The Woman Out of Time [1]

Chapter 3: Headed East

The dwarves prepare their ponies, strapping their bedding onto the saddles. I finished hooking my bedding to the saddle on my chestnut mare. Once I'm finished, I sigh, watching the others go about their tasks.

My eyes catch the leader observing me. Realising I noticed, Thorin glares at me before returning to preparations. I snicker, narrowing my eyes on his back. Gee, what's wrong with him? He must have a chip on his shoulder or something.

The dwarves begin to mount their ponies, everyone stating they are ready to travel.

I look back at Gandalf, the wizard watching the round green door with hope. The entry isn't disturbed as the dwarves mount their ponies. With his head hung a little low, Gandalf makes for his horse. A familiar pressure compacts in my chest, forcing the air from my lungs and my head to pound.

Green trees rush past in the sunlight. Loud breaths escape the lungs of a Hobbit hurtling along the road in long strides. With the yellow aged pages of the contract flowing behind him in a tail, Bilbo runs through the Shire with hast.

"Mr Bilbo! Where are you off to?" A distant voice calls from within the fields.

"Can't stop. I'm already late!" Bilbo shouts back in response, barely drawing any breath to respond.

"Late for what?"

"I'm going on an adventure!"

Another flash of light and I return to the orange morning outside Bagend. Even though I gasp for breath and feel the dull pain of a headache coming on, a smile grips my lips. I make my way over to the wizard, Gandalf already having mounted his horse in the time I had my vision. I place a hand on his knee, smiling up at him.

"Don't fret, Gandalf", I state, patting his knee. "Bilbo will be along."

Gandalf looks down at me with curiosity, a smirk tugging on his lips in satisfaction. "I had a feeling that would be so."

I return a nod, making for my horse.

"Let's get moving!" Thorin declares at the head of the group, "We have a long journey ahead of us."

***

The lush green first passes by as we begin our journey to Erebor. I used to ride a lot when I was younger. Unfortunately, moving away for school meant I had little time at home. Since being in Middle Earth, I have ridden so much that I didn't realise how much I had missed it. Although, I'll be sick of riding by the time we reach Erebor.

The dwarves share a conversation. Much of what's discussed is lost to me as they all converse. At some point, they begin to place bets on Bilbo and if he'll appear.

Thorin remains at the head of the group, quiet as ever and focused on the task at hand. He doesn't strike me as the type to make small talk and joke around as his kin do. It will be a long journey having to deal with the grouch (the nickname I've taken to calling Thorin).

"Wait!" calls a small voice through the forest. "Wait!"

Everyone reins their ponies to a stop. Gandalf and I stop beside one another to glance back at the Hobbit. Bilbo crashes through the clearing, still calling for our halt. Much like in my vision, the contract trails behind the hobbit in the wind. A kind smile forms on my lips, and Gandalf's face lights up even more with the arrival of his hobbit.

Bilbo catches up to us, making for Balin as he declares, "I've signed it!"

Balin takes the contract, pulling out a pocket glass to inspect the writing at the bottom of the contract. The older dwarf smiles, a light chuckle escaping his lips. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield!"