Chapter 5: and it starts

The gentle orange glow of dawn crept silently into Dahlias room, however she was already awake, mind racing with questions and her heart pounding with feelings she didn't understand.
The shire had always and will always be her home, but she knew deep down she yearned for something she missed something.
She always wanted more than this small provincial life.
Her outfit for today was laid on her dresser along with a small satchel.
Quick sliding on the dress, she made her way into the hallway that connects the kitchen and the living room, most of the dwarves were still soundly sleeping snoring like a humming bee nest. Creeping over the dwarves she made her way out of the front door, picking up a small woven basket, ready to collect eggs for breakfast.
Wandering down the curled garden path she saw Thorin was sat silently, entranced in thought watching the sun rise. He hardly noticed her as she approached giving him a soft nod, as she lifted the hatch on the coop and collected the eggs.
"Morning" He grumbled, taking a deep breath into his pipe, he smiled at her which made the smoke escape either side of his lips.
"Morning" she said back curtsying, unsure on how to address him.
He waved that away and patted beside him, she set down the basket at her feet and joined him watching the sunset.
"You're an early riser" He said puffing into his pipe again.
"Well I wanted to make sure we have at least one breakfast before we leave" She said counting the eggs in the basket at her feet.
"One?" He mused "Ah that's right Gandalf said hobbits have quite the appetite"
She smirked at him "And you're saying dwarves don't? Have you seen my pantry" She laughed, getting back up and brushing off her dress.
She walked back to the house, feeling his presence following her back to the kitchen.
The dwarves had begun to stir, and wake up. Dwalin came into the kitchen "Morning lass" And then a wave of "Morning lass" erupted from the living room as they fought to get themselves a seat in the kitchen, hearing the sizzling of eggs and sausages.
She begun to plate them some food and Ori helped her by making tea.

Bilbo finally woke an hour or so after breakfast, but Dahlia saved him a good portion of it.
Gandalf had returned from the village as he left early to get some food rations from the village. After they made sure they had filled their bellies and bags with food they were ready to go. On the way to the stables Bilbo made arrangements with Hamfast Gamgee, their friend and gardener, to look after Bagend whilst they are gone. Hamfast at first seemed confused and reluctant to take on the job for such a long time. Until Bilbo pointed out if he did not do it them Lobelia would, and that would mean trouble.

In the stables by the watermill the dwarves collected their ponies, as they had hired the stable for the night. However Dahlia noted they were one pony short for her to ride meaning she would have to share.
"No worries, you can take turns riding between Fili and Kili" Thorin said hoisting her up effortlessly on the pony, as if she weighed nothing but a bag of sugar.
Bilbo on the other hand was complaining in the background, sneezing and insisting he was happy to walk, Thorin also lifted him onto the pony, although a little rougher.
Dwalin paid the meek little hobbit by the door of the stables who was eyeing Dahlia up curiously.

"Queer company you keep Mr and er lady Baggins" He muttered in Bilbos direction making Dwalin take one coin out of his hand and gave him a grim look.
The hobbit ran away after taking the coin and said his goodbyes.
Dahlia was feeling the horses main and squeezing her thighs against the pony slightly, then she felt Kili get on behind her.
"Nervous?" He asked, she felt his breath against her neck.
"Quite" She said adjusting the shawl over the dress to cover her neck. Kili laughed and motion the pony to leave the stable outside to meet the others.
"We will have to stop by bree to get Dahlia her own horse" Thorin grumbled.
"Aye the lass will need to learn to ride her own pony, especially with how long we will be on the road" Dwalin agreed