Tahlaia had never meant to come this far, she had intended to go to Bree and find some form of work there. However. Life was never that easy and she had instead managed to get herself lost and end up all the way in the Shire. The land of the little folk. It was slightly unnerving that everybody who lived here was shorter than herself. It was nearly always the other way around. She had to admit that this little patch of heaven in middle earth was a nice place. The sun shon and the grass was green and everybody seemed to be in rather good spirits. If that was simply the way of hobbits or the after effects of whatever they had been smoking previously she didn't dare ask. All she did know was that she could have probably passed for a Hobbit where she not so tall, or wearing shoes. Another thing that she wasn't sure about being culture or unknown side effects. That brought the young woman to another point. Their feet. Where bizzare to say the least. Extremely large and clearly durable to walk over stones and such. With, hair, on the top of them. It was a very odd sight to say the least. She kept those thoughts to herself.

Despite the jollyness of the people around her non where all that jolly when she mentioned that she had no money to pay for board or food. This was her problem. With no money to pay for a room at the Green Dragon Tavern. Tahlaia was well and truly homeless for the time being. She could always go out and hunt now, see what she could bring in and sell as quickly as possible. But she'd never have enough to get a room for tonight. With a hefty sigh she plopped herself down on one of the slightly too low benches just outside of the market square to think about what options she truly had while the hobbits around her went on with their business.

Tag: Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo found himself opening his doors, walking at where the path leads, following the sweet scents of food and flowers, and standing there right on the center of the market square. This was not right, and he ought to make for Bag-end at once, for it would soon be time for dinner and he had a large bowl of batter at home that he started just this morning for making cupcakes. But why was he here...? Bilbo patted his head while walked around in small circles, his large, fluffy feet hitting the ground. Ah, yes. Raisins! No wonder. That was a proper reason to leave home, for a hobbit shall never leave his batters unattended to.

After he bought a large, large jar of raisins that had been proven to be a little overwhelming for him to carry, Bilbo sneezed and used all his might to manage the balance of the jar. He settled down on a bench next to the market, and was happy to find out that the jar was safe and sound. Bilbo opened it, took a few ones out and ate them merrily, before his restless mind felt bored once more. Sure, go back home and write your books, but what good would that do. Bilbo took a deep breath and shook his head.

And that is when he noticed a queer-looking figure around another bench, with long hair and a strange height. A bit taller than a hobbit, yet less taller than an elf - is it a dwarf? No, it clearly had the features of an... elf? From where he was sitting Bilbo could roughly see her (yes, by this point Bilbo was sure that it was a she) profile, and it was similar to those that he had seen during his time of 'visit' in Mirkwood. And what was this strange, strange short elf lady doing here... Bilbo wondered curiously as he chewed.

A small hello would certainly not go amiss... Bilbo thought as he stood up, tugging that jar under his right arm and went over to where the girl was sitting. He stretched and gave a hearty smile while reaching out his left hand: "Hullo there... Nice to meet you, I am Bilbo Baggins, of Bag-end, and you are...?" Bilbo blurted out, and later thought of the jar. He oohed and reached it out: "Want raisins?"

(sorry for the slow reply )

Hobbits where very strange little creatures and yet Tahlaia found herself in awe of the short beings. They where happy, happy and joyful and they had nothing to worry about. No idea about what as going on in the rest of the world, she wondered how this place had been untouched for so long, the land was clearly brilliant for farming, with the fruits and veg that she had seen on some of the market stalls, good for cattle too with what she had seen. Perhaps the hobbits had some form of defence she didn't know about, or, nobody actually knew this place existed. Either way, Tahl needed to find a place to stay, else she'd be camping out in some hobbit-farmers field for the night.

She noticed one of the hobbits struggling with a large jar of raisins. She didn't know that raisins came in such large jars, clearly here they did. She watched as he sat not far from her, she decided not to stare, she was pretty sure that staring was rude no matter where you where. She looks back down to the floor at her boots, scuffling them around a little in the glass. She would need some new ones soon enough, the ones she was wearing where getting a little battered and old.

Tahl was a little shocked at the voice that came from where the hobbit had been, she didn't think that the hobbits took well to strangers, not from the looks she had been given. But when she looked up to this one, he didn't seem so bad. She nodded when he introduced himself, and decided it wouldn't do anything not to introduce herself "Tahlaia." She replied gently and smiled softly at his offer of raisins "I'm fine, thank you, if you know anywhere I could stay the night though..."

As the girl replied with her name, Bilbo nodded and tried the name out - "Tahlaia. That sounds dwarvish." He muttered, not being aware that the girl might have heard that. "Well, nice to meet you then!" For no particular reason Bilbo found himself in a somewhat joyful mood as he smiled heartily.

When Tahlaia asked for a place of sheltering, Bilbo was more than willing to point her the way. As a resident of Shire, and one who was particularly interested in maps, he would gladly offer help and instructions for a traveller who have lost his or her way. "Uh, you could certainly go to the Green Dragon Inn - that's the best in town, I warrant - that's approximately over there." He pointed, but was sorry for not being specific enough, "I can go with you if you want, I know a fellow who would give me bargain prices." Bilbo had never met that fellow since his adventure, and he wondered that as he have became notorious all over the place would the jolly hobbit still offer him a bargained price. He continued, "Or if you are looking for cheaper places to stay for the night, there are a few inns scattered about the market square, the cheapest only asks for half the price of Green Dragon..."

He looked on curiously to the girl, still feeling that something's not quite right with her. Since his adventure Bilbo became exceptionally good at identifying races. Elves have long, pointy slender ears, dwarves (even female) have long beards, men are of mediocre height, and goblins and orcs - well, his Sting would help him see them at even a far distance. But this lady before him, Bilbo had not a clue which race she belonged. It would be rude to ask though, he thought, so Bilbo kept his mouth shut. He asked a question casually: "So what are you doing in Shire then?"

It seemed like the hobbit was doing his best to be a friendly and happy chap. Maybe all hobbits where like this or perhaps this one was just in the mood to make friends and pick up strays. She could tell he was a little on edge about her, probably trying to work out what exactly she was. She decided not to hint to her half breed status. It usually didn't go down well.

At the mention of taverns and inns that where smaller than the main building in the center of the village had she had already been to, she became much more interested she might have been able to get a room for the night in one of those with whatever coin she had left to scrape together. She'd be able to get more as soon as she harvested and sold her wares. But right now, it was impossible. "I have little coin left, master hobbit. But perhaps one of the inns would take it." She explained "If you could show me the direction to one or two of them, I can be out of your way."

At his curious question as to why she was here. She smiled lightly "The truth, I got lost on my way to Bree." She chuckled softly "But I travel, and often. I have no home as it where... But, Erebor, the lonely mountain sounds like a very interesting place."

Bilbo replied crisply, using all his knowledge as a native resident, "Well, you can certainly go to good old lady Lila Brockhouse's cozy tavern!" He smiled, "That place's nice, and certainly suitable for a girl like you. Only fifteen coins for a night." But as Bilbo continued to tell about Madam Brockhouse's inn he had a queer feeling that Tahlaia wouldn't even be able to pay for that. So he covered his mouth and coughed, then started to talk about another one, his face somewhat gloomy. "There's one down the end of the market square, opened by Minto Hamwich. Cheap, very cheap, eight or ten coins a night depends how well you talk to him, but a nasty place for sure." He shook his head, as if he could smell the scent from the tavern already, "Stinky, crude food, rude people, better not go there if you have to." He offered the advice.

Bilbo felt pity for the girl. He knew many wanderers who have no home, and he had met a bunch of them, ate with them, slept with them - he knew well how sorrowful could that be, especially if they were thirteen dwarves yearning to find a piece of stone. He nodded at the girls words and threw a few raisins into his mouth. But at the girl's mention of Erebor, he almost chocked on them. He remembered instantly of the great Halls of Erebor, and the repairing that they have started to work on when he left. Could she have possibly been there? Bilbo asked himself. His curiosity have reached a peak by now, that he felt compelled to know more. He started off with a few questions, "Ah, Erebor...What do you know of it? Do you plan to travel to there?" He turned around, seeing that it was almost dark, he offered generously, "You know, you can stay in my place tonight if you want."

That'll not just earn him company, amazing stories, mystery of Tahlaia's background, and possibly a very nice friendship as well.

She was unsure why but she was glad that the little hobbit was willing to help her so much by telling her about all of the smaller places that she could go to in order to see if they had room, and telling her how much they would cost. She kept the information stored in case she needed it later on, even if it was somewhat redundant now with her not having a lot of money in her pocket. He seemed to really want to help her out in one way or another and clearly had lived here for a very long time to know such other hobbits by name and trade. It made her smile somewhat that the hobbit was willing to help her out.

From the expression that seemed to claim his face after he spoke, she guessed that she had not been so subtle with how she reacted to the prices. She was, skint, for lack of a better word. She had enough coin to stay at the cheapest taverns for the night however a night wasn't really any help, perhaps she could camp out in a field, do some night hunting and stock up her wares so that she could sell them the next day and get a collection of coin to use for board. It would only involve trespassing and staying on some hobbits land for a night, however if she got caught she didn't want to think of the repercussions. She was already not wanted in a few small towns all around middle earth.

His reaction to Erebor made her head lift to look at him, he seemed very interested in the kingdom of the Dwarfs. Had he been before? She didn't think so, he was so small and didn't look the type to be able to look after himself, not one to use a sword or bow for protection. Nor did he seem overly wealthy enough to hire protection all the way to the great lonely mountain. She decided not to voice this opinion,

"I intend to go, some day at least. But it is a very long way and I would have to save up a good amount of coin before I could make my way there." She comments "But for the moment at least it seems like the place to be." She adds. She surprised and yet thankful for the hobbits next remarks, staying with the hobbit doesn't seem so bad, he doesn't look dangerous, in fact he looks quite joyful and happy to help, she feels safe staying in his presence.

"I would not like to interrupt your daily life, master hobbit, however I would be very thankful for the place to stay."

Bilbo couldn't help but blurting out all sorts of things about Erebor. "You should go there one day, Tahlaia. They ought to be finished of cleaning up and rebuilding right now, and all that once glittered in the mountain will shine again, this time much more brighter than before. A prosperous place, I warrant. Do you have relatives or sorts that live there? Coz anyways, you should go there. You should go there." He trailed off into little mutterings and blissful memories of his adventure that were clearly displayed on his face, and when the moment ended, he began to ponder on the girl's origins once more. Now that he looked for it, he could see that the girl had some prominent dwarvish features on her face. Her height was also suitable (but a little higher) for dwarven standards. However by looking around a corner Bilbo accidentally discovered the pointy ears that immediately reminded him of the elves that he had met in Rivendell and Mirkwood - but it couldn't be. He thought curiously as he comforted himself with the fact that hobbits have pointy ears too, and that all races could have a few cases of rarities that has strange features. Yet manners or not, curiosity always won over Bilbo Baggins. However, beating around the bush was always a good idea -

"You said that you have no home, er, Tahlaia, but you have to come from somewhere... So may I bluntly suppose that you come from the area near Erebor? Esgaroth? Mirkwood?" He made a few guesses, hoping that Tahlaia would give him a proper answer. That would surely quench his curiosity.

Bilbo smiled when the girl expressed her gratitude, "One day, two days, three days, a week, it makes no matter. I'm grateful for company too, and you can stay however long you like." But by that he meant 'within the next week, the next month maximum'. Bilbo looked up towards the sky, and as he saw the setting sun slowly sunk into the land far beyond, he turned back to Tahlaia, half of his face dim with the lack of light, "Come along then, to my lovely Bag-end. I have some meat balls that I made just this morning, and fresh greens that would do with exotic sauces that I got at Daisy's grocery. We will just be in time for supper, if we hurry." He lead on, his furry feet carrying himself back to home once more.