Chapter 9: We Signed It
The next morning, as Bilbo and Belinda woke up, they noticed that their home was empty. They slowly looked around for any signs of Gandalf, Selindra, Varder and the Dwarves. "Hello?" Bilbo called. "Anyone here?" Belinda asked. They searched every room in the house. It was completely empty. Both Hobbits were relieved at first. But as they entered the living room, Bilbo caught sight of the contract they left behind. Thorin and Tharia's names were signed at the bottom. Below their names, under 'Witnessed', was Balin's name. But there were no names signed under 'Burglars'. "Maybe we should sign it and go after them." Belinda said. "No, Belinda. You remember what Gandalf said. He couldn't promise that we would come back. And if we did, we won't be the same." Bilbo said. "But wouldn't that be for the best? At least we would actually see the world beyond the Shire." Belinda said. "Don't you think it would be worth it?" Bilbo looked back at the contract, then at the door across the hall. He had made his decision. Belinda could tell.
Bilbo and Belinda raced out of Bag-End and ran along the Shire. Several Hobbits watched as they ran for the Shire's exit. "Here! Mr. Bilbo! Miss Belinda! Where are you off to?" One Hobbit asked. "Can't stop! We're already late!" Belinda said. "Late for what?" The Hobbit asked. "We're going on an adventure!" Bilbo said as they finally left the Shire behind.
Gandalf, Selindra, Varder and the Dwarves weren't far ahead. They rode on horses and ponies through the woods. "Wait! Wait!" Bilbo called. "Hold up for us!" Belinda called. Everyone stopped and turned to see the Hobbits running after them, almost out of breath. Thorin was quite surprised to see that they actually came. "We signed it." Bilbo said, giving the contract to Balin. Balin checked the printing as Gandalf and Selindra looked at the Hobbits with smiles. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Masters Baggins, to the company of Thorin and Tharia Oakenshield." Balin said, winking at the Hobbits as the Dwarves chuckled. Tharia smiled with joy. But Thorin was not pleased. "Give them a pony." He said dryly. "No, no, no, no. That won't be necessary." Bilbo said as the company started to continue on. "I'm sure we can keep up on foot." "Yes, we've done our fair share of walking holidays, you know." Belinda said. "Even got as far as Frog Morton once." Bilbo said before he was lifted up by Fili and Kili. "Hey! Hey, hey, hey!" Belinda complained as she was lifted up by Mori and Qili.
Bilbo was placed on a pony named Myrtle. Belinda was placed on another named Minty. Gandalf and Selindra rode beside the 2 Hobbits on their horses. "Come on, Nori. Pay up." Oin called. Nori tossed Oin a bag of coins. "One more." Bofur called, tossing another one. "Thanks lad." Oin said. "What's that about?" Bilbo asked. "Oh, they took wagers on whether or not that you 2 would turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't." Gandalf said. "And what did you and Selindra think?" Belinda asked. Gandalf was silent for a while until he caught a coin bag tossed at him. "My dear fellows, I never doubted you 2 for a second." He said, putting the bag in his sack. "Nether did I." Selindra said, catching her own bag. "Thank you, Qili!" She called.
Just then, Bilbo sneezed. "You okay, Bilbo?" Belinda asked. "Oh, it's all this horse hair. Having a reaction." Bilbo said, fiddling around his pockets. "Wait, wait. Stop! Stop! We have to turn around." He called, stopping the company. "What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked. "I forgot my handkerchief." Bilbo said. "You stopped us for that?!" Selindra asked in disbelief. "Sorry! He has allergies." Belinda said. "Here! Use this." Bofur said, ripping off a piece of cloth off his coat and tossed it to Bilbo, who was a bit disgusted. The other Dwarves chuckled at this. "Move on!" Thorin called. As everyone started off again, Bilbo just decided to go with it.
"You will have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo and Belinda Baggins, before we reach our journey's end. You were both born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. But home is now behind you. The world is ahead." Gandalf said as they trekked across the lands.