~Chapter 1: Not Welcome~

"Oh, Bollocks!"

The figure quickly ducked down and rubbed at her sore leg where she'd just accidentally walked into a low bench. She waited for a few moments more, making sure no one had heard her or the banging of her leg against the wood. She peeked back inside the window.

Everything inside the small house was content enough. Content as it could have been with a band of dwarves, a wizard and a disgruntled hobbit squabbling over the adventure they were to take. At least the dishes had been cleaned.

None of them bothered to look outside. And why would they? Hobbits were not the only creatures on middle earth that were good at sneaking quietly by without getting noticed.

The figure made sure to stay in the shadows. It would be no good being detected now, there'd still be a chance of Thorin sending them back home and being in the Shire, as she was now, was possibly not an ideal location to be abandoned and have to turn back all the way home, when she'd barely seen any excitement or adventure.

Minus the few bar and tavern fights she'd started.

Back to the quiet piece of land his sister owned.

Back to the mundane existence and the place of waiting.

Waiting for news of a battle. A dragon slain, the last of its kind. A Throne and legacy reclaimed.

Waiting for word of their deaths.

Waiting and not being able to do anything.

The figure pulled away from the window as the discussion ended and the group disbanded to the next room.

As she stepped into the moonlight and made her way back to her set up camp for the night, she smiled to herself as a familiar tune carried on the wind, from the small and cosy Hobbit hole.

She knew the hobbit was reluctant (and slightly crabby), she could tell by his unsure and exasperated expression.

But Gandalf was very convincing. Not Fili, Kili, Dwalin, Balin or Thorin would be able to convince him. To her, they were always the most persuasive, (next to their Mam. Mam could talk an apple out of a tree with the right threatening tone.)

Fili and Kili would have used their charm and smiles, the way they had always gotten out of trouble they had somehow caused (except with their mother, who saw right through the act).

Dwalin would use those subtle threats of his, flexing his damned arms and Balin would have scoffed, puffed on his pipe and listed twenty different reasons why going was a good idea.

And Thorin...was Thorin. A king who would deem the company of a Hobbit unnecessary, even if said Hobbit proclaimed to be the greatest fighter, thief or mage on Middle Earth.

She knew there would be a chance of the other' arguing over who would try first.

Goodness, if she had been inside that cosy place, she would have promised the lone hobbit freshly cooked meals for him and his entire family.

And that was a big promise, considering she hated cooking and could only scrape together a decent loaf of bread under the watchful eye of her mother.

She could picture Fili and Kili' faces if she had said that.

She slept soundly, the image safe in her mind as she dared not think of the group's reaction to her presence.

Least of all Thorin'.

Next day...

She had kept good time, waking earlier than the other' before dawn came. She'd watched them begin their journey, exiting the hole in the ground, minus the hobbit. The sight of Fili and Kili, happily chatting to some of the fairer maidens made her want to dash out and tell the girls stories from their youth, about how her brothers enjoyed daring one another to eat gross pieces of food. But she hesitated. She'd want to see their faces when she rode up on her horse, ready for the journey.

She wasn't surprised by the hesitation of the Hobbit but was shocked when the male suddenly burst out and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him.

Amused, she allowed her pony to trot slowly behind, not too close to be seen, but not too far to be seen as suspicious and lose her way if she had to gain speed.

She wanted to wait until it would have proved difficult to turn back or send her on her way alone, and she just hoped her skills as a fighter would convince the other' to let her stay on. Fili, Kili, Bofur and Bombur would certainly be glad of her company. The other's she truly didn't know.

She also hoped she would have Gandalf by her side.

She'd waited long enough. The fellow Baggins had indeed caught up to the group. He had looked so pleased with himself, waving the parchment at them, which he had signed.

He didn't look so happy when he was lifted and dropped unceremoniously onto the pony he had at first refused.

No need to be impolite and dismount now. That and he looked as though he had never ridden one before.

But now was the best time to let herself be seen. Whilst every one of them was in good spirits.

"Come on girl," she leant forward to whisper to her pony, "let's go say hello to our friends."

The horse made a loud whinny as it felt a soft kick to its rump. Within a few moments, they were both ahead of the gang. Along the unsteady forest floor, she cut across, easily dodging the branches in her way.

She heard Thorin' shout as she knew she was now in his view and slowed to allow the pony to stop right in front of the party.

"What business do you have here?" His gruff voice was as 'friendly' towards her as it had always been, but her hood obscured her face and hair.

Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself and loosened her tight hold on her pony' reins.

"I am here to offer my services and assist you in your journey," her voice did not shake but was loud and clear. She risked a peek from the hem of her hood and wished she had not.

Thorin' expression was clear enough, his heavy brow indicating an oncoming Thunderstorm.

"REMOVE your hood!" He growled out the command and she knew she couldn't disobey him.

With one hand, she pushed back the hood and shook her head, letting her wild red hair fall out around her. The curls escaped and Fili and Kili gave a unified shout from the middle of the company, cheering at the sight.

Her gaze did not waver, but she looked directly at Thorin as he glared her down.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Hi, Uncle."