Gold and Sapphires

8

Ethíniel did not wait for permission to start making her way out of the Shire, she merely started trotting while holding onto her pony, her left hand rubbing her right upper arm as a memory flashed through her eyes.

*Memory*

"Close the gates!" A somewhat younger Ethíniel ordered as she stood in front of the large colourful gem filled, golden gate, her amethyst gown trailing behind her as her chest heaved, her cheeks rosy and her eyes filled with panic, her upper right arm starting to sting like a thousand needles were being prickled into her, the guards wasted no time in obeying their Queen's order but unfortunately for her and everyone, the one thing that she was trying to keep from escaping flew past them quicker than the gates worked.

A fire like sensation covered the young Queens's senses as she fell to the ground, her arm felt like it was lava, the brand on her upper arm turned grey as the young blonde was filled with the feeling of abandonment, no one dared to get close to her, to touch her, no one knew what to do, all they could do was watch as the young ruler heaved in pain and sadness, on all fours as her body shook, threatening to give up at any second.

*End of Memory*

"Why should I be the one to ask her if she's alright?" a whine broke the air, the dwarf in question, Bofur, huffing as he crossed his arms, females were a strange territory, at least females that weren't his kin, "Because you both share a love for cooking." Thorin snapped at his companion, huffing once more the dwarf trotted to the blonde, pulling his pipe from his mouth as he neared her, "I'm splendid." Ethíniel instantly stated, grabbing the reigns of the pony again,everyone jumped slightly at the quick answer without a question, no one actually thinking that they were bickering loudly enough for her to hear them.

"Are yah sure lassie?" Bofur pressed, earning one of Ethíniel's famous 'You better be kidding or I'll have your heart for my next meal' glares which made him gulped, everyone shivered and even Gandalf slowed his horse down slightly, wishing to be out of the danger zone, "I'm spiffing Mr. Bofur." The blonde drawled, her eyes narrowing slightly, almost as if they were daring him to inquire once more. "Why did you space out?" Thorin them asked, sparing his companion from an untimely death, "Is a woman not allowed to day dream your highness?" she sassed, cocking her brow at him, still challenging, "What were you day dreaming about?" the prince inquired, "Maybe I was daydreaming about the hobbit I was with just two nights ago." Ethíniel teased leaning closer to Thorin's face seeing he had caught up with her, the teasing tone evident on her face, Thorin's eyes hardened at the mere thought of the goddess in front of him being intimate with anyone but himself.

A small growl ripped itself from Thorin's lips making the blonde smirk at him, his jealously made her happy to know he wanted her only for himself, "WAIT!" Someone shouted way behind them, too faint and far away for the dwarves and men to hear it but Ethíniel heard it perfectly, she pulled away from him and turned her pony around, flicking her hair so it hit Thorin's face, leaving the king confused for a split second, although he wasn't sure what confused him more, the fact that she turned her pony around or the fact that her smirk and hair flick made him want to sheepishly smile.

"WAIT!" was heard once more, but this time everyone heard it, prompting them to halt their ponies and look back, Bilbo Baggins was running towards them, flapping his arms around as if it helped him run faster, "I signed it!" he exclaimed as he arrived near them, waving the contract in the air before handing it to Balin, who took it and instantly looked at his through a small monocole glass, making everyone look at the two in silence. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Balin ended up saying with a small smile, allowing every dwarf minus Thorin and Dwalin to cheer.

"Give him a pony." Thorin grumbled, turning back to the front and leading once again the group, "No, no, that won't be necessary.Thank you. I'm sure I can keep up on foot.I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know?Even got as far as Frogmorton once." Bilbo countered, his face paling and his eyes widening with shock and slight fear, however Fili and Kili grabbed his arms and placed him on top of a pony. "I knew you would decide to follow Bilbo." Niel smiled, her green eyes shinning with amusement and happiness, "Ah, well. I couldn't exactly allow you to deal with these dwarves alone, it wouldn't be fair." Bilbo chuckled in a strange way.

Then flying pouches were being thrown back and forth attracting the attention of the young hobbit "What's that about?" he inquired the blonde and the wizard "Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't." Gandalf explained while looking ahead. "And what did you think?" Bilbo questioned curiously making the wizard start "Well..." before a pouch flew his way, making him catch it easily while adding "My dear fellow,I never doubted you for a second." Ethíniel laughed slightly as Bilbo started to suddenly sneeze uncontrollably, knowing fully well he was having a reaction to the hair from the pony, having not been used to it.

"It's horse hair. Having a reaction." He explained to the wizard who had raised a brow at him, before searching everywhere on his for a handkerchief, however when he didn't find it, he shouted "No, wait, wait, stop.Stop! We have to turn around." forcing everyone to halt and turn to him slightly annoyed. "What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf quipped at the hobbit, "I forgot my handkerchief." Bilbo replied. "Here.Use this." Bofur said, ripping part of his shirt and threw it at Bilbo, who caught it and sniffed it slightly, wrinkling his nose as Thorin ordered "Move on." once more while everyone laughed, allowing Gandalf to then say "You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins before we reach our journey's end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. But home is now behind you. The world is ahead."