I know, it's been a month. But I've been working a lot of hours and have no spare time to work on my story. Thank you all for hanging on though, enjoy!

Chapter 11 The Dúnedain

He did as he said, and one by one and group by group, visitors left but the crowd never seemed to dwindle. It was when Frodo bestowed Hamfast Gamgee, who had come with his son Sam, with his gift did he learn that a false rumour was spreading like wildfire that the whole household was being distributed free. To say Frodo was alarmed was a great understatement. No wonder there was so many people packed around the hobbit hole who had no business being there. For a few moments, his mind seemed to stop. He had already had a trying afternoon and was close to retiring for the day, but with this news he now feared for his home. His eyes got a glimpse of a cart and moved passed Hamfast to see the road to the gate was now blocked with barrows and handcarts along with moving bodies.

It went unnoticed to him that Maliah had gone back into the smial, rummaged through baggage, and found weapons she had brought and the dwarf guards had left behind. She passed one off to Mirari, who wasn't fond of fighting nor knew much about it, knowing her cousin would look as menacing as possible to help her out. Reappearing on the front step, Maliah banished her sword forward. This was an act not common amongst Hobbits, violence with weapons was for other races. Adding in an angry dwarf who felt her One was threatened, they did not know what to do.

"This is not happening again. I've heard stories of what you people did to Bilbo's home when he was on a quest years ago, disgraceful. I will not allow anyone to come into this home who was not invited and allow labels to be torn off, swaps or deals, thievery, auctioning, or quarreling. Those of you not on the list that Frodo has will leave. Understood?" Faces with wide eyes nodded back at her, or more specifically her weapon. "Good." She faced the tip of the sword to the ground and smiled at Frodo.

Eventually the crowd thinned out, more so when they learned nothing would be distributed while they were there. As they left, many whispered behind their hands about the secrets and treasures of Bag End. The gift giving continued, wearing the day away and Frodo excused himself to retire for a bit, taking Maliah with him and leaving Merry in charge with Pippin and Mirari to watch them after asking.

Merry was still handing out packages when the Sackville-Bagginses arrived and Otho demanded loudly to see Frodo. Merry politely declined the demand telling him Frodo was indisposed and resting, something that did not sit well with them. Honestly, Maliah could hear the screeching voice echo down the hall of Lobelia telling Merry they want and mean to see Frodo, so go tell him.

Merry poked his head through the doorway and saw the couple already looking at him warily. "Would you mind showing them here, Merry?"

The young hobbit nodded and returned to find Lobelia and Otho with their parting gift of spoons in their hands, not improving their tempers. He waved a hand for them to follow and led them to the study where they could see Frodo was indisposed, to talk to them, and looking over some papers. In the next instant, they became more offensive by offering him bad bargain prices for various and valuable items. Frodo replied that only the things specially directed by Bilbo were being given away. A statement not handled well by either one.

"Only one thing is clear to me, out of this fishy business," said Otho, "and that is that you are doing exceedingly well out of it. I insist on seeing the will."

Maliah raised an eyebrow, almost being too tired to care about the hobbits in front of her. She knew Otho would have been Bilbo's heir, but for the adoption of Frodo. She and Frodo watched as he read the will carefully and snorted. It was, unfortunately, very clear and correct

There was plenty of everything left for Frodo. And, of course, all the chief treasures, as well as the books, pictures, and more than enough furniture, were left in his possession. There was, however, no sign nor mention of money or jewellery: not a penny-piece or a glass bead was given away.

"Foiled again!" he said to his wife. "And after waiting sixty years. Spoons? Fiddlesticks!" He snapped his fingers under Frodo's nose and stumped off.

A little later Frodo came out of the study to see how things were going on, and found her still about the place, investigating nooks and corners, and tapping the floors. He escorted her firmly off the premises, after he had relieved her of several small, but rather valuable, articles that had somehow fallen inside her umbrella. Her face looked as if she was in the throes of thinking out a really crushing parting remark; but all she found to say, turning round on the step, was "You'll live to regret it, young fellow! Why didn't you go too? You don't belong here; you're no Baggins – you – you're a Brandybuck! Neither is that dwarf who lives here!"

"Did you hear that, Merry? That was an insult, if you like." said Pippin as he shut the door on her before either Frodo, or more likely Maliah, could inflict harm.

"It was a compliment,' said Merry Brandybuck. "And so, of course, not true."

Frodo collapsed on a chair in the hall, rubbing his temple in frustration and Maliah sat next to him. "It's time to close the shop, Merry. Lock the door, and don't open it to anyone today, not even if they bring a battering ram." He felt Maliah lean into his arm and lay her head on his shoulder at his words.

Merry was more than happy to do so, not before reopening the door and telling those still loitering to scram. He turned the lock and gladly accepted the chair Pippin handed him and jammed it under the door for good measure. Mirari excused herself to the kitchen to make some tea and perhaps food to revive the hobbit after the long day. Merry and Pippin took it upon themselves to check Bag End for stragglers after hearing a crash somewhere down the hall that didn't belong to Mirari. Making their round, the two ended up evicting three young hobbits who were knocking holes in the walls of one of the cellars. Merry had a tussle with young Sancho Proudfoot, who had begun an excavation in the larger pantry, where he thought there was an echo. It was apparent that the legend of Bilbo's gold excited both curiosity and hope; for legendary gold, mysteriously obtained, if not positively ill-gotten, anyone's for the finding – unless the search is interrupted.

After Pippin helps throw Sancho on his butt through the back door, they found no other intruders and returned to the front of the home where the others were relaxing in the main sitting room. Frodo was near sleep, even though the sun was just setting, next to Maliah in separate arm chairs and Mirari had created a nest of sorts with the numerous pillows from the chairs and couches, curled up in the corner nearest the fire mantle.

"If you need anything else Frodo, don't hesitate to come find us. We best be getting home."

Frodo became slightly more alert at Merry's voice. "Thank you, for everything."

The youngest two hobbits patted Frodo on the back and bid the two females a good evening before leaving Bag End. It was for the best, the timing of their departure, for the remaining occupants in the home did not remain awake for much longer. Maliah ushered Frodo to his bed and returned for Mirari, only to cover her cousin in a blanket when she saw her asleep. It might be more comfortable for the taller half-dwarf, rather than the short bed Mirari had slept in before. Maliah then crawled into her own bed for the night and was asleep within seconds.

The next day, when they all woke, the daily routine Maliah and Frodo had been so accustomed to with Bilbo was awry. When she arrived, Bilbo and Frodo had simply passed off a few chores unto her as she learned them; but now there was someone missing. Together they made breakfast, setting a plate in front of Mirari when she woke and joined them in the kitchen, then after eating Maliah staying and cleaned while Frodo headed to the garden to water and prune the plants. Most of this was in silence, no one really knowing what to say that morning with everything feeling out of place.

Mirari drank her tea and looked about her at the short hobbit hole. What was she to do now? The way back to Rivendell wasn't exactly unknown to her, but she had only travel it once on the way to the shire with Gandalf. How long was she going to stay here? Not that it would be terrible, but she wasn't sure her head took take so many knocks from her height. Also, her studies she was in the middle of and the fact Lord Elrond would be worried about her. Would Gandalf be stopping by Rivendell to tell him? He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry and it was a distance between the two territories.

"I know it isn't ideal for you, but if no one comes to take you back to Rivendell soon, I know mother is more than likely on her way and should arrive during winter."

She looked at Maliah curiously. "Why would she travel during winter?"

With a smile, the dwarrow took a seat opposite her cousin. "She is worried about me and Frodo; although I can't imagine her reaction when she finds out Bilbo has gone away."

"Where did he go?"

"Rivendell…"

The two looked at each other, the same thought running through their minds. "We need to find someone to take you to Bilbo. He couldn't have gotten far by foot alone." Maliah jumped up and ran to the front door. "Perhaps one of the Dúnedain Rangers could take the two of you."

Why did that word sound familiar? Mirari tapped a finger to the table, scouring her mind; the digit stopping when she remembered. Aragorn. Arwen talked about him all the time. She quickly stood, banging her head on the chandelier, and running after her cousin. Maybe she would make it back to Rivendell before winter.

With Frodo, the three set off to Ferumbras III Took, Thain of the Shire, to ask permission to reach out to the Rangers for a favor.

The current Thain was as hobbits should be, known throughout the Shire but nothing spectacular about him. He held the position fairly and made friends with those he encountered, new and old relations. Therefore when Ferumbras was in his home, relaxing in the sitting room as it was an uneventful day, he nearly spilt his tea when a storm of knocks pounded upon his door. His hands fumbled the china to keep the hot liquid from spilling and sent a glare in the direction of the noise. Setting down the cup and saucer, Ferumbras grumbled to the door about intruders on his peaceful day and yanked the door open to give a stern talking to whomever was on his doorstep.

The words stuck in his throat at the sight of Frodo Baggins and his betrothed with an elf huffing in front of him. "Has something happened?" All three heads shook. "Then what has all of you stampeding me pathway?"

Mirari was the one to answer, "Are there any Dúnedain Rangers nearby?"

Ferumbras looked up at her startled. "Yes, they are posted around the Shire as protection detail. Why?"

Frodo stepped forward and took lead. "Thain, my intended's cousin was left behind by Gandalf when an emergency arose and he had to leave. My Uncle Bilbo is on his way to Rivendell, where she is from, and we were hoping she could have an escort to catch up with him."

Fingers drummed on his belly thoughtfully. They seemed very sincere, the two females both giving him pleading looks, making him less suspicious. "I will have a messenger sent to the Dúnedain camp nearby and see if they are will to help. I can guarantee no promises."

"We appreciate any help that is given."

"I should receive an answer by nightfall, if I do then someone will alert you."

"Thank you, Thain Ferumbras." The sentiment was echoed by Mirari and Maliah as the two hobbits inclined their heads and the door was shut.

"Do you think he will get a response soon?" Maliah asked as they descended the path.

"I don't know, the location of the camps is only known to the Thain and Dúnedain. We can only hope they will help us. Come, there isn't much we can do but expect help. Mirari, we can gather your belongings for now and go about our day. It will be about lunch time when we get back to Bag End, we can start after."

Mirari nodded in response and watched as Frodo picked up Maliah's hand and laced their fingers together. A small smile crossed her face, she was glad her cousin had found her place she had been desperately looking for when she had arrived at Rivendell a few months ago. It was a feeling she was seeking for herself, the emptiness from her lost twin still echoing in her heart. The Last Homely House help a bit, as if it was a clue to her future. Mirari turned away from Maliah and Frodo, turning her attention to the rolling green hills and trees of the Shire.

The day was falling into night, the sun barely over the horizon and stars twinkling in the darkening sky, when a knock was at the round, green door. The three were in the kitchen getting ready to sit down for dinner and stopped together at the sound coming down the hallway. Maliah was the first to drop what she was holding and run to the door, Frodo behind her and Mirari moving carefully behind them to not hurt herself in the hobbit hole. Swinging the door opened, Maliah stood stunned at seeing Ferumbras standing there nervously with two men she presumed to be Dúnedain behind him.

"G-good evening, Miss Maliah. Frodo. These, uh, gentlemen came as soon as they could and are insistent on escorting your cousin back home."

Leaning down so she could see out the door better, Mirari blinked up at the Rangers. "I only need to find our Uncle Bilbo, he knows the rest of the way."

Both Rangers bowed to the three. "With all due respect, Your Majesties, we insist."

Ferumbras looked back at the Elf in surprise. Yes, the young lady had been called a cousin by the dwarf princess, but he didn't realize it was an actual familial connection. He watched as the Rangers were beckoned inside and he was given a short thank you and goodnight by Frodo, leaving him to stand alone in the night air.

The Rangers, who introduced themselves as Falan and Saellyn, sat on the floor to accommodate their size while Maliah, Mirari, and Frodo took the seats facing them.

"We have been in contact with a…Ranger two of you may know, goes by the name of Strider. He sent word to us when he left the edge of the Shire about a young, female dwarf to watch over and again when he reached Rivendell about a half Elf coming to the Shire. There were no other details than to make sure no harm came to you both while staying in the Shire and to help if needed."

"But I don't need to be protected and taken to Rivendell," Mirari repeated. "Just to Bilbo."

The Rangers exchanged looks. "We insist. If you don't want to see us, then you won't, but it is our duty to return you safely to the Home of Lord Elrond."

Maliah had a feeling there was more to the messages Strider had sent than what they were saying. She turned to her cousin. "Ari, they can take you back to Rivendell. Is it really that terrible to have an escort of two Dúnedain? Besides, you will get there faster and sooner than when Mama is planning to arrive and leave."

She was right about that, and Mirari didn't want to fend for her safety every day in the hobbit hole. "Fine, when do we leave?"

"Daybreak. So, I would suggest some sleep and soon." The other ranger spoke up for the first time.

Frodo stood, being a hobbit and hospitable, he invited the two Rangers to share in the dinner still sitting on the table. At their decline, they returned to the kitchen and left the two in the sitting room to make their own camp for the night.

Yes, Ferumbras was an actual Thain in LOTR.