There and Back Again: A Girl's Tale

Chapter 3 The Company of Dwarves

Chapter 3 The Company of Dwarves

Elwen peeled open her eyes slowly. She sat up and the world spun as her eyes tried to focus. She was laying on a blanket of thick grass and leaves in the middle of what she assumed was a forest. There was a faint glow of light visible, but there was no way of knowing if the sun was coming or going due to the thick canopy. Does the sun still set in the west in Middle-earth?

Elwen stood on shaking limbs and tried to get her bearings. She found that she immediately felt a difference between this place and the world she'd come from. The air was clear and crisp and teeming with life. She felt as if she'd stepped out of a nasty smog and was breathing clean air for the first time.

A twig snapped from somewhere behind her. She whirled around and was relieved to see Gandalf emerging from the shadows cast by the tallest of oak and pine. He had a large leather satchel slung over a shoulder and was carrying a pair of tall leather boots.

"I am glad to find you awake and well," he called in greeting, dropping the satchel and boots next to her. "You will need to dress quickly if you are to reach Bag End before the company arrives." The wizard turned his back to give her privacy. "I guessed at your size, but I think these should do."

Elwen undid the buckles that held the satchel closed and peered inside. She gasped when she pulled a beautiful article of clothing hidden away in the darkness of the bag. She held up an emerald tunic made out of a material softer than any silk she'd ever felt, as well as a pair of practical brown breaches, a belt to cinch the waist with a leather pouch attached to it, and two hard leather arm bracers. She dressed quickly and sat to pull on the boots.

"Where'd you get these?" she asked, giving the left boot a final tug before standing.

"From an elf friend," Gandalf replied, turning around and smiling. "Yes, I think those suit you quite nicely, just as I thought. You're going to give everyone quite a shock!" He took her old clothes from her, saying he'd see to disposing of them.

"Am I going to meet the elves?" she asked excitedly.

"I imagine we will need their aid before all is said and done, yes," Gandalf replied a bit solemnly. "Though Thorin will resist me at every turn, I fear. He has no love for elves."

"Who's Thorin and what's he got against elves?" she asked, shouldering the pack as the pair strolled out of the forest and into the open.

The sun had indeed set but, despite the darkness, Elwen could tell the land before her was beautiful. The rolling hills of the Shire stretched out far and wide with houses and crops scattered here and there. She could see the road stretching out before her and she wondered where it would lead.

Gandalf ignored her question and pointed toward the road.

"Follow the path as it winds and you will wander upon Hobbiton, and in Hobbiton you should find Bag End with little difficulty. There will be a mark on the door; you will know it when you see it, I assure you."

Elwen looked up at the wizard and raised an eyebrow. "You aren't coming with me?"

She felt slightly foolish for being nervous, but striking out all on her own in a foreign land? That seemed a little more than slightly insane.

"You will find yourself in good hands once you reach the home of Bilbo Baggins," he replied warmly. "I will be along shortly. I have the sneaking suspicion some of our party will manage to get themselves lost, and I must take up the task of finding them."

With that, Gandalf wished her luck and pointed in the direction she must head before he once again disappeared into the trees. Elwen sighed and made her way toward the road. At least it was a beautiful night for a walk.