Author's Note: New chapter up! Now the fun begins!
Title: The Lost Lady ~ An Unexpected Journey
Author: Princess Kanako
Pairing(s): Thorin/OC, possible Kili/OC and Fili/OC if I get around to it...those two are so cute!
Date Submitted: 21/6/13
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any of its affiliates; they belong to J.R.R. Tolkien
Claimer: I do own Aiyna, a few plot ideas, and any other characters that pop up along the way.
Genre: Adventure, Romance, Drama (story of maturation – psychological/mental/physical development – of principal character)
Summary: He turned his head to look down at her, his expression, for one moment, open and unguarded – he looked uncertain. And she couldn't stand that look on him, so she smiled and said, "You may have lost your inheritance, Master Oakenshield... but you haven't lost any of your pride." For just one tiny second out of time, she saw the ghost of a smile curl one side of his mouth – and then his expression smoothed out. "I suppose, in that, Miss Baggins, you are correct. I do have a great deal of pride."
An unusual case, the Hobbits agreed, as they watched a young woman tucking her purchases into her basket; but a most intriguing one. All Hobbits are curious, especially the women-folk, and they were all curious to know just where Bilbo Baggins' little ward had come from. Oh, he said he had found her out in East Farthing Woods, and they believed him, no doubt about that. Bilbo was a quiet, honest fellow, and they never had any reason to doubt him before.
When Bilbo had found her lying unconscious and bloodied on the road, naturally he'd panicked, thinking that she'd been murdered. Obviously, that wasn't the case, so he'd brought her to Bag End, so she could rest and recover before going on her merry way. Except that she didn't. The poor girl didn't remember a single thing about herself - her kin, her home, even her name was forgotten to her. She'd been very lucky indeed, when Master Baggins had agreed that she could stay with him as long as she liked, and that was nearly four years ago. Along with her new home, Bilbo had given her a name: Aiyna Baggins. So that was what they called her, and the Shirefolk grew to accept her. She was merry and sweet, but more than once, a Hobbit lad who'd been a bit too free with his hands had been exposed to the young Miss Baggins' explosive temper.
The results were always a sight to see.
Aiyna opened the little round door of Bag End, stepped out into the sunshine and stretched. Everything was calm, quiet, and picturesque. All in all, another mundane day in the Shire. Aiyna sighed before going down the little steps to fetch the letters from their cubby-hole. As she shut the opening, letters in hand, a shadow fell across the garden and she turned. A tall man with a pointed hat, grey robes, and a long grey beard stood outside the small gate and looked around as if lost.
"Good morning," Aiyna said, smiling politely.
"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good, on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?" The man questioned which made Aiyna want to laugh as well as gape at him in confusion.
"I...suppose I wish you a good morning," Aiyna answered hesitantly. The grey man smiled.
"It's good to see some people still have their manners," he said, chuckling, "Tell me my dear, is there a Mr. Baggins around?"
"Yes," a voice answered, and both the man and Aiyna glanced up to see Bilbo standing just outside the front door, puffing away at his pipe, "Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen," the grey man answered, eyeing Bilbo up and down. "I am looking for someone to share in an adventure."
"An adventure?" Bilbo questioned, taking his pipe from his mouth for a moment, "Now I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner." His gaze slid to Aiyna. "You have the post? Good girl," he said, holding out a hand for the sheaf of letters, which Aiyna quickly handed to him. He shuffled through the letters, making little noises, then glanced back at the grey man and turned to go back inside with a "Good morning." and a closed door.
"To think that I should have lived to be 'good morning'-ed by Belladonna Took's son, as if I were selling buttons at the door! " the man grumbled. Aiyna glanced back at him.
"Do you know Mr. Baggins?" she asked, her chestnut-coloured eyes lighting with curiosity.
"Of course I know Bilbo, and he knows my name, but not that I belong to it. I'm Gandalf! And Gandalf means...me," the man now known as Gandalf replied. "Tell Bilbo it's decided. It'll be very good for him, and most amusing for me. I shall tell the others."
"I'm sorry? What others?" Aiyna said, bewildered. Gandalf had only just opened his mouth when a call came from inside.
"Aiyna!" Bilbo yelled, "I need you!"
"I'm sorry, I'd better go into him. Good morning!" Aiyna said, as she darted inside, shutting the door with a bang.
"I'm running late," Bilbo said briskly, folding some handkerchiefs into his pack. "Paladin Took, my cousin, managed to get himself into another scrape up in Bree. I'm going up to see what I can do."
"How long will you be gone?" Aiyna asked quietly, folding a spare waistcoat into his pack.
"I'll be back by tomorrow evening, don't worry," Bilbo replied as he stuffed some bread and cheese in his pocket before shouldering his pack, "Now, Mrs. Gamgee is just in the next hole, so if anything happens-"
"I'll go straight to her," Aiyna chanted along. Bilbo narrowed his eyes at her jokingly, then reached up and patted her cheek.
"You're a good girl," he murmured, his face creased into a strange expression.
"Master Bilbo?" she asked curiously. "What on earth is the matter?"
Her words seemed to rouse him from whatever thoughts had placed such an expression on his face. "It's nothing dear. I'll be back by dinner time tomorrow. Goodbye!"
Aiyna stood at the door, watching carefully as he made his way down the hill, and disappeared into East Farthing wood. Sighing, she went back inside. She felt like doing some baking this afternoon.
In the evening, Aiyna was nibbling on a slice of buttered toast as she waited for the fish to finish cooking. She had spent the afternoon baking, had just had a warm bath and was brushing her hair out luxuriously, the golden waves gleaming in the firelight. The bell ringing made her look up. More than likely, it was Mrs. Gamgee come to check up on her. Thank goodness she had changed into some clean clothes rather than her nightdress. She was not prepared as she opened the door to find a bulky, balding dwarf standing before her.
"Dwalin, at your service," the dwarf said with a bow, never taking his eyes off her. Uncertainly, Aiyna returned the bow.
"Aiyna Baggins, at yours sir," she said as he thrust his cloak at her and let himself in.
"Got anythin' to eat? I'm starved," he grumbled, making his way to the kitchen. Aiyna hung up his cloak and followed quickly, watching wide-eyed as Dwalin tucked into the fish and fried vegetables hungrily. Another ring at the door made Aiyna jump, a feeling of dread beginning to creep through her veins.
"That'll be the door," Dwalin said ominously around a mouthful. Wincing inwardly, Ainya slowly made her way to the door,and hesitantly pulled the door open. She peeped out cautiously to see an old dwarf with a long white beard and hair smiling at her.
"Balin, at your service," he said pleasantly, bowing.
"Good evening," Aiyna replied, smoothing her skirt nervously.
"Yes, yes it is," Balin turned to look at the sky. "Though I think it might rain later. Am I late?"
"For what?" Aiyna asked, bamboozled as to why strange dwarves were flocking to Master Bilbo's house. But Balin did not answer her unfortunately. He saw Dwalin behind her, trying to get more biscuits from a jar.
"Oh, ha ha!" Balin chortled, stepping inside. "Evening, brother."
"Oh, by my beard, you are shorter and wider than last we met." Dwalin put his arms on Balin's shoulders with affection.
"Wider, not shorter," Balin corrected. "Sharp enough for both of us."
The dwarves both laughed, a deep bass sound before smashing their foreheads together. Ainya winced. Dwalin and Balin moved the pantry, examining the food and chattering away to each other. Ainya had never been as flustered before as she was now. Master Bilbo had had visitors before, even many visitors, but she had always known them beforehand. They had been other hobbits too. And if Master Bilbo had ever gone away, he had always told her if someone would be coming. He had not done so today.
"Have you eaten?" Dwalin muttered to Balin.
"Ah, that looks very nice indeed," Balin said pointing to something.
"What's this?" Dwalin asked, holding up the blue cheese.
"I don't know. It's gone blue."
"It's riddled with mould," Dwalin commented, looking disgusted. He then took the cheese from Balin and threw it on the floor.
"Ah, now fill it up, brother, don't stint. I could eat again, if you insist."
Balin handed Dwalin a tankard to be filled with ale. In the background, Ainya heard a knock on the door. When she answered it, she was greeted with the sight of two more dwarves. She groaned.
"Fili-" the blond dwarf said.
"And Kili-" the dark one continued.
"At your service!" They both said at the same time, both bowing. These dwarves were much - well, cleaner looking than what she was used to. These two boys looked much neater and refined but had a cheeky look on their faces.
"You must be Mrs. Boggins," Kili said with a smile.
"No, you can't come in, you've come to the wrong house." Ainya said hurriedly, trying to close the door, but Kili stopped it with his foot, looking worried.
"What? Has it been canceled?"
"No one told us!" Fili cut in.
"Can-? No, nothing's been cancelled," Ainya replied, slapping a hand to her face when she realised what she just said.
"Well, that's a relief." Kili said with a grin. The dwarves pushed their way inside, and slammed the door behind them. Once through, both began unloading their items into Ainya's arms.
"Careful with these, I just had 'em sharpened," Fili warned with a grin, handing Ainya his sword and knives. Kili was behind him, looking around at the house.
"It's nice, this place. D'you you do it yourself?"
"Err..."
"Fili, Kili, come on, give us a hand," Dwalin said, suddenly appearing.
"Master Dwalin," Kili said, a huge smile on his face. The dwarves all laughed before making their way towards the dining room.
"Let's shove this in the hallway, otherwise we'll never get everyone in," Balin said, gesturing towards the table.
"Ev-everyone? How many more are there?" Ainya said weakly.
"Where do you want this?" One of the twins asked Balin about the table. Once again, a knock sounded at the door, far louder than before. Ainya spun and began making her way towards the door, her explosive temper starting to rise. The weapons in her arms were thrown to the floor as her face began to heat in her temper.
"Oh no. No, no! Go away, and bother somebody else!" she snapped in anger, ducking under the doorway arch as she entered the hall. "There's far too many dwarves in here as it is. If this is Mungo Underhill's idea of a joke, I can only say, it is in very poor taste."
Ainya yanked open the door and a heap of dwarves poured onto the floor in front of her in a large heap. They started shoving, pulling and pushing at each other to get up, grumbling and griping all the while. Behind them, stood Gandalf, with an apologetic look in his eyes.
"Gandalf," she groaned.
To be continued. Please review!
