Not Forsaken

Chapter 7

Leaving the town of Bree behind, they began to venture west. "Where are we headed now?" asked Luliana, noticing that they were no longer headed north.

"I will escort you until we are at the borders of the Shire. I shall then take my leave of you to prepare for our journey. It will be a long and difficult road. There is much left to be done before we take our journey." Gandalf grew serious for a moment, as if to add something else, but instead smiled at the woman before him.

"You are going to leave me? But what am I to do while you are gone? How should I prepare?" Luliana realized that she did not want Gandalf to leave her. She no longer desired to be alone, and had in fact grown quite fond of he old wizard's company.

"Do not worry, my dear. I will return. You will need to prepare for this journey, we will be traveling far. You will need whatever supplies you are accustomed to. And you will need weapons. The road will be dangerous." Gandalf handed her a small bag of coins.

"I cannot take these!" she nearly shouted at her old friend. No one had ever given her money, and she was loath to take them from him.

"Please," Gandalf said gently, "just take them. You need to buy weapons, supplies. I know that you have no coin of your own, and I do not want you to feel obligated to sell family heirlooms for a favor that I have asked of you. Take them."

Grudgingly, Luliana took the coins from Gandalf, knowing that he would give her no other choice. He told her to get any needed supplies and that she would need, and to also find herself a sturdy pony, as the journey could not be made on foot. Their plan was to meet at the same place in two weeks time. By then, Gandalf told her, other dwarves would have been gathered as well. She realized after some thought, that including herself, there would be fourteen others to embark on this expedition. She was curious who the others would be, but she couldn't help but find herself excited at being able to see Thorin again. She told herself that it was only because he had seemed so interested in her mother. In the back of her mind, however, something else was at work.

As Gandalf and Luliana parted ways for a fortnight, it was agreed that she would make camp in the woods between the Shire and Bree. She would be able to gather supplies, and not spend coin on a place to stay. Spring promised warmer weather, and it was something that she looked forward to with eagerness. She loved having new places to explore. She had never spent time in these parts before, and hoped that two short weeks would be enough to collect the healing herbs she may need, as well as food and supplies. Gandalf urged caution, as he felt responsible for this small woman now, seeing as he had asked her to participate in this quest. But he knew he needn't worry about her safety. He knew she was quite capable of remaining safe, surrounded mostly by hobbits, as they were so close to the Shire.

As Gandalf left that day, Luliana realized that she was excited for what lay before her.  Never before had she looked forward to spending time with others, as she had always been alone. But now she found herself longing for companionship. Longing for the company of others. She often thought of the dwarf king that she had met, of his piercing blue eyes. Wondering what he thought of her, as foolish as she knew that was. His wife must be a thing of beauty, she mused to herself, with an uncomfortable feeling that was quite foreign to her. Had she spent more time around other folks, she would have recognized it as jealousy. It was annoying to her at first, how his face would come to her remembrance so often. It is because I have never known any other dwarves, she told herself. It made her nervous about meeting the others on this quest, would their faces invade her mind as well? What would they be like? She wondered.

But mostly she thought of him, of Thorin Oakenshield, the king who would reclaim his homeland. The memory of his smile warmed her at night, the long dark tresses, the two braids outlining his strong features. What in the world! Luliana thought to herself  one particular evening, staring into her small fire as she laid on her bedroll. Why do I keep seeing his face? It was a beautiful one, she mused. Not that she had seen many faces, but it helped her to feel less alone  in the world. Maybe I can be a friend to him, she thought quietly as she drifted off to sleep. If his wife would allow it, she thought quickly. Maybe she could befriend his wife. These were the thoughts playing in her mind as she drifted to sleep that night, the night before the meeting in the Shire.

All her supplies had been gathered, and she had acquired a sturdy little pony named Gypsy munching quietly on the grass near her. Her sturdy new bow, quiver full of straight arrows awaiting the journey. Herbs, food, extra blankets, clothing. She had gone over her list in her mind a hundred times, but kept returning to his face. His queen was a very lucky dwarrowdam, she told herself again, as she finally drifted off to sleep.