Chapter 2

Frodo poured the hot water into the kettle, while Bilbo sat in one of the armchairs in the fireplace. Frodo brought the kettle and two tea cups and set it beside them. Bilbo tightened the blanket around him. Frodo poured the sweet tea and passed one of the cups to Bilbo. Bilbo took a tentative sip.

"Now no interruptions now boy if you want to listen to the rest of the story" Frodo pulled his legs to his chest and rested the cup on his knees, his blue eyes shining with curiosity.

"Alright Bilbo, I promise"

Akira brought her fingers to her mouth and let out an ear piercing whistle, grinning mischievously.

"I know a faster way." Bilbo widened his eyes, thinning his lips nervously. To their left there was thrashing in the brush. Bilbo moved Akira so she was behind him, raising his walking stick protectively. She chuckled a bit and rest a hand on his shoulder. "Its alright. Thats Lydur." She gingerly stepped in front of him and stumbled to the nearest tree. Bilbo shouted a protest and tried to move back to protect her, when suddenly something huge and antlered popped out from behind the tree. It blew out of its nose, Akira grinned, turning to Bilbo. "Lydur, Bilbo. Bilbo, Lydur"

"Pleasure" Bilbo stammered, taken aback. The creature snorted again, then nudged Akira gently, she smiled. Bilbo took a good look. The creature was a stag, very young and spirited, with a seven pointed rack. It had a strawberry colored coat with white spots, the tip of his tail black. On its back was a saddle with a pack. "You...ride him?!" Akira patted Lydur's nose lovingly.

"I'm too small for a horse, and ponies are slow. This fellow is just right." She wobbled over to Bilbo, patting his shoulder. "Come on, up you go." Bilbo gave her a look of astonishment.

"No. Nope. I'm sorry, I rather have my feet on the ground." She lowered her eyes and looked at him through her lashes, her blue eyes meeting his brown ones. Those eyes where chilling but he couldn't look away. He sighed. "Alright." He tried to climb up but he could not reach the stirrups, Lydur stomped his hooves impatiently. Akira laughed.

"Hamp" The stag leaned down to her level, and she crawled on, settling herself in the saddle with a wince. She turned and put her hand out to him, grinning. "Come on!" Bilbo hesitated, but reached out, taking her hand. She helped him up behind her, Lydur grunted, shifting Bilbos weight. Bilbo exclaimed in surprise, grabbing on to Akiras waist.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to grab your-" he stammered awkwardly, Akira grinned and stifled her laughter. She turned her head to look at him.

"Where else are you going to grab?" She said with a wink. Bilbo stammered. "Ego!" She turned her heels in, the deer galloped forward, weaving itself through the trees. Bilbo hugged her tightly for dear life. She exhaled in pain.

"Sorry!" She leaned back into him weakly, passing him the reigns.

" Its... not... your... fault." She grinned, then her world went black, her body went limp against his.

"Hey... no no no no don't do that now!" The deer grunted and continued through the trees. Bilbo struggled with the reigns and keeping Akira from falling. "Erm...take me to Hobbiton!" he tried, but Lydur continued as if Bilbo had not spoken a word. Lydur sprinted through the trees, jumping over logs and rocks. Bilbo grabbed on to Akira tightly with one arm as he did his best to direct Lydur. Miraculously they made it through the thick forest, Bilbo grinned. "Alright! Now all the way through and to the left!" Lydur perked his ears, turning sharply and cutting through all the gardens. Bilbo exclaimed in surprise. They were heading straight for his humble hole in the ground. "AHhhhhh errrrm... HAMP!" He shouted remembering what Akira had said earlier. In confusion the deer put its hooves forward, coming to a complete stop. Akira and Bilbo went flying forward. Bilbo shifted so he would be under Akira when they hit. They landed with a hard thud, Akira landing on his chest. Bilbo gasped for air. She coughed quietly opening her eyes, finding her face inches away from his, a few loose strands of her hair tickled his nose. He blushed and brushed the hair behind her ears. "Are you alright?" her eyes widened as she realized their proximity. She tried to get up, but the pain and exhaustion took their toll. All she could muster was to roll over. Bilbo stood up and pulled her up with him, wrapping one of her arms around his shoulders to distribute her weight. He helped her inside, while Lydur helped himself to the cabbage patch. Bilbo laid her down gently on his bed, Taking of her cloak and weapons, she was asleep before she hit the bed. He left her things by the front, closing the door. Pulling a chair close to the fire, he brought out a blanket, sitting down and wrapping it around him, looking at the girl that had taken over his bed. He smiled as he let his exhaustion overcome him.

"What happens next?" Frodo had just finished his tea, pouring himself some more. Bilbo took his first sip, smiling at the boy.

Akira woke up with a start, leaves in her hair and she could still taste the bitter ale. She sat up and almost screamed in pain. Carefully lifting up her shirt, she examined her bruises. She tentatively poked her ribs, one by one, until she found the two broken ones. She lowered her shirt and looked at her surroundings, her eyes landing on the hobbit. Bilbo was curled up in one of the chairs next to the fire, she couldn't help but smile. Carefully she got up and walked closer, her feet making no noise, hugging her side with one hand. She looked him over, noticing new things in the morning light. She smiled when she noticed that he was drooling. She giggled and he shifted, turning away from the light. Akira held her breath, making sure that he was still asleep. She tiptoed her way to the kitchen, finding the pantry. Carefully she pulled out a loaf of bread and grabbed some cheese and an apple. She pulled out a few coins from her tunick and left them on the counter. Satisfied, she hobbled over to the door where she found her belt, cloak and weapons. Once she had everything on, she left, making almost no sound. She found Lydur on top of the house, grazing on the roof. Akira stifled a chuckle and beckoned him over. She took the reins and guided him out the door, and west along the paths.

Bilbo opened his eyes groggily and tried to rub the sleep away. He looked at the bed to see how Akira was doing. The bed was a mess, but there was no sign of her. He jumped up and ran through the house shouting her name. Exasperated he looked in the kitchen, finding nobody there. He walked into the panty and found the coins on the countertop. He ran out the door and looked around, shouting her name. The gate swung open with the wind. He walked through and looked on the path for tracks. He found a light trail, the print leading east. He smiled a bit and started running. He didn't stop until he found her, next to a creek, eating breakfast.

"What do you think you are doing?" He said crossing his arms. She jumped and raised her dagger, not lowering it until she realized who it was.

"Bilbo! What are you doing out here?" She smiled, her dimples making him blush.

"I would like to ask you the same question! You were supposed to stay in bed resting." He walked over and sat down next to her. He took the bread and cheese, cutting himself a few slices. "Do you not like me is that why you left?" His brown eyes locked on her pale blue ones. She blushed.

"No its not that, you have been nothing but kind to me, yet I just get you into trouble you don't need." He waved his hands in the air, waving the idea away.

"Honestly, I live a quiet, uneventful life. Last night was the most fun I had ever had." He smiled at her and she grinned back. "So what brings you out over these parts anyways?" She took a bite of the bread and cheese before answering.

"When I was born, I was abandoned at the entrance of Rivendell. I was found by one of the elves. They took me in without another word. They left me in the hands of my new brother, Aragorn. He was 11 years old at the time, learning to be a ranger of the north. The years passed, I grew up, and he trained hard. As soon as I could hold a practice sword he taught me, and I would train with him. He taught me everything I know, on survival, medicine, tracking and fighting. I respect him and love him very much. A few months ago, on my 18th birthday, we went to join up with the rest of the rangers. They just laughed and laughed when they saw me. 'No woman can keep up with what we do' so I whipped out my sword and made him eat his words." She grinned mischievously and took another bite of bread and cheese. Bilbo gulped. "They would not let me go on any journeys or protect any people, I had to stay near the camp. Until a few weeks ago. There has been sightings of a beast near Mithlond. I'm going there to slay it and prove myself worthy." She finished with a nod, smiling at Bilbo.

Bilbo sat cross legged and looked at her, unsure of what to do.

"That is quite the tale."

"Its not done yet, not until they accept me." She got up carefully and leaned on Lydur.
"Lets go back to your place" He smiled as he helped her back on to the deer.

"Frodo. My throat is tired from all the talking, and I am hungry." Frodo made a face. "If you do not annoy me I will tell you more after." To that Frodo smiled, jumping to his feet.
"I will go set the table"