Hi there everyone, sorry it's a smidgen late. I'm feeling under the weather so I've been pretty sluggish all day today. Tomorrows chapter will be much more prompt, promise. Thanks again for reading, I'm really excited about the success I've been having so far! I hope you all enjoy chapter three of An Unexpected Companion!~
An Unexpected Companion
Chapter Three: Polite Conversation
Bilbo Baggins wondered to himself, as the icy cold rain relentlessly fell from the heavens above, why he had ever agreed on this journey. It would be his second trek to the lonely mountain in his life time and to be honest there would always be that little thread of stubbornness in the Hobbit that thought it was two trips too many. That was the Baggins in him, or at least that's what Gandalf always said. The Took in him, however, was still looking for elves in the woods, searching around each corner for a new adventure.
They had been on the road for days but there were many differences in their journey this time around. It was much more laid back, able to rest or when they pleased, casual talk as they rode side by side, camp fires as big and bright as they well pleased, and even the occasional stay at an inn. It was a few days by pony, this time without seeing hide nor hair of any troll, orc, or wog, and they reached the elven haven of Rivendell. The sight of the secret Eden, bathed in the golden rays of the sun, took Bilbo's breath away just as it had when the company of Thorin Oakensheild had set foot in the hidden valley for the first time. The crystal waterfalls that seemed to naturally push through the stone like roots of a great tree, the marble buildings with etchings and statues so intricate that Bilbo could stare for hours and not grow bored.
They were greeted with open arms and a warm hearth. The elven lord was eager to discuss their current plans, though to this the gray wizard put up some resistance. "It's all quite dull.", the wizard drawled as he picked fussily at the bowl of greens that had been placed before him at the dinner table. "Just a visit, my lord Elrond. Now that all of the excitement has passed it would be quite nice to see how our dwarven friends are faring." Though it was the truth as Bilbo knew it there was something in Gandalf's nonchalant attitude that made him uneasy. He had never received an explanation on the tattered scroll the wizard had brought with him when he first asked Bilbo to accompany him. And it now struck the Halfling as odd that though they need not stop in Rivendell, they were certain too. On the only trip Bilbo had taken prior to the lonely mountain they had only stopped in Rivendell for the aid of master Elrond, not to mention Gandalf's fair share of manipulation. Bilbo, however, would find no peace of mind this night in particular. The questions would be left unanswered for days to come.
Gandalf the gray didn't feel the slightest bit guilty. Though some would deem his actions as deceptions the wizard simply rationalized that if Bilbo truly wanted to know their mission, let alone the text on the scroll he would have already done so. It was not a lie, it was simply information he would withhold from the Hobbit as long as he so pleased. Elrond, however, was not as tight-lipped as Bilbo Baggins. But once the Hobbit had gone to his room for the evening, the cunning half-elf lord approached Gandalf, a knowing grin giving away his intentions. "Tell me then, Mithrandir, what your real purpose is. "
The misty eyes of the wizard carried the sly smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. "Whatever do you mean?" He replied easily, leaning on his gnarled branch staff as he often did. But Elrond was not misled by his coyness. "In all my years of know you, Gandalf, I have learned one thing for certain. You do not visit my house without reason." Elrond was pacing now in a half-circle around the wizard, chestnut eyes trained on his old friend. "As seldom you visit Imladris it is never without a request of some kind." AT this Gandalf sighed, shaking his head as if disappointed in the elf. "You know that is not true." He was only greeted with a smile and leery gaze, a look he had seen on the elven lords face many times before.
"Why to Erebor, Gandalf?" There was silence now. Elrond would not continue without an answer, and Gandalf was somewhat reluctant to burden his old friend. This was, however, why he had come to Rivendell in the first place. He cleared his throat awkwardly as he dug in his satchel, producing the scroll. Without a word he offered it to the elf, and without a word the elf proceeded to read the contents. A look of utter confusion covered Elrond's features, his eyes scanning the runic text repeatedly. His feet seemed to carry him wherever they pleased as he read the tattered scroll, until his back was to Gandalf. "What is—", he cut himself off, turning abruptly back to the gray wizard. "And you believe it will appear in Erebor?" He now spoke in the elven tongue, his tone somewhat panicked and rushed. Gandalf nodded in return, the severity of the situation quite clear merely from the expression he wore. "I believe it will…If it hasn't already."
Getting the human to the library was much hard then Thorin felt it should have been. With mouth agape and eyes as wide as saucers, she seemed to marvel at every stone-forsaken speck of dust in his kingdom. A few times Balin had to even remind the girl of her feet, that they were indeed still connected to her body so she could most certainly walk if she set her mind to it. Fili and Kili stayed close in the case she fell behind, which she seemed to do often. Fili was happy as a lark to answer all her little questions. As easy going as always the blonde dwarf would respond with measured patience. It occurred to Thorin that the boy would make a fine diplomat or politician, all to his own personal dismay of course.
Kili on the other hand stayed silent. It surprised the king thoroughly that the wilier of his nephews was staying so quiet. Occasionally he would steal a glance over his shoulder just to be sure they were all there. Every single time he would see the same thing; Fili playing tour-guide, the somewhat air-headed female, and a hushed Kili who seemed reluctant to interrupt his brothers conversation. Perhaps it was simply a tad of bashfulness thought the king. Though Kili had never been so reserved around others in the past he had also never really been one to spend much time around maidens. At least maidens without beards.
It was a relief to everyone in the small party when they reached the library. Thorin quickly took his seat at the head of the table, gesturing with an open palm for the others to take a seat as well. Balin took the seat to the left of his king while Fili stood beside the seat to the right. Kili however hesitated to sit while Kestrel looked on confused. The young woman looked back to the dwarf, the two exchanging an awkward smile before she took the seat nearest to her. Kili quickly followed suit and occupied the chair beside her. The blue velvet clad dwarf clear his throat, leaning back in the high-backed chair. "Now, tell us what you meant.", he demanded. He didn't sound angry or cross in anyway, but once again the tone in his voice told Kestrel that there was no room for argument.
"I'm not entirely sure." She sounded much calmer to the dwarves now. Needless to say that what she was experiencing was something new and rather terrifying, but it was so much less threatening when there wasn't an angry mob labeling you a thief. "Like I said, my boss sent me home for the day and I had walking the market street in the park. I bought this little necklace and…well, poof I suppose." She gave them a halfhearted shrug, shaking her head. "I'm honestly just as confused as you are, I have no idea." Balin leered at the explanation given. He clearly didn't accept this answer. "Ye' must know somethin' lass. After all, you're sitting here as sure as there's stone in the mountain." Once again, all Kestrel could really offer was a shrug, but this time she dug the necklace out of her coat pocket and placed it on the table. The three dwarves leaned in to examine the trinket more closely, but Thorin's eyes remained locked on Kestrel's. He did not believe she was deceiving them. To be honest, after the way she behaved on the way to this very room he doubted she had smarts to be so cunning. However, he would never be one who was quick to trust. "If it is the truth you're giving us, human, then you should have no qualms about staying here in Erebor." The statement drew everyone's attention, befuddled looks worn on all of his kin's faces. The human however nodded her agreement. "Balin.", he snapped, turning now to his elderly comrade. "Send word to Gandalf. He might be able to give some insight." The scarlet clad dwarf hesitated for a moment, about to air his grievances, but as Thorin turned his attention elsewhere it was apparent that his king had already made up his mind. "Fili, Kili." His two nephews wore expressions that he had seen many times before. An expression that no one else in middle-earth ever seemed to show. It was a mixture of exasperation and fear that had always amused the raven haired dwarf. "You are to watch out for the girl for the time being. Make sure she doesn't wander too much." Kestrel was about to protest the last comment he made when the sound of chair legs scraping across the marble floor echoed through the space, and the blue-clad dwarf was half way to the door.
"And woman", the king said as he reached the doors, turning to glance back at Kestrel. "You'd do well to stay out of trouble."
Again, thanks everyone for reading! Hope you're all looking forward to chapter four! R&R if you like the story so far, and feel free to favorite as well! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe new years!