Nathaniela's Destiny

Chapter 13: A Quest and a almost Bitter Reunion

Village of Bree

Spring, 2940

    Years had passed slowly, as Nattie returned to Bree, after leaving Ered Luin with a broken heart after bad falling out with Thorin.  Now Nattie, whom is now almost 200 years old, had forgotten about the argument, but deep in her heart she had not stopped thinking of Thorin and his family.  But she felt deeply hurt and angry the way Thorin had treated her, and she decided once and for all to move on with her life, and to get Thorin out of her mind forever, as she once again returned to her old home in Bree, and the Inn Keeper Barliman, welcomed her with open arms, and she went back to working as barmaid again as well. It was early afternoon, as Nattie was taking a stroll, when she saw a familiar old friend approaching her.  It was Gandalf the Grey.   "Gandalf, what brings you in these parts?" Nattie asked the wizard.  Gandalf smiled. "It's good to see you again, Nattie! It's been a long time! I'm here on business, in fact, you are just the person I wanted to see." said Gandalf.  "You are wanting something from me, do you?" asked Nattie, knowing where this is leading. 

 "Yes, my dear, I have a huge favor to ask you! You see I'm arranging a quest alongside with a Company of Dwarves and a hobbit, and we're in need of a fifteenth member of the group, and I believe you would be a great asset to the group!" said Gandalf.  "The answer is no, Gandalf! If this has anything to do with Dwarves,  I am so done with dwarves!! In case you may not know, Thorin and I bad falling out years ago, as he banned me from Ered Luin, all because I'm friends with Elves!" said Nattie.  "But that's a long time ago, Nattie--maybe Thorin has changed his mind about you! I know deep in your heart you still care for Thorin, do you not?" said Gandalf.  "I do care for Thorin!--What am I saying?! NO I DO NOT! He hurt me, Gandalf!! I thought he really loved me, and he doesn't! And I feel the same way! So the answer is no! Now if you don't mind, I have to return to the Inn to begin my shift!" shouted Nattie, as she turned around and was about to walk away when Gandalf stopped her. 

 "Nattie, wait! Please reconsider your decision! In the long run, you will benefit from the quest. Just trust me on his, Nattie!" said Gandalf, gently.  "Well, what's in it for me?" asked Nattie, placing her hands on her hips.  "You will figure that out on your own, Nattie. So? Do you accept my offer?" asked Gandalf.  Nattie stood in silence.  After a brief silence, Nattie broke up.  "Oh alright, I will do this, but only doing this favor for you, and not for Thorin!" said Nattie.  "Good! How about you meet me in the Shire! That is where we're all going to meet! You will leave tomorrow morning!" said Gandalf.  Nattie nodded. 

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The Shire
One year later, Early Spring.

   It was past seven o clock in the evening when Nattie arrived in the Shire.  She was late because she had stopped to talk to several hobbits.  Once she arrived at the Home of Bilbo Baggins,  she knocked on the door.  "That better not be any more dwarves!" snarled Bilbo.  Nattie couldn't help but chuckle at the Hobbit.  She knew Bilbo very well, in fact, the two of them had been friends for years, as Nattie had made many visits in the Shire and Bree.   And she knew Bilbo's parents as well.  The door opened, and Bilbo's eyes widened in surrprise. "Nattie! It's been a long time! What brings you here?!" exclaimed the Hobbit in surprise.  "Gandalf had sent me here.  He's wanting me to join some sort of quest, which to be honest, I don't want to be part of!" said Nattie, as she entered the Hobbit's home. "Don't feel bad, I don't want to be part in it either! So what is your reason?" asked Bilbo.  "It's a really long story, Bilbo, which I will tell you-!" began Nattie, when suddenly she was interrupted by two familiar voices. "NATTIE! Is that really you?!" cried out one voice. Nattie froze as she instantly knew the voices.

  Nattie turned around, and she saw a blonde dwarf and a brunette dwarf standing before her.  "Fili?! Kili?! Oh my gosh! I almost couldn't recognize you! You grown up so fast!" exclaimed Nattie, as she hugged the Dwarf Princes.  "How are you holding up?" asked Kili, looking at Nattie with worry. "I'm holding up well, I guess." said Nattie.  "We're sorry to hear what happened between you and Uncle--it's not your fault, and you're to blame for any of it! Uncle was in the wrong when he sent you away!" said Fili.  "I really don't want to discuss it, Fili! Your uncle isn't here is he?" asked Nattie.  "Actually he is, Nattie, so embrace yourself--and try not to make a scene!" spoke up another voice.  Nattie looked ahead of her, and she saw Balin.  "BALIN! Oh Balin!" cried out Nattie.  "Nattie!" exclaimed Balin, as the two of them hugged.  "I see that you finally made it, Nattie!" said Gandalf entering the foyer.  "Yes, and remember Gandalf, I'm only doing this favor for you, and not for Thorin!" said Nattie. "What favor?" asked Balin.  "Gandalf has asked me to go on the quest to reclaim Erebor with all of you, Balin!" said Nattie. 

 "Nattie, I really don't know. If Thorin sees you here, he's not going to be happy! Especially at the thought of you joining us.  We tried talking to him about reconciling with you, but he refuses to do so!" said Balin.  Great, that's a really encouraging thought! That does it! I'm telling Gandalf I'm not going to go! thought Nattie.  "Come on, let's join the others in the dining room and finish the meeting!" said Gandalf.  Nattie took a deep breath as she was about to enter the dining room, knowing she would have to face Thorin.  As they entered the dining room,  Nattie recognized the rest of the dwarves gathered and they all greeted her warmly, but there was on who didn't move or budge, and it was Thorin.   "What is that traitor doing here, Gandalf?!" snarled Thorin, standing up. Already Nattie could feel her blood already boiling when Thorin spoke.  "Nattie has agreed to join us on the quest, Thorin! She is the fifteenth member I have spoken to you about." Gandalf replied. 

  And this had really angered Thorin. "Have you lost your mind, Gandalf! I am not bringing this traitor with us! She's a friend of the elves, and she will not be joining us!!" screamed Thorin.  "Thorin, its time that you leave the past in the past!! Deep down inside you, you still love her, do not deny it!" said Gandalf. "I do not love this woman! I do not love someone who turned her back on me!!" screamed Thorin. "That does it! Gandalf, I'm sorry, but I'm not going! I just wasted my time walking over here!!" screamed Nattie, as she stormed out of the Dining room, and went outside on Bilbo's front porch. "NATTIE!" cried out Kili, and then Kili shot an angry glance at his Uncle.  "Uncle, the nerve of you! Why can't you just let it go!! Do you have any idea what you're doing to her! You are causing more hurt to her! You left her broken! Sending her out of Ered Luin is bad enough, especially since she had been through with it before!!" shouted Kili, angrily.  "Kili, this matter doesn't concern you! Let's begin this meeting!!" barked Thorin.

 "We're not going to start this meeting until you agree to allow Nattie go with us Thorin!" said Balin, icily.  "I cannot believe all of you!" fumed Thorin.  "No, I cannot believe you would allow this petty thing go between you and Nattie! She has been broken, because of the way she had been treated after all these years! And you're not making it any better on her, lad!" snapped Balin.  "Alright, everyone let's discuss this later! We need to get the meeting started!" said Gandalf, and so they started the meeting.  Meanwhile, Bilbo went and joined with Nattie outside.  "You know these dwarves, Nattie?" asked Bilbo, as he sat beside his friend on the bench. But Nattie didn't reply, only he got sobbing in return.  "Nattie, what's wrong?" asked Bilbo, gently.  "I don't want to talk about it, Bilbo! And if you must know, yes I know these dwarves." said Nattie.  "Did Thorin upset you?" asked Bilbo.  "Yes." said Nattie.

  "Don't pay any heed to him, Nattie--I don't like him that much either, if that makes you feel any better! He's rude, annoying and he doesn't like hobbits apparently." said Bilbo.  "Then why are they wanting you on the quest, then?" asked Nattie, wiping a way a tear.  "This whole adventure thing is Gandalf's bright idea. He asked me to be part of it." said Bilbo. "Oh,thought as much! Wizards and their damn bright ideas." said Nattie.  Bilbo chuckled. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, Nattie. Maybe if you feel like talking about it, I will be in my study if you wish to talk about it!" said Bilbo. Nattie smiled.  "Thank you, Bilbo! You're a real friend!" said Nattie, as she hugged Bilbo.  "I'm always there for you, Nattie--you are like a daughter to me! And I will not allow anyone to hurt you, especially certain dwarves!" said Bilbo. "Hey Boggins! Get back in here!" called out Kili, opening the front door.  "Well, I better go back inside! The dwarves are calling me!" said Bilbo.  Nattie nodded, as she watched the Hobbit walked back inside his home.