Hey guys! This is my first fanfic, so be gentle please! I really like how this turned out. After reading countless LOTR/Hobbit fanfictions, I know pretty much exactly what to look for in my story. I hope you enjoy! Please review! :) -Maddy
Update 1 Dec 2014:Hello! I've just reread my story and I realise I really, REALLY need to edit and clean this up. Gonna do that now; I will hopefully be done within a week or so (seeing as finals are in 2 weeks). I've just ordered a laptop that'll be arriving in a week so I can write at school. Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy nonetheless! :)
Chapter 1: Gathering in Rivendell.
White orbs began to illuminate against a pale cerulean atmosphere that caressed its constellations. The skies of Middle-earth never ceased to amaze the young damsel that poised against an elven-made wooden pew. Her beige fingers absently stroked the bench's posterior as she stood awestruck by the million shimmering spheres of Imladris. A temperate wisp of wind embraced her exposed forearms and cheeks. She smiled in her serenity and closed her eyes for a brief moment. She knew this would be the her final time of comfort for a time yet before the Wizard's invitation set into action. The maiden inhaled deeply and lifted her eyelids to reveal ashen globes: ever-sharp and observational. Eyes of grey and green shifted to 5 flickering lights just below Middle-earth's crescent moon that gleamed colors of silver and ivory.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen... fifteen? What is Gandalf up to this time? the colleen inquired to herself. In an instant, the young matron was replaced by a flurry of the summer's air; instead, a standard-sized bird of prey aviated its way toward the fifteen travelers.
"Ah, my dear Aia. It's wonderful to see you again! You are truly a sight for these old eyes. Are you arranged and prepared?" It was a man of humble stature that presented his question to what appeared to be an eagle that settled at the feet of the Grey Wizard. He donned muted silver robes that dangled down just over his feet. His midsection-length beard hung in an extended, inverted-triangle shape. 14 gasps sounded as the eagle turned its head to the side and alternated back to her human form of a beige girl, just about as tall as the Wizard. Her bronze-amber curls hung loosely against her relaxed shoulders. The girl called Aia smiled blithely and pulled the wizard into a joyous embrace.
"It's good to see you too, Gandalf. I am prepared, but... we are staying the night here, yes? And there appears to be one additional member of this caravan than you informed me of. Might I meet him?" The eagle-woman questioned as she released Gandalf.
The Wizard widened his eyes in recollection as he beckoned a child clad in adult's attire over. "Ah, yes. How could I forget? Aia, this is Mr Bilbo Baggins. He is our burglar." The child looked from the floor to the woman thrice before clearing his throat and presenting his hand.
"How do you do?" Mr Baggins asked the lady after another clearing of his throat, looking everywhere but her eyes.
She accepted his hand and smiled at the timid halfling. "I'm fine, thank you. Much better, actually, now that Gandalf is here. Now," her eyes shifted back to the maiar "back to my question: are we staying here overnight? These dwarves look like they could use a good night's sleep as well as a warm bed-"
"And that they shall receive" a voice announced from behind Aia. She turned to see Lord Elrond clad in a light green tunic complemented by dark leggings with his intricately-woven mithril crown perched atop his head regally. Aia, Bilbo, and Gandalf bowed to the king.
"Elrond, my good friend. It has been far too long. Thank you for accommodating the company of Thorin Oakenshield," Gandalf brought his arm to a 5 foot tall dwarf who was clad in dark colors topped with a coat of, what Aia guessed, fox fur. He stepped forward with a glare between Wizard and Elf. He merely nodded to Elrond. The Lord of Imladris and Gandalf proceeded to discuss matters while Thorin redirected his gaze to the skin-changer who returned a gaze of her own. She nodded to him fruitlessly, as her gesture yielded no response. Thorin opened his mouth to speak, but Gandalf concluded his interaction with the King of Rivendell and instructed the caravan to follow the woman and himself to their Elven accommodation before he could speak.
Later in the evening, as the dwarves, Hobbit, and Beorning commenced the provided feast, Aia was introduced to each of the Company by the dwarf seated next to her starting with a white, aged dwarf called Balin.
"That there's Balin," the elder dwarf smiled and nodded, "then his brother, Dwalin," the gruff dwarf grunted and lifted his sausage as a greeting. "three brothers: Ori, Dori, and Nori," all three nodded politely, " Thorin's nephews: Fili and Kili," both dwarves, who hadn't taken their eyes from her all night, winked concurrently, nudged one another concurrently, then turned to one another to guffaw and gossip under their breath. "Bifur, Bombur-" Bombur belched in response of his addressing. Ori nudged him, looked to a smiling Aia, and blushed: returning his eyes to his plate. The dwarf beside her continued: "Oin, Gloin, Bilbo, Bofur (myself), and, as you know: Gandalf and Thorin." Thorin had been staring at her as she smiled to the dwarves as they were introduced. He leaned over to Gandalf as to ask him something. The smile that had been on Gandalf's face soon wiped away as he turned to face the future King.
"Of course I'm sure of her, Thorin, son of Thrain. As sure as I am of Bilbo as a matter of fact. She's a skilled fighter, she is a wise woman, she can alter her skin into that of an eagle, and, most of all, she has my trust. I suggest you make an effort to trust her as well, Master Dwarf." He looked to Aia, who had lost her appetite, with a nod. Lord Elrond strolled to Thorin and Galdalf with a beckon to the two.
"Thorin, Bilbo and Aia, please come with me." Gandalf requested. The Hobbit shot to his feet and was at the wizard's side in no time. Aia furrowed her brows but obeyed the wizard.
Perhaps I will reap some answers.
And that she did, for when Elrond deciphered the moon letters of Thror's map, Gandalf described the purpose of the journey to his petite congregation.
"So, we have until autumn to get to Erebor?" Bilbo concluded his question with a step forward.
"We do indeed." Thorin answered.
"And we are going to Erebor to slay a dragon to recover your kingdom, correct?"
"Aye."
"And that very dragon can melt the flesh from your skin relentlessly?"
"That he can, Mr Baggins. That he can." With that, Thorin closed the meeting.
Gandalf, Thorin, Aia, and a flustered, nervous Bilbo returned to the dining hall where Bofur and Kili were tossing sausages into Bombur's mouth. Aia giggled quite audibly, attracting the dwarves' attention. They all turned their heads and halted their movements. Kili was frozen in an awkward stance, for he was about to toss a sausage into Bombur's mouth. He quickly stood up straight, shoved the sausage into his own mouth, and put his hands behind his back submissively. Aia and Bilbo chortled, Kili blushed, and Gandalf smiled as he shook his head. Thorin however, would have none of it.
"Are you done fooling around? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Get some rest. And you," he turned to Aia, "we leave at dawn. Don't be late. We will not regret leaving you behind." She nodded to Thorin and the other dwarves.
"Very well. Goodnight, Sons of Durin. It was a pleasure meeting you. I will look forward to seeing you in the morning." Aia curtsied and proceeded to retire to her quarters.
Just as she was closing her door, Aia felt a resistance. She automatically opened her door to reveal a little Hobbit. The sheepish halfling looked from his feet to her eyes.
"What can I do for you, Mr Bashful Baggins?" she teased with a smirk. Again, he looked to his feet, but this time with a simper.
"Lady Aia, you left this in the dining hall. I thought you might want it back before one of the dwarves claim it as their own," Bilbo presented a vest made of feathers to her. She accepted it with alleviation and stupefaction. Bilbo let out a squeak when he was abruptly reeled into an embrace.
"Thank you so much, Bilbo. I would have lost my last relic from home if it weren't for you. I am ever grateful." He cleared his throat upon release. The Hobbit nodded and went on his way back to the dining hall. Aia held up her waistcoat arranged in an assortment of ecru, amber, chocolate, obsidian, and ivory feathers. Each feather was different, for they belonged to every deceased member of her Great Eagle family. The vest was placed gently on a chair, along with her cream-colored tunic, dark green leggings of Elven fabric, mud-stained brogans, her armaments: a bow, quiver of arrows, a short sword, and a knife that fit snugly in her boot. She quickly dressed in a jade silk nightgown that had been placed upon her bed. Just before she laid in bed, she departed from her sleeping quarters to wash her face. As Aia strolled her way down Rivendell's open hallway, the summer air was once again kissing her cheek with its warm current. She interrupted her trek to the washroom to gaze upon Rivendell's stars one final time.
Aia would had fallen asleep standing there if it weren't for the sound of straggling footsteps behind her. The damsel didn't have to turn too far to spot a smirking set of siblings coming her way.
Uh oh.
"Well, well, what do we have here, Ki?" the fair-haired dwarf asked.
The brunette dwarf bowed. "It appears to be a lovely maiden who's lost her way. Might I escort you back to your room, milady?" the taller brother asked, offering his arm. She was about to retort, but she was cut off by Fili shoving Kili out of the way and presenting his arm to her with his chest puffed out.
"You escort her? I think not, Little Brother. I expect she prefers the tall, blonde, handsome, and, not to mention, the heir to Erebor's throne over mere..." Fili looked his brother up and down, "...archers."
"If it is the case that she does like taller dwarves, then I, my lady, am your man. For I am taller and remarkably more handsome than my brother."
"You are not taller than me!"
"I am indeed. Here, Lady Aia, if you would be so kind as to measure us," he pulled Fili behind himself so they were back-to-back. Aia was flabbergasted at how quickly this turned out. Nevertheless, it was true: Kili was taller than Fili. She raised an eyebrow and considered how she'd break the news to him.
"Lord Fili, you may want to sit down for the results-"
"Why? He's already short enough!" Kili pestered
"Oh shove off, Kili. Height is no matter. I'm confident that Lady Aia would chose me over you, dearest brother, any day. No matter the height, for height proves nothing when it compares to other sizes." He winked at Aia, who raised her eyebrows and somewhat snorted with a snicker.
"Might I interrupt you two equally handsome boys? For I was making my way to the washroom."
"Well, we could escort you there as well! Eh, Little Brother?"
"Why, yes, we indeed could. But it is the Lady's choice to have us or not," Kili said with a pouting lip and puppy eyes. Aia rolled her eyes in submission and held out both arms for each dwarf to take. As she was about a foot taller than the two, they were awkwardly making their way down the corridor.
"You know, Kili, I've always fancied the taller women."
The two brothers snickered as Aia giggled.
Upon arrival to Aia's room, both dwarves kissed each of her hands. Fili gracefully confiscated her hand and bestowed a kiss of salutation upon it. Kili sloped her other hand to his whiskered mouth and placed a lingering kiss on her knuckles. He looked at her with his immense umber eyes, she blushed and was thankful for the dark scenery.
"You two courteous and honorable dwarves have my thanks for extricating me from the dangers of Rivendell's corridors. I know not what would have been made of me had you two not been there for me." Aia feigned a relieved weep as the brothers laughed. "As a symbol of my gratitude, I bequeath you with a kiss." The brothers locked eyes with each other before turning back to Aia. She encircled her hands around Fili's cheeks and kissed him on his scruffy chops. He smiled.
"'S that all I get, hey?"
Aia passed it off and turned to Kili, who knew what to expect so he turned his head just as Aia placed her lips to his cheek so she'd kiss his lips. Her eyes flew open and she smiled. "Kili, you dog!" The three of them shared this moment of giddiness. Whether it was to block out the impending quest that was approaching or if it was to commandeer Aia into the mischievousness, the girl knew not. She nevertheless enjoyed every moment while she could.