, Dwalin thumped his way up the stone steps and came to a stop next to his Queen and friend. He too looked in the direction of her stare, crossing his arms over his chest.
"The tree huggers fail ta keep her?"
"As soon as she saw Daemyn she disappeared, from an elf stronghold! How the hell does that happen?" She was on her feet know, pacing.
"Seems there is more of her mam in 'er than ye thought."
Swirling around to land her glare upon the old dwarf, Râlia gritted her teeth. "I've never run away from a safe home."
Not one for intimidation, Dwalin shrugged and leveled his eyes on a passing dwarf who faltered as he bypassed the Queen. "But you 'ave always done what ye thought needed to be done, never mind the consequences."
"That's beside the point." Falling back into the stool she had brought with her, she buried her face in her hands. "There's no sign of her, Daemyn has flown the land around Rivendell and hasn't found her. How do I know she's still alive?"
Taking the few steps to her side, he laid a heavy hand on her head. "She may be young and inexperienced, but I believe she will arrive at the burglars home safely. I don't think Mahal would let any harm come to a daughter of his favorite one."
A snort came from Râlia. "I should hope not or he's going to find out how displeased I am even if I have to sail to the land myself."
Strider kept his steed at a steady pace as the sun rose high into the sky. Once again, she had fallen asleep not long after starting their journey and he couldn't help but wonder what would have become of the little dwarf had he not come along. She had proven to have little experience with travel and about the same in stamina, not a feature he had seen in the dwarves he had come across. His only conclusion was that she must be a young royal, not yet allowed to venture out into the world. There was something familiar about her but he couldn't put his finger on it yet.
It was nearing lunch time when Maliah jerked awake and Strider had to hold steady as she found her bearings with her location.
"I'm sorry, I keep falling asleep on you."
"It is no inconvenience, although it is close time to stop for food. Maybe another hour or so."
Maliah nodded and occupied herself by looking out at the scenery around them. She had grown accustom to the man's quiet demeanor and lack of conversation unless he was interested. It must be an Elf custom, at least she assumed, to not speak unless needed. With her limited exposure, it always seemed to be the case with the Elves she had met in the past. True to his word, Strider maneuvered the horse to a nearby stream and dismounted himself, then her and passed out a small lunch. They ate without talking and soon were on the road again. Having nothing to do, Maliah began asking questions once more about anything she could think of; including his past. When he would hesitate on a question, she would bring another one up. This continued until he stopped his steed and Maliah looked at the setting sun and then to him in question.
"Are we close?"
A hand gesture in front of her and she looked at the road in front of them. At a distance, she could see a stone bridge in the fading light and began to jump up and down in the saddle.
"Is that the bridge you were speaking of the other day?"
"Yes. We are in the edges of the Old Forest now. As promised, I will camp with you here tonight and tomorrow morning we will part ways."
Maliah grew solemn at his words. She had grown attached to his presence and the quiet companionship between them. Strider jump from the horse, leaving her to ride by herself as he led them into the small grove of trees to camp down for the night. It was after he had inspected the area and declared it safe did he help her from the horse and took everything off of the steed, setting it next to a nearby tree.
"I'm going to collect firewood, stay here with Pele."
She looked at him confused for a moment until realizing he was speaking of the horse. "He actually has a name?"
What could almost pass as amusement crossed over Strider's face. "Of course."
"Well, it's just... I haven't heard you call him anything since we met."
He looked to his horse and back to her. "That is because he understands and knows what I need with me speaking aloud. He is unique and special in his own way."
"What does his name mean?"
"Miracle, because his survival was a wonder to behold." Strider turned and disappeared into the trees.
Turning back to the large horse, Maliah walked up to him and patted his leg. "Pele. Mama would like that name."
Later that night, after they had eaten, the pair sat on opposite side of the small fire; Maliah look up at the stars and Strider fiddling with something in his hands. When light music notes began to accompany the crackling fire, she sat up and stared at the man. The instrument was familiar, as the sold them in Erebor and Dale, but the one he held was much different than the ones from home. To start, there was no hint of decoration anywhere on it and appeared to be the most basic carving of the instrument.
"Did you buy that at Dale when you were there last?"
The music stopped and Strider looked up at her. "No, this was made for me when I was a child, living in Rivendell. 60 years ago now I believe."
She blinked in surprise. Just how old was this man? Never mind that, how did he have an instrument that was said to be her mother's design. "Do you mind me asking who made it for you?"
"She was no one to me at the time, but now she is the Queen of Erebor."
Her jaw couldn't have dropped any further if she had tried. Everyone she had met on this journey had a personal relationship one way or another with her Mam. Thankfully, his attention was back to the wood flute in his hands as he once again raised it to his lips. A calm melody filled the air and quickly had Maliah looking at the man in a whole new light. Slowly but surely, the music lulled her to sleep and she laid down on the grass as her eyelids fell shut and the notes filled her dreams.
Maliah moan and swatted behind her at whatever was nudging her back. "Go away."
"It's past dawn if you are interested, I thought you might want to get an early start on walking the rest of the way to the shire."
That had her sitting up and blinking away the sleep from her eyes. Sure enough, the sky was blue above her and no hint of sunrise on the horizon. Moving the blanket which had been placed over her during the night, Maliah stood and looked up at the man somewhat saddened. "Where will you go now?"
"Rivendell. I was on my way there when I stumbled upon you."
Biting her lip, she hesitated before making her request. "Would you tell Lord Elrond to pass along a message for me? That I am well and at the shire now?"
Dropping to one knee, Strider place a hand on her shoulder. "I will, have no worries." At her nod, he stood again and stepped away. "I will give you what you need for food until you arrive at your destination. Take time and be sure you have all of your belongings."
A short while later, the two stood back on the road side by side looking towards the stone bridge. Maliah couldn't seem to get her feet to move from where she stood and Strider didn't either. She knew it was because of her he wasn't leaving, but beneath her excitement to be at the Shire was fear of being turned away. A shuddering breath left her, making Strider peer down at her blonde head.
"While I do not know the specifics of your journey, I can say that your future with the hobbits will be a good one. Don't fret about whether they will accept you, focus on the reason you are going there."
"What if I'm not sure why I am to begin with?"
"You do know, somewhere deep inside you heart, you know why you took all these risks to come to a place where you possibly may not know a single person. Hold onto that and take the next step in your life."
She tilted her head up at him and smiled. "Thank you." Looking forward once more, she sucked in a breath and took the first step away from her temporary traveling companion. She didn't look back once until she reached the first of the stones and when she did, Maliah saw Strider still in the same spot only now seated upon Pele. A small smile graced her face at his thoughtfulness to see her across the bridge and confidently continued her steps over the rise. Once on the other side, she peered around the side and when she no longer saw him, sadness came over her accompanied with a sigh. Giving herself a shake, Maliah straightened and forced her feet to continue their path along the dirt road to the Shire. He had said it would take her the day and Maliah didn't want to be caught outside by herself when it was dark.
By all the Valar, her feet hurt! Apparently having the luxury of riding a horse took away her ability to walk distances. The sun was near the middle of the sky and she was sitting on a large rock, wiggling her feet inside her boots to relieve some of the pain. Having no guide, she had no idea how far she had walked or how much more there was to come. Noises from behind her pricked her ears and she placed a hand on the small dagger given to her and crouched behind the boulder. Even when Maliah recognized the sounds as laughter, she didn't let her body relax. She did however jump when two bodies crashed past her and landed on the road. Wide eyed, she stayed in her position as the two males laughed laying down side by side; looking to have a small age difference. Spying their feet and realizing they were hobbits, she stood and sheathed the dagger. It was when her shadow crossed over them did they stop laugh as hard and tilted their heads in interest for her.
"Well, well, well, a traveler! Afternoon Miss, how are you this fine day?"
"Well enough I suppose. I don't suppose you know how far Bag-End is from here? I seemed to be turned around."
"You here for Old Bilbo's Party? A bit early in the month." The other hobbit spoke now propped up on an elbow with a piece of grass in his mouth.
"I am, but I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get here so I got an early start."
Both hobbits stood up and dusted themselves off before circling her. "Are you a dwarf?"
She gave a glare to the first hobbit who had spoken. "Of course I am!"
"You just seem to be lacking the grand beards we usually see." The second hobbit mimicked a beard with his hands as he spoke.
"Well, sometimes dwarves are born without one. And since I am a girl, mine wouldn't be like that anyways."
The first hobbit swung one of her bags over his shoulder and scooped up her arm with his. "Since you are a maiden in distress, we are required to help you. Pip, get the other bag."
His friend did as requested, then stood on her other side. "How do you feel about shortcuts? Because we can get you to Bag-End quicker than the road."
"Depends on the short cut."
"Just through some hills, and tall grass, maybe around a lake. By the way, my names Merry and that's Pippin or Pip."
"Maliah."
"Always a pleasure to meet a young lass. Now, to the right! And watch out for holes."
After falling for the umpteenth time, Maliah swore in Khuzdul and wiped the dirt off her clothes. "Shortcut to what, my death?"
"I'd heard dwarves are clumsy, but I didn't think it'd be this bad."
Maliah glared at Merry. "I haven't done much traveling outside or off roads. Now, are we getting close."
The cheeky hobbit had the gall to grin at her and wave his hand for her to hurry up. When they reached the top of the hill, she saw a winding walk road weaving its way to doors as far as she could see. It was illuminated by the sun that was soon to set and she could just see a little piece of a town down the way.
"Now that one, right there," Merry was behind her and pointing at a round, green door. "That's Bag-End. I'm sure Mr. Baggins is there with his nephew."
She turned to look at her guides and baggage carriers. "You aren't going to take me to the door?"
"Sorry, but we best be getting home ourselves. Can't have the little ones out so late." Merry said leaning with his arm on Pippin's head.
"Get off!" Pippin shoved his friend only to be rewarded by getting trapped in a head lock.
"Tell Frodo we say hello!" And with that, Maliah watched as he dragged his young friend away.
After watching them leave for a minute, she picked up her two bags and loaded them onto her back once more. By Mahal, her body was sore. All she wanted was a soft bed and a warm bath, and a hot meal. Not necessarily in that order. It didn't take her long to get to Bilbo's front door where she lifted the knocker once and then knocked with her forehead. Maliah was ready to fall and sleep where she landed. Thankfully, the door was opened quickly and she tumbled over the doorstep and onto someone she didn't know. She wasn't given even a moment to process what had happened though as Bilbo was right at her side and lifting her back to her feet. She could feel her bags being taken from her and barely acknowledged being escorted down some hallways and into a bedroom where she was helped into a fluffy bed. Maliah was asleep before Bilbo could even take her boots off.
Ushering his nephew out the room, Bilbo shut the door gently and looked at Frodo who was staring at the door in curiosity.
"Is she the reason the robin has been flying around our house?"
"That she is my boy. You have just met Princess Maliah, the runaway of Erebor." Bilbo clapped his nephew on the back. "Come, let's eat. And be sure to save her some."
PSA: it took Maliah three months to get to the shire, a month sooner than the caravans
Still alive, thank you very much. Hello to everyone, new and old readers. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, let me know what you thought of it and hope everyone has a lovely day.