On the road, Thorin and Company encountered a small human woman. She was battered and bruised and claimed to be on the run from an abusive brother. Thorin said she couldn't join them because she would be more of a burden than Bilbo! Gandalf decided that she could accompany HIM, but... kept leaving her with the dwarves. She proved to be more of an asset than anything, though, as her skills with a spear and bow were unexpected. Her speed made up for her size, and she could dance circles around almost all of them.