Recap-
Once out of the stables, "So, what are you going to name your new companion?" Gandalf asked.
I pondered on it before a name popped into my head "Maeneth."
"Hm, quite a unique name. Suits your mare too by the sound of it."
"How so?" I asked, confused.
Gandalf smiled. "Maeneth means 'to set free.' She was clearly suffering in that stable."
I was stunned, how ironic was that?
"Now then, lets get you some new clothes and some weapons shall we?" Gandalf spoke.
"Yes, I suppose that would be best, I don't exactly blend in do I?" I laughed.
"Indeed not, young one."
So, we headed off to the tailors then the weapons smith before re-joining the company.

Inside the tailors Gandalf and I found a few sets of clothes that would fit me for our travels, then it was off to the weapons smith where we spotted a bow, a set of daggers and a sword all of which that would work perfectly for me.

Now it was off to the Prancing Pony...

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* Apostrophe ' in italics 'are still thoughts, as usual.....'

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We had entered The Prancing Pony, and found the Dwarves, in the small corner of the Inn.
I silently wondered how they hadn't gotten drunk by now.
'Probably Thorin's orders..'
"About time you've arrived." The said Dwarf spoke.
"Yes, yes well we had quite a few things to get. Didn't we, Alicia?" Gandalf replied.
"Mhm. I came here with nothing but my clothes, after all." I whispered.
Gandalf handed me a pile of traveling clothes, "why don't you go change in the Inn's washroom?"
I nodded my head.
As I walked up to the barkeeper, to ask where the washroom was, I got very odd looks from the people surrounding me. Looks I wasn't accustomed to. 'Well, it's not like they've seen clothes like yours before..' I thought.
As I reached the barkeeper, he examined me. "What's your name miss?"
"...it's Alicia. I was wondering if I may use your washroom?"
He smiled and handed me a key, "sure, sure! It's open to nearly everyone. Down the hall third room to the left, Alicia."
"Thank you, sir."
"Hallvard, names Hallvard."
"Right, well thanks again, Hallvard." I spoke, smiling.
With key and clothes in hand, I followed his directions to where Hallvard said the Prancing Pony's washroom would be. "Down the hall, third room to the left..." It wasn't that hard to find. I changed relatively quick, tying my hair up into a pony tail with some black ribbon we bought.

I exited the room, key and old clothes in hand, quickly giving the key back to the barkeep.
"It was nice meeting you, Hallvard! I'd stay and talk, but I really must be going."
"Safe travels, Alicia."
With a nod of my head, I walked back over to the company, hair swinging behind me.
I was more then ready to leave The Prancing Pony... I didn't enjoy being around too many drunk people, it made me feel...uneasy. Call it past memories, if you will.

"Are we all ready, then?" Thorin asked.
Various 'yes's, nods, and all around agreements of approval rang out from the company.
"Very well, lets get on the road!"
So, once on the road again - this time with my mare Maeneth and Gandalf's horse, who's name I hadn't caught.
We were about a mile or two down the road once I heard faint running, and heavy breathing.
"Whoa..whoa..." I told Maeneth, ignoring Nori's complaining about coming to the Shire in the background.
"I said it. Didn't I say it? Coming here was a waste of time."
"Gandalf, someone's coming." I whispered.
He smiled in return. "They'll catch up, now come on don't want to worry the others."
"Here's an idea. How about we bet if mr.Boggins will show up or not, then?" Kili spoke, replying to Dori.
"Aye! I'm in." Gloin spoke.
Soon enough, bets were being set up on whether Bilbo would turn up or not...

"Wait! Wait!" We heard a familiar voice shout.
"Whoa.. Whoa." Gandalf murmured to his horse, as did many others - to their ponies.
"I signed it." Bilbo spoke, as he came into view. "Here." He said, bringing the contract to Balin.
He bring out an eye-glass to confirm he did so, making my eyes roll.
"Everything appears to be in order! Welcome, Master Baggins...To the Company Of Thorin Oakenshield."
"Give him a pony." Thorin ordered.
Bilbo panicked. "No, no, no that wont 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."
And just as he said 'once' two mischievous young dwarves lifted him up by the shoulders, onto a pony. And oh boy did Bilbo look uncomfortable... Holding the reigns high, sitting stiff...

And that's, exactly when the bet's they made earlier started to go flying through the air.
"What's that about?" Bilbo asked Gandalf.
"Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't."
"And what did you think?" He asked...just as a sack of coins flew directly into his hand.
A few seconds later, the same happened to me.
"Oh...My dear fellow, I never doubted you for a second, neither did Alicia."
Bilbo's allergies started to act up....Horse hair. I knew because my mother had the exact same allergy.

"Ugh this horse hair. Having a reaction." He then proceeded to check his pockets, I lifted an eyebrow. "No, wait, wait, stop. Stop! We have to turn around." Bilbo spoke
"What on Earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked.
"I forgot my handkerchief." Bilbo informed him."
Ahead of us, Bofur ripped part of his shirt off for Bilbo to use. "Here. Use this!" Bofur said.
And personally, I'd take it over nothing but thats just me.
Bilbo held it up in disgust, making the Dwarves chuckle.
"Move on!" Thorin ordered.

"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." Gandalf spoke.

It was soon nightfall, and I was surprised on how many of the Dwarves snored... How was I ever going to get some sleep?
I looked over to Bombur and spotted moths coming in and out of his noes and mouth every time he snored...
'Gross!' I shivered in disgust.
I had decided to 'bed down' by Gandalf, as he was really the only one I had talked to besides Bilbo.
As I looked up from my laying position, I saw the said Hobbit get up to feed his pony, Myrtle.
Soon after a loud screech pierced the night's air, sending chills through my bones.
I looked at Gandalf, confused. "What was that noise, Gandalf?" I asked quietly.
"Orcs, my dear Alicia. But do not worry they shall not reach us here tonight." He winked.

My Elven hearing picked up Kili and Fili telling Bilbo a gruesome story, about how they kill in the dead of night, when everyone's asleep. How they were quick and quiet...
I looked at Gandalf, and he was sending a disapproving look towards the young dwarves.
'So it must not be true, or at least all of it...' I thought, which comforted me some.
Thorin soon scolded the two dwarves for their acts, also. "You think thats funny? You think a night raid by Orcs is a joke?"
"We didn't mean anything by it." Kili replied
"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world."
I was once again confused, but not for long.

"Don't mind him, laddie. Thorin has more cause than most to hate Orcs. After the dragon took the Lonely Mountain...King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient Dwarf Kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got there first. Moria had been taken by legions of Orcs. Led by the most vile of all their race: Azog The Defiler the giant Gundabad Orc had sword to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the King. Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing. Taken prisoner or killed... We did not know. We were leaderless. Defeat and death were upon us. That is when I saw him. A young Dwarf prince... Facing down the pale Orc. He stood alone against this terrible foe. His armor rent, wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the Defiler learned that day... That the line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied... and drove the Orcs back. And our enemy had been defeated. But there was no feast, nor song that night. For our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived. And I thought to myself then...
There is one who I could follow. There is one... I could call King.

The Dwarves stood up, showing their allegiance to their King, and if I was a Dwarf I would've too...
He smiled briefly at them, after reliving the past.

"And the Pale Orc, what happened to him?" Bilbo asked.
'Way to ruin the moment, Bilbo...' I thought.
"He slunk back into the hole when he he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin said, disgusted as he walked to his sleeping mat.

I noticed Balin and Gandalf share a knowing look, one I knew well... 'He isn't dead.' I thought.

My ears once again picked up a noise, faint but a noise nonetheless. Growling. I looked in the direction I thought it to be coming from and saw a large oversized dog type creature with an ugly beast riding it caring a spike, others were besides it. They then spoke in a foreign tongue... One thing popped into my head. 'We're being followed.'
I had to tell Gandalf as soon as possible.

~*~*~*~*~
Hey guys! I apologize for the lack of updates on basically all my stories... -sigh-
I have been writing some stories that are 'drafts', though... But~ We had a 12hr power outage the other day, and our internet is acting all funky today (Friday) so I'll post this ASAP.
I have an upcoming trip to my new seizure doctors, we leave this November (3rd/4th - 7th/8th) so i'm not sure what'll be happening then hopefully it Won't snow while we're gone! Because everyone who actually moves the dang stuff, will be away... So those who pray, please pray for no snow for us 😂
Also~ 👻 Happy Halloween!! 🎃