We stood in front of the lit up home of Bilbo Baggins, a group of dwarves huddled at the door.
"Stay here a moment, I don't wish t see you trampled by them before I can even introduce you." Gandalf said, walking up to greet the dwarves and waiting for the door to open. It didn't take long, and they all fell in at the absence of the wooden object. I heard Bilbo say Gandalf's name. I watched as he dwarves scrambled up to their feet to go greet their friends.
I had realized on the walk over that my sweater and leggings had been replaced with boots, grey pants, a light brown leather chest plate/ vest, dark blue sleeves, elvish looking arm guards, and gray finger-less gloves. I reached up to my ears and found that they were still human, so my clothing just happened to be my preferred style and not related to a change in race. My hair and been changed from its messy bun to three dutch braid's on the left side of my head forming into one long braid at my neck traveling down my back. I freaking love magic!
I walked in the door before Bilbo could close it in his shock and anger. I whipped around and stuck out my hand, trying not to smile from pure nerdom but ultimately failed.
"Hello Mr. Baggins, pleasure to meet you. I'm terribly sorry for the mess everyone is making, I promise you'll grow to love them. My name is Josephine Mikol, but you can call me Jo." I said in a rush, grinning like a mad man. He looked at me with a slightly pained appearance, trying to grasp the barely coherent sentence before sighing and taking my hand.
"It's a relief to know at least one of you has some manners. If you'll please excuse me, I have to go save my house."
I followed as best as I could through the mass of dwarves moving throughout the house before finally finding an open seat in the corner of the crowded dining room. I stared in awe at the reality of my situation. Everyone was so lively. Smiles everywhere, laughter filling the air; it truly felt like a family. It suddenly went quiet as they all chugged their beverages. The burping followed closely after and I could help but let my laughter fill the air along with theirs. I felt the room go quiet and my vocals abruptly stopped as every set of eyes met mine.
"Ummm... Hiya" I said shyly with a little wave.
I looked towards Gandalf with a pleading look and he simply raised an eyebrow with a slight chuckle.
"Everyone, this is Jo. Sh-" CRASH!
"Who are you human?!"
"Are you a spy?!"
"Who sent yo-"
"-IS OUR CARETAKER YOU FOOLS!" Gandalf continued in a booming voice. The dwarves looked back to him, startled at the sudden change in the wizards attitude. He coughed lightly, content with having their focus. "I know that I told you all that I could not find one willing to take the job, but I kept looking just in case, and now Jo has consented to taking the job."
"Really?" Kili asked, now looking to me, the other dwarves following suit.
"That's right! Jo Mikol," I jumped up and bowed dramtically, "at your service. Before you question my abilities I will have you know that I am a lot stronger than I look and will even be an asset to your journey."
"Oh? And why is that?" Balin asked, a mixture of curiosity and amusement in his voice.
"Because I know the future." I said, hands on my hips and a wide grin spreading across my face. The dwarves stared at me for a few seconds before extreme laughter broke out. My smile vansihed and turned into a face that resembled ( -_- ).
"Gandalf, you didn't mention the caretaker being a comedian as well!" Dwalin shouted between fits of laughter.
"I'm not jesting, thank you very much!" I shouted over the noise, regaining their attention. "And I can prove it. None of you have told me your names yet, am I correct?" Thye looked around and nodded in agreement. I smirked before pointing to each dwarf and naming them off.
"Fili, Kili, Gloin, Oin, Dwalin, Balin, Bilfur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori," they were all staring at me with their jaws open slightly in amazment," and Thorin will show up after we clean up the table saying that he got lost twice." I finished with my hands back on my hips and a satisfied once again filled the air as they all greeted me properly and began walking around. It wasn't long until they started cleaning and singing " That's What Bilbo Baggins Hates".
Blunt the knives, bend the forks,
Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
Bofur nudged my arm and said, "Common future reader. You must know the words. Sing along." I happily obliged.
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth, trail the fat,
Leave the bones on the bedroom matt
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
And when you've finished if they are whole
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Bilbo walked in to the now very tidy kitchen and there was a knock at the door. I felt eyes fall on me and I shrugged.
"I told you." I said as Gandalf went to open the door. And there he was; Thorin Oakenshield.