Chapter Four my darlings :D how are you enjoying this story so far? Please review or even message me, the more reviews and messages the more I write as I know people are actually reading this! MWAH enjoy!
First light of morning catches my eyes slowly waking me up from the dreams of mountain ranges, pines and dragon fire. Glancing up at the ceiling I sigh, this will probably be the last time for a long time that I will have a comfy bed to sleep in. Sitting up I look out my window, seeing the sun just rising over the small hill in the distance I quickly jump out of bed. Ignoring the closet I instead go to the blanket box at the bottom on my bed. Opening the lid I grin at the small sword laying at the top.
"Hello old friend." Gently picking it up I place it on the bed as I pull out my travelling clothes and then my bow and arrows that were hidden right at the bottom. Changing into clean undergarments I pull on the tight brown pants and white shirt, tying my corset over the top of the shirt I attach my sword to the attachment I managed to sew on, even with my horrific sewing skills. Pulling on my thick socks I pull on my walking boots till the top reaches my knee, lacing them up I grin at the small initials on one of the heels, 'BT'. Pulling on my deep green jacket, slipping a few handkerchiefs inside, I quickly start shoving my spare traveling clothes in my back pack as well as a sewing kit, a few pairs of socks, my small knife and some flint as well. Attaching the sleeping roll at the bottom of the pack I spy my green cloak hanging on the back of my door, slipping it also in the pack I then grab my hair brush, smiling I brush my wavy hair. The one thing I hated about travelling having long hair. It gets caught in everything! How do elves manage? Braiding it I let it hang down my back while tying the end with a leather thong.
Grabbing my bow and arrows and pack I open my bedroom door quietly and creep down the hall way, peeking through the doorway to the living room I see some of the dwarves snoring away, hiding a grin I place my stuff by the front door, peeking over my shoulder I quickly slip out of it.
Time to go get Mia.
Snatching an apple off one of the apple trees on the way to Farmer Margo's I munch on the fruit as I see Hobbiton snooze away. Hobbit's were never known for getting up too early unless they needed to farm or if there was a celebration. Jumping over one of the fences to the large field I jog up to the farmers door, best let him know I'm taking Mia before he thinks someone has stolen her. Knocking at his blue door I look out over the field and see a small speckle of white and brown. At least she is close this time.
As the blue door opens I smile at the grumpy farmer, yes Hobbit's are not morning people. "I'm so sorry to wake you Master Margo, I'm just letting you know I'm taking Mia and her items. Thank you so much for allowing her to stay in your field!" Feeling his eyes rake over my outfit choice and sword he just shakes his head and huffs. Well, nice to see you too! Broadening my smile, I leave the grumpy farmer to go back to sleep as I head towards the shed that was by the gate, whistling I open the door and see Mia's saddle and bridle. Lifting them both up I take them outside, placing them on the fence I attempt to find a brush which I am sure the farmer leaves around here somewhere. A neighing behind me made a laugh escape me as I glance over and see the small mare galloping towards me. Holding my arms out she barely stops in time as I wrap my arms around her neck, rubbing the soft hair I place my head against hers.
"Hello Mia, did you miss me sweetie?" A chewing and tugging on my hair made me turn as I see her munching away on my braid; swishing it out of the way I giggle. "Now my friend there is no time to lark about we need to get you ready! Are you ready for another adventure?" I ask as I finally find the brush. Rolling my eyes at her returning huff I quickly resort to getting her journey ready by cleaning her coat, hooves and giving her saddle a quick buff. Smirking at the pony who is glaring at me I give her a soft kiss on her nose, "time to go girl". Holding on to her reins I lead her through the gate, I get another apple off the tree as we both walk up to my Hobbit Hole, sharing half of it with the moody mare before she ends up biting my ass. Tying her up at the front fence I can hear a few murmurs from the dwarves in side. Seems everyone's up. Pointing at Mia I give her my best glare, "no eating any of Bilbo's flowers missy, he still hasn't forgiven you after the incident with his prize roses!" Her snort wasn't exactly reassuring.
Opening the green door I see a few of the dwarves placing some of the moved furniture back into his original place as others were getting their things together, checking that my items were in their original place by the door, I totter off into the kitchen to grab some food.
"Hey up lassie, thought you had done a runner," Balin chuckles from the table placing some bread and cheese on a plate for me. Grinning in thanks at the older dwarf I get a glass of water before sitting next to him.
"Nah, isn't my style Mr. Balin," I chew on the bread and cheese as I watch the rest of the dwarves grabbing more and more weapons from beside the door. "Are we all ready to go?" He nods before looking at the contract on the table, following his gaze I see my signature was still the only one on there. Oh Bilbo, feeling Balin's gaze I look up into his watery blue eyes.
"Are you still with us lass?" Hadn't I pledged my oath to Fili yesterday?
"Till the end". Chuckling he pats my shoulder before standing, following him I quickly wash my dish and leave it to dry.
"Ah my dear Ayah, I wondered where you had scampered off to, have you eaten?" Looking over my shoulder I see Gandalf holding onto his staff and hat.
"I just had a quick errand to run, I am ready when you are my friend," grinning down at me he motions for me to enter the entrance hall, seeing Thorin nodding at the dwarves they all start to file out the door. Stepping around them I grab my pack and weapons, placing the bow and arrows on my back I carry my pack out to Mia. Narrowing my eyes at her as I see flowers surrounding her had been thinned out, I attach my pack to her saddle, "oh Mia, what am I going to do with you?" Whinnying she peaks her head around to watch me walk to her left side.
"Need a step up my lady?" A cheekily grinning Fili appeared by my side, smirking back at the dwarf I place my foot in one of the stirrups.
"No, my lord, do you?" Launching myself onto Mia's back I place my other foot in her stirrup, laughing at the dwarves shocked faces I clicked Mia on to Gandalf's side who was chuckling under his breath. Glancing back at my Hobbit Hole I try not to frown; Bilbo better hurry up when he finally wakes. Mia's soft whinny shook me out of the daze I was in, rubbing her neck softly I follow the dwarves out of the main part of Hobbiton to where all their ponies were tied up. Seeing Tom Brandybuck watching them I cheerfully greet him as spots me, after accepting some money from Balin he makes his way over to me.
"Hello Miss Ayah, where you off then, not another adventure?" Leaning forward I shrug, feeling a few eyes on me I try to ignore them.
"You know me Tom, I just can't sit still for too long," shaking his head he pats Mia on her neck.
"Aye, it's a wonder that you still get suitors. What did you tell Samuel Proudfoot yesterday, don't give me that look lass the whole of the Shire heard him declare you his bride!" Chuckling at the Hobbit I force down the blush, bloody Samuel Proudfoot always getting himself into bother.
"I simply told him what I tell all those that ask me; would you really want me as a wife?"
"Ah, you are a free spirit Miss Ayah, that be for sure. Wouldn't you like a nice lad just to settle down with and not keep having these silly bothersome adventures? You are just as bad as the Took's, what has your cousin Bilbo got to say about your leaving this time?" He huffed out while crossing his arms, blushing under all the dwarves gaze I play with Mia's reins.
"No lads here that I would wish to marry Tom, Bilbo just accepts this is part of who I am. When I find the right person, I will happily settle down, until that time I do wish you all to stay out of my business. Good Bye, friend". With that I click Mia on, the burn in my cheeks remaining I hide my face from the dwarves until I come to a stop by Gandalf. A soft hand pats my shoulder, peeking up at the Wizard he gives me a soft smile before filling up his pipe. Straightening my jacket, I start to fiddle with a few of the buttons; it hasn't escaped my ears when the other Hobbits scorn me for not being married yet nor without a suitor and how thankful they are that Momma is not here to see it. I've had my offers of course, but they were all so boring. There is no life or excitement in them for new things, they would prefer to go to the Green Dragon have a few half pints of beer and go home to a homecooked pie. Rubbing Mia's neck, I can't help but shake my head; I could not spend my days cleaning and looking after a hobbit hole with nothing to excite me. That is not my path in life. I'm sure of it.
A tugging on the reins pulls me out of my day dream, Mia was following Gandalf's horse as we all have started travelling again. Good job one of us is paying attention. Patting her neck, I sit up properly and follow Gandalf across the small stream and into the luscious green trees. Holding my hand out I let the green leaves trickle across my palm. Feeling the energy, I let it flow through me, breathing in the air I let a genuine grin spread across my face. This was my home.
"You look happy lass", turning my head to see the dwarf with the flappy hat – Bofur I think – riding beside me smoking on his pipe.
Lowering my hand to grab a small conker that was forming on one of the branches, "aye Mr. Bofur, that I am"; sliding out my knife I gently prize the nut from its shell.
"You used to being in the wild? You seem more the kind of lass that should be kept at home safe," he murmurs around his pipe, ready to give him hell I suddenly see the twinkling in his eyes. Cheeky bugger. Giggling at him I simply shake my head, "No Mr. Bofur the safest place for me is out here. As you could see before Hobbit men don't like women who ride ponies and slip off for small adventures, they rather tame women who stay in and cook". Wrinkling his nose at my reply he mumbles under his breath.
Seeing my raised eyebrows, he smirks, "Hobbit's obviously have never had the fun of an untamed woman aye?" Flustered I can feel the burn climbing up my neck, his cackling did nothing to help the situation. "Any way lass before you distracted me I was going to ask if you wanted to take part in a little bet? Hobbit's do bet, don't they?" Trying to get over the crudest thing I've heard in a long time I nod.
"What's the bet?" He rubs his hands, uh oh.
"Whether Master Baggin's turns up or not, you in?" Before I can open my mouth the two young princes ride up beside us.
"Mister Bofur, you aren't trying to swindle out of our lovely Hobbit are you?" Fili pretends to scold as I roll my eyes, reaching into my jacket I pull out a bag of coins.
"I wager that Bilbo will come, and it will before the sun sets today". Fili and Kili chuckle as Bofur's grin curls even bigger.
"You are on lass, want me to keep your coins safe? It's not safe in the wild you know". Worse thing about men, so patronising. Pulling my jacket open further so the dwarves can see a dagger hidden inside right by my pocket I store the coins back inside.
"No thank you Master Dwarf, I believe they will be quite safe with me", Dwalin's booming laugh made the three dwarves jump. As the large dwarf rides past he slaps his hand on top of my shoulder nearly unseating me.
"The lassie will fit in just fine," smiling at the big dwarf I wiggle my eyebrows at the other three. Fili and Kili grin as Bofur pouts, falling back to speaking to his brother Bifur. Spoil sport.
"So Miss Ayah –""Just Ayah please Kili". I interrupt, it's a long way to the mountain and if they all continue to call me miss I may go mad.
"Ayah, then, we've heard off Gandalf that you have been out here in the wilderness alone before, may we ask why?" Looking to my left the young dwarf was giving me such puppy eyes it was breaking my heart, biting my lip I roll the conker that I still had in my hand.
"it's not a happy story, Kili", trying to dissuade them. Both brothers catch my eye as Fili leans back in his saddle.
"Tell us anyway?" His deep voice soothes me, giving him a soft smile I go to open my mouth before we all start to hear shouting.
"Do you hear that?" Turning around in my saddle I can see Bilbo in his fathers maroon jacket running full pelt after us. Grinning in pride at my cousin I slow down Mia so the rest of the dwarves behind us start to stop.
"Wait … WAIT!" Tottering past my pony I giggle at the flapping contract that Bilbo was carrying, did he have that in his hand the entire way here?
"I signed it!" Balin catches my eye as he holds out his hand for it, seeing Gandalf's twitching moustache behind him I beam. Least I'm not the only one happy to see him.
"Can't believe he bloody came," hearing Kili's whisper I clap him on the shoulder.
"Us Hobbit's are full of surprises," laughing at the surprise on his face I move Mia towards Bilbo leaving Fili and Kili behind me.
"Everything seems to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield". A few of the other dwarves behind cheered as I beamed down at my cousin who looked mighty pleased with himself, or did until Thorin told us to get him a pony now Bilbo just looked increasingly panicked.
"No, no, no, no that—that won't be necessary, thank you, but i—I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I've done my fair amount of walking holidays, you know. I even got as far as Frogmorton once", holding in the laughter of Fili and Bofur picking him up and placing him on a small pony I see Gandalf slowing down to ride beside him. Taking pity on my dear cousin I ride just in front of him so his pony would follow Mia, turning in my saddle I hide another grin. His hands were up in the air by his head with the reins clenched tightly.
"Bilbo, lower your hands till they are by your hips and loosen your hold on the reins, poor old Myrtle is being strangled", I instruct quietly so not to embarrass him. Following my instructions, he sheepishly grins. All those times I told him to come for a ride on Mia which he refused is probably catching up to him. Spotting Bofur behind him I smirked, pay back time.
"Oh Master Bofur?" The dwarf in question looked up at me, a teasing grin on his lips. "Why don't you let me keep those coins safe for you". Giving him a cheeky wink he tips back his head and roars with laughter.
"Aye Lassie, here ya go!" He throws his coin purse to me, catching it I slip it in my pocket. Least he wasn't a sore loser. Although I may have started a chain reaction as Oin shouted to Nori and soon coin purses were flying.
"What's that about?" Bilbo asks me and the wizard.
"Hmm? Oh they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't." Gandalf's lip twitched into a grin, chuckling I turn back in my saddle.
"What did you think?" Laughing at Bilbo's face as Gandalf caught a coin purse thrown from Dwalin he threw it in the air and hid it away in his robes.
"My dear fellow, I didn't doubt you for a second". Bilbo smiled before letting out an almighty sneeze. Uh oh.
"Ooh. All this horse hair, I'm having a reaction." Rolling my eyes at the complaining Hobbit I slow Mia down so I'm level with him. "No, no, no, wait. Stop! We have to turn around!" Bemused we all stop and look at Bilbo.
"What on earth is the matter?" Grabbing Bilbo's jacket I stop him from falling off the side of his pony as he frantically searches all his pockets.
"I forgot my hankerchief". Groaning I let go of him as I pull one out of my pocket.
"Here Bilbo, have mine".
"Move on!" Feeling a scorching gaze on us I look up to see Thorin's scornful glare before he rides on. Looking back at my cousin I gently pat his shoulder, I will make sure he proves that king wrong on my word as a Hobbit.
"You'll have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey's end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you; the world is ahead." Seeing Bilbo in a worried daze I reach out and slip the conker in his hand, bemused he looks up into my green eyes.
"Something to remind you of home, there is more to you Bilbo than being a Baggins. Trust me Cousin! You aren't alone in this!" Sharing a secret smile I let go of his hand and follow the dwarves, chatting with Bilbo and explaining to him what certain plants are and the herbal properties of some of them and which ones go well with Rabbit, Boar or Deer.
Hopefully some of this information would stick in my Cousin's mind, seeing his happy daze I think possibly not.