Dwalin and Saari set their sights on a little hole in the ground in the Shire. They knew to look for a rune requesting a job on the door but it did take them a little longer than expected to find the right little hole. Saari followed Dwalin through the gate and to the door.
"I really hope these Hobbit homes are not as dirty as I think they are. Who builds homes in the dirt?" Saari questioned as they stood at the door.
"Chin up, lass, Hobbits are clean folk. I'm sure we'll be comfortable." Dwalin smiled at his friend before pounding his fist against the door. The Hobbit inside, Bilbo, was just sitting down to eat supper. But a knock on the door meant company, and it was very rude to keep company waiting for long so he rushed to greet whoever would deem it wise to knock at such an hour. He swung the door inwards and he was stunned see two dwarves at his doorstep. One was rather large, with a tattooed, bald head and a gruff exterior. The other was a female dwarf, of all things, with a warm smile upon her lips. She was a little more startling to see this far from any dwarf land. Her black, long hair was half in a large braid down her back and half free and frizzy, softly moving to the breeze. Her long sideburns grew to her jawline and would have been the start of a beard had her chin not been bare; she kept them braded and let them fall in front of her overcoat and cloak. The most startling thing was her eyes, set deep into her face, they were a steely grey, though a scar ran through her left eye and Bilbo could do no more than stare once he saw the blackness of her left eye.
"Dwalin,"
"And Saari,"
"At your service." They greeted in unison as if practiced and bowed together.
Bilbo hummed in surprise, his line of thought broken by the two at his door. "Um, Bilbo Baggins," he paused and remembered he wasn't exactly decent. "At yours." He finished as he tied his robes closed for decency's sake.
Dwalin chuckled and pushed his way through the door, pulling his arms out of his coat as Saari followed suit. "Which way, laddie?" He asked before pointing towards a room, "is it down here?"
Saari folded her coat and placed it in a corner of the Hobbit hole's entryway and gave poor Bilbo a pained look as if to apologize for her companion's lack of courtesy.
"Is what down where?" Bilbo stammered, still trying to figure out why he had to entertain two dwarves suddenly.
"Supper! He said there'd be food! And lots of it." Dwalin tossed his coat into the Hobbit's arms and continued to what Saari hoped was the kitchen.
She took the coat from Bilbo and folded it quickly. "I'm sorry about him, Master Bilbo. It's been a long journey and we're all very hungry."
The Hobbit either ignored her or didn't have a reply as he followed Dwalin into the kitchen. "Who said that?"
Saari followed and watched as the older dwarf sat himself in front of a plate of grilled fish and potatoes. "Eat up, oaf." She grinned and gave Dwalin's bald head a resounding pat and made her way towards a few scones she had spied. She tore the savory bread and popped it in her mouth, humming pleasantly. The Hobbit was still trying to get an answer from the both of them, but she was going to wait for Gandalf.
Dwalin didn't even acknowledge the poor thing as he tore into the plate of food, grunting happily as he ate the fish, bones and all. "Very good this!" he exclaimed around a mouthful of food and Saari had to hide a large grin. Years of living with this dwarf and he still had such poor table manners. "Is there any more?"
Bilbo, bless his soul, shot out of his seat with nervous chatter that Saari didn't quite hear. He grabbed the plate of scones she had been munching on, stuffed two in his robe pocket, and placed the plate in front of the famished dwarf.
Dwalin ripped the bread and loudly chewed, Saari came behind him and stole a bit of his potatoes and tossed them into her mouth. "Manners." She whispered through the potatoes and gave his shoulder a swift smack.
Dwalin muttered his thanks before the Hobbit proclaimed, "It's just that I wasn't expecting any visitors."
Saari laughed, earning a confused glare from Bilbo. She was going to warn him about the twelve other dwarves and the wizard, but the bell rang before she could say anything.
Dwalin stilled, and when the Hobbit made no move for the door, he swallowed his mouthful. "That'll be the door." And the Hobbit rushed to the door muttering something once more.
Dwalin brushed the crumbs from his beard and stood from his seat. He turned and saw a cookie jar and went straight for them. Saari sighed, faintly hearing Balin introduce himself to Bilbo.
"Really, Dwalin, you're horrible." She grinned, amused that the large dwarf could barely fit his fist into the jar.
"Ooh! Haha!" Balin passed the threshold and opened his arms wide at the site of the two of them. Dwalin froze, his hand still trying to squeeze into the jar. "Evening Saari, brother." Balin laughed as his brother jerked his hand from the jar and placed it on the table.
Dwalin chuckled, "By my beard, you've gotten shorter and wider since last we met." His eyes shone with humor and paced towards his brother.
"Wider. Not shorter." Balin corrected, "And sharp enough for the both of us." The two laughed and grasped each other's shoulders.
Saari chuckled to herself, knowing what the two were about to do. Once they head-butted, her eyes shot to the Hobbit, greatly enjoying the uncomfortable look on his face. "All the time they do this." She explained. "Is there any more food? Balin and I, at least, are famished."
Bilbo pointed towards his pantry, looking a bit pale. Saari ignored it and followed the brothers into the pantry and smiled as they spoke. It had been a while since she saw Balin last. She had regrouped with Dwalin on the journey to the Shire. She was glad to see him unharmed and in a joyful mood.
"Have you eaten, lass?" Balin asked as Dwalin pilfered through the pantry.
Saari eyed some of the cheeses the Hobbit had and shook her head. "I ate a scone and a bit of Dwalin's potatoes. Nothing substantial." She replied, spying a bit of cheese with no mold and bit into the small block.
"Have you eaten, brother?" Dwalin asked as he filled a mug with ale.
"Aye, but I could eat again if asked." The oldest dwarf chuckled and began to set aside food for the others. "Fill the mug up, brother, don't stint." He chastised.
The Hobbit spoke over the trio, sure that he was being ignored. The dwarves heard him say 'I'm sorry' however and somehow they thought he wasn't trying to get them to leave. Bilbo heaved a heavy sigh and the bell rang again.
He was flustered when he left and Saari laughed. This was going to be a difficult night for the wee hobbit. She snatched the mug of ale from Dwalin and grinned at his protest. She made her way into the hall in time to see Fili hand the Hobbit his blades and belts. "Hey, lads!" she greeted and lifted her mug before bringing it to her lips.
"Lady Saari!" Kili's grin grew even wider and she patted his back before Dwalin took both the boys to set the dining room for the company.
"You too, lass." He instructed and she took another swig of ale before bringing a few platters of meats and vegetables to the long table already in the dining room.
A loud thud and many annoyed voices could be heard from the front of the house and she assumed the rest of the company made it. Aside from Thorin, if all the ruckus told her anything.
Saari made herself scarce as all twelve of the other dwarves set the table and brought probably all the food into the dining room. She finishes her mug of ale and squeezed into a chair between Balin and Bofur.
Bilbo made himself busy with trying to reign in the dwarves as they began feasting. Cries of "Put that back!" And "Not that!" could be heard over the merriment of the dwarves.
Gandalf sat himself at the other side of the table and nodded a greeting to the lady dwarf before bringing a biscuit to his mouth and biting down.
Saari nodded in return and made a dash to grab another mug from Fili as he tried to step over all the food on the table to get back to his seat. Dwalin had poured the last bit of his ale into Oin's ear horn and the dwarves were laughing merrily. Bofur tossed food into his brother's gob and cheering ensued until someone counted to three and all the dwarves were chugging their ale, including Saar. She had been a part of many feasts with her guardsmen and was already used to how rowdy dwarves could be while eating.
The chugging stopped and belches followed soon after. Ori's was the loudest, very surprising for such a young, soft-spoken lad. Saari cheered and let loose a rather large belch herself.
"Oy! Watch out for the lass, a woman after me own heart!" Bofur guffawed and clapped Saari's shoulder. "Still not quite as loud as dear Ori, but impressive!" Ori blushed and Saari laughed.
"Oh, aye, a common heart-thief am I! Best be on yer guards, the lot of ya!" she raised her mug and the company cheered once more.
The dwarves conversed as they ate, most catching up to old friends. Saari filled her plate with various meats and peppers and was eating heartily when Bofur spoke to her. "Lass, does Thorin know you're to be joining us?"
Saari swallowed her mouthful and looked to the dwarf. "He'll soon find out if he hasn't already guessed. He knows he wouldn't be able to keep me back if I even knew about the quest. Thankfully Balin knows not to keep something like this from me." She smiled, knowing that some would be worried about her presence, most dwarves were fiercely protective of their lasses, but she was a warrior and she had much to gain from going on this journey.
Damn Thorin if he even thought about denying her this.
"It'll be good to have some feminine charm with us, then." Bofur grinned and stood to head to the next room.
The company had started to calm, and Saari could hear poor Bilbo still trying to reign in the dwarves. He chased after Nori and snatched a doily from his hands.
Bofur, of course made a joke about croquet and Saari let out a bark of laughter.
Once everyone was finished eating, plates began to fly around. Bofur and Nori sat back at the table and began to stomp their feet and clang their cutlery together.
Saari grinned when Bilbo told them to stop.
"You blunt them!"
"Oh! Ya hear that, lads? He says we'll blunt the knives!"
That's when the singing began. Saari joined in, happily bouncing dishes around the room, much to Bilbo's distaste.
He rushed into the dining room, an insult on his lips when he saw all the dishes in large stacks on the center of the table and the crumbs brushed from the wood.
The dwarves laughed at his expression and cheered again.
The cheering stopped suddenly when a knock sounded at the door. Everyone fell silent before Gandalf claimed "He's here."
The company moved from the dining room and crowded the hallway near the entrance, all relieved when the door swung open and Thorin greeted the wizard.
"Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way. Twice." Thorin's smile was warm when he greeted the wizard and looked to his company.
"Bilbo, this is the leader of our little company, Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf boomed.
Thorin began to question the Hobbit about his preferred method of battle, all relevant questions, Saari thought. The poor Hobbit was confused, he stood stammering about some game or another and Thorin looked slightly disappointed.
"He's more a grocer than a burglar." He stated and chuckles ran through the company.
With that, they made their way back to the dining room. Saari brought Thorin a bowl of stew she had set aside for him along with a few rolls and set them at his seat before reclaiming her mug of ale and returning to her chair between Bofur and Balin.
Thorin's news of the Iron Hills and Dain's refusal to help dampened the cheery mood. Most thought that the promise of a reclaimed Erebor would have enticed the king to aid them. No such luck.
Gandalf brought a map out from his roves and set it on the table, the Hobbit seemed very interested now. He leaned over the wizard's shoulder and read the map aloud.
"Oin has read the protence and the portence say it is time!" Gloin announced, some of the dwarves seemed perturbed by this claim and Saari could only guess why.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold. When they return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." Oin continued for his brother. The company grew silent.
His interest peaked, Bilbo turned back to the dwarves. "Erm, what beast?" He asked.
Bofur sat a little taller in his seat before he answered, making sure he could be heard over the whispering dwarves. "Oh, that'd be a reference to Smaug the terrible, greatest calamity of our age." He went on. "Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals."
Bilbo nearly interrupted Bofur, "Yes I know what a dragon is thank you."
Ori, without missing a beat, bless him, stood proud. "I'm not afraid of him, I'll give him a taste of dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!" the others cheered for him as Dori urged him to sit back down and bite his tongue.
"A task which would be hard enough with an army behind us." Balin spoke up, quieting the dwarves around him. "And we only number fourteen. And not fourteen of the best," he captured the attention of them all, "nor brightest."
Objections erupted, most insulted by Balin's words.
Fili piped up, "We may be few in numbers, but we're fighters. To the last dwarf!"
"And you forget we have a wizard in our company! Gandalf would have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!" Kili added.
Saari knew the lad was wrong; she turned her eyes to Thorin to gauge his mood. He was somber, like her. Both knew the dangers of this journey, and no wizard was going to make things very much easier.
The dwarves were asking Gandalf about his dragon killing, to which he remained silent. Saari knew he had killed none, and gained no comfort from the realization.
Shouting amongst the others began, the small Hobbit tried to calm them down but to no avail. Thankfully, Thorin stood, "Enough! If we have read these signs, do you not think others would have, too?" The company grew eerily quiet. "Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon, Smaug, has not been seen in sixty years. Eyes look East to the mountain, assessing, wondering; weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people lays unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours, or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor!" Saari and the other rose to Thorin's words and cheered happily. Thorin inspired a great deal of hope within the company.
Until Balin spoke. "You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." His words were grim, but very true.
Gandalf grinned and magicked a thick, steel key into his hand. "That, my dear Balin is not entirely true"
Thorin's eyes flashed with betrayal for only a moment, "How came you by this?" Saari agreed, wholeheartedly. One did not come by such an important keepsake by chance.
"It was given to me by your father, Thrain, for safe keeping, it is yours now." The wizard placed the key into the King's hand.
"If there is a key, there must be a door" Fili observed.
Gandalf brought his attention back to the map and pointed towards the runes on the left side of the parchment. "These runes speak of another way in, in the side of the mountain."
Saari scoffed, bringing the attention of the company to her. "Dwarven doors are invisible when closed, how are we supposed to find it, then?"
"The answer to that is hidden somewhere within this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But, there are others in Middle Earth who can." He paused and looked toward Bilbo momentarily. "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!" Ori grinned.
Bilbo hummed, "And a good one at that. An expert I'd imagine."
"And are you?" Balin questioned.
"Am I what?" The Hobbit quipped.
"An expert." Saari stated.
Bilbo stammered, claiming to not have stolen anything in his life. The dwarves began to speak their doubts. Saari agreed with them completely. Someone would need a little more behind them than a comfortable living in a hole in the ground to survive on a journey like this.
The corner where Gandalf resided grew dark, and his voiced boomed. No doubt by magic. "Enough, if I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, in fact they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of a dwarf, the scent of a hobbit is unknown to him which gives us a distinct advantage." Gandalf calmed himself and took his seat once more, the room around him silent. He turned towards Thorin, "You asked me to find the fifteenth member of this company, and I have chosen mister Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he has a great deal more to offer than any of you know; including himself. You must trust me on this."
Thorin nodded his agreement and Balin pulled papers from his pocket. No doubt the contract the young Hobbit was meant to sign. Bilbo took the parchment and went into the hall to read it. Saari looked towards Balin and gave him a pained look. "I trust Gandalf, but are we sure this is wise?" She asked, "He hasn't seen the first hint of hardship, I'm worried for his safety."
Balin sighed and held the left side of her face in his hand. "I know, lass, but we must trust that Gandalf knows what he is doing. We will do our best to protect the lad." He smiled warmly before giving her cheek a fond pat.
"Incineration?" Bilbo's voice jumped in pitch and he turned to the dwarves in his dining room. "Incineration?"
"Oh aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." Bofur leaned forward in his seat and Bilbo paled and turned a slight green at the same time.
"Are you alright, Bilbo?" Saari called after the lad, elbowing Bofur in the side.
Bilbo leaned forward, his hands on his knees and breathed deeply. "I feel a bit feint."
Bofur stood, "Think furnace with wings!" He spoke, ignoring Bilbo's request for air. "Flash of light, searing pain then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash."
The Hobbit fell to the floor in a faint and Saari stood to surge forward. "Bofur!" She chastised, trying to hold back a slight grin. "Easy on the lad."
Saari and Gandalf helped the poor Hobbit into a nearby cushioned chair; Dori came into the room and placed a cup of tea on the table beside him. Gandalf nodded towards Saari and she left the two alone rearing to give Bofur a word or two herself.
She returned to the dining room to find Bofur still in his seat, smoking on his pipe. She stood in front of him with her hands on her hips.
The two locked eyes and she tried her best to give him a disapproving glare, but the grin beneath his beard caused her to break her expression. A grin slid across her face and she shook her head. "You're incorrigible. Awful, awful dwarf you are." She held back a laugh as Bofur stood and escorted her to the fireplace in the Hobbit's living room.
"Aye, insatiable in my cruelty for pretty words." He chuckled and they both sat in front of the fire. "And pretty women." He winked and then winced as Saari's open palm hit the back of his head.
"Don't, not again." She scolded, taking her thick shirt off of herself so she could sit in front of the fire in her thin undershirt without overheating.
Bofur's face fell and it looked as if he were about to say more when Thorin and Balin walked into the sitting room.
The dwarves hung their heads in mourning and sang along with their king.
The night was a sad one, but all found sleep.
Rest would be needed for sure, for their journey began when the sun rose.
I'm so sorry this took me longer to write, I decided to go close to the movie for this chapter, and that required me to use in movie dialogue. I hate doing that so I procrastinated. I finally cranked this out. I hope you enjoy it! And, again, I'm so grateful for all the follows and favorites, and even to my first review! Thank you all!