Next morning, found one Miss. Baggins up early hauling all her bags with the help of Butterbur lads, after her explanation of 'I can manage' fell on deaf ears. She settled everything in the cart, tying all that was possible on the outside, rest on the baggage slabs she had asked to be made after seeing Gandalf's cart have them and set the food and water aside. Gave the lads 3 coppers for the trouble and directed her ponies, christened Karla and Darla towards the gate. She found herself growing nervous as the gate opened and the two dwarrow came into view. Both didn't seem to have much in comparison to her but enough to make her glad for the bigger cart. She stopped next to them and hopped down.
"Good morning Master Frerin, Master Dwalin. I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long."
Frerin decided that if nothing else, he hoped Miss. Arabella didn't have any bad intentions. He could see himself befriending her if she held no malice for his people. They had followed her last night with less subtlety than usual and both had found themselves impressed that she had caught on that she had a tail. When she came into view today, wrapped in a earthy brown cloak, she looked the picture perfect of harmless person. That was until she made to jump down from her seat and her leather armour and weapons came into view. Armed to teeth seemed like a rather apt description for how she looked. He gave her a hopefully easy smile.
"Not more than a minute Miss. Arabella. You are right on time."
"Wonderful. I have a heavy breakfast packed for us from the Pony and if all is well, we'll be able to make it to Hobbiton and Bag-End by nightfall tomorrow very easily. Here, you can put those bags there, anything edible can go over here and well, seat yourselves and we can leave."
"Are you sure you want to be the one to direct? Frerin or I can both do it."
"Thank you for the offer Master Dwalin. But I know these roads rather well, the shortcuts even more so, besides we are to travel a long way later, you both can offer your help at any time then if you are more familiar with those roads."
"Aye. That should work."
Frerin and Dwalin settled themselves comfortably and watched while the lass started directing them towards the path. Once he knew she had set a comfortable pace, he allowed himself to make conversation, knowing to get Dwalin to do more than grunt at this point was going to be a difficult job.
"What trade are you planning to have with Ered Luin then Miss. Arabella?"
"Ohh, Please call me Bella. Almost everyone does. About trade, I own farm lands and have recently inherited more of them. The produce is in excess since most hobbits generally have a vegetable patch if nothing else of our own. We eat a lot and are blessed with plenty but my share, I could tell was going to be more than I could sell or preserve. I had earlier thought to trade in Bree but, no offence the trade here is very unfair and the village is rather unsafe. Besides, one of the major farmers in Shire already sells his produce here and I did not want to hamper his business. I have always been rather curious of the world outside and one such bout of curiosity allowed me to learn of the settlement of Ered Luin. It also came to my understanding that having stayed in the mountains, farming is not a strong forte for the dwarrows. The mannish towns nearby don't have much to offer in terms of food from what I heard and what they do is offered at an unfair price. As such, I wish to offer a more fair trade for food to the people of Ered Luin should they be interested. Besides, I am not the only one with excess produce either. If a profitable venture can be agreed upon, then the hobbits will be able to offer what would give them most satisfaction, food that is and make profit or be able to have access to better tools, now that I have seen your workmanship, I am certain that others back home would love to have better farming tools or kitchen appliances than what mannish smiths offer; since us hobbits are rather lacking at crafting. Also my grandfather... my apologies. You probably were just being polite and here I am.. err so, food grains, vegetables and fruits.. along with some preserved food products. That's.. that is what I wish to trade."
Frerin bit back a chuckle. This little halfling was adorable. If she was earnest with her intentions, this could be a boon to their people. They had always depended on mannish settlements, even back in Erebor for their food produce on a major scale. Something that people had exploited them over for over a century. He wondered if this boon was why he had felt the pull to travel to Bree. For if this worked, a huge load could be unburdened from Thorin, his and Dis' shoulders. He could see Dwalin making the calculations too. Dwalin's craft was inclined to his warrior instincts but you don't grow as Balin's brother without learning a thing or two about such things.
"Please Miss Bella, don't stop on my account. I find myself intrigued, to be honest. Should this trade prove fruitful, it would be really beneficial for the people of Ered Luin. What produce do you have, anyway?"
"Oh well, if you are sure. Err right. I have a huge produce of wheat. I have already asked the caretaker of my farm to have half of it grounded into flour and made ready for transport. It is much easier you see. But I didn't do that to all of it, since the wheat grain is easier to store should you wish. Then, I have a sizable amount of rice, but not much, though farmer Maggot and some others by the Brandywine always have that in excess. Next I have barley and oats. After that, potatoes, carrots, radishes, cabbage, beans and tomatoes though I am not sure if they will survive the road. Then in fruits I have all sorts of berries; strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, cherry and ever raspberry. Not to boast but, I have somewhat of a green thumb when it comes to fruits. Then there's apples, peaches, watermelons and grapes. I have also made jams out of all the berries and have a huge tin barrel full of honey that gentledwarrows I have collected by myself."
"That is a lot of things. All of which I can easily see getting sold very fast in the markets. I myself would be one of the people clambering to buy for sure."
"You are very gracious, Master Frerin. I have a better proposal though, if you don't mind me suggesting that is."
"Not at all. Please go ahead."
"In two days time, there is harvest festival in Shire. Everything is sold at a very cheap price and in abundance. If you truly think this would be a successful venture, you can invest the coin you made to buy as you require, it would fetch you more than what I will be able to sell at in the market of Ered Luin taking into account my own expenses for the journey and such. Also, should you wish to buy more to sell, then you can do so and sell it once you go back to Ered Luin and have a successful investment at your hand."
"That doesn't sound like a bad prospect but, we aren't sure if the added expense of lodging and boarding at th..."
"Now Master Frerin, there is no need to be insulting to me. I have done you no offence and am a respectable hobbit. If you don't like my suggestion then say so, there is no cause to imply such things. Lodging expense indeed."
Frerin and Dwalin gave each other an equally confused look, their companion seemed to be offended and neither of them knew what he had said to do so. The idea of buying food at a cheap rate to make it available to his people was very welcome. But they were on limited resources and if it meant spending on lodging for it, he wasn't sure if it would be a good idea, for then there would be a need to get a cart too. But now Miss Bella was offended and seemed to think he meant to insult her. He really was at a loss.
"Miss. Bella, I meant no offence. I am afraid I don't understand where I misspoke."
"Well, you implied you will be expected to pay for the lodgings."
This was becoming a very strange conversation indeed.
"Yes?"
"Wait, you... you still mean that?"
"Am I not supposed to?"
"Master Frerin, this is most scandalous. I am a Baggins of Bag End and a perfectly respectable host."
"I don't understand."
No. That was not a whine. He was simply confused. He didn't want to offend this little hobbit who was offering fair trade to his people and he was getting more and more successful at making her distressed. Dwalin, the bloody sod that he was, was doing nothing but laugh silently at him. He turned to her and saw that she was inspecting him too. Then after she probably realised she was being absolutely ridiculous, her face cleared.
"You really meant no offence. I suppose this is a cultural difference then. Most people don't venture out of Shire and even less travel to the Shire. Anyone going from within one town to another there, mostly is visiting a friend or family. Most of us can find some ancestor to be related to each other. As such, the Shire has no boarding places. Other than the Green Dragon but it only has mannish rooms meant for the Dunedain Rangers. If an outsider visits, they stay with who they are visiting or who brought them. If ever someone is visiting for official reasons, which has never happened to my knowledge, they stay at the Great Smials in Tookborouh. Us hobbits pride ourselves in being good hosts, so when you are offering to pay me..."
"It implies I am insulting your ability to be a good host and to be able to provide for me. I am so very sorry Miss. Bella. It doesn't happen like this among us."
He loved the idea though. If the dwarrows had had such a tradition, at least their young and old would have been able to be better shielded after the fiery calamity occurred. If they ever took back Erebor, like Thorin had been hinting at for a while, he would definitely make sure something like this would happen. As if having followed the same train of thought but in a more grim manner, Dwalin questioned her.
"What happens when something goes wrong in one of the towns?"
Bella knew why this question had been asked and despaired for those that had been lost before answering Dwalin.
"The Great Smials at Took Borough are capable of holding upto 500 hobbits at the minimum. Not all of them are functional right now, but most are well kept. Depending on what is closer, people can go over to Buckland Hall. It is not as huge as Took Borough, but can house half the numbers very comfortably. Besides, should such a thing occur, most will open their own smials to provide for the remaining ones. Everytown also has a head of sorts who is expected to always have a full larder and spare rooms along with cellars to house families should a need arise."
"Has it ever.."
"A few years back, we had a very bad winter, the Fell winter we call it. The river that forms somewhat of a natural defence towards the wildlife was frozen completely. As the food reduced, first came the wolves. My father was then the Head of Baggins, as I am now. He opened our smial to the people of Hobbiton when resources started running low. Everyone still brought what they could. Hobbits, we eat a lot and we have huge families. Everyone rationed as was necessary, but slowly, resources started running dry at Bag End too. So, everyone decided to travel to Took Borough. I was not but a tween myself. You have to understand, I don't mean to gloat, but hobbits are relatively untouched from the horrors of the world and as such, live easy lives, are gentle-folk as we are called. My mother, bless her, had been on quite a few adventures out of Shire and knew how to defend herself, she had taught me some, but I was a tween, unaware of what lay ahead. I.. we were all travelling together. My Tad and Mamau at the front as was expected along with myself. We had heard from the Bounders, our border patrols of sorts that most towns next to us had already been emptied. Because by then, the Goblins had followed. It was eerie, like walking through grave towns. But we made do. We were two miles or so from Took Borough, then.. it was then I heard a Howl that haunts me still. Deeper than a wolf's, filled me with terror I had never experienced. Only when I saw what made the sound, my fear doubled. A hideous creature with a maw as huge as I was then, pale as snow, matted with blood, its teeth also dripping with it. But scarier still, was the abomination atop it, pale as its ride, riddled with gashes on its face, huge than any Big Folk I had seen. A blood clotted mace in one hand.. the other.. Ohh what a horrible sight it made.. he only had half a hand, rest of it replaced with a jagged sharp blade. He charged at us.. my father.. the poor soul, who only ever knew his books and work, who wielded not but a cast iron pan stood to this abomination that threatened us. That filth was laughing at us, spoke in a language that was filled with hate. My Tad.. he screamed at us to run away, but stood rooted to spot himself. Next to him, was my Mamau with a dagger in one hand and a sword in another. I had a bow and arrow myself. It might as well have not been there with how uselessly I was just standing there. When the beast approached, my Tad struck at its jaw with pan, it roared in pain and.. and that abomination attacked before he could react. Struck his mace at Tad and.. oh his hand.. my poor Tad's hand just flew away with the pan. He fell with a cry that finally reached to my frozen brain. My Mamau had sneaked under the beast, I don't know why, but instead of knocking an arrow, I ran with it like a fool. Trying to get the beast and its rider to see me and let my parents be. By the Lady's blessings, just as my Mamau plunged her sword in the beast and it fell aside, I uselessly plunged one arrow in its eye and the other in the abomination's while it tried to cut me with its metal claw. His followers were already upon us but before they could harm another, the rangers came. The goblins ran away with the abomination leaving its dying beast behind. My Tad lost his hand, but he lived. For six months after, even though the Winter had ended two weeks after the incident, everyone stayed at Took Borough. We were the first one's to leave for home, Tad didn't have many days left to himself you see, he.. he wanted to live out the last ones at Bag End. He passed away not a week after we returned... we had burnt that beast, but I kept its teeth, have them still. One day.. one day I will kill that abomination with those very teeth. Pull out his broken hand and watch it.. watch it screech.. I.. oh bother... excuse me a minute, please."
Bella had stopped the cart in a clearing half way through the tale. This, this had been one of the first thing which was different than Bilbo's life. Then it had been wolves and goblins, but this time Azog was there too. It wasn't only what happened in Fell Winter that ailed her though. She could see, clear as day, Fili and Kili dying at the hands of Bolg and Thorin by Azog's. The pain and anguish that the Morgoth scum had caused so many was eating her on the inside. This time though, this time she wouldn't give Azog even a chance to harm a hair on her dwarrows. She hadn't meant to spill it all. But being around Dwalin, who had been there, Frerin who reminded her of Thorin so much that it hurt, she just couldn't keep it all inside. She had wanted the Dwarrow to think her strong and not useless like last time. Yet, here she was, crying like a fauntling. Oh they were never going to take her to the Quest after this display. She tried to take huge gulps of air and calm herself down. Azog wasn't here, she wasn't useless. She was prepared. She wouldn't fall, wouldn't freeze. Right now, it was more important to focus on the task at hand or all will be for naught. She turned back with an intention to return only to see the cart secured by a tree and Dwalin pulling out the food while the Prince walked towards her. She was utterly mortified, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. She wondered how badly she had screwed up only to have a water skin appear in front of her. She looked at the Prince, expecting disgust for not being able to defend her parents. Only, he had an expression of understanding that instantly put her at ease. She settled down next to them. She could see the Prince's hand twitch in the direction of his non existent feet and Dwalin's towards his weapons. She felt horrible. Here they were, two people who lost their own patriarchs to this beast along with numerous other shield brothers. And she was bringing out more horrible memories out for them. She knew they all believed Azog dead, perhaps it was better that they knew, they might be able to prepare more this time.
"I apologise.. that.."
"Don't lass. We understand your plight. That scum is responsible for the death of many others, my own father and Frerin's grandfather among them. Frerin's brother is the one that cleaved half the hand of that abomination as you called him. Azog is that filth's name, often called the Defiler or the Pale Orc. Tis what we call the goblins. He had bled heavily that day, we all believed him dead. Rested easy because of it, but I am glad you have warned us of his continued existence."
"Worry not Miss Baggins. Should it not be a bother, I would like the honour of carving you daggers of the teeth that will one day lay him to dust. My leg, well, let's just say if my brother had not been next to me, I likely would not be here today. Do not despair, you dealt him a heavy blow too."
"My thanks, Master Dwalin, Master Frerin. You have been honest with me, allow me to remedy my earlier mistake. There is another reason why I seek trade with Ered Luin, I have heard but snippets of this battle that you speak of. When I realised that there were those that suffered due to this abomination, more so the children of my Lady's Husband; I knew I had to offer all that I was able. I know it is not a lot, but.. I am in debt of your brother, the only reason I live is because Azog didn't have a hand to squeeze me to death with. I have heard tales, of one that shielded his people with the strength of an Oak. Who does so still and keeps them strong. I do not know how debts work in your culture and I don't wish to have my actions mistaken as charity or worse still, pity. Because, what I am offering to give is not even an ounce of what I owe. As soon as I was able, and had a way to start repaying my debt, I followed the path. It is why I recognised your name that first day in the forge, your highness."
It was surreal, getting to know this little Miss Baggins. He had looked upon Thorin as his hero all his life, knew others did too; their people even more so. Before Erebor fell, their line had always come to aid when was expected. Things had changed when Grandfather was lost to madness. Foolishly, they had believed those that they aided would aid them, if nobody else then their kin at the least. Yet, none had showed. Now, to know someone who they had done nothing for, acknowledging them as they had once hoped. It seemed all too good to be true. Yet here this hobbit was, offering what he knew she owed not yet believed she did.
"Your courage and your intentions are both admirable Miss. Baggins. I know for a fact that my brother will say that there is no debt among you and him. I understand that our cultures are different and that you feel you owe him this. But if you are only doing this for the debt.."
"You misunderstand me, your Highness. I do this not for one reason but for many. I have spent over a decade trying to learn more about Azog. I know a decade isn't much worth for you big folk who live for centuries, but us hobbits only live barely over a 150 yrs. It was finally five years ago that I heard of the Battle of Moria. Which then, led me to learn of your brother and i realised that I owed him a big debt. He was even more difficult to know about than Azog had been, the link finally led me to Ered Luin. A life debt, it is generally returned with servitude, a life or something more important than that if at all it exists. Gathering all the information I did, I realized your brother would have no need of my servitude. I felled a few who had taken tokens of the price on his head. Only then I realised, there were many who may try something like this and he probably already knew how to take care of them himself or would be surrounded by those who would aid. What, then I wondered could be valuable to your brother? The last Harvest, I realised what he would value the most. Good rulers, they say, find true happiness in the happiness of their people. I looked then, what could make your people happier and I could give? And what should it be, but what would give me just as much joy to give. Us hobbits love to share. Food even more so. To have such an opportunity, you may not see us so, but the dwarrows to us are the children of our Lady's Husband. To me, and mine it is seen as kin. To be of aid to His, it would only serve to make our Green Mother happier, would it not?"
The rest of the journey to Bag End was spent with little inquiries and contemplative silences. Bella wondered if she had maybe spoken too much. But let herself not be bothered by it verily. What was done, was done.
Frerin found himself wondering just how he was going to explain the whole thing to Thorin, for explanation for certain, was a must. He asked her questions regarding what he could imagine Thorin asking for the rest of the day. He forced himself to focus on his surroundings as they entered a town of rolling hills around sundown. The houses were nothing like he had imagined. With round doors no less. They stopped at the topmost hill among them all and he surveyed the house. Another one with a round door, Mahal, why round?
Dwalin spend the whole of rest of the way asking her things she had found out about Thorin from others and information she had gathered by those that wanted to kill him. He would have to speak to Thorin regarding security. Some of the things she told were rather troublesome.