An Old Amulet

Chapter Seven

I woke the next day to the sound of shuffling. Cracking open my eyes a peek, I noticed that the company was gathering their things, making way to leave. I was used to waking up at the crack of dawn, so I was up like a rocket within seconds. Results of needing to wake up before gran to ensure she didn't go out and burn down the neighbor's barn. Quickly I looked for a pair of shoes, heading down the hall. Upon not finding any in Bilbo's closet, I simply moved towards the entryway, deciding to go without.

"Raise 'n' shine, lass!" Bofur greeted cheerfully, patting me on the back. "Have a good night's rest, did you?"

I nodded, stretching my arms above my head. "Aye. And you?"

"Can't complain." He shrugged, adjusting his hat slightly. "Been sleeping with a rock as a pillow for the past week or so."

Chuckling, I moved to get out of Oin's way as he came in from the room behind me. "Anything would be be'er than that, I suppose."

Bofur smiled as Balin approached us. "Morning, lass. Sleep well?"

"Very." I smiled. "We all getting set to head out I take it?"

"Aye." He agreed, casting his gaze down towards my feet. "You plan on making the trip to Erebor barefoot?"

I chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of my head. "It doesn't seem that Bilbo's got any spare shoes laying around."

Balin nodded, as if realizing something. "'Tis the life of a hobbit. I'm sure one of the lads have some to spare."

I looked down a Balin's boots and then back up at him. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but my feet are wee little things compared to yours and the others. Perhaps it's best that I go without. My soles could use some toughening up."

"Don't be silly, lass." Bofur chuckled beside us. "I'm sure Ori's boots'll fit ya jus' fine."

Ori, having been packing away his things, looked up at us. "My what?"

"Your boots lad, you got a spare, don'tcha?" Bofur asked with a bit of a dry tone.

"Dori made me pack two pairs." He said a bit proud, fishing them out of his bag.

Balin motioned a hand towards me. "The lass seems to be without."

Looking down at my shoeless feet, Ori nodded briskly and handed over an extra pair of boots. They didn't look like they'd be too big on me, so I slipped them on.

"Thank you Ori." I smiled up at the young dwarf. "They're perfect."

He blushed a bit, nodding and rushing off to God knows where. I turned back to Bofur and Balin, a look of confusion on my face.

"Was it something I said?"

Balin chuckled, putting his hand on my shoulder and turning me towards the door. "You're a very pretty lass, young Bronwyn. Ori's young, perhaps the first time he's left home. He's a very difficult time behaving properly around even the most average of maidens. It'll pass, I'm sure."

Well that's flattering.

I'd always been told how beautiful I am. I was used to it. But at that point in time, I couldn't really see it as an asset seeing as my looks weren't going to help me learn to battle nor were they going to help me survive. All they'd gotten me in my life was a useless boyfriend that-

Heath. That useless bastard. I wondered what he was doing in that moment. Probably going to class, completely oblivious that I wasn't next to him when he got coffee. I loved the idiot, no matter how idiotic he was. His incapability to notice what was going on around him was part of his charm, though part of what caused him to irritate me the most. In truth, walking out the door of Mr Baggins's home, in that exact moment, I would've taken a thousand Heath's, if I could just go home.

That's when I realized, Bilbo was not with us.

"Is Bilbo not coming?" I asked broadly, to no one in particular.

"I'm afraid not." Dwalin replied, adjusting his cuffs and ensuring his war hammers were secured against his back. "Decided to remain with his books and his doilies."

It was saddening, knowing that he wouldn't be joining us. He was a kind fellow, flustered and in way over his head, but gentle and understanding all the same. Someone I would've liked to talk to as we journeyed into the unknown. Adventure was a new thing for both of us, it would've been nice if I had someone to struggle along with me.

"Perhaps he will still join us." Gandalf said optimistically. "I have all the faith in the world in our hobbit."

"A misplaced faith." Thorin decided to add, returning the air to that of something unpleasant.

The wizard scowled a bit at the dwarf's leader, disliking his knack for unhappy thoughts as much as I did. "Still, we shall venture on. Whether he accompanies us or not."

Kili approached me then, leading a pony by its reins. "A mount, for the lady."

I offered him the kindest smile I could muster that morning. "Thank you, Kili. Give me a lift up?"

"Certainly!" He beamed, grabbing me by the waist suddenly and lifting me into the saddle.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I meant give me a hand, silly. But thank you again, all the same."

He gave me a smile in return, turning to his own pony and climbing on top of it. The others followed suit, clamoring aboard their ponies and securing their supplies. Gandalf alone was atop a full grown horse, beautiful and large, strong. Capable of crushing me underfoot. The thought caused a shiver down my spine. And then it occurred to me, if a horse was frightening me so, then how was I to act when I came face to a large dragon that wanted my death above all else.

I was going to be useless for sure.

"We press on!" Thorin shouted back at his company, kicking his stead into motion, taking the lead and heading down the hill.

My pony followed after them, without needing direction from its inept rider. Solemnly I looked back to the door from whence we'd come, wishing dearly that at any moment, Bilbo would come bursting out, running after us in hopes of adventure and riches. But he didn't come. His door didn't open. And as we disappeared into the forest, I felt all hope was lost.

"Wait! Wait!"

I hate to admit it, but the mere sound of the small hobbit's voice caused the biggest smile to break out across my face.

Author's Note: Two chapters one day! Perhaps to make up for the fact that there won't be one tomorrow. Who knows! I might get lucky and squeeze something out! Read and review please, reviews make me happy and I haven't gotten many! It would mean the world to me, I promise you! xoxo, Momma Love