A Burglar

T.A. 2941

Bree

           Raining yet again, definitely an omen of bad luck, this was just becoming ridiculous. Sitting in the same booth, even the same drunken laughter filled to room. The Prancing Pony was always full, in fact the Ranger never saw a day when it was empty.

Under the table, she was cleaning a knife, hidden behind her cloak, wouldn't want to cause a ruckus now.

They were decent she supposed, given where they came from. A pity excuse to call them thieves if you asked her, but they were necessary as she needed anything and everything to help her be a more convincing human Ranger.

Hearing oncoming footsteps, Naarinya looked up to see the waitress, Betsy.

"Sorry to bother you, miss, but there is a gentleman outside who wanted me to give you this." Betsy replied, handing the Ranger a folded slip of paper.

She gave the waitress a nod, meaning she could leave. Which Betsy did, quickly leaving as she came.

When she was gone, Naarinya unfolded the slip of paper. The paper reviled no words, but a symbol which gave her all the information she needed.

Slipping the knife into it's sleeve the Ranger walked out of the pub finding Gandalf standing there by their horses.

"Were they taken care of?" He asked in a hush tone.

"Yes."

"Then we best be off."

"Where are we off to now?"

"To find us a burglar."

~~~

The Shire

           Naarinya walked along side Gandalf, on the dirt path, leaving their horses back in the woods, till they were needed again.

She saw the green fields and the bright blue waters, wildflowers peaking over the grass. Houses built into the side of hills, as white smoke came from their chimneys.

"It's the same as it was fifty-four years ago." the Ranger replied lowering her hood, only reviling her brown hair that was in a braid which covered up her elf ears.

"Ah, yes. The Shire hardly ever changes, if it even changes at all." Gandalf replied, ending with a chuckle, which made her smile back.

"Now, why don't you walk around while I find our burglar? Do you remember where his house is?"

"Yes, on the top of the hill at Bag Ends."

"I shall see you at night fall." Gandalf replied, and the two departed soon after.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           A hobbit sat on his bench, in his font little yard, smoking his pipe. He blew out rings, and was pleased with his work. His eyes were closed, as the giant ring turned into a butterfly, just as a man dressed in grey appeared.

The butterfly flew straight up to the hobbit's nose, causing him to cough and open his eyes, now seeing a man.

An older man he was, leaning on is staff for support. He had a long grey bread, (that matched his robes), a grey pointy hat that sat upon his head shading his eyes.

Clearing his throat the hobbit spoke, "Good morning."

"What do you mean?" The man asked. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I  want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

"All of them at once, I suppose." replied the hobbit.

~~~~~~~~~~~

          Ever since Gandalf left Bilbos' house, the hobbit looked over his shoulder.

An adventure? Bilbo thought. Absurd.

He continued making his way to the market, (basket in hand), planning to buy supper for that night.

The markets were packed with little shops, hobbits buying and selling goods. Never having something you never needed. On the streets children played, Hobbits drank while others smoked, and some of the women just talked about how their day was going so far.

Once, Bilbo had gotten everything that was needed, (still looking over his shoulder), as he started to make his way back home. He heard the squeals of delight from children, and turned his head in their direction.

A woman, not a Hobbit given her height, but she was a Ranger even though her hood was down.

"Do it again, miss Naarinya, do it again!" a few of the children shouted.

"Alright, but just once more." she replied with a smile, and like magic, fiery butterflies flew our of her hand, and the children squealed again in delight.

The Ranger took her eyes off the children to see the older Hobbit watching her. Walking right into her butterflies they went up in smoke, she greeted the Hobbit with a smile.

"Bilbo?" she asked, the hobbit could only nod, "My have you grown, I remember when you were just a small thing."

Bilbo let out a chuckle replying, "I would say the same for you Lady Naarinya, but you have not aged since the first day I saw you. You wouldn't by any chance have seen a old man wearing grey robes, has a long grey beard, usually is in everyone's personal space."

"Gandalf was here? I must have just missed him."

"Oh, well if you are not busy then would you like to come over for some tea?"

"I would be honored, Mr. Baggins."

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Watch your head."

Naarinya ducked her head barley missing the wooden beamed arch that lead into his living area with a fireplace.

"Would you care for a spot of tea?"

"I would like that very much. Do you need help making the fire?"

"I could not ask that of you, you are my guest."

"I do not mind, truly." the Ranger replied, as they walked into Bilbos' kitchen.

"If you insect let-" Bilbo cut himself off, as he started looking around the kitchen as if he lost something. "Oh, I left it by the door silly me." he muttered to himself.

Once Bilbo was out of her sight, she snapped her fingers and the kitchen fireplace lit up in flames. Naarinya smiled at her work, as she grabbed a few pieces of wood to put in the fire.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Night had finally fallen as Bilbo and Naarinya have been spending the past few hours swapping stories of what has happened since they last met.

Bilbo told her of the passing of his parents, the Ranger gave her deepest condolences to him. 

As supper came along, Bilbo pressed again, if Naarinya wanted something to eat, and she refused, but did however wished for another cup of tea.

Just as Bilbo started putting lemon juice on his fish, three knocks came from outside the door.

Bilbo excused himself, then made his way to the door, as Naarinya finished her tea with a giant gulp.

Raising from her seat, she threw her hood back over her head, shading her eyes. A smile appeared on her face, deciding to watch the show hidden in the shadows.

~~~~~

Alright Book 2 is up and running

That awkward moment when you follow yourself....

I hope to update again before school starts back... well we all know how that usually goes..

But there is one thing I can guarantee you all that I will see this to the end

I started this story and I will finish them all

Until then

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