What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you the first chapter to my new crossover consisting of the Hobbit films and Final Fantasy.
This was something I always wanted to do because I liked the Lord of the Rings movies as well as the Hobbit. Final Fantasy is part of my favorite video game series as well.
Moving on, five characters from the video game series will be in it. One from the Final Fantasy Explorers game, one from VII, another from XIII, one from IX, and the other from the newest game, XV. There will also be an OC female elf as well.
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, Final Fantasy or the Hobbit. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Final Fantasy: An Unexpected Quest
Chapter 1: Five Warriors in Middle-earth
Amostra (Explorer Universe)
Sitting in front of a floating blue crystal, a young Explorer clad in the red-bronze colored Telluric Armor and Greaves was looking mighty bored. He had mid-length raven black hair that was tied in a messy ponytail, pale skin, and crimson red eyes. His sword, Flametongue, a scimitar flame-like sword with an undying aura of flame sat by his side after he had finished upgrading it fully despite the backbreaking effort to retrieve the necessary components to forge it. Resting comfortably on his left arm was the Demon Shield, a pavis imbued with demonic power as evidenced by the demonic face on the surface of the shield.
This young Explorer had activated the Grand Crystal after combating thousands of monsters along with the powerful eidolons and even a god-like creature called the Therion.
His name was Sorom, a Freelancer that specialized in the use of many weapons.
But the young man found himself quite bored after there was no more monsters that would give him a challenge. Well, besides the eidolons most of the time, they still put up a decent fight. Heaven knows how many times Odin and Bahamut kept knocking him down with their most powerful attacks. Ifrit was just a battle-crazy lunatic that had no sense at all. Shiva would act flirty whenever he fought her… It was difficult not to watch when she suggestively began to remove her bikini.
Despite that, Sorom decided to go on one more adventure in the world. He stepped onto the airship and plotted a course for Lake Filouz, it was always his favorite place to visit when he was exploring.
A half hour later, the airship had landed at Lake Filouz as Sorom disembarked, his sword at the ready. "Well, let's see what we got." He muttered to himself as he began his exploration.
He couldn't stay out long, only an hour of searching and gathering materials from different monsters that appeared in the different parts of the land.
Sighing, Sorom walks around the lake, swinging Flametongue to cleave a goblin monster in half. "Etro above, is there something I can do?" He said to himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, the young Explorer could make out a slight glow coming from in the water of the lake.
"What's that?" Sorom muttered to himself as he walked over to the light. The object in question was revealed to be a pure white crystal shard. The warrior grasped the item and brought it up. "A crystal?"
The shard shined brightly before engulfing Sorom in its light. Once the light dimmed, the Explorer was gone. No trace of him anywhere at all.
Gaia (VII Universe)
A man in his early-twenties rode upon a streamlined black motorcycle. He had spiky blonde hair, glowing greenish-blue eyes, light skin, and a sort of scowl on his youthful face. He wore a high collar sleeveless black shirt, black pants and boots, and black cloth covering his left leg and arm. He also wears a black shoulder pauldron on his left shoulder, and his chest is covered by two straps, held in place by a badge representing Fenrir. He also has a pink ribbon tied around his left arm though it is hidden underneath the long sleeve.
His name is Cloud Strife, the guardian of the Lifestream and now a delivery boy for Strife Delivery Services.
It had been three years since he had fought Sephiroth and defeated him, survived the Meteor fall after Holy had been cast upon the world-destroying black materia. Then two years after that day, he fought against the remnants of Sephiroth and the former SOLDIER himself once again. Then the year after that, he helped his comrade, Vincent Valentine, defeat a rogue element of Shinra known as Deepground.
So now, here he was, done with all the battles that had grown weary on his body especially after being cured of Geostigma, the virus that was slowly killing him. He was content to live out his days delivering mail and packages just to support the Seventh Heaven bar that Tifa owned.
Denzel and Marlene would be anxious to see him again. Plus, he got them early birthday presents as well on his delivery runs.
Out of the corner of his eyes, however, he noticed something shining. With his enhanced eyesight, it was easy for him to make out an outline of some sort of crystal.
Stopping his bike, the blonde approached the glowing gem and picked it up. It glowed an eerie sea green and almost looked like materia. "What is this?" He asked no one in particular.
However, the crystal glowed brighter than before, blinding the Ex-SOLDIER and engulfing him in its light. Once it dimmed, the blonde was nowhere in sight. The only evidence of his existence being his black motorcycle.
Cocoon (XIII Universe)
A young woman with wavy rose-colored hair, and pale aqua eyes released a brief grunt after slicing a tree trunk clean through. She wore a silver and gold Valkyrie-like suit of armor with a shield on her left arm. She held in her right hand, an intricate gunblade written with scripture of Etro branded along the blade.
This young woman is Claire Farron, also known as Lightning by her comrades and friends.
She had been a part of the Guardian Corps. A sort of military police that kept the peace in her hometown of Bodhum. That all changed when her sister revealed to her on her twenty first birthday that she was a Pulse-branded l'Cie and that she was marrying a juvenile delinquent that wanted to play hero. It didn't end well…
After that, she along with her comrades were caught up in an unexpected journey as Pulse-branded l'Cie, the enemies of Cocoon.
Then when they had successfully defeated Orphan and two of her friends sacrificed themselves to become the crystal pillar that bounded Cocoon and Pulse together, the party was able to take in the brief peace after their many battles.
However, Lightning's mission wasn't over quite yet. She had been chosen by the Goddess Etro to defend her against the forces of chaos and the man leading them, her rival, Caius Ballad.
She relied on her sister, Serah and a youth named Noel to save time and space from the chaotic darkness. Only to discover, that she herself was the one who had been destined to be the Savior of the human race.
For many centuries she had slept, only to come back in order to send the souls of many humans onto the next world with the help of Hope, a boy she had befriended on their first journey together. Throughout her task in altering time to slow the final days of the world's destruction, Lightning had to fight an alter ego of her sister, some of her old friends, and even other fal'Cie.
That's when she understood the real reason behind her quest, to guide humans into the next world to be made servants to gods once more. She rejected this and fought against the one who had led her astray, Bhunivelze.
After the God of Light's death, she and her friends along with the many survivors of humanity were transported to live in peace on the new world.
Lightning had long since stopped fighting, but the instinct to train was always there in her core. Just like now even as she travels the land to find her friends.
She wore her old armor, took up her weapons, and began training in a quiet forest. Her movements elegant, graceful, but deadly. On the last strike, the pinkette released a final breath and holstered her gunblade, Overture.
"Might as well take a break. I could use a hot shower after this." The Savior spoke, wiping away a bead of sweat from her forehead.
However, her aqua blue eyes noticed a red glow above. Instinctively, she caught the glowing object in her hand, a look of interest scanning it.
It looked to be a crystal rosehead colored red yet pink at the same time. It almost reminded Lightning of the gem she used to summon her faithful Eidolon, Odin. Memories of the large mechanical knight brought a sense of nostalgia to the young woman.
However, the crystal glowed brighter than before, blinding the Savior and engulfing her in its light. Once the light had dimmed, Lightning was nowhere in sight.
Lindblum (IX Universe)
A boy with layered blond hair tied into a short ponytail, blue eyes and a prehensile monkey-like tail stretched his body after taking a relaxing nap in a tree. He wears a white sleeveless shirt under a short teal vest topped with leather accents at the shoulders and back, while the front has a lacy white jabot topped with a green ribbon tied in a bow, blue jodhpur pants, a tan belt, light green gloves with large blue cuffs, and a pair of light green and white cuffed ankle boots with a low heel.
The boy, Zidane Tribal, brought up his twin short swords, the Mage Mashers, gave them a twirl then sent them away after he leaped from the tree he was resting upon.
Unlike others, Zidane wasn't human, he was in fact, a part of a race of artificial humans made to be the vessels for Terrans after a failed experiment to unite Gaia and Terra.
He had been created to become the 'Angel of Death' to incite a war on Gaia, however, he had been raised by the humans of Gaia after being abandoned by Kuja, a Genome who had been deemed inferior to him by the man who created them, Garland.
As such, he had been raised to be friendly and caring towards others but at the same time, he had a mischievous side to him. Such a side helped him battle against those that sought to harm his friends and loved ones on Gaia.
Right now, however, Zidane, being the thief he had been trained as, wanted more adventure.
And boy did he get that…
Out of the corner of his eye, a yellow stone glowed on the ground. Curious, the blonde leaned down to get a closer look at it, however, the moment he placed a finger on it, the glow intensified, engulfing the boy in its light. Once the light dimmed, Zidane was gone.
Eos (XV Universe)
A svelte young man standing at five foot nine with spiky black hair and blue eyes sat in the room he and his friends reside in. He wears a black jacket with skull-motif buttons and sequenced details on pockets. He keeps it unzipped and the tag on the zipper also has a small skull. Underneath he wears a steel gray shirt with skull prints, black cropped trousers and black buckled boots with red soles, and a black motorcycle glovelet on his left hand.
Noctis Lucis Caelum, the Crown Prince and heir to the throne of Lucis, had always been a shy young man. Despite this, he played it off by 'acting cool' in front of everyone but because of this, he had few friends. The ones he bonded more with were his advisor, Ignis. His bodyguard, Gladiolus. And his best friend from high school, Prompto.
When he turned twenty, he and his friends had set out to commit the union of Noctis and his bride-to-be, Lunafreya in marriage. On this journey, he learns of Insomnia, the capital of Lucis, had been attacked and conquered by Niflheim, a much more technologically adept and advanced nation that sought the Lucian crystal.
A message from Cor had informed Noctis and his friends that the Crown Prince must seek out thirteen royal arms wielded by the ancient kings of old.
After collecting the pieces, the group rested at a small town inn. Prompto exploring the area to take photos while Ignis and Gladio had gone to gather supplies.
It was always good to be with his friends… No, his brothers. He would have to thank Umbra for granting him the ability to travel back into the past with a whole lot of doggy treats.
Some would be wondering how he got such an ability… Well, that would be an incredibly long tale to explain.
"So bored…" The prince muttered to himself, laying back on his bed, that is until a strange purple glow emanated next to his nightstand. "Huh?"
It looked to be a sort of crystal sphere colored a brilliant amethyst. Interested in this mysterious gem, the young man placed a hand on the crystal only to shield his eyes when it glowed brighter, engulfing him in its light. Once the light was gone, so was the Crown Prince.
Forest of Bree (Middle-Earth Universe)
A flash of light ignited in the forest as five figures fell to the ground.
"Ouch…" Sorom groaned as he rubbed his head. "Reminds me of a Gravity attack."
"Oh, my head…" Zidane massaged his temples.
Lightning stood up albeit a bit wobbly but kept her balance.
Cloud only felt a bit of nausea but held himself together. "Where am I?"
Noctis moaned in despair. "My head is spinning…"
The five then noticed each other then back stepped away in surprise.
Sorom brought up Flametongue, the scarlet red blade gleaming in the sunlight. "So who the hell are you?" He questioned with narrowed eyes.
"I should be asking you that." Lighting glared at the four young men around her. Overture at the ready.
"Seconded." Cloud added in quietly, Vigilante and Vendetta brought to bear.
Zidane, suspicious at first, decided to play his usual friendly demeanor. "Hold on now, let's all calm down. Why don't we introduce ourselves?" He smiled cheekily at the other four warriors. "The name's Zidane, Zidane Tribal! Professional thief and all-around good guy." He boasted.
The Crown Prince, his Engine Blade out in his right hand, lowered his combat stance. "Noctis Lucis Caelum. Call me Noct for short." He replied, his face neutral as he dispersed his sword.
Cloud sheathed his blades within their respective holsters. "Cloud Strife."
The pinkette however still seemed wary of the men, she lowered her stance but not her weapon. "Lightning."
"Sorom." The Explorer replied, his senses telling him that the four people in front of him were dangerous but at the same time trustworthy. "So, are you Explorers as well?"
"Huh?" Zidane raised a brow in confusion.
"What's that?" Noctis questioned.
Sorom blinked in confusion as well. "What? You're not Explorers?" He asked.
"No, I'm a thief." The Genome answered with a wide grin.
"I've never even heard of Explorers." Lightning admitted.
Noctis shrugged. "I'm a prince so I have no idea what that even is."
"Ex-SOLDIER." Cloud stated.
"What's that?" Sorom questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Superhuman warrior." The buster sword-wielding blonde answered.
"Huh, neat." Sorom hummed.
"What, not the strangest thing you've seen?" Noctis joked.
Sorom grimaced, remembering the eidolon Shiva. The numerous times she would try to flirt with him and get in his pants. One time when he was frozen, he was treated to a show by the ice woman. "Something like that." He replied.
"Here's an important question: Where the heck are we?" Zidane questioned.
"Excuse me." An elderly voice spoke to the five warriors as they turned to the source to notice that it was an old man with a long beard and hair with dark eyes. He was outfitted in gray robes with a pointy hat on top. In his right hand he carried a staff made completely out of some type of wood. "Pardon my intrusion in your conversation but you children seem strangely outlandish. Are you perhaps from some far away land?"
"You could say that." The group spoke in unison.
"Well, it is quite pleasant to see new faces here in Middle-earth." The old man suddenly gasped in realization. "Oh yes, I am Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey." He gave the otherworlders a curtsy bow.
"My name is Sorom. I'm an Explorer from Amostra." The black-haired warrior nodded his head in respect at the elderly man.
"Noctis Lucis Caelum. I'm the Crown Prince of Lucia."
"Cloud Strife. Ex-SOLDIER."
"Lightning. Former Savior."
"Zidane Tribal! Best thief in Lindblum and resident good guy."
Gandalf was quite confused on the various attire of a few of the travels but dismissed it. "In my days, such strange occupations can sometimes refer to one's skills. I trust you know how to defend yourselves?"
"Well, I'm proficient in different types of weaponry so yes." Sorom nodded.
"The swords are not for show," Cloud remarked.
Noctis shrugged, uncaring.
Lightning revealed her gunblade and shield.
Zidane grinned cheekily while twirling his Mage Mashers.
Gandalf chuckled. "Then I'd like to hire you, if you'd like?" He asked.
"Depends on the job." Cloud said.
"Have any of you ever slain a dragon?" Gandalf questioned.
"Hundreds." Sorom replied bluntly.
"In a sense," Noctis said with a shrug.
"That a trick question?" Cloud sarcastically remarked.
"Does a dragon war god count?" Lightning stated.
Zidane thought it over. "I think I have."
Gandalf blinked in confusion but shrugged it off. "Then I suppose you're hired. Come along, we must get to Bree before the storm arrives." He said, walking towards a horse wagon with a brown stallion situated at it.
The otherworlders glanced at each other then shrugged, climbing into the wagon only to find hundreds of fireworks.
"Uh, Gandalf, what's with the party favors?" Sorom questioned, picking up a firework.
Gandalf gave the party a sly glance and smirked. "I'm a traveling entertainer as well as a wizard. It's a good hobby when you're not busy worrying about the problems of Middle-earth."
"What kind of problems?" Lightning asked.
"The kind that could lead to the death of all men, elves, hobbits, dwarves, and the rest of life as we know it." The wizard answered.
"Sweet Etro, that sounds worse than the Therion…" Sorom muttered.
"I've faced worse," The former Savior remarked, remembering her hand at slaying God himself.
"Oh, we had something far worse than that, my dear girl." Gandalf remarked while grey clouds began to appear overhead.
"How worse?" Zidane asked with a curious look on his face.
"My boy, I pray you and your friends never know." The old man replied.
"Uh, we're not exactly friends. Merely acquaintances." Sorom pointed out.
The other four warriors nodded in agreement.
"Well, we're almost there. Just a few minutes till dark and we'll be at the Prancing Pony where the person I'm looking for will go to." Gandalf remarked with a slight cheerful smile despite the drizzle beginning to rain down.
The wagon eventually came in view of a town from the medieval ages, complete with a wooden gate as well.
"Welcome to Bree, my young friends." Gandalf said to the group of five.
"Home-y." Noctis spoke bluntly.
"Don't believe that's a word." Sorom pointed out while Gandalf parks his wagon at the stables to get the horse watered and fed.
"At least it's better than some of the towns I've passed through." Cloud stated.
Lightning huffed while Zidane yawned after taking a nap in the wagon.
"No time for chit-chat now. We're here." Gandalf reminded the duo as he pointed his staff at an inn with a sign having a horse on it that was labeled 'Prancing Pony'. The trio went inside and found themselves seeing a lot of men drinking, laughing, and chatting with a few women, old and young, added in the mix. Sorom even caught sight of a small man with hairy, big feet and slightly pointed ears being lifted up onto a stood with a smoking pipe in hand. In all honesty, the small man looked like a child.
Gandalf led the otherworlders to an empty table while a pretty young woman brought the group of six pints of ale. "There you go." She replied.
"Thank you." Sorom said with a grin then gave the woman a bag of about five hundred gil. Gandalf had told them that their currency was gold and silver so they had no problem with their money.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions concerning the quest?" Gandalf asked.
"Well, it would clear things up a little." Sorom muttered.
"What's the job?" Cloud asked, getting right down to business.
Nodding, Gandalf took a sip of his ale. "Well, I suppose I should start from the beginning. It began in the city of Dale. Its markets were known far and wide. Full of the bounties of vine and cale. Peaceful and prosperous. For this city lay before the doors of the greatest kingdom in Middle-earth: Erebor. Stronghold of Thror, King Under the Mountain. Mightiest of the Dwarf Lords."
"Huh, never met a dwarf before. I mean, I've seen Moogles if they're about a dwarf's size but I don't think it is." Sorom said.
Hearing the word 'moogles' seemed to spark different reactions from the five otherworlders. Some with fond memories others with irritated memories.
"Moving on," Gandalf interjected. "Thror ruled with utter surety never doubting his house would endure for his line lay secure in the lives of his son and grandson. Erebor was built deep within the mountain itself… the beauty of this fortress city was legend. Its wealth lay in the earth in precious gems hewn from rock and in great seams of gold running like rivers through stone. The skill of the Dwarves was unequaled, fashioning objects of great beauty out of diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Ever they delved deeper, down into the dark. And that is where they found it. The Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone. Thror named it 'The King's Jewel'. He took it as a sign, a sign that his right to rule was divine. All would pay homage to him even the great Elven King, Thranduil. As the great wealth of the Dwarves grew, their store of goodwill ran thin. No one knows exactly what began the rift. The Elves say that the Dwarves stole their treasure. The dwarves tell another tale. They say the Elf king refused to give them the rightful pay. It is sad how old alliances can be broken and how friendships can be lost, and for what? But the years of peace and plenty were not to last, slowly the days turned sour and the watchful nights closed in. Thror's love of gold had grown too fierce. A sickness had begun to grow within him. It was a sickness of the mind and where sickness thrives, bad things will follow. The first they heard was a noise like a hurricane coming down from the North. The pines on the mountain creaked and cracked in the hot, dry wind. It was a firedrake from the North. Smaug had come."
"What's that?" Zidane questioned.
"A fire dragon." Sorom answered. "You know, ones that fly and breath fire like a regular dragon."
Gandalf rolled his eyes then continued the tale. "Such wanton death was dealt that day. For this city of Men was nothing to Smaug. His eye was set on another prize. For dragons covet gold with a dark and fierce desire. Erebor was lost. For a dragon will guard his plunder as long as he lives. Thranduil would not risk the lives of his kin against the wrath of the dragon. No help from the Elves came that day nor any day since." He continued.
"What happened to the dwarves?" Sorom asked.
"Robbed of their homeland, the Dwarves of Erebor wandered the wilderness, a once mighty people brought low. The young Dwarf prince took work where he could find it, laboring in the villages of Men. But always he remembered the mountain smoke beneath the moon, the trees like torches blazing bright. For he had seen dragon fire in the sky and a city turned to ash, and he never forgave and he never forgot." The old man finished.
"Wow, that's… deep," Sorom commented.
"Yeah…" Cloud muttered… before taking a bite out of an apple.
"So, will you take up on this quest?" Gandalf asked.
Sorom nodded. "You've got my attention. If this thing really is the cause then I'll help slay it." He replied, downing his ale.
"I'll help however I can." Noctis answered.
"Seems I won't be able to go home if I don't, so I'll join you." Cloud reluctantly agreed.
"Count me in!" Zidane grinned.
"I'll help." Lightning responded, crossing her arms over her breastplate.
"Wonderful and it seems the dwarf we're looking for has arrived." Gandalf said as the doors from the entrance opened. There stood a dwarf with slightly greying black hair that looked like it needed a major trim with a short beard and dark eyes. He was outfitted in numerous furs and a cloak that looked drenched. On his back was a sword that in the otherworlders' eyes seemed to be the size of a short sword.
"Who's that?" The monkey-tailed teen whispered.
"You'll find out soon enough, dear boy." The wizard answered as the dwarf sat at a table while the same woman brought him food and a mug of ale.
The party noticed two men were staring at the dwarf. They got up from their seats and began to approach him. The dwarf assumed the men to be assassins and reached for his sword to defend himself.
"Mind if I join you?" Gandalf asked as he got to the dwarf before the two men did. "I'll have the same." He told the waitress.
After the old man introduced himself to the dwarf, the otherworlders listened from a distance. "I know who you are."
"Well, now. This is a fine chance. What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?" Gandalf questioned.
"Wait, the Dwarf prince?" Sorom whispered in confusion.
"I received word that my father had been seen wandering the Wilds near Dunland. I went looking. I found no sign of him." Thorin explained.
"Ah… Thrain." Gandalf sighed in remembrance.
Thorin gave the old wizard a condescending look. "You're like the others? You think he's dead?"
"I was not at the battle of Moria." Gandalf stated firmly.
"No, but I was," Thorin began recalling his past. "My grandfather, Thror, was slain. My father led the charge towards the Dimrill Gate, he never returned. Thrain is gone, they told me, he's one of the fallen. But in the end of the battle, I searched amongst the slain to the last body. My father was not among the dead."
"Thorin, it's been a long time since anything but rumor was heard of Thrain." Gandalf consulted.
'So these guys are friends? Who knew?' Cloud thought to himself.
"He still lives. I'm sure of it." Thorin pressed on.
"The ring your grandfather wore. One of the seven given to the Dwarf Lords many years ago… What became of it?" Gandalf questioned.
"He gave it to my father before they went into battle." Thorin answered.
Gandalf had a thoughtful look. "So Thrain was wearing it when he went missing…"
Thorin leaned in. "My father came to see you before he went missing. What did you say to him?"
"I urged him to march upon Erebor, to rally the seven armies of the Dwarves to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I would say the same to you. Take back your homeland." The old man urged the Dwarf prince.
Thorin looked at the wizard with a calculative expression. "This is no chance meeting, is it, Gandalf?"
"No. It is not. The Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn towards Erebor. I ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling on the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond." Gandalf explained.
"That's one way of putting it." Lightning muttered.
The others nod in agreement.
"I imagine they regretted that." Thorin said jokingly.
Gandalf took out a leaf-shaped sheet of parchment. "One of them was carrying a message. It is Black Speech. A promise of payment."
"For what?" The Dwarf prince questioned.
"Your head." The grey-robed wizard replied. "Someone wants you dead. Thorin, you can wait no longer. You are the heir to the Throne of Durin. Unite the armies of the Dwarves. Together, you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting of the seven Dwarf families. Demand they stand by their oath."
"The seven armies swore that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone. It is the only thing that will unite them, and in case you have forgotten that jewel was stolen by Smaug." Thorin reminded the old man.
Gandalf gave Thorin a small grin. "What if I were to help you reclaim it?" He spoke in a tone strictly of business.
"How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away buried beneath the feet of a fire-breathing dragon." Thorin wondered with a bit of irritation.
"Yes, it does. Which is why we're going to need a burglar." Gandalf came up with his solution.
The Next Morning
The innkeeper gave room and board to the otherworlders for the night while Gandalf retires as well. Sorom had spent the rest of the evening checking the crystal he held onto as well as his Magicite then slept at a quarter till midnight. Cloud used a whetstone to keep his blades sharpened and ready for any conflicts ahead. Noctis and Zidane immediately went to sleep. Lightning, who had gotten a room for herself, took a much needed hot bath and slept for the rest of the night.
Once daybreak came, the otherworlders were downstairs eating a quick breakfast while Gandalf came downstairs with his pipe.
"Man, I haven't slept that good in months. The only time I've ever slept like that is when I'm not constantly in danger." Noctis said with a smile on his face.
"Well, Master Noctis, you'll be happy to know that I've made preparations for our next destination of travel." The wizard stated, puffing out a few rings of smoke.
"Where at?" Sorom asked as he munched on a roll.
"Why the Shire, of course. The land of the Hobbits." Gandalf chuckled.
"And what are hobbits?" Cloud asked.
"That, young man, is what you will have to wait and see. Come along now, it's a few miles away from Bree and we should be there by lunchtime." The wizard said, already out the door.
Sorom quickly finished up his meal and paid for the food. "Gandalf, wait!" He called out, following after the old man.
"Yes?" Gandalf asked.
"Well, who exactly is going to be the burglar for this expedition?" The Explorer questioned.
The old wizard patted the boy's shoulder. "Master Sorom, the hobbit we're going to see was once an adventurous little one the last time I saw him. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to go on this quest."
"Well, if you say so." The red-eyed freelancer replied as he entered the wagon. Cloud, Zidane, Noctis, and Lightning followed soon after him while Gandalf had saddled up his horse then went to the front and got the stallion moving with a quick click of his tongue.
Hobbiton (The Shire)
As Gandalf's cart arrived, the wizard had dropped the otherworlders off to meet the people. Sorom had decided to change out of his Telluric Armor and swapped it for his Wanderer's Jacket along with the Novice Boots as well. Just in case, he summoned one of his daggers, Rune Steel, and placed it on the belt of his pants.
The hobbits were overly friendly, despite the party being Men in their eyes, they were welcomed like neighbors. It was relaxing and heart-warming.
"This is a nice place. My home was like this but never this peaceful." Sorom commented with a grin.
"Though it's strange to see so many child-sized people running about." Lightning commented.
"Excuse me!" A male hobbit bypassed the five warriors, carrying three boxes that seemed to be quite heavy for him before his foot caught on a branch. "Oh dear!"
Zidane reacted quickly by catching the hobbit while Cloud caught the crates. "Whoa, careful there. If you wanted help, you could have asked. We'd have been happy to lend a hand."
"Oh, well, thank you very much, lad." The hobbit said as he stood up and dusted himself off. He had shaggy brown hair and almond-colored eyes, his face was quite rugged as well to signal his age being somewhere in his thirties. His attire consisted of a plain white shirt with blue overalls. Like other hobbits, he was barefoot.
"The name's Zidane Tribal," The young man said as he easily lifted two of the boxes into his arms and looked at the hobbit. "So where do you want these, Mr…"
"Took, Baladin Took. And just follow me, lads and lass." Baladin told the party of five as he led them to what could be a grocery stand. The otherworlders placed the crates down. "Thank you, dear boy. You've certainly helped this hobbit on this day. So, I think you all deserve a reward." He opened the crates to reveal that they were a large amount of sweets. "It's my wife's baking, she's quite handsy with her sweets."
"Wow, um, I don't know what to say." Sorom muttered.
"Thank you, you are too kind." Noctis said with a smile.
"Here you go, young ones. Some of my wife's lemon scones." Baladin grinned, handing the otherworlders a plate of lemon scented cookies. "Hope you both have a pleasant afternoon."
The group thanked the hobbit, leaving Hobbiton to follow Gandalf, eating the sweets along the way.
"Mmm, these are pretty good." Sorom commented, munching on one of the scones.
"I bet Ignis would love to get his hands on this recipe," Noctis remarked.
"It's not bad." Lightning admitted while Cloud hummed in agreement.
Zidane… was pigging out on the entire plate.
Nighttime (Bag-End)
The otherworldly party came upon the hobbit hole Gandalf had marked and knocked. The door opened soon after to reveal a young hobbit with wild brown hair, brown eyes, and a slightly rugged face. He was dressed in what could have been a night robe.
"Can I help you?" The hobbit asked, confused as to why four young men and a young woman were at his home.
"Uh, yes, you see, we're looking for a Bilbo Baggins?" Sorom responded.
"Yes, that's who I am, but do I know you?" Bilbo asked.
"No, but may we come in. It's a bit chilly out here." The Explorer replied.
Bilbo didn't know what was going on but he allowed the party to enter his home. They had to duck their heads to keep from bumping the ceiling and chandelier.
"This is gonna kill my neck…" Sorom muttered with a grimace.
Cloud had a little trouble due to his many swords strapped to his waist.
"Not a bad place to live in." Zidane commented, not really needing to duck his head all that much due to his height.
"For a hobbit hole that is." Lightning added.
"Well, thank you. Would you, uh, like something to drink?" Bilbo asked, going into his dining room.
"I'll just have a cup of tea please." Sorom replied.
"None for me, thanks." Noctis answered.
Cloud, Zidane, and Lightning gave their own polite refusals.
Bilbo nodded and quickly walked into his kitchen to retrieve a tea set. Once he returned, he poured a cup of tea into one then handed it over to the Explorer of the party.
While Sorom his tea as well as snack on what's left of the lemon scones, there was a knocking at the door. When Bilbo answered, he was greeted by a bald dwarf with a braided black beard and thinning hair around his cranium with dark eyes as well. He was dressed in an outfit of leather and furs, carrying what could be a warhammer on his back. "Dwalin, at your service." He bowed at the hobbit.
Said hobbit looked greatly confused. "Bilbo Baggins, at yours. Do we know each other?" He asked.
"No." Dwalin entered the home. "Which way, laddie? Is it down here?" He questioned, strolling down the hallways.
"Who are you?" Cloud asked.
"Dwalin," The dwarf responded before giving the five a once over. "You must be the lads and lass that wizard hired. You don't look like much."
Lightning folded her arms over her breastplate. "Don't judge a book by its cover."
Dwalin didn't know what she meant but didn't care as long as the humans could fight. Bilbo led the dwarf to the dining room, unfortunately, watching Dwalin eating the meal he had prepared for himself along with a few rolls of bread.
"Does he know the word courtesy?" Zidane whispered to Sorom.
The Explorer shrugged. "Hey, I don't know anything about dwarves mannerisms."
While Dwalin was eating, Bilbo heard the doorbell ring again. Once he opened it, it was revealed to be an older dwarf with frizzled grey hair and a long grey beard as well. He seemed to be dressed more casual. "Balin, at your service." He gave the hobbit a courtesy bow.
Bilbo looked at the old dwarf but answered politely. "Good evening."
"Yes. Yes, it is. Though I think it might rain later." Balin stated as he entered the house.
"Hm?" Bilbo released in confusion.
"Am I late?" The dwarf asked.
"Late for what?" Bilbo questioned in return, confusion written all over his face.
"Oh! Ha, ha! Evening, brother," Balin called out to Dwalin, who was rummaging his hand in a jar of cookies before stopping.
"By my beard…" The black haired dwarf started with a nostalgic grin as he walked over to the shorter dwarf. "You're shorter and wider than last we met." The two chuckled.
"Wider, not shorter. Sharp enough for both of us." Balin said jokingly with a sly wink. The two brothers place their hands on each other's shoulders then banged their foreheads without injuring themselves.
"That's a… strange greeting." Sorom remarked.
"I've seen stranger." The blonde Ex-SOLDIER commented.
"Uh, excuse me? Sorry, I hate to interrupt. But the thing is, I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house." Bilbo tried to get the dwarves attention only to be ignored.
"Have you eaten?" Dwalin asked as the two brothers searched the pantry.
"It's not like I don't like visitors. I like visitors as much as the next Hobbit." Bilbo tried speaking up, to interject in the dwarves conversation. "But I do like to know them before they come visiting." He was still being ignored.
"What is this?" Dwalin questioned.
"I don't know." Balin shrugged. The dwarf looked at the object. "I think it's cheese. Gone blue."
"It's riddled with mold." Dwalin replied.
"The thing is, I don't know either of you. Not in the slightest." Bilbo's tone turned apologetic. "I don't mean to be blunt but I had to speak my mind. I'm sorry." This caught the dwarves' attention.
"Apology accepted." Balin said to the hobbit. "Now, fill it up, brother, don't stint." The dwarf turned to his brother.
"I can't see the resemblance." Zidane whispered.
"You want to ask the dwarf carrying the big hammer that?" Lightning sarcastically whispered back.
"Good point." The thief whispered back.
Bilbo seemed to give up on trying to convince them until he heard his doorbell ring once again. Opening the door, he was meet with two young dwarves who looked like they could be in their early twenties. One of them wore dark clothing and sported long brown hair that reached his shoulder blades with a beard that was starting to form along with brown eyes. The other wore slightly brighter clothing in contrast with his brother and possessed dirty blonde hair that was braided along with his own small beard with the same dark eyes as the dark-clothed dwarf.
"Fili." The braided dwarf introduced.
"And Kili." The brown haired dwarf finished.
They both bowed politely. "At your service." Speaking at the same time.
"You must be Mr. Boggins." Kili smiled brightly despite getting Bilbo's name incorrect.
"Nope! You can't come in." The hobbit told them quickly. "You've come to the wrong house." He was about to close the door until the younger of the two stopped him.
"What?" Kili started. "Has it been canceled?"
"No one told us." Fili added with a suspicious look on his face.
Bilbo looked at them with bewilderment. "No, nothing's been canceled."
"That's a relief." Kili responded with a grin as he barged his way in. Fili followed after his brother while Bilbo looked close to facepalming himself.
"Careful with these. I just had them sharpened." Fili said as he handed the hobbit a couple of sheathed dwarven blades.
"It's nice, this place." Kili complimented the interior of Bilbo's home. "Did you do it yourself?" He asked while using a box to scrap off a brown stain from the underside of his boot.
"What? No, it's been in the family for years." Bilbo answered before noticing what Kili was doing. "That's my mother's glory box. Can you please not do that?"
Dwalin came in soon after. "Fili, Kili. Come on, give us a hand." He signaled the two brothers to follow him.
"Mr. Dwalin." Kili started, grinning like a fool. "Ha, ha."
Dwalin led the two young dwarfs into the dining room where Balin was trying to move the table. "Shove this in the hallway. Otherwise we'll never get everyone in." The grey haired dwarf told his compatriots.
"You must be Sorom, Noctis, Cloud, Zidane, and Lightning, the party that Gandalf hired." Fili spoke to the otherworlders.
Sorom nodded in greeting. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"You any good with a sword?" Cloud asked.
"I am." Fili replied then gestured to Kili. "He's good with both a blade and a bow."
"Kill anything tough?" Lightning challenged.
"Killed orcs. Vicious blocs those things be." Fili answered.
"Everyone? How many more are there?" Bilbo questioned still holding Fili's blades in his arms. The doorbell rang again only this time, Bilbo was more irritated. "No. No. There's nobody home!" He unceremoniously drops the blades in a pile then storms over to the front door. "Go away and bother somebody else. There's far too many dwarves and men in my dining room as it is. If this is some clothead's idea of a joke…" He scoffed then grasped the doorknob. "I can only say it is in very poor taste."
Once the door was opened, eight more dwarves fell in a heap on the floor.
"Get off, you big lump!" One dwarf yelled from beneath the bunch. A familiar wizard's head peeked inside.
"Gandalf." The hobbit muttered when he noticed the old man.
"Just how many people are coming?" Noctis asked as he blinked his eyes owlishly.
"I think that's practically all of them." The Explorer replied, sipping his tea.
"Wait, we're missing one." Zidane said before he paused. "Where's Thorin?"
"Late I suppose." The Explorer deadpanned while looking at the high jinks that Bilbo had to deal with when the dwarves started grabbing all of the food and drink from the hobbit's pantry.
The otherworlders shrugged then decided to join in on setting up the table for what could have been a meeting of sorts. One particular dwarf wearing a cap named Bofur was quite hilarious along with his obese brother Bombur. Their cousin Bifur, the dwarf with an axe in his head spoke something that the party couldn't understand except Gandalf.
Soon after, the twelve dwarves along with Gandalf began having their dinner using whatever was in front of them. Zidane had snagged a few rolls of bread and handed one to each of his new companions, the five of them eating quietly while the dwarfs ate and laughed like old family friends.
"Seems like a family reunion." Cloud inquired before taking a bite.
"Well, I guess dwarves are more friendly with one another." The Lucian Prince stated, biting his roll.
"That's a given." Lightning muttered.
"No chance. Not from that distance." Dwalin said as he tore into a chicken leg.
"Wanna bet?" Bofur asked the older dwarf before looking at his brother. "Bombur, catch!" He tossed the bun at the chubby dwarf, who caught it with his mouth which received cheers from all of the dwarves.
Fili walked on the table, knocking over a few plates with mugs of beer in his hands. "Who wants an ale?"
"I said have another drink." Dwalin told his deaf friend. "Here you go." He poured ale into the pipe causing the dwarf to blow out of it as the drink squirted out.
The five otherworlders either laughed, chuckled or grinned at the friendly banter between the dwarves.
After dinner, Sorom decided to help clean up the dishes while Bombur was still eating. "Excuse me, that is a doily, not a dishcloth." Bilbo said in annoyance as he took said cloth from Bifur, who was going to use it to wipe his mouth.
"But it's full of holes." Bofur pointed out, a mug of ale in his left and a pipe in the other.
Bilbo fixed up the doily in his hands. "It's supposed to look like that. It's crochet." The Hobbit clarified.
"And a wonderful game it is too, if you've got the balls for it." Bofur said, chuckling along with the dwarves that were speaking with him.
"Bebother and confusticate these Dwarves!" Bilbo muttered irritated. "At least the Men had manners."
"My dear Bilbo, what on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked with concern.
The hobbit looked at the wizard with an exaggerated expression. "What's the matter? I'm surrounded by Dwarves. What are they doing here?"
"Oh, they're quite a merry gathering once you get used to them." Gandalf replied.
"I don't want to get used to them." Bilbo led the old man down a hallway. "Look at the state of my kitchen. There's mud trod into the carpet. They've pillaged the pantry. I won't tell you what they've done in the bathroom. They've all but destroyed the plumbing. I just don't understand what they're doing in my house?!" The Hobbit spoke about the mess the dwarves left.
"Excuse me." Ori started as he came up to Bilbo with a dish in his hand. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?"
"Here you go, Ori. Give it to me." Fili took the dish then tossed it to Kili, who while smoking a pipe threw it like frisbees to Bifur, who caught them without even looking.
"Excuse me, that's my mother's Westfarthing pottery. It's over a hundred years old!" Bilbo shouted in distress.
The other dwarves except Bombur used the knives and forks as drumsticks to play a tune.
"And can you not do that? You'll blunt them." The hobbit said to the dwarves.
"Ooh. Do you hear that, lads? He says we'll blunt the knives." Bofur grinned slyly. This led to Kili starting a song followed by his brother Fili.
Blunt the knives, bend the forks.
Smash the bottles and burn the corks.
Chip the glasses and crack the plates.
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates.
The dwarves except Bifur, Bombur, and Ori began singing. Bifur was busy with the pots, Bombur grabbed food from plates while Ori caught the dishes. Sorom, Zidane, Noctis, and Cloud started clapping to the rhythm. Lightning shook her head, "Men…" She muttered.
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.
Ori carried a 'tower' of bowls, dishes, and mugs into the kitchen with Sorom assisting the young dwarf. The other dwarves tossed and cleaned the dishes while simultaneously singing along with the song. Bofur played the flute while Oin used a teapot as an instrument. "That's what Bilbo Baggins hates." The dwarves finished the song with cheers and laughter.
Zidane claps his hands with a laugh saying, "Bravo to you all. You seem to all have a talent for music."
"Well, we Dwarves are quite the rowdy bunch." Fili pointed out.
The Explorer rolled his eyes before there was a knocking on the door. "He is here." Gandalf said as he answered the door, revealing Thorin.
"Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice." Thorin stated as he hefted his sack. "I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark."
"Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago." Bilbo retorted without checking the door.
"There is a mark. I put it there myself." The old wizard clarified. Gandalf gestured to Thorin. "Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company: Thorin Oakenshield."
"So…" Thorin stepped forward to get a good look at Bilbo. "This is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?"
"Pardon me?" Bilbo repeated in confusion.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" The Dwarf prince questioned.
Bilbo decided to answer Thorin. "Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know," He paused for a second then continued. "But I fail to see why that's relevant."
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." Thorin commented on the hobbit which elicited chuckles from all the other dwarves.
The dwarves made a portion of dinner for the prince as everybody gathered in the dining room.
"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin?" Balin asked. "Did they all come?"
"Aye." Thorin replied while eating. "Envoys from all seven kingdoms."
"All of them!" One of the dwarves muttered while the others chuckled.
"And what did the Dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin asked after the others quieted down. "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin was silent for a few seconds before answering, "They will not come." This made the other dwarves look disappointed.
"That must have been important for them." Sorom whispered.
"I can understand but why?" Zidane questioned quietly only for Lightning to shush them.
"They say this quest is ours and ours alone." Thorin finished, the other dwarves even more disappointed.
"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asked.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light," Gandalf requested as he reached into his robes to take out a small map. "Far to the east… over ranges and rivers… beyond woodlands and wastelands… lies a single, solitary peak."
The hobbit carried a lit candle, looking down at the map, "The Lonely Mountain." He muttered.
"Aye, Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time." Gloin stated, tapping the table with his hand.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor…" Oin, the deaf dwarf looked at the others. "The reign of the beast will end."
"Uh, what beast?" Bilbo asked, confused on what they meant.
"Oh, that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible," Bofur explained as he smoked his pipe. "Chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne firebreather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals."
"Yes, I know what a dragon is." The hobbit stated clearly.
Ori stood up with a bold expression. "I'm not afraid. I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of Dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!"
"Good lad, Ori!" Nori praised his younger brother.
"Sit down." Dori pulled Ori back to his seat with a scolding look on his face.
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us," Balin interrupted. "But we number just thirteen. And not thirteen of the best," He glanced at a few of the dwarves. "Nor brightest."
"Here, who are you calling dim?" Nori asked, offended.
"Sorry, what did he say?" Oin questioned, his hearing being a problem for him once more.
"We may be few in number…" Fili interjected. "But we're fighters, all of us, to the last Dwarf." He stated by slapping his hand on the table.
"And you forget, we have a Wizard in our company." Kili added. "Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." Then he glanced at the otherworlders. "And possibly them as well."
The warriors couldn't argue that. At one point in their own separate journey, they had to face off against dragons or dragon-like beings.
"Oh, well, no. I wouldn't say-" Gandalf attempted to clarify.
"How many, then?" Dori asked, cutting the wizard off.
"What?" The old man asked.
"Well, how many dragons have you killed?" The older of the three brothers questioned.
The other dwarves looked at him for confirmation only for Gandalf to start coughing with bits of smoke leaving his mouth from smoking his pipe.
"Go on. Give us a number." Dori said which brought on a small argument between the other dwarves bar Thorin.
Thorin, having enough of the meaningless rabble, barked an order in Dwarfish. The others quickly sat back down to look at the Dwarf Prince. "If we have read these signs do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon, Smaug, has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours?" Thorin looked at his kin. "Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?"
This ignited cheers from the other Dwarves, all except for Balin. "You forget, the Front Gate is sealed." The old dwarf clarified. "There is no way into the mountain."
At this time, Gandalf decided to make his presence known. "That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Out of his sleeve, the wizard held up a bronze key of intricate design. Thorin seemed to be the most surprised by the object.
"How came you by this?" The heir of Durin questioned.
"It was given to me by your father." The old man answered. "By Thrain. For safekeeping. It is yours now." He hands the key over to the dwarf prince, who accepts it into his hand.
Thorin as well as the rest of the dwarves, even the otherworlders looked upon the key.
"If there is a key…" Fili started then looked at his uncle. "...there must be a door."
Gandalf nods. Using his pipe, he gestures to a set of writing on the map. "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls."
Kili pats a hand on his brother's back, a big grin on his face. "There's another way in."
"Well, if we can find it, but Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." The wizard pointed out.
"That's refreshing." Zidane grimaced.
"How do you plan on finding this door?" Cloud questioned.
Releasing a sigh, Gandalf points at the parchment on the table. "The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it." He raises his index finger. "But there are others in Middle-earth who can."
Thorin glanced at the wizard, curious in what he had to say.
"The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage." The grey-garbed figure proposed but he looked at Bilbo as if he had found the answer all along. "But if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done."
"What if that fails?" Noctis added his two cents into the mix.
"Well, I suppose that's where you and the others come in, Master Noctis." Gandalf replied. "This dragon could very well be beyond the skill of our small company, even me for that matter. If you are, as you say, experts in your specializations then we will have to rely on your strength."
The Explorer seemed eager for the challenge. "I look forward to it."
"But we can hope that such an event will not come to pass." The wizard finished.
"That's why we need a burglar." Ori stated.
The hobbit hummed. "And a good one too. An expert, I'd imagine."
"And are you?" Gloin asked, skeptical.
Bilbo seemed confused. "Am I what?"
"He said he's an expert. Hey." Oin cheered along with some of the other Dwarves.
The hobbit apparently seemed to take offense to that. "Me? No. No, no,no. I'm not a burglar." He clarified. "I've never stolen a thing in my life."
"Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins, he's hardly burglar material." Balin said.
"Aye, the Wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." Dwalin stated causing everyone to began complaining.
"He's just fine." Kili interjected, reassuring his kinsmen.
The chattering between the dwarves, save Thorin, grew louder. Gandalf, having had enough of their bickering, stood up from his seat. "Enough!" A dark aura clouded the entirety of the room, silencing the dwarves as they stared at the wizard. "If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is."
Zidane hid behind Lightning after feeling the cold grip that nearly took his soul. "Gandalf is a little scary," He gulped.
"Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet." The grey-garbed wizard spoke, explaining the pros to adding Bilbo to the party. "In fact, they can pass unseen by most, if they choose. And, while the is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf and Man, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage."
Bilbo tried to speak up but held his tongue.
Gandalf looked at the Dwarf Prince, "You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins." He spoke after taking a seat. "There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest. And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know." His stormy eyes landed on said hobbit. "Including himself."
Cloud furrowed his brow, skeptically. While it would be beneficial to have more numbers in a party, a dragon was beyond the means of a mere mortal. Bilbo would no doubt perish in the quest if something didn't go right.
It seemed his own thoughts mimicked the other travelers, thinking it would be a bad idea to bring along the hobbit.
A tense silence perpetrated the room's atmosphere as Thorin and Gandalf stared each other down. "You must trust me on this." The old man pleaded.
Reluctantly, the prince of the House of Durin agreed to the wizard's request. "Very well. We will do it your way."
"No, no." Bilbo spoke up, trying to get out of something potentially dangerous.
"Give him the contract." Thorin told Balin.
Bofur grinned. "We're in. We're off."
The older dwarf reached into his coat, pulling out a parchment of papers, "It's just the usual. Summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth."
Thorin took the contract then handed it to Bilbo, who nervously took it with a stutter, "Funeral arrangements?" He repeated, hoping it was a misread. With a sigh, he unfolds the parchment and reads quietly to himself.
"This is a bad idea." Noctis voiced his disagreement.
"I agree with you." Cloud noddded.
Lightning folded her arms once again. "There's no doubt in my mind that Bilbo Baggins is unsuited for something like this."
Zidane lazily placed his hands behind his head. "Guess that means our job will be a bit more difficult."
Sorom could already feel a growing headache on the journey ahead.
"I cannot guarantee his safety." Thorin whispered to Gandalf.
"Understood." Gandalf whispered back.
"Nor will I be responsible for his fate." Thorin added.
"Agreed." Gandalf said with a solemn smile.
"Terms: cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one-fourteenth for total profit, if any." He inclined his head. "Seems fair. Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including, but not limited to lacerations, evisceration, incineration?" Bilbo looked at the dwarves from the contract.
"Oh aye. He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." Bofur said to the hobbit.
"Wow, great way to bring him over." Sorom deadpanned.
There was a small pause. Bilbo whimpered softly at the thought of being burned alive and feeling himself a bit winded.
"You alright, laddie?" Balin asked, bringing Bilbo back to reality.
"Huh? Yeah." Bilbo took a deep breath to keep his nerves together, "Feel a bit faint."
Bofur suddenly had a mischievous idea, "Think furnace with wings."
"Air. I need air." The hobbit tried to speak, trying his best to calm himself and to rid the thoughts but the dwarf's description of the impending doom that awaited him started to fill him with fear.
"Bofur…" Lightning warned but it seemed he didn't hear the rosette.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then: Poof." The cap-wearing dwarf explained the finer details of dragon fire. "You're nothing more than a pile of ash."
There was silence as Bilbo stood still, looking at Gandalf.
"Nope." Bilbo said before fainting.
The otherworldly travelers leveled glares at the playful dwarf, who gave a small shrug of amusement.
"Very helpful, Bofur." Gandalf grumbled.
Later
After carrying Bilbo over to a more comfortable chair, the party of five left him by himself so that Gandalf could chat with him more freely.
"I'll be alright. Just let me sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo said, a cup in hand.
"You have been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you?" Gandalf asked and was answered with silence. "I remember a young hobbit who always ran off in search of Elves in the woods. Who would stay out late, come home after dark trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young hobbit who would like nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books or maps. It's out there."
"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins of Bag-end." Bilbo said to Gandalf.
"You are also a Took." Gandalf pointed out, "Did you know your great-great-great-great uncle Bullroarer Took was so large he could ride a real horse?"
"Yes." Bilbo whispered.
"Yes well, he could. In the Battle of Green Fields he charged the Goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard, it knocked the Goblin king's head clean off and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus, the battle was won. And the game of golf invented at the same time." Gandalf said to Bilbo.
"I do believe you made that up." Bilbo stated.
"Well, all good stories deserve some embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back." Gandalf said reassuringly.
"Can you promise that I will come back?" Bilbo asked.
"No. And if you do, you will not be the same." Gandalf answered.
"That's what I thought." Bilbo said before he stood up from his chair, "Sorry, Gandalf, but I can't sign this. You've got the wrong hobbit."
Bilbo walked away from Gandalf and down a hallway.
"You realize that this could potentially kill him, right?" Cloud pointed out from the doorway.
"Yes, but I have no doubt in my mind that young Master Baggins will be quite safe within the company of the dwarves and you as well, my young friend."
The Ex-SOLDIER frowned. Something told him that the wizard knew that Bilbo would undoubtedly come along.
Watching the hobbit leave, Balin looked at his old friend, Thorin. "It appears we have lost our burglar." His tone didn't show it but he was greatly diminished. "Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy-makers." The old dwarf released an unamused chuckle. "Hardly the stuff of legend."
"There are a few warriors amongst us." The Dwarf Prince pointed out, a grin on his face when he looked at Balin.
"Old warriors." He countered.
Thorin would not be undeterred. "I would take each and every one of these Dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered." He spoke admirably about the thirteen Dwarves that answered the call to their king. "Loyalty, honor, a willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
Balin stood up from his spot on a bench. "You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have build a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more than all the gold in Erebor."
"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me." Thorin brought up the key in emphasis, "They dreamt of the day when the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin. Not for me."
The old dwarf looked at the prince in silence then nodded his head in understanding. "Then we are with you, laddie." He placed a hand on Thorin's arm. "We will see it done."
Later that night, Zidane and Noctis had opted to sleep for the journey ahead. Sorom, Cloud, and Lightning were still up as they listened to the humming of the Dwarves. It was sorrowful yet filled with emotion.
Far over
The misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep
And caverns old
We must away
'Ere break of day
To find our
Long-forgotten gold
Gandalf listened to the tune while smoking his pipe. Bilbo, who was in his bedroom, listened as well, now understanding the reason why the Dwarves were desperate to see their homeland.
The pines were roaring
On the height
The winds were moaning
In the night
The fire was red
It flaming spread
The trees like torches
Blazed with light
Next Morning
The company awoke at the crack of dawn, gathering their provisions and equipment for the long road ahead. Kili gave each of the otherworlders a cloak to wear over their clothing or armor. Sorom equipped the Force Armor and Greaves onto his person with the Force Shield and a dark blade known as Arondight. Cloud checked his materia and kept his Fusion Swords sheathed behind his waist. Noctis went through his own collection of weapons, particularly his Royal Arms. Zidane yawned as he came outside, his Mage Mashers sent back into their pocket dimension. Lightning did last minute maintenance on her Overture gunblade.
Once the party of five left the hobbit hole, they were met with five different horses along with a few ponies for the Dwarves that Gandalf had called upon. When asked where he got them, he merely said that he received them from an old friend known as the 'Lord of all Horses'.
Sorom mounted on a brown thoroughbred with a coal black mane and tail called Ash. Noctis climbed onto a black and white spotted mare with a dark mane named Storm. Cloud was given a full black stallion with blue eyes and a white mane named Shadow. Zidane had a brown-white mare with a blonde mane called Beauty. Lightning sat upon a pure white mare also with a blonde mane but with darker eyes named Snow (the name brought a chuckle to her lips).
The Oakenshield company set out into the woods upon their steeds, leaving Hobbiton behind.
As the party entered the forest path, Zidane brought up a question, "So Bilbo isn't coming with us?"
"Looks like it. Probably for the best. This type of adventure isn't for him." Sorom replied.
"So what's your story?" Kili asked, looking at Lightning in particular. "I've seen many warriors in my time but I've never met a woman that can fight."
"Where I'm from, any gender can be a soldier. I became one to support my sister after our parents died." The rosette answered. "Fighting just came naturally for me."
"I see," The young dark-haired dwarf looked at the blade resting beside the former Savior's hip. "What is that by the way? I've never seen a sword with such an intricate design."
"If I told you, it would spoil the surprise." Lightning replied, unintentionally teasing Kili.
"Now that's not fair." The archer pouted playfully then glanced at Cloud. "And you? What's the deal with the swords? Overcompensating for something?"
Bofur, Bifur, and Dwalin laughed out loud while the Ex-SOLDIER rolled his eyes. "No, I just prefer to use swords this size. It reminds me of an old friend."
Dori, meanwhile, was chatting with Oin about the futility in trying to hire a Hobbit. "I said it. Didn't I say it? Coming here was a waste of time."
"That's true enough." Gloin agreed.
Dori continued. "Ridiculous notion. Use a Hobbit? A Halfling? Whose idea was it anyway?"
"Wait!" A familiar voice called out, earning a few surprised looks from the party. "Wait!"
"Whoa, whoa." Thorin halted the company as the dwarves, wizard, and humans looked back to see Bilbo Baggins dressed and carrying a knapsack with a piece of parchment in his hand.
Bilbo came up to the party, holding up the contract that had his signature written at the bottom. "I signed it." He smiles brightly, handing it over to Balin. "Here."
The old dwarf smiles knowingly while producing a pair of spectacles, his eyes looking over the signature with a keen gaze. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins," Balin folds the contract and places it in his coat. "To the company of Thorin Oakenshield." He winked at the hobbit in a friendly manner while the other dwarves chuckled or chattered.
Bilbo looked at the leader of the company, who still kept his expression neutral. "Give him a pony." He ordered.
"No, no, that's won't be necessary." The young Hobbit tried to argue. "Thank you. I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know? Even got as far as Frogmorton once. Aah!" He yelped when Fili and Kili lifted him up by his shoulders onto the only pony without a rider.
Thus, the journey toward the Misty Mountains began. The five warriors from different worlds now brought to Middle-earth to assist a fallen people reclaim the home that had once been stolen from them.
A/N: That's it for the first chapter. Tell you the truth, I had to revise and go over it. Fixing little grammar problems and bringing about different conversations with the characters. Watching the movie with subtitles helped a lot too.
I would also like to thank Nexus Gundam for helping assist me with this as well as being an unofficial beta reader.
Now, do you lot agree with the character choices? Should I give one of them new weapons or armor? Or should they keep their current equipment?
Please review and comment on this chapter. If there are any problems with it, please inform me. Hateful criticism and flames are not allowed.
Peace out, everyone!