Chapter 8


After Thorin left, I finished off cooking breakfast, sizzling sausages and bacon in two pans and mixing the pancake batter in a bowl. When I was sure the batter was the perfect consistency, I turned to the three bowls of porridge sitting on the counter, stemming away all with a warming charm placed on them to keep them warm. Next to them were three dishes holding eggs cooked in various ways.

With a quick glance at the pans sizzling on the stove I walked into the dining room, looking at the extended table which was setting itself up with plates, bowls and cutlery. There was enough space for all thirteen dwarves, Gandalf, Bilbo and myself.

Along the centre of the table were two loaves of freshly baked bread, one sliced and ready for condiments while the other was sliced and lightly toasted. There were bowls of strawberries, apple slices, and blackberries, a jar of honey, strawberry jam, and blackcurrant jam.

Going back to the kitchen, I waved my hand and the three bowls of porridge and three dishes of eggs followed me, setting themselves in the centre of the table.

When I was satisfied that breakfast was almost ready, I went into the kitchen and waved my hand at the pancake mix, giving a pleased nod as it dropped into the hot pan, into perfect circles. As I dished the sausages and bacon onto plates and carried them into the dining room placing them in the centre of the table, I knew the pancakes were being cooked to perfection.

Returning again to the kitchen I waved my hand towards a jug of orange juice, apple juice, and water, watching as they went to set themselves on the table. Picking up the tray holding two teapots, one camomile and the other lemon and honey, I settled it on my arm as I went back into the dining room, placing the camomile where I thought Dori would sit and the lemon and honey in my place.

With one last dash back to the kitchen, I grabbed the perfectly golden pancakes that had stacked themselves onto a large plate and quickly went about setting them on the table with the other food.

"Right," I said, brushing my hands over my apron and went in search of Thorin and the rest of the company.

I found them all sorting through their bags in the extended living room. Okay, here goes nothing. I wasn't keen on having all their eyes on me. "Breakfast is ready. If you'll just follow me into the dining room."

With a nod from Thorin, his men followed him as I led them to the dining room. I gestured for him to take the head of the table while indicating to Gandalf to take the other end.

"I have three different types of porridge, the brown bowl is original, the one with bees decorating it is honeyed, and the bowl with apples is apple and cinnamon. There's sliced bread, toast, and pancakes, help yourselves to butter, honey, or jam. There's sausages and bacon and three different types of egg, scrambled, poached, and fried."

"You have outdone yourself, Mistress Baggins," Thorin said as we waved for everyone to find a seat at the table.

"I couldn't sleep so I thought the best way to clear my mind would be to cook for you all." I gave a small shrug as I took my place at the table finding myself sitting between Ori and Fili. "I have prepared flatbreads and dried meat for you all to take on your journey too."

"You will be joining us?" Balin asked, sharing a look with Thorin and then Bilbo.

"Yes." I gave a nod, glancing at Bilbo as he gave an unhappy smile. "Bilbo has decided to join you and I will be joining the company to protect Bilbo."

"And how do you plan on doing that, lass?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes as Dwalin saw fit to bring up the fact that I was a fragile human.

"I am a witch, master dwarf. I hold powers only you can imagine." I raised my eyebrows as if waiting for him to challenge me again. "I also know how to use a bow, throwing knives, and two short swords."

"Aye, well, I'll be the judge of that," he grumbled, shooting Thorin a look as everyone started digging into the food.

"When we settle for camp, Dwalin will test your abilities," Thorin said as if his word was final.

I guess if I was joining his company, his word would be final.

"Fine," I said, glancing at Dwalin before catching the eye of Nori as he looked at me from down the table. He seemed to understand that I didn't have much patience for the warrior dwarf.


As the last ones to leave the house, Bilbo looked awfully threatful as if he was about to declare that he'd changed his mind. I prided myself in knowing Bilbo and knew he wouldn't do so, he was just paranoid about us both leaving the house.

"I'm sure Hamfest and Suri can keep an eye on the house while we're gone," I told him, resting a hand on his shoulder as he closed the door behind us. "I'll cast some protection charms over it too."

With a nod, though I wasn't sure what it was for, I waved my wand over the house, muttering a few protection charms under my breath.

"Come along, Bilbo," I said, nudging him in the direction of the company. "It's best not to annoy our dwarves."

Bilbo gave a slight huff but followed after the babble of dwarves as they led us to wherever they'd left their ponies.

As we came closer to Suri's house, I knew I had to tell her we were leaving, especially because she'd just had the little fauntling, May. I knew I'd have to ask Thorin's permission to see her, something I wasn't too happy about.

"Excuse me, Thorin, please may I check in on my cousin before we leave?" I could see that he was getting ready to disagree and knew I had to pull on whatever he had left of his heart. "She had a little fauntling last night and I'm her midwife."

That seemed to make him stop and think, his eyes flashing to Balin for some advice. It seemed the elder dwarf had some compassion left and as he gave a soft nod of his head.

I knew what Thorin was thinking as he hesitated. He was worried I would tell her about the quest.

"I promise not to say anything to her." It seemed my words didn't do much to assure him I wouldn't speak of his quest, but he managed to surprise me when he gave a nod of consent.

"Fili, go with her. Make sure she says nothing to her cousin." Thorin's eyes flashed to Nori and I knew he was asking the dwarf to follow. I didn't know much about these dwarves but I knew enough that I knew Nori was a sneak.

Giving a nod of gratitude, I led Fili towards Suri's door, giving a hesitant look towards him as he watched the company carry on down the road.

"Suri? It's just me," I called, stepping into the house, feeling Fili come in behind me.

"Fee!" a giggled greeting rushed towards me, followed by the pattering feet of Hamson as he barrelled towards me, wrapping his arms around my knees.

"Hello my little fauntling," I greeted, leaning down and scooping him into my arms. "You're getting too big for Fee to pick you up like this," I teased, pressing a kiss to his hairline. "Where is your pa?"

"Pa took Halfred and Daisy to the market. Ma said they were waking the new fauntling. They were really loud," he gushed, as he pulled me toward the living room. "Ma is resting here with little May."

As we came into the living room, I almost had to roll my eyes at Suri as she sat mending some clothes while the fauntling slept in the cradle beside her.

"You should be resting," I scolded, frowning when she turned to me, a large smile on her face.

"I always feel fine after taking your potions." Her eyes shifted to the dwarf behind me and the smile slipped from her lips. "You're leaving."

I knew she would have connected the dots quickly. I had told her a couple of months after having Hamson that there would be a time in the future where I would leave with Bilbo alongside me. I hadn't told her where we would be going or who would but that we would be gone for a long time.

"I cannot make any promises to you, Suri, but I can promise that I will leave Egil with you so you can communicate with Arwen." I watched as her brows rose in surprise. She knew how much that damn crow meant to me. "We've left everything to you and Hamfest in case anything happens to us. If it does." I lifted my hand to stop her from saying anything or interrupting me. "If anything does happen to us, those charms will stop glowing." I nodded to the two crystals I had given her years ago when Bilbo and I started venturing out of The Shire. Bilbo's was the blue crystal and mine was the green. "If they stop glowing, everything we own belongs to you. We've left you our wills." I produced them both from my pocket and placed them gently on her lap. "If anyone questions you, Suri, just show them these."

I turned away from her quickly, my eyes started to tear up and the lost look on her face.

I knew she would struggle without us for a while. We had been so close since Ma died. I don't think there hasn't been a day I haven't been with her since.

"You need not worry about us, Suri. We'll be okay. You look after the fauntlings."

And because I was a coward that couldn't say goodbye. I turned quickly on my heel and marched out of the hobbit hole and down the street.

I thought I was doing remarkably well keeping it all in as we drew closer to the company as they waited for us down the path. I could hear Fili grumbling about something under his breath as we trotted along.

"Fee!"

I stumbled in my step at the distressed call of the little fauntling as he rushed after us.

I turned, catching Fili's eye as I did so. He gave me a tight smile, his eyes dropping to the fauntling that flung himself at my legs, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Don't go," he cried, his little hands fisting into my travelling trousers.

"Hey, shush, little fauntling. There's no need for your tears," I whispered, taking his hands in mine as I knelt in front of him, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"You're leaving," Hamson stuttered, his eyes shining with his tears as he sniffed.

"It's like every time I go on an adventure," I assured him, feeling slightly bad that I was lying to him.

As if he could tell I was lying to him, Hamson shook his head, his eyes zoning onto the group of dwarves behind me.

"Look, my little fauntling, I need you to do my biggest job ever. Do you think you can do that?" He nodded his head, wiping furiously at his tears. "I need you to be the best big brother ever and I need you to look after Halfred, Daisy and May and to help protect them. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes."

"Good lad." I pressed another kiss to his head, my eyes lifting to Fili as he stood waiting patiently. "Can you help your pa and look after your mother for me?"

"Yes."

"Can you think of the best pranks we can pull on Bilbo when we get back? I bet you can think of more than me. We'll have a competition for the best prankster when I return."

"I'll win," he said, the happiness returning to his voice.

"Yeah? You better run home and write all those ideas down then."

With a large smile that showed even through his tears, Hamson gave me one last hug before dashing down the path back home.

I watched after him, a sadness creeping into my heart as I thought about everything I was giving up to help the dwarves claim back their home.

"You don't have to do this," Fili said. It was almost spoken so quietly, I wasn't sure I heard him at first. Glancing up to meet his eyes, I was met by the strongest look of compassion I had seen in years.

"I have to do this, Fili. I was sent here to help."