When I awoke the next day, I knew that I slept far later than I usually did; the sun was brightly shining through my window and my bedroom was heated with the Thrimidge sun. I groaned from the puffiness of eyes that hadn't slept deeply enough and rolled over again before burrowing deeper into my blankets.

The dwarves!

My eyes snapped open and I popped out of bed, looking in vain for a dressing robe that was still out in the main hallway. Remembering where it was, I cursed and debated for a second before just rushing out into the hallway in my night chemise and going straight for the robe. The silence in the house stopped me as soon as I got a few steps out into the hall; I strained my eyes to listen for any sounds that were out of place. Any clanking of pots or pans, cutlery being abused or even the smell of tea wafting in the air gently...

But there was nothing. Nothing at all.

I hesitated before making my way through my hobbit hole, looking into rooms where dwarf beds had been set up and were abandoned come morning. Nothing was put away, blankets and pillows lying about disheveled and without care. The thought should have been frustrating, and in a way it was, but I couldn't bring myself to want to mentally chastise the dwarves. I tip-toed through the hallways, peeking into more rooms and going into the sitting room and in one painfully clear moment, I realized that I was alone in the hobbit hole.

There was no sign of the sly wizard, Gandalf. No sense of his protective presence around me, egging me along to join in whatever merriment he believed was happening. All of the dwarves were gone too. The rowdiness taken with them, leaving a hobbit hole as unmade and improper as could possibly be but yet lacking all sense of discord.

Worse yet, I realized, their voices were gone.

I should have been happy. I should have been jumping with glee and parading around in my skivvies only too glad to be rid of them and yet, I couldn't muster the energy to do such a thing. The very thought that all of that torture yesterday was gone and never to return – for indeed their quest was very long and dangerous – and yet, I just couldn't stomach the idea of them leaving and never hearing their unique voices again.

What had I been thinking the night before?

I dashed for my study, grabbing a travelling bag and ran back into my room. I jumped over displaced chairs and thrust open my closet door, shoving in changes of chemise shifts and shirts. The night shift I wore was unceremoniously packed into the bag too and I tugged down a shorter sleeved shift over my head before tossing my bag aside.

I was going to be travelling so I needed my bloomers and a lighter petticoat (I was still a proper lass, after all!) and I stepped into those, laces taking entirely too long in fumbling fingers. A golden skirt easily buttoned into place and a shirt tucked in, barely buttoned before I pulled a green vest from my drawer. I cursed at just how many buttons I had to deal with, leaning over to rummage through my closet until I found my red coat. As I left the room, I grabbed a yellow ascot ribbon and my bag and hurried off to the kitchen for provisions.

I only had a little time to pack some light foods, shoving apples, breads, cookies, and dried meats that would keep before I raced back into my sitting room for my pipe and pipeweed. Once those two very precious items were shoved into my bag carefully, I dashed away back down the hallway. I was a flurry of skirts and fabric, bouncing from one room to another in the hopes that I wasn't forgetting anything.

As a final seal of approval for the adventure I was going on, I stopped in my study and grabbed a bottle of ink and a quill and went over to the contract that still lay so innocently on the side table. I signed it with a flourish, my name so contentedly staring up at me from below the names of Thorin and Balin before I blew on it so the ink would dry.

I left Bag End without much thought at all as to what would happen to it if I were not there and locked the door behind me. As soon as I was outside able to see the bright blue sky and the clouds overhead, I smiled because it was a very good morning; or, at least that was what my feet told me as I raced down dirt paths and grassy hillsides, the soft dirt helping me jump over fences and pumpkins alike.

Over gardens and passed people, bumping into a few of them with a hasty apology, I laughed and smiled and ran as hard and fast as my legs could carry me. I was a Took again, skirts flying in the air around me as I jumped over fences and cut through the fields of Hobbiton instead of taking the pathways. It was all so improper, the feeling of soft tilled earth beneath my feet that had no business being stepped on in such a way but it felt amazing.

"Hey! Miss Bilbo! Where are you off to?"

Hamfast Gamgee was busy toiling away in his own garden when he probably heard me first and then saw the sight of a hobbit lass, who was far too old to be bursting out from bushes, come into view. The look of astonishment on his face was enough for me to burst out in giggles as I hurried on by, careful to at least not step on his garden. I laughed loudly at the feeling of his fingers tickling my sides just as they used to when I was a little girl and threw him my keys in passing, "Can't stop! Already late! I'm going on an adventure!"

I ran out of the borders of Hobbiton, feeling the slight burn in my lungs as I raced ever onward along the path that would eventually house the familiar sight of thirteen dwarves and a one very tall wizard. I was already so very late and they would most likely be very far in the distance if their talk of ponies from the night before were any indication of how far they could travel in a few hours. I was lucky enough to have slept late but not much later than I usually did; any later and they would have been almost too far to follow behind.

There were little things about the Shire that were convenient even to folk who were not Hobbits and a limited number of paths leading to the main roads into the wilds was one of them. I knew exactly where they would be going in the long run and by the size of their company, I guessed which path would easily afford them. I urged my feet to go faster, the contract blowing in the wind as I jumped over large rocks in my way and stumbled in mud when I was caught unaware.

I couldn't believe even as I ducked under low hanging tree branches and hopped over bushes alike that I was actually going on an adventure just as Gandalf asked me to just days previous! I actually thought him mad when he asked, so repelled by the idea that I very nearly yelled at him to stop joking with me.

I couldn't even imagine the sight I must make now, kicking up dust and grass in a bustle of fabrics and hair that would undoubtedly look awful when I finally stopped.

I had to see them again. I had to see the dwarves again. I did not know any of them by any means but their voices and the effect they had on me was something that I couldn't ignore. Since the death of my parents, so much of my world just seemed to drift on by but with their arrival, everything was coming back.

The very wind rushing by ears filled my mouth with a cool sensation as it hadn't done in years and the trickle of the nearby streams chilled my hands in a soft flow. So many years long gone since the most mundane of sounds seemed so fresh to me.

No, I couldn't just let this chance of seeing and exploring the very world pass me by, not if it had sounds the likes of which I never before heard.

Speaking of which... what was that tickling sensation in my nose?

I rubbed my nose out of habit, gasping in surprise when the contract I held smacked me in the face none too gently. It flailed in the wind as I tried to fight it back, the long length protesting to its treatment and smacking me again like it was some dastardly foe trying to kill me!

As soon as I got the contract back under control, I thought I saw something in the distance. I squinted just to be sure and when I was exactly sure of what I saw ahead of me, I felt silly for allowing the sight of rude, somewhat smelly dwarves to make my heart skip a beat at the sight of them. I couldn't help but smile when I saw their bulky forms atop ponies, their cloaks and furs standing out starkly from the green forests of the Shire. I urged my feet to go faster, ignoring how my calves burned with protest at the treatment, slowly inching up behind the large company of one Thorin Oakenshield.

The loud sound of the collective hooves of the ponies was what I heard before, my nose once again tickling before I brushed off the sensation. Even from this distance, I could make out Kili's laughter in a faint tug at my bottom and Dwalin guffawing over something one of the brothers said. The forest echoed their voices around, the sensations slight as they bounced off of my body.

"Wait!" I called, hoping for them to hear me so that I didn't have to keep on running behind them. My feet were getting tired and never had I run so hard in my entire life, "Wait!"

Gandalf seemed to hear me and indeed as did the others; they were slowing, urging their ponies to stop and turn to see what was happening behind them. Some of them recognized my voice, I could tell from the look of surprise and amazement on their faces even as I urged my feet onward and started to trail to a stop in a loud huff.

I held up the contract, happier than anything that I had finally caught up with the group. "I signed it!" I exclaimed excitedly, instantly berating myself because of how like a little child wanting to be praised it made me sound. I went closer to let Balin inspect the document, hoping everything was alright or if I still needed to do anything else to validate it. I smiled at the elderly dwarf, inching away when his pony stared at me a little too much.

Everyone was just waiting for Balin to give his confirmation or send me on my way; I chanced it, a glance at Thorin who still sat so straight on his pony, his hard gaze looking down at me from his fuzzy pony like he was both a little surprised by my appearance and a little exasperated. I was sure he wanted nothing more than for me to just head on back to where I came from but nope, I was here. I had signed the contract. I grinned at him before Balin's voice poked at my cheek, "Everything appears to be in order."

Everyone relaxed and some even grinned at one another, "Welcome, Miss Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

I giggled in excitement, the very prospect of the adventure now suddenly more real than it had even been while I raced outside the borders of Hobbiton. I was a Took now more than ever, ready to begin my long journey and see the world-

"Give her a pony."

Thorin's voice always so sensual before roughed along my back like a bark against the skin, hitting heavily and making me stumble forward a little.

I would have thought over what the change meant if I hadn't exactly heard his command, the warmth from my cheeks draining instantly at the instruction. I was not a Took anymore. I was a Baggins of Bag End and we did not ride ponies! I backed away from Balin's pony with its creepy wet mouth that tried to nip at me and tried to keep the look off my face that indicated that I thought they smelled quite foul.

No, I couldn't ride one of these horrid beasts! I was not going to be forced into it either! I was a part of this company and I would not be bullied into riding any foul creature that I didn't want to! Ponies were disgusting and very large and one of them just farted so I felt that just quite accurately took care of why I did not like ponies in the slightest.

No, I was a proper Hobbit lass and I would do no such thing, "NO! No no, that won't be necessary!"

"I'm a prop- sure I can keep up on foot! I've done my fair share of walking holidays!"

I tried to protest Thorin's command, tried to make him see reason and the folly of putting me on a pony. Hairy beasts that farted and pooped the way they did had no business being ridden by a hobbit lass. There were none even equipped with a side saddle for such things! I couldn't even fathom the idea of explaining that one to the company of male dwarves but as soon as I even attempted, a yelped escape my mouth. I was horrified by the sound I made, realizing at once from the pressure on my jacket that Fili and Kili had actually lifted me up! LIFTED me up from the ground as if I were so insignificant!

I squeaked in protest to the treatment, blushing madly as Fili caught sight of the ruffle of my bloomers and raised an eyebrow at me. They waited until a pony walked forward and deposited me like a sack of potatoes in the seat, watching me as I bumbled around in the saddle, fixing skirts and shoving fabric down to cover everything that was indecent.

What was I thinking going on such an adventure?! Was I even really thinking!?

I grabbed the reins that Fili offered to me, turning red when Kili's laughter erupted from my other side and squeezed affectionately at the skin. Soon enough Gandalf was beside me, keeping an eye on me as I tried to get used to the fact that I was on a pony and actually riding like a male would, my skirts all bunched up in the saddle despite all my best efforts.

My pony reared its head and neighed at me for whatever reason, I wasn't sure, but I flinched back sure as all things sacred that it was going to kill me. The pony was actually going to kill me! Murder me and leave me in some back alleyway behind some seedy tavern, I was sure of it! Gandalf was looking at me like I was quite the funny sight, a grin almost hidden by his beard that instantly caught my attention. He was going to be the accomplice, I knew! He and the pony were both going to kill me, possibly even eat me! I just wasn't sure anymore.

I wanted to go home; and I wanted to get down from the pony!

"Come on, Nori, pay up!"

Oin's voice played inside my ear and I barely had a moment to process that he had even spoken before Nori turned around in his saddle and threw a pouch of money into the waiting hand.

"What's that about?"

The sound of the hooves made my nose tickle unpleasantly and the tickling itch in my hair from my own voice poked at me as I asked Gandalf this question; he just shrugged in that manner that was so like him and smiled gently, "Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up."

Another pouch was tossed behind us, this time being caught by Fili; my eyebrow raised in question only to be answered with a grin shared by both brothers.

"Most of them bet that you wouldn't."

I nodded almost unconsciously, agreeing that it seemed to make sense that I wouldn't show up. Gandalf had that gleam in his eye and a grin on his lips though that made me curious to know what he thought on the subject. Did he trust in his instincts or did he assume he had been wrong about me?

"What did you think?"

Only a second passed, a slight hum in his throat and a pressing weight on my shoulder before a pouch of coins was tossed back to be caught by him.

"My dear girl, I never doubted you for a second."

The tickle in my nose continued, insistent now.

I almost chuckled at the sentiment that was expressed for Gandalf always did seem to know how things would turn out in the end. His position on whether or not I would turn up was probably why Oin and the some of the other members even bothered to bet otherwise... still, that didn't really explain why Fili and not Kili bet that I would show up...

The persistent itch in my nose finally escalated and I couldn't prevent it anymore, a loud sneeze coming from me that nearly shook my whole body. Gandalf looked at me in question, "Horse hooves..." I began to explain, knowing that I could say aloud what triggered my sneeze since Gandalf already knew about my Ear Touch sense. I was about to tell him too but as I dug into my pockets for my handkerchief, I realized with quite keenly felt horror that I couldn't find my handkerchief.

Did the pony eat it when I wasn't paying attention?!

No no no! My handkerchief was nowhere to be found! Had I not even brought it!? I made sure to pack everything and though even I can admit that I had not done the most thorough of double checks before I left Bag End... to just forget my handkerchief was... ABSURB!

Wait wait!" I panicked, raising my hand to let Thorin understand my plight, "Stop! Stop! We have to turn around!"

I noticed that I was acknowledged enough in the company to warrant a full stop, Thorin turning his pony to see what was the matter. Gandalf beside me was a little less patient about the stop, huffing at me with barely concealed exasperation, "What on earth is the matter?"

"I forgot my handkerchief!"

The group relaxed, chuckling at the display that I was making. Did none of them understand the importance of having a pocket handkerchief for when they sneezed or when things got sticky and messy out in the woods?!

"Here, use this!"

The tickle of my feet made me flinch and start to laugh but I forced the urge down and watched in utter alarm when Bofur actually tore a piece of his outer coat off and threw it back to me. I caught it out of reflex alone but immediately wished I hadn't.

It was disgusting.

It smelled a little, was grimy with dirt and horse hair, and why was it a little wet? I sniffed it just out of caution and heard Thorin's voice bark up ahead to move on.

I looked at Gandalf, who just shook his head at me with a smile on his face, almost as if he weren't sure what to make of me. I just looked at him as if he were insane. Why would anyone want to go on adventures if murderous ponies and disgusting handkerchiefs were one of the main staples?

I wanted to go home.