It began simply. They had seated themselves once more at the elongated table, stoic expressions carved into stony faces behind intricate beards. Bilbo was standing a little ways from Gandalf. Georgie right beside him in the corner of the room, hopefully far enough from Thorin to prevent herself from becoming a distraction.
She tried making herself smaller, more insignificant, by hunching her normally straight posture and dipping her head down, facing their leader (who was seated at the head of the table, beside whom sat the sagely Balin and dwarf-mammoth hybrid, Dwalin). She practically melted into the wall behind her. A bit like a rat, she thought. Watching and trying hard not to be watched in return.
Evidently, she failed at least at the second.
She briefly felt nosey eyes, one pair being earth-brown and the second a deepwater blue, of the two youngest Durins. She pointedly ignored them in the hopes that they would get the (glaring) hint to pay attention to their uncle as he called them all to business. When the two brothers continued to stare, quite rudely, at her from the corner of her eye, she glared at the air in front of her and snapped her head in Thorin's direction with a subtle (she hoped) cough. She was proud to note they turned to face their uncle as she tuned in her own focus to Thorin.
Thorin looked at everyone in the room, seeming to search the faces of and communicate with every dwarf at the table nonverbally with only a few well-timed nods of his leonine head and a few twitches in the stone of his face. Georgie forced herself not to giggle at his dancing eyebrows and twitching cheeks and lips, though she allowed a brief moment of awe that he could connect and command the room so deeply.
As if sensing her eyes (it was normal for her to stare when thinking about people, but she hoped she didn't have a creepy look on her face like she sometimes did), Thorin spared a stern-and a little smug, if she wasn't mistaken- look in her direction. That did not bode well for her Hide-Quietly-and-Listen Plan. There went plan three.
Then, he turned to Gandalf, proving his leonine features by rumbling with soft command, "Before we discuss our business this evening, Gandalf, I believe the Company would like answers regarding the presence of the girl. Especially considering she has requested a place in our Company."
Before all Hell had the chance to break loose, Georgie felt rather than consciously wondered, how in the bloody navy Thorin was able to play judge, jury and witness so inobviously, not quite subtlety, because everyone in the room knew exactly what he'd just called for, but certainly more diplomatically done than demanding. It had to have taken some practice to demand an explanation as jury (without outrightly asking for it), direct the means of receiving such answers as judge (and to pull that over on a wizard, no less!) and finally, to slip away from it all as unscathed as an eel.
Hot damn, but Thorin Oakenshield had a brain on him! That was some sly shit right there. She wondered if Thorin ever tried grooming his nephews to be the next crafty Durins or if it was something that family was born with, like that Durin forehead they all sported.
Now was not the time. She was rather surprised to find she wasn't panicking, she hoped that at least a few of the dwarrow would be on her side. She almost allowed herself to rely on them to get her the foothold she needed in the door of this quest.
Then, she noticed their reactions.
Almost every dwarf balked at the idea. Those who did not were Balin, Fili, Kili and, strangely, Bifur. These dwarves remained quiet, waiting for more information. Other dwarves were inescapably vocal in their protests. Georgie wasn't shocked or blindsided by these protestations. In fact, she would have been more worried if certain dwarves didn't argue her travelling with them.
Dori came to mind first, and unsurprisingly, he was one of the loudest. Though she had always found a kindred soul in Dori, both being the mothering sort, she correctly assumed he would be against her in this situation. The usually domestic, grey dwarf was a traditionalist. His arguments focused on her age ("We can't allow children on this quest!"), gender ("What use would a woman be out in the wilderness, anyhow?!") and safety( "She'll be as defenseless as a wee babe!", at which she yelped in protest.). All of which, he complained about with equal fervor.
Next she would have bet money that the squat and sturdy brothers, Oin and Gloin, would make comments about the sacred privacy of dwarven culture, which would of course be violated to some degree with Bilbo going along, but would be oh so much more unbearable with a human girl in addition. She guessed it would be those two who brought it up first, judging by Gimli's pride in his race during the Lord of the Rings movies.
She was utterly gobsmacked that such arguments were stolen from the brother's mouths by the grossly unexpected disbelief and outrage of a usually timid Ori and the wariness of star-headed Nori instead.
"You've got to be joking!", squawked a frustrated Ori. Every head in the room snapped to him, giving him their undivided attention. She guessed this wasn't a normal occurrence for them, either. Ori carried on, oblivious, "This is almost entirely a company of dwarrow meant to reclaim a dwarven homeland- a-a-and this quest could take months! Maybe I've studied the wrong texts and been taught wrongly by our elders, but Dwarven Culture is meant to be kept secret from outsiders. It's one of the most important aspects of our heritage-right behind the importance of beard care!-", here Ori caught himself with a gasp of realization.
"See!", he exclaimed. "That's entirely my point! Even if the whole Company took care towards keeping every word, every action and every tidbit of information pertinent to Dwarven Culture sacred, how long do you honestly think it would last? When do you think the first slip would occur? I would bet mithril it wouldn't last longer than a few weeks, even on our best behavior.", Ori paused to breathe, pink-faced and more rumpled than Georgie had ever dreamed of him looking, with mittened hands balled into fists and young face drawn and tight at the brow. Even his mouth was tightly wound, the lips a firm line.
She was shocked and hurt to find, after her little inspection, that he was glaring at her.
"Aye-", agreed Nori. "-she could learn much about Mahal's people through careful observation over the course of a journey like ours. Being of the race of men- and I could write tomes for Ori to review on the subject of their fickle tongues-"
Here, BIlbo spluttered and began to protest on her behalf, "Now, just wait one moment, Master Dwarf! She's not some gossip-mongering Sackville-Baggins! She would never-"
He trailed off insecurely as he noticed the dwarves were keenly ignoring him in favor of Nori, who rolled along. Georgie felt for her loyal, little friend. She was grateful he had said anything.
"- we can only hope her knowledge of Dwarven culture wouldn't spread too far into through Middle Earth. There are those who would find great advantages with the information she would be able to give them.", was Ginger Thief's input.
Georgie didn't know how to respond to that. She couldn't, nor would she, deny her interest in Dwarf Culture. Hadn't she already thrown numerous comments on the subject around that evening? She had assumed they would want to trade knowledge, as she had opened conversation for over dinner, but it seemed she had misread their interest. Ori, who at dinner was one of the most curious about her culture, was now obstinately tight-lipped. Perhaps he only felt comfortable talking about culture when he thought he'd only be seeing her this one night, which wouldn't give him enough reason to hide his own culture-he probably thought he'd never see her again! She had always been intrigued by the dwarves and their culture made them who they were. Seeing that door in the process of slamming in her face, well, she couldn't help but think they wouldn't be much more willing to let her know them as less legendary and aloof than their heritage.
As for Nori's snide little remarks, which she was sad to note sounded more like him stating well-known facts rather than actively trying to insult her, she was almost instantly defensive. If the dwarves ever did become comfortable enough to teach her, she wasn't some green little girl! She'd learned how to keep a secret-and was quite good at it, she thought- since she had learned what secrets were! Be it important or little, she knew she could keep in confidence any bits of Dwarven Culture she may learn a damn sight better than Bilbo could! At least she wouldn't write a damn book about it!
Bilbo squawked loudly at that.
Oops, looked like she said that last bit aloud. She shot an apologetic look at Bilbo, mouthing, "I'll explain later."
It didn't matter, a few beards stopped nodding with an unapologetic Nori after her unintended outburst to wag at her for giving a green little girl's defense. If she weren't so offended, she might have been embarrassed by the fact that any rhetorical prowess she thought she had dissolved into shallow Will not and He's allowed so why can't I arguments.
Later, she would recall that moment with no small amount of shame for her unintentional imitation of a grouchy preteen.
Some dwarves picked up on this. Some dwarves being, Bofur, Bombur, Gloin and Dori, who all argued she was much too young to risk her life on a perilous quest.
Bofur showed his concern with a kind smile, which felt to Georgie patronizing and unwanted, and a well-meant-but resolutely ignored- joke. "Lass, ye can't honestly expect us to let ye come along? Ye'd get eaten by wargs before we were a day in the wild!"
"Aye! And bein' as young-", if she questioned whether Bofur was patronizing, she had no such doubts about Gloin! "- as yeh are(can't be much older 'n me wee lad, Gimli!) , yeh cannae know as much as yeh'd need to survive out there. We cannae let yeh distract us from this quest, which will happen if we have to watch yer back the whole time!", Gloin tried to reason, using his fatherly lecturing skills not unkindly on her.
She bet it must prickle Gimli to be under so protective a thumb. Maybe that was why he kept trying to prove his worth with posturing and excessively manly crap during the movies (and for most of the Fellowship, which she'd been reading when she got shipped here).
Evidently, the youngest Durin also felt the sting of the old argument.
"Master Gloin! You speak of Gimli as if he is not swiftly approaching his majority! I, myself, am only a few years older and I was granted permission to accompany Uncle. Miss Georgiana-"
Miss Georgiana felt a happy flutter at being addressed as such, and thank you Kili.
"-has already demonstrated countless times to our Burglar-"
Bilbo looked around the room trying to spot said burglar. She tried not to giggle. One couldn't giggle during someone's validation of one's character and still be taken seriously afterwards.
"-that she is mature enough to hold a job-"
Not bad, Archer. Not bad. She stood up straighter at the praise.
"-to tend to the womanly arts around the home-"
What the hell, Kili. Womanly arts?! Better not be talking fuckin' house cleaning!
Her bristling went, thankfully unnoticed.
"-and to provide for our Burglar.", Kili finished reasonably, almost preening with pride at his defense of her character. She resolutely ignored all of the minor flaws in his wording and when he had been provided with details of her month in the Shire-And Bilbo had the nerve to tell her he didn't flap his mouth around!-, thankful to him for being, well, him.
Georgie decided she had spent enough time that night letting others vouch for her, she needed to stick up for herself now. She straightened up, joined the Company at the table, asserting her presence in the conversation and put both hands on the tabletop, hoping to convey stalwart resolve through her body language. Even if it was partly fabricated.
"Look, gentlemen. As Nori pointed out, I have great potential for picking things up quickly-I'm positive that will transfer over to survival skills. A few days of observing and I'll know enough to get by on my own. That's all I need to start me off. The rest I can learn through experience, as I'm positive must've been the case with the warriors here. The same experience, I'll never get if y'all don't allow me to accompany you. Not to mention that many of the dwarves here have the same amount of battle experience I do! I won't be the only person unfamiliar with battle, yet I'm the only one y'all are kickin' a fuss about!", she said acerbically, glaring daggers at them underneath a furrowed brow and darkened face.
From what she saw, namely the garden of embarrassed flowers popping up like weeds on the faces of a cook, a scribe, toymaker and thief, it seemed Georgie's persuasive powers had returned at last. Serves them right to get shamed out once in a while! If they thought they could dredge up her flaws, they'd best believe she'd dish it right back!
She might have a chance, yet.
"And, as Kili has informed you, I've been taking care of myself and occasionally Bilbo-"
"Hey! I'm the elder out of the pair of us-"
"-for as long as I've been at Bag End. (Which is a little under a month.) AND, before that, I'd been living on my own for more than a year! I'm plenty mature enough to handle myself on this quest!", she finished, hands planted on hips.
"Not only has she proven her maturity to Master Baggins, she has demonstrated her usefulness to My brother and I within moments of entering Bag End. Gentlemen, who do you think provided the food for our dinner this night?", added Fili smugly.
A few dwarves looked in awe of her and she decided not to mention that she could probably only cook that in the Shire with it's stove tops and infinite ingredients. Especially when she saw Bombur go from disapproving to welcoming within the second. Well, if Fili could win over a few Company members with foody proclamations, good on him! She'd take what she could get!
She smiled brightly and gratefully to him. Then, blinked in disbelief as her smile fell a smidge.
Did he really need to puff his chest out, preening like that? She rolled her eyes at him, which got him to calm down a bit, both still grinning.
Chuckling and eager, Kili added, "Aye! And she has frequently demonstrated her sharp wit- in the form of a sharper tongue- to Fili since she met him. Me a few times, too!"
Sharp tongue? Sharp wit? Was he talking about her snarking at them, because that wasn't particularly clever. Maybe even a bit mean, if she thought about it. Maybe it was the flirting to which he referred? She did throw a few clever lines then- but nothing she'd repeat to the rest of the Company! She had a speck of shame still in her. Her cheeks went florid at the thought.
"Oh, Brother, let's not even mention her fierce protective instinct and unfathomable loyalty!", Fili chastised good-naturedly. The two seemed lost in their own world now, only egged on by her increasingly burning blushes.
"What are you two troublemakers on about?", demanded a fed up Dwalin.
"We think you already know, Master Dwalin.", answered they, together.
Balin spoke up at this, addressing the rest of the confused assembly (which, Georgie was frightened to see included Thorin, who was growing thunderous the longer his unasked question went unanswered. Georgie suspected that Dwalin actually asked so Thorin wouldn't need to.), "When the lads first arrived at this merry gathering, the young lady was the one to usher them inside. They spent quite a bit of time on the stoop- Dwalin and I were growing wary (we did not yet know who had arrived and were expecting problems)- and we were about to check on them, when they finally-" The sagely white dwarf shot the three in question an annoyed look, at which Georgie colored deeply and the Durins went unaffected. Balin addressed Thorin only at this point, "-came inside and we saw they were fine, your nephews told us about the odd greeting they that point, the young lass was away helping Master Baggins with something or another."
It would be a tragic understatement to say Georgiana Chavez was mortified at this point. Without knowing how the boys spoke of her (she had tuned out of Balin's retelling in her horror), just knowing that no-nonsense Dwalin and wizened, old Balin were privy to her, admittedly hysterical, meeting with Fili and Kili was enough to make her want desperately to leave the room in shame. She had to be redder than Smaug's scales by now!
Not even going into how Thorin bloody Oakenshield would take the news that the weird girl he met an hour ago had basically, damn-near mauled his precociously troublesome heirs.
Oh. Oh, dear. She was shaking. That hadn't ever happened before. That, that was a bit worrisome. She hoped none of the Company noticed.
Oh. Fuck.
Oh, fuckity-bitchly-blops! Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. Shit on a stick and toast.
The whole Company could probably see her making a little bitch of herself!
It seemed Balin had just finished his little retelling, because the Company really was staring at her now. The family Ur, at least, seemed to have gotten over their dislike of her, they all chuckled over at her for her use of vernacular. She offered a shy smile back, glad to have them on her side.
Still, though, this wasn't some little joke. That little emotional moment of her could cost her a place in the Company. what if Thorin didn't let her come, after all?
Azog's ugly ass-crack! This was bad. (She didn't notice, but she spoke this thought aloud and the entire Company stiffened in their seats. Thorin winced and Dwalin looked murderous, Balin paled and Gandalf stifled a sigh. Kili was curious, but Fili took a long look at her, the one-armed fiend she threatened near them earlier. Could she have meant Azog the Defiler? He was dead. Suddenly, Fili wasn't so sure. What he was sure about, was that she had just made herself the temporary enemy number one to most of the Company. Mahal help the crazy bint, who still looked oblivious and distraught.)
She regretted not listening to the retelling. It might've helped her a bit at this point.
Dwalin slammed a fist on the table, evoking a strangled scream from Georgie's distressed throat.
"Who are you to know that thrice-cursed name, Girl!", he thundered at her, completely fed up with the casual secrecy of the girl. If she thought her shaking was badly before…
"Now, Dwalin, that is no way to speak to a lady-", Gandalf tried to admonish.
"I will speak to that wretch any way I choose until I get a straight answer out 'f her!",
"MASTER DWALIN!", Bilbo roared suddenly, after watching her shrink into herself for the second time that night (though this time was unintentional).
Thorin had his doubts upon meeting the hobbit. Would the smaller man be able to keep up with the gruff nature of the dwarrow or the unavoidable perils of the journey?
Thorin Oakenshield felt a bit of his doubts melt away in the wake of the hobbit's rage.
Bilbo became living ice, not only had these dwarves rudely pushed themselves into his home (he ignored that Georgie had told him they would be there earlier), they ate most of his food, and had the manners of trolls. This blockheaded mountain of a dwarf had just pushed the little man over the edge, his paternal instincts came out to dance.
"You will never address Georgiana in such a disrespectful way ever again if you want to stay welcome in my home. You will allow her to explain herself- quietly and respectfully, all of you in fact-", the master of the house ordered unwaveringly to the dwarrow in his home. Turning to the young lady in his care, "-and she will give you straightforward answers to your questions when she is finished. Is that understood?", Bilbo demanded.
Everyone nodded, like properly rebuked dogs, their assent. Even Dwalin seemed abashed at the fierce scolding he had received from his host.
"He's right, of course.", Dwalin said softly to the girl. "I had no right to speak to a young lass in such a way, even if said lass is more secretive than any I've ever met. Please accept my humblest apologies." Over the course of his apology, Dwalin had stood up from his seat, made his way to stand directly in front of her- Georgie startled by how gigantic Dwalin really was, it hadn't registered until that point, but here in front of her, he overpowered her by his very being.- and bowed deeply upon the completion of his apology.
Georgie was gobsmacked.
She looked around the room in askance, the few eyes she managed to catch screamed for her to accept the humbling of the proud dwarf.
"A-apology accepted. Thank you, Mr. Dwalin.", she stuttered out.
A polite throat cleared, Thorin's actually. As much as he was glad further drama had been prevented, he wanted to get the girl's story out of the way quickly, so he could get to business with his Company.
"Oh! Right...my turn. Well, ye see…"
"Oh, get on with it, princess!", grumbled the exasperated Bofur, causing Georgie to blush to the roots of her hair.
"I'm not from Middle Earth-America, actually- and I know how I got here, but not how to get back to my world! Gandalf, the overly mysterious jerk, brought me here to protect the line of Durin from any future perils that might befall them, because when I saw what was going to happen I got all sad and protective and crap and-and I just really wanted to help! so he sent me here- well, actually it was Galadriel...She's probably the best, most respected elf in the world, er, this world that is (I'm pretty sure Dobby or Legolas or Elrond is the most respected elf in my world- They're all really popular, though I kinda prefer Elrond's family, Elrohir and Elladan and Arwen only sometimes, are really cool beings, at least from what I know of them, I've never actually met them)-", her words were incomprehensible to most within the Company at this point, as her nervous tongue sprinted away from her control.
Bilbo began to interrupt for clarification, but she steamrolled right past him, "Georgie what-"
"Oh! Right, sorry. I ramble sometimes when I'm nervous-or excited-or scared- or knowledgeable about something! I'm not quite sure which it is now, but it sure is hap'nin'!", a nervous giggle. "Okay, right. Yeah. Galadriel chose me to come to Middle Earth, to join this quest, so I could protect the line of Durin- obviously being The Majestic Thorin Oakenshield and his goofball nephews, Fili and Kili-", a squawk of protest from said nephews.
"As I've been informed tonight-actually right before I picked up Thorin- Gandalf was the one who brought me here upon the Lady's request.", she paused for breath and to half-heartedly glare at Gandalf, a bold action to the dwarrow and hobbit in their Company.
"Totally and utterly AGAINST my prior knowledge or consent, might I just add! I mean, really! You couldn't have asked nicely first? I totally would've agreed- It's Middle-damn-Earth, for Christ' sake! Not to mention I'd be protecting my favorite dwarves in the Company!", she addressed Gandalf, having temporarily forgotten about the other people in the room. Said people were absolutely flabbergasted, being no closer to tangible answers than they were twenty minutes ago.
"Lassie, would you please explain? You've mentioned protecting fully trained and battle-hardy dwarves at least thrice now! The Line of Durin runs strong and is not so easily extinguished.", interjected Bombur, getting his first words of the night in.
At this painful reminder, Georgiana lost her ire at Gandalf in favor of somber remembrance of the events of the movie and book. She decided to start small, giving them a preface.
"Where I'm from, the world has advanced far, far beyond what you could possibly comprehend here. There are large metal machines that can glide on stiff wings, taking passengers anywhere in the world they'd like to go in a matter of hours, where once it'd be impossible or lengthy. There are whole histories of artistic movements; music going from ballads and legends (like what's sung here a lot), to choral, to theatrical productions, to solos, to technology making most of the popular music. Art going from painting portraiture to different artistic styles (some of which I could probably demonstrate if you asked and I had the time). FOOD! Food going from simple meals to seven course dinners the size of your fist and only meant to be tasted and not solely for sustenance. Hell, in my world the technology is so advanced, you could write a message out to someone from half the world away and have them receive it within the minute!"
"This technology makes popular culture possible. It's exactly how it sounds. Culture is influenced by what's popular at the time. Especially if that thing is a book or a movie. (A movie is a moving, speaking picture that depicts a story of some kind. Like if you could capture a full play in a small box and play it over and over again according to your whim instead of waiting for the play to recirculate.)", she got a few interested gasps at that.
"One of the most popular epic tales of my world, is the tale of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield and their quest to reclaim their lost homeland, Erebor."
Bilbo looked like he would have a heart attack.
"To ensure that unnecessary changes are avoided, I won't go into details-", the statement was met with furious protestations. "-But, I will tell you all that I know how this quest is meant to end. I can tell you it ends with a crap-ton of tears and a whole shit-heap of regrets for a lot of you.", she continued solemnly, but not unaware of the plethora of sharply in-taken breaths her statement was met with.
"Inevitably, quests shape and craft bonds among warriors that are... unrivaled by other affections. By the end of this quest, every dwarf here will be like family-kin- to the dwarf on his left and right. By the end of this quest, when you have cleared the mountain of your little dragon problem, fought for the right to govern your own fuckin' kingdom by yourselves and start preparing for life after adventure, every member of this company will be trusted and love amongst each other like no one else before or after this journey ever will. Do you all understand that?", she took a breath, cataloging the steel faces of the Company, only Gandalf looked at ease.
"The biggest obstacle on this quest won't be facing down that annoying dragon or finding our ways through the wilderness toward the mountain. The biggest, most inescapable obstacle for this Company will be Azog the Defiler.", she addressed the congregation of dwarves, hobbit and wizard.
"I'm sorry, who is Azog the Defiler?", asked Bilbo with polite expectancy. He had taken the news of her otherworldly status very well for the easily shocked hobbit she knew he could be. Georgiana couldn't have known, but Bilbo had long expected his tenant was not from around here. She was just a bit too strange, too foreign, to even pass off being from over the Misty Mountains, and they had a strange culture, the race of man from Gondor and Rohan did! He wouldn't have guessed another world, but he did know she was special.
Besides, young ladies from Middle Earth simply didn't know all of the bawdy, raunchy songs and innuendos and jokes that Georgiana Chavez knew by heart.
"The Defiler is the most vile creature to ever walk this earth, Bilbo Baggins. We'd all be much better off never meeting him if we can help it.", supplied Gandalf.
Bilbo paled considerably.
Georgiana sighed and turned to Thorin, Fili and Kili (and Dwalin and Balin, who were seated close by), "I know that as soon as you get far enough, Azog will begin hunting you in earnest. We probably have a few weeks we don't need to worry. I know the day he will begin his hunt, though not the exact date, I know that at one point he will get close enough to force the Company to make a long-distance sprint for safety and I know that he will be on your tail ends until we finally reach Erebor. The reason I need to come along on your quest is so I can help y'all avoid him in any ways you can. If I told you tonight, not only would the quest be changed beyond repair, but you'd probably forget something big halfway there, or get yourselves lost irreparably while trying to avoid their trail. I can't let that happen."
The Company took a moment to let her words, now slow and strong, to sink in. They were all nodding pensively.
"Besides!", started Georgie in a much brighter tone. "Someone needs to look out for my dear Mr. Baggins along the way!"
Bilbo snapped to her, "What!? Me? I'm not- Georgiana, really! I'm not going on this quest! I couldn't possibly….What reason would I have for going?"
Gandalf stepped up to explain, "Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single, solitary peak."
Suddenly the meeting much more closely resembled the movie.
While Gandalf was explaining the advantages to having a Burglar-hobbit, Thorin was asking Balin to write up Georgiana's Company contract and Fili and Kili were excitedly adding their input into the plans for the quest.
Georgie tuned out a bit, recovering from the ordeal it was to explain her situation and still not get an answer in return about if she could join the quest. At this point, she was just gonna tag the hell along and hope they wouldn't frackin' stone her or something equally stupid and barbaric!
Before she could totally lose herself to the calming song lyrics she had been trying to call to mind, her attention was rudely snatched away by Fili, who had just begun speaking.
"We may be few in number. But we're fighters, all of us! To the last dwarf, man, wizard and hobbit!", he declared proudly, and a bit boyishly, reminding Georgie of the fabled kings of old, who might've accompanied King Arthur at the Round table for tea or some shite.
"And we have a wizard in our Company! Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!", Kili added gleefully.
Gandalf looked highly uncomfortable and Georgie didn't even try to hide her raucous laughter or the vengeful smirk blossoming on her face. Serves him right! If she had to go through discomfort at the hands of inquisitive dwarves, he could, too!
"Oh, well. No, uh, I...I wouldn't say…"
"Yes, Gandalf! How many was it, then? The dragons that you've slain.", threw in Georgie with no remorse.
"You also have in your Company a world-traveller! One keen of eye, eager to serve and determined to see this journey succeed to its fullest!", Gandalf, that sneaky bastard, tossed out to the wolfish dwarrow.
She was going to kill him. She only hoped Galadriel didn't mind the lack of Grey wizard for use in terrorizing the people of Middle Earth.
"He's right! She knows everything! We can't possibly fail now!", Kili, blessed, overeager and dear, though he was to her, was a complete dumbass.
"Enough! If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look East to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?", Thorin questioned his people.
"You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain.", Balin informed, quite annoyingly.
"Way to be a Debby Downer, Dude."
Balin only acknowledged her insult insomuch as he could glare at her disapprovingly.
Gandalf grinned, "That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true."
Thorin was in awe looking at the squat, dusty key like it was his soul in metal form, "How came you by this?"
"It was given to me by your father, Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now."
Gandalf, stop being so damned mysterious all the time. You don't need to have everyone become putty when you speak to them. It's really rude, man!
Luckily, she had kept her mouth shut as she thought this. She wondered when-
"If there is a key, there must be a door!"
-there it is! "Fili, your superior use of intellect absolutely astounds me! Where have you been hiding your brilliance?!", Georgie teased.
Kili guffawed at that. Fili blushed, punched Kili's shoulder and glared at Georgie.
"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls.", Gandalf added, a bit too smugly for comfort.
"There's another way in!", it was Kili's turn to make an unneeded and obvious statement. He seemed quite proud of himself.
Georgie facepalmed and sighed. Fili caught on and snickered.
"Thorin you must be so proud of your nephews' mental agility."
"They have their days.", he grumbled.
Gandalf went on to explain the hidden door and how Bilbo was a necessity.
Bilbo fainted when Bofur began his colorful description of the dragon, Smaug.
Everyone rushed over to him, Georgie fetched a vase of water and dumped it on him.
"Struck by lightning! Struck by lightning!", the poor man shrieked upon waking.
Georgie knelt at his side, supporting him and rubbing soothing circles on his back and shoulders.
"You're fine, Bilbo. Nothing happened. Nobody's gonna strike you with lightning. Dragons aren't even that scary! I'm right here, nothing will get you with me here.", she mumbled soothing nothings into his hair to calm him down, glaring fiercely at an abashed Bofur.
After a moment or two, Bilbo calmed down enough to feel embarrassed. The poor, little man felt he had every right to be! For all that she was a marvelous house guest, his tenant had a horrific habit of being overly familiar with his person, it wouldn't do at all! Perhaps a short trip with these dwarves would teach her about boundaries? The idea merited further thought.
For now, Bilbo just wanted a bit of space and his armchair. Mortified, but always polite, Bilbo decided to put some gentle distance between them, shooing her off of him with rose-cheeked platitudes. ("ah, thank you, Georgie. I'm fine, I'll be fine now.")
She helped him up, asking if he needed anything, to which he asked for tea, thanks.
While he was recovering his dignity, Thorin approached her with her own contract, a much shorter document with hasty, but still more beautiful than her own could ever hope to become, handwriting.
"If you are to be an official member of my Company, you will need to sign the contract. It covers funeral arrangements, monetary reward and other terms identical to the Halfling's-"
"Bilbo. His name is Bilbo Baggins. You should get used to saying it, he'll be around a very long time.", she corrected absently as she read through the paper.
She didn't need to, she knew she would sign it anyway, but it was a good habit of hers.
"Yes, well. It's similar to Master Baggin's, then.", Thorin supplied uncomfortably.
She chuckled. It was a start. Bagginshield was practically cannon, she needn't worry much over the strength of their soon-to-be friendship.
The only notable difference in Bilbo and her contracts, was that Georgie would have the chance to vie for a home in Erebor, with a governmental position (to be determined later) should she want it, upon the successful completion of the quest on the condition that she fulfilled her word and the Durin heirs survived.
It did not mention that Thorin had to survive.
Her heart broke for him.
She took the proffered pen from Thorin's hand and signed without hesitation or second thoughts of any kind.
Turning to look at him, she touched his arm and swore, "I'll do my best to protect you, too, Your Majesty. I'm honor-bound and loyal to you more than any other dwarf. Even over Bilbo, perhaps."
"Though the thought is appreciated, my nephews come first. If it ever comes down to it, protect them first.", he ordered with a softly resigned look on his kingly face.
"I promise." I promise that if it kills me, all three of you will lead long, wonderfully mundane lives at the end of this.
He nodded and went to find Balin.
A fire lit behind her sunflower field eyes. She would save them, all of them. And help Bilbo. She turned to gather her and Bilbo's things, knowing Bilbo was being convinced by Gandalf and would appreciate a loaded pack tomorrow morning when he would join the Company of Thorin Oakenshield late.
Only one dwarf saw her go with the heat still breathing in her grassy orbs.
He went to find his brother.
Hey, people! So, seven chapters before my first author's note. Not too bad, eh? I figure I should clear some things up, seeing as the reviews I've gotten were all from curious guests. (all of whom should make accounts so I can chat you up in a bit more detail than out here in the ether)
This isn't my first fanfic, but it is the first story I've considered even vaguely decent. I took two other stories down because they were so cringe-worthy and awkward. I have my fingers crossed that this one is coming along better!
Now to the questions and comments.
Two of you asked if this would end up a Fili/OC fic. I honestly have no idea. At this point, I'm not sure how I would go about writing that relationship in. It might happen, it might not. But I can definitely see how you could think it's heading that way.
At this point of the story, those two have just met. There is no instant chemistry, neither of them is going to stay with the other out of unadulterated love, Georgie isn't gonna stay just for Fili. They just met that day! The reason they click so well together is a combo of reasons.
Georgie is equally loyal/ devoted to/ protective over each dwarf in the Company (and Bilbo and Gandalf). The reason its so visible with the younger Durins is b/c they're closer to her age (and probably remind her of her friends back home) and are easier to connect with. They still jack around, still laugh at nonsense. That makes her instantly comfortable with them. Kili reminds her of Max. And Fili is that guy that's really sweet and won't mind if she blows off a bit of steam by flirting shamelessly with him. He's that friend. Those two aren't smitten (yet, if the story goes that way, and it might), just open.
Fili puts up with (and dishes back) Georgie's flirtations, probably because it's been so long since he could relax enough to woo a random girl. He was probably quite the stud muffin before he had to settle down in preparation for the quest. Thorin wouldn't let him or Kili come along if he saw them still goofing around with barmaids and shopkeeper's daughters like dwarves under their majority. Those two probably had to work for a few months to make it seem they were mature enough to tag along. When Fili meets Georgie, he's just flirting with her to have a bit of lighthearted fun where he can. Nothing indelicate (unless its from her), just fun. It feels nice to get some attention from a nice girl again.
Kili just gets the chance to laugh at them.
If this does end up going in that direction, rest assured. Georgie isn't going to magically become a Mary Sue. I'm trying really hard to keep her realistic. When Fili/Kili first saw her she wasn't some Barbie doll, she was "sturdy", (I played around with the word thick in early drafts), she's a curvy, mostly unathletic (you'll really see that in the warg chase scene) girl with arms and legs a bit fluffier than others and much less used, but with potential for strength and power of limb. She won't get skinny, probably ever. She's a curvy thing, short and squarish (not round, but not lithe either). She also doesn't act like a proper lady would, though she'll have moments when she'll try really hard at it. She might succeed sometimes, but probs not. She laughs like a teenaged boy. She smiles like an imp. No, I don't plan on making her "oh so bootiful", a hawty or anything else Mary Sue-ish.
She'll probably learn defense from one of the dwarves. She's already prepared herself to learn on the go.
I'm still working on the things I want to change.
Sorry for the monstrous Author's Note and the equally monstrous chapter lengths! It can't be easy to read through in one sitting. I promise I'll work on writing shorter chapters, but be patient with me, this is my first serious attempt at writing.
Much love,
PB
