Badger and I arrived at the feast a little later than hoped for. The dwarves were seated around a small courtyard, laughing merrily and eating and drinking. From what I could see, it appeared that Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, Elrond and Gandalf were missing. I felt a sort of sick happiness when I realized Thorin was probably absolutely disgusted to even be in the presence of elves. However, I couldn't really help feel a slight pang that Gandalf nor Bilbo was here. Being in the company, I had made little friends. Save for Fili, Kili, Gandalf, Bilbo and Badger. Everyone else was more of an acquaintance, someone willing to talk, but never to listen. Sometimes it doesn't really matter if a whole swarm of people were around you, you can feel lonely anywhere. And right now I was really regretting my social status among these dwarves. I was but a petty human with a bad temper and a knack for getting into trouble, no wonder I was a nobody. If I wanted to be accepted by these dwarves, I would probably have to start acting like one.
My nose wrinkled. Bofur had thrown a sausage at Bombur, eager to catch it, when the slight extra weight rocked the bench he was sitting on to rubble. If this was how dwarves acted, I might as well forget all manners and ladylike behavior.
"Badger, do you have any idea how to act like a dwarf?" I asked, looking down at my hobbit friend. He peered up at me, raising a brow with a worried look crossing his features.
"Miss Dixie, please don't think me wrong to ask, but why do you ask?" he questioned.
"Because I want friends, and if I'm going to tag along this whole journey with them, I might as well gain some. I mean, how are you supposed to make friends when you don't even understand what they do half the time?" I shrugged my shoulders. He sighed.
"Miss Dixie, I think you make friends just fine. I mean, you met me and Bilbo, and you seem to be pretty good friends with Gandalf. What I'm saying, is this journey is for the dwarves to reclaim a homeland, I don't really think they are interested in meeting new people," he explained.
"Badger, just play along. I want friends and I'm going to get some, besides, what happens if I get in a life or death situation, who'll help me?" I asked. He ran his hands down his face, growing worried.
"Miss Dixie, I told you already, I owe you for saving my life. I would help you in any situation, and…" I cut him off by practically shoving my hand in his face.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, but what happens if you're not there? Like you're off breeding butterflies or something, who's going to help me? What happens if they reclaim this homeland and there's this big plaque or something and everyone's name is on it and they just write Satan instead of my name?" I practically shouted, flapping my arms. Badger sighed, wringing his hands nervously.
"Well, if you're really interested in becoming friends with them, then I guess you could drink a little. They're very fond of ale, but I wouldn't recommend you do it!" He shouted the last bit as I had already started strutting away, eager to get the attention and leave an impression on these dwarves. If I was going to do this whole journey with a fake name and a sassy dwarf king, then hell, maybe a little drinking wouldn't be too bad. Besides, all the elves had was wine. I've had wine back at home, I wasn't under age or anything, and I could hold my liquor pretty well.
I walked to the table with my chin held high and clutched a fine goblet from the table and poured some of the maroon liquid into it, swirling it smelling the drink. Before I could put the cup to my lips, I felt a pair of hands quickly grab the goblet and pull it a little ways from my lips. Kili was staring at me, a little worried while Fili was grinning from ear to ear.
"Maybe you should be a little careful, Dixie. This is very strong elvish wine, you don't want to drown your pretty little head," exclaimed Kili. I glared at him and yanked the cup back.
"Excuse me, but I'll tell you I can hold my liquor very well, and it's only wine. I've had it before," I rolled my eyes. He yanked the cup back, and this time he whispered frantically,
"Dixie, no offense, but this drink is meant for warrior elves and strong dwarves. To us it's like a simple glass of water, but to humans, it's like a glass of the richest fire, I'd be careful," he hissed. Fili was still grinning and I stared at him.
"What do you think, Fee?" I asked, raising a brow. His grin only widened.
"Hey, I've never been one to turn down a lass," he smiled. Kili slapped a hand to his forehead, letting go of the cup.
"Just don't come crying to me when you're seeing double," he groaned. I grinned and patted his back as I tossed the drink back.
I almost immediately coughed, but I held it back with my teeth clamped shut for the sake of my pride. Kili was right; it burned past my throat like fire, and left a scorching trail in its wake. I could practically feel it pool in my belly and sit like lava churning, and my eyes burned with hot tears. I swallowed and straightened, then almost fell over. The after effect was almost immediate, I suddenly felt like I was drifting on a cloud, like I was weightless. It felt like all my worries were gone and I felt so completely happy, happier than I've ever been in my entire life. If that was what one drink would do, I definitely wanted another.
I reached for the wine, but Kili had grabbed it and lifted it from my reach.
"Oh, no you don't, you're almost half drunk, already," he snapped. I tried pitifully reaching for the wine.
"Kili, please," I begged, "Just one more cup!" He glared at me.
"No."
"Yes." I huffed, crossing my arms, and almost tipping over from the sudden change in sight.
"No."
"Yes!" I repeated.
"No!"
"Fili!" I shrieked, motioning over toward where the other brother had wandered off to. He reluctantly stood, ambling over to us.
"Tell your anal brother to give me my drink," I spat.
"You're acting like a child; you're going to get yourself drunk and make a fool out of yourself!" Kili shot back, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Fili raised his brows and glanced between the two of us.
"So, Fili, what do you think? And remember, choose wisely, or else the consequences may be deadly. Like getting your balls scooped out with a spoon and put into a pickle jar consequences," I glared at Kili while saying this, his eyes widening slightly as he glanced at his brother. Fili sighed and looked at Kili.
"Just let her have the drink, Kee, if she gets drunk, so what. She will have learned an important lesson," he worried at his lip, waiting for his brother's reaction. Kili huffed a breath and practically threw the bottle of wine in my hands.
"Fine! We'll see how you thought this would be fun when you're puking your brains out in the morning," snapped Kili, turning to stalk away, muttering about stupid brothers and determined women.
Fili whistled a low breath and winked at me, before following his brother. I grinned and poured more of the drink into the goblet, relishing in the sudden hissing of fire along my throat once again.
(Thorin's POV)
The meeting of the moon ruins was now over, and while I should have felt relieved, I only felt more pressure. We had little time to find the hidden gate, and I feared that we would ever even get there in one piece. Lord Elrond had told me of the toils and terrible things lurking, trying to do anything possible to make sure our quest would not be finished. My fists were rolled up, my shoulders tense, and my back sore. It seemed the weight of this quest was truly sinking in with each passing day, and this surely would not be the last of it.
The burglar, Bilbo, was trotting behind me, trying to keep up, and a thoughtful look on his face. While I wished he would just leave me alone and follow that intolerable girl, Gandalf had told me his involvement in this company would be helpful. And while I had my doubts, I trusted Gandalf. We were about a mere distance from the feast when I heard:
"And that was when I fell in love with Harry Potter!" I stopped in my tracks, the hobbit crashing into my back. I strained my eyes to see ahead, and bit back a growl when I saw Dixie sitting on a boulder, the dwarves surrounding her and listening intently, their eyes wide.
"But what of Voldemort, what happed to him?" asked Bofur.
"Don't say his name!" shrieked Dixie, whipping her head around to see the surroundings, almost looking for something. Bombur clamped a hand over Bofur's mouth, his eyes wide and terrified as well.
"Will you get married?" asked Ori, glancing at Dixie with adoring eyes. She sighed and placed a hand to her heart.
"Alas, we cannot. For he is already betrothed to a young maiden by the name of Ginny Weasley."
"That's outrageous!" barked Fili. "You two were deeply in love with each other, love conquerors all!" he finished. Dixie giggled, hiccupping in the middle of it and nearly falling off the rock.
"Yes, but where I come from, you may love one girl, but turn your back on her to focus on more assets," she explained.
"Assets?" Asked Bofur. Dixie put a hand to her lips and motioned the dwarves a little closer, who all leaned in their chairs expectantly.
"Boobies!" shrieked Dixie, laughing hysterically. Ori was blushing like a ripe tomato, while Fili was grinning at Kili who was glaring at Dixie. Bilbo was muttering 'oh dear' and tried to step around me, when his foot caught and he tripped onto the ground next to me. I growled an annoyance when the crash got the attention of the dwarves and Dixie. She turned abruptly to see the source of the sound and when she did, her eyes widened and her lips parted to show the biggest smile I'd ever seen in my life.
"Speaking of boobies, Thorin!" she screamed, leaping off the rock and sprinting to me. My eyes widened and I tried to back away, but she had flung her arms around me before I could react. I was not much of a hugging person, but it appeared she definitely was, and I hated it. I sneered in disgust.
"I missed you soooooo much!" she giggled in my hair. My shoulders tensed and she immediately leapt away.
"Oh, right, I forgot you're immune to nice things," she snorted, laughing. I raised a brow, glancing at Fili and Kili. They raised their hands.
"She had a bit of wine, but it appears she can't hold her liquor too fine," explained Fili, trying to look worried, but failing miserably. She suddenly glanced at them and pointed at them.
"I'll have you two broads know that I can drink any man under a table!" she laughed, tossing her head back and hiccupping again.
"Is that a challenge?" smiled Gloin, eagerly grabbing at a goblet.
"NO!" barked Kili. Gloin glared at him, but reluctantly put down the goblet. Dixie turned back around and refocused her attention on me, her eyes brightening.
"Hey, hey, Thorin, I have to tell you a secret," whispered Dixie, suddenly turning serious. I turned to face her, confusion written on my face. She motioned me forward, and I glanced at Fili, to see him shrug. I sighed and stepped closer to her. She moved nearer to move my hair a little ways from my ear before shouting:
"MY FAVORITE COLOR IS CARROTS!" she laughed hysterically when I cupped my ear, wincing. Badger suddenly popped from the small crowd and came to cling on to her hand.
"Dixie, I think you've had enough to drink, let's put you to bed," he whispered urgently, looking around embarrassed for her outrageous behavior.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Badger, I am a strong, independent woman, and I can go to bed any time I want!" she wobbled on her feet. "Plus, I can do really good impressions, so maybe I can entertain you a little!" she giggled, before suddenly shrieking: "GET TO THE CHOPPA!" She was clutching her stomach as huge chuckles erupted from her, before wiping at her eyes and saying:
"Arnold Schwarzenegger!" Some of the dwarves had confused looks, while others were laughing hysterically as well. It seemed Dixie wasn't the only one drunk. I felt my temper peak again when my tired day began to creep up on me and I rounded on Kili and Fili.
"Why, in all of middle earth, would you give that insufferable girl elvish wine!?" I snarled. They winced, leaning a little ways away.
"Uncle, we couldn't really stop her, she threatened us!" whined Kili. I raised a brow.
"If you let a foolish human girl threaten you, than I fear to think how you would survive on a battle field!" I snapped. Dixie had run off to go show Bofur how to talk to plants apparently, while Badger followed her, practically climbing on her to get her attention while Bilbo was busy murmuring that bothersome: 'oh dear.'
"Uncle, she threatened us in ways that are not mean to be repeated," winced Kili, his hands subtly coming to rest near the front of his tunic. I growled at them once again, but turned when I heard a whoop and a holler when Dixie found her 'third leg.'
"Uncle, really, maybe she needed a little fun anyway. I mean, with the way you snapped at her yesterday," trailed off Fili. Disbelief rose in my chest now, my hands curling into fists.
"And just how exactly should I have treated the situation, Fili? That girl needs to learn responsibility, if she's going to be in this company, I don't want her to harm the life of everyone here!" I hissed. Fili frowned.
"She was trying to save Badger. If she didn't, we'd be short one company member, would you want to have that on your shoulders during this journey? You need to let her do what she thinks is right," he pleaded. I snorted.
"If we did what she thought was right, we'd be chatting with plants and petting rocks," I glared at her.
"Uncle, please, maybe Fili's right. The whole company could do with a little relaxing, just a day where we can be friends and brothers," explained Kili. I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Perhaps they were right. It was obvious to see everyone was cooling down a bit, forgetting about what was at stake for a minute, and worrying about nothing, or in Dixie's case, which rock was softer. I softened my gaze at my nephews, watching as their faces grew hopeful.
"Alright, but you're responsible for her," I sighed, watching as she slumped against a rock, her drunk spell already wearing down, and a headache beginning to form.
"We will uncle," they smiled in unison, before turning to flank either side of her, laughing and kneeling next to her. I shook my head.
That girl was going to be the death of us all.
Author's Note: See, I told you they would get longer!
Anyways, this chapter was really fun to write. Thought I should make Dixie a bit of a Harry Potter fan, because, let's face it, everyone is. Also, did you catch the little thing with Gloin, about the drinking challenge? Yay! I tried to take things from Gimli and tie it in with him, you know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! And Badger is basically the responsible parent in this chapter, which I just find adorable with him.
So I hope you guys like this chapter, and please review, because they mean a lot to me and I really want to see what you guys think, YOUR OPINIONS MATTER! Thanks guys!
