Chapter 3

The two younger (and slightly more handsome) dwarfs introduced themselves as Fili and Kili, and they bowed in a charming manner when they mentioned their names to you. You couldn't help but smile at the incoming stream of guests. Though peculiar, they seemed rather interesting.

"Should I get the plates, mister Bilbo?" you asked, watching as they started moving the furniture around. Bilbo sighed in utter desperation as you grinned and moved to the kitchen. Better to accommodate to the small people rather than have them pillage everything. Bilbo furiously shook his head, muttering about dwarves and how they were messing up everything –it was rather hilarious.

While you were helping Balin move the table slightly, there suddenly were a lot more dwarves and a tall old man.

" 'Scuse me, miss, where can I find the cheese?" a tubby dwarf asked you, and you pointed to the pantry as you hauled a load of plates into the dining room. It didn't take long for all of them to pillage the pantry and seat themselves as they ate everything in sight. You awkwardly sat in between a red-headed dwarf (you thought he mentioned his name was Gloìn, but you weren't really sure) and a dwarf who had hair in the shape of a star, sipping from your glass of wine.

Ale was thrown around, and the only time there was complete silence was when they were drinking it all –spilling half the mug down their beards, before launching inhuman burps.

You could almost hear Bilbo's brain crack under the pressure of being with this newfound company.

Soon enough, the table was empty, save for the dirty plates. Most of the small people had left the dining room to go smoke somewhere else. You leaned back in your chair when someone tapped you on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, where should we put the plates?" the youngest asked, as you tried to remember his name.

"Best to ask mister Baggins, I think," you smiled politely, following him while carrying a pile of plates too. You didn't know what happened, but the dwarf you remembered as Fili suddenly took over your pile, throwing them to his brother.

Almost immediately, all the dwarves engaged in acrobatic shenanigans concerning tableware, which left you staring in awe. The laughter and joy stopped abruptly, however, when there were a few heavy knocks on the door. You wondered who found himself important enough not to use the bell.

As you went to grab a broom, Gandalf opened the door, revealing –surprise!- another dwarf. This one seemed a lot less festive, though, you noticed, as you looked him over while he scolded Gandalf for getting lost.

"There is no mark on that door, [Name] painted it a week ago!" Bilbo said, his tone rising a little. Gandalf raised his eyebrow at you as you smiled and nodded.

"I'll go make some dinner for the visitor," you muttered as you slipped away from the attention. Gandalf seemed somehow intimidating. As did the last dwarf that entered. And you were sure he'd like some dinner too, just like his fellow midgets. It was quite the task finding some remaining food in the pillaged pantry, but you were successful and made some soup as fast as possible.

When you handed it over to the last dwarf, you noticed Dwalin had grabbed himself some cookies. Well, that wasn't a surprise. The man had his eyes on the jar the entire time he was here. You resumed cleaning the hall; as the company talked about lonely mountains and burglars. It was crazy how quickly they started a fight, and how quickly it ended, too. Bilbo joined you in the hallway, holding what seemed to be a very long document.

"Incineration?!" you suddenly heard him say, and the quirky dwarf with the weird hat responded almost immediately; something about melting and bones.

"Think furnace, with wings. Flash of light, searing pain, and puff, you're nothing more than a pile of ash!"

Bilbo clearly couldn't take it, as he just dropped to the ground.

"Mister Baggins?" you muttered, rushing to his side. Had the man just fainted? Why had he fainted? I mean, sure, he was a little bit stressed because there were a lot of hungry and impolite men in his dining room, but…

"I'll talk to him," Gandalf said, as you helped him move Bilbo to a place where there weren't any dwarfs in sight. He would be out cold for a while.

"Mister Gandalf, I have a question."

He paced through the room as you leaned against the door frame.

"You're a wizard, aren't you? Do you…have you…is there any way people can travel across worlds?"

He raised his eyebrow at your absurd question; a reaction you were expecting. You would act the same if someone asked you this. It was nigh impossible to believe your own situation, but it was the only possible explanation.

"I do not know anything about that."

You frowned; another attempt in vain. At least, that's what you thought.

"But I could take you to Rivendell, where there might be someone to help you," Gandalf said, and your face lit up.

"If you would do that, I'd be forever in your debt," you practically sang, as you dusted off your clothes.

"Well, we leave tomorrow. You should pack up."

You did pack up; the idea of finally getting somewhere gave you a new sort of energy. Enough energy to completely ignore everyone in the house and doze off right after packing, hoping that tomorrow would come sooner.


AN: Sorry about the shitty and short chapter, I just need to make sure I don't start procrastinating again.