CHAPTER 9
"There were so many wares in West Farthing, young miss, it was almost impossible to simply choose one of anything. The market in Hobbiton is quite small in comparison, you see. Had it not been for Gandalf I'm sure my mother, for all her Tookish nature she is still a hobbit, would have fallen prey to all sorts of awful happenings. It is nothing short of a miracle that she got the pottery at all. And Gandalf? He couldn't be rid of her after that, could you? Not that he'd care to, of course!"
"Indeed, old friend. Your mother is one of the most intriguing creatures I've had the pleasure to come across in a very long time."
Waiting by the ponies for the rest of the company, Bilbo entertains me with story after story about his adventurous mother, Belladonna Baggins nee Took. As much as I hate to admit it she sounds like someone I would have liked to meet and that's saying a lot about a person who was fictional less than a week ago. The way Bilbo's eyes light up when he talks about her curious escapades, almost makes me want to make good on Gandalf's most recent snippet of advice. Almost.
If I were ever to wish for Bilbo's friendship, then I'd have to deny myself the pleasure. Befriending him but not the dwarves would only serve to ostracize him further, which could easily get him killed. You do not get your friends killed... So I can't be his friend. I can however, listen to a story or two about super hobbit chick.
"That sounds amazing, Bilbo. Your mother is seemed like an awesome person all around. I would have loved to meet her."
"... Th-thank you." dipping his head, I smirk softly at his blush. I hadn't meant to do that... But it's nice to know that I can make people happy every once in awhile "That's very kind of you to say."
Settling into a calm silence, we wait as the dwarves join us in pairs with their bags now full of supplies for anything they can't make or catch on the road. Before things get too busy, Gandalf hands me the new items Madame Louise could not provide. Nothing too extravagant but enough to be sure I'll not keel over.
"Be sure that you have everything you were tasked to receive. You haven't time to dally." An echo of affirmation greets the second-in-command and he nods his acceptance before exchanging a glance with his brother. The old dwarf shrugs slightly before making his way over to us slowly "We will depart as soon as Thorin is back, so be ready."
"Master Gandalf. Master Baggins. Young Miss." So I'm at the bottom of the totem pole? How predictable "Did you find everything you will need?"
"Indeed we did, Master dwarf."
Pulling his pipe from his pocket, the gray Pilgrim clears it out with his beard. It's hardly sanitary if you ask me but I'm just a girl from an advanced civilization with knowledge of the future... And germs. Being that no one knows that, my opinions are worthless.
"Glad to hear it. Pardon my interruption but my I borrow you for a moment, Master Baggins? I'd like to flesh out a few final details on the contract while we have the moment."
"Yes. Yes of course."
Squinting my eyes at the happenings, I wonder how much of an idiot these people think I am. They fleshed out the contract at Bilbo's house already. The little details were examined and pinpointed and fainted over before he signed it. No. Balin does not intend to speak with Bilbo about the contract. The true reason is lost on me and I have no time to contemplate it as Gandalf sighs deeply beside my shoulder. Knowing he has something to say I sigh in exasperation before facing him.
"What do you want?"
"Hm, oh nothing. Nothing at all, my dear girl... I do wonder however..."
"Wonder what?"
"Past tense."
"E... excuse me?"
"When Bilbo spoke of Belladonna, neither he nor I referred to her in the past tense. Yet you stated that you 'would have loved' to meet her rather than 'would love'. I am merely wondering how you knew she passed."
"... I'm accused of being a spy, remember? I'm supposed to know things."
"And just what else do you know?"
"More than your gods deemed is this company's fair share." rolling my eyes I catch sight of the approaching King, flanked by his nephews. Not desiring a repeat of yesterday so soon, I opt to just get on the pony. Giving Gandalf a humorless smirk, I start to mount "And enough common sense to keep my mouth shut about it."
BALIN POV
The gentle folk of the Shire were never of much interest to me. They lived quiet and sheltered lives that allowed them to hold a false sense of security in the world. During my early travels, when the dwarves of Erebor were newly settled in the Blue Mountains, I spoke with a gentle Hobbit. He was a merchant passing through the same tavern as I with his party. We sat for a spell, drank heartily, and the question of why Hobbits do not travel was broached. His answer was as sheltered as he was: Traveling is uncomfortable. Not dangerous or unnecessary but... Uncomfortable. I did not fault him for it, as his people have not known the hardships that mine have. However neither did I respect his answer. In fact, I did not understand the view for many years following and only partially now that I have met Bilbo Baggins. Hobbits are strange.
He has joined a quest despite fainting at the likelihood of death. His body is built like the soft lands he was born to, yet he silently sleeps on the rocky earth. He is even building a quick rapport with the spy girl despite his aversion to danger. Yes hobbits are strange creatures but the connection he is making with the child will be invaluable to ensuring her cooperation in the coming future. Master Baggins, for all his naive sensibilities concerning the world, may be able to aid in solving this dilemma smoothly.
"I had thought we were finished with the contract business, Master Balin." Looping his thumbs through his belt hoops, the halfling rocks on his large feet nervously "Has something occurred?"
"Ah, yes. Curse it but my age is showing! I had quite forgotten that we did."
"Oh well, that's all right. It happens to the best of us, of course. You know, I remember-"
"Of course. However, while I have you, might I inquire about your charges health?"
Reeling back at the question, The hobbit does an impressive impression of a caught fish. His eyes widen so the entire blue is surrounded by the whites and his mouth gapes open and closed repeatedly. He recovers slowly, clearing his throat and fixing his waist coat before nodding.
"Ahem, My... charge. You speak of the young Miss?"
"Well, naturally."
"I was not made aware that she was... um... All right." Taking the new duty in stride, the flustered being glances back at the girl in question "Yes. It would be best to have a guardian for her. She is a young woman after all."
"A very frightened young woman if she still has not told you her name." Or a very smart one. Names have attachments and connections. If she wants to remain hidden, it'd be in her best interest to remain nameless. Her terror was an unexpected occurrence however. There was no falsehood it and it disturbed us all "Kili was on the receiving end of her fear last night, though he was partially at fault. Has she said anything?"
"... She has not spoken to me of her name nor what cause such a great fear yester's eve... And she eats so little."
"I would say perhaps to a Hobbit but it is true that she has put less than a meal down her throat in the last few days. It is worth mentioning. Please keep an eye on her, Master Baggins. She is clearly in some need of support."
"How thoughtful of you. I will be honest: I am afraid that I thought you all quite cruel to treat her so coldly. I am relieved to stand corrected."
Letting that stand as his parting, The hobbit dips into a quick bow and returns to his riding partner. My brother comes to stand beside me as we ready to depart.
"Using a hobbit. I do not know that it'll work, on any front."
"You do not know that it will not either." Patting the stoic dwarf on the shoulder before catching sight of Thorin returning, I gaze out of the gate at the open road "We need to know what she knows of us before we can even contemplate releasing her. Master Baggins is earning her trust, if slowly."
"We do not have time for the slow route. The Weathertop hills are only a day away. What will we do with her when we pass them? We must question her now!"
"You saw her reaction, better than I! How she shook when Kili merely raised a hand to his own face. Her heart knows fear but her head has taught her to protect herself from it."
"We are running out of time..."
"I know... Yet if we force the issue, she will close herself off as she did last night and tell us nothing. For our safety, hers included, we must be patient, brother. There was no other choice."
Well hello there. I just wanted to say hi. So... hi.