(A/N: Updating all chapters so far :) Please enjoy and feel free to review ^.^)
Elill glared at Gandalf, her hands balling into fists that she could not stop from shaking. The dwarves and poor Bilbo were stuck looking between both Gandalf and Elill confusion filled them as they looked from one to the other.
"How dare you? How dare you utter that name?" She snarled, stepping forward slightly so the cloak that once hid her body now shifted so her body was now revealed slightly.
"They deserve to know the name of the person who is helping them, do you not think?" Gandalf asked kindly. She kept her face hidden as she turned slightly, her back to the crowd.
"Why should I help them?" She mumbled, Gandalf smiled at her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Because, you were never one to turn down people in need, Elill, now lower that hood so as to show them what you look like." Gandalf ordered, slowly, she lowered her hood, shaking out her long brown hair that was beautifully braided.
"Wait, you are a dwarf?!" Bilbo gasped, looking her up and down, a large uproar from the dwarves provided that even they did not know she was a dwarf.
"Yes, well, no, I am half." She mumbled, she was, like all other dwarves short in stature, however she was rather thin, and her bust large. They each looked at her, taking her in. If not for the beard they would have possibly believed her to be a rather short woman. A dwarf from the crowd stepped forward, dressed in the elegant colours of blue and silver. His long, dark hair and beard were braided, the grey hair shining in the light.
"Gandalf, explain this at once. We were meant to be a company of fourteen, not fifteen. Unless you are giving us a choice on a burglar." Elill glared at the dwarf, stepping forward so that Gandalf didn't block her way.
"I am no burglar, so watch where you throw such a disgusting word!" She yelled, going for the sword that hung from her belt.
"ELILL!" Gandalf shouted, causing her to jump, she lowered her hand from the blade, but did not let her eyes leave the dwarf.
"You speak like one, not like a traditional dwarf lady in the slightest." The dwarf hadn't quite finished his sentence before he was sent backwards, caught moments before he hit the floor by his two nephews. Elill looked at him, her fist still raised slightly. Her eyes narrowed.
"I warned you, dwarf. Do not speak of me like a common thief." She snarled as she turned for the door.
"Hold on, where do you think you are going?" A gruff voice spoke from behind her, she turned only to notice another dwarf. Not quite like the one she had just punched. He was roughly around her height, red headed and slightly large. His beard, like most of the companies was braided, however it was more symmetrical. She thought for a minute of not answering the dwarf, of instead just leaving as she intended to do. However, the more human side of her over-powered her dwarven stubbornness and she felt required to answer.
"I'm leaving. I should not have come, Gandalf knows how I feel about dwarves. If not for the matter I do pay back debts..." Elill said easily pulling the hood of her cloak back up as she prepared herself to leave.
"And you are just going to leave? With no apology after punching one of yer kin?" He asked her. Elill contemplated this for a moment. Would she do that? Just up and leave with no reason but not liking her first impression of the dwarves.
"Yes." She stated simply, opening the door, with one foot out an elderly dwarf with a white beard that hooked at both sides called out. Causing her to stop once again.
"Look, we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. Out leader called you a burglar when it is clear you are not. And you...punched...him...in..the face, but I am sure both can be easily forgiven. I am not asking you help us for our sake. But you did say that there was a debt that must be paid and, we are willing to help you pay it, in return for any services you have to offer. It is, of course your choice, but I, Balin son of Fundin, will help in whatever choice you make." Elill watched as the elderly dwarf bowed, and she was slowly reminded of an older version of her father. The kindness in both his voice and what he offered, the genuine truth in his eyes. Slowly she stepped back inside and closed the door. She turned to Bilbo and bowed slightly.
"I am sorry for the troubles I have caused you, Mr Baggins." She apologised, but did not bother to apologise to the dwarf she had punched. Seeing the anger in the eyes of the younger two behind him.
"Mr Balin, I shall take you up on your word, but do not be fooled, I do not take kindly to liars." She spoke coldly, but a cool grin formed on her face as she held out her hand, Balin took it, shaking it happily.
"Nor does she take kindly to kings." A voice whispered, she turned to see the young dwarves, talking among themselves. Gandalf coughed, so as to catch the attention of all in the room.
"I think, before there is another fist fight, I believe everyone should introduce themselves, now, you already know Balin. An excellent dwarf in every respect. Yes, you also already know myself and dear Mr Baggins. So, who else is willing to introduce themselves?" Gandalf asked, looking around the room. Very slowly, the red headed dwarf who had at first question where Elill was going, stepped forward.
"I am Glóin son of Gróin, at your service." He ducked low as he bowed. He did not smile, in fact, he barely even looked at Elill, who on the other hand, could not take her eyes off the metal in his beard. A much rounder dwarf came forward, his beard braided into two separate braids, he smiled at her as he bowed slightly. His beard brushed the wooden floor.
"Bombur, at your service." He bobbed back up, faster than Elill would have expected of him.
"Dwalin, brother of Balin, son of Fundin!" Called a balding dwarf. Tattoos coated his scalp and he looked slightly terrifying. She nodded to him, to show that she had caught her attention.
"Oh, this will take all night!" Bilbo spoke anxiously, throwing his small arms up in the air. "Why don't you just point to them all Gandalf and introduce them?" Bilbo's voice was quiet but loud enough for those near him to hear.
"Ah, yes. That might be easier now that you've mentioned it." Gandalf mused, he nodded, "yes, perhaps that is better than what I had first thought. So let us begin." Gandalf brought forth three dwarves, each looking at her two seemed straight faced, and still angry at her. The other one smiled at her, even though she did not smile back. She found that dwarves could be fickle things at times.
"Elill, meet Bifur," one of the dwarves who still seemed angry with her. "Óin," Gandalf gestured to a light blond dwarf who glared at her angrily. "And Dori," the dwarf who had been smiling bowed deeply.
"Please to meet you." He cheered, Elill bowed back.
"And I you, Mr Dori." The three moved to the back and another three took their place. The expressions seemed indifferent as not quite ready to judge her yet.
"This is Nori," Gandalf introduced the Dwarf, whose hair was strangely styled. The Dwarf grunted. "And this here is Ori!" Gandalf cried cheerfully as the dwarf grinned at her and bowed. "And last but not least of this trio is,"
"Bofur," the dwarf interrupted out his hand. She took it and they shook hands. The trio left and all that had not been named where two rather handsome dwarves. One blond and the other dark haired. The third of the trio was clearly their leader, as Balin had explained. The blond stepped forward and bowed low.
"Fíli, at your service." The dark haired one stepped forward, quicker than Fíli had and bowed lower. His unbraided hair tumbling forward.
"Kíli," he winked at her, "at your service." She attempted to look unimpressed by this, but her smile must have given her away for he winked again. Fíli grabbed Kíli by the arm, dragging him away from Elill so that their uncle could be introduced.
"This, Elill is Thorin Oakensheild, the leader of our company." Elill took in the dwarf and raised a brow.
"As in Thorin II, that Thorin?" She questioned the dwarf, who nodded, placing a hand on his cheek.
"Yes, I am Thorin, son of Thárin, son of Thrór and rightful King under the Mountain."
"I should have just punched you for that," she snared, glaring at Thorin with her entire being. Gandalf clapped his hands.
"Right, now that you know everyone, why don't we get some food sorted for you? It must have been a long trip, where were you coming from?" Gandalf questioned her.
"I have come from the Misty Mountains. I had business there before you ask." She stated, walking towards the small wooden table, she drew out a chair and threw herself down, planting her feet down on the smooth surface.
"Business? With whom?" Gandalf questioned her. She looked at him carefully. Her green eyes searching.
"You know whom, now, Mr Baggins. Would it be any trouble if I asked for some ale?" She turned to Bilbo, who looked at her.
"Yes, of course! I have not a great selection if that is okay?" He asked, looking at her muddied boots.
"That will be perfectly fine, thank you." She said gratefully. Smiling. The thirteen dwarves swarmed around her. Taking the seats at the table.
"So," Balin asked first as he sat to her right, "who are you? And before you say anything we do know your name that is true. But who are you?" She looked at Balin solemnly, as though who she was somewhat of dangerous secret.
"I find that, if you know us, we should know you?" Dwalin called from the other side of the table. She sighed, at that moment poor little Bilbo, who had just had fourteen dwarves he had never known beforehand enter his house and a wizard he only knew for his fireworks. He handed Elill a large metal mug, she grasped the handle, the forth of the ale poured over slightly.
"Well, thank you, Mr Bilbo," she took a large gulp of the ale and butler, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Right, so me. My name is Elill, daughter of Ossian, son of Telchar. However, I'm better known as Gandalf had introduced me, Elill the Ironfoot." She explained taking another swig of ale.
"And, can I ask, why do the call you Ironfoot?" Bilbo asked, shaking slightly. She felt pity for the hobbit. It was clear he did not such company in his house.
"I suppose I owe you for the ale, but you must promise not to panic." Bilbo hesitated for a moment. Did he really want to know? Then he felt the Tookish side of him take over.
"I give you my word." She nodded and placed down her mug, leaning toward she began to unclasp her boot buckles, and she pulled off the boot and began to roll up her trousers her knee.
"As you can see, my leg, is completely made of metal. Iron, to be exact." The dwarves each leaned forward, studying her leg with curiosity.
"How did that happen?" Kili breathed, checking his reflection in her leg.
"It isn't important," she mumbled as she rolled her leg back down putting on her boot and buckling it back up. Gandalf looked at her sadly. The dwarves each looked at her curiously, they could tell she was lying by the hitch in her voice but all the same they did not wish to push the matter of her leg. She had punched her future king and had been in the Misty Mountains on her own, with nothing but a sword. Some things were better left unsaid.