Daughter of a King

Chapter 10: The Hobbit Hole

(Arulla's P.O.V.)

We rode until about midday when we reached the Shire. I rode up ahead of Gandalf, but he told me to tie Amdir to a tree nearby the creek. I nodded in understanding and obeyed. I found a tree that was enormous and the branches were low enough and had enough to accomadate dwarves of many numbers. Gandalf tied his horse up next to mine and smiled at me. I followed him up a path that said "Hobbiton" I smiled and ran my fingers across the sign and ran to catch up with the wizard.

Before long we walked up to a small sign that said "Bagend" Me eyes filled with excitement and I ran up to the next house and I saw a young, or at least I think he was young, man sitting on a bench smoking his pipe and enjoying the morning sun rays. I smiled, but the man's eyes were closed. It was only until Gandalf came up and shaded the hobbit from the sun. The hobbit coughed on his smoke and opened his eyes to see Gandalf staring at him. The hobbit was shocked, and almost jumped out of his seat.

"Good Morning." I hear the hobbit say.

"What do you mean?" Gandalf asks, the hobbit looked confused,

"Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or are you saying that it is a good morning whether I want it or not?" the hobbit drops his pipe from his mouth and just stares at the wizard,

"Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this paricular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?"

I sniggered a bit, all of the questions, the poor hobbit.

"A-All of them at once I suppose." The hobbit replied. Gandalf grunted,

"I-I'm sorry can I help you?"

"That remains to be seen." Gandalf replied."I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."

The hobbit stared at Gandalf in disbeleif, "An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree, would have much interest in adventures."

My head felt dizzy, and I stumbled to regain balance. Gandalf was still paying attention to the hobbit, so I just made it look like nothing. The hobbit had walked to his mailbox and was mmbling something that I did not quite hear.

But he quickly said, "Good Morning." again and quickly walked up the steps towards his house.

"To think that I would've lived to be 'Good Morninged' by Belladonna Took's son, as if I were selling buttons at the door!"

The hobbit stopped and turned around in question. My head went dizzy again. and I almost tip over. Gandalf saw me and finished his conversation with the hobbit and ran to me.

"Aranel? Are you alright?" He asked me.

I shake my head slowly, "My head is in a tizzy. I can't regain my balance."

Gandalf turned to the hobbit, I think his name was Mr. Baggins,

"Mr. Baggins, could you please take my friend here and give her a place to lie down? Her head seems to be in a whirl."

The hobbit nodded and wrapped on of my arms around his neck and helped me up the steps. He slammed the door behind him and gently laid me on a chair. I see the hobbit run to the window and jump back fairly quickly. I smile and slowly close my eyes. The last thing I remember is feeling a cold wet rag on the top of my brow. And I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I felt much better. I got up from the chair and slowly made my way to the kitchen. There I found the hobbit and he glanced over at me,

"Are you feeling any better?" I smiled and nodded, "Yes, thank you..."

I looked at him for awhile, "I do not believe we've been properly introduced."

The hobbit smiled and bowed his head slightly, "Bilbo Baggins, milady."

I smiled and bowed, "A pleasure. My name is Aru- Aranel Oiailmarë, Daughter of Imladris."

Bilbo's smile grew wider, "A pleasure to meet you." And he grabbed a basket and headed towards the door,

"I'm just going to the market. I won't be long." I nodded and sat back down in the chair.

When Bilbo returned, he had a worried look on his face, like he had seen a ghost.

"Mr. Baggins, are you alright?" I ask as he makes his way over to the counter. He laid the basket on the table and quickly answered,

"Oh, I'm fine my dear lady. And please call me Bilbo."

I nodded and made my way to the table, "Are you going to cook something, Bilbo?"

He nodded and uncovered two wrapped fishes.

"Are one of those for me?" I ask.

Bilbo nods and starts the fryer. He cooks mine first and hands me a plate with a piece of bread and my fish. I thank him and sit down to eat it. I finish my meal and lay my dish in the sink. I bow my head ans exit the room and Bilbo continues to cook his fish. I sit back down in the armchair and I wanted to go back to sleep, but my consious told me other wise. So I got up and started to walk around the house to explore. I hear a loud clattering of pans and I run into the kitchen.

Poor Bilbo lie on the floor toppled with pots and pans.

"Bilbo!" I scream, "Are you alright?" I grab his arms and hoist him up.

He nods, "Thank you."

I smile, "You're welcome."

I kneel down to start picing up the pans but Bilbo stops me.

"No woman of royalty should bother herself with something like this." He said solomly

I smiled, "Then we don't learn to do it ourselves. My father always told me that whether royalty or not, one life is no better than the other."

Bilbo looked confused, "I never thought that Elves would be so like common folk, and say such things... Lord Elrond truly said that?"

I froze. I didn't want to bring up this conversation but I did, so now I had to continue it.

"No, Prince Thorin of Erebor did."

Bilbo tilted his head to the side,

"But I thought you said you were the Daughter of Imladrís? And therefore Lord Elrond's daughter."

I nod, "I am, my father died when I was very young. And I had nowhere else to go, so the Elves took me in and raised me as their own."

Bilbo's face soften,

"So, is Aranel your true name?"

I shake my head and gather the pots in my hand and place them on the counter. I turn to leave, but turn back around to face Bilbo again,

"No it is not. But I refuse to give out my true name. If anyone asks you, I am Aranel Oiailmarë and nothing else. Understood?"

Bilbo nodded his head slightly and I left the room and sat back in the armchair.

Bilbo continued to fry his fish and when it finally finished to the point of perfection, Bilbo laid it on a plate and laid the plate on the table. I looked back and softly walked back into the kitchen. Bilbo kept his head down and continued to season his fish.

He didn't even get to finish seasoning when a loud knock came at the door.

I hurriedly ran to the armchair and grabbed my cloak and covered my face with the hood. I hid myself behind the archway when Bilbo opened the door. This was going to be harder than I thought. I just hope Gandalf didn't invite the whole line of Durin.

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So sorry it took me so long!!

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Thanks

Namarië!

-TC110