"To the end of the Earth, I'll search for your face
For the one who laid all of our beauty to waste
Threw our hope into Hell and our children into the fire
I am the one who crawled through the wire
I am the one who crawled through the wire
There's a million sad stories on the side of the road
Strange how we all just got used to the blood
Millions of stories that'll never be told
Silent and froze in the mud
Silent and froze in the mud
I know a cold as cold as it gets
I know a darkness that's darker than cold
A wind that blows as cold as it gets
Blew out the light of my soul
Blew out the light of my soul
I dream in my sleep, I dream in my days
Of some sunny street not so far away
Where up in a window a curtain will sway
And you and I'll meet down below
You and I'll meet down below
I know a cold as cold as it gets
I fight a war, I may never see one
I live only to see you live to regret
Everything that you done
Everything that you done
Everything that you done"
Despite the general mood of the song, by the end of the last chord I was smiling excitedly, watching the small pubs occupants closely for a reaction. As they clapped in appreciation my fingers left the neck of my guitar and ran through my mass of loose ash blonde ringlets, biting my lip tentatively.
I'd been performing for ten years, and even now I got nervous.
I stood and gave a deep, exaggerated bow as the clapping died down, just in time for a young man to give an overly affectionate 'woop!'
"Thank you!" I called, still grinning I bent down to check out my guitar case. My heart leapt with joy when I saw at least 80 quid sitting there amongst the ruby red velvet lining. I scooped up the money and replaced it with my guitar. I was just strapping it in when a large glass was thrust into my face.
For a moment I just blinked at it.
"It's just a vodka and coke, lass. It won't bite." A cheeky Scottish accent spoke from above me and I straightened up with a smile.
"Thanks." I took the drink from the young man and took a small sip, "I hoped you enjoyed the set."
The tall, square shouldered brunette flashed a grin so gorgeous my heart somersaulted. Mother may I?
"Your voice is incredible, and I also enjoyed the view." He winked at me and my face heated up so fast I thought I would blow steam. But instead I giggled like a 12-yearold school girl.
I had been in Scotland for a little over a month now, and a week ago I took a boat to the Isle of Skye, simply because I was so enticed by its sheer beauty and found its Fairy Pools so tempting I couldn't resist. I was staying at the pub tonight and then off on a hike to Glenbrittle tomorrow morning to stay at a hostel a few miles from the Fairy Pools, which I planned to pass on my way there.
I was a performer, of sort, and I had been since leaving school at 16. The idea was that I travel for a bit and make money along the way using my music and tricks, but as time passed I became more and more attached to this lifestyle. I lived well, and I was always on the move, always off exploring or on a new adventure somewhere. The idea of a menial life in one place seemed so depressing now. I always had a warm bed to sleep in every night, and at least one warm meal in my belly every day, and every day was a new excitement, a new development.
I mean, sure, someday I would settle down, but who knows where, when and with who exactly. But that's the excitement of it. I was happy like this, and what's wrong with that?
"Next ones on me." I grinned, taking another drink from my glass and winking back up at the gorgeous Scotsman.
.
.
.
"Blimey..." I breathed in utter awe, stepping up the last rocky mound to overlook the Fairy Pools. I pulled my phone from my pocket and began to snap pictures of the magnificent view. Slowly and carefully I started to make my way down towards the turquoise water, hopping from rock to rock until I eventually reached the shore. The water was crystal clear, untainted and utterly spectacular. A sudden feeling of annoyance bubbled in my stomach, the water looked so tempting, but it was mid February and bitterly cold, and I expected the water to have an icy bite also.
I took care not to go too near the water, my pink Timberland hiking boots clung trustily to the rocks and gave me enough stability to potter about without risking slipping.
I pocketed my phone again, zipping it up into the breast pocket of my body warmer and took a seat on one of the rocks that jutted out over the water. I sat there for a long while, just listening to the peaceful waterfall that splashed away nearby, and staring absentmindedly into the clear waters. Eventually I decided to stay there for awhile, so I slipped off my guitar and backpack. I was usually a light packer, being used to living out my backpack was something I was totally used to, but this time it was filled to the brim with Supernoodles. Why? Because they were on special offer, that's why.
My eyes began to droop. Admittedly I didn't get much sleep last night, mainly down to that Scotsman. No, we didn't. But we were up until the early hours just talking, he was actually very nice. His name's Logan, and he was the local butcher.
I don't exactly know when it was that I fell asleep, but I obviously did because the sudden sound of quaking wafted into my hearing. I began to stir, and it wasn't until-
"Ouch! Shit!" I bolted up, my hands already on my nose where the duck quaking beside me had just bitten me. "Why, you little son of a-"
"Excuse me, miss?"
I jumped, literally about a foot in the air with the most unladylike, ungracious yelp I have ever produced. Scrambling up from my position on the floor I turned to face- or rather look down at- a very unusual looking person.
"Hello." I squeaked, my head and heart pounding in shock and surprise. My vision was spotty, and my mind clouded. How long had I been asleep for? I barely registered my surroundings, I was far more concerned with the strange little person staring up at me. He was wearing a puffy, cotton, white shirt, a maroon coat with smart look gold buttons, a moss green waist coat beneath and cut off brown trousers. He was holding a long walking stick in one hand and around his feet were a gathering of ducks. Is it gathering? Gaggle? Group? But what really shocked me was his huge, hairy feet.
"Are you lost?"
The strange creature peered at me, before popping a long pipe into his mouth. His curly, light brown moving with the slight breeze.
"Yes. W-which way is Glenbrittle?" I stopped staring at his feet and finally took in my surroundings. My pulse hammered in my ears when I found no Fairy Pools anywhere near. In fact, they only water nearby was a puny looking pond a long way behind short person.
The little man continued to peer at me, his expression almost concerned, "Glenbrittle? Never heard of it." He let out a rather impression smoke ring.
"You know, the Fairy Pools, Scotland; the Isle of Sky?" My heart was beginning to hammer and my expression distressed.
The strange little man took another toke of his pipe, "Nope. Doesn't ring a bell."
I began to panic and I whirled around in an attempt to catch my bearings and gain some sort of idea where the hell I was.
It was certainly warmer than Scotland, and there was no rocky mounds, or tumbling turquoise waterfalls to be found. Just acres and acres of rolling emerald green fields. The air was warm and the breeze light, and a faint smell of pollen floated around us.
"What is your name, miss?" The creature asked kindly, before shoving a duck that began to loiter far too close to his bare toes.
"Poppy. Poppy B. Winters." I exhaled and ran both hands through my hair. "And I am terribly, terribly lost."
"You don't seem like you're from around here." The brown haired, short person noted out loud and I let out an exasperated groan. "My name is Bilbo Baggins. Of Bag End, The Shire."
The Shire? Why have I never heard of that place before?
I very rudely ignored his outstretched hand and grabbed my bag that still lay at my feet. Rummaging through the front pocket I soon found my map of Skye.
"Here! Here!" I thrust it in Bilbo's face and pointed at where Glenbrittle was written in bold italics. "This is where am I!"
Bilbo looked confused, "No. That's not Middle-Earth."
"M…Middle-Earth? No-no, Scotland! We're in Scotland!"
Bilbo looked alarmed as I began to walk one way then the other, trying desperately to rationalise the situation. I must have slipped and hit my head on some rocks. This was all a dream, it had to be a dream. Where the hell was Middle-Earth?!
I crouched to the floor suddenly, pushing my face into my knees and sheltering my head with my hands.
I stayed like that for quite some time, and I assumed Bilbo had left. But then someone politely tapped my shoulder.
"Are you okay, miss?" He asked.
"No…" I whined.
"We are only a league or so from The Shire, where I live. If you need a place to stay… You also look like you could do with something to eat."
I peeked out from between my fingers, still cowering in the semi-foetal position on the floor. "Really?" My heart swelled at the kindness, and in my fragile and borderline emotional breakdown state I felt my eyes begin to sting with tears.
Bilbo nodded, "Yes! Until we figure out where you should be going and where you're meant to be." He smiled broadly, and popped his thumbs into the pocket of his waist coat. He then blinked a few times, and I think it suddenly dawned on him that he'd just invited a complete stranger into his home. But I couldn't turn him down. All I had to brave the wilderness with was a sleeping bag and a blanket.
"Thank you so much!" I pounced on him with an embrace so sudden I nearly knocked poor Bilbo over. A few of the ducks that had gathered round his ankles quaked angrily and I realised poor Bilbo.
"Why the ducks?" I asked him.
Bilbo frowned down at the feathery creatures, "I gave them some bread, and now they won't let me be."
It turned out The Shire was a wonderful, beautiful place, and I stared in utter awe and fascination at my surrounding, from the people (who were all short with big, hairy feet) to the round doors that lay within the rolling hills.
If it wasn't for the fact the people were surprisingly friendly, I would have thought I was in some sort of mutant village. I mean, that sounds harsh, but being barely 3 ft tall with massive feet ishardly normal, is it?
But mutants or not, everyone was lovely, and I followed like a sheep behind Bilbo as he led me to 'Bag End'.
I was totally blown away by his home. As soon as I stepped inside I couldn't stop gushing about it. This obviously struck a chord with Bilbo for his chest instantly swelled in pride and he seemed to warm to me further.
He gave me a tour of his home, and pointed out his spare room. Everything was immaculate, pristine and perfect, and it didn't take me long to suss Bilbo out.
He was clearly very proper, and undoubtedly house proud. He was clean, neat and tidy and I would say a little OCD. He was so lovely though, and genuinely very polite and thoughtful. He was a true gentleman, even if he was a little odd. I wouldn't say he was uptight, but it was obviously he very respectable, and obviously wanted to keep it that way. But he wasn't unkind about it, on the contrary, he was a total sweetheart.
.
.
.
Little did either of us know that it would take the best of two weeks before I finally worked out where I should be going and where I was meant to be.
As far as guests came, I thought I was alright. I was polite, clean, tidy and thoughtful, and to be honest I think Bilbo actually enjoyed my presence.
I was just washing up the dishes from second breakfast when a rather flustered looking Bilbo came hurrying through the front door.
I peered round the round door frame and into the hallway where Bilbo stood pressed up against the door. I watched as he peaked through the side window then jumped out his own skin.
"Bilbo?" I called softly, despite trying not to alarm him, but I only made him jump again. "You okay?"
"Y-yes, yes. Everything's fine, everything's fine." He flustered, brushing himself off and straightening up with a sniff.
"What was that all about?"
"Oh, just the wizard."
My eyebrows flew up, "Wizard?" I was fully aware by now that Bilbo was a Hobbit, a small little Halfling with big, leathery feet, curly hair and large, pointed ears. I was also aware of Elves, Bilbo spoke of them often and usually in awe. They certainly sounded wonderful. But other than that I didn't know much else, and every day since being in Middle-Earth Bilbo seemed to throw a new surprise at me, even the most trivial things to him were usually so alien and incredible to me.
"Yes, yes. Gandalf. On about adventures- nasty things." Bilbo grumbled, stomping up the hall way and past me towards his study.
I frowned, "Adventure? What's wrong with that? They're wonderful and exciting!" I followed after him like a duckling, completely abandoning the half unfinished washing up.
Bilbo flopped into his arm chair with an exhausted sigh. "No, they're nasty things. Make you late for dinner!"
"That's the fun part!"
Bilbo looked at me as if I'd suddenly grown two heads and I beamed at him.
He knew all about the strange world I had once belonged too, because apparently I was no longer there. How or why I had left my world and wandered into another way completely beyond either of us, but after two weeks I'd just grown to accept it. As painful as it was, there was nothing I could do.
At first he'd been totally shocked, and had muttered about me being insane. But then I showed him all the things I had in my backpack, from my mobile to my deck of cards, to my shampoo to my flip flops. I even let his try my Supernoodles, but he didn't like them.
It was only then that he began to believe that, even though undoubtedly impossible, that I might genuinely not be from around here… Or anywhere near here.
Suddenly an idea hit me, "Would Gandalf be able to help?"
"With what?" Bilbo had picked up a book, and was apparently completely over the incident with the wizard.
"Me getting home. Wizards can do magic, right?"
Bilbo didn't look up from his book, he just sniffed. "I suppose, I don't know if Gandalf can though. But he does do marvellous fireworks."
"Well we have to go ask him! Come, let's go!" I grabbed Bilbo and began to pull him from his chair, but he quickly battered me away with his book.
"He's coming to dinner tomorrow night!" Bilbo flustered again, still wafting his book in front of me to keep me at bay.
"Great! We can ask him then."
"Good." Bilbo turned back to his book and the conversation was abruptly over. I wandered back to the kitchen as silence once again filled the Hobbit hole, the only sound was my bare feet patting along the wood floor.
.
.
.
"He is late." Grumbled Bilbo as he paced back and forth in his study. I watched him lazily as I absentmindedly picked at my nails.
"I'm sure he's a busy man." I replied with a shrug. I was leaning up against his doorframe, and although I only stood at 5ft 4 I still managed to tower over Bilbo.
Bilbo grumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot along the lines of 'rude' and 'impolite'. I didn't dare mention that I'd probably out stayed my welcome.
I had quickly learned that Hobbits in general –not just Bilbo- where the perfect hosts. Or at least tried to be, I think it came with their undying need to be humble and proper.
I went to make a joke when there was a loud, forceful knock on the door, and before I even had a chance to offer to answer it Bilbo had rushed past me and was practically running down the hallway, still muttering about Gandalf being late.
However, when we swung the door open his shoulders stropped and he stared up at the person standing before him. Well, I say person.
Whoever it was, they were towering over Bilbo and glaring down at him with such ferocity that if I hadn't grown fond of Bilbo I would have made a run for it. Plus I was taller than his guy, so pfft.
He was bald, but had a mass of black, bushy beard and covered well over half his face. His attire consisted of mostly metal armour and weapons, which of course only added to his menacing persona.
"Dwalin," He began, his voice low and rumbling. He swept off his cloak and bowed deeply while adding. "At your service."
I raised my bow and folded my arms over my chest in amusement.
Bilbo looked totally confused, "And Bilbo…" He replied, "At yours… I suppose."
This Dwalin character pushed past Bilbo, nearly bowling him over.
"Where is it?" He asked.
"Where's what?"
"Is it down here?" Dwalin ignored Bilbo and ventured deeper in to the Hobbit hole, his heavy metal toed boots thudding against Bilbo immaculate floor boards. That's when he noticed me standing there, my arms folded across my chest with my brow raised, and a soft smirk gracing my lips.
Dwalin looked me up and down, and by the look on his face he obviously didn't really know what to make of me. I still wore my 'normal' clothes, although here I looked totally out of character. I wore leggings, odd socks, and a baby pink jumper. My hair was its usual mass of messy blonde ringlets that hung over my breasts to just above my mid back.
"You're not a Hobbit." He annoyed, "I didn't know there was to be a woman here."
"I didn't know there was to be a…" I trailed off and gestured at him, "Whatever you are."
Okay, admittedly that was really rude. But how else do I say it? He was undoubtedly not human, and most certainly not a Hobbit.
In response to that he straightened up, turned to face me and puffed out his chest. Instantly Bilbo came flying back down the hallway and stood beside me, looking between us as me and this Dwalin stared each other down.
This Dwalin fella raised his nose at me, trying to appear superior and intimidating. I just raised my brow and my smirked broadened, belittling him. A guy like this would be high tempered and have an ego fit for a king.
"You have a lot of nerve, woman."
"Gee, I don't know. I've probably just got bigger balls than you."
Dwalin was still for a moment and he sucked in a deep breath, his chest expanding even further to what I hoped was full capacity. Then, suddenly, he cracked into a smile and chuckled, "I like you." And with that he turned around and wandered off, I followed after him. Truth be told, I liked him, too.
We left Bilbo in the hall way to tend to the knock on the door than echoed out behind us.
"So, seriously, what are you?" I asked Dwalin as he began to scope around Bilbo's kitchen.
"A Dwarf of Erebor, or will be again soon."
I made a motion with my hand that that information went straight over my head.
"So a Dwarf, huh?" I peered at him, biting my tongue as I looked him up and down. "I suppose that fits." I added as he reached into a biscuit jar and subsequently got his hand stuck.
Just then someone else came wondering into the room, immediately catching Dwalin's attention.
This Dwarf (I assume anyway) was more around Bilbo's height, with stark white hair and a long, forked beard that curled out at the ends. He had a friendly face, and smiled at me as he passed.
"Brother, it's been a long time." He exclaimed. Brother?
I assumed that he meant brother as in 'ay, sup brother', or 'nah, bro'.
Both he and Dwalin gripped each other's shoulder almost tenderly, but quickly squashed that description when they smashed their skulls together with so much force I actually winced.
My movement caught the white Dwarve's attention for me smiled, almost fatherly at me, and gave me a nod of acknowledgment.
"Balin, at your service." He then bowed so deeply that his long bread brushed the floor.
I just blinked for a moment and chewed my tongue. "And Poppy," I did an awkward bow, "At yours?"
"Poppy." Dwalin smirked, obviously finding my name amusing. "What an odd name."
Yes, because Dwalin is totally normal.
"I think it's a lovely name." Balin smiled at me again, and I grinned at him.
"Ta, very much!"
"Ah, Mister Baggins." Dwalin exclaimed in his rolling deep voice. I heard Bilbo squeak from behind me.
"Y-yes?"
"We were promised food, where is it?"
Bilbo looked totally flustered and began huffing, "Erm-m." He stuttered, before scurrying over to the window and taking hold of a basket of rolls. I saw him sneakily knick one for himself before offering them out to Dwalin. Instead of taking one (like anyone else would do), Dwalin took the whole basket from Bilbo and settled down on a nearby chair to scoff the whole lot.
Just as he did so there was another knock on the door.
"I'll get it." I said, watching Bilbo with concern as he stared at Dwalin inhale the rolls.
I made my way towards the round front door, but just before I opened it I paused. Wondering for a moment what creature stood the other side.
"Meh." I shrugged and pulled the door opened.
I swear to God I nearly drooled.
"Erm, hello." I did a stupid, awkward wave at the two love nuggets that stood before me. Both of which looked utterly confused.
"You're not Mister Boggins." The brunette exclaimed loudly and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Really?" I replied sarcastically, "No way. How did you guess?"
In unison, both of the guys frowned.
"I'm joking, yeesh. I'm Poppy Winters." I grinned and did an awkward bow again, "At your service."
When I looked back up, both the men were smiling also.
"Fili," The blonde announced.
"And Kili." The brunette added and then both in unison finished; "At your service." They both then bowed deeply.
They then waited patiently in the door way.
"See, I don't think I'm supposed to let you in." As if on cue I heard Bilbo shriek about something.
Kili frowned. "Has it been cancelled?"
"Nobody told us." Fili added.
"What?" I blinked, "No, nothings been can-"
"Well that's a relief!" Kili then pushed his way passed me as I stood huffing and puffing in the now empty doorway.
I turned to object but I was cut off when Fili thrust a bunch of objects towards me. Out of instinct I took hold of them.
"Careful, I've just had them sharpened." His voice was deep also, much deeper than Kili's who was now wandering around Bilbo's home.
"Sharpened?" I repeated, confused. I then glanced down to find myself hold swords. Real, life swords. With a shriek I promptly dropped them and pushed them into a corner with my feet.
Just at that moment Bilbo came running into the hallway, looking totally dishevelled. He threw me an exasperated look which read 'you let more in?!' before being distracted by Kili wiping his shoes on a wooden chest.
I made a move forward to tell Fili to stop fiddling with a nearby grandfather clock when there was yet another knock at the door.
I glanced at the door for a split second before taking my gaze back to Fili. I groaned. He'd broken the brass handle off it and was now examining it closely.
"I cleaned that this morning." I moaned, just as there was another, rather impatient knock at the door.
I glanced at Bilbo, noticing he was far too busy with Kili to answer the door. To be honest I don't think he even heard it. So I turned and marched towards the door and pulled on the handle.
"Look here! Poor Bilbo- AH!"
I jumped out the way just in time to miss a cascade of tumbling Dwarves.
I just blinked at them as they moaned and groaned on the floor. Unfortunately the fattest one had fallen right on top of them.
"Ah! Poppy, there you are."
My attention snapped upwards. And there stood before me was a man easily over 6ft tall. He wore a grey robe and a matching grey hat. In his hand was a long staff with a strange looking crystal at the end. He had a long, white beard and matching hair. His face was kind, and he had a grandfatherly look about him.
"Here I am?" I squeaked, more daunted by him than Dwalin.
Gandalf had to stoop to enter Bilbo's house, and even then he had to step around the Dwarves who were still picking themselves up off the floor.
"I had an inkling you'd be joining us." He began to walk away. And apparently- by the way he started talking to Bilbo- that was our conversation over.
.
.
.
I hovered in the corner of the dining room besides Bilbo, watching with a mixture of amusement and shock as the Dwarves more or less inhaled the entirety of Bilbo's food supple. And that was a lot.
They were completely disgusting, but also hilarious, and I found it hard not to smile as my gaze lingered on every one of them.
Fili was walking along Bilbo's table handing out pints of ale to people, Dori was offering wine, Bofur was throwing eggs, Kili was laughing with my mouth full, and Dwalin kept slamming his fist on the table so hard every time he did so the food would bounce a good few inches from the wooden surface.
The only Dwarf that didn't look amused about this behaviour was Balin, who kept having bits of ham thrown at him.
From beside me I felt Bilbo leave into the hall and Gandalf soon followed, leaving me on my own. Not that I minded. I was plenty used to bars and pubs full of rowdy, loud men, and this wasn't much different.
"An ale for the pretty lady?" Fili was suddenly in front of me, wiggling a tankard in front of my nose.
"No, thank you." I replied politely.
Bofur hooted from the other end of the table, "Can the lass not handle her drink?"
All the Dwarves began an uproar of jeering and laughing. Instantly pride swelled within me and I stood up to the unspoken challenge, taking the ale from Fili and necking the liquid so fast it barely touched the sides.
As unladylike as it sounds, I was totally used to drinking competitions, having shot eight naga chili vodka shots in a row. A pint of ale was a walk in the park.
I was one of those people who could just open their throats and let the liquid pour down easily and I made quick work of the tankard.
Once finished, I thrust it towards Fili with a smile.
"You were saying?" I shot back and Bofur, and struggled to contain a burp. Fili just stood before me looking at me like I'd just grown a second head. This look didn't last long, however, and he was soon joining in laughter that followed me rinsing them.
Not long after that I excused myself to join Bilbo and Gandalf in the hallway. Bilbo looked as though he was about to have a B.F and Gandalf looked far too amused.
I stood awkwardly between them for a moment before deciding to use the toilet before the Dwarves get there.
I did my business, washed my hands and gave myself the once over in the mirror. I had just opened the door and had gone to step out when a plate went flying through the air and missed my nose by less than an inch. With a yelp I stumbled back into the bathroom just as a rhythmic banging and clanging began to tune up.
"A-and can you not do that! You'll blunt them!"
"Ohhh! Do you hear that, lads? He said we'll blunt the knives!" I heard Bofur's voice chime jokingly after Bilbo's comment and I finally mustered up the courage to vacate the bathroom, having another near miss with a bowl Fili threw past me.
I more or less came bowling into the kitchen just in time to see Bifur catch two plates Kili threw at him without even looking.
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks,"Kili began.
"Smash the bottles and burn the corks,"Fili continued and soon after the rest of the Dwarves joined in.
"Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth, tread on the fat
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door!
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
When you're finished if they are whole
Send them down the hall to roll
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
I grinned like a loon in the corner, trying to keep out the way a best I could to avoid being knocked out by some flying tableware. The song soon ended- far too soon in my opinion- and a tankard was thrust into my hands by Dori. I stared in amazement at the clean and somewhat neatly stacked table and silverware that sat on the table before a rather smug looking Gandalf. Not a single thing was chipped or broken- to my astonishment.
He grinned at me and pushed his tankard happily into my own in cheers before taking a giant swig.
I giggled, and went to do the same when there was loud, thick knock on the door.
"He's here…" Gandalf murmured, and instantly both Bilbo and I's heads snapped towards him. The Dwarves had all fallen silent and a feeling of dread crawled up my spine.
"Who?" We said in unison, looking around confused when the Dwarves abruptly began to file out into the hallway. Bilbo quickly followed and left me alone in the kitchen with my tankard which I quickly necked before trailing after them.
I lingered at the back as the Dwarves gathered in the hall, and I went to stand behind Dwalin to peer over his shoulder. He sent me a glance, but didn't say or do anything as I hovered around him like a bluebottle.
Gandalf pulled the large, round door open and there stood another Dwarf.
I sucked in my breath without even realising upon seeing him.
"Gandalf," His voice was like silk, smooth and calm, but also rumbling and deep. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice."
Typical man, they never ask for directions.
I placed my hands on Dwalins shoulders and used the extra support to peak round him. Again he glared over his shoulder at me, but didn't say anything.
"May I introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."
Swoon.
Thorin Oakenshield was undoubtedly handsome. He strode in with such purpose and majesty I couldn't take my eyes off him. His raven hair hung in waves and faint streaks of silver laced the front. His eyes were a piercing blue, his nose long and his lips thin. His chin and jaw was covered in a thick black beard and his chest was so broad I think it would give Dwalin a run for his money.
Thorin glanced round at us all, and I quickly hid behind Kili and Dwalin before he saw me. Kili turned and gaze me a funny look, and I flushed bright red and pushed him forwards.
"So this is the Hobbit."
I peaked back over Dwalin's shoulder to see Thorin advance on poor Bilbo, he almost has a sneer on his face as he looked down on Bilbo. He began to circle Bilbo like a shark and I frowned, my attraction for him fading as quickly as it came. Dickhead.
"So, tell me Mister Baggins, have you done much fighting?"
Bilbo looked visibly taken aback, "Pardon me?"
Thorin shot an amused look towards the rest of the Dwarves. Was he mocking Bilbo?
"Axe or sword, what's your weapon of choice?" He asked, haughtily and for a long moment Bilbo just stood there, opening and closing his mouth like a gold fish.
Bilbo suddenly puffed out his chest like a baby bird trying to be intimidating and replied, far too proudly, "Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know."
I slapped my palm to my face just as Thorin almost snickered a reply, "I thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."
"And you look more like a bully than a gentleman."
Everyone stilled, including myself. Oh poo, I was only meant to think that, not say it out loud.
Thorin's gaze travelled to me, and instantly Dwalin and Kili parted to leave me standing there completely exposed. I stretched myself to my full height, which I was glad to note was a few inches taller than mister. Snootypants himself.
In the corner I caught a glimpse of Gandalf smirking, but he quickly hid it with his pipe.
Thorin looked me up and down, his expression blank. I did the same to him, trying to seem intimidating.
Bugger all bugger all bugger all bugger all.
"And who are you?" Thorin finally asked, folding his arms over his vast chest.
"Poppy B. Winters."
"Poppy?" Here we go. "What sort of name is that?"
"What sort of name is Thorin Oakenshield?Pfft."
"A name I rightfully earned."
I shrugged, "Fair enough, then." I tried to act as nonchalant as possible, I knew that got under peoples skin far more than rising to their level, or giving them what they want- a reaction. "Nice coat by the way. Does that come in adult sizes? Ah!" Thorin had just gritted his teeth when Dwalin swooped in and grabbed me around the waist. He picked me up with ease and quickly deposited me into a nearby room and shut the door so fast I didn't even have time to process what had happened.
I just stood there for a moment in the darkness of the front room, blinking in confusion.
.
.
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Okaaaaaaay
First chapter of my new Thorin fanfic!
I hope you like it!
Please let me know what you think of it!
Thank you!
Also, I'm so sorry if there's any mistakes! I didn't have the time to proof read *blushes*
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