Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my oc.
Chapter Two
I'd Rather Stay Here
Everyone was going in and out of the pantry grabbing anything that wasn't bolted down. I got many stares and of course they all asked if I was Bilbo's wife. I let out a sigh and told each and every one of them that I wasn't married to the hobbit. I watched as Bombur took out three things of cheese as Bilbo was pulling up his suspenders. "A tad excesive. You got a cheese knife?"
"Cheese knife, he eats it by the block," Bofur said leaving with a ham. I couldn't help my laughter any more since that is my favorite like in the beginning of the movie. I was then pulled to the side by Bilbo.
"Ms. Rue why is it that you find this bunch of dwarves funny?" he asked. I shrugged and watched as more and more food disappeared from the pantry and ended up on the table.
"I don't know. Something about them makes being here even more fun," I said as I headed to the door to get my boots on so that no one would step on my feet no matter how small they were. I do not want a dwarf to step on them. Once I had them laced I stood up and made sure that they were comfortable and not tied to tight. I was then grabbed and pulled into the dinning room and placed between Fili and Bombur.
We watched as Dwalin poured ale into Oin's hearing horn making them all laugh as he blew the horn to get rid of the amber liquid. I picked up some meat and started to eat it after hearing my stomach rumble and remembered that Dwalin had eaten my supper earlier when he first arrived. But then my plate was taken and started to get stacked with food by Fili and Kili.
"You're so small you need to eat more lass," Kili said as I started to refuse the heapings of food.
"Herse some ale for you," Fili said handing me a tankard. I looked at the stuff and sniffed it making my nose scrunch. I never liked ale, I am more of the fruity stuff reminding me of the wine.
"Dori is there any more wine?" I asked him. He nodded and handed me a goblet this time instead of the little wine glass that he handed Gandalf. It was filled with the red liquid. I took a sip and it tasted wonderful. Almost like a raspberry taste with a hint of strawberry.
Once my plate was returned to me I laughed at how much stuff was piled on it. Several different kinds of meats, cheese, biscuits, I would never be able to finish all of this. Good thing I was sitting next to Bombur. He could finish whatever I didn't. I started eating and looked up at Bilbo who stared at me.
"What I am hungry. Dwalin at my supper remember," I said and he just gave me a ghost of a smile and went to his pantry. The guys took their ale and downed it as it splashed out around their beards well in Kili's situation his stubble. I just sipped the wine because I knew me and wine if gulped in a hurry never mixed. It would knock me out with in five minutes.
Then came a belch from Nori after they finished drinking. But nothing was more impressive then his little brother Ori letting one go that pretty much shook the table. Fili looked at me then at my plate.
"You've hardly touched your food," he said. I took another sip of the wine and then sort of hiccupped. I blushed ten shades of red.
"Excuse me. And I am stuffed. I am not used to eating so much heavy foods," I said and he looked at me.
"But you're nothing but skin and bones," I laughed which confused him.
"I have to be light. I am a dancer back home. Can't move gracefully while loaded on sausages, ham, bacon and the sort." I smiled and handed Bombur my plate which he took and started to eat. I got up clumsily noticing that this wine was far more potent than the stuff from home. I giggled when I swayed a bit and rested on Fili's back. "Sorry." I managed to make it to the kitchen and grabbed my plate of cookies. Fili came in behind me and grabbed a cookie.
"What is this?" he looked at the cookie with a questionable look.
"It's a sugar cookie. I made it myself," I said with pride. I wasn't drunk just a bit tipsy. I sat the goblet down and decided that I am done with the wine. I took a cookie and started to munch on it. He took a bite and smiled as he enjoyed it.
"It's sweet." He took another, "hey Kili!" he threw one at him and he looked at it strangely.
"What is it? What do you do with it?" he questioned his brother as the others looked at the cookie.
"You eat it silly. It's called a sugar cookie and I made them," I said watching him smell it. Then he took a bite and looked up at me.
"These are good. What do you call them? Cooie?" he asked.
"They are called cookies," I said laughing. Ori came up to me and looked at them.
"May I try one?" he asked. I nodded and handed him one. He took a bite and the same reaction that Fili and Kili had been upon his face. "It's good. Better than I thought."Then everyone had to try one. I guess my cookies were a big hit since there was only two left and decided that I should save them for Thorin when he comes. Which wouldn't be too long.
Bilbo was having a conversation with Gandalf about the dwarves. How his kitchen was a mess, mud everywhere, and his destroyed plumbing, when Ori came up to Bilbo with his plate. "I am sorry to interrupt but what shall I do with my plate?"
"Here you go Ori give it to me," Fili said and taking the plate he tossed it to Kili. This was another of my favorite scenes. Biblo complained about his dishes being old and fragile but it didn't stop them from tossing them. I could hear stomping and clanging in the dinning room.
"And can you not do that. You'll blunt them!"
"Oooh did you hear that lads? He says we'll blunt the knives," Bofur said jokingly. Then Kili started to sing which everyone started in.
Blunt the knives and 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 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;
And when you've finished, if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Bilbo rushed to the kitchen to see that all the dishes were washed, rinsed and dried and not a crack or chip in them. I smiled as I stood behind Bilbo and felt Fili pat me on the shoulder as he laughed. Then there was a knock on the door. I looked up at Gandalf already knowing who it was. "He is here."
Gandalf went to the door as everyone stood around. He opened the door and standing there was Thorin. "Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. Lost my way twice. I wouldn't have found it at all if it wasn't for that mark on the door." He told Gandalf as he was taking off his cloak and walking further into Bilbo's home.
"Mark? There is no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago," Bilbo said as a matter of fact.
"There is a mark for I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins allow me to introduce the leader of our company Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf introduced them.
"So this is the hobbit? Tell me Mr. Baggins have you done much fighting?" Thorin questioned.
"Pardon?" Bilbo asked confused.
"Ax or sword is your weapon of choice?"
"Well I do have some skill at conquers if you must know." he said getting annoyed at the dwarf. "But I fail to see why that is relevant?"
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer then a burglar." Everyone chuckled at that last comment. Then Thorin saw me looking me up and down. "Odd way to let your wife dress." That was it the last straw. I blew up.
"For the last time I am not his wife! I am not even a hobbit!" I shouted as everyone looked at me.
"Ms. Rue I had forgotten you were here. Thorin this is Ruthy O'Riley I found her passed out on the side of the road. She might come in handy to have in our company," Gandalf said. Thorin looked back at the wizard.
"I will not let a woman on this quest. She doesn't look like much. Can you fight?" he asked looking me up and down again.
"Yes, but what difference does it make if I am woman?" I said not really knowing why I just said that. I took archery back in high school but that was it. And I never held a sword before.
"We will just have to see. Fili test her skills," he said.
"Now?" Bilbo asked confused and frightened that we were going to do it right here in the door way.
"Yes now outside all of you," Thorin barked. I went over and grabbed my sword and walked out of the warm home.
"Thorin I don't understand why you must do this now," Gandalf tried to reason with him. But it was no use. "Why don't we do this in the morning?"
"If you want me to add her to the group we must test her skills," he said looking at me. I took my sword out of its sheath and felt the wind pick up.
'Trust in yourself. In your sword. And in me." Someone whispered. I looked around and there was no one there. I looked at the sword and closed my eyes. I felt someone take my hand and I opened them just as Thorin instructed Fili to attack.
I blocked every move he made, but he blocked every move I made. We were at this for a good hour until he had my sword flying out of my hand. He went to bring his sword to my neck when I surprised him by jumping over his head using his shoulders as a push-off. Flipped and did a few back flips to get to my sword.
"Enough. I must admit that you are good. But don't think I will go lightly on you just because you are a woman. Now let's get on with the meeting," Thorin said. I was breathing hard and Fili and Kili came up to me.
"That was amazing. How'd you learn to do that?" Kili asked looking me up and down. I do have to admit that being short had its advantages. I could sail through the air better this way.
"I am a dancer back home." I said a bit out of breath. I sat on the bench as everyone went back inside.
"You coming?" Fili asked. I nodded but was going to stay out here to figure out what the hell that voice was.
"Just going to catch my breath," I said and they nodded and walked back inside. I looked at my sword and noticed that there was writing on the blade. "Listen to the voices of the wind." I read and felt the wind pick up and I could hear something but it was very light and I couldn't make it out. A chill ran down my spine so I decided to head back in just as Gandalf was telling the others that Bilbo is their burglar.
I walked up to Bilbo and put my hand on his shoulder making him jump in the process. "Hobbit's are remarkably light on their feet. In fact they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustom to the smell of dwarf the sent of a hobbit is all unknown to him which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins and also finding a fifteenth memeber in Ms. Rue. There is a lot more to him then just appearances should suggest. And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know. Including himself." He was silent then looked at Thorin. "You must trust me on this."
"Very well. We'll do it your way. Give them the contract," Thorin told Balin.
"Sorry but we only have one contract. Just sign below our names. Ms Rue. It's just a summary of pocket expenses, time required, funeral arrangement, so forth." Balin handed it to Thorin who shoved it into Bilbo's chest. I already knew what the contract held so I didn't need to read it.
As Bilbo read through it the words coming out of his mouth. "laceration, evisceration, incineration?" he questioned looking back at the others.
"Oh aye, he'll melt the flesh right off your bones in a blink of an eye," Bofur said without hesitation. Bilbo looked green and he put the contract down.
"You alright laddie?" Balin asked.
"Ah...I...um...feel a bit faint..." he said trying to get his breath back.
"Think furnace with wings." Bofur continued.
"I...need...some air," Bilbo said looking more and more green.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof you're nothing but a pile of ash." He finished making Bilbo teeter. I got into position where I knew he was going to faint.
"No." Then he fainted. I caught the hobbit but he took me down with him. He was heavier then I expected.
"Very helpful Bofur. Are you alright Ms. Rue?" Gandalf asked as Fili and Kili came over and helped pull me out from underneath Bilbo. Fili helped me stand as Kili dragged Bilbo to an arm-chair in the living room.
"You alright?" he asked and I nodded. I bent down and picked up the contract and went over to Bilbo's desk and signed my name. I went to the door so that I could get some fresh air. I stepped out into the summer night. The air smelt so much better here then they did at home. I went over to the bench and sat down and looked up at the night sky.
"Something the matter?" turning my head and looking at Fili as he stepped outside. I shook my head and looked back at the stars. He came over and sat next to me. "You sure?"
"Yeah just thinking about home. After being here I don't think I want to go back," I said gazing at the moon.
"How come?" he asked. I looked at him then put my head on my knees.
"I was never wanted there," sighing I stood up and stretched my back cracking it a bit. "I think we should head back in." He nodded realizing that I really didn't want to say too much about my past. We walked in and Kili came up to his brother clapping him on the back. Fili was really easy to speak to. If I hadn't caught myself I would have spilt my whole past to him. I walked into the living room where everyone was gathering. Deep humming consumed the room and looking at Thorin as he started singing:
Far over the misty mountains cold.
To dungeons deep, and caverns old.
We must away,at break of day.
To find our long forgotten gold.
The pines were roaring on the height.
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread.
The trees like torches blazed with light.
I could feel the sadness in their voice as they sang of their lost home. I felt the same losing my home, my mother and being forced some place where I was not welcomed. Looking up from the fire, noticing that Fili was looking at me while he smoked his pipe. Unwanted tears fell from my eyes and I tried to wipe them away before anyone saw them. I went over to the wall and laid down as I felt extremely tired from the day's events. In no time at all I was out like a light.
Dreams came to me of a man who I couldn't really see clearly, but seemed very familiar. I looked at him he put his hands to his lips and pointed down at something. Or rather someone. A baby in a crib sleeping soundly. I walked up to the crib and the baby looked almost like me but with blonde curly hair. The man took my hand making me look at him. His eyes were a blue grey that I have seen before. Snapping my hand back I jumped waking myself up. I sat up with in a cold sweat.
Looking around I see all the dwarves still asleep. Fili and Kili weren't to far from me and I noticed Thorin was staring at the dying embers of the fire. "Girl you need to be sleeping. We leave at first light."
"I have a name Thorin. It's Rue. Excuse me while I use the restroom," I said getting up, quietly made my way to the bathroom. I splashed water on my face and looked at a mirror. I did indeed have a different look. My normally long dark brown hair was cut to my shoulders while my bangs were pulled back into a clip. Not to mention that any wave/curl was not clear but stick straight. My eyes were the same blue with a ring of green around the pupils. But my ears, my ears were pointed into a tip. I didn't know what on Middle-Earth this made me. I shook my head and headed back to my spot between the wall and Fili.
Falling back to sleep for the remand of the night and this time no more dreams of the man and baby. That was something that is never going to leave my mind. But I do feel as if this is home.
A/N: Alright chapter two is up. Hope you all liked. Please review makes me feel better with reviews. ~Cerulean89
