*THanks for all the favs and follows, guys! :D I do not own everything Tolkien related! Only my OC Allie and Ella. :) You'll se for this one I changed some dialogue just so my OCs fit a little better :p Peace*
Chapter 2
Suddenly, powerful knocks were struck at the door.All went silent.The silence hung over the room and eyes turned towards the entrance.
"He's here... said Gandalf, grimly."
He got up and walked up to the door with Bilbo. The other dwarves began to congregate either in the hall or in the dining room. For our part, Ella and I decided of an in-between. We preferred to be a little behind, but our curiosity was too strong to prevent us from seeing who the newcomer was. Bilbo opened the door while Gandalf welcomed the new guest and introduced him to the hobbit. Meanwhile, I started to analyze the unknown visitor in silence. It was another dwarf; his hair was long and black with just a small bit of gray hair here and there. He had an upright posture and seemed confident. His clothes seemed rich but quite used. It all ended with piercing blue eyes making his look a little threatening, but completing his face lines harmoniously. I turned to my friend and after a look, we started giggling silently.
"And who are they?"
I jumped and turned to see none other than the subject of our little misbehavior before us, glaring at us. Any desire to laugh was now soaring and we tried as best as we could to escape from this embarrassing situation. Unfortunately, although our desire to look good in front of the dwarf head was great, it was harder to say than to do. The words did not seem to want to get out of our mouth and, further, what should we tell him? That we were judging his rather pleasant appearance? No thank you! Finally, a kind soul got us out of this uncomfortable moment.
"They are young travelers who need shelter for the night, simply answered Gandalf. Ella, Allie, this is Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of this merry company."
We bowed to the dwarf as formal greetings to him. I thanked the wizard with a look quickly, who replied with a wink. Thorin stared at us for a little while and then turned to Gandalf, frowning.
"Could they not have gone somewhere else? I think we have enough important things to discuss without having more eavesdroppers in our business!, his voice was irritated and almost angry.
- Oh! I have the impression that these young women will be no problem at alll!, Gandalf replied with a smile. I would even say they are here for a reason that could be favorable to us!
- And how could that be?, asked Thorin with a sigh.
- This is something that we will discuss, but first of all, if you can follow me to the other side. We could sit down and there will be plenty of room for all of us! Especially for me!, the old man made a sign to show his bent and uncomfortable position."
Thorin threw a hard look at the old wizard, but finally follow his company in the dining room. Ella followed, but I remained a little behind, questioning Gandalf with a look. He merely shrugged and looked away before entering the room, leaving me alone with my questions. Why had he said that we could be a positive help? Was he aware of something we didn't and if so, how could it be possible? I sighed, deciding that I wouldn't get anywhere by asking all of these questions to myself and to get to the bottom of all that mystery, I would certainly have to reveal a little about ourselves too...
Finally, I entered the room to take place, but the room was already crowded with dwarves and the seat I occupied previously had been taken by Oin. Ella, who was sitting between Kili and Fili, gave me an apologetic look. I sighed and went to sit at the only place that was still free; between Balin and Bofur, who welcomed me warmly, but were much too close to Thorin for my pleasure... I kept looking to the dwarves' leader from the corner of my eye while trying to keep track of their discussion; a quest to retrieve their home. I was waiting for the inevitable moment when the attention will turn on us and our presence here. I tried not to look at any dwarf directly, preferring to go unnoticed. I realized at that moment that we were not at all prepared for what awaited us and had no idea how to put on the table the hard to believe truth; that we were from another world. I doubted that mentioning the name of Manwë would help us have the trust of the company, it will certainly shut the skeptic but our place in the quest was not guaranteed.
As I continued to evaluate our opportunities, I had wind of a snippet of the conversation taking place between the dwarves. They were now studying a map showing a high mountain that seemed to rise above the clouds; on the right side one could read "The Lonely Mountain". Without really meaning to, I leaned forward to get a better view, slightly pushing myself on Bofur to do so. I continued my observation of the map while the conversation continued its normal course.
"We must find a way to get in... discreetly. But the only entrance is the front door ... pointed Thorin.
- You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain., Balin sighed.
- That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true. Another passage does exist, Gandalf said, lighting his pipe with the tip of his finger. However, it would be closed for many ages -...
- How could that helped us if we have no way to open it?, cut the dwarf leader. Just like to say there is no -...
- I was not finished... growled the old mage. Like I said, this passage had been closed for ages and the only way to open it is by having the right tool..."
His eyes fell on me, with a smile on hi face. I looked off the map, feeling the attention of the company turning to me. I threw a quick glance at Ella who nodded slowly. I took a deep breath and looked at Gandalf.
"Key ... maybe?, I guessed hesitantly.
- And how could you know such a key exist?, asked Thorin, abrupt. You do not even come from the area... and by the way, where do you come from, exactly?, he seemed suspicious now.
- We come from far away ... a place you've never seen before and that you didn't even know existed, I replied softly.
- And this would mean...?
- I think that what she is trying to tell you is that they are not from our world ... ended Gandalf."
A muffled exclamation was heard in the audience, but the whispers quickly died, silenced with a gesture of the hand from their leader. Thorin seemed confused, his eyebrows were furrowed and he seemed to mull everything in his head. Finally, after some times he looked down at me and then Ella, gauging us as for the first time, but this time his eyes were filled with a slight glimmer of curiosity.
"How can this be possible?, he asked.
- Believe me; we do not know more about it ... I replied with a sigh.
- In fact, everything happened very quickly, just like a dream, Ella continued with a calm voice. It's Manwë who sent us, he wanted us to give you a package and to accompany you in your quest...
- We cannot take more people, especially not women, cut Thorin sharply.
- And then have the power of Manwë, King of the Valar, on our backs?, Gandalf intervened. It's too risky! In addition, I think it is more than important that these young women take to terms their quest, isn't it?
- Indeed, I replied, shaking my head, if we want to go home, we need to complete this mission. If you do not want us, we'll just find another way to be part of your company... whatever it is!
- Very well! They can come, growled the leader of dwarves."
Some dwarf uttered a slight disagreement; however this decision seemed to be welcomed by Kili and Fili who threw a playful look at each other and bumped their fists together behind Ella so she won't notice. Bofur for his part gave me a pat on the shoulder and welcomed me with his everlasting smile glued to his face. It is then that questions and comments came from everywhere.
"So, are there also dwarves in your world?
- Of course! Look at them, you idiot!
- But if they are dwarf ladies, where are their beards?
- Maybe they don't have any in their world...
- It's strange...
- I like it!
- Is there any elves where you come from?
The dwarves' curiosity was boundless and it took the intervention of their leader again to bring them back to order. Ella, who seemed dazed by all the fuss, glanced gratefully to Thorin. The latter stared into her eyes for a few moments before doing a slight nod in her direction and then looked away. I smiled. For my part, I found that hectic exchange amusing. I was trying to answer the questions from Balin and Bofur who were fighting for my attention. The latter would not tear his gaze off me anymore; it was like he was completely fascinated by my simple person now. I turned and smiled at him he hastened to send me a smile and put his pipe in his mouth.
"And that package? What is it?, asked Thorin starting to the conversation back where we left off."
I turned my head to the dwarf and took out of one of my pockets; the key Manwë had given us. I twirl it in my fingers before I put it in the outstretched palm of Thorin. The latter then brought it closer to his face, examining it from all sides.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, Gandalf began, for safekeeping. That's why I gave it to Manwë, our Creator, so that way nobody of dark intentions could ever put its hands on it. He had assured me that when the time came, he would send me the key; brought by two messengers... he laid his eyes on me and then Ella. When I saw you at the door, I knew that this moment had arrived, he looked back at Thorin. It is yours now."
Silence returned to the meeting. My once unanswered questions were getting clearer now. At least we knew that Manwe didn't launch us without anything in a perilous quest. I heard Fili from the back of the room and I turned to him.
"If there is a key... There must be a door!
- These runes, Gandalf said, pointing at the map,speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls.
- There's another way in!, chimed in Kili enthusiastically.
- Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed, pointed out the wizard. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle-earth who can, he threw a look at Thorin. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done.
- That's why we need a burglar, realized little Ori
- Hum! A good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine, said Bilbo, which I had almost forgotten the presence."
All dwarves turned their attention to the hobbit now. Oin adjusted his hearing horn.
"And are you?, asked Gloin.
- Am I... what?, repeated Bilbo, incredulous.
- He sayd he's an expert!, enthused Oin, the deaf dwarf.
I didn't know if he did it on purpose or if it was really what he had heard, but his exclamation was soon followed by another round of loud protests and various comments. I even saw Ella try to correct Oin, but in this racket, I was pretty sure he didn't hear a word she was saying. Kili put a hand on my friend's shoulder and made her understand that this was a lost cause. The hubbub continued for several minutes before being interrupted by Gandalf this time; a very upset and terrifying Gandalf.
"Enough! If I say that Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is!, he grunted, a black shadow growing around of him, putting the emphasis on his words."
The silence that followed was heavy. To see the Wizard so angry was scary, he was usually so nice. Unwittingly, I got a little closer to Bofur, trying to escape the wrath of the sorcerer somehow. The silence was soon broken by Thorin who waved to Balin.
"Very well, give him the contract, he pointed to the hobbit with his thumb."
Balin rose and handed a stack of paper to hobbit.
"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth.
- Funeral arrangements?, repeated Bilbo, a slight hint of panic in his voice."
He let go of a corner of the stack of paper which unfolded to the floor. The hobbit then began to read the entire agreement. I sighed, that would take a while. Gandalf was wearing a sweet smile on his face, but it soon faded when Thorin whispered something in his ear. I frowned. Even if I was close, I didn't hear a word that had been exchanged between the two, but no matter what the leader had said put the wizard very uneasy. The latter then turned his attention to the hobbit who still continued his tedious reading. I turned to Ella and rolled my eyes.
"Incineration...?, I heard Bilbo asked.
- Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye, honestly said Bofur."
I turned to see the hobbit with a very pale complexion taking deep breaths. I got worried.
"You're alright, Mr. Baggins?, I asked.
- Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint."
Bofur then decided to return to the charge. He got up in front of me, leaning against the doorframe.
"Think furnace with wings.
- Air, I… I… I need air... stuttered the hobbit.
- Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash, continued Bofur, despite the fact that I was pulling on his sleeve, trying to stop him."
Bilbo then began to walk, he gave a little smile, then turned to us.
"Nope."
Then he fainted.
"Very helpful, Bofur... Gandalf sighed sarcastically."
The latter turned to me. I hit him on the shoulder and reprimanded him. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say: "Well, What? ". I shook my head and smiled finally, seeing the absurdity of the thing, while Gandalf was carrying the hobbit in another room. Dori was commanded to serve him a cup of tea when he woke up. Discussions, meanwhile, resumed between the dwarves, but the meeting quickly dissipated. Ella finally joined me and we went into a room where a fire was burning in the fireplace. I sat on one of the chairs and Ella took the other next to me. We knew that the evening was almost over, so better try and find a comfortable place to sleep. I moved my legs over one armrest, using the other as a makeshift pillow. Some dwarves began to enter the room. When they saw us, Kili and Fili advanced towards us, smiling.
"Ready for the night, I see, told Fili.
- Have to if we want to be in good shape tomorrow, said Ella who was now mimicking my sleeping position.
- Is there any space left with you?, asked Kili playfully.
- Sorry ... Next time you got to arrive a little earlier, I said with a playful glance."
They made an offended face and then burst out laughing. They went away and sit a little further behind us. Bofur got in as well; he smiled at us and sat down on a footstool near the fireplace, his pipe in his hand. The atmosphere remained joyful for a while until Thorin came in. His face was serious and the smile quickly vanished from all the other dwarves face. Their leader went to stand near the fireplace, looking into the flames with a touch of melancholy in his eyes. Then something extraordinary happened. Starting slowly and even, the dwarves began to hum a song with their deep and melodious voice. Then, against all odds, Thorin himself began to sing. His voice was low and surprisingly soft, chills roamed my body. Then, in unison, the company finished the song. We could fell all the despair through these words, the intonation filled with heavy sadness. A tear came up to my eyes, but I wiped it quickly. I heard Ella squirmed next to me. I tried to see her lifting my head, but was unsuccessful.
"Good night, Ella... I said softly.
- Good night, Allie... she replied, her voice sleepy."
I played the song over in my head a few times, trying to understand their history, their distress. Shortly after, sleep came over me, while a second tear had found its way into the open air...