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I was glad to find that my book was still on the floor of the pantry. Although it was now covered with crumbs, and the smell of onions that I liked to read under was gone. I sat with my back up against the wall and dusted the crumbs from my book. I was angry with Bilbo. No, I was furious with him. He is so concerned about my safety; I wonder what happened to the Hobbit who cared nothing for his own safety and wellbeing. I wonder what happened to the Hobbit who trod mud into the carpet and said one day he would travel to the city of the elves. I opened my book, annoyed to see that someone had spilled ale so it had leaked through the pages… then again, I shouldn't have left it on the pantry floor in the first place… but then I didn't expect my house to be invaded by dwarves. From the pantry I couldn't hear what was going on in the dining room, but like earlier in the day I simply could not concentrate on my book. Instead my mind began playing scenarios of this adventure. I pictured the city of Erebor, dragon free and full of dwarves. I pictured the town of Dale, bright and prosperous on mid-summers eve. I pictured Gandalf's fireworks blasting over the mountain. But I also pictured the long road ahead… I saw goblins, and large monstrous trolls that ate anything they came across. Then I pictured Orcs, although I have never seen an Orc before they certainly look gruesome in my head. Scared, half sunk in faces, skin wrinkled and brown with dirt, red piercing eyes and sharp blackened teeth… swords that could slice a man in two.

A shadow blocks the light from the lamp in the hallway. I glance up, expecting it to be Bilbo, but instead I stare up at Kili. He has his arms crossed over his chest and he is staring down at me as if I am the most curious creature he has ever seen. "You've cleared out all the food," I mumble, flipping the book over in my hand.

"I know that," he chuckled. "I couldn't help but overhear you talking with your brother earlier. It seems you know quite a bit about our kin and our journey."

"Yes, well, I have nothing to do but read. So I have read a lot about Erebor." I expect that to be the end of our convocation, but Kili still stands as still as a statue at the entrance of the pantry.

"Are you with us?" He asked, shifting his weight slightly.

"Pardon?"

"On our quest, will you join us?" I push myself up off of the pantry floor and close my book. It had certainly crossed my mind to go… As soon as Bilbo had mentioned that Gandalf had appeared with the proposition of an adventure I felt the thirst for it stir in my veins. I want to go… I would love to see over the river and the hills of the Shire. But should I go? That's another question entirely. I'm sure Bilbo has already ruled himself out of the equation, and I couldn't go running off and leave him here. What would he think? What if I didn't come back? He'd be distraught, and the thought of hurting him pained me.

"Bilbo… is he going, on your quest?" I ask.

"He wouldn't sign the contract." Kili said glumly. Contract? There's a contract? A tiny bit of me wishes that I had stayed to read the contract, or at least see the look on Bilbo's face as he read it.

"I couldn't leave him… not knowing whether I would come back or not. It would crush him."

"We need a burglar."

"Then I am not the burglar you need." I say. "And nor is my brother… we're just Hobbits and we stay together, hidden away from the world. No matter how much it pains me to say it, that's how we should be… together. You and Fili are brothers, are you not?" He answers with a small nod. "Then you should understand my predicament… you two came together and you will stay together throughout this quest, you can't ask me to leave my brother."

"Won't you consider it, won't you hear our song?" He asks.

"A song?" A low hum starts in one of the rooms close by. It grows louder and louder as more voices join in. Kili looks at me expectantly and I nod. "I will hear your song."

I follow Kili towards the sound of humming. But I stop in the doorway of the lounge whereas Kili carries on till he stands by his brother. All thirteen dwarves are crammed in. They sit, their eyes downcast towards the floor, or on Thorin who stands by the fire smoking his pipe. The flames flicker and cast a dull light on the would-be king's face. His humming quietens but the others carry on, their hums rising together. They have sung this song before.

"Far over the misty mountains, cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old.

We must away ere brake of day

To find our long forgotten gold

The pines were roaring, on the height

The winds were moaning, in the night.

The fire was red, its flaming spread;

The trees like torches blazed with light."

I didn't realise when some voices joined with Thorin's because when one voice dropped into a song another hummed louder. The song was pained, their voices showed it. They wanted nothing more than to reclaim what was rightfully theirs and go home. I couldn't blame them for wanting this; if my home was taken from me I would do everything to get it back. My heart ached, and something inside me stirred. Longing, a longing to help them… but the pain of leaving Bilbo was still heavy on my heart.

I turned quickly and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Gandalf. He looked down, a knowing look in his eye. "Will you join us on this quest, Rosa Baggins of Bag End?"

"Only if Bilbo accompanies us too." I say quickly. Gandalf nods and then looks towards the door where my brother would now be behind.

"I have a feeling dear Bilbo will come around… and if he does not, by the time we reach the end of the Shire you may turn around and come back." I swallow and also look towards Bilbo's door.

"Gandalf, if Bilbo does change his mind… do you promise we will come back?"

"I cannot promise anything. Only an adventure unknown to any Hobbit." He smiles a little and I see the contract on the table. I take a deep breath and then pick up the contract.

"If he does not come I may leave…" Gandalf nods. "Then I will sign. I will accompany you on your quest." I place the contract down on the table and dab the quill into the ink pot, scrawling my name across the parchment I had it to Gandalf who then gives it to Balin. I can't help but smile when Kili cheers from where he is sat by the window.

"Well we have one burglar at least." Thorin said his voice still grim. "You should rest, little Hobbit. Tomorrow we will begin our journey."

I don't remember when I fell asleep. The last thing I remember was Balin telling us a story from years ago. I'm guessing the story was more for my benefit seen as the other dwarves had probably heard it all before. I had listened intently for the most part, even imagining the battles that he had spoken of. I even fell asleep with the images of soldiers dancing in the embers of the fire. But now there is a gentle hand on my shoulder. I open my eyes and glance around, the other dwarves are gone and it is Gandalf who shakes my shoulder. "The dawn has broken, young Hobbit. Our quest begins."

I didn't know what to pack. So I simply grabbed my rucksack and placed an old tin mug and my travelling cloak into it, as well as sleeping materials. Looking round I saw Bilbo's coat on the side and remembered the scones he had placed in there last night. I took them too, if he comes with us he will be glad I did. I glance around Bag End and towards Bilbo's door. When I leave, will I want to come back if he doesn't come through?

"Is all ready, Rosa?" Asked Gandalf, popping his head through the green door of Bag End. I looked back at him and then to the lounge before turning, a small smile on my face.

"Yes, I am ready." The door of Bag End creaked as I closed it. Turning towards the road I noticed that the dwarves were already saddled on their horses, prepared for the journey ahead.

I hurried down the steps after Gandalf and out of the gate. Dawn had only just broken, the sky gradually lightening but the sun was not yet visible in Hobbiton. The birds were tweeting in the forest and not a soul was outside.

"Give her a pony." Thorin said, nudging his horse so it would move on. I look up at the pony that had been lead towards me by none other than Fili and Kili. I wonder for a moment how on earth I am going to saddle the creature when Gandalf lifts me onto its back. I nearly yelp in surprise which causes Fili and Kili to laugh heartily. I scowl at them and look at the door of Bag End. A rock lands in my stomach as I nudge my pony forwards. I shouldn't be nervous or frightened, perhaps Bilbo won't turn up and I can make my way back.

"Shall we place bets on whether Mr Baggins will join us?" Bifur asks from up the front. I find it almost cruel that they are betting on whether Bilbo will join us. Most of them bet against him joining us. I did not bet, but Gandalf did, which surprised me. He thinks that Bilbo will join us, as do I.

I can safely say that I have never sat on anything as uncomfortable as a pony. By the time we had ventured halfway into East Farthing Woods my backside was extremely numb. Although, it was quite exciting to be riding a pony… but I would like to be able to ride a horse, just like my great, great, great, great Uncle. He knocked the Goblin kings head clean off his shoulders in one of his battles.

"Have you enjoyed your adventure thus far?" I snapped out of my wonderings as Fili and Kili rode next to me on their horses.

"Of course, I've never ventured this far before. Why do you ask?"

"It looks like we'll be losing our burglar if your brother doesn-"

"Wait! Wait!"

"Bilbo?" I almost yelled, turning around so fast that I nearly fell off the pony. Kili chuckled as he grabbed onto my arm to steady me. I couldn't believe it, but there he was right before my eyes, running with the contract in his hand. Gandalf… that cheeky devil left the contract with him… The horses slowed to a stop and every dwarf astride their horses turned to see Bilbo. Gandalf had a glint in his eye.

"I've signed it," Bilbo said breathlessly. He handed the contract to Balin who checked it over quickly. Bilbo smiled up at me and I returned it.

"Looks like you're not losing your burglar after all," I smile at Fili and Kili. "In fact I think you've just gained another one."

"Everything seems to be in order… Welcome, Mr Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

"Get him a pony." Thorin said, causing me to chuckle. Bilbo protested and said he would walk, but no sooner had he said that, Fili and Kili had pulled him up onto the nearest pony. I chuckled as Bilbo led the pony forwards; he has never looked more uncomfortable in his life. Fili and Kili had urged their ponies on a little, leaving Bilbo able to ride alongside me.

The silence between us was slightly awkward; neither of us was willing to speak. I turned towards my brother, he looked worried and I doubt it was the journey but the pony he was riding on. I bit back a laugh, but he noticed.

"What's so funny?" He asked, glancing around.

"You look so uncomfortable," I laugh. "What made you change your mind?" I ask.

"What made you leave?" He countered.

"That's not fair, I asked you first."

"I think you owe me an answer." He sounded mad; he's never used that tone with me before. "You just left… you didn't even say goodbye. All I saw was your name on that contract, not even a note to say you had left."

"Bilbo, I made a deal with Gandalf. If you hadn't have come by the time we reached the end of the Shire I would have turned around and come straight back."

"That's not the point." He snapped, urging his pony forwards, towards Gandalf.

I drop my head, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. I blink them away. It suddenly occurs to me that I may have been selfish… no more than selfish. I left, without dropping him a note… I didn't even say goodbye. What if he has just come on this adventure because of my selfishness? What would my mother think? For the love of Took she would be ashamed of me. She'd always taught us to stick together, no matter what, and I ignore what she has taught us to go running off with some dwarves. I had given Bilbo an ultimatum… and that isn't fair. No wonder he is mad at me. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't talk to me for the duration of this journey. I need to smack my head against something… perhaps that will knock some sense into me? But I doubt getting off my pony to smack my head against a tree is something that a person with a sane mind would do. So I settle with rubbing my eyes to banish the tears that had once again gathered there.

I glance up at the sound of coinage jingling. The money from the bets was being thrown around. Bilbo glances around at me, but when no sack of money is thrown in my direction he turns away, his expression stony. If only he knew that I refused to bet on him. The sack of coins landed in Gandalf's hand, I heard him chuckle. I look back down at my pony and pat her mane.

"Why the long face?" I almost jump out of my skin at the voice, for I thought that he was ahead with his brother.

"How long have you been there, Kili?" I ask, turning to face him.

"Not long, maybe a few minutes."

"But you were-"

"Up there with Fili, I know. But a lady shouldn't travel by herself… there may be bandits on the road." He added with a whisper. I laugh at this. Bandits in the Shire, I highly doubt that. But then again, this is the furthest I have been from home in my life; my eyes involuntarily scan the tree line.

"How kind of you," I say. "But no bandits would be able to handle me." Kili let out a howl of laugher at my words; I glance up at the company. Fili had turned towards us with a smirk on his face.

"How would you fend them off with no weapon?" He questioned.

"I don't know… maybe pull their hair; it used to work on Bilbo when we were young." I didn't think my statement was that funny, but Kili seemed to think it was, he was laughing so much I thought he would fall from his horse.

"Here," He said, reaching to unsheathe a dagger from his belt. "If we do encounter bandits you can do more than pull their hair."

I shake my head quickly. "I couldn't take it, it's yours."

"I know." He said, pulling my left hand from the rein of my pony and placing the dagger into it, "And I am giving it to you."

"Thank you…" I say, gripping the hilt of the dagger. I hoped to Took that he couldn't see the redness in my cheeks.

If I thought being on the pony was uncomfortable to start off with it was practically unbearable by the time night fell. I was so glad when Thorin declared that we would stop for that night, I leapt from the pony so fast I fell on my backside. It earned a hearty laugh from the whole of the company, except Thorin, who merely rolled his eyes.

The camp was just on a hillside, a rather steep and rocky hillside. From the camp we could see for miles, but all that was in those miles were trees. I unpacked my sleeping roll and lay it down quite far away from the edge of the rock that fell away into the trees below. Somehow I wouldn't like taking a tumble off that thing in my sleep.

"Get a fire going," Thorin ordered. In moments logs had been gathered and a small fire was burning in the centre of the camp. Bombur was already getting out the bacon and soon the smell wafted over from the fire.

I noticed that Bilbo was sitting close to the edge of the camp, so I left my things where they were and walked over to join him. I didn't like the silence that had grown between us. I sat down next to him, my feet dangling over the edge. Bilbo was looking out at the sun which was just disappearing behind the trees.

"I didn't bet against you." I say gently, turning my head to face him. "I didn't bet on you at all. Do you know why?" Silence. It was nothing more than I expected. "I didn't bet on you because I don't need to bet money on something I knew I would have won. I believe in you, Bilbo. Always. Nothing will change that."

"I was going to wake you up, you know." He said, quietly. "To tell you that I was going… I knew you would want to go too. I was angry before, but I know now that you always wanted to see the world and I can't stop you."

"So you only came because of me." I say.

"No, I came because I wanted to see the world with you. You didn't make me run out of the door, I made the decision myself." A small smile graced my lips at his words. The rift between us had been mended in a few sentences, and I was glad.

"I heard you fainted." I chuckle, nudging his arm.

"Did you read the contract? Incineration! Think oven with wings they said." I snorted at him, shaking my head and hiccupping because I had laughed so much.

"Oh, I read the contract. One fifteenth of the total profit. That seemed-"

"Fair, that's what I said."

"But I don't want the money. Don't you think the journey is enough?" Bilbo chuckled.

"If I lose an arm I might want the money."

"Young Hobbits," Said Gandalf from by the fire. "Your supper is ready."

Bacon never smelt so good.

This chapter is a little shorter than the last one, but the next one will be longer, i swear on the line of Durin. Anyway, should be getting to the trolls in the next chapter... which should be fun!