A Terrain of Evil.

Chapter 2: Unexpected Meeting.

      I scrunched my forehead up in confusion. "Burglar?" I asked.

Gandalf nodded his head. "As you know Hobbits are extremely quiet on their feet, and that's what we're going to need in this quest. Stealthiness."

"And exactly how many dwarves are accompanying us?" I questioned.

"Thirteen."

I slumped down in my chair. "I do not know if I will be able to handle thirteen greedy dwarves." I murmured as Gandalf chuckled.

"We will have too see. Go on and get some rest. I will see you at dusk." He said while getting up. He gave me a toothy grin as he headed towards the door.

As soon as he left I threw my head back in frustration.

'Zéphyr where are you?' I spoke.

'I'm coming m'lady.' She announced.

Zéphyr is my bird. I found her while training in Mirkwood. Her wing was broken, so I took her in and treated her. After that she never left my side, and sooner or later I found out that she can communicate through minds.

As I aroused from my chair, Zéphyr perched my shoulder.

'Mellonamin! [My friend] It's finally good to have you in my presence.' I commented.

'It is great to be back Arwenamin [My lady].' She responded.

I walked towards the Inn Keepers desk and asked him if I could have a room. He nodded and gave me a key as I paid him.

'Why are you settling in Bree?' Zéphyr interrogated while I ascended up the stairs to reach my room.

'Gandalf.' I implored.

'The wizard?'

I simply nodded. 'He wants me to accompany a hobbit and thirteen dwarves on an adventure.'

I explained as I stuck the key in the lock on the outside of the door. As I walked in Zéphyr perched the window seal.

'What kind of adventure?' She asked.

I took off my boots and sat on the edge of the bed. 'The dwarves of Erebor,' I started while I unbuttoned my cloak and tied an elastic band around my hair.

'Plan on taking back there homeland and regaining The Arkenstone.'

I paused for a second and looked down.

'The Ellendalla Talc is in Erebor also, isn't it?' Zéphyr whispered.

I nodded.

'The only thing that's keeping me away from it is Smaug. That fire breathing serpent.'

I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes.

'Quel kaima [Sleep well] Brendalle.' She said.

I opened my eyes and turned over. 'You too mellon [friend]. You too.' I muttered as I fell into a deep slumber.

❁ Next Day (Near Dusk) ❁

I descended from my horse, Stardust, as I approached a group of Hobbits.

I arrived in the Shire about 6 minutes and I've been searching for Bilbo Baggins' house ever since.

"Umm, excuse me?" I called out.

The hobbits turned around.

"Sorry for interrupting, but do you know where Bilbo Baggins house is?"

One of hobbits looked up to me and said, "Yeah. It's a couple of blocks down from here. You'll see a green, round door. Ya can't miss it."

I smiled and bowed to him.

"Thank you."

I walked away and got back on Stardust. 3 minutes past, I saw Bilbo's door with a burglar mark on it. I stopped Stardust, so I could hop off.

"Go. I will whistle when I need you." I whispered in Stardust's ear, and with that she took off.

I looked up at sky and saw stars starting to appear very faintly. I pulled my hood over my head, and walked through the gate.

Just as I approached the door, something landed on my shoulder. I turned to see Zéphyr.

'So you've decided to finally come back?' I asked her.

'I was only out hunting Brendalle. No worries!' Zéphyr replied.

I raised my hand and knocked on the green door. Soon enough the door swung open.

My eyes gazed upon Mr. Baggins and I bowed to him.

"I'm Brendalle of Braylain. It's nice to meet you. May I come in?" I asked trying to sound polite.

"O-Oh, of course." He stuttered.

I bent down to get through the door. His house was... too small.

Then again I may seem like a giant compared to him.

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" Bilbo questioned.

I shook my head. "I'm only here because of Gandalf." I answered.

Bilbo opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a knock on his door. He looked at me weirdly, but I only shrugged and walked behind a wall.

I peeked around it and watched. He opened the door and was greeted by a dwarf.

"Dwalin, at your service."

Bilbo nervously wrapped his robe together.

"B-Bilbo Baggins, at yours. Umm, d-do we know each other?" He asked as Dwalin walked past him.

He stopped for a second.

"No."

He continued walking and took off his cloak. "Which way laddie? Is it down here?" Dwalin asked.

"I-Is what down where?" Bilbo stammered.

"Supper!" Dwalin said matter-of-factly while looking him in the eyes. I rolled my eyes.

"He said there'd be food."

Bilbo held a confused look on his face. "H-He said? Who said?"

I blocked out their conversation and walked into his living room.

'Dwarves.' I muttered to Zéphyr while shaking my head.

'At least try to be nice.' She commanded.

I chuckled. 'I will not hesitate to burn them alive if they insult me.'

'Brendalle, no sorcery here. Only use your powers when you need them.' Zéphyr said trying to reason with me.

I looked at her and smiled. 'I hate it when your right.'

By now I heard 5 voices in the house. They belonged to Bilbo, Dwalin, and 3 other people whom I don't know about. I stood up and peeked around the corner to see Bilbo getting furious as he approached the door again.

He opened it to only be greeted by a bunch of dwarves falling face first in front of him.

He looked up and saw a tall figure behind the pile of dwarves. The figure bent down to reveal its face. And that face belonged to the one only...

"Gandalf." Bilbo said as he sighed.

❁

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