Author's Note.

I I recently published a book titled "Diary of a Twenty-Something: A Tryst With Hope." I would love it if you guys got the e-copy and left me your thoughts.

Chapter One

Bella Baggins wanted no adventures, thank you very much! Exciting as they were, the nasty things made you late to di

"Dawlin, at your service ma'am," the dwarf standing in the light of her door said, bowing at the waist. His bald head was covered with tattoos, she noticed as she hastily returned the greeting, before adding a, "Do I know you, sir?"

"No lass," the dwarf answered as he took off his clock and alarmed, she almost shut the half open door. Looking at her wide eyes, Dawlin sighed and spread his clock on the grass near the garden she could see from her half-hidden position behind the door.

"Don't worry lass. I will wait here for my fellows and the wizard."

The word wizard made her frown in remembrance of the morning.

"You mean Gandalf?" she asked abruptly before gasping at her rudeness but before she could apologize, the dwarf nodded and then hollered out a greeting. Squinting, she could see another person making their way towards her smial.

"Master Dawlin, do you know Gandalf," she tried to ask again and receiving a nod, she sighed. On one hand, safety said that she should wait till Gandalf arrived, and should the story prove true, provide them with food but could she leave them here without food when they had clearly arrived at dinner time and were probably promised food by that insufferable wizard. Finally, hearing and returning the cheery greeting of the older dwarf and seeing the familial reunion she made her mind. Yes, she was a hobbit lady, and a Baggins to boot. Being a good hostess was in her very blood. Yes, she would put the food near the steps, safe and sound in her house she could watch her guests enjoy the meal.

" Masters Dawlin and Balin," she called after returning from the kitchen, astonished that she had remembered the names but happy nonetheless.

"Yes, lass?" Balin asked.

"I have got some food for you and your companions," she replied, greeting the other dwarves that were there. Oin, Gloin, Nori, Ori and Dori she tried to fit the names and faces knowing that failure was inevitable.

As soon as the crowd cleared, two more approached her.

"Fili," started.

"And Kili," the darker haired one continued before both bowed at the waist simultaneously, reminding her of her Took cousins. Mischief, she noted, shined in their eyes, before they turned back to the food. Smiling, she closed the door, moved into her kitchen and began to cook more for her guests. Nothing too fancy, she decided, pulling out dishes that would be ready in a few minutes and yet when she opened the door, not only was she greeted by three more dwarves, brothers if the rhyming name had some meaning to them as they would do for Hobbits, but also the Grey Wizard.