Authoress Note: Welcome to Chapter 7 of So Far Gone. I want to thank those who have left reviews for this story. It truly does mean a lot. I've been adding quite a bit to past chapters and now we're onto new Chapters. Which I am indeed excited about and excited to show you guys what is to come. Will Tony be able to fit in with the dwarves or will there be problems on the way? Who would you guys like to see her with? I hope to have the pairing soon. Without further ado Chapter 7. ENJOY!
Chapter 7
Tony awoke with a groan rolling from her place on the chair that she slept in. Her hair mussed up from sleeping and her clothes wrinkled. She ran her hand through her tangled mane of hair trying to smooth the knots out. She looked around seeing that the dwarves were getting ready to go as well by cleaning up the hobbit hole making it better than when they were there. She looked around seeing that it looked like Bilbo didn't even have guests in his home.
Kili turned his head and a smile came to his lips. "Morning Lady Tony."
"Morning Kili… I take it I woke up just in time." She questioned softly wondering if they would have left her there if she hadn't gotten up in time. She supposed that they would if Gandalf hadn't told them that she was coming.
"Of course, Lady Tony," Kili said putting the last few things away. "We were just cleaning up the mess of what we made and then heading out."
"I take it that you guys aren't happy that Master Baggins isn't joining in."
"I think he'll still come," Kili said offering her a small smile.
"I think he'll come too," Tony said with a small smile. "Just give him time. I'm sure that everything will work out."
"The others are outside." Kili pointed out to her leading her towards the door. "Do you know how to ride?"
"Oh…" Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I've never really rode a horse or pony before. I always walked where I needed to go."
"I'm sure that you'll get it," Kili said offering her a smile as the two of them came out of Bilbo's home. Kili put his things on his pony.
Gandalf smiled at the young woman. "Good morning Lady Tonya." He said as he got onto his horse.
"Good Morning Gandalf." She said softly as she looked the pony over wondering how she was to get on such a creature. She hated the fact that she admitted so easily to Kili that she had never ridden a pony or horse before. But she knew that she needed to learn and learn quickly. She swallowed the lump in her throat. She tried a few times before finally getting up on the pony. She blew her reddish brown hair from her eyes her cheeks colored from the excursion.
AUJAUJ
Tony gripped the reigns of the pony as she followed the group of ponies and a horse down a path through a wooded area.
"It was a waste of time," Dwalin said scoffing shaking his head.
"Use a hobbit? He didn't look much of a thief." Nori said gripping the reigns as they continued down the path.
Tony let out a breath knowing that they were rather disappointed in not having Bilbo with them. She knew the story, that Bilbo at some point would join them, but she wasn't exactly sure when the hobbit would end up joining them.
"Wait! Wait!" A shout came from behind them.
Tony's brows pinched together as she slowed her pony to a stop before turning slightly in her seat to see Bilbo running up to them.
Bilbo caught up to them before handing Balin the contract. "I signed it!" He said proudly his lips quirking into a smile.
A small smile came to Tony's lips. She was thankful that he had shown up and it was earlier than what she had expected. She watched Balin inspect the contract with his pocket glass.
Balin smiled at Bilbo. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
The dwarves cheered happily but Thorin didn't look too impressed by the hobbit joining his company.
"Give him a pony," Thorin ordered stretching his hand out and giving the order before turning on his pony to face forward to ride once again. He wasn't about to waste time.
"No, no, no, no, that-that won't be necessary, thank you, but I-I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I- I-I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know. I even got as far as Frogmorton once-WAGH!" Bilbo screamed out as Kili and Fili came up and picked him up from behind and put him on the pony that didn't have a rider.
Tony clicked her tongue and her pony began to move again following down the path. She knew that she needed to find some clothes that were more suitable for travels. She knew that her clothing wouldn't last in the weather and she would get sick if she didn't take chances to fix the predicament that she was in at that very moment.
Bilbo looked down at his pony looking terrified. He flinched when the pony neighed and tossed its head back making him even more uncomfortable.
"Come on, Nori, pay up. Go on." Oin shouted looking at the dwarf ahead of him.
Nori tossed a sack of money to Oin. Soon other sacks of money were being passed between the dwarves.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Kili tossed a bag of coins towards Tony. "There you are, Lady Tony." He said with a coy smile.
Tony smiled softly knowing that she had made the right choice in not betting against Bilbo in coming on this quest. "Thank you, Kili."
"What's that about?" Bilbo asked rather confused.
"Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't." Gandalf mused with a small coy smile knowing that he was right in the fact that Bilbo couldn't resist a good quest when you put it before him.
"What did you think?"
"Hmmm." Gandalf caught a sack of money that was tossed to him. He then put it into his bag. "My dear fellow, I never doubted you for a second."
Bilbo sneezed suddenly out of the blue. "Ohh. All this horse hair, I'm reacting." Bilbo searched in his pockets for a handkerchief but he couldn't find it. He looked up gobsmacked. "No, no, wait, wait, stop! Stop! We have to turn around."
Tony let out a breath slowing her pony just like the others. She knew that this wasn't going to be a good sign.
"What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf questioned his brows pinched together.
"I forgot my handkerchief."
Bofur then tore a strip of cloth from his clothing before tossing it to Bilbo like it was nothing. "Here! Use this."
Bilbo caught the rag and looked at it rather disgusted by the idea of even using this.
The dwarves laughed and began to continue on their journey.
Tony breathed as she clicked her tongue against her teeth following the others. She would be disgusted as well if she were handed a rag like that. But she knew that the dwarves were practical there was nothing that they were going to use that would be a luxury.
"Move on," Thorin ordered rolling his eyes.
"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins before we reach our journey's end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you; the world is ahead." Gandalf pointed out to Bilbo as they continued on their journey.
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This is the end of Chapter 7 of So Far Gone. I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. I tried my best to write it out. Tony will be going through some growth during this story that is for sure. She hasn't grown much yet. But I promise you that she will grow soon enough. It just takes a bit of time to do so. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this chapter. Reviews help me keep going when it comes to writing. It helps keep my muse going. I hope to have the next chapter out soon. Until next time.
