The Truth Beneath the Rose


A/N- Thank you again for reading my first chapter and I hope I continue to please and inspire with this next one.

Disclaimer- I do not own the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, but I do own my OC's and this storyline.

'Thoughts'

Please enjoy.

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Chapter 1:

First Encounters


Year 2941

*In the Shire*

-0-

"I like the poppy but I also like the dandelion. Hmm, I suppose I will take a bolt of each if you please." Keeping her voice cheerful Thalia held out the amount asked for and droped the hard earned coins into the peddlers awaiting hands.

He bowed to her in thanks, "thanks miss. You always know how to pick me best wares. Always a pleasure doin' buisness with you." Thalia just nodded her head as she took the purchased fabric and went on her way. She was late returning anyway and her brother would wonder where she'd wondered off too.

She sighed as she hugged her fabric. She'd thought after all these years her brother would be less protective, but if anything he was getting more so. Not that she needed protecting, she was of age and had been for a while now. Still she remained his little sister, the miracle child of the Baggins family.

After she'd been born her mother had never been able to have another and thus she'd earned the name of 'miracle.' It was bad enough that her mother had given her a decidedly forgien name to the shire folk, if she remembered correctly it was actually a dwarf name. Something she'd read out of one of her many books about the peoples of middle earth, apparently Belladonna Baggins was an adventurer in the realm of books.

Which was why the Baggins family had the largest library in all of the shire, at least to Thalia's knowledge. This was one of many things that made her stand out among other hobbits. Her eyes had remained grey, her hair was impossible, it had reached her feet by the time she was a tween and she was loath to cut it. So she kept it braided tightly. But it was her height and sence of wanting to travel that were the biggest differences. She was 4' 1'', taller than any other hobbit she'd met and she couldn't seem to sit still.

She'd been to Bree on multiple occasions, all around the whole of the shire and had picked up a few skills that were looked down upon in polite hobbit society. She could fight, could wield a sword and bow, had even had a pair made for her travels.

Her current hobby was sewing. Hence the materials, she liked to make clothes and things. Just being able to create something out of almost nothing made her feel alive. Considering she didn't have any prospects in the romantic area drove her to more and more solitary crafts.

It wasn't that she hadn't tried, but everytime she'd begin to spend time with someone something felt wrong. The feeling only grew stronger and stronger the longer she tried to ignore it, so soon she'd worked her way through all the elegible males in all of the shire. At least those whom were interested.

Shaking off her depressing thoughts she looked up at her home, Bag End and watched a very familiar figure clad all in grey riding away on a horse. Where had she seen that person before? She knew it would bug her until she figured it out, but she made her way into the house anyway.

She called out to her brother as she entered and shut the door behind her. "Brother, I'm back!" When he didn't respond immediately she became worried. Moving to her room she deposited her material before she searched the house for her 'missing' brother.

She found him in his study with a large bowl of buiscuts in his arm, he was smoking and eating. A sign of something bothering him, for he only did both at the same time whenever he was unnerved or upset. Sighing she walked over and snatched the bowl away from him, he jerked, looking up at her in shock and surprise. "I am back brother, I am going to start dinner soon, so you better not fill up on my buiscuts, they were meant for dinner."

She then snorted at him, spun on her heel and marched out of the room and straight to the kitchen. Setting the half-eaten bowl down she pulled out all the ingredients she needed to make their dinner. She still had the fish she'd bought the day before and that with some fresh herbs and potatoes would do nicely. Her mind set, she started wokring, all the while humming a tune to herself.

It wasn't until right before dinner was finished that she saw her brother again, he came wondering in wearing his house robe and slippers. He walked over and gave her a hug before taking his seat at the table, "sorry about earlier sister, I was just distracted. I'd had an unpleasant midmorning talk with a gentleman whom we've seen little of these past years."

Curious she turned to ask whom when her brother beat her to it. "It was Gandalf, the one who used to make all those beautiful fireworks." She chuckled as she rememebred several times when they had gotten that priveledge. "Yes, the wandering wizard. What did he want with you?"

Bilbo just waved a hand in the air as if it were unimportant, "some nonsense about joining him on an adventure. Of all the silly things to request. I put him to rights though and that was the end of that." Pleased with himself Bilbo reached out for the pot of tea she had made earlier, he poured them both a cup and nursed it while watching her move about the kitchen.

Thalia was surprised by such an invitation from the wizard but it sparked intrest in her, an interest she'd fullfilled several times already. Her adventures were not of the kind that Gandalf must be implying to though, of that she was certain. "Will he be back?" She couldn't help the curiosity that leaked into her voice as she'd asked the question.

Setting the meal out for her and her brother she sat down and avidly awaited his answer. He looked sour faced enough that she knew he'd heard her perfectly well and after he took a rather large swig of his tea he spoke finally. "I certainly hope not! Now enough of that foolishness, it is time to eat."

Rolling her eyes at the vehemence of her brother's voice she picked up her fork and was about to take a scoop of potatoes when the doorbell rang out. She moved to stand when her brother beat her too it, he waved at her plate. "No I'll get it, go ahead and eat Thalia, I won't be long." She then watched as he trudged down the hall toward the front door.

She took a few bites of her meal before she heard loud thumping and looking up she froze, fork halfway to her mouth at the sight before her. She'd met enough dwarves to know what one looked like but this one, she didn't understand why but this one looked familiar. He looked her up and down before he bowed, speaking in a deep voice. "Dwalin at your service miss. I heard there was food prepared."

Blinking off her shock and confusion, Thalia put her fork down and hurridly grabbed more of the food she'd prepared. She scooted her brothers meal to the side and set a place for the rather large dwarf. She smiled and then returned his bow, "Thalia Baggins at yours master Dwalin, please. Sit and eat, I take it you've had a long journey?" She knew she was clutching at straws with that question but she wasn't sure what else to say, this dwarf was intimidating but somehow she knew he was kind at heart.

He looked immpressed by her question as he sat down and inclined his head towards her once agian, "Thank you Mrs. Baggins." She jerked and whirled placing the mug of ale she'd been grabbing rather roughly onto the table. Her voice was clipped as she responded, "that is Miss Baggins Master Dwalin, my brother and I hope you enjoy the meal."

She then whirled on her toes and marched from the room, passing Bilbo on the way. 'Mrs. Baggins indeed! Do I really look like his wife?' Stopping before a small mirror in the hall Thalia looked at herself and wondered if she really did look like a married woman. Shaking her head to put that out of her mind she turned to go find her brother when the doorbell rang again.

Confused at the fact of two sudden visitors she made her way to the door, beating her brother there by mere moments. 'Maybe it's Gandalf.' Her mind chimed and she opened the door gingerly. Before her stood a smaller dwarf and an older one. He bowed politely, "Balin at your service miss." She blinked before smiling and bowing as well, "Miss Thalia Baggins at yours Master Balin." She'd made sure that this time the record was straight on her place here.

"Well then Miss Baggins, it is a pleasure." Balin smile had grown larger and Thalia felt a blush burn her cheeks, he'd understood her words more than she'd thought. He then made his way inside and past her, she slowly closed the door and watched Balin as he was greeted by Dwalin. He was rather sly that one.

Shaking her head she turned and went to her room. If the way these two dwarrow were acting was any indication then there was certainly more guests on their way. She wanted to be presentable so she swiftly changed out of her apron and everyday mucking about attire for a rather pretty dress. It was a deep royal blue and had a rather modest neckline.

Hearing the doorbell ring once more she took a deep breath, ran her fingers through her hair and headed out just in time to hear her brother say, "no, nothings been canceled." "That's a relief!" Came a chiding voice from beyond the door as it was shoved open and in stepped two more dwarves. Both much younger than the two she'd met already.

The blonde one had dropped all of his weapons into her brothers arms and she couldn't help but wince at the sight of it all. A soft scraping had her turning her head to see the Brunette one wiping his boots off on their mother's glory box. Angered by this she grabbed the nearest thing and flung it at his head, "you! Master dwarf, that is not the propper place to do that, it was our mothers. You will clean it off before I let you pass, you hear me?"

She'd flung a large leather bound tome, a rather heavy one at that and it had rebounded off the dwarrow's head. He whirled, hands raised only to stare at her with wide eyes as she stomped over, pulling out a hankerchief and holding it out to him. All the while glaring up at him. Blinking he took the cloth and moved to do as bidden.

A laugh echoed behind her and she looked to see the blonde one leaning against the wall as he looked at her with an impressed look. "I see our hostess has already put you to work Kili, mind cleaning my boots as well while your at it?" The brunette glared at the blonde and grumbled, "shut up Fili!"

Narrowing her eyes she turned her glare on the blonde, "I've pleanty more cloths where that one came from if your volunteering Master Dwarf." The blonde one had the decency to blush in embarrassment before the brunette one announced that he was done.

Turning once more she looked at the precious heirloom and nodded her approval, "much abliged master dwarf. You may go in to dinner." She took the soiled hankie and was about to turn to leave when both dwarves caged her in, causing her to drop the cloth to the floor. Both were smiling at her and their smiles matched so closely that she knew they must be related, brother's maybe. She raised an eyebrow in questioning. "Yes?"

Both proceeded to bow deeply to her and spoke together, "Fili and Kili at your service miss." She blinked before she returned the bow and replied as she had to the other two dwarrow. "Miss Thalia Baggins at yours."

The blonde, Fili, was opening his mouth to speak when another loud knock came at the door. Sighing she excused herself from the two and hurried past her brother whom was livid, to the door. Taking a deep breath in preperation she opened it and leapt back immediately, knocking into her brother in the process as several more dwarrow fell into their home. Behind them just outside the door stood none other than Gandalf.

Suddenly all of this made sence to Thalia and she smiled brightly as she bounced around the dwarrves to reach the wizard. "Gandalf! How long it's been!" The wizard blinked down at her before a rather pleased smile lit his face. "Dear Thalia, I am glad to see you. I was worried that you'd been married off when I didn't see you this morning. How are you my dear?"

Blushing at his words she shook her head, "no...not married. I am well Gandalf, I take it there is a very good reason so many dwarves are in our house and I am looking forward to finding out." She winked at him before she turned and moved around the now rising dwarrow.

"I am miss Thalia Baggins, at your service gentleman." All eight of the newcomers looked at her in surprise before simultainiously speaking and bowing. Shaking her head she was about to speak when Gandalf stepped in. "One at a time, miss Thalia is being overwhelmed."

Once there was some semblance of order and the dwarrow were all lined up, each one stepped forward and introduced himself. 'All males, but none seem to be the leader. Maybe Dwalin?' Her thoughts raced on just what this quest could possibly be. She was growing more and more excited as time rolled on. Expecially when she'd heard one of the dwarves mention that there was another they were waiting on.

Soon though, after the pantry had been raided and her brother left to wallow in the sight of it empty. Thalia caught sight of something that had her approaching one of the strangest of the dwarves. Bifur, whom had yet to speak a word of common tongue was making hand jestures that seemed familiar to her. Curiosity won out and she couldn't stay away.

Bifur and Bombur stopped to look at her in silent questioning. As if on impulse she motioned to Bifur's hands and signed something she didn't know she knew. Both looked at her with wide eyes before Bifur gripped her shoulders and shook her, asking something in Khudzul. She shook her head in response, having somehow understood the words. "I don't know. It just came to me."

Bifur narrowed his eyes and signed some more, asking her several more questions in sucsession. She blinked and slowly responded. "Yes I am a true hobbit. I was born here and both my parents were hobbits. I've never been to the blue mountains, or to any other Dwarrow settlement. I have always been different and yes I would love to speak with you more."

Pleased greatly by her words, Bifur signed once more and held out his hand. Smiling she nodded her head and took his hand, replying "I would be honored Bifur." He griped her hand tightly in a sign of agreement before he let her hand go and went over to speak with Bombur again.

Smiling at that she turned and made her way over to where Gandalf had been watching from. The smoke from his pipe slowly filling the house with the gentle scent of old toby. "I see you and Bifur have come to an understanding of sorts." She nodded at his words before looking up at him in questioning, "how could I know those signs? I am not a dwarf, I wasn't raised to learn their secret language. Yet somehow I know it, almost like it's a second language."

Gandalf reached out and gripped her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "There are many possible reasons for this Thalia, it's just finding out if it is a gift, or a curse. Once you've found your answer there, then the rest will soon fall into place."

Thalia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "A typical answer I would expect from a wizard, but thank you for answering me all the same. I just hope your right and this turns out to be the latter of the two. Who knows, it might be useful on this quest of yours." She then nodded to him and went to tidy up the kitchen. Gandalf pondered her words after she had gone and realized that having her along might just be better than not.

Thalia was almost to the kitchen when she heard Ori go up to her brother and ask him about where to put his plate. That was when the song began and she felt a contentedness slowly grow within her, almost as if she was finally fitting in somewhere. This surprised her as did the fact that when the song ended all the dishes were done and the kitchen was clean.

Pleased by this she bowed to all the dwarrow while they laughed at her brother's expression, she thanked them vehemently for being so considerate. All of them went red in the face at that, even Gandalf. She almost laughed but held it back as she moved forward to put the dishes away and a knock sounded at the door.

Every one of the dwarrow including Gandalf froze and Gandalf's voice slowly filled the silence, "he is here."

Feeling a sudder flow through the room Thalia blinked in confusion as all of them filled out of the room, leaving herself and Bilbo standing there. They looked at each other before slowly following after the others. Everyone was gathered before the door as Gandalf opened it.

Inside stepped another Dwarf from the silloette, but Thalia couldn't see them clearly around all the others. She tried to peek around them but gave up after a few tries, turning she went back to the kitchen and gathered another meal for their newest arrival. Once she was done she went back to the dinning room all the while she wondered what it was about this particular dwarf that had everyone acting so strangely. They must be the leader to gain such an amount of awe from their people and a wizard.

Hearing the shuffling of everyone filling back into the dinning room, she set the food down at the head of the table and moved out of everyone's way. Seeing that they were all crowded once again, Thalia didn't even try to chance a look at the dwarrow. She knew she'd meet this dwarf sooner or later.

So she politlely excused herself and went to begin working on her next project. New coushins for her cousin's birthday, she needed to just sew on the buttons and that was it. So she quickly gathered her supplies and took a seat just outside the room so that she could still hear everything that was going on. She arrived just as her brother read aloud something, "the lonely mountain."

Curiosity peaked she listened in on the explanations of this journey, the fact that there was more to this adventure than she'd first thought. Although she had been right to think that an adventure with Gandalf would be anything but normal. Then they began arguing and a voice she'd never heard before but somehow knew deep down sounded strong as steel. She had to see whom the voice belonged to, but then Gandalf spoke of a hidden door and a key and she found herself listening in once more.

She put asside the first finished pillow just as they began arguing again, this time about her brother and his qualifications as a burgler of all things. She shook her head and then heard the word 'Dragon' and froze, 'they were going to fight a dragon?' An even louder argument started up when Kili shouted something about Gandalf's skills at dragon slaying. Silence was once more brought about by a strong and no nonsence voice, this time it was Gandalf's.

When they offered her brother a contract she grew curious once more. She looked up and watched her brother as he paced about reading the said contract that Balin had given to him. "In...inciner..." he paused, looked up and winced, "inceration?" A voice she recognized as Bofur's sounded from the dinning hall, "oh yes, he'll melt the flesh off your bones."

Her brother's face grew pale and he swayed. Seeing this, Thalia threw her work asside and got up just in time to see her brother look her in the eyes, take a deep breath and say "Nope." Then he fainted dead away. Crying out she rushed to her brother and pulled him up into her lap. Hearing a snort from the dinning hall she turned her head and fully intended to glare at the culprit.

Then her eyes met the steely blue ones of the new arrival, the one she'd yet to see. He met her gaze with one of his own, his annoyance melting away to surprise. She knew those eyes, knew that face. Wincing she felt a sudden burning sensation over her left breast and reluctantly broke eye contact when Gandalf came to kneel at her side.

"Let me, we'll get him into the sitting room." She nodded her head in a daze as she followed silently after the wizard, he placed her brother into a sitting chair and asked her to fetch some water. Shaking off her daze she rushed to do as asked. All the while wondering just whom that dwarf was and why he was so familiar to her.


A/N- This is where I will pause this chapter. I am sorry for the sort of cliffy I left it on but I am trying to keep my chapters a certain length. Trust me though, the rest of this will continue next time.

I am planning to update my stories once every month and thank you to my two reviewers. I am happy you enjoied my story and hope you will continue to stick with me as I take this journey with you.

May the Fluff be with you!

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