The next day was spent adding the finishing touches. Thorin was barking orders and the others were busy making sure they were carried out. He was not acknowledging my presence at all and I had not been assigned any task. it was like I wasn't even there. I know this what i wanted but it hurt none the less. I helped others carry out their tasks, especially the young princes. They were trying their best to make me feel included and it was melting my heart cause they knew how difficult it was for me. Thorin saw me helping them a few times but he addressed them if he wanted anything added pretending I'm not there at all.
We left at the breaking of dawn. Thorin was not there. he was with Gandalf both of them deep in talk which I'm sure rotated around the hobbit. The Shire was the most warm and beautiful place I had seen. I had never been to this part of Middle Earth before but I had heard of halflings, I wasn't really sure if they were anything more than a legend at first but being here was calming to my nerves. The green fields and the rolling hills were like a cool press to my aching heart. Since Gandalf had asked us to come separately I told Fili and Kili to go ahead and I'll join them later. The round doors to the hobbit holes, the laughter and the chatter were calming me down. I decided to explore a little more. I didn't realize how quickly the time passed, the sun had started to set and the stars were out I started walking towards Bagend, I remembered Gandalf had mentioned a green door, I did have to ask a few hobbits to confirm but they all were friendly.
I opened the gate and started walking up the stairs, I could hear Thorin's voice. I knocked on the door and everyone went quiet. Bilbo opened the door, "Hello Master Baggins, My name is Maureen." I said placing my hand on my chest and bowing my head slightly with a smile on my face. Bilbo looked as if he would shut the door . He moves aside slowly, "please come in"
"Thank you" I look at him smiling. The dwarves were all seated in the dining area I hung my jacket and turned towards them, I could see the tension in Thorins shoulders as he whispered something to Dwalin who was sitting next to him on the table.
"Where have you been lass, we were worried that you got lost" he said looking at me. He seemed genuinely concerned.
"I'm sorry I was exploring the Shire and lost track of time. " I replied.
"We are not here for a picnic. This is a serious matter." Thorin said not too kindly.
"I'm sorry" that's all I had to give.
I stood leaning on the wall of the entrance close to Gandalf. "Bilbo my Lad, let us have a little more light." he said softly to the hobbit as he took out an old parchment from his pocket and spread it on the table. "The Lonely Mountain" read Bilbo as he came close with a candle.
"I don't need a map I know where my home lies"
"But what you don't know is the secret entrance. These runes speak of a door, I can't read them but I'm sure that there are others in Middle Earth who can." Gandalf says pulling out a big key. Thorin's eyes went wide taking the key from the wizard," How came you by this?" He inquires.
"It was given to me by your father for safe keeping. It is yours now."
The key gave all the dwarves a new energy, their eyes glinted and they were full of hope once again.
I turned and left the room, I went to Bilbo's garden. I heard a thump and then all the company astir. I didn't want to go inside just yet so I stood there looking at the night sky hoping it would bring me some news of what's coming our way. I breathed deep and close my eyes trying to shut all the chaos in my mind so that I could concentrate only on the quest. Nothing.... There was nothing the night was ready to show me probably because I had not tried even once since I came to the dwarves. I just stood there enjoying the light breeze when I felt someone watching me. I turned to look if one of the princes had come out but there was no one but the feeling of being watched didn't leave me. I went and sat on a small bench folding my legs under me and examining my hands when I hear music from inside the house. I loved this song, it spoke of the longing the dwarves had for their home which was taken from them. I closed my eyes concentrating on the song when the feeling of being watched came back, this time I didn't try to find who it was cause I knew Thorin was standing at the window looking at me. His attitude towards me was killing me, I know he still loves me but my push had made him hate me maybe. I bit my lip in my teeth trying to keep myself from crying and gathering the courage to get up and go back inside the house. After a while the music stops and someone comes outside, I'm hoping with all my heart that it's not Thorin cause I don't have the energy to argue or fight or even be yelled at right now.
"Our burglar refused to come." It was Fili. I looked at him smiling glad it was him.
"Don't worry he'll come. He just needs a push out the door." I say smiling
" I really do hope so as we don't have the time to find another burglar. We leave at first light tomorrow" he says as stands beside me.
"Why are you sitting here all alone Maur?" He inquires
"I just needed some fresh air and to clear my mind before we start tomorrow" I say looking at him, he gives me a smile nodding his head as if trying to tell me that he knows what I need to clear from my mind.
I get up letting out a deep breath from my nose " Let's go inside. I'm sure Kili would be sulking in a corner thinking we are spilling secrets." He laughs as I turn to go back inside I look at the window and as I had thought he was still there watching me ...