*Thorin's POV*

I can see the warm golden light shining from inside the Hobbit home. I had circled around the Shire twice looking for the house. I see this small village of Hobbiton, this is not a place of fighters let alone burglars. I sigh walking up to the door and seeing the glowing mark Gandalf told me to look for. I beat with my fist hearing all chatter inside cease. After a moment the door opens and I am met face to face with a young woman. Her soft blue eyes widen seeing me and she steps back quickly from my sight. Before I can speak to her I see the wizard. 

"Gandalf."

I take a step inside removing my cloak "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." 

 I hear little footsteps approach closer and see the Hobbit "Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!" 

 Gandalf looks at the girl standing behind him then to the Hobbit "There is a mark; I put it there myself. " I chuckle seeing the Half-lings face and the rest of the dwarves snicker as well. I hear the giggle and lean over to see the girl better. My eyes lock onto her and take in her features. 

She is very pretty. I can see the light shining from her as she gives me a small smile. "A human?" I question looking at Gandalf. "Where did you find her?" 

The wizard smiles "Well, in some odd way I think she found us."

 I keep staring at her and can see how I make her nervous "She found her way here to Mr. Baggin's home the night before. She speaks of living a great distance from here."

 I look back to her and see her cheeks have reddened and her eyes still locked with mine. She has a round figure and a round gentle face with soft full lips. Her hair is a dark honey color falling in waves over her shoulders. I can't remember seeing a human as anything but selfish and cowardly, but what I see in her is something entirely different.

 "Bilbo, Molly, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."

*Molly's POV*

"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin asks Bilbo who seems confused "Pardon me?"

Thorin, slightly amused, circles him "Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" 

Bilbo swings his arms nervously and I sink back behind the door not wanting to be seen again and have this uncomfortable atmosphere on me. 

"Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant."  

I facepalm as Thorin speaks "Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." 

All the other dwarves laugh and I see Bilbo's face fall in embarrassment "I believe he can make a great burglar...." I mumble. Soon all the dwarves turn in my direction including Thorin. I gasp slightly as Thorin's eyes lock with mine.

He steps forward "You believe? And what is it you believe in, girl?"

I glance over to Bilbo who looks back at me. I smile "Him. I believe in him." 

The other dwarves mumble amongst themselves giving me odd glances.  Kili and Fili smile at me nodding in approval along with Balin. I look back to Thorin who seems to smile slightly in an amused sort of way "Hmmm." he breathes and then turns along with the others to the table. 

As Thorin ate and the others ate more I sit in the kitchen listening to their conversations. Balin is the first to speak "What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" 

Thorin nods "Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms." 

Many of them murmur in approval. I then hear Dwalin's gruff voice "What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" 

Everything is silent and still as they await an answer as do I. Thorin speaks regrettably "They will not come." The sighs scream disappointment and I furrow my brow in confusion as to what they are talking about.

 "They say this quest is ours, and ours alone." Thorin finishes. Bilbo is on the other side of the room at the open hole walking over "You're going on a quest?" 

Gandalf looks back "Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light." 

Bilbo lights another candle as Gandalf reaches in his pocket pulling out a map. "Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak."

 I look closer and see the words written on the map Gandalf spreads out "The Lonely Mountain." Oin scoots closer to the table "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." 

I stand next to Bilbo and I furrow my brow "What beast?"

Bofur glances at me "Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire­-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals­­" 

Bilbo nods "Yes, we know what a dragon is." 

I freeze and shift my eyes "Dragon?!"  

Ori then stands up quickly "I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarvish iron right up his jacksie." 

Many dwarves shout and cheer. Fili seems to laugh. Balin sighs "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest."  

All the dwarves get in an uproar "Who ya callin' dim?!" Kili shouts. 

"Watch it!" Bofur exclaims shoving another chicken leg in his mouth.  

Fili holds up his fist and collides it with the table "We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!"

Kili nods "And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time."

The wizard shrugs "Oh, well, now, uh, I­I­I wouldn't say that.­" 

I smile curiously "You've killed dragons Gandalf?" 

 He raises a brow pulling out his pipe "Uh, what?" 

Dori laughs "Well, how many dragons have you killed? Go on, give us a number!"

My face falls as I see how nervous he is and I slightly smile knowing that if there were a dragon Gandalf had slain he wouldn't be in a Hobbit or petty lost human girls company. As he coughs nervously on the smoke the Dwarves begin shouting and arguing about how many he had killed. I watch from the side as Thorin's face turns slightly dark "Shazara!" 

"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!" he exclaims. 

I'm not sure what he said in some of that but I recall the 60 years part. While Thorin might have a few streaks of grey in his hair it does not seem from age but from stress and strain through his years. He looks as if he were only about 30 years old at most. Gandalf presents Thorin with a key to a hidden door to enter the kingdom. There was the conclusion that there were more entrances than one.  

Gandalf nods to everyone "Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle­ earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done."

Ori points "That's why we need a burglar." 

I glance at Bilbo who nods "Hm, A good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine."

Gloin takes a sip of wine "And are you?"

The Hobbit raises his eyebrows "Am I what?"

Oin chuckles "He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" 

Many of the dwarves laugh and giggle like children. Bilbo shakes his head "M-­­Me? No, no, no, no, no. I'm not a burglar; I've never stolen a thing in my life."

 Balin clears his throat "I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material." 

"Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." Dwalin agrees.

The dwarves begin arguing and getting louder. Gandalf seems to grow angry and he stands bellowing in a voice like thunder "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is!!" 

Everyone falls silent including Thorin who seems slightly uncomfortable. I rest a hand on Gandalf's shoulder and he glances at me seeming to calm. Sitting down he continues  "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of the hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. " 

Thorin sighs "But he only counts as half. So I'm a half short. Only 13 and a half." 

Gandalf then smiles and leans back looking at me with a glint in his eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask nervously. 

He then looks back to Thorin who begins shaking his head "No."

 "You must trust me on this." Gandalf pleads. 

"No, this is madness. She's-.....she's just a girl. She probably couldn't even carry a sword let alone wield it if need be!" 

I nod in agreement  "Gandalf, I can not go on an adventure. I need help getting home myself. I can't go to Ere-ere-gore...?"    

"Erebor." Bilbo mumbles. 

"Yes, Erebor. Thank you." 

Gandalf smiles at me then to Thorin "Sometimes you just have to believe." 

 Thorin is quiet and looks down than at Bilbo and me. As he stares at me he sighs turning away "Very well. We will do it your way. Give them the contract." 

Balin then hands Bilbo and me long papers. "Wait, Gandalf I-"                                              

Balin interrupts my protest by giving me my paper "It's just the usual summary of out­ of ­pocket expenses, the time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." 

My eyes widen as I look at it all "I'm sorry did you say funeral?" 

Bilbo and I take a step back and he reads it for both of us. My head is swimming and I become frightened of it all. Why am I getting so deep into this? After all, it's a dream, isn't it? 

Oh, wait, no, it isn't. 

Bilbo reads allowed pacing "Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one-fourteenth of total profit, if any. Seems fair. Eh, Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations, evisceration, ...... incineration?" 

Bofur nods jumping up on his chair "Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." 

Bilbo freezes staring at his contract and holding his breath. 

"Bilbo, you okay?" I ask. 

The bent-over Hobbit sighs holding his knee "Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint."

 I glare at Bofur who continues on "Think furnace with wings."

Bilbo fans himself "Air, I­­I­­I need air." 

As some dwarves chuckle, I hold my hands out as Bilbo turns pale "Bilbo, just calm down." 

Bofur steps closer "Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you're nothing more than a pile of ash." 

Bilbo begins breathing heavily and everyone stares at him including me. He slows his breathing down at looks at everyone seeming more relaxed "Hmmm. Nope."  He looks up and falls backward passing out. 

"Ah, very helpful, Bofur." Gandalf scolds.

 They all begin laughing at poor Bilbo and I can not control it, but I feel my temper flare "SHUT IT! All of you! Right, now!" I growl through gritted teeth. All the dwarfs slowly sit back down and go silent and awkwardly sip on their drinks, all except Thorin who only turns around trying to hide his grin.

After a while, I hear Gandalf and Bilbo speaking. "I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of Bag End."Bilbo argues. Gandalf sits down "You are also a Took. Did you know that your great,­great,­great,­great,­uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?"

 He nods "Yes." 

The wizard smiles "Well he could. In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of Golf invented at the same time."

Bilbo chuckles "I do believe you made that up." 

Gandalf shrugs "Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back." 

With a concerning look, I listen in close to Bilbo "Can you promise that I will come back?"

In the silence, Gandalf shakes his head "No. And if you do, you will not be the same."

I let out a shaky breath trying to calm my nerves. I wasn't any better or maybe even worse than Bilbo. The Hobbit nods "That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit...besides, I have to help Molly. I promised I'd help her get home. I can't do that by running off into the wild." 

Bilbo stands and I watch him disappear into his room. I think deeply about Gandalf's promise. I look over at Gandalf who stares at me "I can see it in your eyes. Your an adventurer, aren't you?" I smirk and slightly nod "When I was little I would run into the woods looking for Fairies or a magic door to take me to faraway places. I just never imagined that the door would close on me." 

Gandalf walks over and stands next to me "Some doors close but only for another to open." 

I purse my lips and run a hand through my hair "Gandalf, do you think I'll ever get home?" 

He shakes his head "I do not know if there is any solution or way to get you home, but I know for certain that you will not find it hiding away here."  

I frown "I was afraid you'd say that." 

Gandalf sighs and places his hand on my shoulder "But I can promise you this, if you seek out the adventure you long for, then you just might find that opened door." 

I smile at Gandalf as he heads back to the kitchen to talk to Balin. I stand, walk away, and head to my cushioned bench bed. I think of my family and how worried they must be. I wonder if my parents are fighting by having to work together to find me and how my younger sister is managing. The more I think of home the more I think of the Dwarves. I may not be able to do much but some help is better than none. I have a home to return to and they do not. Perhaps I could help the Dwarves first and then return home. No, I doubt I am wanted or even welcomed.

In the living room, the Dwarves gather and I stop hearing their low humming. I walk towards the song and hide in the shadow of the doorway sitting in a chair listening. My heart melts at the melody and then it breaks at the tale it interprets.

https://youtu.be/Pyy_FIYE7EE

That morning I had awoken to an empty house. No Gandalf, no singing, no dwarves, and no Thorin. I look around only to see two papers. I saw Bilbo's signed by Thorin and Balin and on mine the same with Thorin's name at the top. 

"Good morning." I hear Bilbo say. I stay silent and stare at my paper. If this is a dream then it is a magnificent one. It's filled with wonder and adventure. And if it is real then this is more of a dream come true. It is a chance to live a life for myself in a world to call my own. I know that must go out and find my own way home as well as go on the adventure of a lifetime.                          "Molly, are you alright?"

 I smile and look up at Bilbo. He furrows his brow "What?"

---

Both of us run with packs on our backs through the Shire. Our contracts are signed with our names in hand and swiftness on our feet as we run to catch up with the company. A neighbor calls out "Where are you two off?" 

Bilbo shakes his head "Can't stop we're already late!" 

The neighbor scoffs "Late for what?"

 I smile and laugh "We're going on an adventure!"

Racing down the paths and fields we finally see them "There they are!" 

Bilbo exclaims pointing. "Hey! Wait up!" we shout waving our arms. The company stops and I see Bofur laugh "Well blind me...Come on lass! We don't have all day!"

 Breathless we stop in front of the company. "We-.....w-w-we signed it.." Bilbo breathes as we hold up our contracts to Balin who takes them in approval and winks. I smile looking at the Dwarves and Gandalf. I then look at Thorin who seems only agitated.  

"Give them a pony." 

Bilbo shakes his head "No, no, no, no, that­­-that won't be necessary, thank you, but I­­-I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I­­- I­­-I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know. I even got as far as Frogmorton once­­-WAGH!"

A dwarf lifts Bilbo onto a pony that he holds on tightly. As I walk I glance up seeing Kili and Fili on both sides of me. 

"Hello love." Fili says. 

I shake my head "No. Guys do-" I scream slightly as Kili tosses me in the air as if I were a paperweight, which I'm far from that, and right behind him on his pony. 

"Hold me, tight lass. It sure does get cold at night," he says teasingly putting my arms around him. I giggle and shake my head but smile to myself in delight. Going down the path I see some dwarves are paying others. 

"What are you doing that for?" I ask. Gloin chuckles and rides up next to us "Wages to see if you and the Hobbit would accompany us."

 I nod and nudge Kili "What did you wager for?" 

He smirks at me and catches a sack of money "I knew you'd show up. No one can see this handsome face and just let it go." 

I nod "Mhmm, sure, whatever helps you sleep at night." 

Fili laughs and I glance at him "What about you?" 

He falls silent and winces shooting a guilty glance. Before I can tease him I watch as Thorin catches some money. 

"Thorin placed a bet?"  

Fili nods "Aye, and he betted on you."