Thorin looked over at Clill who kept looking inside the Hobbit hole. He could tell she was having second thoughts about leaving without Bilbo, but his mind was made up. They had no time to stay and try to convince him anymore. They had to leave now.
"Clill, come", Thorin said mounting his pony.
She looked up at him and nodded with a sigh. Clill pulled herself onto the saddle and followed Thorin and the rest of the company, out to the Wild.
"What do we do now?" Clill asked looking at Gandalf.
"All we can do is move on ahead with our plan", he answered.
Clill looked at Thorin who looked bitter and disappointed that they had no burglar. Some of the Dwarves were grumbling amongst themselves, saying coming here was a waste of time. Clill had to agree. So far, Gandalf was sending them on a wild goose chase. Sending Thorin to the Iron Hills, getting no help. Sending their company here to the Shire, getting no help. Was Gandalf just wasting their time?
"Thorin?"
Clill rode ahead, keeping up with her husband. Thorin looked at her with a sigh. They had no choice but to continue their journey to Erebor. They didn't know what they were going to do with Smaug, without a burglar.
"Wait!" a voice yelled. "Wait!"
The group came to a stop as they heard running footsteps approaching. Thorin turned around with a frown as everyone saw Bilbo running with a pack on his back and the contract in his hand.
"I signed it", he panted with a smile.
Bilbo handed the contract to Balin. Everyone watched as he pulled an eyeglass from his pocket and inspected the contract, making sure every signature filled the lines. Balin smiled and folded the contract, handing it back to Bilbo.
"Everything appears to be in order", he said. "Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
The Dwarves smiled and cheered, feeling the first bit of good luck in their journey. Clill looked at Thorin who looked away, wanting to get a move on.
"Give him a pony", he ordered.
She looked at him and placed her hand on his arm.
"I'll watch over him."
"Clill", Thorin said softly only for her to hear. "Don't make him your responsibility. He needs to learn to fend for himself."
"I can teach him", Clill said. "Dearest, give him a chance."
She turned away and went toward the middle of the group where Gandalf and Bilbo rode.
"Mr. Baggins?" she said.
"Just Bilbo is fine."
"Bilbo", she nodded with a smile. "I can't thank you enough for coming with us. I promise I'll look out for you."
Bilbo held onto the reigns of his pony nervous. He looked as if he had never ridden one before. He suddenly sneezed and started searching his pockets for a hankerchief.
"Ohh, all this horse hair", he moaned. "I'm having a reaction."
Bilbo searched and searched, unable to find anything in his pockets.
"No, no, wait, wait, stop! Stop! We have to turn around."
Everyone started grumbling as they came to a stop. They had no time for this.
"What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked.
"I forgot my handkerchief", Bilbo answered.
"Bilbo, out here in the Wild, we don't use handkerchiefs", Clill explained. "Little things like that matter very little."
"Here!" Bofur yelled. "Use this."
Bofur tore a piece of his coat off and tossed the filthy looking rag to the Hobbit who looked at it in disgust. Everyone laughed, watching and waiting for him to use it. Thorin was not amused as he rolled his eyes.
"Move on", he ordered.
Everyone turned and followed Thorin deeper into the woods.
"You'll have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey's end", Gandalf said. "You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead."
