Many thanks to Bajni for the review. I normally don't like OC s either, especially in The Hobbit, but I'm trying to make mine different.

I don't own any Tolkien characters just my own little OC.

Feedback of any nature will be appreciated. Ta.

Kindred Spirits

Ch 2 – A New Contract

The ride back to the dwarf camp did not take too long. However, as soon as Jose slid off the horse, she raced to the other side of a large stone and proceeded to be sick. No more Moscato. Never ever again. She swore to herself.

When she recovered an equilibrium in her tummy, she saw that all the dwarves and one hobbit had swarmed around Gandalf in relief.

"I knew you'd come back." The youthful face of Ori beamed.

"I have come back, but not to stay, Master Ori. I still have business in the South that I must attend to."

"Then why come back at all?" Growled the aggravated Thorin. He and the wizard had exchanged unkind words before his departure, and he was in no mood for a reconciliation.

"While I have every confidence in Mr. Baggins' abilities, I have found someone else who could be of service to you." Gandalf looked around and seeing Jose still trying to hide behind him, pushed her into the forefront. "Lady Josephine Abinoke."

Before she could argue about the title Gandalf had given her, Jose realized that all eyes looked at her. She blushed. She felt a fool, but she mustered all she could remember of etiquette as she curtsied and said, "At your service, master dwarves and master hobbit."

Then Gandalf proceeded to introduce each member of the company leaving Thorin to last as usual. Thorin strode up to Jose and looked angrily up into her eyes. Although she considered herself short by human standards, Jose was still taller than the dwarf king.

The other dwarves seemed quite intrigued by Jose. From the throng of dwarves, a series of voices could be heard.

"Can she fight?" Kili questioned.

"Can she cook?" Boomed Bombur.

Drowning out all other voices, Thorin's deep baritone declared, "I will not allow this girl to become a member of our company. I will not share even the slightest bit of Erebor's wealth with her. And I refuse to take the time or waist resources to drag along a useless, helpless, human wench!"

Jose's first instinct was to shy away from the questions. But as Thorin continued his rant, something in Jose's blood started to burn. She took advantage of her height and used her leg to sweep Thorin's legs out from under him. Before he realized what happened, she knelt down, her knee pressed into his chest, and returned her own anger.

"As you can see, I'm far from useless or helpless. And, I wouldn't take any of your filthy dwarf gold if I was made to at gun point. Gandalf says that I have to go with you, so I have to go with you. But don't think that I like this any better than you do," Jose rose from pinning him down and curtsied again, "Your Majesty," before walking off away from the others – afraid of what else she might do in her anger.

Bofur leaned over to a stunned looking Bilbo and whispered. "I like her."

Bilbo had his own question though, "What's a 'gun point', Bofur?"

The dwarf just grinned and watched Jose retreat. "No idea, laddy."

Gandalf simply grinned at the scene in front of him. Thorin picked himself up, "Well, the girl might have promise. She can come along. But, I won't risk the lives of these men just for her. Is that clear, Gandalf?"

"As crystal, Master Oakenshield. Now take care in Mirkwood, and don't stray from the path." With that, Gandalf mounted his horse and rode off for the second time that day. As Jose watched the grey wizard leave, something in her heart fell. Now, she was truly alone – in Middle Earth – about to brave the dangers of Mirkwood – with thirteen dwarves and one hobbit.

In spite of Thorin's humiliation or, maybe, because of it, Thorin made Balin write up a separate contract for Jose.

Already signed by himself and Thorin, Balin handed the parchment to Jose who simply stared at it.

"What's wrong, lass?" The old dwarf asked kindly.

"I...I can't read this language. I can't read runes." Jose said quietly, not trying to attract attention. Reading was her life – her passion. She had never not been able to read simple writing before. This was so embarrassing. However, Thorin noticed and laughed loudly. Everyone could see the look of hurt on the girl's face.

Before Balin could help, Bilbo took pity on the girl and took the contract from her and read aloud, " 'I, Lady Josephine Abinoke, agree to help with daily tasks and protect members of the company to the extent of my capabilities. In return, I shall have the security and protection of the company but give up the right to any monetary gains with the reclaiming of Erebor. After Erebor is reclaimed, the conditions of this contract shall cease and I shall have no claim on any member of the company. By signing below, I knowingly accept the terms above.'" The hobbit turned to Thorin. "I say, this seems a bit harsh."

Although the tension between king and hobbit had eased since Bilbo had saved Thorin's life, in fact, some would say that the two of them had started to grow close since then, Thorin strode up to Bilbo and hissed, "Hobbit, kindly do not concern yourself with things that are not your business!"

Jose took the contract from Bilbo and the pen from Balin, quickly signed it, and returned it to the white haired dwarf. He studied it a moment before looking at Jose again. Jose noticed his unease.

"What? I promise that is the way that I sign my name in my language. Is something wrong?"

"No, Lady Josephine. Not at all. Welcome to the company."

Jose took a big breath and smiled. "Ok, gentlemen, can we get one thing clear? I prefer to be called 'Jose'. And you can skip the 'Lady' nonsense – just 'Jose'. Now, who needs me to help with what? I'm not going to sit around all day like a couch potato watching football on a Sunday afternoon."

Ori looked up at their new companion. "Lady Jose?"

She cringed a little a the title but chose to ignore it. "Yes, Master Ori?"

"What's a football?"