AN: Just a little character development.

Chapter 7

Once the new contract was written and reviewed, it was signed without much fan fare. There had been some other simple tweaks that Balin had made, without her insistence, that made things easier for her. She did admit to herself it was fun to watch the idiot grumble to himself because they were not leaving as quickly as expected. However, she let Balin take care of that. It was not her fault that she was given such a short time, that was all on Gandalf. What had he expected her to do, just run out the door and leave everything up in the air, with nothing more than the clothing on her back and a tossed together bag?

On that note, she was currently working with both Dwalin and Nori to put together a simple pack that would hold everything she needed. She planned on making breakfast and finishing off both her will and necessary letters once they completed.

She was starting to get a feel for the personalities that surrounded her. She could already tell that Nori was going to be trouble. He was too much like so many of her Took cousins not to be. She also had a feeling that Nori would either be a help or a hindrance, depending on how the next couple of days played out. It was a little funny watching the two work together, going over her meager supplies and trying not to butt heads. She could tell that under circumstances, these two probably wouldn't even be in the same building together, let alone work.

"Master Nori, Master Dwalin, what should I replace tomorrow at the market?"

"Well lassie, to be honest, most of this, while good for short trips, will never hold up to an extended journey." Dwalin poked at the light sleeping roll that lay on the bed, "Take this for example, it wouldn't protect you from the elements, or protect you from the ground below. It would allow just about every rock and twig poke into your back. What you need is something with more padding, preferably with some form of weather protection. This will just soak up water and stay damp."

Nori broke in, "Don't think you'll find what you're looking for at the markets here. The ones by Needlehole, didn't even have much and they were more likely to have you needed." Looking over at Dwalin, "Dori was with me Guard, that mother hen wouldn't let me touch anything, even if I wanted to."

"We'll be passing threw Bree in less than a week. What you have here will be good until we get there, the weather is fairly mild for now. We can trade it in for better there."

She sighed, "Well, I better set aside some funds for that then. I wish I had time to get to the Great Smails in person; my mothers armor is there. She used to go on adventures, until she had to settle. Though I don't know if it would still fit, I've grown since I last tried it on."

"You have any daily leathers?" Nori was rummaging through her spare closet.

"Some trousers. They cause quite the stir when I wear them too. Some hobbits don't think a gentle hobbit should go hunting."

"You can hunt?" Oh how it was hard not to giggle when that came from both of them at the same time.

"Of course I can. When my mother left for the Green Fields, someone had to. My papa and I had a coming of age adventure planned and we needed to be somewhat prepared. We never did get to go though, he followed his Heart to the Fields and I had too many responsibilities in the beginning to go by myself."

"Do ya' still hunt lass?"

"I should hope so, that venison isn't so common here that I could have served so much as I did tonight otherwise." Alright, she was a little proud of that fact, even if it did show her different from her peers.

From across the room, "Why didn't you say something when you were asked about weapons?"

"Master Oakenshield didn't ask about that, he wanted to know if I used an axe or sword. Since neither help me to hunt or cook, the answer is just that. Until such time as he wants to get his head out of his backside, I will not further his knowledge."

"Oh Lass, he's going to be driven nuts by you." Dwalin just gave her a grin, "don't let any of us stop you. But, be prepared for some to be asses until they cotton on."

"I'll keep Dori off you, he can be a bit of a stickler for manors." Nor stated as he placed a couple of simple linen shirts on the bed, "He'll probably fret over Ori more than anything though, anyway."

She gives them both a sweet innocent grin, that neither found they believed, "Oh, a hobbit is judged by their manors, politeness and dependability. You will find no fault in those ways, as long as I can keep my temper. Now, he may find his food doesn't quite taste the same as everyone else's, but he won't get sick from it."

"He'll catch on." Dwalin tried to warn her.

"If he does, then he won't be the idiot he made himself seen. Who on Arda gets lost in the Shire? We have three main roads in Hobbiton and there are signs on all of them. Was he just trying to avoid my home? Mom told no stories of him from her time in Ered Luin and the three she did know well are all here, seemingly unaware of who's home they're in." She then thought of what just slipped and mentally kicked herself, "No not talking about that. Don't ask."

Dwalin and Nori looked at each other and Nori understood the silent order, find out who.

"Well lass, I say pack what you have here and get your weapons together. We'll add on what's needed in Bree."

"Done, thank you both sirs." Thankful for their help and dropping a touchy subject. "I will quickly do so, then show everyone to their rooms. I still have a few things to do, but I will see you in the morning."

Next chapter: Short chapter from Bofur's POV