Eruanna POV

I know this land,..I know this land like the back of my hand. The Shire.

I have come here many times, the first time I came here was for a lesson oddly enough, but we'll go into that later.

I loosen the reigns on my horse Naraleen to allow her to walk now, we have been on a fair journey to get to here, she can catch her breath now.

The fields are that beautiful lush green colour I miss, the many inhabitants of the place ever present.

"Excuse me"

I look to my side at the voice and look down to see a hobbit, male possibly in his thirties, but I do remember those eyes,

"Hello Mr. Took" I say, smiling brightly at him, he returns the smile happily,

"I knew it was you. I'd recognise those ears and hair anywhere" he says, I smirk at this, carefully coming off Naraleen's saddle, I crouch down to give Joshua Took a hug (Please don't be angry I don't know he Baggins families names. If any of you do I'd be happy to edit.)

"It is good to see you Joshua, how is Claire?" I ask, looking to him curiously after letting him go,

"She's well, in fact I believe she may be pregnant! But it's a little too early to say for definite, she has the most odd craving for sweet potatoe pie, but I don't mind since its my favourite" he says, I laugh at this which he joins in with his own merry laughter.

"And how have you been my dear friend?" he asks, I smile at this,

"I have been well, I visited some family a little while ago, I'm to meet our old friend here soon, he send me a message to meet him here, said it was urgent" I say, he nods at this,

"Gandalf must know what he is doing, he always does. I do believe that is him coming up now behind us" he says, looking behind me, I turn at this and stand to my full height when I see none other than Gandalf himself. He smiles widely when he sees me looking at him, I cant not return the feeling, I haven't seen my teacher in such a long time now.

I hurry over and give him a hug, hearing him chuckle near my ear when I do this, returning the hug,

"My dear Eruanna, it is wonderful to see you again" he says, I pull away and smile happily to him,

"It is the same seeing you Master Gandalf, how have you been?" I ask, he frowns slightly at this,

"I see your training with Saruman has been strict to the point of giving us titles, come now child you have done and should always from this point on always refer to me as Gandalf, no master is needed" he says, I smile at this and nod in acceptance, my teachings were a little strict in this subject with my teacher Saruman, but they taught me the discipline I needed in my practice.

"What is it you are in need of help with Gandalf, in your letter you gave a wave of urgency," I say, looking to him questioningly, waving Joshua away as he walks away with his wheelbarrow.

"I am in need of you to come with me along with fourteen other members on a quest of highest importance" he says, I frown at this, the both of us walking together towards the Green Dragon inn, tacking up our horses to the posts provided,

"What kind of quest Gandalf?" I ask, going to a table with him sat in front of me,

"Well, you know how the lonely mountain has been occupied with a certain dragon, but that mountain is not rightfully his" he says, I nod at this, knowing the tale of the dwarves of Erebor,

"It rightfully belongs to the line of Durin, dwarves. But the dwarves of Erebor left that mountain – though not by choice of course, they're scattered around the place, some took refuge with the other dwarven clans" I say, remembering my encounters with some of the high dwarves of middle Earth, Dain coming to mind, with his wit and humour, I must remember to visit him again he promised a dwarves feast the next time I was near his realm and he promised that I would get to look in their libraries too, he has such a rich collection.

"Yes you are quite right my dear. But I have been feeling a darker power rising, I believe from your last letter to me that you have sensed this too" he says, I nod in confirmation, at first it was only a little thing, but it has grown considerably since, but not enough for it to warrant much worry, but I still wanted to hear what my teacher felt on the matter.

"I believe that whatever power may be rising will seek to allegiance with the dragon residing in Erebor" he said, I nod at this,

"Smaug" I say, knowing the name of the dragon living there,

"Yes, imagine the power the enemy wound have with a dragon on its side" he says, I nod in agreement, with a dragons allegiance an army wound wipe out cities.

"Who do you think this enemy is Gandalf?" I ask, wanting to know what I thinks it could be, I fear for his answer but we need to know what we are up against.

"I am not entirely sure my dear, the more I learn then I may know better of the entity of who we are looking for. As soon as I know I will inform you I swear. However, the reason why I sent for you is that I would like you to join myself and the others on a quest, it will be dangerous but I would not as you to do something I did not think you are capable of" he says, at this I lean on my elbows on the wooden table before us, I look up in time for a bar maid to come to us,

"Some wine please, some bread and cheese as well for myself and my friend please" I say, she smiles at me for this and nods, walking back over the bar.

I look back to Gandalf, wondering if this talk of the dragon may be the reason behind this quest he is inviting me on, fourteen individuals as well? But who would want to come along on a quest, and to the lonely mountain of all places…oh I see.

"You wish for me to come along with you and the dwarves of Erebor to help take back their mountain from the dragon" I say, he smiles at me with that look in his eyes, that look of pride which makes me feel almost breathless, the look of pride from the man who I consider a father after all that he has done for me in this life.

"Your intelligence appears to grow every time I see you my dear. Yes I plan to invite you with myself, dwarves and possibly a hobbit to the lonely mountain in hopes of defeating the dragon Smaug and getting them back their kingdom" he says, I nod at this, hit the nail apparently with my speculation.

"Gandalf you are aware of the sickness that gold has on the line of Durin, it made Thrain the last king to rein under the mountain mad. I remember that look in his eyes" I say, remembering my visit there, Elrond sent me to give pardon to Thrain for his absence in the celebrations as his wife was unwell. Thrain had a look in his eye every time he looked at that treasure horde, I was given a tour of the whole mountain by him, his son Thror and his grandson Thorin. Thorin himself asked me if I knew of any cure for his grandfather's illness, but I did not know of any cure that would help his grandfather, but I did swear to look into it and send him message if I did find anything. I never found anything much about it, only that it was named 'Gold Sickness' or otherwise named 'Dragon sickness.' It's a mental change that makes a person susceptible to high levels of greed, illogical and can make a person violent. I sent my findings to Thorin in a private letter for him, he sent his thanks in return, asking me to come to the mountain when I was available. But I wasn't able to ever visit again, as the dragon had taken the mountain.

As soon as I heard what had happened, I raced to the dwarves aid, helping where I could, being an advisor and spokesperson to help them settle into cities and villages when the townspeople were not sure of allowing them in, but I gave them all my word that the dwarves would not step out of line, and they never did, only grateful for a place where they could stay after having their home taken away so brutally.

"Who are the dwarves that you have called upon?" I ask, wanting to know whom Gandalf has invited, I know some dwarves who would gladly take to the challenge, especially Thorin, he's always been on the look out of a way to get his kinsmen their home back.

"You will see soon enough" says Gandalf, just as the bar maid comes with out drinks and food, but as I eat I cant help but know that look in Gandalf's face, he has a surprise fro me apparently, I will allow for him to have his way, you never know, I may meet some familiar faces.

Hey guys hope you liked this beginning of the story. Look forward to reading your comments and maybe some suggestions, love ya! xx