Chapter Two
Bernadette had been out on the road for several days. There were times she had regret of leaving home. In fact, she even knew that Bilbo would be giving her a chewing out once she would return. But right now, she dismissed all that, and remained focused on why she is on her little adventure: to visit the dwarven city of Ered Luin. Night fall came, and she arrived at the village of Bree. She decided she would spend the night at the Prancing Pony Inn for rest, and food. As she entered the place, she noticed it was crowded.
Barliman Butterbur, the Inn Keeper, greeted her. "How may I help you this evening, little miss?" asked Barliman. "Yes, I like to have a room for the night, and some food and drink please." said Bernadette kindly, smiling a the Inn Keeper. "Of course. There's a table over there, you can sit in, and I'll bring some food to you, and arrangements for your room." said Barliman. "Thank you, sir." said Bernadette, and she walked over to her table. As she approached her table, she noticed a table full of dwarves across from hers. Her wish did come true, there are dwarves here!
As she sat down and waited on her food, she looked over at the dwarves. There was five of them sitting together, talking merrily and laughing. But she took notice of the first dwarf, sitting at the head of the table. His long raven hair reached passed his shoulders, and he was dressed in a dark blue shirt, and silver armor. She never could imagine dwarves appearing quite handsome, but this one, she noticed, she found quite handsome and attractive. And she sat and listened to their conversation. "How is your birthday, Thorin?" asked the second dwarf, with a bald head, tattoos, and a dark beard.
The long hair, dark headed dwarf smiled. "I'm enjoying it. This is one of the best birthdays ever, Dwalin." Thorin replied. "Hey, can the birthday dwarf provide us a song?" asked a blonde headed dwarf, named Fili. "Fili, I don't feel much like singing tonight." said Thorin. "Oh come on, Uncle. Please? We want a song!" said a young dark haired dwarf, named Kili. "Now boys, your Uncle said he's not in the mood, lets leave it at that!" said an older dwarf, with white hair, dressed in a red coat, named Balin. "Yes, Mister Balin." said Kili.
After sitting awhile, Thorin decided to give in to the requests. "I changed my mind. I'm going to sing. If someone here would provide me a harp." said Thorin.
After Barliman served food and drink to Bernadette, he overheard the dark haired dwarf saying he needed a harp. Barliman went and retrieved a small harp that was sitting in a corner, and he brought it over to Thorin. "Thank you, sir." said Thorin, taking the harp, and he placed it on his lap. Thorin placed his fingers on the silver strings, and he started to play. After playing instrumentally for a while, he started to sing. As Bernadette sat and watched the dwarf sing and play the harp, she felt quite captivated. It wasn't just Thorin's appearance that struck her, it was also his singing and skill at the harp, that amazed her.
She barely knew this dwarf, but she can feel something about him that's special, something she liked about him. She couldn't necessarily pin point on why though. She wished her brother would be here to see this. She knew he loved music, and she knew her brother would love this kind of music she is hearing now. Suddenly, the song ended, and the entire room applauded, including those who sat with Thorin. As Thorin returned the harp to Barliman, Bernadette was just about to retire for the night to her room, when she accidently bumped right into the dwarf, who spilled a drink on Bernadette.
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss! My apologies." said Thorin, quickly.
And he took a cloth washing up the mess on Bernadette's dress. "Oh, that's okay. Its my fault, really, I should've watched where I was going." said Bernadette, smiling at the dwarf. Thorin looked into Bernadette's eyes. "You are quite a beautiful hobbit." said Thorin. "Thank you. My name is Bernadette. Bernadette Baggins, sir." said Bernadette, extending her hand. "Baggins? I've heard of that name before! Are you a Shire hobbit?" asked Thorin. "Yes, I am." said Bernadette proudly. "What are you doing here? This place is dangerous! You should be at home." said Thorin.
"I was in a mood for a little adventure, so I left." said Bernadette. "But you're a Baggins. Baggins aren't the adventurous kind." said Thorin. "Not me. I'm one of the rare few that likes adventures. You see, Gandalf told me stories of dwarven culture the other night, and it intrigued me so much, and I became quite fascinated with dwarven realms and such, and I decided I want to see what an dwarven city would look like. And that's where I'm heading to. Ered Luin." said Bernadette. Hearing this, caught Thorin's attention. "You may not know this, Miss Baggins, but that is where I live." said Thorin.
"You live in Ered Luin?!" said Bernadette brightly.
"But, Miss Baggins. This world is much too dangerous for you to travel alone. We are just so happening to return to Ered Luin this evening, if you don't mind joining us." Thorin offered Bernadette kindly. "Would you? Could you?! Bless my soul! You are so kind! I would love to join you!" beamed Bernadette with delight. "Go back your belongings, and meet back with us outside the Inn." said Thorin. "Yes, sir!" said Bernadette. "Please, call me Thorin." smiled Thorin. "Yes, Thorin!" chirped Bernadette, and she took off to her room, and she packed her belongings.
She later met up with Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili outside the Inn. "Who is this?! Thorin, you didn't tell us you met a companion, who is a hobbit." said Balin, smiling. Thorin introduces Bernadette to his companions. "Thorin, a word with you a minute." said Dwalin, coldly. And the two dwarves walked away, leaving Bernadette talking with Balin, Fili and Kili. "You are the first Halfling we know that takes interest in our culture. Its fascinating to us." smiled Balin. "Don't take this the wrong way, Miss Baggins, wouldn't your brother worry about you being gone this long?" asked Kili.
"Yes, and knowing him, he's going to give me quite a chewing out." said Bernadette.
"I can imagine!" chuckled Fili. Meanwhile, Dwalin glared at Thorin. "What is the meaning of allowing a Halfling to go with us back home? You know how we feel of outsiders, Thorin." said Dwalin. "Dwalin, she'll spend one night with us, and we'll send her back, don't worry." said Thorin, patting his friend on the back. Dwalin nodded, and they joined with the others. "Are we ready?" asked Thorin. "Yes." everyone replied. "You will ride with me, Miss Baggins." said Thorin. Bernadette smiled. As they rode, Dwalin and Balin talked quietly.
"Is it me, or Thorin has fallen for this hobbit?" asked Dwalin. "I noticed he's been very kind to her." said Balin. "Well he's kind to her, doesn't necessarily mean he's going to ask her to court him." said Dwalin. "You don't have a problem with that do you, brother?" asked Balin. "Actually I do. He's already betrothed to Lady Estelle, of the Copper Steel clan. The betrothal is already been arranged by Lady Estelle's father Bwerin! Thorin cannot get involved with Miss Baggins. It will cause a conflict among our people." said Dwalin. "Dwalin, Thorin and Estelle's betrothal isn't written in stone just yet. Thorin hasn't accepted it yet. He has told me he will make the reply when we return home." said Balin.
"We'll just see about that." said Dwalin. Later that night, they made camp.
Bernadette spoken to Thorin quite a bit that night. Mostly about growing up, and her difficulties among her people. "You see, I didn't find out I was Bilbo's sister until later. I lived with Mortimer for along time." said Bernadette. "Your mother became pregnant with you out of wed lock?" asked Thorin. Bernadette nodded. "That's why it caused a lot of stir in the Shire. Hobbits don't' believe in such things." said Bernadette. "So you're saying you're a 'love child'?" asked Thorin. "Pretty much that. And the way some treat me is horrible, like I'm some horrible person." said Bernadette.
"You're not a horrible person, Bernadette. Don't allow other peoples opinions get to you. You are nice as a hobbit as they all come, Bernadette. And you come from a well to do family." said Thorin. "I wish you can tell Lobelia Sackville Baggins how nice a person I am." said Bernadette. "Bah! I heard stories about that woman, I wouldn't even want to talk to her." said Thorin. Bernadette laughed. "Wow, apparently hobbits aren't the only ones that don't like Lobelia." said Bernadette. The dwarf and hobbit sat in silence for a long time. "Gandalf spoken to me of your grandfather. What became of him?" asked Bernadette.
She hoped she didn't offend Thorin of asking such a personal question.
Thorin closed his eye, leaning his head back against a tree. "Oh, Thorin. I'm sorry-I should've never asked." began Bernadette, bowing her head in guilt. "No, its okay. I can tell you." said Thorin softly, taking Bernadette's hand. Thorin began to tell his tale, first of Smaug's sacking of Erebor and Dale, and Lake Town. Then, he told us story of Grandfather's and brother's death from Azog. "Thorin, I am so sorry." said Bernadette softly, taking Thorin's calloused hand. Thorin remained silent.
"Well, I must take my rest now. Its nice talking to you, Thorin!" said Bernadette. "You too, Miss Baggins. Good night!" said Thorin. "Good night." said Bernadette, and she laid down, and fell to sleep. Thorin remained awake in deep thought. Thorin looked over watching the hobbit sleeping soundly. Thorin looked in amazement how fair and beautiful this hobbit maiden is. His heart raced, feelings he cannot explain clouded over him. He could not possibly fall in love with this hobbit already. He only knew her for a night and half.
He couldn't shake her out of his mind, as he tried to lay down to go to sleep. The next morning, they continued to their journey to Ered Luin.