AN: This is mostly a filler chapter, just to get the story started again and set a couple things up. However, I would like to make a note of something. When I posted chapter one, a particularly nasty comment sent in, which you can see should you so desire, as I felt no need to remove it. I will say only this. I do not care if you disapprove of my story, or my so called 'Mary Sue'. My writing is not to please you, it is to please myself in a place where, Fanfiction gods willing, others may enjoy my scribbles as much as I enjoy writing them. If you take issue with that, I would prefer you keep your nastiness to yourself. Or if you cannot do that, at least make your criticisms to the benefit of my writing, rather than just throwing stones.
Disclaimer: I only own Silvia, nothing else. She is mine, hands off!
Lodgings were easy to secure, most folk either going home or taking up residence in another tavern. I took the key from the owner, who towered over me, and wedged my way between the men who crowded area by the bar. By my estimate, I barely cleared five feet, and that was with my boots on, and they had a slight heel to them. Without them I was probably around four foot seven at most. This made it all the more difficult as I tried to get to the stairs that led to the rooms upstairs. The owner had assured me that most of the men will have cleared out in a couple hours, either heading to their rooms, or so drunk they went home. I would rest in my room till then, and come down for food and drink later. Maybe I could even get in a nice hot bath.
I finally made it up to my room, finding it to have been built for someone of my height, and that made me happy that I wouldn't have to jump for everything like a child. Entering the small, me-sized room, I found a small area with two beds, wash stand, and tub in the corner, protected by a sheet place over a wooden rod for privacy. There was also a small table in the corner and a couple chairs placed underneath it.
Setting my heavy pack on the ground, I let a slight groan spring from my lips as I let myself relax for the first time that day. It had been a harsh awakening for me, and so much had happened. I was pleased with myself for having adjusted so well so far. I had no idea why I was here, or what brought me here, but I liked to think it might be for a purpose. In all the stories I had read. The person who was brought to a different place was there to help the characters who would soon be in peril. In my case, that would be the dwarves. Therefore it followed that I was here to help the dwarves on their quest, whether or not they wanted my help.
Choosing to leave that train of thought for later, I took off my boots, setting them neatly to the side. Next I unbelted my sword and placed that next to the door next to my boots. My coat, vest, socks and gloves were also abandoned, leaving me in the green tunic shirt and pants. Flopping onto the nearest bed, I pondered what to do about getting a bath and food. I couldn't go down for a time, and while I could try and take a nap, there was nothing to wake me up, and I would likely sleep through dinner. The problem with getting a bath was that I no doubt had to get the water drawn bucket by bucket, and that could take awhile. While I had time, I did not have the patience.
Deciding to investigate to confirm my suspicions, I drew back the curtain protecting the tub, and found something quite unexpected. In the corner with the tub was a small fireplace, situated at just the right angle so as to heat the tub and water. And the tub itself was hooked to a pump for drawing the water, and a pipe underneath was clearly meant for disposing of the dirty water afterwards. Set to the side was also a bar of sweet smelling soap and a bottle of what seemed to be shampoo. I made a mental note to myself to purchase these items for myself before heading off, since hygiene was paramount to staying healthy. I started up the fire using my flint and steel, and while that began burning brightly, I used the pump to fill the tub with water, freezing cold from just being drawn. The fire would heat up the water quickly, I set about prepping the room for my night here. I placed my boots by the bed, ready if i needed to make a quick getaway, and tucked the sword under the pillows where it would be in easy reach for me as I slept. The rest of my clothes I folded into a neat pile on the bed for later.
Checking the water temperature again, I found it to be just right, so I slipped out of the shirt, trousers, and undergarments, and let the hot water sink over my skin. After the long day, I closed my eyes and let the warmth work out the tension in the muscles of my new body. At the thought new body, my eyes flew open. I knew that I still had the skills I had obtained in my world, but did I look the same? My height was different, but was that all that had changed?
The room was dark, the only illumination the light of the fire, so I was able to use the water as a crude mirror. My hair was still the same shade of dark brown, mixed with naturally deep red highlights. My skin was still pale, although I hoped I wouldn't burn as easily here as I had in my own world. Sunburn here would be a nightmare. My features seemed to be the same, high cheekbones, nose a little too large to be cute, smattering of freckles across the tops of my cheeks and the bridge of my nose. Arched eyebrows that I could quirk at will to perfect my look of curiosity or disdain. My eyes were harder to tell in the darkness, but they looked to be the same deep, near black that I loved. My eyes had a knack for changing colors depending on the light. In the dark, they seemed black as pitch, standing out starkly against the creamy paleness of my skin. When it was light out, in the sunlight, my eyes would be more chocolate brown, with honey-like flecks like molten sunlight. I had always thought my eyes were my best feature, especially for a girl who, while not ugly, was too plain to be called pretty.
Inspection finished, I relaxed in the water and leisurely cleaned myself, before the fire began to die down and the water turned chilly. Then I let the water drain as I rang out my hair, letting it hang down my back as it dried. My hair was long, the ends falling to almost the small of my back, so I would have to keep it in a braid to make sure it didn't get in the way.
Not seeing any towels, I stood by the fire and let the remaining heat dry me off, before putting my hair into a long braid, tying it off with a leather cord. I slipped my clothes back on, and looked outside. The moon was high in the sky, the stars glimmering, no sight of the sun. I must have been in the bath for at least an hour, drying off for another half of that. I couldn't hear as much noise coming from downstairs as I had earlier, so I felt safe trying to go down. The owner had informed me that I wouldn't need to pay the barman upfront, merely show him the key to the room I was staying in, and he would put whatever I ordered on my tab to be paid before I left. So I put the key onto a long string, to keep around my neck for safekeeping. I didn't feel the need to strap the knives onto my arms, so making sure that the knives were still in my jacket and boot, I set out, making sure to lock the door securely behind me, and tying the key around my neck.
Making my way down the stairs, I was pleased to find that the owner's prediction had been true. Only about a dozen patrons were still milling about, and many seemed like they were just waiting to pay their tab with the barkeep. Some of the tables were occupied, but I barely paid them any attention. I hopped, literally hopped, onto a stool at the bar and waited for the bartender to see me.
After he finished collecting fares from some of the men, he made his way over to me. "What can I get for you, young miss?"
I had been paying attention to what the other patrons had been ordering so I wouldn't seem like a total fool. I showed him my key, which he took note of, and said "Can I get a bowl of stew and some mead, please?"
He nodded, committing my order to memory. Smiling kindly, he said "Why don't you take a seat at one of the tables, and I'll bring that to you right up." I took him up on his kind offer, since managing myself in such a large seat was rather difficult, and I had seen some tables for smaller folk in the back. Getting off the stool was easy enough, as was grabbing a table, since there seemed to be no other people my size in the tavern. It was barely five minutes before the barkeep came over with my food. He had also included some slices of bread to accompany the stew, for which I thanked him greatly, and mentally noted to tip him on my way out tomorrow.
I tucked into the stew, enjoying the rich, hearty flavor. I had never had mead before, but it was good, and seemed to warm me from the insides out. I was thankful I had only ordered one serving of mead, because i was feeling a little tipsy by the end of the drink. Not enough to be classified as drunk, just able to enjoy a pleasant buzz. I finished off the stew and bread with gusto, enjoying every bit. It was very much like a meal my mother had made at home, which made me miss her very much. I had no idea what was going on in my world, but i hoped that she, and the rest of my family, were doing alright.
When I finished eating, I returned the dishware to the barkeep, and he seemed surprised and grateful that I had been considerate and brought it back, rather than just leaving it at the table for him to collect. I also asked if it was possible to have something delivered to my room in the morning, and he said it was, so I asked if he could bring me toast, sausage, and some tea an hour after dawn. He readily agreed, and I gave him thanks, and a compliment for the delicious meal. He wished me a good night, and I headed back to my room.
Unlocking the door, I was satisfied to see all my things were where I had left them. Putting away all my clothes on the end of the bed, minus my shirt which I kept on for pajamas. I locked the door for the night and climbed under the covers. The hardness of the sword under my head was a little uncomfortable, but the warmth of the sheets and the comfort of a full belly quickly lulled me to sleep.
Across the village, in another tavern, the company was enjoying a late night meal as well. The dwarves had settled in two of the smaller folk tables, while Gandalf had pulled up a chair at the end so he wouldn't be so cramped. The dwarves were all making merry, enjoying the night together, trading stories. Even Bilbo was listening intently to the stories. However, three of the company were not partaking in the merriment. Balin, Kili, and Fili. Balin's and Kili's thoughts were on the strange girl they had met earlier, while Fili was pondering his little brother's reaction. Many a lass had caught Kili's eye before, but none of them had elicited such a reaction from him as the stranger. Even now, Kili twirled the strange arrow she had given him in his hands, thinking over everything that had occurred in their short acquaintance. Balin's thoughts were also on the girl, but for a very different reason than the young dwarf prince. In the short time he had known Silvia, she had proved herself to be of ready mind and quite clever. She was also now shy with her weapons, and evidently had some skill with a bow. All invaluable traits for the company. But Thorin had been hesitant to even add Bilbo to the company, let alone a strange lass that might very well get in the way if they had to take care of her. Though he doubted she would let anyone look after her. Silvia seemed as stubborn as a dwarf, she just as able. Balin wondered if there was any way that he could convince Thorin to let her join, but not in such a way that he would immediately reject the idea. Seeing Gandalf heading to his chambers, Balin made his excuses and followed after the wizard.
"Gandalf, I was wondering if i might ask you something."
"You are wondering if there is any way to convince Thorin to let the girl come with us." Balin was not surprised that Gandalf had known his intentions. "I too think she could prove useful to our cause." Lowering his voice and looking around, Gandalf bent down and muttered "And to that end I have an idea."