Author's Note: possible trigger warning – drinking involving alcoholic drinks (this has affected me negatively before as well which is why I don't drink, but the dwarves drink, so I'm just giving that warning)

Edith was stirred awake by a heavy pounding on her door. She got up quite startled. She looked around, momentarily confused as to where she was. This was not her room. Jack wasn't there. The bed was a twin – rather small for a twin size, she thought. Then she slowly began to remember the events from the previous evening. She realized she was not at home, but in the house of Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who had been kind to her and in the company of thirteen dwarves. Edith bit her lip as she thought of Jack. What was the time difference between this world and hers? How much time had gone by and how much would change during her time here?

"Lady Edith, please make yourself ready. We are bound to leave after breakfast. My uncle doesn't enjoy tardiness. He'll have no problem leaving anyone behind."

The young dwarf prince, Fili, had woken her up. She pushed the covers off and her feet hit the floor. She wrapped her shawl around her and opened the door. He was gazing at her. He looked down, noticing her nightgown no doubt and her bare legs and feet. She noticed a light shade of pink brushing his cheeks.

"Er, I'll get dressed in a moment and be there as soon as I have finished." Edith replied. "Please don't look at my legs. They're not yours to look at."

She closed the door gently and found herself smiling. What on earth was going on? Why was she smiling? Edith shook her head and went to her clothes that Bilbo had offered her the night before and slipped them on. She then rummaged through the closet, but no shoes were in sight. Edith then remembered hobbits had no need for shoes, as Tolkien had written. Their feet had hard soles and were meant to be barefoot. Once she was ready, Edith walked to the dining room where some of the dwarves were sitting. Others were packing and getting ready to leave. She spotted Gandalf at one end of the table.

"Good morning, Lady Edith." Gandalf exclaimed. "Would you like to break your fast before we're off?"

"Yes, I'd like that, thank you." Edith said, sitting down.

"Did you sleep well?" Bofur, one of the friendlier dwarves, inquired.

"Quite well, thank you, sir." Edith replied with a smile.

"Lady Edith, have you ever ridden a horse?" Fili asked.

"Er, once or twice…I'm no expert in riding unfortunately."

"You may find yourself numb after today's ride. I'll go easy on you when we leave."

"I thought I was getting my own horse."

The dwarves around her chuckled.

"We only have fourteen horses, we didn't expect a young lady to join our quest." Bofur said.

Edith turned red. So, she was still sharing a horse with Fili. Jack wouldn't have been all too pleased about any of this. To be frank, neither was she.

"Oh, lass, don't worry – Fili's harmless. He won't bite."

"Often," Kili added, with a smirk.

The dwarves erupted into laughter and Edith tried to focus on her breakfast, avoiding any looks she got from Fili and the other dwarves around her. She could feel the heat in her cheeks – no doubt they were red from embarrassment. Edith downed her cup of tea as quickly as she could, but she rather hoped for something stronger at this point, like whiskey or even some gin.

"Gandalf, I hate to be a bother, but do you have anything stronger than tea or wine? I feel as though I may need it." Edith said.

The dwarves laughed again and Gandalf too, chuckled.

"Here, try some of this." Bofur handed her a flask and she gladly accepted it, taking a shot.

Edith coughed and handed the flask back to Bofur.

"Oh, dear God – what is that?" her voice was hoarse, and she grimaced, earning another round of laughter.

It had been a lot stronger than anything she had tasted back home. During the war, some of the men had the strangest drinks in their flasks but it was enough to relax, get their mind off what had happened. It resembled closely what gin or rum would taste like, however, much stronger. She never drank this early in the morning, and if Edith did have a drink, it was a glass of wine with dinner on occasion. Jack enjoyed cocktails and drinks more than she did.

She finished her breakfast and washed her plate before putting it back in its place, knowing the hobbit would appreciate a clean house when they all left. They stepped out of the house once everything was settled. There was no sign of the hobbit. Some of the dwarves had their doubts and others argued that he would show up. Many of them placed bets whether he would show up or not.

"What about you, Lady Edith, what say you? A bag of gold says he won't show up on this venture." Bofur exclaimed, once mounted on his pony.

"I wouldn't doubt him too much, Bofur. I think he'll join us in no time. I say he'll join us by noon."

Fili, who was mounted on his horse, came over towards Edith and offered his hand. She looked at him curiously before grabbing hold. He lifted her up with ease in front of him and chuckled.

"You're as light as a feather." Fili said, into her ear.

She elbowed him in the stomach, causing him to groan. There was no way she would allow this rather handsome dwarf prince breathe down her neck. It was embarrassing enough to her she had to ride a pony with him. She wondered if he even remembered she was an engaged woman. Edith yelped as his arms snaked around her waist. She then realized he was grabbing hold of the reins and he laughed again.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Lady Edith." Fili commented. "I'm just taking hold of the reins."

Edith could feel her cheeks go hot again. This was undoubtedly awkward, considering his thighs were pressed against hers and they were not even an inch a part. She could feel him breathing. It was an uncomfortable way of sitting, especially going up and down hills and rugged roads. The poor pony must have been miserable, having to carry the weight of a dwarf and a human. The roots of trees were endless and often Edith would lurch forward as the horse went over a large root. Fili steadied her when this happened. His hand was warm against her waist and could feel the heat radiating through her clothes.

There was light conversation amongst the dwarves as they road through the trees that morning. Most of them were complaining that it had been utterly useless to find their burglar. Some truly believed that Bilbo would refuse to show up.

"Wait!" a voice behind them shouted. "Wait! I signed the contract!"

There before them, the little hobbit came running up along side the horses, the contract flinging around in his hand. The line of horses came to a halt and Bilbo handed the contract to Balin who had been riding at the front with Gandalf and Thorin. He looked at the signature carefully.

"Everything appears to be in order! Welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Balin exclaimed, folding away the contract.

"Give him a pony!" Thorin said.

"Hey! How come he gets a pony?" Edith cried.

Thorin glared at her while others laughed.

"Oh, no really – that's – I've done my fair share of walking holidays. I'm sure I can keep up on foot!"

Two of the dwarves hauled the poor hobbit up onto a pony. He looked as uncomfortable as Edith must have felt.

"Pay up, Nori!" one of the dwarves shouted.

Bags of gold went flying around and Bofur looked back at Edith with a smile.

"Here you go, Lady Edith! Catch!" Bofur tossed her a small pouch filled with gold.

"Told you so!" Edith said, catching it.

Fili chuckled behind her as she shoved the coins into her pocket.

"What are they doing?" Bilbo asked.

"Oh, we all made gambles whether or not you would show up!" Edith exclaimed from behind.

Gandalf smiled at the hobbit as he caught his bag of gold and hid it in his satchel.

"What did you think, Gandalf?" Bilbo inquired.

"I never doubted you for a moment, my dear fellow." Gandalf answered, with a smile. "Neither did Lady Edith."

Bilbo glanced back at Edith who gave him a smile. He smiled back and then turned around, only to sneeze. He began sneezing repeatedly.

"Oh, it's horse hair…I'm having a reaction." Bilbo said. "Wait, wait stop! We must turn around! I've forgotten my handkerchief."

Bofur ripped something from his clothing and showed it to Bilbo.

"Here! Use this!"

He threw the piece of garment at the hobbit who barely managed to catch it. He looked at it in distaste before blowing his nose on it. There was a ghost of a smile on Gandalf's face as he looked at the hobbit who was riding beside him.

"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs, my dear Bilbo, and a great many other things before we reach the end of our journey. You were born to the rolling hills and the little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead!" Gandalf told the hobbit.

Edith smiled at the spectacle and giggled a little, only to have Bilbo turn and give her a look. She stopped laughing but still smiled at the little hobbit. He had no idea what the world lay ahead, neither did she for the matter. But Edith knew what it was to be in a war, to lose a home and loved ones. She was not as naïve as some of the elder, more knowledgeable dwarves thought she was. During the war against Germany, she had to grow up and learn to take care of things herself. She couldn't rely on the comforts of home forever. In time, Bilbo too, would realize this and come to accept it. She knew it, for she had to experience that.

She felt Fili shift behind her. Edith tried to shift as well but it was no use. There was not enough room between her and Fili to properly move.

"Comfortable?" Kili asked, riding up next to them.

Fili glared at his younger brother who only shrugged and smiled.

"I don't think this is quite comfortable for either of us. I wonder if Fili really knew what he was getting himself into." Edith answered, causing Kili to laugh.

"I know perfectly well what I was getting into, thank you." Fili muttered.

"Whatever you say, my dear," Edith said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"You should rest some, Edith." Fili continued. "I'll make sure you don't fall off."

"I can't rest on a moving horse." Edith countered. "It's rather difficult."

"Just close your eyes and relax." Kili said.

Edith tried to do that. When she closed her eyes, she thought of England. Jack came to her memories and she could see him standing before her. He was no doubt worried for her wellbeing. Within a few moments, she found herself relaxing against Fili and drifting into a light sleep. She could still hear the dwarves talking amongst themselves. She had no idea how long she was resting when the pony came to a halt. She awoke and looked around. They were stopping for a light lunch. Fili dismounted and helped her down after. Her knees nearly gave way. Her backside was sore, and her legs felt like jelly after sitting in that same position for so long. She wobbled towards the rest of the company and sat down beside Bilbo.

There was some form of cured meat, some bread had been saved from Bilbo's house. Bofur tossed her an apple which she caught easily. She sat there, admiring the trees as she looked up. It was a quiet world, unlike hers, full of automobiles and airplanes constantly roaring up in the heavens. The sun was warm and delightful on her back, even through the thickness of the branches.

"What are you thinking about, Lady Edith?" Fili asked walking over and sitting down beside her.

"I was just enjoying the quiet of the countryside and how beautiful it is." Edith answered, with a small smile.

"You really have not seen much of the world, have you?"

"I have, but I never got the chance to sit and admire it. There was a war raging and there really was no time to just look at anything. One minute you're sitting around with your friends and brothers-in-arms and the next, everything gets blown to bits in the blink of an eye and you're under attack. There's no time to waste when death is too close for comfort." Edith told, staring at the ground.

When Edith looked up, Thorin was watching her. He had been listening but looked away with a scowl on his face.

"Tell me about Jack." Fili said, leaning up against the tree with a pipe in his mouth.

"He's a wonderful man. We met during the war. He had been injured on the battlefield, so I was one of the healers who tended his wounds. We talked often, and I would visit him at night in the healing houses."

"What do you like most about him?"

"He's a kind soul. Though he was a soldier, he has a kind and caring heart. He looks after those he loves. He makes me laugh even when I am angry or upset. Jack…he's always been so good to me. But I argued with him before I came here, I never got to apologize." Edith continued.

"He sounds like an honorable man." Fili said, decidedly. "He's blessed to have a faithful woman such as yourself."

Edith smiled at his kind words.

"I don't deserve him, but I am glad he chose me. I love him to bits." Edith replied.

Once lunch was finished, Thorin had ordered a hasty departure. There was still lots of daylight to travel by. They needed to get as far as they possibly could before the day was out. They needed to reach the foot of the Misty Mountains at an agreeable pace. At some point during the day, it began to rain. It was cold. Edith shivered as the rain drenched her thoroughly and she mumbled curses as she didn't have any kind of jacket to cover herself with.

"Here, you can use mine. Take the reins for a moment."

She complied as Fili shifted behind her. He shrugged off his spare cloak and wrapped it around her, lifting the hood on her head. His arms slipped around her waist and took hold of the reins again. She thankfully wrapped the cloak around her, enjoying the warmth of it.

"Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked, irritably.

"That is beyond my power, Master Dwarf. For that you would need another wizard, one who can control the weather. So, unless if you find one, it will continue to rain until it has stopped!"

"Are there any?" Bilbo inquired.

"Any what?" Gandalf asked.

"Other wizards in Middle-earth," Bilbo added.

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. Then there is Radagast the Brown. There is myself and then the two blue wizards. Do you know, I have quite forgotten their names?"

"Is Radagast a great wizard or is he more like you?" the hobbit asked.

Edith burst into laughter at the hobbit's remark, causing some looks.

"I think he's a very great wizard. Though he prefers the company of animals to others. He looks after the world and all the creatures in it. It is a fortunate thing too, for the forests are growing darker. Foul things have been moving and stirring within the world."

"What sort of foul things have been moving, Gandalf?" Edith asked, once her laughter had quieted.

"Orcs, goblins, and other creatures of that sort have been becoming bolder. The Greenwood too is changing. It is now called Mirkwood for the gloom there has been spreading like poison. It won't be long before it spreads to other parts of the world."

The rains stopped once the company reached the edge of the forest. They came to a cliffside for the night and rested against a large side of a rock. Fili and Kili would have the first watch that night. A fire was made, and supper was being prepared. Edith was lying on her makeshift bed and looked up at the stars, wrapped in the cloak that Fili had given her. Soon, she fell asleep before getting the chance to eat.