Clill sighed as she and Balin rode through the Wild. According to Gandalf's orders, all of the Dwarves were traveling at different times in order to reach the Shire at different times. He wanted their burglar to make a decision on joining their quest. The burglar needed time to prepare for all of the Dwarves to stay in their home for the night before they left.
"Father, how much longer will it be until Thorin joins us?" Clill asked.
"We're nearly there", Balin answered. "Thorin should be close. "I'm sure he will arrive tonight. He can't afford to miss meeting our burglar."
"Will the person Gandalf told us about agree to be our burglar?" she asked. "It seems too much to ask of from a stranger."
"Gandalf has never led us astray", he said. "Keep your faith in him."
He gently ran his finger across her cheek, trying to keep her hopes up.
The long journey continued into the night. By the time they had reached the Shire, all folks were in their homes. They were looking for the house on the highest hill in town with a small mark on the door. Gandalf mentioned the name Bilbo Baggins.
"I hope they have food ready", Clill mumbled as her stomach growled.
"It'll be rude if there is no food", Balin said.
They rode their ponies up the path, going to the house at the top of the hill with a tree sitting on top. They tied their ponies to the fence and climbed up, seeing a blue glowing mark on the door.
"This must be it."
Balin lifted his hand and grabbed the string, ringing the bell to the door. To their surprise, the person who answered the door was slightly shorter than them. Both Dwarves were unused to the presence of Hobbits.
"Balin…"
"And Clill…"
"At your service."
The two Dwarves bowed to the Hobbit, showing curtesy and respect. The young Hobbit looked at them, almost looking annoyed and clueless.
"Good evening", he said.
"Yes, yes it is", Balin nodded looking at the sky. "Though I think it might rain later. Are we late?"
"Late for what?" Bilbo asked confused.
"Uncle!" Clill smiled as she looked inside.
Sure enough, Dwalin could be seen as the first arrival, looking through Bilbo's possessions in the den. Balin and Clill stepped inside, handing their weapons to Bilbo. Clill giggled as she hugged her uncle, letting him lift her off her feet as he returned the hug.
"You've grown more lovely than the last time I've seen you, lass", he smiled pinching her cheeks.
She giggled and stepped aside, letting her father greet him.
"Evening, brother", Balin chuckled.
"Oh, by my beard", Dwalin smirked. "You are shorter and wider than last we met."
"Wider, not shorter. Sharp enough for both of us."
Clill and Bilbo watched as the two brothers embraced before bashing their heads together. Dwalin wrapped his arms around his brother and niece as he led them to the pantry. Bilbo dropped their weapons at the door as he followed them.
"Uh, excuse me", he said. "Sorry, I hate to interrupt, but the thing is… I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house."
"What are you talking about?" Clill asked. "We were told this was the place to come."
"Come for what?" Bilbo asked.
Dwalin and Balin paid him no mind as they went through the pantry looking for some more food to eat, filling their mugs with ale.
"It's not that I don't like visitors", Bilbo continued. "I like visitors as much as the next Hobbit, but I do like to know them before they come visiting."
"Haven't you been informed already?" Clill asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about", he said. "The thing is… um… I don't know either of you, not in the slightest. I don't mean to be blunt, but I uh, but I had to speak my mind. I'm sorry."
Balin and Dwalin looked at him, apparently never having heard a word he had said except the last sentence.
"Apology accepted", Balin nodded.
