Chapter Two: Farewells

Vargkom slept restlessly after her conversation with Bofur and awoke the next morning with a tight knot in her chest. The she-dwarf knew that this was merely a sign of her anxieties about the journey ahead, so she chose to ignore it and continue with her regular schedule.

She got up from her comfy bed, and washed and dressed at a snail's pace, before she made her way down to the Bar of the Prancing Pony.

The Inn itself was split into two floors; the bottom level being the kitchens and drinking hall, and the top half consisting of the sleeping quarters and store rooms. All in all, it was a cosy building that had the homey type of feeling one might get when staying in a large trappers cottage. Which most didn't seem to mind.

Vargkom walked down the stairway into the Bar and wasn't surprised to see that it was empty of patrons. There weren't many who came to the Inn during the daylight hours. It was only as the evening drew near that the men of the small hamlet came to drink their cares away and find a place to stay for the night.

The she-dwarf made her way through the vacant tables and chairs towards the kitchens, and walked past firepit in the center of the large room, noticing that the wooden planks that had been used for firewood were now reduced to nothing but ash.

The thought of ashes made Vargkom slightly cringe, but she quickly stopped herself from lingering on her fear, and pushed into the kitchens, thus beginning her morning ritual.

Everyday, for the as many years as she had been Bree, Vargkom took a small crust from the old batch of bread, knowing that Aaron Butterbur would throw it out if she didn't, and then walk out to the forge, chewing and warming up her voice by singing children's rhymes in quick succession. This always succeeded in making her alert and mindful enough to set to work, and at the same time wake up her vocal chords.

Vargkom walked slowly as the familiar tunes passed her lips, but found that the bread didn't look as appetizing as it had in the kitchens. Mind, the she-dwarf had never been big on breakfast, but today she could barely force down a mouthful of the crispy, golden brown pastry.

"Nothing more than nerves," Vargkom chided herself, but ended up giving the morsel to a stray dog she found sleeping outside her forge.

"Here ya go," she had called gently, rolling the crust to the old animal. "That's a good boy. Finish it off, love, for I can't. . .That's it, have yourself some nice, tasty, breakfast."

The dog studied her thoroughly before he snorted at her in thanks and took the bread in one soft chom, swallowing it whole. The dwarf lass smiled as she entered her forge, and a deep laugh escaped her, as well as a comment that the dog would fit in with a wild boar's brood of piglets since he ate his food so quickly. But despite her comment, she was pleased that the animal was able to enjoy the morsel, when she couldn't. It was a testament that the world was still the same. That dogs would be dogs no matter what happened. And that she would always have someone who was willing to share with her and vice-versa.

Vargkom's closed the doors behind her and instantly her smile grew, as she took in the familiar sight of her workplace. Whenever the lass entered the forge a feeling of peace washed over her, and today was no exception. So the she-dwarf immediately set to work.

The previous night before retiring to her sleeping chamber, Vargkom had made a plan with Bofur to meet at the Prancing Pony's stables right before midday, to begin their journey. One might have thought that they should have left at first light, but both companions had preparations to make and business to take care of before their departure. So they had agreed to set back the time of their withdrawing from Bree. And because of the allotted time, Vargkom had planned to work in her forge like she would have at any other time, with a creative mind and firm actions. But today was special, for instead of working on her regular orders of horseshoes, farming equipment, or simple blades for the men of Bree, she worked on her own weapons.

The dwarf lass heated her fires two times hotter than usual and smiled as sweat formed on her brow. It was a well known fact, that if you weren't sweating when using a forge, then you weren't a true smithie.

The first task Vargkom assigned herself was touching up on her light leather armor, to make sure that she would be able to move fast and yet still be protected in a battle. This took her longer than she would have liked, but working with leather had never been something that came easy for her. The dwarf had to completely focus and remember her brother's advice to finish the touch up without a hitch, but the final product was good enough that she could be proud of herself and move onto the next order of business.

Her next priority was her set of twin axes. They were small by most standards but had an interesting tale to tell. More than once, these wicked little metal works had saved Vargkom in a scrape, keeping her alive and rendering her enemy lifeless. They were good for close combat because of their lightweight and fast cleaving abilities. The dwarf would never have gone to answer her summons without them strapped to her waist, so she was more than pleased to finally get the chance to upgrade them.

Vargkom hummed happily as she sat at her work bench sharpening and polishing 'the twins' as she had come to call them, and let her mind wander.

It had been nearly thirty years since the she had left Bree, and though she was resigned to go on the quest the King was mounting, the she-dwarf was still uneasy. It was very possible that she would never return, and the thought made her stomach clench for the umptienth time that morning. Vargkom knew for certain that it was fear that made her feel like dropping to the ground clutching onto herself as if she would fall apart, but she refused to give into her doubts.

"I have to go," she told herself firmly. "For my kinsman, my King, and for the memory of all those who have been lost. I must be brave and make my family proud."

Vargkom took several deep breaths and fought to bridle her apprehension, knowing that she had made up her mind, and that there was no turning back. She would answer the call of the King. She would go help reclaim Erebor. She would live and die in honor, like her mother would have wished. But most important Vargkom would not give into fear.

So the she-dwarf resumed working on her weapons and prepared herself for the adventure of a lifetime.

"Where are you off to then?"

Vargkom looked up from her saddlebag, though her face was an expressionless mask, knowing who the voice belonged to before her dark eyes settled on him, where he stood in the stable doorway.

"I must away immediately," the she-dwarf said quietly, resuming her final check of the previsions that she had gathered. "My kinsmen have called to me and I must answer."

Aaron Butterbur fully entered the stable now and frowned as Vargkom turned away from him.

"You would go to these kinsmen without a word to me explaining where you had gone?"

Vargkom couldn't bring herself to look at him as she nodded. "Aye, Aaron. I was going to leave quietly and without a word, for there is a chance I will never come back, and I didn't want our goodbyes to be long and drawn out. Not after all we've been through. . . Not after all the kindness you have shown me all these years."

The portly Barkeep placed his hand on Vargkom's shoulder and the dwarf lass felt his grip tighten anxiously. Aaron Butterbur, the lovely, father-like Innkeeper was trying not to cry.

"Why would you go when you know you mightn't come back," he asked angrily, like a parent scolding a misbehaving child. "Why would you willing put yourself in danger when you have a home and people who care for you?"

Vargkom turned around to look at her old friend, a sad smile gracing her lips. "Because we must be faithful and true to what we believe in, even if we are afraid. Because family is everything."

Aaron shook his head though Vargkom could see that his resolve was beginning to fade. "You could stay here, Vargkom. I'm sure that no one would think less of you for not going. How could they when they are asking you to leave everything familiar and trudge off to heaven knows where?"

"I go because I want to, Aaron," she answered. "I would think less of myself if I didn't go now when I am needed. I would never be able to stay here in Bree if I couldn't stand on my own two feet and be brave enough to leave behind the comforts I've come to rely upon. I must go for me."

Aaron Butterbur was silent for a moment, his large eyes slowly pouring over with unshed tears as he gazed down at the small dwarf woman before him. And as the two old friends looked upon each other, an understanding passed between them, and the Innkeeper nodded once to show that he would respect her decision.

"If you must go, I will not stop you," he promised though he sounded sadder than Vargkom could ever remember. ". . .Let us say our goodbyes here while we have the chance."

Vargkom felt several tears drop from her own eyes and she tried to hide them. She was sad to be leaving Bree and Aaron, and she knew she would miss them dearly, but she also didn't want him to worry. And as she fought to repress her fear, the she-dwarf reached out and wrapped her arms around the large man's middle. The man immediately hugged her back, and the two knew that they would part as the dearest of friends.

"Thank you for always being there, Aaron."

The man choked up even more and said, "Well, thank you for being the best bard and smithy that has ever graced my halls."

Vargkom felt the praise was far too high, but took the compliment with silent gratitude. And after several comfortable seconds, Aaron Butterbur pulled away and gave her a soft, genuine smile though he was snuffling horribly.

"Fair travels, little Mistress," he offered sincerely. "I pray that someday that you will return to the Prancing Pony . . . For your positions as Bard and Blacksmith will always be open to you, should you ever wish to come back."

Vargkom lowered her head in a sign of respect but found that she couldn't smile. This parting was more trying than she could have ever imagined. . . Aaron Butterbur wasn't merely her employer, but her father figure and friend. And Bree had been her home for half of her lifetime. She knew that she would miss him dearly.

"Goodbye Master Butterbur," Vargkom said dropping into a deep bow. "May your ale be sweet and your Inn prosperous for many years to come."

The Innkeeper blushed a dark red before he held out a coin bag. "The coinage I owe you," he explained as she reached out and took the pouch. "Wouldn't want you to go without. . . Well, Good morrow, little one."

"Good morrow," she returned. And without another word from either, Aaron Butterbur left the stables and returned to the drinking hall of the Prancing Pony to prepare for the evenings business.

Once she was sure that he was truly gone, Vargkom cried for several minutes, before she regained her courageous face and wiped her tears away. Then not wanting to make it harder on herself, the she-dwarf grabbed her pony's reins and made her way out of the stables to the main street.

And it was with erect shoulders and firm steps that the dwarf lass found Bofur standing in front of the doors with a kind smile and a small book in his hand.

"Ahh, there yeh are! I thought perhaps yeh might've forgotten me!"

Vargkom felt her lips quirk into a small grin as Bofur teased her, and replied sincerely, "I could never forget you. Not after you called for such an excellent drinking song last night."

Bofur smiled at that and then clapped his hand against the cover of the book merrily. "Well, I was born with a smart head on my shoulders and a fine set of hands."

Then upon seeing her pony's saddlebags, he asked, "Are you ready to go, lass?"

Vargkom nodded taking one last look at the Prancing Pony, "I am."

"Then let's be off."

Both Vargkom and Bofur mounted their ponies, and then side by side made their way out of Bree. Both filled with high hopes for what was to come.

Author's Note: I know that I promised Thorin would be in the 2nd chapter, but the story wanted to come out a different way. Please bare with me!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who has faved, commented, and reviewed! You guys are great!

~Lyn Harkeran