Chapter 2 Lone Wolf
"I wish the old wizard would just leave." Bilbo huffed as he heard knocking come from the door again.
The hobbit was thinking that Gandalf was trying to make another attempt of bringing him on some quest. Why would he go out of his nice warm home in the shire, to the dangerous lands that held who knows what kind of danger.
His hand grabbed the handle of the door in his angry thoughts. Opening to expect the Greg wizard to be standing there.
"Gandalf I sai-" Bilbo stopped mid sentence as he gazed in shock at the stranger standing at his doorstep.
"I-I'm terribly sorry, I thought you were someone else, my mistake. C-Can I help you?" Bilbo stuttered in both embarrassment and awe at the stranger's appearance. Link did look similar to an elf , but there were difference in appearance, closer to a humans looks. His golden spiked hair shined as the sun cast upon him, his blue pierced earrings reflected the sunlight from it as well. But they were nothing compared to the deep sapphire eyes that spoke out the most to him. So detailed and was a gate way of showing his emotion , more used than his face at some times. The dark forest green tunic was different than most he has seen, and the sword hilt popped from his back was an odd color for a sword.
Link wasn't surprised to get shouted at as Bilbo opened the door, he could hear it even when the door was shut. No doubt his anger was caused by Gandalf's last conversation with the hobbit. He held out a letter to the halfling who invited him in right away as he took it, opening the letter after shutting the door behind the boy.
As stepping in he couldn't help but study the house in the hill. The smell of fresh baked pastries filled the air, with multiple spices from previously cooked meals before filled his nose right away. It reminded him of the Uli's cooking back home whenever Russell would Invite him over to dinner.
Link overheard the mumbling during Bilbo's reading as he walked a few steps away. Every now and then the hobbit would look his way before he finished the letter.
"Well it seems you were pulled into Gandalf's plans too. Oh I am Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins. And you must be Link." Bilbo introduced himself as a polite thing to do. Link nodded in confirmation.
"You must be starving, looks like you've been moving around all day. Let me get you something to eat, feel free to use the restroom down the hall to the right. And use the the study as much as you want, hopefully you can finally have some peace and quiet from that crazy wizard." Link had to be honest that Bilbo was one of the most politesse person he has met. Not all sure if he was going to be good for the quest at all. But he has learned not to judge a book by its cover.
Link proceeded to the study full of maps and books he has never seen before. Over the time of the day he spent time reading interesting book of the tales, maps, and stories of Middle Earth. It wasn't the same writing as back in Hyrule but he was some how able to decipher what it was.
Over the time Bilbo joined him and set down some team as he told him stories of his childhood. Which Link couldn't help but think of the kids back at home during that moment. The memories brought a faint smile to his face. A few hours later Bilbo wondered somewhere else into the house.
Hours passed by like a blur. Link was soon thinking the company that was heading their way over to the Shire right now, as Bilbo was preparing dinner, Link told him he would eat later. The quest of killing a fire breathing Dragon in a mountain full of gold as their prize. It was to reclaim their homeland and their gold. He read the Dwarves were greedy creatures when it came to that. Greed only causes trouble and harm, Ganondorf has already made a clear example of what it could do to people and their surroundings. But then again the dwarves have been said to be the most loyal race their is once you have befriended them.
Gandalf warned him they trust only their family, and when they when they are willing to meet him he should be prepared to be untrusted at first.
But the biggest thing on Link's mind was how many people there would be in the company. Traveling with 15 people would take a long time, and a lot of supplies along the way.
How that wizard manage to convince him to come he would never know.
Riiiiiinnnnnnggggg
The bell echoed throughout the whole house, loud enough for Bilbo to hear it. Link listed as heavy footsteps entered the house then down the hall into the kitchen. Bilbo sounded both confused and startled.
"D-do we know each other?" The hobbit asked.
"No. Which way, laddie? Is it down here?" The gruffly voice asked as he stomped heavily.
"I-is what down where?" Poor Bilbo he must be terrified. Link wished he could go help him but Gandalf strictly said to stay out of sight till he arrived.
"Supper. He said there'd be food, and lots of it." The voice replied
"H-He said? Who said?" Bilbo asked following. It wouldn't hurt to check would it? Link silently slipped out of the study, and towards the kitchen. He came upon the gruff Dwarf sitting down and eating the meal with only in a few bites while the confused Hobbit stood away watching him. They have yet to notice him as he watches while the shadows cover him like a black blanket.
Link couldn't help but stare at the Dwarf in curiosity. He had a gruffy appearance that already seemed intimidating. Short but still taller than Bilbo he was was cloaked with thick clothes and fur. Long hair but not on top of his head that held tattoos on it, symbolising something.
"Mmmm. … Very good, this. Any more?"
"What? Uh, oh, yes, yes." Bilbo brought him a plate of biscuits to the Dwarf. Sneakily hiding one behind his back out of sight.
"Mmmm. It's just that, um, I wasn't expecting company." Bilbo said to the Dwarf who was too intent of eating. Link raised an eyebrow in confusion, surely the Hobbit would know of the company coming over unless- The bell rings again, and Bilbo looks up in alarm.
"That'll be the door." The Dwarf said annoyed. Quickly Bilbo hurried to the door. Link heard the new guest annonce himself.
"Balin, at your service." The kind voice said. Link leaned forward a smidge and could see a white-haired dwarf standing in the doorway.
"Good evening." Bilbo said.
"Yes, yes it is, though I think it might rain later. Am I late?" Balin asked. Bilbo again held a confused expression.
"Late for what?" he asked but was again ignored. Balin looked past the halfling to the other Dwarf, who is trying to get more biscuits from Bilbo's jar with his oversized hands. He looked up to the new guest, a smile grew on his face as he turned his attention to him stepping closer.
"Oh, ha ha! Evening, brother. Heh, heh." Balin said coming closer.
"Oh, by my beard, you are shorter and wider than last we met."
"Wider, not shorter. Sharp enough for both of us." Balin added. Both laughing they put their arms on each other's shoulders, staring into each others eyes for the moment. Link was startled and almost jumped when they smashed forehead together. But they didn't looked harm in anyway from it. Bilbo stepped forward speaking again.
"Uh, excuse me; sorry, I hate to interrupt, ah, but the thing is, I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house." Bilbo piped up. But both Dwarves were interested in the food rather than him. 'Gandalf wasn't lying when he said Dwarves were rude and rough' Link thought to himself as he watched.
"Have you eaten?" The Dwarf asked Balin as they went into the pantry in search of more food
"It's not that I don't like visitors; I-I like visitors as much as the next Hobbit, but I do like to know them before they come visiting." Bilbo continued to talk.
"What's this?" the Dwarf asked holding a piece of cheese.
"I don't know, indistinguishable cheese." Balin said.
"It's gone blue."
"It's riddled with mold." The Dwarf simply throws it over his shoulder and platters on to the ground.
"The thing is, um, I, I don't know either of you, not in the slightest. I don't mean to be blunt, but I uh, but I had to speak my mind. I'm sorry."
Both Dwarves turn around and look at Bilbo suddenly.
"Hm. Apology accepted." Balin said. They went back to their work as the doorbell rings again. As Bilbo went to answer the door Link continued to watch as the Dwarves started to rearrange some furniture. He could still hear faintly the other guest that have arrived. Younger than the first two.
"Fili."
"And Kili."
"At your service." They said at the same time.
"You must be Mr. Boggins." He could hear Kili say cheerfully. The sound of the door closing stopped abruptly.
"Nope, you can't come in, you've come to the wrong house." Bilbo said.
"What? Has it been cancelled?" Kili said worriedly.
"No one told us." Fili added.
"Can-? No-nothing's been cancelled." Bilbo said but didn't see his mistake.
"Well, that's a relief." Kili said relived. The two Dwarves came in pushing past Bilbo.
"Ah, no, it's been in the family for years. That's my mother's glory box, can you please not do that?!" He could hear Bilbo had his hands full at the moment. Things were going a bit too fast, do it was best that he got out of there unnoticed. He caught a glimpse of Fili and Kili before he left. One had blond braided hair with intriguing braided mustache and a beard with blue eyes. The other was a dark haired,Dwarf with a cheerful expression. His warm brown eyes grew to curiosity when it only Link's sapphire ones as he disappeared down the hallway. The Dwarf was about to ask who it was when a Dwarf came and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"Fili, Kili, come on, give us a hand."
"Mister Dwalin." And that was one of the last things he heard as he walked down the hall while the sound of creaks and furniture moving the bell ringed again. The fuming Hobbit dropped all of the weapons in his hands and stomped towards the door.
"Oh no. No, no! There's nobody home. Go away, and bother somebody else. There's far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is. If- if- If this is some clotterd's idea of a joke, ha ha, I can only say, it is in very poor taste." Just as he opens the door the sound of bodies falling against the floor was heard.
There must have been many Dwarves there because they grumble and yell at each other, saying "Get off!".
"Gandalf." Bilbo said breathlessly causing Link to stop in his tracks. The Wizard was finally here and he could finally get all of his answers. He quietly came into the doorway searching for the wizard. His eyes fell on a pile of Dwarves getting up then going into Bilbo's pantry, raiding it for food. With all of his attempts Bilbo couldn't get them to put it back. Link watched the strange looking Dwarfs as they continued.
"Those are my plates! Excuse me! Not my wine. Put that back. Put that back! Not the jam, please! ...Excuse me." A large Dwarf with a large looped braid and orange hair carry three wheels of cheese in a look of hunger.
"Excuse me. A tad excessive, isn't it? Have you got a cheese knife?" Bilbo asked.
"Cheese knife? He eats it by the block." A hatted Dwarf said to him.
"Let's see Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori...Ori." Gandalf counts each Dwarf out loud. As Bilbo wrestles a bowl of tomatoes away from Nori as Bifur talked Gandalf's in a odd language. How the Dwarves could not notice him was a mystery.
"Gandalf would you have happen to invite another guest over tonight?" Kili asked all of a sudden. The others weren't paying attention so they weren't bombarded with questions. The Wizard looked down to the Dwarf with a smile.
"What gave you such the idea?" Gandalf chuckled his eyes wandered over to Link. Kili followed his gaze over to the Hylian watching the others in curiosity before he turned his gaze to him. His brown eyes widen before they returning to curiosity, Link put a finger to his mouth to tell him to be silent. Kili was about to go over to him but he was pulled to the table by Fili. All the Dwarves gathered to the dining table with all of the Hobbit's food. Throwing food all over the place. Bofur throws some food to his brother.
"Bombur, catch!" Bofur yelled. Bombur catches the food in his mouth laughing out loud, and everyone cheers. Bilbo watches in disgust before looking at his pantry in shock; it has been entirely cleared of food even the radishes were gone!
Link watched from a closer doorway as Fili walks on top of the table, carrying several cups of ale and knocking aside the food in his way.
"Who wants an ale? There you go!" Fili passed out the drinks as everyone was having a great time. They seemed so happy, something Link hasn't seen in a long time...it was great even if he wasn't involved. In a way the Dwarves reminded him of the Gorons. Brave and loyal to the end, no matter what the odds they stay by their Brother's side, even if not connected in blood but by heart. His mind returned as looked to see the dwarves pound their tankards together, all the dwarves go quiet and begin drinking their ale together. They are over and beyond messy, as ale falls all over their faces and runs down their beards. The youngest there lets out the biggest burp of them all. The dwarves laugh. Bilbo returned to look at them in disgust at their table manners.
"You are by far the cleanest guest I have had." Bilbo said as he stood by his side. So far the night continues on with the Dwarves messing around with Bilbo's belongings and the Hobbit demanding them not to mess with anything. Link was choosing whether or not to go back to Bilbo's study to continue his work, he watched from the doorway as two Dwarves play tug-of-war with sausages. He listened to Bilbo talk to GandaIf of complaining Dwarves messiness.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?" Ori asked politely, suddenly Fili popped out of no where.
"Here you go, Ori, give it to me." He snatched the dish out of his hand throwing it to Kili, before he throws it to the next Dwarf. This continued as other dwarves begin throwing the plates, bowls, and utensils to each other over to Fili and Kili and into the kitchen. Bilbo becomes frantic again.
"And can-can you not do that? You'll blunt them!" He yelled.
"Ooh, d'hear that, lads? He says we'll blunt the knives." Bofur said as he smashed the civilware against the table in a beat. The Dwarves then sing a song all together.
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks!
Smash the bottles and burn the corks!
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth and tread on the fat
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door!
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
When you've finished, if any are whole
Send them down the hall to roll
...
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
They all gathered in the kitchen to see all of the dishes cleaned and stacked on a table. GandaIf laughter fills the air with the Dwarves as they look at the surprised Hobbit. Link stood outside the room and chuckles silently.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
The loud knocks echo trough out the house, it silenced everyone.
"He is here." Gandalf spoke out. Link watched as the Dwarves gather to the entrance, stand and watch as Bilbo answered the door to a dark haired Dwarf. Link knew instantly that this was Thorin Oakenshield, King under the mountain.
"Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." Thorin said as he stepped in giving his cloak to Kili.
"Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!" Bilbo said gaining his attention. The Dwarf looked down at the Hobbit in amusement of Gandalf's choice. Suddenly the Hylian felt a little angry at how Thorin behaved.
"There is a mark; I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf introduced them as they stood in front of each other.
"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin asked as he studied the Hobbit.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo asked confused.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin continued as he circled the Hobbit.
"Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant." He replied.
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." Thorin said to the others. Everyone laughs at this while Bilbo somewhat offended. Link glared at the King as he suppressed a growl in his throat. For the whole night everyone hasn't been treating Bilbo as an equal, but this so called king angered him he most.
"Aw there is also the Hero you must meet, Thorin." Gandalf told the king. Thorin raised an eyebrow before asking in anger of Gandalf not informing him sooner.
"Hero?" He asked, Fili looked to Balin to see if he could answer but he too didn't look like he understood who they were talking about. Kili form straighten, his mind returning to the pierced teenager he saw.
"I cannot explain everything at the moment, but I will later. For now I give my word that he has no intention of harming you or your kin. His skill will indeed improve in protecting this company." He told Thorin as he glared at the Wizard before speaking.
"Where is he then?" Thorin asked impatiently. Link walked past the Dwarves (who were startled not noticing he was behind the whole time),and walked to Bilbo's side. The King watched him walk before stopping, his shock turning to looked enraged at the sight of Link.
"Do my eyes deceive me!? You have brought a bloody Elf here!" Thorin yelled at Gandalf before turning back to Link in anger as he stepped closer. Most of the Dwarves were also yelling nasty insults at him but he was more focused on Thorin. As they glared at each other.
However Thorin did not expect the dark glare he received, in made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Link's deep sapphire eyes stared down at him as his face grew more intimidating by the second. He could have sworn he saw his front teeth sharpen as he growled. It an unearthly sound coming from throat, yet everyone seemed to look at him like he was a wild beast. It made all the Dwarves, including Thorin to quiet down immediately. He looked to the others to see them startled even Bilbo, before his eyes landed back on to Thorin. His face returned back to its blank look after his anger was under control. The tension in the lit up instantly only a few seconds later.
"So you must be Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain?" Link asked staring down at him.
Well sorry this took so long. I've been sick and I couldn't focus on any of my work. Anyway I've been thinking of the ending to this and have been deciding if the line of Durin should or shouldn't fall. I mean I love Thorin, Fili, and Kili but would it seem like too much of the happy endings I read from other Fanfics? Hmmmmm well I'll continue to think over it. You guys make suggestions of what I should do in the future chapters if you guys keep reading. BYEEE