I Run To You

A/N- I had to make the first chapter the way I did because of the storyline I have in mind. I am planning some rather big things for this story and hope I am keeping it as cannon as I can.

I also will give more descriptors of the timeline going on in here as the story moves forwards.

Disclaimer- I do not own this world, the main character and such, but the family of Ludeth and Dinodas are all mine.

'Thoughts'

Dwarven Words

I do hope you all enjoy this chapter where I introduce my two main OC characters for this story.

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Chapter 1:

'Squeek, Squeek'

"Is it done yet? I don't wish to miss the midmorning meal."

Sighing, a woman puts down the tool she'd been using to turn and glare at the man sitting on the bench nearby with his back to her. She couldn't understand how hobbits were always impatient when it came to food.

"For the last time Bilbo, it will be done when it's done. You can't rush these things, besides, do you want your door to fall off the next time you try to open or close it?" Her voice was heavy with annoyance. Considering she'd been pestered by the male for the last hour she thought she sounded quite paitent.

She heard low grumbling before she got an actual reply. "Alright, I'm sorry Lurol. I just am hungry...I only had first breakfast today, didn't think I'd be needing the second. Now I'm regreting that choice."

Shaking her head Lurol turned back to her work and knew she'd be finished soon. Just one more spot needed tightening and a bracer. Being the only multi-talented blacksmith in all of hobbiton Lurol's services were greatly desired and she was always kept fairly busy. This job though was a special favor for her cousin, besides, she'd wanted to check up on him.

After the death of his parents not so long ago Bilbo had changed, becoming more...well normal, for a hobbit. He used to ramble on and on about adventures and loved helping Lorol and her siblings with strange tasks. They used to be much closer but then Belladonna and Mungo had died, leaving only Bilbo to take on and pass on the Baggins name. A task he had taken seriously.

After tightening the last bolt Lurol straightened and stretched her back, "alright then, the door is done." Turning she looked down to find Bilbo currently arguing with a tall old man in grey. "...ure?! No...no, I don't think anyone past bree is longing for such a thing. Such nasty, unnessisary things, makes you late for diner." Bilbo hurried over to his mail box and snatched out what was inside, "good...good morning."

Lurol had barely picked up her tools and spare parts when Bilbo scurried past her and opened the door, "Good morning Lurol, Gandalf." He then shut the door with a slam and she blinked at the door before turning to look at the man in grey.

He was looking back at her and was shaking his head. He then made his way up the steps and towards the door, Lurol watched him in silence wondering just what he was doing. But when he reached the door he didn't knock as she'd expected, instead he used his staff to scratch something onto the door. When she read what was writen her eyes widened.

Clearing her throat at that point, she waited until he'd turned to look at her before she spoke. "I would say 'good morning' but that's a little out of place now. What I will say though is why are you messing up Bilbo's door? I just painted that a week ago and I am sure he will be most put out when he finds out you've been advertising him as a burgler."

The old man gave her a narrowed look his voice gruff as he spoke. "How can you read those runes? I didn't think hobbits knew Dwarvish." Raising an eyebrow at this she ran her hands through her hair, hair that just so happened to have traditional dwarven braids. "My mother taught me."

She then loaded up all her tools and such into the bag she'd brought with her, making her way past the old man and down the steps to the gate, opening it she turned to look back. "You'd better leave Bilbo alone, he can be quite stubborn about things like this. After all, this is Hobbiton."

She was about to leave when the old man called to her, "wait. You're not a hobbit are you? I've been trying to puzzle it out, but you are deffinitely not a hobbit." Sighing she waved at him, "follow me, I have a feeling that you won't drop this unless I explain."

The old man seemed to think about her offer before he nodded his head and did as she'd said. As they walked along she cleared her throat and decided to introduce herself properly, "I am Lurol Groundcarver, the local blacksmith and handywoman, of sorts." Blinking the old man nodded in understanding before replying, "it is a pleasure Miss Groundcarver, I am Gandalf the Grey and I am still wondering how I never noticed a dwarf living in the shire."

Lurol just shook her head, she should have known whom this old man was, she'd met him before only briefly. Even as a dwarfling she'd never really been very 'hobbity', prefering to practice her craft or convince her mother to teach her another fighting move. But she'd been there for every middsummer party, every festival, every event. This invarably included the fireworks that the wizard Gandalf always brought, such wonderus things those fireworks. They inspired her to start working with explosive powders and other such craft, increasing her skill and knowledge signifigantly.

"There are many hobbit's here and most of them look alike, not to mention the last time you were here I was barely in my sixties. Still far too young for my own good, although I do owe you thanks for your inspiration. You are the reason I gained many needed skills to improve my craft. Your fireworks were masterpieces." Lurol bowed her head respectfully to Gandalf whom looked at her with even wider eyes, she then motioned to the home before her. "Please, join me and my mother for our middmorning meal. It would be a great honor."

Feeling rather honored by the words of Lurol, Gandalf looked her over once again and wondered how he hadn't realized she was a dwarf sooner. Her clothes were of shire make, but they clearly held the purpose and wear only one whom worked long and hard would have. Her very long, almost too long, dark-red hair was secured back with braids and clasps, a normal dwarven custom. Hair was very sacred to them after all.

He supposed it must be the lack of a beard of any sort that had allowed him to not reach the right conclusion about her sooner. But then there were the blades that hung from her belt clearly as well as the lack of excess roundness to her form, she was short for a dwarf, only coming up a couple inches past four feet. Although he'd seen plently dwarrow that had been pleanty shorter than her.

Realizing they had come to stop Gandalf looked about at the scene before him. The home was rather well located, it was shored up against a side wall of a cresting hill, looking to have been carved out of the very hill itself. A very un-hobbit like thing, but the home itself as well as it's yard were very much a hobbit thing. A large yard full of farm animals and teaming with vegitation, he wasn't surprised to see a woman carefully tending a large vine of ripe blackberries.

What surprised him was that the woman wasn't a hobbit, she also was a good four foot seven which made her clearly seen from the road. She was a dwarrowdam, albiet with a shorn beard and dressed in hobbit attire. Her dark brown hair was secured back in a couple simple braids and her face was littered with ruff stubble from where a stubborn beard was trying to grow back. Her simple light brown dress and bright yellow apron contrasting with her dark blue black eyes.

This sparked a sence of recognition within him and as he puzzled over this he saw that the young dwarrowdam whom he'd followed had called to the elder, clearly her mother. The woman stopped, turned and froze at seeing him, a whisper of 'Gandalf' passing her lips.

He bowed at this and introduced himself at which the dwarf straightened up before bowing to him in turn speaking kindly, "it is a pleasure. I am Ludeth Took and I see you have already met my youngest Lurol. May I inquire as to why you are in the shire sir? I don't think there are any large celebrations planed in the coming future. At least none that would require you're particular expertise."

Coughing politely to clear his thoughts over the confusion of one being a Took and the other a Groundcarver, Gandalf looked to Lurol who in turn looked to her mother. "I invited him for the middmorning meal. I met him at cousin Bilbo's house and when he inquired about my species, I thought it best to bring him here to explain. He also was doing something at cousin's Bilbo's that caught my attention, something that I expect to be explained in return for my explantion. A trade of sorts."

Eyes wide at the trap he'd just stepped into, Gandalf couldn't help but admire this dwarrowdam. She was very good at stratagy, something that might just help in the coming future. Pushing that thought asside he bowed again and said, "yes. A trade, I have to admit my curiosity is overwhelming as to how a dwarf, a dwarrowdam of all things came to have the name Took. Let alone how you came to live in the shire, far away from anything remotely...well...dwarvish."

Ludeth raised an eyebrow at that as a smile crossed her lips, she waved him forewards and almost laughed out, "then come on in then. An offer of a meal isn't taken lightly here and a bit of conversation deffinitely won't go amiss."

Gandalf soon found himself seated at a dwarfsized table inside a very much lived in hobbit hole. There were little dwarven touches here and there, but most of it was clearly hobbit desig and colors. When a sweet smelling cup of tea and some cookies placed before him, Gandalf gladly took a sip and a few bites. He was shocked at the very heady taste of blackberries and honey, in both the cookies and the tea. It wasn't overpowering in the least either, in fact it was just right.

A soft chuckle had him looking over at Ludeth, she was standing just inside the room with a cup of her own in her hand. "I see you like my daughters blackberry bee tea and her specialty, blackberry clover cookies. She's a wonderful cook and spice maker, had even won several awards in the local contests."

Gandalf turned questioning eyes upon Lurol where she sat on the floor sharpening one of her tools, her mother had told her not to sharpen things on the table so she'd moved to the floor. The woman just shook her head while waving a hand in the air, "not me. One of my elder sisters. You couldn't get me to touch that flowery stuff, let alone cook it."

Even more intriged and confused by this, Gandalf turned back to Ludeth whom had come closer and finally took a seat across from him. "I see you truely are curious, although my story and that of my families isn't a short one. Are you sure you wish to hear it?"

Thinking about how long he had until he was to meet with most of the company in bree, Gandalf nodded his head, "I have my horse at farm on the outskirts of hobbiton, if I ride fast I won't miss my previous engagements. Please, I would be honored and pleased to hear your tale."

Smiling at this Ludeth sank back into her chair and took another deep sip of her tea.

"Let's see...I was born in the Iron hills to Yorin and Qudeth Groundcarver. I had two elder brothers, Rudeth and Vorin. I was the youngest by about thirty years, mostly a surprise to my parents but a welcome one none the less." Pausing in her remembrance, Ludeth did her best not to let the bittersweetness of those memories overwhelm her. She still had much to tell before the shire came into play.

"When time came and troops were summoned by King Thror to join him in the retaking of Moria, my entire family were ready for the call. We all packed up and headed out with Lord Dain, the battle was long and bloody. Many were lost, our King, his son Thrain and my entire family. I was glad we had won, but the price was far too high."

Sighing at this she lifted some of the hair on her forehead to show the wizard before her one of her many scars from that battle, oh so many years ago. "After healing from my wounds I came to a decision. I could no longer fight for my kind, or for anyone ever again. This would give me no place among my people and before I could be branded a coward, I left and didn't look back. For eight years I wondered the realms of elves, men, and other free folk. I worked to live, doing whatever I could stomach and never staying in one place too long."

Shaking her head she got up and went to get another cup of tea, she held up her cup to the wizard whom nodded his head silently and she brought the kettle out, pouring them both somemore of the soft smelling tea. Her daughter was a wonder when it came to such things and she thanked Mahal every day for blessing her child thusly.

"Now where was I, ah yes. I ended up in Bree and after a drunken brawl broke out I was accosted by several human men. They wanted to try something new and considering I was all alone. Let's just say they were so drunk they didn't care if I was male or female and tried to force me down. I fought them off, killing two for certain, the rest I wounded but they had wounded me in turn. I did they only thing I could, I ran."

She shook off the feeling of helplessness that had lead her into the depths of dispair durring that time she continued. "I kept running until I could run no more. I didn't take time to stop and check my wounds or even to rest, I had been drug down so low I didn't care if I lived or died. I started to feel almost like a lost spirt, wandering the world forever alone forever in darkness. Needless to say I ended up in the shire somehow just in sight of Bag End before I collapsed."

A soft smile crossed her lips when she recalled the first look she'd gotten of Berylla Baggins all those years ago. It had been like a breath of fresh air in a deep dank cave and she knew it had been fate leading her here, leading her home. Remembering the story she was telling she cleared her throat before she began again.

"I awoke in a small room in a very small bed, to a pair of small people. Hobbits." She chuckled, "I'll admit, at first I thought I really had died but the pain made it real and I soon found out I had been nursed back to health by one Berylla Baggins and Nettle, the Gaffer's wife."

Seeing the surprise and recognition in Gandalf's face she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Seeing this the wizard replied, "I knew Berylla and her husband Balbo. I was here for their wedding and had heard they'd had a son soon after."

Smiling at that Ludeth nodded in response. "Mungo. A dear child, I am saddened by his loss in these last years, his and Belladonna's. Both were very dear to me. Anyway, to continue, I was adopted soon after by Berylla whom I came to love as a mother and Balbo. I found peace here in the first few years and knew I could and would never leave this place again. I had come home that day I came stumbling into the shire, Mahal had guided me here."

Gandalf took a deep sip of the tea, polishing off the rest of it before reaching for another cookie. He waited paitently as Ludeth calmed the tears that threatened to rise and she smiled her thanks before continuing.

"I lived in the shire for several years, I shaved and started to dress like a hobbit and by the by started getting callers. But it wasn't until one day while I was helping Berylla to wash her children that I met my future husband, Dinodas Took. He was such a troublemaker, always teasing me and pulling at my hair." She sighed with fondness at the memory of their first real tussle.

She'd been picking apples when he'd shook the ladder, being a dwarf and heavier than the hobbits, she hadn't budged which had him trying to kick the ladder instead. He'd ended up hurting his foot and she'd had to carry him to the healer, he hadn't stopped touching her hair or her stubble which had made her blush. After that he'd become her shadow, until one day he nervously asked to take her to the next dance. Soon after they'd fallen in love and married happily.

Ludeth was about to continue when Gandalf raised a hand in questioning, "you mean to tell me your children are half-hobbit?" She just nodded her head with a smile. "Yes, all seven of them." Gandalf blinked, "Seven? I did not know a dwarrowdam could have that many. I always believed that three was considered rare amoung the Dwarrow."

"Yes, this is true...but their father wasn't a dwarrow was he? You've seen how much the hobbit's reproduce, little bunnies. But I believe it was also because none of my children were drug off to war, I've lived a peaceful life here. No fighting, no mining, no hard labor except in my gardens. I am far fatter than any other Dwarrowdam I've ever known, all thanks to living like and with hobbits."

It was Gandalf's turn to nodd in agreement, "I see, yes that would make sense. So your children?" Smiling at the prod to continue her tale Ludeth leant back in her chair once agian. "My first born was Rowena, she is now married to Brandybuck and has five children of her own. Her husband is a sheep breeder. Next there is Bargen, he is a musician and married a lovely Boffin lass. They had their third child just last year."

She smiled at the thought of all her grandchildren, they drove her mad sometimes but she loved them all dearly. "My son Falden was third born. He married one of the Maggot farms lasses, they have eight wonderful children and live in the buckland area. Next are my twins, Tansy whom married just last year and has recently had her first child, with another Took no less."

She was about to speak of the next one when a loud, "Mother I'm Home!" Echoed throuhout the house. Smiling she called out, "in the sitting room dear, come meet our guest." Moments later a red-head with firey green eyes came waddling in, she was carrying a large basket filled to the brim with all sorts of fruit. She looked in surprise from her mother, to her sister, to Gandalf and back again.

"Gandalf, this is Poppy, my fifth child and twin to Tansy. Poppy, this is Gnadalf the Grey, he's listenting to my stories of our family. I was just telling him about you." Poppy set the basket down and curtsied with a large smile across her freckled face, she was almost four foot and wore nothing but green which looked a little dingy with dirt at the moment. There was also leaves and sticks in her hair from her climbing trees all day.

"It is my pleasure Mr. Gandalf." Spying the empty kettle she tilted her head and inquired, "would you like more tea? I can whip you up some if you'd like." The old man blinked before he smiled at her, "so you are the one whom made such lovely delights. By all means, I would love to have more of your wonderful tea my dear."

Blushing at that Poppy nodded, took the kettle and rushed to the kitchen, leaving her basket of fruit forgotten on the floor. Seeing this Ludeth coughed, catching Lurol's attention from where she'd sat on the floor, she nodded her head towards the basket. Sighing in understanding, Lurol got up and took the fruit into the kitchen to her sister.

"Yes well, Poppy as you can see is a dear. She's just like her father, far more hobbit than dwarrow, she also has such skill with medicines as I have never seen the like. All of hobbiton comes to her for advice or help with such needs. She has yet to marry but there are several hopefuls...and she isn't getting any younger."

Shaking her head at her own words, Ludeth smiled at Gandalf. "The next is Rickon whom is a fisherman, he and his wife a Bracegirdle, had twins four years past. Then is my final child, my little Varag. Lurol is uniqe from her siblings, if you haven't seen so already. Her sister Poppy is more closer to what her other siblings are like, all more hobbit than anything. But Lurol is...well...she's more dwarrow. Hence her name"

She remembered Lurol's first years and remembered how she was more stern and serious than her siblings, how she reminded her of her dwarven mother. Which had lead to her wanting to know more about her Dwarrow herritage than anything. She'd even tricked her into teaching her how to use a sword and bow before her tweens.

"Lurol was a fast learner growing up and she wanted nothing more than to fight, be strong and make things. I knew I had an obligation to teach her like I would any dwarfling child, so I did. She can speak Khudzel, Silvian, and the common tongue. She is deadly with any weapon but more so hand to hand. She is a master at metalourgy and soon became the only known blacksmith in the whole of the shire. These for instance."

Ludeth lifted the tea cup and the spoon that sat inside, "all her work. Although, she didn't get as good at her craft until she saw your fireworks, she was a focused woman after that. Nearly blew up half my house with one of her 'experiments.' But I am pleased she found her place here...although this leads me to wonder if she may one day leave the shire."

Shaking off those thoughts she sighed and shrugged her shoulders at Gandalf's raised eyebrows. "Such is life, but at least I know she will be able to protect herself wherever she goes." When she trailed off Gandalf noticed something that had not been spoken of so he asked, "where is your husband then? What does he do?"

Ludeth grew solem at that and in the end it was Lurol who answered. Walking back out with a plate of cut peaches and apples, with her sister behind her with the steaming kettle. "Our father died Seventy Two years ago Master Gandalf, he caught a summer cold and never recovered. This is why Poppy is so skilled in the healing arts, she never wanted to see another die of such a simple thing again. Now no one in all of the shire even comes close to death with a cold. It honors our father's memory."

Gandalf looked at Ludeth with sad eyes and quickly apologized. She waved him off, "you wouldn't have known. Do not trouble yourself. Now...as promised Gandalf, it is your turn. Just what were you doing at Bilbo's house this morning?"

A/N- Well then, there we are. My first chapter and my main leading ladies introduced. I hope you like them, I took a long time creating them.

I have big plans for them as well, not to mention for two lucky dwarf boys!

If you wish to know more, such as ages of the girls and all their sibs, I've got that all down as well and would be happy to send any interested all the details in a pm. Don't hesitate to ask.

Also, Lurol's name means- Magic River in Dwarvish and the nickname her mother used,Varag means- Wolf.

Now I am off to work on another chapter and another story. I do hope you will all review and keep reading my work. I do love the comments and support you all give me.

May the Fluff be with you!

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