Thank you to the thos who reviewed, I am eternally grateful. And thanks to those who favorited as well.
E4me100: thank you for the critique, I will take that into consideration as I write more. Unfortunately, I read your review too late (Just after writing this chapter) but i will think of your tips as I continue. Thanks again.
Chapter 2: Concerning the Departure
Ari spent the next two weeks with the hobbits in Hobbiton, living in the hobbit hole, Bag End. And she loved every second of it. Sure, she slept on the ground because no bed would fit her, but she was comfortable there.
Ferna made sure Ari never felt lonely. She was at Bag End almost everyday, and something told Ari that that was not a rare occurrence even before she arrive in this new land. Ferna kept Ari entertained on those boring grey days. Frodo was an intelligent little hobbit and Ari was fond of the quiet moments with him. The two enjoyed the long talks they had, sitting comfortably in the den around the fire, and Ari believed she'd never get another chance to talk to such a smart, worldly, and excitable man. Bilbo was constantly informing her of exciting adventures and the secrets of Middle Earth, and plenty of important things she'd need to know to get by in the world. Only Bilbo seemed to know she wasn't of this world, but he never mentioned anything.
However, of all the hobbits in the Shire, Ari never laughed so much as she did with Frodo's two cousins, Meriodoc Brandy buck and Peregrin Took. Their jokes, some purposeful, others pure stupidity, never ceased. Neither did their questions of her home. She always answered, happily describing every detail, but nothing she ever said gave hint to her true origins. And her descriptions only led to more questions.
When Merry and Pippin weren't guessing the name from which land she came, or asking their incessant questions, they were telling Ari embarrassing stories and gossip about anyone and everyone. Or they were off making trouble. Trouble that often left Ari giggling.
Yes, Ari was never left with boredom. Of one hobbit was busy, another would keep her occupied. Yes, Ari loved every second of it…
She had to leave.
She was never lonely, that was certain. But lonely and being alone are two different things. And even though hobbits were relatively close to nature, they weren't in tune with it. Being alone, surrounded by trees and plants and running creeks was the life Ari loved and wanted more than anything. The life of a hobbit was the opposite. Always busy, always talking, keeping someone's company. Always socializing. Ari loved the Shire and her new hobbit friends, but life just wasn't for her. And Ari had a sudden inclination to leave. Such an opportunity revealed itself exactly two weeks after her arrival.
"How strange." Ferna looked out the round window of Bag End with her fingers on her chin, as if she was pondering something.
"What is it, my dear?" answered Bilbo, smiling with amusement.
"A dwarf."
"That's not so strange," Frodo shrugged. "Bag End has the occasional dwarf visitor," he continued, referring to Bilbo's adventures.
"This one's different."
"What makes him different?" Pippin asked with a mouthful of food. "The beard?" At this, Merry burst into laughter.
"It's not a him."
"Oh?" Bilbo gave a humorous little chuckle.
"She looks lost." Ferna violently whipped her head towards Ari, who was sitting quietly next to Pippin, watching him devour lunch. Ferna's eyes stared pleadingly into Ari's sou. "Let's go meet her." The silent 'oh please, oh please, oh please?' was heard quite clearly.
Ari nodded with a smirk and followed a skipping Ferna out the round door, down the pathway until she saw a very short, stock women looking slightly concerned in the middle of the road.
The dwarf looked up at the strangers, puzzled. Ferna was about to start asking her cryptically hidden questions the same way she had with Ari, but the dwarf interrupted.
"My name is Vena, daughter of Serada. I hail from beyond the horizon," at this vena looked out toward the long road east, "Is there a place that you know of which I can eat, I am famished." Her words were not harsh, but they were concise with a hint of authority.
"Of course, come eat with us." Before Vena could object, Ferna had grabbed her hand and began dragging her toward Bag End.
Ari gave a soft chuckle before following the two.
Vena remained silent for most of lunch, besides giving an occasional short answer to a question one of the hobbits asked.
"Where you headin'?"
"Straight."
"Through the forest?"
"Aye."
"Alone?"
"Aye."
"What's your plan?"
"I don't know."
"Don't know where you're going?"
"Nor what I'm doing."
The hobbits, mostly Ferna, Merry, and Pippin, asked her so many variations of "where are you going?" that eventually Vena spoke loudly and firmly, hushing the whole table, the longest sentence they had heard her speak in the hour she had been there.
"I've no ides where I'm going or how I am getting there, I only know that I am going."
When reflected upon, those words were quite wise. Bilbo smiled widely at the dwarf.
"Tis not the destination that matters, but the journey."
"Aye." And with that, Vena quietly continued to eat. Frodo, trying to soothe the awkwardness that lingered, struck up a conversation with Ari about one of their worldly topics. Slowly, Ferna, Merry, and Pippin picked up energy again.
Ari was distracted and Frodo noticed but said nothing of it. He merely continued on with the conversation. Ari could only think about the dwarf and what she had said.
Ari couldn't agree more, the journey was the best part off traveling. However, Vena was going straight, into the forest. And that is where Ari wanted to be. The only thing that had stopped her? She surely would have lost her way not a day in. But Vena, she knew what she was doing. She certainly knew the world better than Ari did, so if they ran into others, or perhaps an unpleasant surprise…
Wait. Ari was getting ahead of herself. Ask first, plan later.
But Ari never got the chance to ask. The dwarf was otherwise occupied. By thoughts and hobbits.
Vena had spent nearly five hours at Bag End, she had even stayed for tea, before finally standing up and declaring,
"I must leave!" And before anyone said otherwise, she began walking toward the forest, pack in hand.
Mind moving fast, thoughts quickly turning to despair, Ari violently jumped up from the bench outside, startling the hobbits around her. Vena could not leave.
Not without me, Ari thought. She loved the hobbits dearly, however she had to go. Now.
"I wish-" her courage sank as the four hobbits and dwarf stared at her. "I wish to go with you."
Vena did not hesitate. As soon as the question left Ari's mouth the dwarf had an answer. It was almost instant, much too quick.
"Absolutely."
And then Vena turned towards the forest, walking with determination, leaving behind a stunned Ari and four very confused, saddened hobbits.
