The company rode down the forest lane in single file for the lane was narrow which could only fit one horse at a time. Hilary rode at the back of the queue; the white stallion she was riding was not yet comfortable in the presence of the dwarves. Gloin made the mistake of getting too close to the creature which ended up with Gloin receiving a kick to his nether regions; if he wasn't wearing his armor at the time he probably would not be able to produce any children in the future. The nameless horse was difficult to manage; it seemed he liked to lead. Every so often she had to tug on his main in order to stop him from bolting up to the front of the line. The reason the horse remained nameless was because he belonged to someone so it didn't feel right renaming him, the poor horse would be confused. He must have escaped from his owner and traveled a long way because according to Gandalf no one lives in these parts anymore. He mustn't have had human contact in a while

Hilary felt relaxed riding at the back because no one spoke to her. Kili and Fili were behind and in front of Bilbo and were asking him questions about the shire and if he had a lassie at home waiting for his triumphant return. This question made Bilbo stutter and soon he changed to topic. Ori was riding in front of Hilary, he wasn't very chatty, he sat back in his saddle and starts sketches the area around him.

Hilary stoked the sliver mane of the beautiful creature she was riding. She couldn't help grin at the fact that she tamed this wild animal. She was amazed by it, she never saw a horse this stunning back home. Even the energy that came off him was amazing, the rest of the horses who were usually frisky during the journey were now calm they stood up straighter in his presence which made them easier to ride. She also felt different, ever since she meet the creature she felt lighter, calmer.

"The sun will be setting soon we will make camp here tonight" Thorin called from the top of the line. As Hilary turned the corner she saw a broken down cottage surrounded by weeds sprouting out of the ground around it and ivy clinging to the broken stone walls. Hilary dismounted from her sliver beauty onto a large rock; he was far too big for her. She picked up her coat that she used for a saddle and brushed it down trying to get rid of the sliver horse hair. She felt someone brush passed her quickly. She looked up to see Gandalf storming down the lane

"Gandalf, where are you going!?" cried Bilbo causing the rest of the company to watch the scene.

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense" Gandalf answered

"Who is that?" Bilbo asked innocently

"Myself master Baggins!" Gandalf yelled before muttering "I have had enough of dwarves for one day"

Hilary looked back at the dwarves for help but they were busy talking amongst themselves "What will we do without Mister Gandalf". Hilary was about to run after him and beg him to stay until Thorin called after her "Hilary help Fili and Kili bring the horses into the field"

Hilary jogged up to Thorin "Shouldn't we go after him, it's all most dark" she said worriedly but Thorin stared blankly at her "Who knows what are in these woods, dangerous animals would see Gandalf as a free meal"

"The wizard will be fine, I am sure he can take care of himself" he said before walking over to Fili and Kili and handing his horses reigns over to them.

Hilary returned to camp after looking for firewood in the woods nearby. Dinner was being served and the dwarves hustled and bustled around the fire pouring their meals into their bowls. She noticed that Gandalf had not yet returned which made her paranoid. What if something got him? He may be injured and they weren't looking for him.

"It's been a long time, where is Gandalf?" she muttered to herself as she added more wood to the fire to keep it ablaze but Bofur heard her

"Don't worry lassie, Gandalf is a wizard and a powerful one. I'm sure he can handle himself" Bofur reassured her handing her two bowls of stew "Be a dear and take these to the lads" She nodded in response and noticed Bilbo sitting on a log all by himself.

"Hey Bilbo!" she called over to him. He looked up and smiled warmly at her "I'm taking some food over to the guys, want to come?"

"Oh yes" he said jumping up from the log and brushing his trousers down before making his way over to her "For a quest it is pretty boring, not really doing anything"

"I suppose but when the danger starts you will wish you were back sitting on a log all day"

He chuckled nervously "I guess you're right"

They both trudged up the hill carrying the bowls of warm stew. The chatted along the way. Bilbo talked about his home called the Shire; it was a peaceful place where the ever-green fields stretched for miles and miles and where the best ale was brewed and the best pipe weed was made. He spoke of Bag-End and how he used to sit outside on the steps wearing his robe and smoking his pipe as he watched the sunset below the hills.

"I would like to visit it someday, to get away from all the noise of the city" she said

"You would be welcomed with open arms if you were to visit. Tea is at four. Not that many big folk enter The Shire though, we would be normally suspicious if there were" he said jumping over a puddle that he almost stepped in "How are you settling in? You never speak much of your world"

"Well I guess there is nothing to say, I am here, I can't do anything about that. I don't speak of my world because it would be hard to explain to you all" she answered honestly. Bilbo looked down puzzled before asking

"You seemed to have grasped our ways very quickly; surely it's not all different?"

"Well there was a time when people lived like this, but that was over hundreds of years ago. We have invented new technology. Also new fashion you remember my clothes from the first time you saw me?"

He looked down embarrassed as he remembered her bare legs "Yes, you were hardly dressed for a Lady"

Hilary giggled "Well women wear clothes like that. It's not a big deal that our legs are showing"

"Women wear those garments in public?" Bilbo gasped looking horrified

"Well I was in my sleeping clothes at the time" she answered trying to keep a straight face "But yeah, that's fashion for you in my world" Bilbo was obviously too stunned to say anything else on the matter so they walked in silence for the rest of the way. They spotted Fili and Kili standing with their backs turned to them.

"Guy's dinner time" Hilary called tapping the side of a bowl with a spoon trying to get their attention as she walked over to them. They didn't respond but they kept looking at the field in front of them where the horses were eating. Hilary and Bilbo walked in between them handing them their bowls. When they didn't take them Bilbo asked

"What's the matter?"

"We're supposed to be looking after the horses" swallowed Kili nervously.

"Only we've encountered a slight problem" Fili replied after his brother. Hilary and Bilbo looked into the field curiously

"We had seventeen" Fili said

"Now there's fifteen" breathed Kili.

The group searched deeper into the field, looking for the two lost horses. Hilary sighed with relief that her horse was still there.

"Daisy and Bungle are missing" Kili said walking over to Hilary. Bilbo nervously called from behind him "This is bad, shouldn't we tell Thorin?"

Fili answered uneasily "Ah- better not worry him"

"We would be stuck on dishes duty until the end of the journey" Kili said. Before turning to Bilbo "We thought as our official Burglar, you might want to look into it"

Bilbo swallowed nervously before clapping his hands together and walking over to a few damaged trees "It looks like something big has run into these trees" he said caressing a broken trunk of a tree "Something very big and possible quite dangerous" he gulped. Hilary put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a red flickering light further in the forest.

"Hey guys" she said pointing to the light "There's a light over there".

The group crouched behind a fallen tree trunk eyeing the light cautiously. They heard a loud sneeze coming near the light followed by laughter.

"What the hell?" Hilary whispered

"Trolls" Kili answered jumping over the trunk and running stealthily over to another tree. The rest followed him being as quiet as they could. Behind them they could hear loud footsteps thumping on the ground. Kili reached out from his hiding place and pulled Hilary by the sleeve of her shirt down to him. From their spot they could see a giant troll barging through the trees carrying two protesting horses. Bilbo's mouth fell open; turning to them mortified "He's got Myrtle and Minty! I think they are going to eat them, we must do something quick!"

Kili and Fili shared a look before nodding in agreement "Yes you should do something" Fili said pushing Bilbo out of their hiding spot before Kili continued "Mountain trolls are slow and stupid and you are so small and smart. They'll never see you its perfectly safe. We'll be right behind you"

Bilbo still looked unsure. Hilary sighed before standing up with Bilbo "I'll go with you okay" she knew this was a bad idea but she couldn't send poor Bilbo off to his death without any help, even if she was useless at fighting. Kili gripped her arm

"Hilary it is too dangerous for you, you will be seen"

"Like this whole quest isn't dangerous? And I won't be seen I'm not that big, if anything goes wrong I can run fast trust me" she argued with pleading eyes "You can't expect to send Bilbo out there all by himself!"

The brothers looked down unsure "Are you sure?" Fili asked giving her a questioning look

"Positive" she answered simply as she gripped Bilbo's small hand in hers.

"Okay, if you run into trouble hoot twice like a barn owl then once like a brown owl" Fili instructed to them. Bilbo started moving forward repeating the instructions. Kili gently put a hand on Hilary's shoulder and gave her a small smile "Be careful out there we are going to get help because by the looks of it we are going to need it, oh and take this" he reached into his belt and pulled out a dagger "Better safe than sorry" he said before running off with Fili towards the camp. Hilary felt Bilbo tug her hand and she followed him through the long grass and weeds. She bent down to his level and whispered

"I guess you got your wish, the quest just got exciting"

A/N- Hey guys long time no see. Sorry I haven't updated in a while but I a going back to school soon and I wanted to get some revision done I am doing my leaving cert this year and wow I am tired. People who have done exams will understand. I hope everyone had an awesome New Year and be happy we survived the apocalypse! I will try to update soon and I may start a schedule on when I am going to update.

Thanks to everyone who has read my story and I find it fun how you are all trying to guess what she is and why she is here :D Keep it up!

Have a great weekend! :)