(The story belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and the movies belongs to Peter Jackson.)
It was midwinter, the weather was below freezing but my dog wanted to go out for a walk; I wanted to refuse and I couldn't ignore his puppy eyes any longer. So, putting on my largest and warmest coat, I leashed him and we walked to the local dog park. The other dogs were friendly as well as he, so it wasn't unusual for me to unleash and let him run around to play with the others; I laughed as he did so.
I sat a bench watching my dog and smiling, he was a lovable dog…he never growled or bit however when I first adopted him he was afraid of me. He was only a puppy and the family that had him before me abused him, so when I rescued and adopted him he'd cower away from my touch putting his tail between his legs. Soon he grew out of it as he learned I was no danger to him, now he's an excitable dog who loves everyone.
As I watched my dog play I felt a presence beside me, I glanced over for a second and smiled kindly. It was always an option to talk to other dog owners at these kinds of places and the rest of them always did, however I kept my distance. "Hello" the person beside me said, then he coughed, "Which one is yours?" I guessed he was trying to fill the silence as I sensed he felt a little awkward, so I answered," The orange and white corgi", then I pointed to my dog. "What's your dog's name", the man beside me asked sounding genuinely curious. "Mango", I said and laughed a bit, "He loves mangos", the man chuckled after hearing this. It didn't seem he was laughing at me or the idea of it, he just laughed…to laugh.
"Yep", I said awkwardly as I looked back to check on my dog noticing he wasn't there, looking around I realized he wasn't in the dog park. I stood up frantically, looking for my dog, "What's wrong", the man asked me, "I don't see my dog", I replied anxiously. "Maybe he ran into the forest" the man suggested from the bench calmly. My head turned toward him so fast that anybody watching might have thought I had a whiplash. If he ran into the woods, he might've been chasing a rabbit or a squirrel or a chipmunk, "If he did, he's most likely going to be in danger." "How do you know", the man asked and I looked at him annoyed, then pointed to the signs at the edge of the forest that read: Warning Do Not Enter. "Why would they build a dog park here then", the man asked me and I shrugged turning back around and headed for the forest.
However I felt someone grab my arm," Wait-"." No, I'm going to get my dog", I told him angrily pulling my arm away. Looking at the man I saw that he gave me a calm, but firm look, "I wasn't going to suggest that, there's a police officer guarding that area. I can distract him while you sneak in", the man told me and I nodded agreeing with the plan. "But there's a catch" he said and I looked at him quizzically, "Once you go in…it may be harder for you to get back out. Are you willing to take that risk?" "Yes", I replied instantly not realizing the true meaning behind his words, all I cared about at that moment was saving my dog and the answer seemed to have satisfied the older gentleman before me.
"Okay. Now go, I'll signal you", the old man told me before I got into position where I was unnoticed by the policeman, but somewhat easy to see. There was only one policeman to distract this is going to be easy, I thought to myself. Glancing over to the old man I had spoken to before, easily had the officer distracted as the man told him his woes of losing his dog. Then getting the clue, I quietly walked passed them with the officer's back to me, I worded a thank you to the man before going into the forest.
As I went deeper into the forest, I felt the air around me grow heavier and my surroundings turned slightly foggy as the trees seemed to vibrate in place. It continued to get darker the further I went in, which was unusual considering it was in the middle of the day. "Mango", I called slightly anxious about not having found my dog yet and the changing scenery. I heard nothing except the whistling of the wind and rustling of leaves, I shivered and drew my coat closer to me and continued walking.
An hour passed and there was no sign of my dog, looking around I realized I was incredibly lost; then I looked back and noticed I ventured way further then I intended. My throat ached from calling out for Mango, now I was starting to think the old man had led me astray. I didn't stop to think, I was too caught up in trying to find my dog that I overlooked the possibility that the old man played me for a fool. How could I trust a stranger so easily? I sighed, now wasn't the time to be angered and worried about it, I had to think about the current matter: lost in a dense forest.
"Are you lost", I heard someone say behind me and when I turned around I saw a man who wore a grey pointed hat, a grey robe, and grey boots; his hair, long beard, and eyes were also grey the only thing that wasn't were his…I'm going to guess long walking stick that was a golden brown. He looked pretty weird if I was honest, he looked like he was dressed to go to comic-con. As if reading my mind, he said, "Now it's rather rude to stare and I don't judge the first person I see when I need help."
Then I recognized his voice," You lead me in to this forest…but you have a beard. Stay away from me", I told the old man angry and confused. "Ah…yes well if I were to go to your time looking the way I do now. You would've passed me off as mad or `weird`", he told me. I looked at him guiltily but kept up my cautious position, what he said however made me even more confused and why was he so much taller than I was. "You're not in your timeline anymore" the man told me calmly, "The reason that you are small and still small is because I had to pull you through a tiny wormhole that appeared in this timeline. It was only here for a limited time and I could only fit you through if you were the size that you currently now are. I only had enough power to enlarge myself, but not you…you may be stuck at that height for a while", the man said.
I looked at him flabbergasted and then shook my head, "That's…that's impossible…there's no such thing in-", "Magic? Time travel? My dear, here anything is possible", the old man said cutting me off. "Who are you and where is here", I asked the old man breathlessly, "Ah, how rude of me to forget my name is Gandalf the Grey and you are in Middle-Earth", Gandalf told me. "Okay…Middle-Earth…huh guess I'm not in Kansas anymore", I said the last part quietly, quoting Wizard of Oz. Trying to calm down, I tried convincing myself this was only a dream; shrinking and time travel was impossible…that can never happen…right?
"Would you like to go with me on an adventure", Gandalf suddenly asked me and I was about to tell him a flat out no, until I stopped myself. Taking a good look around I realized I really had nowhere else to go, I was lost, and he was my only chance of getting out currently. Coming to a decision, I said" Fine", then sighed, I can always ditch him later when I'm somewhere safe. His character was somewhat shady but kind, however I wasn't sure I could trust him; then he smiled warmly and gestured for me to follow him, "We need to make a stop first" he told me, "Fine by me", I said calmly and thought that I could ditch him there, once his back was turned.
Gandalf chuckled as we made our way to a path that wasn't too far from where we were, wait…where did this path came from? Was there a path here all along and I just couldn't see it? I sighed angrily as we followed down the dirt path to a village where the houses were built into hills. "Welcome to Hobbiton, better known as the Shire", Gandalf told me and the sight took my breath away; the grass was a bright shade of green, the lake in the middle of the village was a brilliant shade of blue, and the orange sun was setting in the distance as we made our way up to the highest hill. "I forgot to ask, how's my dog", I asked looking up at Gandalf, "I made sure to steer him to a loving family", he told me and I glared up at him, "Why couldn't I take him with me", I asked, "Because he would be in danger if you did", "Why is that", I asked confused, then he ignored me...guess I have no choice but to take him on his word.
The men and women gave us questioning glances, before returning to their garden or going inside their house. I noticed I was the same height as most of the female hobbits in Hobbiton, as we drew closer to the tallest hill I saw a man sitting on his bench as he smoked his pipe then blew out a smoke ring. Hearing Gandalf chuckle, I looked up at him to see he had a look of mischief twinkling in his eye; then he waved his walking stick and the smoke ring transformed into a smoke butterfly then flew into the man's face. Then man opened his eyes in surprise as he felt the sensation, then he looked up at Gandalf whose shadow loomed over the man. He looked at me and then back to Gandalf nervously, then he smiled," Good morning" he told us both, "What do you mean" Gandalf asked, "Do you mean to wish us a good morning or mean that it is good if we want it or not? Or that you feel good this particular morning or that it is a morning to be good on?"
I sighed annoyed at Gandalf as the man replied, "All of them at once, I suppose", the man gestured `all` with his pipe. "Good morning", I said to the man and smiled pleasantly, I did want to come off as rude or being impossible like Gandalf. "Good morning", the man said happily me, his nervous expression gone; I heard Gandalf hum beside me unsatisfied.
The man shifted in his seat uncomfortably and glanced at the two of us, "Can I help you", he asked curiously". "That remains to be seen", Gandalf said leaning on his walking stick or staff since it's `magical`. "I'm looking for another to share in an adventure", he told the man excitedly, "You're kidding me right? Not only are you dragging me into your crazy adventure, but you're going to pull him-"I was cut off when Gandalf raised his hand toward me and my mouth shut tight. I tried opening it, but to no avail; then I glared up at Gandalf, with hands on my hips, and cussing him out in my head.
Then I crossed my arms, "Are you going to behave", Gandalf told me as if I were a child and I nodded giving him a sharp glare. Waving his hand again my lips loosened, but I kept my mouth shut…I didn't dare to speak now. The man gave us questioning glances before he said, "Well, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures", then he went over to his mailbox and pulled out a few letters. As he closed the mailbox, he continued, "Nasty, uncomfortable things; they'll make you late for dinner", then the man chuckled as he shifted through his letters, looking through them and I couldn't help but laugh quietly as his quirky behavior.
The he placed the pipe back into his mouth and puffed, then he huffed looking at both Gandalf and I before walking away awkwardly and saying, "Good morning." I lifted a brow at his sudden change of mood as Gandalf said upset, "To think I should have lived to be `good morninged` by Belladonna's Took's son as if I were selling buttons at the door." This caused the man t stop and look at Gandalf, "Beg your pardon", the man asked confused, "You've changed Bilbo Baggins", Gandalf said disappointed. "Sorry, do I know you? Either of you", Bilbo asked us and I shook my head.
"Well you remember my name, although you don't remember I belong to it. I'm Gandalf and Gandalf means…me and this is Liliana Short, her name is quite ironic I must say", Gandalf said introducing me amused. "Or you can just call me Lily", I said now accepting the fact that this was a dream and Bilbo nodded politely in my direction, "Nice to meet your acquaintance Liliana Short", he said and I blushed awkwardly and said, "Um…likewise Bilbo Baggins", and then I uncharacteristically curtsied.
"Oh, Gandalf the wondering wizard who made such excellent fireworks", Bilbo said suddenly to Gandalf, "Old Took used to have them midsummer's eve", he said chuckling before clearing his throat. He returned to his straightened posture and gave us a straight face, "I had no idea you were still in business", Bilbo said smoking his pipe as he was composed once more. Then I had an idea to break his composure and I walked over to the gate and leaned against it, "What were the fireworks like" I genuinely curious, "They were wonderful and beautiful", Bilbo told me and I smiled urging him to go on, "The fireworks would blast up into the sky and explode in fires of snapdragons and lilies, much like your name and hang in the twilight all evening", he told me. "That does sound wonderful and beautiful", I said dreamily as we both stared of into space. At least until Gandalf coughed, then both Bilbo and I stood straight embarrassed. "Well, I am pleased to find you remember something about me…even if it's only my fireworks", Gandalf said unhappily.
"Yes well, it's decided then it shall be very good for both you and very amusing for me. I shall inform the others; Bilbo allow her to stay in the meanwhile, will you", Gandalf asked Bilbo, beginning to walk away. "Inform the who? What? No,no,no, she's free to stay here if she wishes, but we do not want any adventures here thank you. Not today-come Liliana I'll show you to the guest room", Bilbo said frantically running to his green door and gestured me to follow him, "Oh, right", I said going through the gate and walked up to him. "And I suggest you try over the hill or across the water", Bilbo said gesturing across the way with his pipe before opening the door. Pulling me inside he quickly said, "Good morning", to Gandalf, before closing the door behind us.
He looked at the door and sighed, then we heard a scratching noise coming from the other side of the door. Bilbo went to check through the window to see what was going on, when he saw a giant eye that scared him away. Putting my hands on my hips, I glared at Gandalf's giant eye that was magnified by the window before he looked at me amused and walked away. Looking at Bilbo I noticed he was hiding under his archway, "He's gone", I told him, "Oh, good", Bilbo said relieved. "Would you like something to eat before I show you to your bedroom", he asked me and my stomach grumbled, making me blush embarrassingly. Bilbo just waited patiently, "Sure", I said nervously and Bilbo nodded then started to prepare dinner, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about if you're hungry", he told me, "I know, but it was still embarrassing non-the-less", I said and he chuckled.
"Make sure to take off your shoes", Bilbo told me and I immediately took them off at the door, then set them aside before entering completely into Bilbo's house. It was getting dark, Bilbo and I had prepared two cooked fish, cooked carrots, cooked beans, a plate full of biscuits, a bowl of stuffing, and two cups of tea; I decided to help him after he told he was going to cook all that. At first he declined and when I insisted, he sighed then agreed; as we cooked, we also talked all evening. We talked about our dislikes, our likes, our favorite colors, I told him how beautiful his house was and he blushed at that, where we were born (I told him far away), and I even told him I had a dog back home (excluding the part where he found a new home.) When we were done, we sat happily across from each other ready to eat.
At least we were, until there was a ring at the door and Bilbo huffed the excused himself before getting up to answer the door, "Dwalin, at your service", I heard a man say at the door. "Um…Bilbo Baggins at yours, do we know each other", Bilbo asked to which Dwalin replied with an obvious, "No." Then I saw a bald and long bearded man at the archway, "Ah you must be Mrs. Baggins, I am at your service", Dwalin said bowing to me, my face turned a bright shade of pink as I dropped the biscuit I was about to eat. "You-you are mistaken sir! She is not my wife", Bilbo said nervously, blushing as well. "Ah, are you wooing her then", Dwalin asked him calmly and Bilbo blush deepened. Wait, was this a date that I wasn't aware of? "No, no, I was not "wooing" her, she is a guest and I was trying to make her feel welcome", Bilbo said nervously. "It is no concern of mine, laddie", Dwalin said handing him his cloak, before taking Bilbo's place at the table and ate his food.
Bilbo sat in the corner looking unhappily at Dwalin, after taking a sip of tea and attempted to give a plate of food to Bilbo, "You have to eat and I already ate plenty", I told him. He just shook his head, "No that is your plate", he said refusing the plate that I offered him and I huffed a little annoyed, "I insist, take my plate. I'm full, I promise", I told him and Bilbo sighed, then placed the plate gently on his lap and ate. "Take your flirtations elsewhere", Dwalin said grumpily, both Bilbo and I realized there was another person in the room and we blushed. "We are not-", Bilbo said, but was cut off when there was a ring at the door. Quickly, he stood up and placed his plate on the table, "We are not flirting", Bilbo told Dwalin as he went to check the door.
"Balin, at your service", I heard a man say at the door, walking around the corner to see who it was I saw a man with white hair that matched his white beard. The man smiled when he saw me, then said, "You must be Mrs. Baggins, I am at your service", Balin said and bowed. Bilbo simply shook his head, "She is not my wife", he told Balin, "Oh, wooing her then", he asked Bilbo as he let himself in.
"Good evening", Bilbo said to Balin, "Yes, yes it is…but I think it may rain later", Balin replied and the shook Bilbo's hand. "Am I late", he asked Bilbo and Bilbo narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Late for what", he asked the older man. Then Balin looked over to see Dwalin trying to reach his large hand into a jar in an attempt to grab a cookie. "Oh, evening brother", Balin said happily to Dwalin and walked up to him, both me chuckled as Dwalin place the jar onto the table. "By my beard…you're shorter and wider than last we met", Dwalin said to Balin, this looked less than a family reunion and looked more like a fight was about to happen as they drew closer to one another. "Wider not shorter", Balin corrected, "Sharp enough for the both of us", he said to Dwalin and they both laughed. They laughed happily as they each grabbed each other by the shoulders and banged their heads, still they laughed and I sighed relieved.
"Um, excuse me, hate to interrupt but I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house", Bilbo said as Dwalin walked into Bilbo's pantry to grab a jug of beer. Both Balin and Dwalin were in Bilbo's pantry and seemed to ignore him as he spoke, "It's not that I don't like visitors, I like visitors as much as the next hobbit", "Hobbit", I questioned looking at Bilbo. "A group of respectable people, who never leave home, or go on adventures; except the occasional Took", Bilbo told me, then gave me a questioning look, "I've been meaning to ask, if it's not too impolite, but what are you", Bilbo asked me curiously. "Well, I'm really short in stature to what I usually am. However Gandalf shrunk me", I told him, "Species of me, then", Bilbo asked and I nodded.
"As I was saying before, I like visitors, but I do like to know them before they come visiting", Bilbo said before I interrupted him, "You didn't get to know me until I was in your house", "I got to know you partially in the garden", Bilbo told me. Then I moved out of the way when Dwalin threw out a chunk of blue cheese out the pantry. "But the thing is I don't know either of you. Not in the slightest, I don't mean to be blunt but I had to speak my mind. I'm sorry", Bilbo finished holding his hands up in surrender. Both men stopped for a moment to look at Bilbo, "Apology accepted", Balin finally said after a long pause.
Both brothers continued to talk amongst themselves as the door rang again, I decided to join Bilbo as he answered the door. "You took me being…species of men rather well", I commented to Bilbo, "Nothing surprises me anymore", as he opened the door to see two young men who looked around my age, on the other side of it. "Scratch that", Bilbo told me and looked at the men unhappily, "Fili and Kili, at your service", both men said, then they bowed, "You must be Mr. and Mrs. Boggins", the dark haired man said, who I presumed was Kili. Immediately, Bilbo began to shut the door and said, "We are not married, you cannot come in, you've come to the wrong house."
"What", Kii asked confused keeping the door open, "Has it been canceled", "No one told us", said Fili. Bilbo looked at the two me confused, "No, nothing's been canceled…there's nothing to cancel", Bilbo told them and both men sighed. "Well that's a relief", Kili said barging in as well as Fili, as soon as he came in Kili winked at me, I scoffed and walked away. "Is she your sister", I heard Kili ask, "No", Bilbo replied", "Cousin"," No", "Second Cousin", "No." "Leave the lad alone, he's trying to woo the lass", I heard Balin say. "Careful with these, they just got sharpened", Fili said placing the weopns in Bilbo's arms.
"It's nice, this place", Kili said looking around, "It is, did you do it yourself for the lass", Fili asked winking at Bilbo, causing him to blush. "No, it's been in the family for years", Bilbo told Fili. Kili was about to wipe his shoes on some furniture before I dragged him away and led him to the dining area, "How about you go in there and eat something", I said and Kili replied with, "I think I will", then he smirked at me before walking away and I rolled my eyes.
Everyone started to make room in the dining area, "Better move some this or we won't be able to fit everyone in", Balin said, "What? How many of you are there", Bilbo questions as another ring came from the door. "Oh no….there's nobody home", Bilbo said walking to the door, then placed down the weapons he was carrying. "Go away and bother somebody else, there's far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is", Bilbo yelled and I quickly followed him curious to see who was at the door. "If this is some clot-head's idea of a joke" Bilbo laughed sarcastically, "I can only say, it is in very poor taste", as he said this he swung the door open and a group of men or should I say dwarves fell in and behind them stood Gandalf who had to bend down in the doorway to look at us, "Gandalf", I head Bilbo say unhappily.
After Gandalf walked into the house, while chuckling at us amused, all the dwarves stood up as Gandalf introduced them, "Bilbo, Liliana let me introduce Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Glion, Bifur, Bofur, and finally Bombur." The dwarves just stood there as Bilbo said, "We're not married, if that's what you wanted to know." "We weren't going to ask that, but thanks for inviting us", Bofur said as they all barged in.
All the dwarves were in the pantry now taking everything out and placing it on the table, I could see Bilbo's face turn red in frustration as he stood in the doorway in an attempt to stop the dwarves. "Excuse me, not my wine that's for special occasions", Bilbo said, "What? We're just helping you with the lass", said Fili and Bilbo gave him an annoyed look as the dwarves passed him carrying heaps amounts of food. "This does seem a bit excessive", I said as I watched them pass by with large amounts of food on their plates. "Put that back, put that back", Bilbo told each dwarf who walked passed him.
"Not the jam please, excuse me, excuse me", Bilbo said upset and frustrated, "Bilbo", I called as I walked up to him, "Do you see this? Their completely ransacking my pantry", he told me. "Yeah, I have a feeling it's going to become empty before you can stop them", I said and he raised his eyebrows. "Over my dead body", he told me and attempted to grab a big roll of cheese away Bombur, who just snatched it away and continued walking back to the table. Bilbo sighed as I said, "Just stay calm and let him have it, maybe there'll be some food left", "Calm? How can I be calm when their ruining my house", Bilbo told me as we watched the dwarves grab antique chairs and tableware from the kitchen, then Bilbo went after them.
Gandalf came through the hall, looking at all the dwarves, "We appear to be one dwarf short", Gandalf said quietly, "He is late is all, he traveled north meeting our kin. He will come", Dwalin reassured Gandalf. "Another dwarf", I questioned as Bilbo fought a dwarf who clogged up the toilet, "Mr. Gandalf? A little glass of red wine, as requested. It has a fruity bouquet", said Dori. "Ah, cheers", Gandalf said lifting the cup to take a sip, when he went for another he was disappointed to see it empty. I gave an unlady-like snort as Bilbo came down the hall with his hands on his head, all but giving up on stopping the dwarves.
Bilbo came up to stand beside me with his hands covering his face, "The pantry is completely empty", he told me muffled through his hands, looking at me through the cracks of his fingers. "All of it", I questioned and he nodded", who wants ale here you go", I heard Fili say as he walked on the table pouring everyone a drink before jumping into his seat. They all quickly drank their drinks and they had a burping contest, I looked away disgusted as did Bilbo. "I'm sorry that our evening was interrupted", Bilbo told me, "It's not a problem", I said shrugging, "but you do owe me dinner", I said jokingly. "You have my word", Bilbo told me seriously and I smiled genuinely, "I'll hold you to it", I said. It was silent for a moment before the dwarves started talking and laughing again. Were they listening, I asked myself then I blushed as I narrowed my eyes at the dwarves and Gandalf.
After dinner, everything was eaten and the dwarves were now drinking their mugs of beer, one dwarf tried to clean a dish with a decorative cloth, "Excuse me, that is a doily not a dishcloth", said Bilbo snatching it from the dwarf. "But it's full of holes", Bofur said confused, "It's supposed to look like that it's crochet", Bilbo told him. Bofur replied with, "Oh and a lovely game that is too. If you got the balls for it", and Bilbo immediately went to cover my ears, "Excuse me, but there is a lady in the room", he told the dwarf. "You know I can still hear you and you don't have to protect my ears. I've heard far worse, trust me", I told Bilbo and removed his hands from my ears.
Bilbo looked like he was just about ready to pull his hair out, "Bebother and confusticate these dwarves", he suddenly said out loud, "Sorry", Bilbo said looking at me. "Oh no, it's perfectly reasonable", I told him and he gave me a small smile as he calmed down a bit. "Do you want to talk about it", I asked him, "Talk about it? Aha yes, I'm surrounded by dwarves. What are they doing in my house Gandalf", Bilbo said looking up at Gandalf as he walked by. "Oh, they're quite a merry gathering once you get used to them", Gandalf said amused. Bilbo just shook his head, "I don't want to get used to them", Bilbo told Gandalf frustrated then pulled him away to talk to him.
Then Fili and Kili dragged me to the dragged room to talk to them "So wahat are you to Mr. Baggins", Kili asked me, "Not family, but clearly something special", Fili said as well and the both looked at me curiously. "We only just met today", I told them and their eyes widened at that, "I don't understand what they're doing in my house", I heard Bilbo said loudly from across the hall. Then I watched a young looking dwarf, who was called Ori, walk up to him as he held a plate, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate." "Here you g Ori, give it to me", Fili said the grabbed the plate, throwing it to Kili, who threw it into the kitchen.
"Excuse me! That's my mother's West Forthing pottery, it's over a hundred years old", Billbo said as the dwarves kept throwing and playing with the dishes. Even Gandalf played along and I flinched as a plate flew by me, which made Bilbo walk over to me pushing me out of the way by my shoulders. Then he looked over to the dwarves who sat at the table, who played with the silverware, "And can you not do that? You'll blunt them", Bilbo said to the dwarves. "Oh you hear that lads, he said we'll blunt the knives", Bofur said teasingly, then the dwarves began to sing:
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks
Smash the bottle and burn the corks,
Chip the glasses and crack the plates,
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates.
Cut the cloth, tread the fat,
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat,
Pour the milk on the pantry floor,
Splash the wine on every door.
Dump the cracks in a boiling bowl,
Pound them up with a thumping pole,
When you're finished, if they are whole
Send them down the hall to roll.
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
The dwarves laughed as they finished their song, looking into the kitchen Bilbo and I saw that they had cleaned the dishes and silverware, have them stacked and organized on the table. Then suddenly there was a few loud bangs that came from the front door and all was silent, "He is here", Gandalf said seriously. "Who's here", I asked Gandalf as he walked to the door, then he turned his head to look at me, "He should be the one to tell you that I think", Gandalf said and then opened the door.
At the entrance there stood a man or dwarf, his hair was a mixture of grey and black wearing two braids in the front. The dwarf before me wore a cloak over his greyish brown vest and armor, then he took it off and hung it up. This dwarf had an aura of superiority and authority, which made me feel a little uncomfortable, "Gandalf", the dwarf said, greeting the taller old man smiling. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find, I lost my way twice. I wouldn't have found it at all, had it not been for that mark on the door", he said closing the door behind, once he was all the way inside the house.
"Mark", Bilbo questioned, poking his head out from with the dining room before walking into the hall with the rest of us, "There's no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago." "Gandalf put it there", I said and Bilbo gave me a questioning look, "Remember the scratching we heard this morning and the giant eye", I said, explain it to him. "Yes, I indeed put it there", Gandalf said, confirming what I had just said.
"Bilbo Baggins and Liliana Short, allow me to introduce the leader of our company: Thorin Oakenshield" Gandalf introduced as Thorin looked at us unimpressed. "So…this is the hobbit and daughter of men…why is she shrunk", he asked Gandalf, "I can regrow her if you wish", Gandalf suggested. "Okay, I'm literally in the same room", I said annoyed, "No, this will make traveling easier", Thorin said, completely ignoring me. "Now, tell me Mr. Baggins and Miss Short, have you done much fighting", Thorin asked circling us and I glared at him, who only smirked at me amused. "Parden me", Bilbo asked, "Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice", Thorin asked us both.
"Well, I do have some skill in conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant", Bilbo said confused and then Thorin looked at me, "And you", he asked. "Me? What about me", I asked confused, "What's your weapon of choice", Thorin said clarifying his question. I thought about his question for a moment before answering, "Not an axe or a sword, but probably a dagger; easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to hide." Thorin nodded and then asked me, "Have you used the weapon before", "I have, but it was a long time ago…when I was young and stupid, I used it for picking locks and…robberies", I told him honestly.
"Thought as much, seems the girl is more useful to be our burglar, then the burglar himself", Thorin told the other dwarves amused and they chuckled. "He is perfect to be our burglar and she has other skills not just in thievery", Gandalf told Thorin, who looked at him questioningly. "Like what", he asked the old man, "She can sense the feelings of others and knows when they are near. Much like myself, but with aptitude", Gandalf said and I looked at him confused. "If that's true, that could be dangerous…and useful", Thorin said, then looked at me, "Give me an example."
I looked at the leader of our company as if he were crazy, "What? I can't do that", I told him, "You can", Gandalf reassured me, "When we first met you sensed my presence and ever since coming here you've sensed everyone's emotions, but now we need you to try and focus on one person and give a really good example." I sighed and did as Gandalf told me, since it was Thorin who told me to this, I'd figured he deserved the same treatment and focused on him. When I looked at Thorin and idea struck my head: dragons, confused, I breathed through my nose focusing speaking my thoughts, "Dragons", suddenly my eyes closed as an image of a dragon flew over my head and burned a village or a city.
The images consumed my mind as I felt myself hide behind a pillar and protecting someone from the fire blast of the dragon, looking down I saw a young Balin. "What do you see", I heard a distant voice ask and my brain jumpled at the foreign memories, "Fire, fear, anxiety, dragon, screaming, the village is burning", then I felt myself run and continues, "Treasure room, grandfather, protect, have to get out, have to protect, people are dying, home is gone, dragon took it,…elves? Will they help? They're leaving, dying, we're dying and they leave, hate, loathing,…regret. Home, have to get home, have to…glowing, something is glowing, mountain, throne, pulling, beckoning, "come closer" it whispers, mountain, heart, stone, stone, stone, stone-", "Enough", I heard someone shout as they grabbed my shoulders and shook me awake.
Opening my eyes I saw Thorin standing in front of me, "She can come; to give us information, to fight, and anything else she can come up with", Thorin told the other dwarves. Then they all walked into the dining room and Gandalf sighed relieved, leaning against the archway. "What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come", Balin asked Thorin as the dwarves at the table. "Aye. Envoys from all kingdoms", Thorin replies, "And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us", Dwalin asked. Thorin sighed unhappily and told him that, "They will not come." The rest of the dwarves sighed unhappily at that as well, "They say this is our quest and our quest alone", Thorin told them.
Bilbo looked at me and then to the dwarves confused, "You're going on a quest", he asked curiously, "Well, it's not like they're going shopping Bilbo", I joked and Bilbo turned to look at me, "I know that", he said flustered. Then the dwarves looked at us as if just realizing we were still in the room, "Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have more light", Gandalf said and Bilbo nodded walking off. Gandalf gestured for me to come forward and I hesitated before doing so, and placed down a map on the table once I stood next to him. "Far to the east, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak", Gandalf said as Bilbo came forward with a candle in hand. "The Lonely Mountain", both Bilbo and I said reading the text on the map; look at the detail of the map, nothing like this compare to the maps I've seen in my time.
"It's beautiful", I said referring to the mountain, "It is", Thorin agreed as he and the rest of the dwrves looked longingly at the mountain on the map. "Aye and Oin has read the portents and the portents say, `it is time`", Gloin said, "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold, `When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end`", said Oin. Both Bilbo and I shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the `beast. `
"What beast", Bilbo asked nervously and Gandalf looked over, while smoking his pipe, "That would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age…airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks, extremely fond of precious metals", Bofur said. Bilbo quickly said, "Yes, I know what a dragon is." "A dragon", I exclaimed and looked over to Gandalf, "You never mentioned any dragons", "Well, I couldn't say `join me on an adventure, by the way there will be dragons`, you would've never agreed or thought me mad. Like you are now", Gandalf told and I shook my head, "Unbelievable", I whispered.
"I'm not afraid, I'm up for it", Ori said standing up, "I'll protect everyone from the dragon, even you miss; I'll give him a taste of dwarfish iron right up his jacksie", the Dori grabbed his brother's shoulder and sat him back down, "Good lad, Ori", Nori said commending his brother. "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us", Balin said, "but we number at thirteen and not thirteen of the best…or brightest." "Here, who are you calling dim", Nori questioned feeling insulted, "Sorry, what did he say", Oin said holding a horn to his ear.
"We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf", Fili said raising his mug and then taking a swig. All the dwarves cheered at that, "And you forget, we have a wizard in our company", Kili said, "Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time", he said excitedly, looking to Gandalf who instantly became flustered. "Oh well, I…I um", Gandalf said, "Yes, Gandalf…tell us…how many have you killed", I said giving him a hard time, that I thought was well deserved. "What", Gandalf asked me, "How many", Dori asked this time and Gandalf looked to him as the rest of the dwarves looked to Gandalf, waiting for his answer. As Gandalf was put on the spot, he coughed on his smoke embarrassed, "Well, go on and give us a number", Dori said getting impatient. Then the rest of the dwarves stood up all at once, then started shouting and arguing to one another, "Wait, wait…um-"then Thorin stood and shouted something in a language I've never heard of before, cutting Bilbo off.
All the dwarves sat down instinctively and looked to Thorin, "If we had these signs, do you not think others will have read them too", Thorin asked his fellow dwarves and he continued, "Rumors have begun to spread, the dragon, smaug, has not been seen…and that vision you had happened happened sixty years ago", Thorin glancing at me and then back at the dwarves. "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? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor", Thorin finished, the dwarves raised their mugs and cheered in…dwarfish?
"You forget the front gate is sealed", Balin interrupted, "There is no way into the mountain." "That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true", said Gandalf, pulling a golden key out of his sleeve like a magician or a `wizard`. Everyone paused, looking at the key awestruck, it was the key to Erebor; "How come you by this", Thorin asked Gandalf while staring at the key. "It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safe keeping…it is your now", Gandalf replied handing the key over to Thorin.
Everyone remained silent as he examined the key, "If there is a key…there must be a door", I heard Fili say then I shook my head, and I gave an unlady-like snort; Bilbo looked at me in surprise when I did this and then I chuckled. "Thank you, captain obvious", I said to Fili, who just shrugged, "You never know", he told me. Gandalf nodded then pointed with his pipe to the map and said, "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Hill", "There's another way in", Kili said happily. "Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed, said Gandalf said looking at the group of dwarves and then back at the map, "The answer lies hidden in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. However, there are others in Middle-Earth that can. The task I have in mind will requires a great deal of stealth, sense, and no small amount of courage."
Gandalf then looked to Bilbo and I before addressing Thorin again, "But if we are careful and clever, I believe it can be done." "That's why we need a burglar, but why do we need her", Ori questioned and Gandalf gave him a gentle smile before answering, "She's able to sense things those of us cannot." The he turned to look at me as he continued, "Here your abilities would have strengthed, you may even borrow skills from the others if you wished to, and see others memories but only if it's connected to emotion", Gandalf explained and everyone of nodded in understanding, "I'm not going to do that, I rather use my own abilities", I told him and the dwarves looked at me with respect.
"You would need a good one, a burglar I mean, and an expert I'd imagine", Bilbo said suddenly, "And are you", Gloin asked. Bilbo looked around, then at me confused and I shook my head, "He's not talking to me", I told him. "Am I what", Bilbo asked Gloin to which Oin exclaimed happily, "He said he's an expert! Hey-hey", he still had that horn planted in his ear, but it seemed to not be helping him much. "Me? No,no,no,no,no,no; I'm not a burglar, I've never stolen a thing in my life", Bilbo said anxiously, "I can teach you", I said to him surprising myself and he looked at me startled. "Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material, but you'd make an excellent replacement", Balin told me and I shook my head. "No, I don't steal anymore...I did that when I was young and stupid-"." How old were you", Balin asked me and glanced over to him sadly. "Sixteen", I answered and everyone gave me shocked expressions, "I was rebellious, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and that's how I got into stealing", I remembered I got a full scale of wings tattooed onto my back.
"What happened", Gandalf asked concerned seeing the look on my face, after I was silent for a moment I answered, "As young as we were, we weren't allowed to drink but we did anyways and we didn't care. I stole, I threatened, I did drugs…when I was older, and I decided to leave all that behind. I even got a tattoo on my back to celebrate my freedom from it and kept it as a promise to protect others. However, all those years of breaking the law…the damage was already done and I had a criminal record…granted the authority didn't know who I was and I was good at keeping that hidden. I've stolen precious jewels, jewery, and information, then sold it all to the highest bidder…I wanted to retire from all that and get a real job…where I could help others. Except my old employers didn't respond well to that and after skipping a few fifty of their messages they decided to give me a warning. Not much of a warning if they kill your entire family…my mother, father, brother, and sister were slaughtered…it was covered up as an accident however. There a man who I came to trust, but was soon was driven crazy for his lust for power and money; before that I was swept away believing the lies he spun perfectly for me. Lies of adventure, wealth, and romance…soon he couldn't hide his ambition and selfishness any longer and showed me his true colors. He became a monster consumed by greed and then I found out that it was he who set out the order to kill my family as the new crime lord. He betrayed me, but soon in the end nothing could sway him…even when he was being burned alive in the midst of his money. The fire was accidental, he claimed he was searching for something and his screams echoed through the night air and I won't pretend that I didn't feel bad for him. When help finally arrived the screams were already gone and instead there was silence, then when I ran in to check on him even at the protest of the authorities I saw that he was dead. That's what happened and that's why I won't steal anymore", I finished my story and everyone looked at me speechless.
There were a selected few who gave me concerned looks, "Sorry, I didn't mean to tell you an entire story on why I don't steal anymore", I told them and they quickly said that it was alright. Thorin kept silent as Bilbo said, "It's fine", to me then smiled comforting and I smiled back wiping a tear from my cheek. "There's still the concern of the hobbit, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves", Dwalin said and Kili protested saying, "He's just fine." Then the rest of the dwarves talked amongst themselves on how useless Bilbo would be on the quest and this made me very angry as I stood and yelled, "Enough", then the whole room shook and I looked around surprised.
Then a looming shadow fell over the entire room as Gandalf stood and yelled, his voice like thunder, "If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is", then he sat calmly. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, in fact they can pass unseen by most, if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf and species of men…the scent of a hobbit is all but unknown to him; which gives us a distinct advantage", Gandalf told the dwarves. Bilbo looked very uncomfortable having been put on the spot, "You asked me to find our fourteenth and fifteenth members of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins and Miss Short. There's clearly a lot more to them then their appearance suggest, and Bilbo's got a lot more to offer than any of you know. They both do, they just need to find it within themselves", Gandalf said looking at both Bilbo and I.
Thorin looked at Gandalf unsure, "You must trust me on this", Gandalf told him and then Thorin gave in, nodding to Gandalf, "Very well, we will do it your way. Give them the contract", Thorin said. Bilbo stood there shaking his head, "No,no,no,no,no,no", he said and I placed my hand on Bilbo's shoulder, "It's fine", I told him, repeating the same words he just said to me. "Somehow that's less reassuring then I imagined", Bilbo said and I noticed he said that honestly, then I laughed as his hand shot up to cover his mouth. "I didn't mean to be blunt", he told me worried, "It's fine, be as blunt as you like. Besides, that's how I am most of the time and thank you", I said to Bilbo who looked at me confused and I grabbed the contract from Balin.
I read it quietly as Bilbo read it aloud looking over my shoulder, ""Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one-fifteenth of total profit, if any" seems fair", he said and I chuckled as we continued reading, ""Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by…or sustained as a consequence there of, including, but not limited to lacerations…"the paper was folded sideways onto the contract and Bilbo unfolded it as I placed the contract more between us, ""evisceration?...Incineration?"" Bilbo then looked at the dwarves looking like he cannot believe what he just read, and Bofur nodded, "Aye, he'll melt the flesh right off your bones in a blink of an eye", he said and I heard Bilbo whimper beside me. "Bofur", I said warning him and he looked at me, "Not helping", I stated annoyed and then I saw a mischievous glint in his eye as he stood up.
"You alright laddie", Balin asked concerned, "Huh, yeah", Bilbo replied his face pale, he was clearly not. "You need air, try taking deep breaths", I told him worried, and then he tried doing what I said. "Not helping", he told me, "You're thinking too much try clearing your head" I told him, "Think furnace with wings", Bofur said, "Flash of light, searing pain, then poof…you're nothing more than a pile of ash", Bofur said, clearly trying to mess with Bilbo. I glared at Bofur annoyed, "Seriously, not helping", I said standing near Bilbo, ready to catch him if he fainted.
"Are you okay", I asked him and Bilbo looked relieved for a moment before he said, "Nope", and fell backwards, I quickly grabbed one his overall straps to keep him from falling. "Just drop him", said Bofur sitting down. "No! If I do that he'll bang his head on the floor and you were no help at all", I said struggling to hold on Bilbo's overall strap. Then all of a sudden a wooden staff appeared behind Bilbo and it pushed him onto me. I grunted as I struggled to keep Bilbo up, when his whole body weight fell on me and I was still able to stand but barely. Glaring at the obvious culprit that was Gandalf, I saw him smiling amused, "Gandalf", I said menacingly, "Why did you do that"," I thought it would be amusing and it is", he said then chuckled. The rest of the dwarves chuckled with him, except Thorin who just smiled amused.
"Okay", I sighed lifting Bilbo up to look at his face with some trouble and then I lightly patted his cheek, "Hey, hey wake up", then I shook him lightly. Bilbo still wouldn't wake up, "I'm not kissing you sleeping beauty", I said trying to plug his nose and I heard the dwarves choke on their drink when they heard that. "Oh calm down, it's only a story", I told them before turning my attention back to Bilbo. The staff pushed Bilbo back onto me again and this time his face landed on my neck, when I felt him breathe my whole face blushed and I yelled frantically, "Gandalf", he and the rest of the dwarves looked at me amused. "Get him off of me", I said angrily and blushing madly.
Then the whole room shook and this seemed to finally wake Bilbo as he looked up to say, "What happened…where am I", then I felt his cheek heat on my neck. "Well…you fainted, I managed to save you from falling on your head", as soon after I said this, Bilbo quickly backed away from me, his face a bright pink. "I need to sit down", Bilbo said walking away, "Right, I'll get you some tea", I said and Bilbo nodded walking down the hall into a room. After I brought him his tea and gave it to him, he took a sip, "Will you be alright", I asked him, while Gandalf stood in the doorway, "I'll be fine", Bilbo reassured me, "Just let me sit quietly for a moment."
Gandalf took this opportunity to walk into the room, "You've been sitting quietly for far too long", Gandalf said upset, talking to both Bilbo and I. "Tell me, when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you", Gandalf asked Bilbo, "I remember a young hobbit who was always running off in search of elves in the woods. Who would stay out late, come after dark…trailing mud, twigs, and fireflies. A young hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the shire", Gandalf told Bilbo. "And you are no better", Gandalf said looking to me, "Me", I questioned, "Yes, do you think I would've chosen anyone to take out of time? No, I chose you because you not only had the skills we needed, not because you were depressed and you needed it, not because you seemed like a woman who was out of place in time, but because you care…you care so much that you would have done anything for the last thing you had of your family…even at the word of a stranger and the possibility of getting lost. You can still have all those things here: your adventure, wealth, and even romance; you can have a fresh start here", Gandalf told me and I looked down, thinking about it.
"The world is not in books or maps…it's out there", Gandalf said to both of us gesturing out the window, in Bilbo's office. "We can't just go running off into the blue, I am a Baggins of Bag-End and she is my guest that you entrusted upon me", Bilbo told Gandalf. "You are also a Took and you can take her with you", Gandalf said, "Okay again literally, in the same room", I told both men, who seemed to have ignored me. "Did you know your great-great-great-great uncle Bullroarer Took was so large, he could ride a real horse", Gandalf told him and Bilbo said, "Yes", like he heard that plenty of time before. "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 chuckling glancing over to me then to Bilbo.
During the story I sat down, Gandalf frowned when he saw me in the chair and sat at the window. "I do believe you made that up", Bilbo said amused to Gandalf. "Well, all good stories deserve embellishment and you both will have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back", Gandalf told us both and smiled. Bilbo sighed and asked, "Can you promise we will come back", `if` we come back, I thought. Gandalf hesitated before answering, "No and if you both do…neither of you will be the same, "That's what I thought", Bilbo said setting down his mug and standing up. "Sorry Gandalf, I can't sign this", Bilbo said referring to the contract, "Bilbo" I said gently confused and he simply shook his head. "I'm sorry", he told me before turning and walking away, "You've got the wrong hobbit", and then I stood up following Bilbo out the door as he went down the hall. "Will you at least think about it", I called and I watched as Bilbo paused for a moment before walking into a room.
"It seems we have lost our burglar", I heard Balin say beside me, outside of the doorway, "He just needs a little time to think, he'll come around", I told him. Thorin, who stood across from Balin with his arms crossed, looked to me then back to Balin. "Probably for the best, we've still got you although you're an empathic thief", Balin told me, "I'm not a thief, I can still teach Bilbo", I told Balin, "You can't teach someone if they don't want to learn lass", Thorin told me. "What do you guys do", I asked suddenly curious, "Oh, what are we…merchants, miners, tinkers, toymakers…hardly the stuff of legend", Balin told me. "There are a few warriors amongst us", Thorin said looking at me then to Balin, "Old warriors", Balin corrected. "I would take each and every one of these dwarves and this shrunken daughter of man, over any army from the Iron Hills, for when I called upon them they answered and she stayed. Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart I can ask for no more that that", Thorin told us smiling.
"You don't have to do this", Balin told us both, "You have a choice, you've done honorably by our people and you can live out your own life, this quest could be the death of you", Balin told the last part to me. "I'll be fine, I want to come", I reassured Balin patting him on the shoulder and he sighed. The he turned his attention to Thorin, "You've built 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", Balin told Thorin. "From my grandfather, to my father, this has come to me", Thorin said holding up the golden key to Erebor, "They dreamt of the day when dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice, Balin…not for me", Thorin said looking at me and Balin sighed.
"I already said I'm going, I'm going to sign the contract right now and prove that I am committed", I told them walking into Bilbo's office, there was a jar of ink with a feather already placed into it. The, taking the feather out of the inkwell, I signed my sloppy cursive handwriting at the bottom of the contract, on the line and then I placed the feather to the side. Then I heard humming coming from the living room and saw Bilbo at the doorway. Seeing that I had signed the contract, he quickly grabbed his mug and was about to walk away before I grabbed his arm. After realizing what I did, I quickly let go of his arm, "please sign it…I don't want to be the only burglar", I asked Bilbo and he sighed turning around to look at me. "What about the danger", he asked me, "Think about the adventure, what we'll say when we get back, "You think we'll come back", he asked me, "I think that's a great possibility", I said shrugging.
"The adventure…" Bilbo said quietly and then he quickly wrote his signature on the contract and I smiled happily as he did so, I was glad he was going as well. "I'm going to be, the guest bedroom is down the hall to the left", Bilbo told me, before grabbing his mug again and left, "Alright, goodnight", I called, "Goodnight", I heard Bilbo call back. The humming was still going as I went to the guest bedroom to sleep, then I heard slow mellow singning coming from the dwarves:
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
The pines were roaring on the height,"
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red
It's flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light…"
I slowly went to sleep as the dwarves kept singing, it was like a dark lullaby singing in my mind as I fell into the world of dreams. The song itself caused me to have a nightmare of fire, caves, and gold. Then I was jolted awake by a few taps on the shoulder.