Now as she went about her lonely life, she wished for excitement, or at the very least some company. Her protectors came when they could, but with the new evil in the land, the visits were less often.
As she went to feed the hogs, she noticed a lone rider heading towards her farm. The rider seemed to be humming a tune and smoking on a long pipe. As he approached she smiled.
"Adara, you look will child." The man stated in a cordial manner.
"As do you, Gandalf the Grey." Adara stated shading her eyes from the bright sun as she looked up at his face.
"You have become an enchantress my dear." Gandalf teased.
"Yes, who could deny my charms." Adara laughed and curtsied in her ragged peasant shift.
"You are, you know." Gandalf stated in a more serious tone.
"I am what?" Adara looked confused.
"A charmer. Whether you be in rags or in silks, you could charm a snake out of his fangs." Gandalf stated in a matter of fact tone.
"Oh, hush you old fool." Adara blushed.
Gandalf smiled and dismounted his horse. He gave the young woman a fond embrace. Then walked into her house.
"Can I get you anything my dear Gandalf." Adara asked.
"A broom perhaps." The wizard teased as he noticed the dust and mess inside the house.
"Sorry, I've been busy with the animals and fences. I haven't done much inside." She stated.
"So you still reside in the shed?" Gandalf asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yes, I miss Mama and Papa too much to be in here." Adara blushed and walked to the back door. Gandalf followed her. She led him out the door and in through a smaller door to a cozy tidy little shed. Gandalf ducked his head to enter and saw the neat little dwelling.
"Much better." Gandalf stated with a smile as he sat on an old wooden chair.
"Tea or wine?" Adara asked.
"Wine, red if you have it." Gandalf stated and smiled wider.
Adara poured him a very tall glass of red wine and smiled in return.
"I have so missed company. The last friendly face was a year ago when a band of five elves came by. I had just harvested the fields and orchard and offered them rest. They were so pleased by my hospitality, they stayed several days. I think I made a friend in one, he seemed to really enjoy my apple pie and also the wine. He told me Adara Senai, Sh'mai." Adara tried to get the phrase as accurate as possible.
"You see, even the Elves can not survive your charms unscathed. This Elf told you 'I desire you forever, Adara, You are the beloved of my soul. In elven society an elf only chooses one love in their lifetime." Gandalf stated and winked at her. "Did this Elf have a name?"
"Yes, I think he said it was Greenleaf." Adara stated.
"Greenleaf. The Prince of the Woodland Realm. The Prince of Mirkwood. You are certain?" Gandalf stated in amazement.
"Yes, that is where he said he was from." Adara answered.
"Very amazing indeed. Legolas is not a very affectionate elf. If he found you to be his beloved, imagine what others might…"
"What was that, Gandalf?" Adara asked as she served him a sandwich.
"Oh nothing, just the rattling of an old man." Gandalf laughed, but looked at the young woman with approval, then stood up quickly, startling her.
"You must come on an adventure with me." He stated excitedly.
"An adventure. What of the farm." Adara stated.
"Chickens and hogs can take care of themselves, just free them from their confines. As for the structures, some one will come along and take them over. You need to live your life. You are wild at heart, you need to have room to breathe." Gandalf stated as he walked stooped, about the shed filling a rucksack full of items of clothing, foods, etc.
"I take it, no, is out of the question." Adara smiled at the old man packing her bags.
"You are quite right there." Gandalf stated and grabbed a stack of her adopted fathers clothes and tossed them to her. "Boil these, so they will fit you." Adara did as she was told and by morning was dressed in tight fitting trousers and tunic, that left nothing to the imagination, no one could ignore that she was fully female. She looked down at herself and tried to fix her shirt, only to have Gandalf return it to the formal way.
"Don't worry so, you look very fetching." Gandalf smiled.
"Yes, that's what worries me." Adara stated trying to hide her cleavage while wearing the tunic with her corset underneath.
"Now, now, ladies are suppose to be pleasing to the eye. Let's see what we can do with that nest you call hair." Gandalf grabbed a comb, looked at the girls hair then threw it away and grabbed a sturdy brush instead. After an hour of tugging and raking and several squeals of pain, Adara's hair lay smooth and shiny. Gandalf quickly braided it and fastened a leather strip at the end. "Lovely, if I do say so myself. You will surely turn several heads." Gandalf stated as he walked about the young woman eyeing his handiwork.
"I feel more like a piece of art rather then a person." Adara stated.
"Come we have tarried to long as it is. We need to head to the Shire." Gandalf carried her bag and she grabbed her weapons and waterskins.
"You mean Hobbits?" She asked as she trotted behind him.
"Yes Hobbits, Lady Adara. One Hobbit in particular, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf leaped onto his horse's back and gave her a hand up so she could ride behind him.
"I've always wanted to meet a Hobbit. Your stories of them were always so funny." Adara smiled.
"You will soon have your chance, my little one." Gandalf stated warmly.
"You haven't called me that, since I was a child." Adara stated sweetly hugging the old Wizard's back.
"You have always been my little one, my dear. We ride." They galloped off and only stopping nights to rest and eat. When they finally arrived in the shire. They walked the horse past a small Hobbit hole. "It's so beautiful here." Adara stated and smiled brightly, looking at the little round doors and lovely green fields.
"Well, thank you miss." A Hobbit stated as she walked by. She turned and smiled at the old gentleman and he blushed when he saw her beautiful face and smile. He touched his hand over his heart and sighed remembering his youth.
"What was that all about." Adara stated embarrassed.
"It's your charm, my dear. You are like a breath of fresh air." Gandalf stated and patted the woman on the shoulder.
At the house of Bilbo Baggins, they stopped and looked at the neat door and yard. The door opened and a Hobbit left walking toward a little green gate. He opened a mailbox and grabbed out mail then turned to walk back up to his house.
Mr. Baggins, Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf hailed him.
"Yes, that's me. Can I help you?" Bilbo asked, looking oddly confused.
"Well, we were hoping to intice you to join our little adventure." Gandalf began to explain.
"Adventure, nasty troublesome things they are. No I don't think so." Bilbo stated and headed back to his door.
"Please, Mr. Baggins. It would mean so much to me, I mean us." Adara pleaded with the Hobbit.
Bilbo had not noticed Adara before that moment. His eyes lit upon her beautiful smiling face and was lost. He stood staring at her for sometime, then came back to reality shaking his head.
"Would you like to come in and rest for a bit, have a cup of tea?" Bilbo stated in a quick breath.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you Master Baggins." Adara stated and entered the house as Bilbo opened the door for her and bowed to her, then entered himself, all but forgetting Gandalf outside.
Gandalf opened the door and stooped down shaking his head and smiling.
As the day went on Bilbo sat with his chin in his hand listening to Adara tell him of the grand adventure she would be having. He smiled like a school boy and just nodded each time she paused. As afternoon was beginning, Gandalf stood and smiled.
"We must be on our way for now, but we will return soon." Gandalf stated and headed to the door followed by Adara.
Bilbo hurried to the door and opened it for them then went back to his table and sat thinking about her beauty.
"Gandalf, can I ask you something?" Adara stated as she came up to his horse.
"Yes, of course little one." Gandalf turned to look at her.
"Why couldn't my powers save Mama and Papa. Why can't my powers save people who need help. I don't want to just charm people. I want to save them." Adara stated sadly.
"I think you were too young at the time. This charming character of yours has seemed to bloom since you have become a young lady. Before you were a mere child. Remember the Lady of Light told you that in time other powers would manifest themselves." Gandalf stated seriously.
Adara smiled at him and he touched her nose with his finger tip. "Fret not." Gandalf stated and smiled.
A few hours later she and Gandalf returned to Bilbo's house. They heard talking coming from within. A group of Dwarves stood at his door, Adara and Gandalf joined them. The door opened with a snap and the dwarves fill forward in a heap. Then got up and entered. Bilbo looked none to happy, that is until he noticed Adara once again and began to swoon.
She smiled at him and he blushed and nearly fainted.
In the kitchen the dwarves were beginning to eat. They made room for Gandalf and Adara, as soon as they were seated the food was passed around the table. Balin looked at Amara and smiled.
"My name is Balin, miss." He stated and smiled kindly.
"Hello Balin, I am Adara of the Dunedain." She stated and all in the party went silent, except for Gandalf.
"Adara is a very special young woman. She is of great importance." Gandalf stated smiling.
"A Dunedain, how old be ye?" Balin asked.
"I am around seventy years old, in human years I would be about eighteen." Adara stated quietly.
"You're just a lamb." Balin stated and smiled at her with friendship. The others also smiled, except for two of the party of Dwarfs. Adara looked at the others and when her eyes met with the two youngest she blushed and quickly looked away. They looked at her as though she was an actual little lamb and they were wolves on the hunt.
Soon another knock came on the door and all went silent. "He is here." Gandalf stated and all the merriment seemed to be gone.
Thorin Oakenshield entered and went about the house, his stormy demeanor causing all to avoid his gaze.
"I thought you said this place was easy to find, I got lost twice, until I noticed the mark…" Thorin stated.
"What mark? There's no mark…" Bilbo ranted
"I put the mark on the gate…" Gandalf explained.
"So this is the Burglar…" Thorin asked.
When Thorin noticed Adara, he glared. "I asked for one burglar, not two." He stormed.
"She is no burglar, her talents are more discreet." Gandalf tried to explain.
Thorin stared at Adara, she smiled sweetly at him and he felt his breath catch in his throat.
"Yes, so I have noticed." Thorin stated not able to tear his eyes from the beautiful young woman's eyes."
"They are like soft mink furs. I could lose myself in them." Thorin whispered to no one in particular.
Gandalf smiled brightly. "Her eyes are beautiful I agree."
Thorin tore his gaze away and shook his head. "We need to plan our journey."
Kili and Fili sat watching Adara, their bodies felt like energy was streaming through them. Everytime she spoke, smiled, cleared her voice or laughed they felt jolts of electricity. When she favored them with a smile, they noticed that she blushed and quickly looked away. Which brought them back to reality.
"Oh, she must think we want to devour her, the way we have been staring at her. Poor thing, cast into all of these men." Fili stated softly his soft eyes still watching the beautiful woman.
"What do you mean. She is so exotic, so wow!" Kili stated breathing hard.
"Stop that, you're acting like a wild animal in heat." Fili lectured him.
"I can't help it, I want her." Kili began to stand and edge towards the woman.
"No way, you're going to scare her to death." Fili pulled Kili back to his seat. "Behave!"
Adara rose and went to sit next to Balin and Oin, they smiled and moved a seat between them. "Don't fret lassie, they're just young pups. They don't mean any harm." Balin stated and went back to his conversation about the difference between orcs and goblins.
After awhile, Adara began to get sleepy, she looked about for Bilbo, who was sitting next to Gandalf and Thorin. His head sagging groggily. "Excuse me, Master Baggins." Adara patted him on the shoulder.
"No, no I have no more wine. Oh, oh it's you Lady Adara. How can I be of service to you." He stated with a goofy smile.
"I am very sleepy and the journey begins tomorrow, but I am a bit intimidated to sleep in the open, if you get my meaning." Adara whispered quietly to him. Bilbo looked about and noticed the two young Dwarfs watching every move she made.
"Oh, of course, how rude of me. Follow me my dear. I have just the room for you." Bilbo headed down the hall of his wonderful house with its round doors and arches. Adara could feel the eyes of the men on her, especially the two young princes, but also their uncle as well. Thorin had definitely not forgotten those eyes. He watched her as he talked of the journey, not ever missing any part of the conversation, but also never missing a move she made. He saw that she was becoming tired, he noticed the way his nephews were drooling over her, especially Kili. He noticed how shy little Ori looked faint each time she smiled at him. He even noticed the eyes of Dwalin, nonchalantly finding their way to the lovely woman. Thorin smiled inwardly, he did not feel so uneasy, knowing that even strong willed Dwalin was not free of her charms.
Fili and Kili watched the beauty walk by following the Hobbit. "Where are they going?" Kili asked his brother.
"He's probably showing her where she can rest for the night. I'm sure she is quite uneasy with the thought of sleeping out here." Fili stated looking like he was about to float after the woman.
"Why." Kili asked and looked at his brother.
"Because she is beautiful and all of us men, even uncle has noticed it." Fili stated quietly.
"Oh, OH! She is afraid someone might act on their feelings." Kili stated as though something had just become clear.
"Yes." Fili stated, glad that his brother was finally getting what he was explaining.
"Here you go my dear, it's not fancy, but there is a lock on the door and a honey pot in the wash closet. There is fresh water in the pitcher and basin. Towels are in the cupboard under the basin. If you need anything else just ask." Bilbo stated then gave her the skeleton key and a smile, then left the room to her. He walked humming back into the living room and sat in his easy chair and fell to sleep.
As the night went on the Dwarfs spread their bed rolls out on the floor and went to sleep. All except for Thorin, Fili and Kili. Thorin kept an eye on Fili and Kili and Fili kept an eye on Kili. Sometime around one in the morning Kili finally fell to sleep then Fili felt it safe to close his eyes followed soon after by Thorin.
The following day Thorin rose and felt a bit tired, but would not show it, Fili followed his lead not wanting anyone to know he was sleepy. Kili yawned several times before he was able to focus, but then put on a good front. Adara had been restless, but after washing up and dabbing her favorite lavender oil on her throat and wrists she looked in the mirror and gasped, her hair was a total mess once again. She grabbed her brush and worked frantically at each snarl. She was angry at her hair, ever since she was a child her hair grew daily, inches at a time. If she cut it, it grew back to the its original length with in a month. Now that she had been allowing it to grow without cutting it, she was noticing that it was nearly to the bottom of her thighs. As she worked at smoothing her hair. She heard a knock on her door. She quickly unlocked the door and opened it.
Ori stood outside the door, smiling awkwardly. "Lady Adara, breakfast is ready." He stated and smiled again.
"Thank you Ori, I will be right there." She smiled and closed the door. After a few more minutes the last snag was removed from her dark auburn hair. She let it hang smooth and shiny down her back. As she entered the kitchen all conversation stopped.
She looked in a glass at her reflection and saw that her hair seemed to be glowing like fire.
"Good morning lass." Balin stated and pulled a seat up for her next to him. You look quite refreshed this morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you, Master Balin." She answered then looked about the room for Gandalf.
"If you're looking for Gandalf, he has went to Bree with Thorin to get supplies. They should be back shortly. Is there anything I can do to help?" Balin stated with a bow of his head.
"Well, Gandalf helps me with my hair. It is quite long and hard for me to braid." Adara stated.
"I see. Well he should be back soon."
"What's all the fuss." Kili asked as he walked into the kitchen nibbling on an apple.
"She needs Gandalf." Balin finally stated.
"He isn't here." Kili stated.
"Yes, I know that." Balin glared at Kili.
"What is wrong with Beauty, Dwalin stated as he heard only that Adara was in need of Gandalf." Several of the men had began to nickname her Beauty, for they had never seen a woman more due the compliment, both on the outside and in.
"What's going on, what about Beauty." Bofur asked as he walked in from outside.
"Gandalf helps her with her hair." Balin stated.
"What, is that all." Dwalin laughed. Women and their hair.
"Well she is in quite a state, apparently she had quite a hard time getting the rats out, and now she needs help braiding it. You see it is very long."
The Dwars began to laugh.
"What is so funny." Adara asked feeling frustrated.
"Every man in this room, especially two in particular, would love to braid your hair miss." Dwalin stated and winked at her.
"What, why is that so comical." Adara asked starting to feel embarrassed.
"Because lass, when a Dwarf male braids a female's hair, they are courting." He smiled.
"Oh, Oooh! I had no way of knowing, I have never had the pleasure of meeting Dwarfs before now." Adara stated sweetly. "Beautiful, just beautiful. I have never seen hair so long and the color of rich dark cinnamon. You are so intoxicating." Kili told her sweetly, causing her to blush even deeper.
Gandalf walked in the door and noticed Adara sitting at the table with several Dwarfs teasing her. Her hair hanging past the chair seat. "Oh dear, Adara, how thoughtless of me. I'll help you with your hair right away." Gandalf stated and made his way to stand be hind her chair. Thankfully she had not let any of the Dwarfs put braids in for her or she would be in quite a fix.
"I'll braid it for her." Kili stated with a wide grin.
"Yes Master Kili, I'm sure you would." Gandalf stated grabbing the brush from Bilbo before Kili could take it.
"Well it was worth a try." Kili stated to the others who laughed and patted him on his back.
"My dear child, I need to teach you more about dwarf etiquette, you nearly became someone's fiance."
Gandalf stated shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Dwalin told me about braids and courting." Adara stated sweetly.
"He did, did he. He is a strong Dwarf, stronger then I imagined I see. Gandalf stated.
Gandalf began to part the woman's thick long hair into three parts and braided it as tight and quickly as he could. When done Adara stood and had three thick braids down to her waist. "There you go my dear. How much does your hair grow each day?" Gandalf asked with amusement.
"I would say at least two to three inches. I cut it once and the next day it grew six inches." Adara stated.
"Have you ever cut it very short?" Gandalf asked in awe.
"My mama once sheared it off and the next month it was just as long as the day she cut it." Adara explained.
"So your hair is also enchanted." Gandalf smiled. "I would like to experiment with your hair my dear. If I cut off a piece and make a rope out of it, do you think it would bring me luck?" Gandalf mused.
"Well, Father seemed to think the same as you. He asked me for a piece of my hair. I cut a six inch braid and tied a pink ribbon to each end. He took it and wove it into his own hair. I thought it was quite odd. He gave me a piece of rose quartz in return." Adara took a small piece of the sparkling stone out of the small bag she kept on a leather strap around her neck. Gandalf took the stone and looked at its polished beauty. "This stone is for protection, Adara. Keep it close at all times." Gandalf explained.
"Haldir had told me. So I keep it in my special collection." Adara stated and put the stone back in and pulled the draw string back tightly.
"So Haldir is your Father?" Thorin stormed.
"No, my real father and mother I don't remember. Haldir, Strider and the twins found me in the wilds and rescued me. I just took them as my Father, uncles and brother." Adara explained and smiled at the stormy eyed Dwarf King. Thorin could bluster no more. He was to busy getting lost in the girl's strange color changing eyes. They were now like a spring storm. Smokey grey and sparkling. If he were to let himself he could stay there forever. He let his gaze slip to her mouth, her lips were the color of a wild rose petal. He licked his lips wondering if they tasted as sweet as they looked. Gandalf cleared his voice and brought Thorin back to reality. He smiled at the sweet girl and walked away, trying to compose himself. He knew if he had the chance he would like to slip a braid of his own in that gorgeous hair.
Gandalf knew now that every man in the house, except for he, Balin, Nori, Dori and Oin had been affected. It must have something to with age in feeling not number, for the Prince of the Woodland Realm was will over a thousand years old.
"Gandalf, we need to start out." Thorin shouted from the gate.
"Come my dear. Our adventure is about to begin." She grabbed her belongings and weapons and followed the old wizard out. "Aren't you going Master Hobbit?" Gandalf asked Bilbo.
"No, I am too civilized for nasty adventures." Bilbo stated and noticed how everything was back in place and clean.
"I will miss you, Bilbo." Adara stated and kissed him on his forehead as he sat on his easy chair. She smiled and left the house. Outside she saw Gandalf's large chestnut stallion waiting for his rider and next to him was a gloriously shiny black mare, with a silver and gold etched saddle and halter.
"Where did you come from." She asked the lovely horse, who nudged its nose against her outstretched hand.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. When I went with the others to get supplies. A messenger from Lorien brought this letter along with your four legged friend.. Gandalf gave a scroll to Adara. She unrolled it quickly.
"It says, my Sister, may this message find you safe and well. I hope that Ciara will help your journey be joyous and uneventful. With devotion Strider." Adara looked at Gandalf with wide astonished eyes. "Strider sent me a steed. Elrond must have told him we were taking a journey?"
"Humph, let's keep that to ourselves, shall we." Gandalf cautioned looking Thorin's way.
"When we get there, do you think that the Lady of Light will be there? I so wish to speak with her once again." She looked at Gandalf and he shrugged his shoulders.
Gandalf watched as Adara stroked the beautiful horses mane. He worried that when the time to pick her mate came that she would choose unwisely and be overcome with sorrow and pain. He could tell that Fili and Kili were very interested in her. As was Thorin himself. If she picked a dwarf, there was a possibility of sorrow. If she was to be with an elf, she would not outlive them, except for an accident. If she chose a human, she would be happy for a short time. If she picked of the Dunedain, it would be the wisest. But the heart wants what the heart wants.
The journey started and as they were nearly a half mile from the Shire, when they heard some one calling for them to wait.
"Wait, wait. I signed it, I signed it. Wait!" Bilbo came running calling out to them. He ran to Balin and handed him the contract.
"Everything seems to be in order." Balin stated and refolded the contract and stuffed it into his bag.
"Get him a pony." Thorin stated.
"That won't be necessary. I am very capable of walking. I rather enjoy it..." Bilbo stated then made a squeal as Fili and Kili grabbed him on either side and placed him on the pony's back.