At first light, Deonynn and Adaline set off together. Upon returning back to the camp that previous night, Deonynn had been in the worst of moods, barely uttering more than, "You should sleep," to Adaline.
That morning thankfully, his mood seemed to have lifted ever so slightly.
"Deonynn," Adaline finally spoke as they continued their journey to the Shire.
"Hmm?" Deonynn said, looking to his side where his sister was sat upon her horse.
"Why do the men of Rohan and Dwarves not get on?" she asked curiously, a matter she had never heard or read upon other than Gandalf mentioning it back in Bree.
Deonynn took a deep sigh and looked ahead of him to the muddy path, his eyes squinted as the sun glared before them, rising high over the hills.
"If I remember correctly, during the middle of the Third Age, Frumagar, chieftain of the Éothéod was forced to lead his people north where they settled in the far northern part of the Wilderland, just below the Grey Mountains." Deonynn explained. "A Long-worm Dragon named Scatha lived within his lair in the southern slopes of the Grey Mountains, greatly troubling the Dwarves and Men living in the lands North of the Wilderland."
Adaline listened to her brother intently.
"Scatha stole a great deal of their treasures, and was believed to have been the one to murder Dain I and his son Frór," Deonynn continued. "However a man named Fram, son of Fumagar, successfully slay the great beast. Thus, he won the dragons collected wealth, as well as renown for the deed."
"And then what?" Adaline pressed.
"Not only did he gain the dragon's horde, he gained the hatred of the dwarves," Deonynn said seriously, "who claimed the treasure of Scatha. Fram infuriated the dwarves by sending them the teeth of Scatha, strung as a necklace and denying them the rest of the horde."
They rode silently side by side, the sound of their horse's hooves rapping rhythmically on the pathway filled the air.
"It is believed the dwarves slew Fram," Deonynn added. "For that, there was never a great love between the Rohirrim and dwarves."
Adaline bit her lip and then carefully glanced at her brother.
"Do you hate dwarves?" she asked.
Deonynn's head instantly snapped to look at her.
"No!" he said quickly.
Adaline looked ahead of herself, unconvinced after his display and hostility the previous night. Catching wind of this, Deonynn sighed.
"I am sorry if you felt I was rude last night," Deonynn finally spoke, finding it hard for himself to admit.
"Why were you so hostile?" she queried.
"I was worried they were to hurt you," he shrugged. "I do not hate dwarves, but I do not trust them."
Adaline glanced back at her brother who was frowning at the road before him in thought. She did not press any further, as she did not want to bring him into a worse mood than he had already been in.
Night was shortly falling upon them when they finally reached The Shire.
"It's so calm here," Adaline smiled as she watched a group of hobbit children run around one of the hobbit homes front garden, laughing and screaming playfully as they did so before being called inside by their mother.
"I think we need to head this way," Deonynn said, nodding towards the path ahead which split off into two, one continuing past more hobbit holes, another leading up a slight hill.
Adaline followed Deonynn up the hill and passed another set of hobbit holes. She smiled as she caught glimpse through one of the holes window. Inside sat a large group of hobbits, seated around a large, round table with vast amounts of food piled on top of it.
"Merry bunch, aren't they?" Adaline grinned.
Deonynn nodded shortly, his mood apparently still slightly bitter. Adaline couldn't fathom if Deonynn's mood remained sour because of their meeting with Fili and Kili, or because they were not having any luck with finding the hobbit's home they were due to meet Gandalf at.
"Excuse me," Deonynn finally stopped by an older hobbit, sat outside the front of his home on a bench. "Could you please tell me where Master Baggins resides?"
"Get out of here you dratted –" the hobbit swore profanity Adaline had never heard of before, or would ever like to hear again for that fact "- We don't need you kind of folk around these parts!"
The old hobbit waved a fist angrily at them in good riddance and stood from his bench to chase them off.
Deonynn and Adaline were quick to move away as the hobbit continued to yell at them.
"Yes, a very merry bunch indeed," Deonynn said sarcastically, making Adaline grin.
After what felt like an hour, but was probably more realistically twenty minutes, of trying to locate the house, a small, blue light caught Adaline's eyes from one of the houses ahead of them.
"There!" she called excitedly, pointing at the hobbit hole. "That's the mark!"
"That's the one," Deonynn nodded in agreement as they approached Master Baggins's house, the thief's marks shining brightly on the front door.
They jumped down from their horses and tied them up in the front garden where they happily began to graze.
Once their horses were settled, Adaline moved towards the front door, when her brother grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Adaline," he said quietly, looking at her very seriously.
"What's wrong?" she frowned.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Deonynn asked. "It's not too late to continue to Lindon."
Adaline smiled and cupped his face with her hands.
"I have never been so sure about something in my life," she smiled.
Deonynn smiled at her and nodded, placing a hand on her wrist as her hands remained cupping his face.
"Are you ready to face whatever madness waits for us beyond this door?" she asked him.
Deonynn glanced at the door and sighed heavily as Adaline retracted her hands.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Thirteen dwarves...what could be worse?"
Deonynn knocked upon the wooden door, rapping twice with his fist.
After a brief moment, followed by the sound of shuffling from behind the door, it swung open to reveal Gandalf the Grey.
"Gandalf," Deonynn nodded with a smile.
"Master and Lady Durnen," Gandalf smiled back happily. "I was beginning to worry you had decided to continue your travels to Lindon."
"We have thought seriously on the matter," Deonynn told him, "and decided that you are right. Lindon is not for us."
Gandalf beamed.
"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you agree," he said warmly. "Your father would be delighted."
Gandalf finally stepped aside from the door and held out an open hand.
"Please, do come in out of the cold," he offered.
Adaline and Deonynn walked into the hobbit hold, curiously studying their surroundings. It certainly differed to homes of the elves Adaline thought to herself.
"Hello," a small voice spoke from their left hand side; it sounded more of a question than a greeting.
"Ah, Bilbo," Gandalf said happily, unaware to the hobbits tone of voice. "Please let me introduce Master and Lady Durnen. Adaline, Deonynn, this is Bilbo Baggins."
"How do you do?" Adaline smiled at the hobbit that now stood before them, his hands angrily placed upon the top of his hips.
"Not brilliant," the hobbit snapped.
"My dear Bilbo," Gandalf said, finally catching wind of the hobbits frustration, "what on earth seems to be the matter?"
"What's the matter?" Bilbo said disgruntled. "I'm surrounded by dwarves! What are they doing in my house?"
"They're quite a merry gathering," Gandalf chuckled, "when you get used to them."
"I don't want to get used to them!" Bilbo snapped. "There's mud on the carpet, they've pillaged the pantry and I'm not even going to tell you what they've done in the bathroom, they've all but destroyed the plumbing."
Bilbo was suddenly distracted when he saw a dwarf carrying a large board of cheese through to where Adaline assumed the rest of the dwarves were seated.
"Ah, no!" he cried, running after him, leaving Adaline, Deonynn and Gandalf alone. "You can't have that!"
Gandalf chuckled to himself and smiled at Adaline and Deonynn, who shared a curious (and slightly unconvinced) glance.
"Now, come, let me introduce you to everyone," said Gandalf, ducking lowly to avoid hitting one of the wooden beams that ran along the low ceiling.
Adaline was first to follow, with Deonynn shortly coming up behind her. She looked in awe around the little hobbits home that was filled with such magnificent furniture and art, all of which looked rather expensive and good quality.
They came to the end of the long hallway, passing a number of rooms on their way and stopping when they came across what appeared to be Bilbo's now empty pantry and a dining area, crammed filled with dwarves.
They were all sat laughing loudly, before all bringing a large tankard of ale to their mouths and joining in what Adaline could only assume was a drinking competition.
Once they had all slammed their tankards onto the table (much to Bilbo's distaste), they all proceeded to burp in turn.
Adaline and Deonynn looked at each other and grimaced, as Gandalf leant against the door frame, pipe in hand and a bright smile across his face.
The dwarves laughed and cheered, slamming their hands loudly upon the table.
Adaline noticed Fili and Kili sat at the end of the table, furthest away from where they stood; and it did not take the two dwarves long for them to see the two siblings they had met the previous night, stood arms folded and disgusted looks washed across their faces.
"Adaline!" Fili called. "Deonynn!"
All of the dwarves who had been oblivious to their presence turned their attention to the brother and sister, a few of which stood up sharply, glaring at them.
"What are they doing here?" one of them cried loudly, pointing furiously between them both.
"Who invited a man and a woman?" another yelled.
"Please, sit," Gandalf said calmly, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Gloin, Dwalin, there is no need to fret."
"There is no need for them to be here," the dwarf Adaline assumed was named 'Dwalin' snapped angrily, glaring viciously at both Adaline and her brother.
"Dwalin please," Gandalf spoke softly; a hint of frustration rang through his voice. "Adaline and Deonynn bring you no harm. They are here on very simple business with me."
The dwarves all fell quiet, the few of which had stood slowly and reluctantly sat back down.
"If they are on business with you than why do you bring them here?" the dwarf with reddish hair who had previously yelled out asked Gandalf.
"Because, Master Gloin, they will be aiding me, and in some cases you on our journey east," Gandalf explained.
The room fell silent again as the dwarves shared concerned looks and small whispers.
"Thorin will not like this," a small dwarf with white hair said warningly. "Not one bit."
"I am aware of this," Gandalf said with a small nod.
As if on cue, there was a knock at the hobbits front door and Gandalf looked from Adaline and Deonynn to the dwarves.
"That is why you will leave the talking to me," he said seriously.
Thorin Oakenshield was unsure of what to expect when he arrived at the Shire. However he was very happy to be greeted by old friends and especially happy to see his nephews had arrived unscathed.
His delight soon turned to concern once the burglar had been introduced to him. He debated silently whether Gandalf had chosen very poorly or whether Gandalf would soon present the real burglar, as if Bilbo were some practical joke.
Fili and Kili had lead Thorin towards the dining area where they had all been previously sat. He couldn't help but notice a distinct look of nerves amongst his nephews face.
Now that he thought about it, as they walked through the hobbits home, he couldn't help but notice that there was a tension amongst the whole group. As he turned the corner to the dining room, he stopped short; now fully understanding why.
A young man and woman sat at the dining table together, quarrelling quietly amongst themselves. They instantly stopped as Fili, Kili and Thorin approached the archway, with the other dwarves, Gandalf and Bilbo following behind them.
Were these the real burglars? Thorin thought silently.
He eyed the male, noticing his armour and weapons tied to him. He looked more a fitting burglar than the hobbit.
He then turned his attention to the girl sat beside him. She was not dressed like the male and neither did she carry any weapons.
"Thorin, may I introduce to you Deonynn, son of Gúr and his sister, Adaline." Gandalf spoke from beside him. "Adaline, Deonynn, this is the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."
The girl instantly rose to her feet and made a small bow, smiling weakly at Thorin. She took no hesitation in kicking her brother who remained sat down, cautiously examining Thorin.
Once Adaline's foot met his shin, Deonynn hissed and slowly stood, nodding at Thorin reluctantly.
"You may," Thorin finally spoke, "and you may also tell me just why they are here."
He looked away from the siblings and up at Gandalf, wearing a very un-amused expression.
"Please, we have much to discuss," Gandalf said, gesturing for Thorin to sit.
Thorin looked back at Adaline and Deonynn and nodded to himself.
"Evidently," he said, cocking one eyebrow and taking his seat.
Once everyone was seated; Dwalin sat on Adaline's side, whilst Bombur sat on Deonynn's, both begrudgingly, they all waited for Gandalf to speak. Adaline had come to learn the dwarves names very quickly, trying her hardest to pay attention as there were so many. Deonynn on the other hand was clearly struggling with who was who.
"So, Gandalf," Thorin said as food was placed before him, "do explain as to why I have a grocer for a burglar and appear to be in the presence of a man and woman."
A number of the dwarves laughed quietly, Adaline however did not hesitate to glare angrily at Thorin. She did not mind him insulting her or Deonynn, but it seemed unfair to criticise the Hobbit who was housing and feeding him for the night.
"Let me explain about Deonynn and Adaline first," Gandalf said, holding up a hand to silence the chuckling dwarves and pausing until the room fell quiet.
"I was a very good friend of their fathers, Gúr Durnen," Gandalf began. "A Dúnedain who's family came from Númenóreans."
Everyone looked at the twins.
"As we all know the Dúnedain have struggled profusely over the last many years, Gúr and his family were those who watched their homes fall to the ground," Gandalf continued. "Gúr's wife escaped with her two children and many other families, Gúr however remained with many of the men, patrolling the boundaries of Eriador. Unfortunately, Gúr was murdered many years ago by a pack of orcs."
Adaline couldn't help but clutch her brother's hand, the only attempt she could make to stop herself from crying at the thought of their lost father. Deonynn softly squeezed her hand and smiled sympathetically at her.
"I had always promised Gúr that I would see his family settle in Gondor had anything happen to him, where he was aware many of his friends had migrated and knew they would happily take care of his family whilst he remained in the North," Gandalf said. "Unfortunately, before I could reach Gúr's wife, she had happily settled in Rivendell amongst the elves, alongside a number of descendants of Dúnedain who had also taken refuge."
"I fail to see how this has any part in our quest," Thorin said shortly.
"Gúrs wife passed away from a long term illness a few months ago," Gandalf continued, choosing to ignore Thorin's rude bluntness. "Lord Elrond decided that Adaline and Deonynn should move to Lindon, away from the memories of their late mother."
Gandalf turned to look at the twins and smiled at them softly.
"Thankfully, I managed to catch up with them in Bree as they travelled west," Gandalf said, "and convinced them that their home is in Gondor, amongst their own kin."
Thorin looked at Gandalf with an expression and stature that simply read, "And?"
"I see it fit that I travel with the two to Gondor, along the east road and then South," Gandalf explained. "I owe their father this much."
"Why can they not travel on their own?" Dwalin piped up, a few of the dwarves nodded and cheered in agreement.
"Because the road to Gondor in this day and age is not safe," Gandalf snapped. "Especially for a lone man and woman, neither do they know the way."
"The road south towards Rohan from Tharbad is simple," Thorin frowned.
"I will not have them pass through Isengard alone," Gandalf said. "It is not what it used to be. I would much prefer them to return eastwards with us, where the three of us will depart southwards where I also have other business to attend whilst I am there."
The room fell silent.
"I thought you were here to help us," Thorin stated, feeling annoyed the wizard had already planned to abandon them so soon.
"I offered you my help, Thorin Oakenshield and I still do," Gandalf said calmly. "But you know I cannot be with you throughout this whole journey."
Thorin's jaw muscles twitched as he stared fiercely at the wizard. He shortly turned to the rest of the dwarves and then gazed at Adaline and Deonynn.
"I am not willing to share any of our profit with the two of them," Thorin said, causing Adaline and Deonynn to frown in confusion.
"They have no interest in your gold," Gandalf said quickly before they could question him. "They are simply going to travel half of the journey with you and your men."
Thorin paused again for a moment.
"I will not take a man and a woman with us," he said decisively. "They will be a burden."
"I fail to see how to extra hands will become a burden in a fight," Gandalf argued.
"Can you fight?" Thorin instantly shot at Adaline.
"Well, I – I –" Adaline stuttered and stumbled for words, caught off guard by Thorin's interrogation.
"Of course she can't," Oin cried.
"She's nothing but skin and bones!"
"She'll get us all killed!"
"I am not risking my life for her."
"I'm not getting murdered because she can't use a sword!"
"QUIET!" Deonynn yelled, slamming his fist against the table as the dwarves began to protest. "I will not sit here whilst you insult my sister!"
"And can you fight, Master Deonynn, son of Gúr?" Thorin asked, with a hint of sarcasm.
"Of course I can," Deonynn scoffed rudely, as if Thorin should have been able to judge that by the sight of him.
"Aye, it's true," Kili nodded. "He had Fili at surrender in seconds."
"That's not fair, I was unarmed!" Fili retorted, stamping on his brothers foot.
"You know them?" Thorin frowned and Kili cringed in pain.
"We met them on the road here last night," Fili elaborated. "It was a rather...interesting introduction."
The two dwarf brothers grinned at Adaline, causing her to blush violently again. She looked up at them just in time to see Kili wink at her, shortly after receiving an elbow to the ribs from his brother and a stern look.
"Ouch!" Kili cried, punching Fili in the arm.
"OK, so he can fight," Thorin continued, oblivious (or choosing to ignore) his nephews scrap. "But what about her?"
He nodded at Adaline.
"I will not risk the lives of my men for a damsel in distress," he then added.
"Lady Durnen is perfect capable of looking after herself," Gandalf spoke.
"She's useless to us," Thorin said rudely.
"She's smarter than you may seem to think," Gandalf defended her.
"She can't fight," Thorin continued.
"She can learn," Gandalf shrugged.
"She's a distraction," Thorin finally said bluntly.
The table fell quiet again, as Gandalf could not deny this or defend her any further.
"She will only be a distraction if your men are easily distracted," he finally said quietly. "I do not think you have to worry for a dwarf taking interest in a woman such as Adaline."
Adaline wanted to feel insulted, but she understood. Thorin looked at her judgingly for a moment, silently agreeing with Gandalf. He knew it would be unlikely that one of the dwarves there would fall for her romantically.
"I understand your concern, Thorin," Gandalf spoke quietly. "But believe me, they are more an asset than a liability. Deonynn has been trained by some of the finest soldiers in Middle Earth, and Adaline has a vast amount of knowledge and intelligence behind her."
Thorin turned and looked at Gandalf, unconvinced.
"And she can cook," Gandalf then shrugged.
"Can you?" Bofur asked Adaline, who nodded shortly.
"Are you any good, lass?" Bombur asked her enthusiastically.
"Her cookings to die for," Deonynn defended her, "and her hunting's not half bad either."
"You'll get on with Bombur just great!" Bofur laughed as some of the dwarves nodded in agreement.
"Thorin," Gandalf said lowly as the dwarves, bar Dwalin, began to interrogate Adaline on her cooking skills. "I owe their father this much. If anything should happen to them I could not live with myself knowing I stood back and did nothing."
Gandalf and Thorin stared at each other silently.
"If you do not allow this, than I cannot guarantee I will join you on this quest," Gandalf finally threatened, exactly what Thorin had feared he'd say.
Thorin sighed and closed his eyes briefly. He needed Gandalf on this trip and he felt cheated that he was using it against him.
Thorin glanced at Adaline and Deonynn who were no laughing and chatting happily with the dwarves. He noticed Dwalin, sat beside Adaline, looking very unconvinced.
He could read Dwalin's mind and knew he was telling him not to allow the man and woman to join them at any costs. But Thorin could not slowly begin to debate that having another sword and cook amongst the group would a help.
"How long do you travel with us?" Thorin asked.
"Until we reach the edge of Mirkwood," Gandalf explained.
"You'll be leaving us so soon?" Thorin frowned.
"I shall return sooner than you'd know," Gandalf smiled, his eyes twinkling.
Thorin curled his hand into a fist and slowly and softly hit the table with it repetitively in thought.
"OK," he finally agreed. "They may join us until we reach the Mirkwood forest."
"You cannot think to share our quest with them, surely?" Balin asked Thorin.
"Master Balin, I can assure you that Adaline and Deonynn have no interest in your quest. They are simply looking to get home," Gandalf said.
"Like us," Ori muttered quietly, earning a jab in the side from Dori.
"Then it is settled," Thorin spoke. "Deonynn, you will help with guard watches and arm yourself whenever necessary. You are to help protect the company at all costs. Adaline, you shall help Bombur with the cooking. As well as this I expect you to clean and attend to any injuries we may encounter, which will hopefully be few in number."
Adaline sat still, her nostrils flared. She did not like to be bossed around and could sense she was being looked at like some common wench. However, she was very grateful the dwarves were allowing them to travel east with Gandalf, and for that, nodded her head at Thorin in agreement.
A/N: Hey guys, hope you're all enjoying this so far!
Reviews are more than welcome ! :)