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Disclaimer: If I owned this stuff there would be more Boffins!
Four-A Respite.
A bright smile, a lovely mustache…kind eyes…strong shoulders…
'You really like that dwarf with the silly hat don't you?'
Broken out of his memories- not a daydream!-of Bofur the dwarf Bilbo turned his head to Lobelia, she had floated up next to him from where she had previously been with her son and Ori. He looked over and saw that the once-dwarf sat with some relaxation and was conversing with Lotho, which was nice compared to yesterday when he had curled in on himself and hidden between some tall grasses from everyone. Now Kili, Fili and Legolas were making their way toward the two.
It was obvious he was still uncomfortable with the whole "swan by day" thing, though. Not that Bilbo blamed him, even after all this time he sometimes couldn't believe his reality.
Especially the way the swans "talked" to one another in a mixture of sounds, movements and looks.
But, hopefully, if things worked out they wouldn't have to endure it for much longer.
'And what if I do? I saw you eyeing that one with the interesting hair style.'
'He tried to kidnap you and you didn't even defend yourself.' Lobelia continued on, tactfully ignoring Bilbo's statement, she breathed in her beak in a way that Bilbo knew meant a sniff of disapproval.
'Actually he was not, you surprised the two of us which caused me to trip into him and as he caught me you jumped at him which caused him to flee. I just went along for the ride. And might I add you didn't seem all that eager to save me after Nori interfered.'
A scoff.
'Scoff all you want, I saw your eyes light up when he blocked your parasol like that.'
'Hmph, I was just impressed he could defend himself. Your dwarf just danced away with you all snuggly in his grip.'
Bilbo ruffled his feathers as the memory of being in Bofur's arms returned to him, the happy dwarf had felt so safe and warm. If he had been his normal self he would be blushing rather mightily.
'He still had the speed and skill to evade your attacks, many of which would have hit me as much as he.'
Had he been speaking Bilbo's tone would have been very dry. Now it was Lobelia's turn to ruffle her feathers.
They sat silently for a while and looked about them. The flock was all around a small pond, some in the water and some nestled in the grasses. The afternoon sun doing its best to shine through scattered clouds. The hobbit-swans both watched as Thorin floated in the water, talking with some of the merchants from Erebor, Dale and the modern villages around their location.
Both muffled mirthful sounds as they saw how often Thorin stole glances in Ori's direction, his gaze obvious to them but not so to either the swans he was talking to or the object of his gaze.
'I'm not the only one who has their attention caught.' Bilbo said both amused and thoughtful.
Lobelia hummed and then said 'He'll have to prove himself if he wants that one. If Ori's other brother is half as protective as he described or as the cute one was last night then Thorin will have quite the time.'
'I think that would be good for him.'
The two "chuckled" lightly at that and fell silent for a moment. Then Lobelia said
'Do you think the Queen of Dale will free us in time? Smaug is almost healed, he will visit tonight you know.'
Despite the subject change Bilbo knew he would've smiled –had he the anatomy for it- at Lobelia's addressing of Bard. Both hobbits had struck an accord with Galen, both for his persona and the fact that he was a fellow disciple of the Green Lady. It was only helped with Lotho beginning to be good friends with Galen's son-poor lad.
The fact that she addressed the human as so-and in a fond tone- showed that Lobelia was happy to see her- as was he. And was happy at the fact said human was a female this time.
The thought of the two women getting on better than they had before terrified Bilbo a bit.
'Yes I believe so, especially since she is not alone this time.'
A harrumph and then 'Good bunch of help that lot will be. But I hope so, Dis will love to meet the new Galen.'
'It's Bard Lobelia, and yes, I believe she would.'
A sniff.
Oh Yavanna protect him when that union came to pass, the three of them as a force would be quite the sight.
Bilbo pushed the thought for a later date though.
'We'll have to tell them to stay well out of sight, Smaug will not take kindly to their presence.'
'Especially Bard, she had really given him injury last time. There will be no way he'd not recognize Galen's soul within her body."
'Then I will make sure she is not found by the dark one.' Twittered someone.
Both swans startled at this and looked over to their side where the new voice had come from. There upon the thick branch of a low lying bush sat a thrush.
Bard's thrush to be exact, Bilbo had spied him last night on the human's shoulder, the distinctive dark coloration was hard to forget.
Lobelia honked lowly, 'So rude. Just barging into a conversation!'
'My apologies but it seemed a good way to make my presence known.'
The thrush then made a gesture that, in bird language, would be interpreted as a bow and said
'I am Lonán. I came here because the human Bard had a few more questions about the spell and your situation. One being if and when Smaug would appear before the lake next. Which you have partially answered.'
Lobelia flapped her wings a bit and said 'Very well, ask away.'
'How do you know he will return tonight? Are not the visits random?'
"We can, just, sort of tell. Well Bilbo can.'
The thrush turned to the hobbit-sawn.
'It's the collar, it's like a connection to him. I just sort of feel that he will return to his lake tonight in time for the dance.'
'"his" lake?'
'He made it, for his captives. It is not a natural part of the geography.'
'Do the seasons change within your area of spelled land?'
'Not until recently, the flora and fauna always acted as if it was midsummer here. But now the area is reacting to the outside weather.'
'Is that a sign that the spell is lowering around you?'
'Just on the kingdom, if anything the spell on us is getting stronger. More energy is demanded of us than ever before. Smaug is almost healed.'
'Then we must make haste! Thank you.'
The thrush then flew off, Lobelia and Bilbo watched him do so.
But they were not the only ones, Ori spied the thrush flying away as well.
Lotho noticed his gaze,
'What is it Ori?'
'That thrush, it was on Bard's shoulder.'
'Oh him, yeah he's been hanging around the area for the last while now. Never really made himself known.'
This was Kili, her voice nonchalant.
Ori cocked his head to the side to show he was frowning.
'Is he trustworthy?'
'Lonán's a good guy. He just likes to keep to himself.'
This was Lotho now, his "tone" was defensive. This made all the other young swans of the group look at him.
'You know him?' Asked Fili incredulously.
'Not really, we just sort of end up in the same places sometimes. He's always hanging around the lake and Dale and around the mountain. He blends really easily and doesn't sing much so but he can be nice company.'
Kili made an amused sound, 'Ooooh, got a bird crush?' She said teasingly.
Lotho ruffled his feathers and gave a sniff.
'No, he just…he reminds me of Bain. That's all.'
'Bain?' Asked Ori curiously, his head cocking cutely to the side again.
Fili and Kili could see why their uncle liked him so much, he always liked the pretty, curious ones.
Fili answered his question.
'Galen's-ah, I mean Bard's son. His name was Bain.'
'Oh.' He wanted to ask more but Lotho's sudden despondent look told him to save it for another time.
The air deflated a bit and all were silent for a while but then Legolas took the initiative and said
'I cannot wait to be free, it will be good to be able to use weapons again. Especially a bow.'
Kili perked up at that. 'Yes! I can't wait to knock an arrow!'
'Or swing my sword. Curse this spell's limitations, not fair that Lobelia can get away with her umbrella thing.'
'Parasol brother, parasol. And it is not a weapon it is an accessory!'
All made mirthful sounds at Kili's prim tone and protest, her Lobelia impression was very good even as a bird.
She continued by saying 'I saw a bow and quiver on Bard. Maybe sometime we could go shooting with her, the three of us.'
The elf-swan nodded his head.
'Indeed.'
'Well I can't wait to be able to eat real food again, one gets so tired of raw tubers and plants, and the occasional frog.'
This was Lotho; everyone "laughed" at his joke. The swans continued to talk as the day wore on.
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She felt warm and content, utterly happy.
Odd.
Bard opened her eyes and found herself in a lovely meadow that seemingly went on forever, golden sunlight filled the area. It reminded her of the place she had been between lives.
She blinked and looked down at herself-and frowned at the pale green dress she was wearing.
"Now don't make that face, it looks very good on you."
She turned at the voice, a smile broke through when she saw who it was.
Behind her stood an old man wrapped in grey clothes and a tall pointed hat.
"Gandalf! You heard my call!"
She rose and rushed to embrace her old friend. He gladly returned it, when they separated they stared at one another for a moment. Bard had not seen Gandalf since he first reminded her of her past-self and helped her relearn her skills and set her upon her mission.
That had been many years ago.
"You know I'm not one for this kind of dress Wizard. Pants are much more practical."
"Aye, you are still King Galen aren't you?
No matter the body.
But never the less my dear, you are someone new as well. So do not neglect the aspects and needs- or wants- of who you are now. It is not fair to you, or to that dwarf of yours."
He gave her this look and she couldn't help but sputter at him.
"That is neither your concern nor the reason I went to the trouble of calling you!"
How did he even know?! Damn meddling old man!
Gandalf chuckled for a moment but then he grew serious.
"Speaking of calling me, my dear you are far too weak to mediate and send out energy."
"I know but I have urgent news! They have reappeared Gandalf! Thorin, Bilbo and the others! Smaug is preparing for a return and has put down the spell of fog and confusion he placed upon the old kingdoms."
Gandalf looked at her a moment and then said "Tell me everything."
And she did.
"…and my book will not give me the answers I seek. All it shows me is bits and pieces of knowledge I already know or just describes aspects of the spell! I do not think it knows it."
They had begun walking as they talked, sharing pipe weed from Gandalf's pipe.
"You are right, though that book is old and full of magic it would not know it. Though the victims are turned into swans the magic has nothing to do with the stuff of the earth. Not entirely."
"Yes, and that's why I seeked your council. I am unsure of what to do and am growing frustrated. From what I have been told Smaug will be returned to full power in less than a fortnight-by the next full moon. Any counter-spell or measure to combat his magic will take a week at least to concoct or prepare. I do not want to be stuck chasing false leads or waiting as my tome gives me details of making proper arrows while poor Bilbo is married off to Smaug!"
Gandalf watched as she raged, letting her vent. When she had calmed again he said,
"Do not disregard what it tells you, some odd fact may be the key to your salvation."
She gave him a dry look but said nothing. They walked for a bit more and then said,
"You must get your answers from one who is of the same stuff as Smaug. One who knows of those dark spells…"
"You mean call a fell spirit?! Gandalf even in my old life I was just a practioner! I'm no true wizard or sorcerer!"
"You have more power than you realize my dear, all of you do. If you be sure to be clever, and cautious and follow your book then I believe it can be done."
She breathed out of her nose but relented, she really didn't see another way.
"Very well."
"Good, now you must trust in yourself from this moment on. I will be unavailable due to other business, now be sure to rest and eat properly. You will be of no help to anyone if you continue on as you have been."
Bard said nothing but nodded her head.
"Oh, and one more thing my dear. Take this and give it to Thorin. He'll know what to do with it."
She furrowed her brow as Gandalf handed her a thick key, obviously dwarvish in make.
"What-"
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Bard?! Open this door! My brother has gone insane!"
Bard blinked her eyes as she came out of her trance and turned to the commotion at her door. She lived in a small cottage-not unlike the one Bofur and his family occupied- and rightfully worried when she saw how the door rattled with each knock.
. KNOCK
"Bard! I know you are there! Open up or I WILL break this door down!"
"Will you stop yelling Dori?!"
Nori sounded as tired and ragged as she felt.
"Quiet you! You do not have permission to speak!"
Bard rubbed her face tiredly, she really should have gotten some sleep before calling to Gandalf but hadn't wanted to. After her…episode she had cleaned herself, seen to some personal needs, eaten a bit of smoked meat and gotten right to work.
That had been at sunrise. Now it was late afternoon- judging by the light coming from her open widows-and now she had to deal with an angry, fussy dwarf who could just as easily break her in two as make her tea.
She flexed her hand and looked down at the key Gandalf had given her, how he managed to do that she would never know. After putting the key in a small pocket she quickly got to her feet and went to answer the door before Dori made good on his promise, she knew he could.
She grabbed hold of it just as he upped the power of his knocking, causing the door to truly rattle in its frame.
"Dori this is mahogany! I carved it myself! Please stop I am opening the door."
When the human opened the door Dori felt his anxiety rise. The normally well kept-if a tad too rugged- woman stood in only a ragged shift and what appeared to be an old quilt wrapped around her shoulders. Her woefully short hair was a loose, wavy mess instead of its usual ponytail- but at least looked clean. Her eyes were red-rimmed and there were bags under them.
She looked even worse than Nori. Bard let her friends in and quietly closed the door behind them. Dori frowned as he took in the inside of Bard's home, the door opened up into a small front room that had a small desk, chair and cushioned bench along one wall. In the far corner there was a closed door for the main bedroom and next to the door was the hallway that led to the one bathroom and kitchen area.
The desk was a mess, papers were scattered about the top and the floor and on top of those on the desk lay an open book-with blank pages-a melted candle and a mirror.
Dori's frown deepened.
"Please tell me Nori has lost his mind and our young brother isn't stuck in the middle of one of Bifur's ridiculous tales?"
Bard sighed, "I'm sorry Dori, but it's true. Ori is the latest victim of Smaug."
"Well actually, he isn't anymore. One of the hunters didn't return last night, it was the fella that went north. Near our location."
Bard gritted her teeth as she heard Nori's news, both she and Duncan had planned to only search a few hours-worth of forest and then return home for the first day; that left only three hunters beside herself-and one less farmer. Duncan liked to tend to his vegetables and hunt his meat, he had three little ones and a wife at home; she'll have to pick up the slack.
"Wonderful, he's picking off more people. No matter, we'll just have to work faster-'
"HOLD IT! You're serious?! You actually believe this is happening?!"
Dori couldn't keep the incredulousness from his tone as he looked back and forth between Bard and Nori.
"We don't believe Dori, we've seen it. Hell, Bard's lived it!"
Dori face started to grow red at that and he turned on Nori.
"NO! I will not stand here and listen to you spout nonsense about Erebor or Bard or-or-poor Ori who is still lost-"
He stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to find Bard looking at him. She reached up and rubbed at his face a bit, that was when he realized he had started to tear up.
"Peace Dori, Nori and I have not lost our minds. What we say-though fantastic- is true, come with us to the lake tonight and you will see."
She smiled at him in her usual way and Dori somehow felt a bit reassured.
Bard had always been a well-grounded woman, always keeping it together…
A twittering suddenly filled the silent cottage and all turned to the sight of a darkly colored thrush flying into the room. Bard smiled and brought out her hand, the Bird promptly began twittering to her.
"Lonán what news do you bring?"
Dori watched as the woman listened intently to what the bird said, her face growing grimmer as she listened.
As if she understood it and it was giving her bad news!
His heart couldn't take this!
Nori couldn't help a small snicker at Dori's reaction to Bard's bird talking.
