Okie, chapter one! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue

Eight days had come and gone faster than Arriah had expected them to. She'd left from her small home three days ago and had travelled some ways to Bree. She wasn't very fond of company, of people really, so she'd gone and decided to meet Gandalf out side of Bree, staying to the old East Road.

Currently the blinded warrior sat against a rough tree, enjoying the sap-like scent that it emitted. Not long ago the wind had brought to her the scent of pony, dwarf, and wizard. She scrunched her nose. It was not the most pleasant of smells. Hoof-beats and voices became louder and clearer with each passing minute. They were very close.

Many ponies and their riders passed her before one came to a halt before her. "Gandalf."

"Arriah, I must admit, you had me worried when I didn't spot you earlier on, but I knew that you'd come."

"I could say something similar to you."

Gandalf chuckled. "Yes, well, we were held back a little. It's is good to see you, my dear."

Arriah smiled and stood, her cloak ruffling in the wind and her hood falling to reveal her blood red hair.

"Gnadalf, why have you stopped?"

The wizard sighed and Arriah listened carefluuy. Heavy footsteps approached from all around, some animal like, and some dwarven.

"Ah, let me introduce Arriah, a good friend of mine. Arriah, allow me to introduce you to the leader of of our company, Thorin Oakensheild."

The huntress had to resist the urge to glare at the wizard, but instead nodded in what she hoped was the introduced dwarf's direction.

"Arriah."

"So I heard."

Arriah grumbled. Of course, a royal stick up his royal highness ass, to accompany his royal pride.

"Why is she here Gandlaf, again, why have you stopped, this is not time to strike up conversation with a stray traveller."

This time she did glare at the grey-clad wizard. "You didn't tell them-"

"I intend for her to join the company."

Cries of outrage erupted from the assembled dwarves and Arriah winced. Her ears were very sensitive.

"Gandalf, you can not be serious."

"She is a woman."

"There is no place amung the comapny for her."

"Look! Is she blind?"

"That's enough, no need to be rude now, this lass seems able. She is obviously equipped with weapons of many variety."

Arriah blinked, not expecting some one to speak up for her, other than Gandalf of course. The voice sounded hoarse, like the owner of said voice was old. Male she presumed, and he sounded very wise.

Feet shifted in the dirt.

"I am indeed, very serious. No one has a better knowledge of the wild's of Middle Earth like Arriah, nor the path that we must take to reach the mountain."

Arraih was silent. The Lonely Mountain. Erebor?

"You must trust me on this, Thorin."

The dwarf snorted. "She is blind, how could she possibly lead us to the mountain? She will be nothing but a burden."

Arriah narrowed her eyes in what she assumed was Oakensheild's direction. "I've been blind for many, many years, Master Dwarf. If I was truly a burden then I wouldn't be here."

Thorin would not budge. "But what else could you offer us? As just a guide we might as well consider you some sort of freeloader."

Arriah didn't miss a beat. "I can hunt, decently too. And I'm no stranger to battle. I'm a strong warrior."

Thorin was silent. "Gandalf, do you truly consider her accompaniment necessary?"

"Yes. Again I ask, trust me on this."

Thorin turened and mounted a pony. "She may come, but under trial. Once we reach the river Hoarwell, I will decide if she is to accompany us any further. Move out."

She felt the presence of the other dwarves slowly back off and she turned slightly towards Gandalf.

"I took the liberty of getting an extra pony for you, unless you wish to travel your...other way."

Arriah shook her head. "The pony, please."

Gandlaf let out a small huff and led her over to a pony that had been tethered to his own horse. He helped up onto the saddle and handed her the reins.

"I trust that you'll be able to handle Briar. She's a little feisty, though."

Arriah smiled. "Shouldn't be a problem."

She urged the pony forward to follow the rest of the company. Leaning down slightly she spoke to the pony softly.

"Ill en manven, ne lilo."

The pony bobbed it's head up and down and continued onward. Maywae was the language of animals, if one learned it then they could speak to any creature. From moth to wolf.

She spoke many languages. Maywae, Onglamak, and olden Onglamak. Some Dwarvish and Elvish, and she'd had the unpleasant honor to become acquainted with Orcish as well.

She became aware that she was in the middle of the company's procession, and beside her was a very fidgety hobbit.

"H-hello? It's Arriah, correct? Lady Arriah."

The huntress gave a nod. "And yet I do not know your name."

"O-oh, yes, of course, it's Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins of the Shire."

"Hmm. Well, Master Baggins, pleased to make your acquaintance."

The hobbit fidgeted and Arriah could practically smell the awkward tension bubbling in the air.

"Tell me, Master Baggins, hobbit's are rather fond of gardening, yes?"

"Oh, yes, you see-"

Ahh, he reminds me of a child, talking fondly of their favorite toy of book.

The huntress couldn't help but smile as the hobbit continued on.

Her unexpected journey had begun.

So? Is it interesting? Is it? R&R!