Chapter Six

Preparing To Leave The Shire

I follow Lady Elaina out of the house and for a second I watch her, as she sits down on a bench.

I took a few minutes taking in her appearance. At first, I had thought her hair was dark brown but while she was talking to her sister in the hallway eariler, I noticed she had some copper in it. She had a heart shaped face, a straight nose and cupid's bow lips. Her brown eyes were at this second watching something, as she slowly got up and stood in a darkened part of the garden.

'Just what are you doing?' I mentally thought to myself.

I slowly walk up to her and heard her mutter,

"Even in the night, you watch this house. You have far to much time on your hands!"

"Who has?" I asked her.

I could see her hold onto her chest and I realised I had startled her.

"Forgive me My Lady, I did not mean to make you jump."

Elania looked at me and smiled at me.

"It's quite alright. I should have been paying attention to my surroundings."

I nod my head.

"What were you watching, if you don't mind me asking?" I asked her, stepping a little closer.

Elaina returned her attention to what she was staring at originally.

"A very nosy hobbit," Elaina turned her head and watched me "Her name is Lobelia Sackville Baggins and she has watched our home for a very long time."

"Why?"

"She wants this home for herself."

"Hasn't she got her own home to go too?"

"Oh yes," laughed Elaina "but she thinks Bag End should belong to her. Never have I seen someone look lovingly at a home before."

"Which isn't her home to begin with."

"Exactly!" smiled Elaina, walking back towards the bench.

I silently watch her as she sits back down, she was certainly different to her sister. While her sister did speak up when spoken too, I noticed she could never met my gaze for long. Whereas Elaina here, had already proved to me that she could hold her own. I already felt her wrath when she was defending her adopted father, Master Baggins.

"You never did answer my question!" I remark to her, tilting my head a little, placing my hands behind my back.

Elaina looked up at me.

"You have completely lost me!"

"A little while ago, I asked you what your weapon of choice was."

"Ah I remember and in answer to your question, I'm quite good with the sword."

I close the distance, by sitting next to Eliana on the bench.

"Who taught you?"

"Believe it or not, myself."

I watch her, taken aback.

"You taught yourself? Who did you fight with?"

"Well, sometimes Hetti but mainly I practice on my own."

"Maybe my men and I could train you more, that is," I began watching her carefully "if you are coming with us."

Eliana looked away and sighed.

"Well, Gandalf said I was needed as much as Bilbo was, though I have no idea why."

No, neither did I but in Bree, Gandalf was insistent that Eliana come with us. I remember at the time, Gandalf very vaguely said she had to search out her own past.

"I very much doubt that hobbit will come though," I said, frowning "He won't be able to fight!"

"Lord Thorin."

"Please, just Thorin." I informed her kindly, seeing her nod her head.

"Thorin," she began again "Bilbo may not be able to fight but, there is something unique about him. In due course, even you will see that!"

I very much doubted that, I surmised.

"It could get dangerous."

"Yes it could," agreed Elaina "but reclaiming your home, will be worth it, won't it?"

We watch one another, I barely knew her but somehow, her words had hit me. It would be worth it, I haven't seen my home Erebor in such a long time. It was time to grab what was rightfully mine. For me and my kin.

"Yes," I smiled at her "it would be worth it in the end but the obstacle has to be seen to first."

"The dragon," Elaina whispered, I nodded "Have you any idea how to defeat it?"

That was a good question, but one I could not answer. Elaina seemed to sense my discomfort and surprised me by placing her hand over mine.

"I'm sure the answer to that question will one day present itself." said Elaina but I was watching her hand to fully understand what she had just said.

Her hand was very tiny compared to my own calloused hand and I found myself being fascinated by her touch, so soft and warm and-,

"Well, I'd better get some sleep," I heard Elaina say breaking into my thoughts "It's going to be a busy day tomorrow."

Elaina gently removed her hand from mine and got up.

"Goodnight Thorin."

I glance up at her and nod my head.

"Goodnight Lady Elaina .

"Elaina."

"Goodnight Elaina." I corrected myself.

She smiled at me before heading back inside. I stayed where I was, more confused than ever. What had just happened?

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I wake up to hear the birds twirping outside my window and I slowly sit up remembering that there were guest in our house. That and the fact we were all invited to help Thorin reclaim his kindom, Erebor.

I got out of bed and went to my wardrobe and opened it and grabbed all my clothes, which were all trousers that I had made myself. Seeing as Hetti and I were not hobbits, we had to make our own clothes. When I first tried making myself trousers, it was a failure but with practice, I slowly got better.

In time, I even taught Hetti how to make her own clothes, she actually prefered wearing dresses as she said it was easier to make than trousers.

I folded my trousers neatly before placing them in my beige bag. I then went to my chest of drawers and grabbed my shirts and repeated what I did with the trousers and placed them in the bag as well.

I quickly got changed in dark trousers with a black leather belt and a white shirt. I then put on my black boots, then decided to tie my hair back in just a simple ponytail, before placing my hairbrush in my bag. I made my bed before grabbing my bag and stepping out of my bedroom, making sure my necklace was on straight.

I heard several voices in the living quarters but I went in the bathroom and grabbed my soap and a towel and a few flannels before walking in the living quarters where Fili, Kili and Loki were all sitting by the table.

"Ah the fair maiden woke up." grinned Kili, currently eating a sausage.

"Come again," I remark, taking a few apples that Hetti had found the previous day. She would not mind a few going missing, well I hoped not anyway "I'm not from a fairytale!"

"Fairytale?" asked Fili "What's that?"

"Make believe stories." I replied, now putting the apples in the side of my bag.

"I would like to hear these fairytales," remarked Kili getting excited "Please tell us."

I glance up and watch Kili. He had a massive grin on his face. I had the feeling he was very easily pleased.

'Good grief,' I thought 'What have I started!'

"Some of of the stories are to long!"

"I like long stories, right Fee?"

I glance at Fili and was a little surprised he was watching me.

"If you say so Kili." smirked Fili.

"Seeing as your coming with us," I rolled my eyes, knowing where this was leading "you can be our storyteller."

"What are you, five?" I remarked pouring out some orange juice in a glass, before taking a sip, hearing Loki's laughter.

"No, I'm 77 years old," said Kili smiling at me mischievously "and Fee here is 82."

I watch them both, completely lost.

"You both look to be in your mid twenties though."

"We age slowly." replied Fili smiling at me.

All I could do was nod.

"Who ages slowly?" came a voice in the doorway.

I whip my head around and saw Dwalin entering the living quarters, walking towards a jar of biscuits.

"We do." replied Fili watching Dwalin than returned his attention back on his breakfast of sausage and egg.

'Who cooked that?' I wondered 'Bilbo is still asleep!'

There was a dishful of sausages and a bowl of scrambled egg in the centre of the table.

"Hmm, very true." smirked Dwalin, eating a biscuit, while his other hand was still in the biscuit jar.

Remembering that I had yet to sign the contract, I walked pasted Dwalin and saw the contact, sitting neatly on the side table by a chair. Taking the quill, I signed my name on it, hoping that Bilbo would change his mind and come too.

I wasn't sure if Hetti would come either, the way she acted last night when Bilbo fainted, I could see her fear. I only hoped that if she did decide to come, she should go for herself and not let others make her come with us if she really did not want to come it was her decision.

"So you are accompanying us then!" I heard a deep baritone voice behind me.

I spin around and saw Thorin and Balin near the door frame. Balin walked of and helped himself to sausage and egg on a plate, before sitting next to Loki to tuck in to his breakfast. Thorin meanwhile I noticed, was watching me.

"But of course," I reply "Though I do not want no reward."

Every head in the room all stopped what they were doing and were now watching me, causing me to go red a little.

"Oh," asked Thorin, frowning a little "why is that?"

"I care not for any reward," I pause trying to choose my wording with care "My reward, would be seeing you all have a home to go back too."

"Aww, thank you lass," smiled Balin resuming his breakfast "That means a lot to us, doesn't it boys?"

I heard everyone except Loki and Thorin all say,

"Aye."

Thorin then walked out of the room and I feared I had somehow offended him, so I quickly went after him.

"Thorin," I saw him stop walking by the front door, though he never turned around "If I have upset you in any wa-,"

"You have not upset me Elaina ," interrupted Thorin, turning around and look at me "Never in my entire life, have I heard someone say such moving words."

I avert my gaze and say softly,

"Well, it is the truth."

"Elaina." said Thorin softly, causing me to meet his gaze.

I was surprised to see he was now smiling at me, which went just as quickly when Bofur, Bombur and Ori came bounding from wherever closely followed by Gandalf, though Thorin was still watching me.

"I knew you would come Elaina." said Gandalf.

"You were that confident I would change my mind?"

"My dear girl," smiled Gandalf "I never doubted you for a second."

Gandalf then hands over something to me, that was wraped in a red velvet cloth.

"I found this lying around that trunk over there," said Gandalf, I unwrap the cloth and see a silver sword staring back at me "Something tells me, you have used this before."

"Well I-," I stutter not sure on how to explain that I liked practicing in a field when I know everyone would leave me alone for a while.

"Keep practicing, chuckled Gandalf "You are gifted with the sword."

"You knew I practiced!" I asked him.

Gandalf nods his head.

"On several occasions. Though I have no idea what that tree did to cause so much aggression on your part."

I heard a snort and saw at once Thorin was watching me with a grin on his face.

"Saying that though," continued Gandalf "Keep doing that and whoever is fighting you, will never know what has hit them."

"That's comforting to know," I smiled at Gandalf before changing the subject "Is Bilbo coming?"

All I got was a small smile.

"That tells me a lot!" I surmised.

I laugh. Something in my head told me to leave a note for Bilbo. I put my sword in my belt as I walked back in the living room. Grabbing the quill again I quickly wrote,

Dear Bilbo,

I have decided to accompany Thorin and his men on their quest. I really hope you change your mind and come with us. I know full well, you love adventures yourself.

As I told you last night, I would find your courage for you and I meant that with all my heart. To me, you already have courage Bilbo, but you are so unaware of it. One day, you will realise what I mean.

I really hope to see you and with luck Hetti, very soon.

Your adopted daughter

Elaina

xxxxx

"I knew you would make the right choice." grinned Loki, making me turn and face him.

"Was there any choice to begin with?" I ask him, placing the note for Bilbo on the mantlepiece that had his contact on it besides it.

"No, not really," smiled Loki. "You have no idea what's to come."

I tilt my head at him with a amused look on my face.

"Does anyone?"

Loki never answered, only watched me carefully.

"Life would be boring, if we all knew what was coming," I say to him "It would take the edge of surprise of many things and where's the fun in that?"

Loki grinned mischievously at me, which I smirked at.

"I knew I liked you for a reason!" was all he said before walking out of the room.

'That was weird.' I thought.

I picked up my bag and walked out of the room, once more glancing over my shoulder towards Bilbo's and Hetti's room.

"I really hope you do come." I whisper to myself.

"I can't guarantee your safetly." replied Thorin, causing me to turn my attention to him.

"Believe it or not Thorin, I can take care of myself!" I said, hearing movement behind me making me glance over and see Fili and Kili walking up to us. "And you won't be responsible for my fate!" I add, returning my gaze back on Thorin, seeing his blue eyes go wide.

He watched me for a long moment before saying,

"Will shall see!"

Thorin then left the house, leaving me speechless.

"We leave in five minutes." I heard Thorin say from the other side of the door.

I glance at the closed door that Bilbo slept in.

"Be strong Bilbo." I whisper before going outside myself.

"Here, eat this," said Bofur coming towards me.

I just look at him with confusion.

"I noticed you didn't eat anything last night so. I saved you some ham, and bread."

He hands me a plate with ham and cheese and two slices of bread.

"I did eat some Bofur. I've never been a big eater though!" I reply before adding "Thank you kindly, good sir," I smile, putting the ham inbetween the two slices of bread. "I don't need the plate though."

"Well you know what to do!" grinned Bofur. "Get ready Fili."

I rolled my brown eyes before tossing the plate in Fili's direction who caught it without even looking at it.

"Now that is just showing of!" I say to him, who only grins back at me.

"You liked seeing that last night!" remarked Kili with a smile on his face.

"Yep, still do." I replied "It is a good party trick!"

Kili bowed his head before walking towards his pony. Where had they come from?

"You better chose what pony you want Elaina." said Thorin who was on his own brown pony.

I spot a white pony and go up to her.

"You are a beauty aren't you?"I whispered to the pony.

'You may call me Midna.' I heard the pony say in my head.

To say I was shocked, was an understatement.

"Hello Midna." I reply geting on her not noticing that Thorin, Loki, Fili and Kili had witnessed me talk to a pony and the two brothers were surprised about that.

"Hmm," remarked Thorin galloping of. "Let's get a move on."

"Hope you know how to ride Midna." said Fili trying not to laugh.

"Yes I do know how to ride a pony, Fili." I reply.

"Just checking." smiled Fili.

"Should we be waiting for Bilbo and Hetti?" I asked innocently, praying they would come after all.

"I don't think he'll come Lady Elaina." replied Fili.

"Just Elaina." I say to him seeing him nod his head.

"It was a waste of time even asking a Hobbit to come," remarked Thorin "What exactly can he do? Except winning at Conkers!"

I hear laughter around me.

"Never judge a book by it's cover." I reply catching Gandalf's gaze.

"What do you mean?" asked Thorin.

"I mean, everyone is different in there own way. If we were all the same, we would all be bloody boring!" I pause seeing Loki chuckle beside me "Why can't you see what I can see?" I ask Thorin, who was watching me.

"And what's that?" asked Thorin.

"A young Hobbit that has hidden strength within him." I reply, noticing that Gandalf had a small smile on his face.

"What strength?" exclaimed Thorin.

I tut before repling,

"I give up."

I glare at Thorin, I knew then that I would try and protect Bilbo with my life, if he did indeed come and that went for Hetti too. Thorin was very quick to judge others, that was for sure and I only hoped in time he would change his tune.