"I hate you!" I shouted as I glared at my mother and sister. My eyes were full of tears and I wanted to cry but I wouldn't, my stubborn pride wouldn't let me.
"Madison..." My mother warned but I didn't listen, I just turned around and ran up to my room. My door was slammed shut before I launched face first onto my twin sized bed and cried.
A stupid argument, that's all it was and I knew it. I didn't like admitting I was wrong and I wouldn't allow myself to be even when it came to my mum and older sister.
"Dammit Maddie..." I whispered as I finally let the tears roll down my cheeks. "You're always hurting people... You'd be better off dead."
That night, I cried myself to sleep, ignoring the sound of my mum stomping around the house and the worried pacing outside my door that alerted me of my sisters presence.
That night, was the last night in I spent with my family before disaster struck.
When I woke up, it wasn't to the warm light from the rising sun on the Alberta prairies, no, it was from the burning heat of a fire. The house was engulfed and I saw stuck on the top floor.
Panic rocketed through me as my thoughts went to my family.
"Madison!" My mums terrified scream rang out and I started. They'd be safe, Mum and Aisilynn would be safe as they were on the bottom floor. Now all I had to do was get myself out, just fucking perfect.
"Now or never..." I muttered as I glanced at the door. I knew there would be a blast but it was the only chance. With my mind made up I did what I thought best and I opened the door.
That was all I remember before everything turned black. A male voice whispered through my head.
"You'll do them some good child. Show them the right path."
The Hobbit - An Unexpected Companion
When I woke up, I had the sun shining in my face and a blanket wrapped around me. I sighed contently, nestling into the blanket to see if I could sleep a little longer when I heard a very light pair of food steps.
They stopped not far from where I lay and I opened my eyes only to shut them again when I got blinded.
"God awful sun. Too bright!" I growled and froze when I heard what came out. My words had come out as a mix of a growl and a whimper that my cousins dog would have probably made. What surprised me more was the hand that stroked my head. Well not my head per say. No this hand stroked a dogs head and it's semi-fluffy ears. My eyes snapped open as I tried to stand up only to get entangled in the blanket bundled around me and falling flat on muzzle.
"This can't be real!" Again it came out as a whine instead of words and I was struggling to stand up.
"Easy girl! Easy!" A male voice said and I froze as a pair of hands gently picked me up and held me close as I looked into the face of a very familiar curly, blonde haired man with pointed ears.
"There you go. You're alright." He said soothingly as one of his hands maneuvered to stroke my head. I just stared wide eyes at him. Bilbo Baggins, the fucking Bilbo Baggins, was stroking my head.
Can't be him, he's Martin Freeman. He is not a short hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Man this is one very fucked up dream… I thought numbly as I looked at the pointy eared man. I blinked a few times before I carefully pointed my nose towards his face and sniffed. He smelled funny. Not like he hadn't bathed in days but a different smell. Like earth and pipe tobacco like my grandfather in British Columbia would have.
"Well aren't you a cute little lady." He said with a fond smile and I barked.
"I AM NOT CUTE!" I shouted but he didn't seem to get it as he just laughed.
"I'm glad you seem to be doing better. I was worried you would die on me." He stroked behind my ear and I don't care about my dignity at this point, it felt good. My tongue lolled out to the side as I leaned into the hobbit's fingers.
Through hooded eyes I noticed we were in his living room, or at least the room the dwarves had been in when they had sung their sorrowful song. I can still remember the all the lyrics to that and many of my other favorite songs from the three movies. It's weird that I can remember lyrics and beats better than anything else. Probably comes from being a dancer.
"Like that don't you girl?" He asked as he looked at me with amusement. "Your such a sweetheart. Whoever dumped you in that snow pile was mean."
Snow bank? I wondered and that's when I remembered the fire. I remember the burning pain from the blast and the panic. My eyes widened as I realized something.
"Oh god…" I whined fearfully as I realized what had happened. "I can't be dead. I can't this is all a bad dream and I have to wake up."
I began to struggle as I tried to get out of Bilbo's arms. The blanket was still around me and I was thrashing about to escape.
"Bad dream. Bad dream. Bad dream." I kept muttering. Finally Bilbo released me and I fell to the floor and hit it with a yelp.
Ow… I thought before I was freeing myself from the blanket and bolting from the room (albeit unsteadily). I nearly slammed into a few things in my attempt to get away but I manage with only a slight bruise to the appendage that I had no control over. As soon as I found myself a place to hide I saw scrambling to hide myself in the small space.
"Girl?! Where are you? Come on! I'm not going to hurt you!" Bilbo called and I just stayed hidden with my nose pressed into my side. I could feel my tail but I wasn't sure I'd be using it for a while. Walking straight seemed more important at the moment, thank you very much.
Bilbo's voice came from different area's of the house as he searched for me. It was rather amusing when I looked back on it.
When the hobbit finally did find me he seemed relieved and tried to get me to come out on my own.
"Come on girl. You can't stay in there all day." He murmured as he was on his hands and knees to look at me. I just glared back with a look of "I'd like to see you make."
"I'll come out when shit starts getting explained. Why the fuck am I in the Hobbit?" My words were nothing more than a growl and a small bark that couldn't have scared a kitten. I may not have been a die hard fan of the movies and books but I still enjoyed them with a passion. The idea and theme behind it was pretty cool too.
"Don't growl at me, you're the one hiding under my counter." He retorted and I gave him a look. "Oh don't look at me like that."
I would have giggled if I could. Bilbo Baggins, respectable hobbit in Hobbiton, was talking with a dog.
"How am I- Oh that could work!" Bilbo exclaimed before he was standing up to grab something off the counter above me and then reappearing in my view with a very delicious looking biscuit in hand. This was the same moment my stomach decided to growl like a hungry lion.
Bilbo chuckled. "I'd imagine you're hungry. Why don't you come out and I'll give it to you?"
Weighing my options (and my sanity) I decided it was probably best to steal the biscuit and then return to my self denial (or whatever you want to call it). I wasn't frightened of Bilbo, on the contrary he was one of the characters I loved for his strength when it mattered. After all, he did so much to help the group.
"I'm going to have to name you at this rate or your name will just be 'Girl'." Bilbo chuckled as I eyed the biscuit in his hand. Sighing, I finally uncurled enough so I could wiggle out of my hiding spot. I marveled afterwards that my lanky and fluffy form had been able to even fit in there.
"There you go, now to figure out a name for you. Hm…" Bilbo trailed off in his thoughts and I saw my chance to take the food out of his hand. Mindful of the teeth I now possessed I carefully liked the biscuit right out of his hand (though it was more like I inhaled it out) and proceeded to munch on my prize.
"How about Gideon." He suggested.
"Are you fucking serious?" I asked but it just came out as a small growl.
"Daisy?" Again I looked at him blankly.
"Margret?"
"You have to be joking."
"No, you most definitely aren't a Margret."
"I'd think so too."
"Tahlulla?"
"Can that be considered a name?"
"Tulip?"
"I thought we decided earlier I wasn't a flower."
"Sunflower?"
"Dude, that's still a flower! Hey, isn't that Sunstreakers other nickname? Hehe cuz would laugh her ass off if she knew I was thinking that right now."
"Jynx?"
"Aisilynn's nickname; next!"
"Precious?"
"Sorry but I'm not that creeps gold ring. That's still in the goblin tunnels of the Misty Mountains… I hope."
"Treeblossom?"
"I know you're a hobbit but seriously! Enough with the plants!"
"Carrottop?"
"Hey! That's offensive to all redheads!"
"Petunia?"
"That's it!" With that I tackled the hobbit who squeaked in surprise to fall back onto his back with me sitting on his chest with a triumphant bark.
"Hey now! There will be none of that!" Bilbo said as he shoved me off. I looked at him pointedly.
"Hm… What about Ambush?" He asked as he looked me over. In the future I'd understood the actual reason behind him naming me this, but for now I liked it. With a bark I lolled my tongue out happily and though my tail didn't wag, I know there was a happy look on my face.
"Ambush it is then. Now what am I going to do with you?" Bilbo asked as he scratched behind my right ear. I leaned into it with little embarrassment. It's not like anyone knew who I was.
"I can't possibly keep you, I've never owned a pet in my life!" He said and I opened my closed eyes to look at him pleadingly. Add to the effect I whined a little and nudged his face.
"Oh alright! I'll keep you!" He laughed and I leaned back to look him in the face.
"You, my little black rose," Bilbo stroked down my nose at this. "Are not like other dogs. A very special one indeed."
"You have no idea, Bilbo Baggins, how special I am." If it could have been heard, my words would have whispered back at the hobbit in front of me.
"...Wait one second... WHO YOU CALLING A BLACK ROSE!"
The Hobbit - An Unexpected Companion
I yawned as I lazily got up the next morning. Bilbo had feed me after he'd christened me Ambush. Apparently it's also a type of rose only found in the Shire. A mostly black rose with red stripes on the peddles and a small number of white spots. Once I saw what I looked like I had to admit it was cute.
It turns out I had got turned into a Bernese mountain dog, but it doesn't end there. Oh no, whoever came up with this put me in the body of a young pup. I couldn't have been more than three months old and covered in very fluffy fur. I had a white stripe down my nose with red markings on either side. The white then ran on my chest and belly., my front legs were covered in red fur up until about my ankles where they were once again white like socks while the rest of me was all black.
The sun was once again shining though the window as I lay in front of the fire. I couldn't hear Bilbo so I took what time I had to think back on my current situation.
I still wasn't sure what was going on and with the pain I now sported from where I had stumbled into the table leg yesterday proved I couldn't be asleep. All my rational thought's had left me and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I could try and communicate with Bilbo but then who knows what would happen. I'd always wondered what it would be like to live as a dog and look what happened. Curiosity killed the cat, or in this case, a girl.
This is so fucked up. I sighed as I got up and padded over to where I could jump onto the table to peek through the window in the living room. Outside, white snow covered the ground in deep mounds as the sun gave off a warming light and made the snow sparkle. As I had learned from looking around Bilbo's house, the Quest for Erebor had yet to occur and since there was snow outside I didn't think it would be happening for a while.
"Ambush! Get off the table!" Bilbo's voice shouted from the door and I toppled off it in surprise landing with a thump on the floor. Bilbo hurried over to me while I whined rather pathetically if I say so myself.
"Stupid, clumsy body!" I grouched as I shakily got to my feet. Bless hobbits and their furniture for being short or that would have hurt a heck of a lot more.
"Oh Ambush..." Bilbo sighed as he picked me up. Even though I was still a puppy, I was still pretty big compared to Bilbo and it looked like rather odd to see him totting me around in his arms like a cat.
"Wouldn't happen if you stopped sneaking up on me my burglar friend." I snickered as I licked his cheek. Your probably wondering about my sanity and I admit that even for me it's weird, but it seems to make Bilbo smile. I can't say I'll be sleeping on his bed anytime soon though, not that he offered yesterday. He had just laid out some blankets for me in front of the fire and told me to stay. I just watched him leave before laying my head on my paws and drifting off to sleep with the hope that I'd wake up in my own bed in the morning, as you can see, that hadn't worked.
"Come on Ambush," Bilbo placed me back on my paws and I padded after him as we headed towards the coat rack. He picked up his coat and put it on along with a rather adorable looking blue scarf before opening the door to Bag End. I blinked as the snow blinded me. "Looks like the pantry is getting a little low on food."
I carefully followed after Bilbo, curiosity and caution coming to the fore front of my mind as I trudged though the deep snow. Remembering how my cousins dog's, Shadow Storm and Ironhide had bounded through the snow when they were puppies. Deciding to take a note from their book, I decide to hop in Bilbo's food prints, his large feet making suitable landing and launching pads as I followed him. Bilbo looked back at me to chuckle a few times as his eyes sparked with amusement and happiness. I was just thankful for the padded paws and thick fur that kept me warm as a breeze picked up a bit of snow ahead of us.
Bilbo shivered and I quickened my pace so I was bounding in front of him as we went down the hill. Ever hobbit hole we past, the residents would greet Bilbo, then either laugh, smile, or look completely baffled as I'd bound back to change course where Bilbo would turn as I had no idea where we were going.
"Ambush!" Bilbo shouted as I had once again gone in the wrong direction. I turned and bounded back looking at him with my tongue hanging out. This was kinda fun, I'd have to work on the tail tomorrow. Bilbo stroked my head before starting to walk again. This continued a few more times before we finally reached the small market where a few hobbit's were buying odds and ends while looking over what was offered. I stuck close to Bilbo this time, not wanting to wander too far as I had no idea if I could find my way back and due to having a rather anti-social trend of avoiding people when unnecessary.
"Mummy! Look! Doggy!" A young female voice shouted and I turned to stare at a small hobbit girl who was tugging on her mother's skirt while she pointed at me. Said woman turned around and looked at where I sat beside Bilbo's feet as he purchased some vegetables. Bilbo looked back at where the little girl was and chuckled before patting my head. The woman smiled and looked at Bilbo before asking him if her daughter could pet me. Bilbo just laughed and knelt down motioning the girl over. "Why of course! She's a good girl aren't you Ambush?"
I got stroked on my head as the little girl came over and gently stroked my head. I gave grinned a little and licked her nose gently, making her giggle and I gave a rather happy little bark, that again, wouldn't have scared a kitten. The mother laughed as her daughter continued to stroke my head. I didn't pay attention to the two older hobbit's and the vendor as I looked after the girl.
"Pretty Ambush." She said with an adorable smile. She was missing a front tooth and as I looked at her I couldn't help but melt. I always found myself more comfortable around children then those my age and older unless they were family or friends.
"Maggie, time to go sweet heart." The mother said as she grabbed her daughters hand and gave me a pat on the head as well. I gave 'Maggie' one more lick on the nose as a goodbye before the girl and her mother had disappeared into the much more crowded market place.
"How long was she stroking my head?" I asked myself before looking behind me. Bilbo wasn't in sight. "Fuck, take your eyes off them and hobbit's disappear on you!"
With a new found panic I quickly started to search for my new found friend. I darted though legs as I tried to find him but when I wasn't finding him fast enough my panic started to take hold. With even more vigor, I went faster then before. With still no luck I was really starting to worry. I accidentally bumped into an older hobbit who shouted out.
"Damned mutt!" He said in anger and I waited as he got ready to kick me but another familiar voice interrupted him.
"Come now, who would kick a cute puppy like you?"
I was scooped up into my saviors arms and I stared wide eyed at Bofur as he held me protectively in his arms. The very familiar dwarf held me in his arms as if I was nothing more than a child, though considering the fan fictions I had read about the group's journey I didn't doubt for one moment that I weighted nothing but a babe to any of the dwarves, especially at my current size. Bofur's kind smile turned slightly sour as he looked at the mean hobbit who had been about ready to kick me.
"This is none of your business dwarf." The hobbit hissed and I growled at him.
"Damned beast!" The hobbit said before he was off to who knows where. Once the hobbit was gone I looked back at Bofur who was smiling down at me.
"Ain't ya a lovely lass?" He asked while I was still stuck on the fact that Bofur was in the Shire. Why was he in the Shire before the event's of Erebor? I didn't know and I kinda wanted too. Again he'd been one of my favourite characters up there with Bilbo, Thorin, Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Balin. "Where's yer owner?"
Bofur looked around the market as I did from my higher vantage point but I still couldn't see Bilbo.
"Well, how's about ya come with me til yer owner comes lookin' fer ya lass?" Bofur asked with a smile and I gave a puppy grin which causing him to laugh before he started walking towards a stall not far from where I had encountered the mean hobbit. Behind the bench was Bombur, Bifur, Dwalin and Thorin. I gaped. Five of them were here in the Shire?
"Bofur, what in Durin's name are you doing with that?" Thorin asked as Bofur walked behind the bench and placed me on a clear space beside what they were selling. I simply sat on my haunches with a doggy grin as I cocked my head to the side looking cutely at them.
"Keepin' her til her owner shows up." Bofur answered truthfully and the other dwarves besides Bifur sighed. I was examining each of them, especially Bifur who I knew little of. Yes, he was intimidating with an axe in his head but seriously, he didn't look like he had a hazy or clouded look in his eyes. In fact he reminded me more of a badger that I'd once seen in BC as he walked over and stroked my head. Bifur then backed up to say something in Khuzdul and sign something at his cousin.
"A hobbit was about to kick the lass! Ah couldn't just leave her there!" Bofur defended and I coked my head to the opposite side, using the muscles in my ears as I put them up in attention cutely.
"Come on! This has to win you over!" I whined a little and I was surprised when Dwalin reached over and stroked my head. I leaned into his touch once he scratched behind my ear. I swear that spot should be banned. I'll be nothing but a puddle of puppy goo at this rate.
A sweet thing isn't she?" Bombur asked as he held out a small biscuit for me. I looked at the biscuit then Bombur who held it a little closer. Tentatively, I reached for it, gently taking it from like I did Bilbo before I ate it. A rumbling laugh came from Dwalin and Thorin.
"Ambush! Ambush where are you girl!" Bilbo's voice called and I turned my head around to see Bilbo looking around the market desperately. The dwarves had gone still, actually expecting an ambush but the tension eased a little when I barked a few times in reply. Bilbo turned towards us all with a sigh of relief. A look of joy on his face as he hurried over though a little cautiously at the sight of the dwarves.
"Ambush! Thank Aule I found you! I thought you wandered off!" He said as he dropped his baskets and scooped me of the bench.
"I'm so sorry if she cause you any trouble!" Bilbo apologized as he looked at the five dwarves that he'd later go on adventure with. "I found her a few days ago in a snow bank and this is the first time I've taken her outside! I hadn't thought she'd wander off on me when I wasn't looking!"
"Hey! I didn't wander off on you! You wandered off on me! I nearly had a panic attack cause of you Master Burglar!" I yipped at Bilbo but he didn't understand my protest.
Bofur chuckled while the others looked a little confused. "The little lass was no trouble at all but I'd watch her if I was you, I just barely managed to save her from getting kicked by a rather grumpy looking hobbit a few minutes ago."
"Oh dear," Bilbo said as he held me tighter and I gave a few coughs in an attempt to get the hobbit to slacken his choke hold. Bilbo released it a little and I thanked god for it. Bilbo looked at the dwarves in front of him before down at me and back at the five, then the table of stuff they were selling. It was an assortment of things from weapons on one table (they could try but I doubt that they'd have much luck with those), a few backed goods, some jewelry, and toys along with some wooden flutes. There was even a few rather nice looking scarves and clasps that would have looked nice if you put them together.
"Oh I like that one." I muttered as my eyes landed on a rather beautiful blue scarf that reminded me a lot of my sisters bandanna with it's purple markings. As if reading my mind Bilbo seemed to have picked what he wanted.
"I think I'll take that scarf there, and that rose clasp." I looked up at Bilbo in bewilderment. Why would he get those?
"What?" Bofur asked, blinking at BIlbo who huffed and again motioned to the scarf and the rather beautiful black rose clasp not far from it.
"The clasp and scarf, I'd like to purchase them. My thanks for keeping my black rose from getting hurt. I think they'd suit Ambush rather well don't you?" Bilbo asked and Thorin and Dwalin raised their eyebrows. Bifur looked between me and the two items before saying something to the others.
"Four silvers for the clasp and scarf." Bofur said with a smile and Bilbo nodded placing me back on my precious spot as he fished out some silver coins and handed them to Bombur. Grabbing what he'd bought, Bilbo put the scarf around my neck, tying it loosely as he put the clasp on it. Thorin 'tsk'ed at what Bilbo did before the dwarf came over and redid it.
"If you tie it like that, she'll lose both those before you get home." Thorin said before he stroked my head. My tongue lolled again as I gave him my doggy smile.
"How come her tail's not wagging?" Bofur asked as he looked at me and I would have blushed if I could have. I had a little control over those motor functions and hadn't had time to practice.
"I don't know... Come to think of it I don't think she's wagged it once." Bilbo said as he looked at me with worry. I looked at him before looking at my tail. I could feel it, so with a new little prayer, I tried to see if I could get it to move. It moved a little and for some reason I decided to humor them and tried to bite it. I actually caught my tail and yelped as I released it in a bit of pain. Guess I wouldn't be doing that again, it hurt!
Chuckles erupted from around me and I looked up again before I was getting stroked again on the head then down my back.
"Well we better be off before Lobelia catches up with us. Dreadful cousin, thank you again for watching Ambush." With that Bilbo picked me up and put me on the ground again before picking up his baskets and turning.
"Halfling," Thorin called and Bilbo paused. "What is your name?"
Bilbo turned and I grinned to myself as the two looked each other in the eyes. "Bilbo Baggins,"
"Well, Master Baggins, I hope we get to meet again soon." Bilbo gave them all a smile before walking off with me right on his heels. I paused when we were a few meters away, looking at the dwarves who were watching us then at Bilbo who also paused when he noticed I wasn't following.
"Ambush?" He asked and I looked at him before the group. Right then and there, I threw my head back, my parting howl ringing through the Shire as it echoed. My eyes returned to the group who were looking a little astonished.
"Til we meet again guys!" I barked farewell before bounding after Bilbo who looked rather amused at my odd antics.
This was when I decided, that I, Madison Rose Redfox, Ambush, would do everything in my power, to protect the Company of fifteen very unlikely characters. As it was, it would be two years before I ever saw them again. And two years to prepare myself and Bilbo for it.
Thanks for reading guys and gals! Let me know what you think of An Unexpected Companion!
HOWLING MAD AND LOVING IT! ;3
~Star Traveler
