I don't own any right on the characters or universe in that story, except for Moonstone, and I don't make any money with that hobby.
Chapter 5. In a hole there lived a hobbit
Moonstone did not sleep very much, but she slept well. Thorin had to wake her, but he would have prefer to let her rest. They are now at the border of the Shire. As they walk, Moonstone asks his new friend about last night.
- So Thorin. What do you think about those goblins? I think they were far from their stinky holes. And I was not aware that hill trolls were living in that part of the world.
- Aye. I wonder what they were after... But they are now dead. I only hope they were not scouts, because when their master will see that they are not coming back, maybe it will lead them in the Shire... which I hope not.
- They were, indeed.
Both of them are startled. They did not notice the man at all, but now that he had spoken, they can see him, his back casually leaning against a very big rock.
- Greetings, says Thorin, the surprise now passed.
- Greetings, answers the man.
He is cloaked in a faded cape, that is of a color somewhere between green, brown an grey, which explains why they did not notice him. He has many weapons on him, seemingly a trained warrior. As they all stay silent, looking at each other, the man decides to ask them:
- Who are you and what are you doing in this part of the world?
- Why would I answer? How do I know that you are not an enemy of the Shire?
The man seems now a little bit insulted, but still holds his temper, probably aknowledging that they are dwarves, not aware of his duty.
- Well, I know that you came from the east, and that you are not merchants. I bet you had something to do with your kin in the Blue Mountains and that you are now on your way back. But I am not sure if it is good or bad for the Shire, because of the ruckus last night with the troll. And since you killed that monster, I know you are two accomplished warriors, which could be dangerous for the inhabitants of this part of the world. Or not.
- Do you know Gildor Inglorion?, asks intuitively Moonstone.
The man is surprised, but is agile not to show it that much.
- Yes, but I do not know why it is relevant.
- Well, if you know him, you should know that he traveled lately in this region. We saw him yesterday. If he let us sleep in Elostririon, you can deduce that we are not a threat. We are in fact friends of one particular hobbit in the Shire. At least my companion here is, and I hope I will become soon.
The man thinks, observing them intensely.
- Do you have any proof of what you just said. I did not talk with Gildor lately, so I cannot know if what you say is true. I did not ever heard of Elves being that friendly with Dwarves.
- Aye. But there were old times and parts of the world whence Dwarves and Elves were allies. Maybe Gildor remembers those times and keeps hope they will return, answers Thorin while he is searching for the letter in his bag.
When he finally founds it, he asks the man:
- Here is a letter written from Gildor's hand. It is for Lord Elrond. But he still wrote on the cover of the envelope. Do you know his handwriting?
- Yes, I know it. May I?
Thorin gives him the paper. The man looks seriously at the paper.
- Are you trying to trick me? I do not read Khuzdul.
- Of course not. And I do not like the tone of your voice. We are cooperating here, and nothing obligates us to do. Now, I will let you read his signature, but nothing more, for I do not know what I am delivering here, but I bet it is important and probably confidential.
Thorin shows the signature of the letter. As soon as the man sees it, it looks like he recognizes it. So he let Thorin take back the letter and put it back in its envelop.
- Now that you know that we are friendly folks, can we know what this is about?
The man apraises the situation. He finally seems to trust them.
- I am a ranger of the North. One of my duties is to protect this land from its enemies. Hobbits do not know about us. Foes are rare, but when there is, they need to be taken care of. I do not know what those scouts were after. Maybe it was only you.
- Why would they be after us?
- You are dwarves. You have the reputation to be rich. Pointing Thorin's clothes and equipment, he continues : especially you, Master dwarf. By your standing, I would bet that you are from a noble lineage. And probably this lady too, even if she is as armed as the next warrior...
Thorin analyses the situation. He already heard about the rangers. But he did not know that they were guardians of the Shire. That would explain why the wizard was not worried about all those carefree hobbits.
- I once heard that you call yourselves the Dunedain.
- You are right.
- I am from Erebor. And I am here to meet an old friend in the Shire. We have business in Rivendell, and elsewhere, depending on the success of our quest. Which is delicate. Could I count on your discretion?
The ranger's eyes open a little when he hears that Thorin is from Erebor and that he is on his way to Rivendell.
- It is a great honor to meet you, Thorin, son of Thrain, Son of Thror. You are quite known since you have taken back your homeland. Some tales have spread as far as here. I am Eraleb. You can count on me. What do you need to know?
- Did you see lately a dwarven lady? Her true name is Garnet Ironfoot. She comes from the Iron Mountains. King Thryr from the Blue Mountains says she did not came here. Do you have any clue?
The ranger thinks a few moments, analysing the latest news he had from his informators.
- I am sorry, but I have no idea. No information I have seems related to a wandering dwarven lady... In fact, I did not ever hear of a dwarven lady traveling in this part of the world.
- Thank you anyway. If you see anything, can you send a messenger to Rivendell?
- I will do what I can, you can count on me.
- I thank thee. Now tell me, it means that the Shire is well protected?
- Of course. When the other goblins will come, me an my fellows will take care of it.
- That is a relief. Farewell.
- Farewell. My lady, says the ranger with a reverence.
As they enter the Shire, Moonstone suddenly starts to talk to Thorin.
- We are meeting strange folks since Ered Luin, Thorin. Is it always like that? I mean, when you travel?
- More or less. Some parts of the world are more boring, but they are safer... Now I understand why the Shire is so peaceful. I did not know it was that well guarded.
- Well, I could get used to this. It is far more enjoyable than neverending battles against goblins and orcs. I do not know... I feel like leaving Ered Luin just awakens me...
As Thorin listens to her, he realizes how it must have been for her. Lonely. He felt that way during a very long time... Even if he was not totally lonely. He had his friends and family with him. But he does not understand what she means by awaken.
- You felt... slumbering?
- Yes... Like if I was waiting for something...
- Maybe you did not have the chance to make your own decisions, to have your personal purpose.
- I think you are right. It is the first time that I am where I decided to be. Really. I am a warrior, and I was accomplishing my duty with honor and devotion. But I love this, choosing a path. I think a part of me was only waiting to discover the world. Thanks to you, Thorin. You gave me the opportunity to do it.
Thorin is speechless. He did not realize how important it was for her. So they walk silently for a while, admiring the landscape of the Shire, which is bucolic. All the green hills, the blue sky and the busy hobbits have a soothing effect on them. Thorin finally finds the words.
- I am touched by what you said, Moonstone. I only did what seemed fair and honorable. And I am happy to see that we are now becoming friends.
- Aye. Same for me.
But something in her stomach tells her that she would rather be more than friends. But this king has other plans.
They walk a couple of hours, silently. They only greet some curious hobbits on their way. They finally arrive, just as the sun was begining to lower in the sky, before the green round door. Thorin smiles as he remembers where Gandalf wrote a magical rune, decades ago. He knocks on the door, waiting for his old friend. As the hobbit opens, the surprise to see his old friend is soon replace by a warm and welcoming smile.
- Thorin! Welcome my old friend! After all those years, it was about time!
- Bilbo Baggins!
They hug clumsily, too happy to see each other after twenty-five years. Moostone looks at them, smiling to their reunion.
- I see that you are bringing company with you. Evening, my lady. I am Bilbo Baggins, at your service.
Smiling, she answers joyfully, for the hobbit enthusiasm is quite contagious:
- Moonstone, daughter of Fundin, at yours. Nice to meet you.
- Come on in! Both of you! You are right on time for supper!
Moonstone soon discovers that hobbits are incredible hosts. Bilbo is generous, obviously happy to share his delightful food.
- So Thorin, it appears like you will need a burglar for your new quest?
- Well, I am on a special quest, and I need special people on this fellowship. It is delicate... I am searching for my future wife.|
Bilbo seems not to understand. He looks at Thorin, then at Moonstone, and to Thorin again, with an interrogative look. Moonstone subtily makes no with her head. Bilbo finally looks at his old friend, waiting for more explanations about his quest. There is an awkward feeling in the dining room, each one of them asking questions silently in the secret of their mind. Thorin is asking himself if he let any clue to his old friend. Moostone is asking herself if Bilbo saw something she did not, and Bilbo is asking himself why is instinct is so rusty. But they nevertheless continue their conversation about the main subject.
- Her name is Garnet Ironfoot.
- Ah! Your cousin's daughter.
- Aye.
- Why are you searching for her?
- Because she did not want to marry me, and decided to flee. I do not know what on Arda I could have done to her? We never even met.
Bilbo and Moonstone stare at each other. They both have some hypothesis about Garnet's behavior, but they seem hesitant to tell it to their friend. Moonstone quickly looks at Thorin, suggesting Bilbo to speak first.
- Well, Thorin... says a walking on eggs Bilbo. Maybe it is why she is fleeing. Her future husband and her father are deciding without consulting her...
Thorin does not seem ready to explode at all, to the relief of Moonstone and Bilbo. Bilbo then realizes how his friend grew old in wisdom.
- I know that, Bilbo. But as king and queen, we have to put kingdom interests before our personnal... preferences. And I promised Dain to marry her. He does want her to be on a throne, and to share her destiny with the heir of Durin. I do not want to risk a war between us.
- By Elbereth!, says Bilbo. Would he be enough stu... stubborn to start a war only for that? Knowing that his daughter does not wish to marry you - no offense here! - ? After all the losses of the battle of the five armies?
Thorin is quite lost in his toughts, which relieves Bilbo for it seems like his friend did not notice he almost called the Iron Mountain's king of stupid. Thorin finally answers.
- Well, Dain is strange when he talks about his daughter. It sometimes gives me the creeps. It reminds me of when I was under gold sickness, all absorbed by the treasure and when the Arkenstone was the most precious thing in the world. We both know that this kind of mind state alters the judgement...
Bilbo sits back on his chair, and light his pipe. He remembers very well how it was. He thought he had lost his friend. He thought Thorin could not come back from this madness. But he did.
- She was a prisoner, says Moonstone.
Thorin and Bilbo stare at her like if she spoke in another language.
- What did you just say?, asks a very serious Thorin. Your accusation is serious.
- I do not talk about a political prisoner here. I think that this king is over protective to his daughter. He sees her like a priceless treasure and he only wishes for her to be safe with someone he trusts. But in his protective ways, he cannot see that she is suffocating.
- How do you know that? Did you met her? Or her father?, asks a curious Bilbo.
- No. I never left Ered Luin. Just before I left with Thorin, I realized I was kind of trapped there. I felt like a prisoner, in a way. I only know by empathy. I flew as soon as I could. I bet she did the same thing. Her father is probably hard to convince to see things her way. Sorry Thorin, I do not want to be rude here. I know it is your cousin. But dwarves can be so stubborn sometimes.
Thorin calms down. What she says makes sense. And a part of him just wants to let Garnet free. But he still does not want to risk a war with his unreasonable cousin.
- I guess I will have to find her anyway, if only to set things clear between us and think of a strategy to make Dain listen to what she has to say... We never know... says a smirking Thorin, glancing at Moonstone. Maybe she will notice that I am irresistible and change her mind.
Moonstone glances back at Thorin, hoping the way he teases her is his way to let her know that she should keep hope. Well, she may be bold...
- Or maybe you will discover that she is irresistible.
Thorin smiles at her. She only smiles with her eyes. And Bilbo now knows that his instinct was not that rusty.
- Well, Thorin, you can count on me to find this precious Garnet. I am in!
- That was easier than the last time...
- Yes! And my pantry is not empty this time, says he with a warm smile. We will have a lot to bring with us then!
Both of them laugh at the memory. They tell Moonstone how it was the last time Bilbo joined the company of Thorin Oakenshield on his quest to the Lonely Mountain. They talk and laugh for the rest of the evening. They finally fall asleep in Bag End, each one of them resting before the beginning of their new adventure.
