Adventure of a Lifetime: VOL 1

Part 1: Chapter 2

After dinner, Elrond, Balin, Bilbo, Thorin, and Gandalf go to the library. Willow is left wandering the halls, following the sound of merry dwarves. She peeks around the corner, the dwarves have built a fire and are cooking meat, laughing and singing. "Bombur!" one calls, tossing a piece of meat to a very large dwarf sitting on the chair. It creaks before breaking completely. Willow stifles a laugh, moving to walk past the room. "You're welcome to come join us," the black-haired dwarf calls, stopping me in my tracks. All noise in the room ceases, the dwarves pausing to look at her. "Oh, I couldn't. You seem like you are having so much fun," Willow replies. "No, come join us! It's not every day you meet a half-dwarf," one with a strange hat says, before covering his mouth. "I probably wasn't supposed to overhear that." "If you insist," Willow laughs, slowly stepping into the room and sitting gracefully on the floor. "I'm Kili, and his is my brother Fili," the black-haired dwarf says, motioning to the blonde. "Hi," Fili waves. "Let me introduce the rest of us," Kili says.

"That is Dwalin." A bald dwarf with quite a beard. He's mighty scary looking.

"Bifur." This one has an axe in his head.

"Bofur." The one with the strange hat.

"Bombur." The large one who broke the chair.

"Nori." His hair shaped like a triangle.

"Dori." He has gray hair braided back in a bun.

"Ori." This one looks young, he carries a slingshot.

"Oin." He's the one with the hearing trumpet.

"And Gloin." He has bushy red hair with a thick red beard.

Willow looks around the room, nodding to the dwarves. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she smiles. "Would you like some sausages, my lady?" Dori asks sweetly. "I've never had sausages before. Elves prefer more green food," Willow remarks. "We noticed," Dwalin grumbles. "But you're half dwarf! You might like them," Bofur interjects. "Well, if you insist, Bofur. I guess I will try a sausage, Dori," Willow replies. Dori passes her a plate, a single sausage set in the middle. "Have you got any forks?" She asks. The dwarves look around at each other. Fili pulls out a very small knife, handing it over to her. "We uh, don't really use forks for sausages. But this might do," he says. "Thank you, Fili," Willow replies. All eyes are on her as she gently stabs the sausage, bringing it to her lips and taking a small bite. She chews, swallows, looking back up at the dwarves. "Well? What do you think?" Ori asks. Willow ponders for a moment. "That's actually quite good," she smiles. The dwarves break out in cheers and merry laughter. "If I may ask, where are you going? What purpose do you have traveling so far?" Willow asks. The dwarves settle down, gathering close. They take turns sharing their story. Willow listens intently as they tell of Erebor, the lonely mountain, and the city of Dale. They tell of the dragon Smaug and the terror he wrought. They tell of their peoples struggles, wandering in the wilderness, having no home. They explain that they are going to reclaim Erebor, to reclaim their home. Willow listens intently, entranced by the beauty of their descriptions of the world. She longs for adventure, longs to see the great places they describe. Fili continues, even after the others have fallen asleep, telling her of the trolls they encountered on the road. He walks her back to her room, and even long after he leaves and she asleep on her bed, she dreams of Erebor, and the great dragon Smaug.

Willow spends most of the next day in the library, reading everything she can on the Lonely Mountain and Laketown, what is left of the people of Dale. She discovered, from a book buried deep in the shelves, that Thror suffered from some great sickness that drove him mad, some say. Bilbo slips in quietly, observing the young woman. "If you wish to speak with me, you need not ask. I am of no person of great importance," Willow chuckles, laying the book in her lap. Bilbo scuttles over sheepishly, jumping into the chair across from her. "I did not mean to disturb you, my lady," he says. "Please, call me Willow," she replies. Bilbo nods, folding his hands in his lap. "What has you along on such a journey? If I have read correct, hobbits have an extreme distaste for adventures," Willow asks. "You are quite correct, my la- Willow," Bilbo begins. "To be quite honest, I don't know what prompted me out my front door. I guess it was some part of me, deep down, that truly wanted an adventure." Willow smiles. "I understand. I am happy here. Safe, accepted, well fed and cared for. But there is some part of me that longs to see the wonders of the world," she sighs. "Maybe it's the part that's half dwarf," Bilbo grins. "Walk with me, Bilbo," I request, standing and placing the book back on the shelf. Bilbo hurries after me as I exit the library, walking the paths through the garden. "It is quite beautiful here," Bilbo remarks. "Yes, though I suspect that there are places even more beautiful than this," Willow replies. She runs her fingers through the fountain, brushing the palms of her hands against the stone railings overlooking the stream that flows through the valley. "The trees will soon change color," she remarks, staring out over the mountains concealing the valley. "Sunset's here are most beautiful." Bilbo stands next to her, following her gaze. "Tell me of the sunsets in the Shire, Bilbo," Willow asks, gently placing her hands on the railing. "Well..." Bilbo begins, his tale lasting quite a while, until all warm light from the sun is replaced by that of the cool moon.

Willow and Bilbo part ways, the half-elf walking the outer halls of the house. She stares off into the distance, the moon slowly rising to its height. The dwarves have quieted down for the evening, sleep consuming them. "The moon is beautiful here," Fili says, startling Willow from her thoughts. "It is the same moon you sleep under every night," Willow smiles, turning to face the young dwarf. "Yes, but it looks different here. Everything does," Fili replies. "The trees are fuller, the streams clearer. Even the grass feels softer." Willow giggles. "I have never heard of a dwarf with such a keen eye for the beauty of nature," she says. "Yes, well," Fili fumbles his words. "Come here, Fili. I want to show you something," Willow says. She takes his hand, walking him down the hall. "I have the best view from my balcony," she says excitedly, leading the dwarf through her room and on to her open balcony. "Willow, you have the best view in all of Middle Earth," he whispers in awe. She can see the moon reflecting off the mountain stream, which runs through the entirety of Rivendell. She can see the gardens, the trees, the mountains behind. "I am sure that you will see much more beautiful views on your journey," she replies, looking down at him. "Maybe. I wish I could show my mother this," he shakes his head. "You will. With your stories," Willow smiles. "Yes, but in order to see my mother again, we must reach the mountain," Fili says, his tone turning grim. He fiddles with a stone in his hand. "What's that?" Willow asks. "It's a token, that my mother gave me," Fili says. "She gave one to me, one to my brother. So we would remember our promise." "And what promise was that?" Willow replies. "That we would come back to her," he says softly, holding out the stone so Willow can see. "Return to me," she whispers. "I almost forgot you could speak dwarvish," Fili chuckles. "It is a precious promise, Fili. I do believe that you will keep it," Willow smiles, gently closing his fingers around the stone. "You know, there is part of me that wishes to see the world," Willow says. "You haven't?" Fili asks. "No, I've only ever been here. My parents were killed when I was young. I remember nothing else," Willow says sadly. "I am sorry, Willow," Fili says, gently resting his hand on hers. "It is alright. Elrond has been most gracious to me," she says. "You know, you could come with us," Fili says, looking up at her. "Me? I hardly think Thorin would allow that," Willow says in surprise. "I could convince him. You're half-dwarf, and your skills could prove very useful," Fili reasons. "Lord Elrond would never allow it," Willow shakes her head. "Willow, tell me honestly. Do you really feel as if you belong here?" Fili asks. Willow looks down at him. "Yes," she whispers. "Willow, we both know that is a lie," Fili smiles, squeezing her hand. "I understand, though. It is dangerous. You have a home here, with plenty of food and friendship. And a pretty great view." Fili looks out over the moonlit scenery. "Fili," Willow starts, but Fili waves his hand to stop her. "I should not have asked," he says, turning to leave. "Fili," Willow calls after him. He turns around, looking up at her. "I do wish I could have gone with you. Keep your promise, for me," she smiles sadly. Fili looks at her a moment longer. "I will," he whispers, before turning and walking down the hall.