A/N: For a friend, remember. Others this weekend. @everyjourneylove
“Are we getting to the part where you meet the dwarves, Uncle?” a young Frodo squirmed on the carpet, his friends all still listening intently. They all came over as soon as schooling was finished, Bilbo making sure to spread out the parts of the story. Even his best friend, young Sam, was the most interested, focusing on him intently.
“Of course, Frodo. You see, after the Elves were comfortable with Dalura’s healing, they escorted her here, to the Shire. And you should have seen my reaction when I met her,” Bilbo leaned back in his favorite armchair, memories flooding his mind. Yes, quite a scandal that day was. A young woman, with a lot of dark hair covered in beads, standing next to Lord Elrond. He had never met his cousin, only heard about her from stories given by other family members.
“What was your reaction, Mr. Bilbo?”
“Honestly, Samwise, it was shock,” Bilbo started. “She was quite a sight for us and even more so with a bow in hand and arrows strapped to her back. Not many Hobbits had ever seen such a small archer.”
“Maybe I can be an archer,” Pippin jumped in next, standing excitedly at the idea. Merry, instead, shot him down, telling him how he would probably trip over a rock before he ever got a shot off.
“Now boys, let’s not argue. Anyone can be an archer,” Bilbo leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “And trust me, we always needed one. But before I can tell you about that, we need to get to the part where she snuck her way into our little adventure.”
Hard soles hitting ground interrupted the early morning noise as a female Halfling dashed down the familiar paths. She radiated from the smile on her lips, a box clutched tightly to her chest as she made her way to her dear cousin’s home. It was a tradition that started over the years, one that her cousin was happy to participate in if it only got her to smile. And this year, she hoped he would still do it regardless of the other Hobbits murmurings of her other side.
“Bilbo!” her voice rang out into the crisp morning air as she arrived at the newly painted door to her cousin Bilbo’s home. She didn’t even bother to knock, quickly pushing open the door to enter his small little hole in the ground.
No answer came as she stepped further in, her eyes widening at the sight before her. His home, which was normally tidy beyond compare of the others, was completely ransacked. Blankets were strewn throughout and in the kitchen, a pile of dishes and china that more than likely need cleaning. His fireplace still radiated heat from being used from the night. But, what company did he keep? Bilbo was a very reclusive Hobbit.
“Dalura,” an out of breath tone made the woman turn, her eyes wide. Bilbo came out of a room, a sack tied to his back and traveling clothes on. Clutched to his chest was a long piece of parchment, a letter of some sort. She felt her heart almost shatter as she realized in those few seconds that whatever happened was making her dear cousin leave her.
“I see,” she murmured, nothing else leaving her lips as she set the ornate box down. Her fingers shook as she avoided his gaze, unsure of how to react.
“Dalura, what’s the matter?” Bilbo asked, before looking at his dress. “Oh, this. No, I won’t be gone long.”
“Then what happened cousin,” she asked, looking over the home. “Who was here?”
“Oh, just a wizard and some dwarves.”
“Dwarves!” her gaze snapped to him, a smile breaking out over her face. Bilbo nodded, quickly going through his things for other scant objects. Dalura was behind him, asking questions.
“What were they here for? Where are they from? Erebor? The Blue Mountains? Any news?”
“Dalura, calm down! I know you lost your memory but not all dwarves will know of you,” Bilbo stuffed something into his pockets, meeting her eyes. “But they want to reclaim Erebor from the dragon. You know the story.”
“Then what’s with the…..oh!” she covered her mouth, staring excitedly at him. “You are going with, aren’t you?”
Bilbo paused before looking at his cousin, the one he had grown attached too. He remembered the day she arrived in the Shire. She had looked so defeated and lost, unsure of where she came from or who she was aside from being related to his family. The only thing she knew of for sure was being found severely injured in Erebor. It took months for her to heal with the Elves care and after training to defend herself properly at her request, many more before she arrived here. Since then, all rumors of passing dwarves got the young woman bustling through town asking all sorts of questions. She even wanted to leave the Shire on her own, which Bilbo promptly protested. She may be adept with a dagger and a bow, but he would never forgive himself if she did get hurt.
“No,” Bilbo quickly sputtered out more as Dalura suddenly busied herself with a sack, packing away little necessities before grabbing another pair of his clothes.
“Dalura, no! You are not coming!”
“And why not? Why do you get the adventure?!” she yelled before slamming the door to change.
“This will be dangerous, Dalura! And with a bunch of men!”
“Then I’ll wear a cloak and hide my face! They won’t know I’m a woman if that is what you fear!”
“Dalura, please! I don’t want to risk losing you over a silly adventure!” Bilbo heard a pause from the other side of the door, his eyes frantically searching the wood. But he did not wait long for the door opened suddenly, his cousin standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. He knew then that he lost by the look of frustration on her face as she slung the sack over her shoulder, eyes blazing fire.
“Bilbo Baggins, if you think for one second that I will allow you to leave me here, then think again. I do not belong here, you know this,” she sighed, rubbing at her eyes. “And it’s my birthday, remember? You always do my hair on my birthday.”
Bilbo opened his mouth to retort but he knew the words she spoke were true. He never once missed her birthday or missed adding the beads of her Dwarven heritage into her hair. Though the others spoke ill of her hair, Bilbo would do anything to see her smile.
“Oh very well,” Bilbo sighed. Perhaps the company wouldn’t mind a fourteenth member. Especially one that was trained to fight, unlike him.
“Well,” Bilbo saw that she hadn’t moved, blinking her eyes owlishly. “Come on! We must be off to your home to get the rest of your gear before running off into the wilderness.”
Dalura squealed in excitement, her arms slinging around Bilbo’s neck. She managed to grab the box she arrived with after releasing him, stuffing it into the sack she carried.
“Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she grabbed his hand before taking off out of his home, running down the path toward her own.
“I’ll be quick!” she ducked into the door, Bilbo standing at it worriedly.
“Cousin, don’t forget to find something to hide your…um…”
“Yes,” Bilbo blushed. “That.”
“On it!” her sing song voice made him pause as she dashed past the doorway, pulling a rather baggy looking tunic over her head to go with the other. She also slipped on a pair of gloves to hide her hands. It only took a few seconds for her to collect her bow, dagger, and a cloak as she promised. She wore boots on her feet now, a pair she arrived with and had been designed for her by the Elves that took care of her. Securing the cloak around her shoulders, Bilbo watched as she placed it over her head, the hood effectively hiding her face from anyone around. She strapped the weapons on her, the dagger at her waist and her bow over her shoulders. Bilbo was going to ask about arrows but she suddenly procured some from a hiding place, strapping it to her back before slinging the sack over her shoulders.
“Ready!” she cheered, which Bilbo did agree. She was ready for travel and no one would know that she was indeed a female. Except…
“I’m mute, Bilbo. We can use that story,” she giggled. Bilbo nodded before they ran off in the direction he only hoped the dwarves traveled in, praying that they were not too late.
The company of Dwarves stopped, each turning to see a Hobbit suddenly running toward them, the contract flying in the air. What they didn’t expect to see was another person following close behind, just as small, but different than the normal Hobbit. And this one, some mused, prepared for battle.
“I signed it,” Bilbo muttered when he caught up. The other didn’t react, merely kept their head down. The others began to murmur to each other, wondering why the person hid their face from them.
“Who’s your companion, Bilbo?” a tall individual asked. Bilbo paused before glancing at the person, suddenly unsure. They hadn’t chosen a name for her disguise. Something they completely forgot.
“Oh, um, this is…is….Tonks. S…..Serid Tonks!” Bilbo smiled, hooking his thumbs into the straps on his chest. The individual flinched before giving a nod. “He heard of adventure and wanted to come. Decided it would help with his memory, since he lost it in a battle.”
Dalura didn’t react but was tempted to smack Bilbo on the head for his blubbering. This was becoming troublesome even more so, as the others seemed a bit untrusting.
“We have no time for random travelers,” a deep voice gained her attention, making her look toward the front of the company. A dwarf with dark hair streaked with grey glared at her, making her uncomfortable. But he did seem familiar to her, like she knew him…
“Probably after treasure,” someone else grumbled. Dalura responded by giving a very loud snort before waving her hand, showing that treasure was not her concern. The stares she got was enough to make her want to break character.
“Can the lad not speak?” another asked. Dalura used her fingers, holding two up before closing them together to look as if something was cut. Her tongue was the idea.
“I know,” Bilbo started suddenly, “that you all think sh..Serid won’t be a valued member but he was trained to fight. Very good with a bow and dagger. And he doesn’t require much, especially not payment.”
“Then why come?” a younger dwarf asked. Dalura smacked her head with her knuckle, Bilbo answering.
“Lost his memory, he did. So any way to get it back, he is willing to do. Even if it costs him his life.”
“I think we can afford another member of the company. One adept in battle,” the tall one murmured, obviously amused. It took only a few seconds before the others nodded in agreement. And the idea of not having to share any treasure was an added bonus.
“Give him a contract,” the head of the company growled, looking away from the group. “And give them both ponies!”
“Oh no, no, it’s okay. I can wa – OW!” Bilbo touched the back of his head, Dalura having smacked him. She snorted again before approaching one of the final 2 ponies, swinging herself up. Bilbo still protested until 2 individuals arrived on either side of him, lifting him up and placing him on the other pony. Dalura tried very hard to not laugh at him with how stiffly he sat upon the pony. She knew this trip would be very interesting.
