A/N: Here is a long waited update. Sorry for not posting sooner. Hope you guys like it.

Quest Begins

"Get to the Main Doors! Get Out as soon as you can!" I yelled at my fellow dwarves. I rushed towards the back of the hall, pushing other dwarves to the doors. Just then the firebreather burst through the doors into the Great Hall, slaughtering and burning as he went. My face twisted up in horror as the dragon let loose a mighty roar. His belly started to light up with flame as he got ready to breath fire at the dwarves below him.

Just as he let the fire come from his mouth-

I awoke with a small gasp and frantically looked around, as if expecting the dragon to suddenly appear and finish me off. I finally calmed down and saw that no one was awake. I sat up and sighed before rubbing my face and staring into space for a moment. I then lifted up my shirt slightly to look at my side. I could still feel the ache as I gazed at the scars. I pushed my shirt back down and grabbed my pack to pull out my spare clothes and looked for a clean room to wash my face and change my clothes.

I quickly found it and quickly did my business and walked into the kitchen to see what I can use to make breakfast. I made some biscuits and fried some sausage. I was almost finished when a voice spoke from behind me, causing me to jump.

"Still the first up I see." Thorin grinned at me from the doorway.

I smiled back. "Always, my friend." I turned back to the food as Thorin joined me in finishing it. We finished in a comfortable silence as the others slowly started to get up and ready for the day. I ate fast to get my things prepared for the journey. The others soon joined me.

"We should get along soon." Gandolf spoke. Everyone nodded and started filing out the door. Just as I was going to follow them, I grinned as an idea sprouted in my mind.

"Balin!" I called to the grey-haired dwarf.

He looked to me. "Yes, lassie?" he grinned.

"Can I have Bilbo's contract? I'm going to leave it for him to see."

He looked confused. "Of course…what do you have planned?" he seemed to be hesitant to ask. I smirked at him. He must remember all the trouble I used to get in.

"I just have a plan. Nothing of importance." I chuckled at him.

I sent in and placed the contract where Bilbo would see it. I then joined the others and saw them getting on ponies, or horse in Gandolf's case.

"Arien! I have a pony for you." Thorin called to me. Next to him were two ponies, one of them a black color and the other was a beautiful tan. I smiled at Thorin as I walked up to him. He handed me the reins of the tan pony.

"Thank you, Thorin." I said to him. I took my time and made sure the animal was comfortable with the coverings and the things I put on top.

"Alright, lets go!" I heard Thorin yell.

I climbed on the pony and clicked my tongue to get the pony going. I pushed myself to be with Thorin in the front, who was riding next to Gandolf. I didn't say anything just listened to them talk. I heard the others talking about coming to the Shire was a waste of time, but I ignored them as we kept riding. We were riding for a good hour before I paused. "Thorin?" I frowned my brow.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Do you hear that?" I stopped the pony.

"Wait! Wait!" I heard from behind us. I turned the pony to the side to look what it was. I smiled widely at what I saw. It was Bilbo. He decided to come all the same.

"Wait! Stop…" He gasped for breath as he stopped next the Balin. "I-…" Another deep breath. "I signed it." He handed Balin the contract before bending over in order to gain his breath back.

Balin took the contract into his hand and took out his glass lens in order to see the signature. He looked at Bilbo before smiling. "Everything appears to be in order…Welcome, Master Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin sighs in agitation before speaking. "Give him a pony." He turned back to front. I pulled up next to him as I heard Bilbo try and get out riding a pony.

"Thorin, try and give him a chance." I told him.

He sighs before he looks towards the front. "I'll try…"

I smile happily as he says this. We continue on as I spoke to Thorin. When all of a sudden I heard from behind us. "No! Wait! Wait! Stop! We have to turn around!"

"What on earth is the matter?" Gandolf asked him in concern.

"I forgot my handkerchief." Thorin sighs before rolling his eyes at the Halfling.

I pull my pony up beside Bilbo and hand him a cloth from my pack. "Here, you can have this."

"Thank you"

Gandolf told him as I started riding behind Balin, Kili, and Fili. "You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things beforewe reach out journey's end."

I then tuned into Balin and the brothers' conversation.

Kili was asking Balin, "How are Arien and Uncle so close?"

"Well, they meet each other when Thorin was young. Her father had brought her with him after her mother died to the Halls of Erebor. Thorin was still very young and they became very close. Her father, Tosur, easily become Thror's General and Arien his best warrior along with Thorin. Although they did cause many problems with Tosur and Thrain because of their pranks. Dwalin joining in every now and then."

"Pranks?" Fili asked with a scoff. "I didn't think Uncle knew what that was."

"Actually," I spoke up, scaring Fili and Kili, causing then to jump. "Thorin and I used to play pranks on Thrain, my father, and Thorin's brother all the time. Thror loved it and took it in good faith. I remember Thrain would become so angry but then laugh later." I told the brothers. Balin chuckled.

"I would have never thought Uncle would even think about pulling pranks." Fili said in disbelief. I grinned widely and chuckled. Memories flew across my mind of the funny moments in mine and Thorin's life.

"Oh, yes in fact I remember a certain young prince coming up with most of the games we played… Isn't that right, Thorin?" I said to Thorin as he came up beside me.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Arien." He said with a smile. I laughed at Thorin, as did Balin as he knew that Thorin was the one to make up the things we did.