Gold and Sapphires

3

Months have passed since Ethíniel saw or heard from Gandalf, the Grey, and of that she was more than pleased, she danced across the entrance of the Hobbit house hole she worked and lived in, humming the song of her people, her flats making no noise against the floor as she sweept the floor, her gold like blonde hair in a loose braid down her back, it was early morning when she moved out to the front steps, her boss was sitting on the bench in front of the gate smoking his pipe and puffing out rings of smoke.

Then in a flash she felt it, the powerful magic sipping into her like a river, she snapped her head up and saw him in all his tall stature, grey robes and hat, messy beard and ancient like eyes, an annoyed sigh left her lips as she stood straighter, her pale green eyes turned into esmerald flames while her hands tightened around the broom she held, she watched as the wizard transformed the ring of smoke into a smoke butterfly and fly straight into Bilbo Baggins nose leading him to snort and open his eyes confused.

His confusion rose even more when he caught sight of the wizard, "Good morning." the hobbit said kindly yet confused "What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?" Gandalf said confusing the poor hobbit even more, leading him him to stare at the wandering Wizard agape and Ethíniel to fume slightly.

"All of them at once, I suppose." Bilbo stated while staring at the taller man who's face turned into a small scowl, one that the Rider was used to seeing when she disagreed with him, "Can I help you?" The curly haired hobbit inquired smoking a bit more of his pipe, "That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure." The wizard stated as he stared at the hobbit who stopped smoking the pipe in shock, although he could see the princess fuming on the porch, "An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner." Bilbo retorted as he grabbed the mail form the mail box making Ethíniel sigh in relief.

Bilbo hummed and scoffed slightly as he read who sent him mail before puling the pipe out of her mouth and saying "Good morning." he instantly turned around going up the stairs while staring at his maid who continued to glare at the wizard, "To think that I should have lived to be "good morninged"......by Belladonna Took's son as if I were selling buttons at the door." Gandalf said aloud  leaving the hobbit and the princess baffled, "Beg Your pardon?" Bilbo expresses confused, "You've changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf added. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" Bilbo inquired quite annoyed.

"Well, you know my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf. And Gandalf means......me." The wizard said pausing slightly at the end. "Gandalf? Not Gandalf the wandering Wizard......who made such excellent fireworks? Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. No idea you were still in business." Bilbo answered sassily making the princess break out into a fit of laughter to which the wizard reacted by glaring at him and cocking a brow at the hobbit inquiring "And where else should I be?" Bilbo instantly placed his pipe in his mouth while Ethíniel covered her mouth with her hand and stared at the hobbit. "Well, I'm pleased to find you remember something about me......even if it's only my fireworks." The wizard started  before glancing at the princess.

"Yes. Well, that's decided. It'll be very good for you... both... and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others." Gandalf finished watching how both their faces morphed into confused and bewildered, in Bilbo's case, and shock and fear, in Ethíniel's case. "Inform the who? What?No. No. No... Wait. We do not want any adventures here,thank you. Not today. Not...I suggest you try Over the Hill or Across the Water." Bilbo called out to the wizard as he ran up the stairs and grabbed the princess by the arm, "Good morning." he told the wizard once more before the duo rushed inside and closed the door, pressing themselves against it.

Ethíniel was about to walk away when scratching on the door was heard and she could only hope that the wizard wasn't doing what she thought he was doing, but she knew that hoping was in vain, she knew what adventure the wizard was talking about, and though she wished not to join she knew that they would need her in this journey for the beast they were to face would only ever answer to one master and that would be her.