Chapter 1
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New Chapter, read, enjoy and review.
There was once a young woman who lived in the kingdom of Rohan. She was nothing like her peers, nothing like the other women of Rohan. This young woman loved a good adventure, she loved a good fight and most of her friends weren't young girls. Most of them were young boys with who she sparred regularly. Her name was Meldamiriel. Daughter of Meldiron and Gwendhiel.
As long as she could remember, Meldamiriel preferred the company of boys more than the company of girls. The boys weren't afraid to get dirty, to roll in the mud or to fight. The girls were preoccupied by their hair, their dress and would never, in a million years, get near a puddle of mud. The entire village knew her well for a strong and fierce spirit. They knew that she was always leaving, going where there was a promise of a dangerous quest. She always came back with a new story to tell. A story that would bring joy and dreams to the little ones.
When she was in her village, she was always up to something. Her green eyes were always sparkling with mischief. She was always planning a new way to have fun. Her parents loved seeing her so happy but they thought that a good marriage will put to rest her constant desire to leave for a new dangerous quest. Everytime she left Rohan, they feared she would never come back to them. The roads were dangerous, especially for a young maid.
But Melda had no fear of the roads or of the dangers. She was good with a sword and could fight. She wasn't scared of getting bruised or punched but she made sure to give back twice as much as she received in a fight. Plus, she was never alone. She made sure to always be surrounded by good men and women. People that she would trust to have her back in a fight.
Meldamiriel was proud to say that she has no fear at all. But Melda will soon discover what being afraid really meant.
Dressed in man's clothes, Meldamiriel ran back to her home. Her blond hair was braided and fell on the side of her neck. With a broad smile, she went in her house where her mother was cooking while her father was working in the King's stables.
"You better take your boots off, if you're going to enter this house." Gwendhiel warned her.
"My boots are not that dirty." Melda pouted, taking her boots off.
"Let me be the judge of that." Gwen laughed softly. "Go and clean yourself up before dinner."
"Alright." Melda moved to the small basin near the door and proceeded in cleaning her face and hands.
"Oh, Lord, have you seen the state of you?" Gwen gasped now seeing her daughter. Melda was covered with dirt and dried leaves were in her hair. "Where have you been? Rolling in the mud with some pigs?"
"Well…" Melda drawled.
"What did you do, this time, young lady?" Her mother asked her sternly.
"Nothing." She answered quickly. "The pigs escaped their captivity and we had to put them back in their pen."
"We?"
"Déorwine and me." Melda winced as she answered.
"Always you two. Why can't you play games that don't involve, pigs fleeing their pen or girls screaming murder after you poured mud all over their dresses?"
"I'm sorry?" Melda looked at a red-faced Gwen.
"Unfortunately, I doubt that." Gwen sighed deeply. "Now, sit. Your father will be here soon."
"Four plates?" Melda frowned. "Are we having a guest?"
"Yes." Her mother smiled softly. "He's a friend and with our luck, he will come with a promise to heal your restlessness."
"Is it another man you want to marry me with?" Melda squinted her eyes at her mother.
"No, he is not." Gwen exhaled. "He's a great friend of yours."
"A great friend of mine?" Melda squinted her eyes, thinking about who that friend could be.
Her father pushed the door of the small household open and stepped in. Following closely behind, was their guest. It was Gandalf Greyhame. The grey wizard was known in all Middle-Earth for his wisdom and keen spirits. He brought advises and counsels to the great King of Middle-Earth.
Meldamiriel has met Gandalf during one of her journeys to Gondor. She was to meet with a group of Rangers and Gandalf for seeking information on a great evil that was returning to Middle-Earth. Their encounter was brief then but they met again on several different occasions. And upon their meetings they did become good friends.
Gandalf knew everything of Meldamiriel's adventurous spirits and for this very quest, one more person couldn't hurt. He, in fact, thought that it could improve their chances.
"Gandalf!" Melda exclaimed getting up and throwing herself into his arms.
Gandalf laughed warmly. "Meldamiriel; it's a pleasure to see you."
Melda pulled away. "It's been so long since I saw you in Bree."
"A long time indeed." Gandalf retorted.
"Melda, darling, let's sit and have dinner." Her father suggested. "Then, you can catch up on lost time."
Melda, her parents and Gandalf ate and talked cheerfully. Her mother mainly complaining about her daughter's uncanny behavior. Gandalf found it funny and interesting that a young woman such as Meldamiriel suffered from such restlessness. It was refreshing.
After dinner, her mother served tea and wine to everyone. Gandalf and Meldiron smoked their pipes by the fire. Melda sat by her father's feet listening eagerly to one of Gandalf's tale. The tale of a young dwarf prince who was on a quest to reclaim his kingdom. But this quest has yet to begin.
"So, you're looking for a thief?" Melda asked smiling.
"I already have one in mind." Gandalf answered.
"Gandalf, my daughter is no thief." Meldiron countered.
"Not to worry, Meldiron. Meldamiriel is not the one I have in mind." Gandalf raised his hand in the air, reassuring Meldiron and Gwendhiel. "However, I thought that Meldamiriel could join her forces to the company. Her skills and easiness to make friends with others would be in our advantage."
"So, you really want me to join your quest?" Melda asked excitedly.
"I promised you that one day we will travel together." Gandalf reminded her. "And I believe that you've never had the occasion to properly meet the dwarves."
"Tis true." Melda smiled. "A journey with you and dwarves, this is wonderful."
"But you just got back." Her mother said in a small voice. "You can't be leaving again?"
"You know I will always come back to you, Mother." Melda got up and hugged her mother.
"And it was only a matter of time before she leaves again, Gwen." Her husband told her. "At least this time she's in good hands."
"Gandalf? Good hands?" Gwen scoffed. "Please, he's as dangerous as anyone out there."
"Does that mean that I can go with him?" Melda asked.
"You've already made up your mind and there's no stopping you." Meldiron replied.
"Thank you, Father." She kissed her father on his cheeks. "Thank you, mother." She kissed her mother on her cheeks. "When, I'll be back, I'll make you happy. I promise."
"By taking a husband and settling in your own house?" Her father asked raising his eyebrows.
"If this is what makes you happy, I will do it." She promised.
"Then you have our blessings, child." Meldiron stood up. He clasped his daughter's arms. "And may the Elders watch over you." He hugged her tightly as he always does. He hugged her as it was the last time.
Gandalf and Meldamiriel left at dawn. Her mother and father were up to see her take her leave. They both hugged her and gave her their blessings. And prayed that their daughter will come back to them, safe and sound.
Riding her snowy horse, Wyn, Meldamiriel has a heart full of joy at the promise of this new journey. Three days away from her home and the joy hasn't lessened once.
"Why are we going to the Shire, Gandalf?" Melda asked the grey wizard.
"Our thief is waiting for us there." Gandalf retorted.
"Who is our thief? If I may ask."
"You'll know, once we'll be in the Shire."
"You're full of mystery, aren't you Gandalf?" Gandalf only laughed at her comment. "Tell me more about Erebor, then?"
And Gandalf started to tell her stories of the beauty that once resided in those walls. Stories of the Dragon, Smaug, stealing everything from the dwarves, their homes, their gold and their mountain. Melda listened with stars in her eyes and her head full of what she thought Erebor looked like. She had only one desire then: see the Lonely Mountain with her own eyes.
The Shire, in Spring, was the most beautiful place on Middle-Earth. Green and flowers spread all over the lands. Small houses that were called Hobbit holes by the Hobbits themselves. It was a hole in the ground, it wasn't a nasty, dirty, wet hole filled with worms. Neither was it dry, bare and sandy. No, it was a hobbit hole and that meant home.
As they rode further into the Shire, some hobbits there looked at Gandalf with big grins on their faces. Others, just sent glare his way and since he was accompanied by Meldamiriel, she, too, was on the receiving end of those glares. Gandalf was known in the Shire for his beautiful fireworks. He was one of those big folks that the Halfling didn't really accepted in the Shire. Gandalf may provide them with beautiful fireworks but he was still a big folk. Moreover, he came with another one of them, a woman. That could only mean one thing to their eyes: troubles.
The Hobbits, unlike our dear Meldamiriel, are not adventurous folks. They love the comfort of their holes and food on their tables at any hour of the day. Going on adventures, across Middle-Earth, living in the wild was a crazy idea. And yet, Gandalf was looking for a thief among them. As for Melda, she looked with wide eyes, surprised to see that there's still things in Middle-Earth, she hasn't seen. Happy to be here in the Shire.
"So, where is your thief?" Meldamiriel asked as they were now walking on foot.
"My thief lives on those hills. In Bag-End." Gandalf replied. "Meldamiriel," Gandalf stopped and looked at her. "It will be best if you just remain silent as I speak with Mr. Bilbo Baggins."
"That is his name, then." Melda smiled. "As you wish, Gandalf. I will be quiet." Melda promised.
As they reached the top of the hills, they saw a hobbit sitting on a bench, smoking his pipe peacefully. He was barefooted, as the hobbit have no need for shoes. His hair was brown and curly at the top of his head, he wore a light yellow, embroidered vest, a white shirt and a blue scarf.
Gandalf and Melda stopped in front of him. The hobbit opened his eyes, startled to see them there, he remained silent at first.
Still confused by their being here, he greeted nonetheless. "Good Morning."
"What do you mean?" Gandalf asked back. "Do you mean to wish me a good morning or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not?" Just like Bilbo, Meldmiriel looked up at Gandalf, confused by his strange answer. "Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on? Hm?"
"All of them at once, I suppose." Bilbo answered confused by Gandalf's reply. Gandalf hummed staring down at Bilbo, Melda was glancing between them. She didn't know what Gandalf was doing. She thought that Bilbo already knew about their quest, but it seemed unlikely. "Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen." Gandalf hummed. "I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."
Bilbo gave a blank stare. Dumbstruck by the notion of adventure, in itself. "An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures."
"Why wouldn't they?" Melda asked.
"They are nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner." Bilbo opened his letter box and looked through the mail he received.
Melda was stunned by his answer. He talked about adventures as if they could be lived through just one day and you'd be on time for dinner.
"Good Morning." He said once more before walking back to his hole.
"To think that I should have lived to be 'good morninged' by Belladonna Took's son as if I were selling buttons at the door."
"Beg your pardon?" Bilbo stopped and turned around to face Gandalf.
"You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf continued.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Bilbo asked him.
"Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it." Gandalf retorted. "I'm Gandalf. And Gandalf means…me." Melda couldn't help but snort at this.
"Gandalf? Not Gandalf the wandering wizard who made such excellent Fireworks?" Bilbo seemed to remember of the old grey Wizard. "Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve." Bilbo cleared his throat. "No idea you were still in business." Melda chuckled before receiving a look from Gandalf.
"And where else should I be?"
"Where else…? Ahem." Bilbo didn't finish his thought.
"Well, I'm pleased to find you remember something about me even if it's only my fireworks." Gandalf said. "Yes, well, that's decided. It'll be very good for you and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others."
"Inform the who? What? No. No. No—wait." Bilbo panicked. "We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today, not—I suggest you try Over the Hill or Across the Water. Good Morning." Bilbo fled into his house and closed the door behind him.
Gandalf walked to his doorsteps and left a marking on his door. "Well, that was entertaining." Meldamiriel commented. "Are you sure he's the right hobbit for this quest?"
"Yes, I think he is."
"But he doesn't have an adventurous bone in him." Melda countered.
"And you don't have a prudent bone in you." Gandalf said back. "I believe this journey would be good for you and for him."
"What do we do now?" Meldamiriel asked him.
"I will go to Bree, wait for the dwarves." Gandalf replied. "And you will wait for them at the outskirts of the Shire. You'll show them the way."
"As you wish, Gandalf. As you wish."
Hope you liked this chapter. Let me know of your thoughts of Melda and Gandalf friendship.