A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

6-Shire

We both jumped slightly at this sudden intrusion, Anya grabbed the plate & placed it back in the shelf. Frowning, I turned around to see the person who had coughed, to my annoyance it was Gandalf. He was smirking in amusement but I simply glared at him but he was unfazed. Anya had her back towards me as she began to gather other plates. The wizard came forward grabbing the cups he stood next to the girl.
Gandalf: "Up before the dawn as usual, my dear!"(Chuckling, fondly)"Just like your father, even though if a stampede of horses stomps by or goes around him he would still sleep like a log. Yet would wake up before the first bird awakens."
The girl simply glared at the wizard as if warning him that I was standing here. I raised my eyebrows at that but remained silent & I turned my head away from the pair.
Gandalf: "So, Anya, I can understand why you would want to clean up this mess made last night but how were you able to convince the dwarfs to assist you?"
Now either this annoying wizard read my mind through his magic tricks or did he really wanted to know himself.
Anya:(Laughing, lightly)"Trust me, Gandalf, I did not ask either of them to help me, they insisted in doing so themselves."
Bofur:(Coming to my left)"That is right, don't ya know? The lass was already up & about clearing all the mess we had made all by herself. And since I know she had not made any herself made us feel bad that a Lady should do it on her own."
Gloin: "He is right & a good thing he woke us too, otherwise it would make us feel bad. Now then, Miss Anya, the hobbit's lavatory been fixed. Anything else needs to be done?"
I just stood there speechless as one by one came by that they have fulfilled their given tasks. Behind them I saw Dwalin staring at them in confusion while both Balin & Gandalf were smiling. Everyone were talking at once but the girl put a finger on her lips & shushed them to be silent. Then she brushed past us heading towards the hobbit's room to check on him.
Anya:(Breathing out slowly)"Okay, Master Baggins is still asleep. So for now we did the best we could, gentlemen. I suppose the rest is upto to our would be burglar to take care of the rest though."
Everyone chuckled lightly at what she said but beside me, Dwalin mumbled something in dwarfish. I stared at him in shock for what he said was not appropriate. Then Nori began to suggest that we should take a wager on whether the halfling would really consider taking the job? Some had waged even the wizard said that he would while the others did the opposite. Dwalin & I exchanged glances at this, the girl who was wearing her jacket was frowning, marring her pretty face.
Anya: "Seriously, are you guys taking on this wager?"
Dwalin:(Scoffing)"After last night the halfling refused to sign the contract, lass? I don't think he would join us on this quest."
I nodded my head in agreement, the girl raised her eyebrows at this then she turned to Balin.
Anya: "Mr Balin, could I ask you for a small favor, please? If you don't mind just before we go, could you leave the contract here on the table? Who knows he might change his mind."
Gandalf: "Yes, that would be wise, don't you think so, Balin?"
Balin simply chuckled at this, to my annoyance he took it out & placed it there.
Thorin:(Folding my arms)"I for one believe that Master Baggins had already changed his mind & will not take part on our quest. It was a waste of time"
Gandalf: "Come now, my friend, have a little faith."
Instead of just standing there wasting valuable time I huffed lightly & walked out of the house picking up my baggage on my way out. The others followed close by my heels heading towards their own ponies with supplies. As I was securing my pony behind me I heard Kili laughing, turning I saw a beautiful brown horse gently nibbling Kili's hair. Kili's head certainly reached its mouth then Fili joined his brother patting its neck. It certainly was a beautiful horse by its health, the shine on its fur indicates that its owner had taken very good care of it. Slowly I joined my nephews, it did not flinch nor run away as I gently laid my hand on its head. The horse's warm brown eyes stared into mine, my nephews looked at me & smiled.
Kili: "It really is a magnificent creature isn't it, Thorin? One look at it makes you wish it was yours."
Fili: "That is true, she certainly is not afraid of us, the way she was nibbling your hair & how she is nuzzling my hand! She seems taken by you too, uncle."
Thorin:(Raising my eyebrows)"Did you say 'she'? How do you know that?"
Fili:(Blushing slightly)"Um, why Bofur just told me, Thorin. Her name is Eva!"
Kili: "And how does he know that...? Wait a minute, she certainly does not belong to Gandalf the grey!"
Kili & I exchanged glances turned to look at a shabby looking light brown horse, which obviously belonged to the wizard. So which means...!
Both of us: "Anya Hadin?"
Saying her name Eva began to nod her head up & down neighing, she knows that name.
Dwalin:(Crossing his arms, chuckling)"That answers that, almost as if she can understand us."
Kili: "Well, I'm impressed, not only is she a beautiful animal but she seems strong too."
I for one couldn't help but agree with him, she seems to be enjoying the attention or most likely her new admirers. Even Dwalin was staring at animal with admiration. At the corner of my eye I saw the wizard & the girl stepping out of the house, chatting. Gently, patting Eva's neck I began to turn but then she gently nudged my shoulder with her head. Chuckling lightly I walked to my pony, Dwalin walked near me & gave me an odd look but I ignored him.
Anya: "What is going on here? Eva, by any chance did you do something with these two?"
Fili: "Don't worry, Miss Anya, she wasn't bothering us. Actually it was Eva who came to us!"
Even though I was busy with my pony, but I was listening to them. Anya seems to be scolding the horse as if she would do to a child, that intrigued me.
Anya:(Chuckling)"Are you flirting with them, eh? Its funny though she usually never likes strangers. Whether they be a man, dwarf even an elf!"
Kili: "But Eva certainly seems to like us, right, brother?"
Fili smiled in agreement & so did I. I suppose she must have been taking care of Eva since she was very young. I could not help but stare at them the way they are.
Anya:(Frowning)"Um, by the way how did you two know that her name was Eva? I certainly do not remember mentioning her to anyone. Did Gandalf...?"
I raised my eyebrows at what she just said, my nephews became flustered at this.
Bofur: "That would be me, lassie. Don't mind them, they were asking about her."
Next thing I knew she flicked her finger over Bofur's forehead which caused him to flinch back. Young Ori & my nephews laughed at this, so did the others besides myself & Dwalin. It kind of surprised me to see how they had accepted her in our company so fast. Bofur, Ori & my nephews seem to be taken by her easygoing manner & charm. I admit that she is an attractive woman, but I still had to see how she handles herself in this quest.
Bofur:(Rubbing his forehead)"Here now, what was that for?"
Anya:(Glaring at him)"First of all, I am still upset of what you did last night which may have cost our 15th member. And secondly can't you keep anything bottled up instead of just blabbing your mouth off like that! Not that I mind anyone who likes to talk but some are bound to get in big trouble."
Bofur: "Are you referring about Bilbo Baggins, him fainting...?"
Anya:(Rolling her eyes)"Obviously, nobody told you to give the exact details about the dragon, Master Bofur. Not everyone fancies themselves to come face to face with one either, only prefers them in their books or by stories being told. Besides even I have never seen a live dragon either just heard them from the stories being told by my father years ago, so there."
My Nephews: "Well neither have we!"
Anya:(Mumbling)"Guess there is first time for everything in life, I suppose."
I raised my eyebrows after what I heard, this girl was beginning to intrigue me. Balin came near us shaking his head in amusement, Anya & few others were mounting their rides.
Balin:(Chuckling)"I'm beginning to like her, she is really getting along with each of us, especially with the younger ones."
Dwalin: "Maybe but I am still not sure if we could trust her, pretty or not!"(Nudging me in the ribs)"What do you think Thorin?"
Not realizing that I was staring at the girl, winced after Dwalin nudged me with his elbow. Avoiding the Fundin brothers gaze I simply shrugged. Turning I mounted my chestnut brown pony. Taking it as a sign to leave we headed out, following the wizard first to exit Shire.

1603 words!