Bramble rode atop her pony with a grace and poise not seen among even elves. She had her gear and supplies—very well chosen for this journey—tied behind her to the saddle plus her magical satchel hidden beneath her cloak and fastened at her back. Gifted to her by Lord Elrond many years ago, it was bigger on the inside than the out allowing her to have packed spare clothes, hankies, a spare cloak, extra material, her sewing kit, her various weapons, and even extra provisions. She was not new to travel.

It was a three-day journey to Bree, and only one day had been spent on the road so far. In that time Bramble had come to solidify many opinions and conjectures about her traveling companions: Thorin was a grouchy sod; Balin was kind but wary of her; Bombur was incredibly shy; Ori was a very talented and eloquent writer and story teller; Dori was a fussy mother hen; Fili was very solemn and protective of his brother (though he could have fun on occasion and loved to joke with his brother); Bifur was fond of plants and seemed to be fascinated by her strange behavior; Kili was always ready with a grin for her and was completely the most open to having her (besides Bofur and, surprisingly, Nori); Dwalin seemed to have taken a liking to her; Bofur was exceptionally cheerful; Oin and Gloin were mildly suspicious of her; and Nori studied her relentlessly. Oh, and she had yet to truly feel like part of the Company.

Bramble found herself at the back of the line, some several yards apart from the others, both by her desire to distance herself from the clamor only she could hear and their unintentional (or perhaps not) exclusion.

It went on like this until Bree where they stabled their ponies and went to the Prancing Pony where they bought a warm meal and beds for the night.

Balin joined them last with a huff. "I was only able to purchase three rooms for the night," he informed.

"Three?!" Bramble protested over the others. "I know for a fact we had enough to get at least five, unless—Oh, be-bother it." Without another word she stood and left to locate their host.

Balin had come to respect the lass traveling with them over the journey to Bree. She had packed well, dressed in sturdy pants instead of a skirt and a good shirt for traveling, seemed to know how to ride a pony, and never complained despite the unpleasantness of Thorin. He failed, however, to appreciate what all these little tidbits meant when all lumped together. Now they were sitting at the table in the Prancing Pony waiting for the burglar to return.

When she did it was with a smug gaze and a spring to her step. "All is taken care of, my good dwarrow," she announced. "I have settled the problem, and now we are in the possession of eight hobbit sized rooms for the night as well as a good, hearty breakfast and extra care for our ponies. Oh, and a man's room for Gandalf. That's probably important seeing as how you'd be hard put to be squished into one built for small folk."

Balin blustered. "Eight rooms? Lass, we just don't have that kind of money!"

She sighed quietly.

"Maser Balin, Company, apparently you are not aware of the fact that The Prancing Pony has rooms created for us of a shorter stature. They are cheaper, both because of hobbit relations with and in the town of Bree as well as myself. I assure you that no extra expense was charged to The Company but to my own pockets."

This time it was Dori who spoke out. "You paid for eight rooms?! By yourself?!"

Balin wanted to nod his head in agreement. Sure the smial they had visited had been nothing short of grand, but there was simply no way the burglar could have afforded such a deal even with discounted prices. The royal adviser watched with narrowed eyes as the hobbit put on a long-suffering face and bore their unceasing questions silently for the rest of the evening.

Bramble was sure she wanted to murder the dwarrow. Not only was her head ringing from close proximity to their unique brand of clamor, but her patience smarted from having to deal with such insufferable idiots (the only possible exception being Bofur as he had merely glanced at her sympathetically and shared his ale discreetly with her).

Come morning she was about early helping in the kitchen when the sound of some of the dwarrows' voices drifted from through the doors; she went out to greet them with a content look on her face and flour on her hands. "Good morning Bofur, Kili, Nori, Ori, Dwalin, and Oin. What has you up so early in the morning and without your charming companions?" she nearly smiled at the way Dwalin's mouth twitched suspiciously.

"'Ey!" Bofur yelped cheerily. "Ever'one knows I'm th' charmin' one."

Bramble resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead turned to Oin.

"Thorin wanted us to be collecting what little supplies we needed before we took off."

"So early? Surely you've eaten at least."

Little Kili's face scrunched in displeasure as they all shook their heads sadly.

Bramble sighed, pinched the bridge of her nose with one hand, and muttered to herself. "Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves." When she looked back up she once more had that mask back in place. "Well then, take your seats. I'll get you fed right quick so I can lead you through Bree's market."

After quickly delivering them bowls of steaming porridge Bramble untied the apron from around her waist, splashed water on her face, gestured to the dwarrow to follow, and exited The Prancing Pony.

"The market is a common stop for men, Rangers, hobbits, and even dwarrow from the Blue Mountains," the lass told them, one hand gesturing to the variety of wares on display. "While some of the vendors all sell the same product, you will find that some offer better deals based on race and social standing. I can recommend a few to see for specific items if you would prefer."

Bofur noted with mild interest that she turned to Oin at this, and he was just about to remark on it when young Ori – the timid lad, bless his soul – shuffled closer to the side of their resident bear-dwarf.

"I-It might help if we spl-lit up," the poor boy stammered, mittened hands wringing together as he sidestepped a trio of unobservant men.

"Splitting up," Dwalin protested with a glare directed at the retreating backs of the would-be Ori-squishers, "is a bad idea. We know nothin' of these merchants and their ways."

One of Bofur's eyebrows raised in mild disbelief beneath the brim of his hat. Miss Baggins, body angled to appear decidedly soft-edged and non-threatening, seemed as if she wished to express the same sentiments.

"While these may not be the markets of your homeland," she argued amiably (and how she never broke pose or tone was a mystery to the be-hatted dwarf), "I can assure you that every merchant is a firm believer in the respecter of persons – and potential business transactions. You will find what you require by noon-time at the latest. In fact, splitting up will allow you to retrieve all your items all the faster." One slender eyebrow arched upwards in an elegant hint of motion.

Bofur found himself wanting to double over with laughter. Barely a day had they known her and already she was fighting them to a standstill with her words alone. Marvelous! He watched as Dwalin spluttered before scraping his composure back together.

"Then tha's what we'll do," he huffed, and – were his cheeks stained pink beneath his beard?

The hobbit caught his eyes, and Bofur very clearly saw the mirth gleaming there nearly causing him to lose his cool altogether.

Dwalin continued, "I'll go with Oin to get medicines and weapons' tools; Nori and Ori- "

"As if I'd let him anywhere without me," the star-haired dwarf muttered; her nose twitched most interestingly.

"-can get what non-perishables we need. Bofur and Kili, you'll go after food-stuffs. An' Lady Baggins…" He trailed off uncertainly, looking at the female in question.

"I shall go with Masters Bofur and Kili," she intoned smoothly. "They will require more assistance with the food sellers than your goods." At this she turned daintily on her toes and began padding off in a seemingly random direction.

Bofur was frozen. Wait – what? Where was she going?! "Uh-Um-Bu-Lass -"

She must have realized they were not following, for she stopped to look back at them. "Well? We haven't got all day, you lazy sods." Though said with no teasing inflection the intent was clear in those amber pools of hers.

The miner snapped off his fugue with a violent shake of his person before dashing off alongside the young prince to join her at her side. As they reached her, she turned and continued walking.

Kili was rather impressed with the halfling. Gentlehobbit – if a lady and a homespun one at that – though she seemed, she had a way with words and people that put even Gandalf and Balin to shame. Keeping her voice at the same level, never giving off more than a passive expression, body held at attention but leant just so, and eyes warmed to a certain, trustful degree she bartered down prices with exceeding skill – and still managed to purchase twice as much as they had originally hoped for.

"That," he praised, awe lacing his words, "was fantastic. I've never seen anyone do that so well!" He noted with keen gaze that she didn't blush, but the tips of her ears twitched almost imperceptibly instead.

"I learned only from the best," was her only excuse; it left more questions than answers.

"Now, now, Lass," Bofur chided, "is tha' any way ta be treatin' yer Company members?" Green-grey eyes twinkled merrily.

However, the hobbit was given no chance to retort, for at that moment a voice called out, "Bramble!"

Kili silently cursed himself as he spun to face the scarily-close intruder; he should have heard their approach though a glance to the side revealed that she had almost seemed to already know the other hobbit had been there. Wait.

Yes, that was another hobbit, one who jogged over to them with one hand raised in greeting.

"Delaware Took," Lady Baggins greeted warmly (without outright smiling), shifting the sack of flour in harms to her hip so as to receive and return a one-armed embrace. "It has been too long since you've stopped by for tea."

He pulled back with a grin big enough for the both of them, and Kili suddenly felt certain that they were related. "And longer since your presence has graced my humble home." A curious gaze, one the young prince was used to, raked over the males. "I wasn't aware you'd be in town," he commented.

She hesitated. "It was a… sudden decision. My Company stopped here in order to restock, and then we'll be once more on our way."

Delaware seemed to deflate slightly before Kili's very eyes. "Ghera will be very disappointed to learn you did not stop by to say hello and exchange gossip."

Lips twitched fondly. "Your wife, I'm sure, will forgive me this one time for my haste."

"Oh?"

"I'm sure. You see, I travel on a quest with the Company if Thorin Oakenshield."

Recognition sparked suddenly through the hobbit, causing him to nearly trip over himself if Bofur hadn't righted him with a concerned frown; he himself flitted river green eyes between Kili and Bofur with awe. "You mean- "

Lady Baggins nodded once. "I do."

"And they- "

"Yes."

"So you're- "

"Indeed."

For the first time Kili was eyed with respect as Master Took whistled through his teeth. "Well, cousin, it appears I will have good news for dinner tonight. Or maybe afternoon tea. Perhaps sooner than that – luncheon. Definitely for luncheon."

Again she seemed amused, cheeks softened as if just waiting for a smile. "Or now," she suggested, giving him a little shove. "We must be getting back, Delaware, but I swear I shall write you as soon as I am able to keep you and Ghera updated as to our progress."

"Of course," he agreed, shuffling backwards. He turned and made as if to dash off, but he spun back, concern etched deeply into his skin. "Be careful, Belle," he told her seriously. "Do not do anything foolish."

Her eyes echoed with a ripple of sadness that wrenched at Kili's heart. "I cannot promise much."

Delaware seemed equally saddened. "I know," he replied softly, and then he turned back and was gone.

She watched him leave before facing them once more. "Come; let us get these back to the inn."

Hello! First of all, thanks to all of you who still follow this story. I know I haven't been around a lot (and I still haven't finished the chapter I'm still on), but I promise this story isn't abandoned. I've recently started college, so updates will be even more sporadic than before as I try to work on all the fics I have going or planned besides rl stuff. I'm posting this in haste, so I don't have time to answer reviews, thank specific readers, etc. that I do with my Ninjago fic, so here's a general and heartfelt thanks to all of you for you support :)

As a quick little easter egg, does anyone have an idea as to why Delaware might have recognized the Company and its quest for what it was? Virtual cookies to those who guess right, plus a bonus omake of their choosing to the first correct guess.

I'm really excited for the next chapter, you guys; it has the scene with the trolls, and I rather like my interpretation of it with Bramble, so stay tuned.

As always, read, like, review, and follow if you find this fic worthy! Thank you! :D