This is my second fanfiction ever so reviews are always welcome. I don't claim to be very good I just like writing in my off time
I wanted to write a story with a strong female character as lead without taking out any original characters or concepts. I thought it would be interesting to add some dragon drama before the company made it to the lonely mountain. Hope you enjoy it.
Cheers
Chapter One
It was reaching nightfall and all was quiet in the shire as Dolora ducked behind the generous number of trees surrounding the tiny little hobbit hole as she waited for the company of dwarves the grey wizard had instructed to meet with the funny little hobbit whom owned the house she was steaking out.
She mindlessly toyed with the several long thin braids decorating her ebony hair as she waited patiently crouched down in damp earth. It was quiet this time of night in the shire and from her secluded hiding spot she could look down the hill and make out most of the tiny hobbit holes surrounding this home. She had never meet with this hobbit before and quite frankly had no idea who it was the grey wizard had picked to assist her kinsmen in their quest. If she was being truthful she did not care who it was but was curious as to why the wizard had decided to enlist a hobbit to aid in a dwarfish quest to begin with.
Finally, as darkness overtook the shire and everything was shrouded in night a small light caught her attention slowly bobbing up and down the little streets of hobbiton. She leaned further into the soft earth and squinted her eyes she was fortunate that dwarves possessed such excellent eyesight or she might have missed the first guest to arrive at the hobbit hole. She willed herself to become smaller so she would not be discovered for the sight of a dam was very unusual almost unheard of as most races didn't believe dwarven females existed at all. The large bald dwarf approached the door and knocked loudly a smug look crossing his features and dolora rolled her eyes dwarven men tended to be quite sure of themselves no matter the situation even when approaching the home of someone they have never met. She could hear their conversation from her position and smirked when it appeared that the owner of the house was wishing the dwarf a farewell trying his best to remain polite. The dwarf was having none of it and pushed his way into the home.
Dolora rolled her eyes and grimaced as her muscles screamed for her to change positions her long bow poking into the ground and pulling on her and she leaned forward. She silently pulled her hood up over her ebony hair to hide herself further. Two more dwarves approached the house smiles on their faces dolora smiled to herself these were to young dwarrow probably similar in age to herself she thought. Again, the owner of the house answered the door and apparently wasn't pleased to see more dwarves at his home and she thought she could hear him trying to slam the door shut on them. However, from her vantage point she could see the darker haired dwarf stop the poor little hobbit and barge in as well. She could hear them introduce themselves as Kili and Fili she scrunched up her lips the names familiar but she couldn't quiet remember where she heard them. Eventually more dwarves showed up until she counted twelve thirteen including the tall grey wizard who upon reaching the door stood tall and looked around she instinctually ducked lower and averted her eyes. She wasn't sure if he saw her or not but he didn't seem to do anything if he did; just duck and entered the house. Once everyone was inside she let out a low breath she didn't realize she was holding and shuddered. She could hear her kinsmen inside laughing and talking to each other sounding quite jovial and she frowned as her stomach rumbled. She was hungry and getting cold waiting for the last dwarrow to arrive.
Suddenly she saw him walking up to the hobbits home and frown across him face as he inspected the home before him. He walked up to the door and knocked loudly as the noise from inside the home died down almost immediately. Dolora shifted in her spot dropping down on her hands and knees as she leaned forward to get a better look at the door. The tiny hobbit opened the door, behind him standing the grey wizard light spilled out into the dark night and enveloped the last dwarf to arrive. She could hear the wizard introduce the hobbit to Thorin Oakenshield and she smiled to herself. He quickly entered and again the world was swallowed by the darkness of night and she was alone. Her heart beat began to quicken and she was unsure if she should go through with her plan. What would they say when she walked up and knocked and discovered that it was not who they expected? She shook her head and steeled her emotions nothing was going to stop her from getting revenge nothing.
Slowing she stood and dusted off her skirt and stretched her legs stepping from behind the dense brush and approached the door to the house. She took a deep breath and gripped the sword hanging on her left hip tightly her fingers white knuckling around the sheath. She tucked her long braid into her hood and lowered her head pulling the cloak around her to shroud her body. She could hear her kinsmen inside and knew what they were discussing overhearing Thorin's plan to take back their homeland when he visited the iron mountains for assistance. She wasn't supposed to hear them and she most definitely wasn't supposed to be here now following the company to this tiny little town but here she was standing before the door; her eyes glowed softly in the dim light beneath her hood. Slowly she let out a breath and raised her fist to knock on the wooden door.
The sound was ear splitting to her as her heart raced and the noise from within the house all but stopped. She could hear muffled conversation and the patter of large feet as someone approached the door. Suddenly she was bathed in warm light from within the house and she peeked through the hood to stare the hobbit in the face.
"Can I help you" the tiny hobbit asked and she shoved him out of the way and walked into the house. Stomping her boots as she walked in spraying mud onto the otherwise clean floor. The hobbit behind her began walking around her babbling about it being rude to invade someone house. Dolora could not help but laugh but to everyone's surprise as she turned and looked at the table of thirteen of her kinsmen. They all wore stunned looks upon their faces except for one he looked at her with cool calculating blue eyes, Durin blue. She was glad that her hood and cloak concealed her form although she regretted laughing as he stood and approached her a frown decorating his face. She gripped the sword at her side and took a tentative step back. A small smirk flashed across his features as he shook his head
"Who are you? while I can clearly see you are in fact no hobbit but a dwarrow and I don't recall another member joining our party I suggest you explain yourself quickly" he said stopping in front of her.
Dolora was no coward and seeing him stalk up to her like she was mud beneath her boot started a fire in her belly and she reached up and grabbed the hood concealing her face pulling it down to stare Thorin straight in the eyes. She could hear the gasps of the other dwarves coming from the table but she dared not look in their direction as she looked Thorin in the eyes puffing her chest out and smirking at him; her golden eyes locked with his icy blues.
"It's a dam, what is she doing here alone"
"where's her husband"
"Why did she come"
"How did she find us"
She could hear them whisper about her and she finally broke eye contact with Thorin rolling her eyes as they made mention of her husband whom was nonexistent.
Thorin stepped back and rejoined the group a grimace across his face. He turned to her and flicked his head gesturing to the table to join them.
"Well it seems as though we have discovered one of our kinsmen without knowledge of her arrival would anyone care to explain to me why a DAM is in our presence" Thorin nearly shouted.
Dolora covered her mouth to smother a laugh and she stood behind him. finally finding her voice she spoke up
"Forgive me for intruding on this meeting but I need to know if my suspicions are correct. I have heard that you are journeying to our homeland to retake the lonely mountain and kill the dragon Smaug and I wish to accompany you." She said standing tall her fist wrapped tightly around one of the several daggers hidden in her skirt.
Her large golden eyes scanned the looks of disbelief on the faces of the dwarves then to the shocked little hobbit and finally landing on the wizard standing in the corner. They locked eyes for a moment a frown on his face as he studied her she felt a shiver go down her spine and looked away. suddenly laughter burst forth as her kinsmen doubled over on the table unable to contain themselves. This greatly angered Dolora and she could feel her dragons curse boiling over as her eyes began to shine and heat billowed off her body. She walked up to the table a slammed her fist down splintering the wood and she hissed in pain. Her voice was now deep and smoky as she spoke or rather hissed as she heard the words come from her mouth
"Why you laugh is beyond me, for I know there are but few warriors among this group that could hunt track steal much less fight better than I. and I will be damned if I let a bunch of lowly dwarrows try to deter me from destroying the filthy beast that cursed my family. So please laugh again I dare you" she growled and the room fell silent.
She turned and look at the leader of the group and saw that Thorin was trying to suppress a tiny smile as she dressed down his kin like a true leader.
Thorin knew that the women folk of his race were feisty and tough but this dam was unlike anyone he had ever met but when she spoke the smile quickly faded as he looked at her glowing golden eyes and demonic strength the table all but destroyed in one corner.
Dolora looked at the faces now pale and eyes downcast and she blinked her eyes calming her angered heart as she felt her curse slip away. she looked at the wizard in the corner of the room and he narrowed his eyes at her lost in thought.
One of the young dwarves that she assumed were brothers spoke first "Forgive me ladddddyyyyy? What is your name" he had dark brown hair and dark eyes that twinkled when he spoke to her.
Dolora snorted and closed her eyes "My name is Dolora and I have travelled far to be here so please here me out before you cast me away"
The wizard in the corner cleared his throat as he stepped up to the table and spoke "My name is Gandalf, this is the company of Thorin Oakenshield and this fine dam, is our burglar Bilbo Baggins"
Dolora nodded her head at Gandalf then Bilbo and finally Thorin their eyes locking briefly she couldn't tell if he was angry or shocked at her outburst.
A white hair dwarf spoke up "Dolora my dear you realize that we will be journeying through great peril and ultimately killing the fire drake Smaug but you seem to be familiar with him care to explain yourself"
Thorin shot dolora a side glance and gestured to the seat beside him. she nodded her head and pulled her bow off her person resting it against the wall along with her sword and dagger before seating herself. She sat beside Thorin and pulled her long ebony braid around her playing with the tips of her braid as she spoke "While I personally do not know the dragon Smaug my mother was familiar with the filthy beast she was present when the mountain fell and did not have the fortune to die from his flames that day. He kept her alive and tortured her before she escaped cursing her and her blood line as she fled the mountain. And so, I suffer with the dragon's curse until the day I die. I want to kill the beast that destroyed my family and I'll let no one stop me" she hissed and closed her eyes willing her temper to dissipate.
"escaped" Thorin whispered beside her his head shooting up to look at her a grimace on his face.
Dolora nodded confirming that she did indeed say escaped and looked at the faces before her. shock was the best word to describe their faces and she drummed her fingers on the table top noticing the damage she inflicted she pulled her hand back and bowed her head
"I apologize Master Baggins for it would seem I destroyed your table in my fit of rage" she felt embarrassed and looked down at the floor
Bilbo who was standing silently behind her bumbled out a few words clearing confused as the rest of the company in the room.
Thorin cleared his throat and looked at her "While the tale is fanciful I don't believe you dam, and I implore you leave before my patience wears thin. No one survived the desolation of Smaug that day and there is only one way to get into the mountain and it is sealed"
Dolora stood up and placed her hands on the table looking down at them the anger she fought so often to stay at bay was slowing creeping into her heart as this dwarf before her slandered her "Thorin I am no fool come to play games with you and while I understand it is hard to believe I tell you no lies. There is another door into the mountain only accessible from inside the mountain. Shall I demonstrate my fury and effectively smash this table to bits" she growled through clenched teeth as her chest heaved her long braid tumbling forth pooling around her hands streaks of red running through her otherwise pitch hair.
Gandalf who was quietly listening placed a hand on Dolora's shoulder to try and calm the dam before him as he spoke "It's all right Dolora sit down I know your story rings with truths"
Thorin looked up at the wizard and narrowed his eyes "What are you talking about"
Gandalf sighed and placed a map and key on the table explaining to the company that indeed what dolora said was true there was a secret door into the mountain only accessible from the outside with that key and it was possible a dwarrowdam might have escaped the mountain.
Everyone was silent for some time and dolora refused to meet anyone's gaze instead she looked at her hands curled up in her lap brushing the soft furs of her cloak and skirt.
Finally, the dwarf she learned was named Balin spoke up "What are we going to do Thorin shall we include the lass and expand our company to fourteen since Master Baggins has not yet agreed"
Bilbo who was mostly quiet as plans were discussed spoke up "Il have to think about it, I need to sit quietly for a moment"
Dolora snorted and leveled her eyes at him causing him to take a step back. She turned her head to look at Thorin holding his gaze as he slowly nodded. Dolora smiled "It's a good thing I know where the door is save you the trouble of looking for it"
Thorin rose from the table and left the room frustration plastered across his face. Dolora exhaled heavily and leaned her head back her long braid dropping to the floor.
Thorin stood beside the warm hearth and exhaled confusion clouding his mind. He had never met another dam quiet like this one and after Gandalf's confirmation of her story, he was at odds with what to do. He did not want to endanger the lass during the journey for it would undoubtedly be dangerous and full of peril but he did not want to deny her revenge on the dragon Smaug. Dams were not normally violent like the menfolk of their race and were very rare another dying at the hands of a dragon would be a great tragedy to their race. Someone approached from the side and Thorin looked up to see his white-haired friend Balin approach him placing his hand on his shoulder.
"What do you make of the lass" Balin asked stopping to stand beside him looking into the dancing flames of the hearth.
Thorin closed his eyes and sighed heavily "We will bring her along for now, she knows the mountains hidden pass better than we and I won't deny her revenge on the dragon. However, should she become injured or perish her blood is not on our hands"
Dolora rose from the table and moved to join the two dwarves "Very well I accept and know that I do not except anyone to go out of their way to try and protect me I am no damsel and I can hold my own in a fight. I go into this with the knowledge I might perish but I go just the same" she said crossing her arms over her chest smirking.
Thorin looked at the dam standing before him in the firelight and gulped quickly looking away as heat flooded his cheeks glad the fire was beside him as an excuse. Dolora was a remarkable sight and possibly one of the most beautiful dams he had ever laid eyes on. She had long ebony hair braided in several sports around the nap of her neck and falling into one large braid at the base of her neck. a small streak of vibrant red spread through her bangs and down into her braid. She had bright golden eyes a button nose and full ruby red lips. She wore simple leather armor that hugged her figure and a long leather cloak with fur hood and trim. Her skirt was decorated with several busy tails and she wore heavy boots. Strapped at her left hip was a short sword and dagger and on her back, she wore her quiver. Her skin was pale and as fine as china with high cheek bones several small beads were woven into her hair. She was breath taking as the firelight danced over her form. Thorin blinked and cleared his throat suddenly not sure if he wanted this Dam to be distracting him from his mission to retake the lonely mountain.
Balin having noticed Thorin's behavior smirked and joined the dam smacking her on the back laughing "Welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield lass, there's just one thing to go over before we depart"
Dolora looked at Thorin curiously cocking her head to the side slowly nodding at Balin peeling her eyes away from him to look at the older dwarf "Please Continue"
Balin nodded and rejoined the group "All right lass read and sign the contract and we shall be on our way"
Dolora rose and eyebrow "Contract?"
One of the dwarves laughed and threw her a folded-up paper. As she read Master Baggins came around her side and read along beside her as she nodded and smiled to herself. He clearly found nothing funny and visibly palled as they read about possible incineration before passing out. Dolora watched at the hobbit hit the floor and rolled her eyes stepping over his body joining Thorin at the fire.
"What service is Master Baggins offering this company for I feel he is ill suited to this journey" she said looking at the hobbit regained his senses and slowly sat down as Gandalf gave him a mug of tea.
Thorin snorted and rolled his eyes "Gandalf believes he will be of value as our burglar for the dragon has never smelled hobbit before"
Dolora nodded and looked at the hobbit close his eyes and sip his tea and she turned and looked at the flames their warmth brining her comfort lulling her to close her eyes. The company having joined Thorin and herself sat around the fire enjoying the silence of the night not knowing what their future would bring them come the morning. She could not help but relax as the flames flickered around her the light painting pictures on the walls and she began to hum a deep and beautiful song.
Thorin looked up at Dolora with wide eyes he hadn't heard that song in a long time and very rarely heard it sung from a Dams mouth having not seen his sister in some time.
"Far over the misty mountains cold The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells"
she sang her eyes closed as her voice filled the room. She opened them to find Thorin staring at her and she felt a blush creep up her face and looked into the fire apologizing.
Thorin looked at the dam in front of him and blinked several times the sound of her voice brining him a sense of tranquility he hadn't felt in a long time he looked around at his kin and saw they felt the same everyone was looking at Dolora. She looked away down at the fire clearly embarrassed that she was singing in front of everyone. Thorin found that he didn't want her to stop so slowly be bowed his head and began to sing the next verse. Dolora's head popped up and she smiled at him quickly joining in. Soon she could hear all her kin singing the song of woe.
"For ancient king and elvish lord On silver necklaces they strung Far over the misty mountains cold
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves The pines were roaring on the height, The bells were ringing in the dale The mountain smoked beneath the moon; Far over the misty mountains grim
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.
And men they looked up with faces pale;
The dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The dwarves they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!"
As they finished singing Dolora locked eyes with Thorin and bowed her head silently thanking him for joining her in song. It had been many years since she felt at peace but being surrounded by her kin she felt happiness wash over her once again reinforcing her wish to reclaim their homeland.
…..
For obvious reasons I'd like to state that I didn't write the song Misty Mountains Cold