Sally and the Line of Durin

Chapter 1

Sally Took was different from other Hobbits. For one thing, she was tall; easily the tallest Hobbit in Hobbiton. Secondly, her feet were hairy, but nowhere near as hairy as her nephew Bilbo's; she had the embarrassment of wearing shoes. And, to top it off, she was old...but not. She had reached her 120th birthday; but she didn't look a day older than 50.

She was glad that her nephew only saw her as Auntie Sally. The other residents of Hobbiton looked at her sideways and avoided her. Even the rest of the family avoided her. Of course it wasn't surprising that Lobelia Sackville-Baggins said terrible things about her, the woman was evil.

Bilbo had been visited by dwarfs. And old Gandalf the wizard. He had been happy to see her, reminiscing about summer eves spent at Old Took's house. When the dwarfs started to talk of Erebor and the dragon Smaug Sally was entranced. It was she who convinced Bilbo that he needed to join the quest. It was he who insisted that she be included.

She got along quite well with the dwarfs. Bofur was her favourite. He was always quick with a light of her pipe, or a joke. They were often quite merry, singing bawdy songs and getting into trouble. On particularly rowdy nights around the fire Sally could feel cold eyes on her. She would look around to find the leader of the group, Thorin Oakenshield son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain, staring her down: his eyes sparkling icy blue in the moonlight. Each time she locked eyes with him a shiver would scurry down her back. She was not sure if it was fear or excitement.

All of the dwarfs were in agreement that her addition to the band was advantageous. She had knowledge of herbs and berries that were foreign to Oin, the healer. She was also quite adept with a bow and arrow. A sword was dangerous in her hands...to the other members of the party, but she could be counted upon to give good wallops with a sturdy length of wood.

The party were currently holed up at Rivendell. While the place was beautiful, Sally felt inordinately uncomfortable there. Lord Elrond was a gracious host, but as she was sat in a delicate chair (Lindel said it was fit for a lady) she was afraid that it would break. Also, she was craving meat. Salad and greens were fine as a side dish, but really? Some good, hearty red meat would be wonderful after the meagre fair they had been forced to eat on the road.

One evening Sally was overcome by a desire to walk along a glimmering pond. As she strolled she admired the koi swimming vigorously when a chill descended. She turned to see a beautiful Elf woman standing before her. A glossy, ethereal woman, clothed in white with the most glorious blond hair she had ever seen. She suddenly felt dowdy and dumpy.

"Ahhh, Lady Sally," the glowing beauty spoke, but no sound came from her mouth. "I am very happy to finally meet the strangling from Hobbiton." The lady made a gesture for Sally to sit on the bench next to her.

'How did she get to the bench?' Sally thought. 'What does this Elf want with me?'

"Please, sit. I am Galadriel."

Sally plopped down beside the Lady Galadriel. She smiled, a smile of pure joy. Lady Galadriel was known far and wide as the wisest and best of all the Elves.

"You are beautiful," Sally gasped. Blushing, she apologized, "Please excuse me. It is an honour to meet you my lady."

Galadriel clasped Sally's hands in her own and looked down at the hobbit, "My dear Sally, it is time for you to learn of whence you came."

Sally was confused. She knew from where she had come. "I do not understand. I am a hobbit of the Shire."

Galadriel smiled, a smile full of warmth and pity. "No, my child. You are a not a hobbit. Have you never wondered why you are so tall, why you are so aged?" All Sally could do was nod. "You are a dwarf, my dear."