'How can I help you, little lady?' the innkeeper asked.

Meta stared up at him over the top of the tall counter. 'I would like dinner and a room for the night.'

The large man maneuvered around behind the counter and checked his room board. 'I hope you don't mind. We are very full tonight, and I will have to put you in the hobbit room. It isn't that different from the others only it is a smaller scale. However, being that you are a dwarf, it shouldn't be too tight a fit.'

'That will be alright. I am very tired and any bed right now sounds wonderful!' she told the man. She had been on the road now for over a week and was ready to put her feet up in civilized accommodations for once.

'Barrowman, another guest!' A slight man ran in from the stable yard and bowed to Meta. 'My grandson will show you where to go. When you are ready just come back here for your dinner, or would you prefer to remain in your room?' He knew that sometimes women didn't want to face a hoard of half-soused men alone.

Meta smiled. 'I will come back here. My name is Meta, and I am trying to see as much of the world as I can so it makes no sense to hide myself away.' She turned to leave and then remembered her question. 'Do you know of anybody traveling towards the Ered Luin in the next few days? I am looking for a group to travel with on the road.'

The innkeeper ran a hand down his face. Well, Miss Meta, not off hand, but I am so busy right now my brain isn't thinking the way it should. When things quiet down I'll see what I can come up with. You might ask around tonight at dinner. There's usually somebody headed that way.' Another party hurried through the door demanding service and the flustered man turned to greet them.

Meta followed Barrowman back out to the stable yard. He led her between the main building and another one built low to the ground. 'The hobbit rooms are over here, miss,' He motioned to the low building. 'Not much call for them tonight so you should have a nice quiet stay.'

She walked in through the broad round door and saw a tidy sitting room with a pair of chairs in front of a brick fireplace. Barrowman knelt before it and set the kindling alight with his flint. 'There, that should be going nicely soon. It has been surprisingly chilly for this time of year. The bedroom is through the door and the bath is beyond. Will you be wanting water for a bath? It's no problem to bring it.'

'I would love a bath if it isn't too much to ask. You never realize how much you miss water until you are on the road!' She had felt grubby for the last few days and ached to be clean.

'Well, I've never left Bree so I wouldn't know, miss. My family caters to the travelers instead of going ourselves! Course, I've never been all that keen on baths either. Once a week is about all I can stand!' Barrow said. He never could figure out why people wanted so much bath water. All he needed was a half-decent sized bucket poured over his head, and he was good for another few days. He bowed politely and went to see about the water.

Meta put her pack on the table and plopped tiredly into one of the chairs. A few weeks on the road and she was only in Bree! It had seemed like a good idea at first but now she wondered if it was worth the effort. Perhaps she should have stayed in her little village. But the whole point was to meet other dwarves and see how they lived. She had been raised by her mother among 'outsiders' all her life. It was time to find out who she was and where she came from at least culturally. When she started she had intended to go to the Iron Hills, but the only people she could find to travel with were heading towards Bree. 'You can find someone from there to take you to the Ered Luin,' one of the men said. 'It can't be much different from the Iron Hills. Dwarf halls and all. And there's a fair amount of traveling between there and Bree; should be easy to find someone to go with.'

So here she was in Bree. Other than being dusty, the trip hadn't been that bad. She loved to hike and the scenery had been very interesting. But since she had never been anywhere before, anything different was bound to be interesting.

Meta felt like new after a nice long bath. She entered the crowded common room and looked around for an empty seat. The innkeeper bustled over and bowed. 'Welcome back. I hope you don't mind sharing a table. There is a lovely couple that I think you would work well with.' He turned and led her to the other side of the room. Two people sat at a table in the corner. 'Here she is at last! Miss Meta, meet Elva and Elroy.'

Meta bowed to the pair. 'I am very pleased to meet you. Thank you for sharing your table with me.'

'Sit, sit,' Elroy stood and motioned her to the chair next to his wife. 'We are always looking to meet new folk. It is one of the reasons we stay at the Prancing Pony for a few days rather than with the family. That and Butterbur the innkeeper,' He leaned over conspiratorially and whispered, 'And it keeps me out of Elva's sister's hair.'

Elva shook her head, 'Pay no attention to my dear Elroy. He acts like my sister would throw him out of the house if we stayed longer, but we really do like to make new friends and hear the news. It's much easier to do that from here than from a house.'

They ordered their meals and then Meta spent the next few minutes answering probing questions from her dinner companions. In short order they knew who she was, where she was from and where she was going. 'All the way to the Ered Luin? We have never been much beyond Bree. I hear the Shire is a beautiful place, but Bree is good enough for the likes of us!' Elroy explained. 'Are you traveling with anyone? The road seems to get more hazardous every year.'

'I was hoping to find a group headed in that direction. I traveled with a few Men most of the way from my village, but they are not going any further. Have you heard of anyone heading that way?' Meta asked.

'No, but then we only got in this afternoon. I'll keep my ears open and Elva can ask her sister. That woman knows everything that happens in Bree!' Elroy told her.

Elva slapped him playfully on his arm. 'You stop that. She doesn't know everything. Well, almost everything. Are you sure you want to travel with men, my dear?' she asked with a worried tone.

'Why not? Is there a reason I shouldn't?' Meta had had no trouble on the first leg of her journey.

Elva blushed and hesitated. 'Well, you never know with men. And not to be crude, but I doubt many have ever seen a dwarf-woman before. They may be tempted to be….rambunctious.'

Elroy took over. 'What she's trying to say is that some men may try to push themselves on you in an unwanted manner. We've been here at the Prancing Pony numerous times, but we've never seen a dwarf-woman.' Now it was his turn to look embarrassed. 'Honestly, the rumor is that you don't exist and that you are all bearded. They say dwarves are born from stone or some such nonsense. It's good to know the truth!'

Meta quickly put those rumors to rest. 'My mother and I have no beards, although she did say that some dwarf-women are more bearded than we. And I obviously have a mother!'

She turned back to what was really important. 'But if I don't travel with men how am I supposed to continue? I'm not afraid to go by myself, but I have been warned to always be with a group.' Meta sensed her great journey falling apart before it was even started.

Barrowman came with their food and conversation paused while they dug into the tasty fare. Slabs of ham with new potatoes swimming in butter accompanied by freshly baked rolls filled the air with a delectable scent. When three plates were mostly empty, Elroy continued the previous conversation. 'You should wait until some dwarves are headed your way. It shouldn't take too long. There is plenty of traffic this time of year and we see dwarves all the time.'

'How long isn't too long? I don't mind waiting for awhile but…' her voice trailed off.

Elroy screwed up his face in thought. 'Shouldn't be more than a week, I would guess. You can ask Butterbur, he might know. Anyway, you can spend some time seeing the area and visiting with us in Bree.'

'Oh, that would be marvelous,' Elva agreed. 'As much as I like visiting my sister, it is always good to have a few distractions planned.'

'That does sound sensible as long as Butterbur thinks there will be dwarves coming through.' She changed the topic, 'What are hobbits? Butterbur said my rooms were for hobbits but I have never heard the term before. They must be very short. I have to keep ducking my head for the doors!'

Elva and Elroy filled her in on all details hobbit. 'You may see some later tonight. They don't usually come when it's this busy. They'll wait until the crowd thins a bit and then join everyone for a pint or two,' Elroy explained.

'They sound fascinating. I hope I get to meet a few.' Meta had lived among Men all her life. Seeing someone shorter would be very interesting.

Meta spent the next few days with her new friends touring Bree and the surrounding area. She met plenty of hobbits and found them delightful company. As she had thought, it was gratifying to have someone shorter than herself around. Finally late one afternoon a note arrived from the Prancing Pony. A promising group of dwarves had arrived and would be heading to the Ered Luin the next day if she was still interested in leaving. Meta packed up her bag at Elva's sister's house and went with Elroy back to the inn.

Butterbur was much more relaxed this time around. The inn was busy but not overwhelmingly so. 'Ah, Miss Meta, back again I see. Would you like the same rooms or some on this side of the inn? We aren't nearly so busy and you can move if you want to.' He leaned over the counter and smiled broadly. 'I hear you've been taking in all the sights of our fair town. I hope it has been a pleasant experience!'

Meta nodded and returned his smile. 'It's a wonderful place! Elroy and Elva were most entertaining. I will be forever grateful for your introduction. Now if this next group is even half as good, I will be even more in your debt.'

Before the innkeeper could answer, a wave of sound burst out of the common room down the hall following by loud voices shouting. Butterbur looked somewhat embarrassed. 'Well now, I will leave that decision up to you. The trio arrived earlier today and has been enjoying the hospitality of the inn. They said they are going to the Ered Luin and they look respectable. However, I am not sure you will want to meet up with them right now. Might be best to wait until they've had a good night's sleep.'

Elroy saw her confusion and stepped in to explain. 'Dwarves are notorious for their drinking and carousing when they are on the road. They confine it to when they are at rest and always seem fine in the morning. I wouldn't hold anything you may see tonight against them tomorrow. Barrow is right you may want to wait until morning to make their acquaintance.'

'If I am going be traveling with them, I think I should see them at their worst.' Meta started down the short hall to the common room which had continued to explode with sound and laughter. She walked through the doors and saw a sizeable crowd grouped around what must be the three dwarves. One of them was enormously fat. Stocky like herself, but even broader, they each had a hand wrapped around one of the inn's largest steins. Taking turns, each one gulped the contents, wiped his mouth and then let out an unbelievably obnoxious belch. With each one the crowd roared its approval. Meta winced at the sound not because it was rude, but because she couldn't imagine how anyone could produce such a noise.

Butterbur pushed his way through the crowd and leaned over to the fat dwarf's ear and shouted over the din. 'Send him over, Master Butterbur! We'll take a look and see if we want him to join our merry tribe!' He took another swig and proceeded to belch several times in succession. His companions slapped him on the back and nodded in agreement.

'Send the bugger in; let's get a look at him,' shouted a second dwarf in a very odd hat.

'He best hurry up or they'll be no beer left for him!' shouted the third heavily bearded dwarf.

Butterbur's face cringed at their words and he leaned even closer to the three who amiably moved over to better hear his words. Meta watched the three faces as they registered first shock and then embarrassment. They sat back and turned toward the door. The heavily bearded one broke away from the group and came over to Meta. 'Begging your pardon, miss. We had no idea it was a lady. This is an honor and a surprise. Bifur's my name, at your service. Please accept my apology for my behavior.' The dwarf bowed almost double as he spoke.

Meta blushed. 'No need to apologize. For all I know, your behavior is completely acceptable if a bit loud.' She smiled at the mortified dwarf before her. 'Please don't let me ruin your enjoyment. I don't want to impose on your group any more than I must.'

The room had quieted to a much more social noise level once the dwarves were distracted by Butterbur. Now the other two made their way over to Meta's side. Butterbur joined them and said, 'Allow me to introduce Miss Meta.'

The dwarves each bowed and introduced themselves in turn. The heavyset dwarf was Bombur and the one with the funny hat was Bofur. 'What brings you out on the road, miss, if you don't mind me asking,' Bombur said. 'Dwarf-women do not travel,' he said with a note of disapproval.

Meta raised an eyebrow and replied, 'Since I am a dwarf-woman and I am traveling, that can't be true.'

The one named Bifur laughed. 'She's got you there, Bombur.' He turned to Meta. 'It would be more correct to say that dwarf-woman rarely travel and then only with family. You are the first I have ever met on the road and alone.'

'Well, you could not have met a finer group!' Bofur roared. 'Bombur's my brother and Bifur's my cousin. We are out on the road to see the world and find new employment. Your charming company will only add to our pleasure!' He winked at her and took a swig of his beer.

Bombur persisted. 'Even so, I would like to know why you are on the road. You aren't in trouble are you?'

Meta laughed. 'No, I am not in trouble or being pursued by a jilted lover if that worries you at all!' The dwarves only stared at her in confusion.

'Jilted lover?' Bifur asked. 'No dwarf would leave his intended. It isn't done.'

Now it was Meta's turn to stare. 'I wouldn't be so sure of that.' Her eyes grew hard for only a moment, but then she laughed. 'I am heading to the Ered Luin to learn more about dwarves. My mother and I have lived with Men for much of my life and it is time for a change.' She added no more details.

'Well we all have our reasons, don't we? You are more than welcome to join us if you think you can stand such a trio. We can't promise that we are refined but we are honest and will get you to the Ered Luin,' Bombur stated.

'That is all I ask. I will try to be as little trouble as possible. I have my own pony and supplies. All I need is good company,' she smiled at the three B's as she already thought of them. 'We will get along fine I am sure.'

The three dwarves nodded in agreement and asked her to join them for the evening. 'I am rather tired and I think I would be a hindrance to your pleasures,' she said. 'I will see you in the morning.' The B's bowed her out of the room and returned to their unrestrained revelries.

The next morning, Meta rose early. She doubted the three dwarves would be on the road at the crack of dawn, but she wanted to be ready if they were. After finishing her breakfast in the common room, she sat and watched the comings and goings of the inn's clientele. A half hour later, the B's rolled in.

Bofur walked slowly and gently to a table, sat down and dropped his head to its surface. Bifur followed his cousin and sat next to him his head propped in his hands. Bombur crept over to the nearest chair and collapsed into it. It groaned under his sudden weight but held together. As he settled in to the seat, he saw Meta watching him, her mouth open and her eyebrows raised in question. 'Don't worry, miss. All I need is a bit of coffee and I'll be good to go.' As if to counteract that assertion, he closed his eyes and groaned.

Butterbur followed on their heels laden with a massive tray of sausages and biscuits perched on one shoulder and a large pitcher in his hand. The food was placed under the dwarves' noses and the coffee was distributed among three large mugs. Slowly three pairs of eyes opened and looked at the food. Three hands reached out and pulled the mugs closer.

Butterbur moved over and stood by Meta. 'Don't worry, Miss Meta. I've seen a lot of dwarf parties. This one was mild in comparison to some. Once they get some food down, you'll be on the road in no time.'

The innkeeper was right. After the food disappeared and the coffee was drained, the dwarves rose from their table. Stretching and rolling shoulders they motioned to Meta and walked out to pay their bill. She went outside and waited while Butterbur's grandson brought her laden pony out of the stable. The B's exited the inn and each greeted her with a bow. 'Tis a fine day, Miss Meta!' said Bifur as though he had not been all but comatose an hour ago. 'We will make good progress before the sun sets again!' With that Meta began the next leg of her journey to the Ered Luin.

The B's were good companions. They didn't treat her with kid gloves. After they had completed their recovery from the night before they began to sing and tell her about themselves. Most recently, they had lived near the Iron Hills, but they were tired of being miners. Bombur was a good cook, Bofur wanted to work on his music, and Bifur loved making toys. They hoped that the Ered Luin would offer them some new opportunities. 'But if doesn't work out, we can always do more digging,' Bifur laughed.

They happily answered her questions about dwarven culture to the best of their abilities. 'We are rather low on the scale in society, being miners and all,' Bofur told her. 'We can't really say much about the higher orders!' His eyes twinkled as he said this so she didn't know how seriously to take him. That was the trouble. They were so full of fun and pranks that it was very confusing at times trying to figure out fact from fallacy. For all she knew, everything they told her was a tall tale.

Of course they wanted to know all about her too, but she was adept at not giving them too much information. It wasn't that she was ashamed. It was that she wasn't comfortable enough with them yet to tell her story in detail. She did admit to thinking of them as the Three B's which gave them no end of pleasure. At times they would call out, 'Say B3, what are you up to?' Or 'I say, B1, pass me some of that bread!' All in all they seemed to get along well and the time passed quickly.

Thoughts and comments greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!