A/N: alright so this is the rewritten version of Bring the Dead Back to Life.
Disclaimer: I only own Lara.
"Westron and English"
"Sindarin"
"Quenya"
"Khuzdul"
/Black speech/
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A lone 5,0 girl darted down the abandoned streets with her recent gain. A M1903 Springfield rifle with a fully loaded ammo pouch belt. Her nearly glowing amethyst eyes were framed by a oval shaped face with auburn hair that was tied into a fish tail braid. Her fair skin was covered in dirt, blood and grime hiding much of her skin underneath it. Her hand had fingerless gloves on them. Her face had a long scar starting an inch above her right eyebrow and ran down in a slight curve to her right cheek, stopping a quarter of an inch from her jaw bone. She had a B sized chest that was easily hidden by her choice of clothing. On her head was a French made helmet from World War Two. Her earthen brown leather long coat had a black bullet proof vest sewn to the outside torso of it. On the forearms of the sleeves were leather vambraces with a thin dull stainless steel plate on top. It split into several pieces down at her legs and was connected by black spandex that allowed great mobility. She wore a pair of olive green cargo pants with and old Second World War British long sleeve uniform shirt. She had a large pack situated on her back. Her shoes were scuffed and muddy military style boots.
On her right thigh was a the bayonet for the rifle. Hanging off of her left hip was a Celtic long leaf sword. It's dark damascus style blade was razor sharp. It's guard was made out of bronze with a bronze pommel. On the front of her belt sat a single large kukri. Inside her coat on the left hand side was a large kukri, situated in such a way it could be grabbed with either hand. In between her pack and her coat was another sword. This one was style after a Viking sword that she called Fenrir and was her back up sword in case she was disarmed. It to had a damascus steel blade with a leather warped handle with ridges on it for better grip. On her left shoulder was beautiful recurve bow that had a dark wood grip and was made out of hickory wood. She had a quiver full of arrows as well on her back. On her right shoulder on a sling was the M1903 she had picked up only a week and a half ago. She had grabbed a high powered rifle scope that could be taken on and off of the rifle with ease.
Good thing I decided to load it before taking it. She thought as she looked back at where she had come from. She slowed her pace now sure that she had out run the zombies. She grumbled under her breath as she walked. She kept going for a couple of hours before ducking into a mall. She made a beeline for the clothing section. There was a winter gear shop as she walked towards one of the clothing stores. She stopped and went into it, going straight to the back storage room. She smirked at the lock and quickly picked it. She rummaged through it eventually finding a grey and purple stripped beanie. She continued to look through the room and found a Russian style ushanka hat. She grinned and tucked it away. She also found a pair of thermal underwear. Yay! My luck is changing. She thought.
She walked out of that shop and went to the other clothing shop. There she found two pairs of underwear and two more sports bras. She also found another pair of cargo pants and a singles set of yoga pants. She normally wouldn't wear them but an extra layer that doubles as pajamas is a good enough excuse for her. She didn't find anything else and walked out afterwards.
She then left the mall and continued towards wherever she felt like going, she is a wanderer after all. She continued down the road for a while before seeing some men up ahead. She froze when one of them looked in her direction and saw her. Crap.
"Come here! I want a word with you." The man called out. He had yellow teeth with greasy skin. Shit, not good. She thought as he stomped in her direction. She knew better to run in case he shot her so instead using a modified bracer with a wrist blade on it on her left forearm, she braced herself.
She flicked it out keeping the back of her hand facing him as he approached. The moment he pulled out a pistol on her she slowly tensed herself up so her wouldn't notice. No, I will no go through this again. She thought angrily. His face was twisted into a leering smile. "I bet you feel great in bed but I'm going to take you here and now." He leered at her. She kept her face neutral as he approached.
He pointed the pistol at her at point blank range and with astonishing speed she drove the wrist blade into his arm and he dropped the gun as he yelped in pain, drawing the attention of the others. She caught it with her right hand, retracted her wrist blade and then shot him in the head.
"Get her!" One of the others yelled and her eyes widened. She ducked into cover just as one of them shot at her. She knocked an arrow and shot out from cover. She let the arrow go and caught one of the three men in the eye, killing him instantly. She then darted across to a nearby bus and used it for cover. She pulled out her long leaf sword and made her towards one of them. "She's over he, gurk!" He never finished what he was saying because she cut his throat with her sword. The other man only had a machete and he swung at her. She parried it and then slashed him across the chest before driving it through him. She heard it break ribs as it went through his chest and she grimaced at the sound.
She yanked it out of his chest dropping him as he took his final breaths. "I didn't want to do this but you didn't leave me a choice. Rest In Peace." She said as she closed his eyes. She then did the same for the other two as well. She retrieved her arrow and searched the first one for any more mags for her new pistol. She came up with one fully loaded mag and one spare round. She took out the mag put the extra round in it then put it back into the pistol which was a Colt .45 semi auto pistol. She found a small pouch that could be turned into a makeshift holster.
She quickly packed it away in her bag and got on the move. No doubt that the gunshots have attracted unwanted attention and zombies. She thought as she scrambled up a dilapidated building.
She kept running for a while before stopping once she was sure she had gone about six blocks. She mentally patted herself on back for making sure her things didn't make to much noise as she moved around. She unsheathed her sword and wiped the blood off of it before resheathing it.
She kept on the move and eventually came across a neighborhood. She picked on house that looked like it might have a basement and made her way towards it. She checked to see if the door was locked. Surprisingly it wasn't and she immediately drew her sword as she cleared the house, room by room. Not finding anyone inside she began to search the place for food. She sighed when all she found was a bag of beef jerky. She added it to the bag she already had and resealed it. She contined to pick her way through the house looking for anything that she could use or eat. She still didn't find anything and gave a frustrated growl before heading into the basement.
She carefully went down the stairs and flicked on the light, only one of them worked. She was thankful that she could see well in the dark. She never knew why she could but always found it useful so she didn't really question it. She groaned was once again the place was empty, so she left and went to a house five doors down.
She entered that house and cleared it as well before searching it for food. She found a can of peaches and a can of baked beans. She smiled at that and decided to move out before the Sun went down.
As she made her way down the road again she came upon what she though was just a ridge. The moment it groaned underneath her she realized to her horror that it was a skyscraper that was stuck before it could fall all the way. It suddenly slipped and shook violently as it twisted in one direction. She lost her footing as the weakened steel beam under her snapped and she fell, fell. She could feel her heart leap into her throat and her stomach drop. She felt the air rush past her as she fell into a large window underneath her. She could see from there that it was at least 100 feet from the window on the other side of the massive building and another 300 feet from the ground.
Her heart felt like it was going to burst as her eyebrows shot upwards. She groaned as she tried to get to some sort of safety only to hear something come lose above her. Her face was frozen in terror as she broke out into a cold sweat. It was a fridge. A fridge that was beginning to lean towards free falling. No no no! Crap! She heard the tell tale sound of wood snapping. She froze and looked up from the cracked window she was currently trying to get off of. She screamed as it fell and smashed next to her hitting the support beam.
She began to laugh hysterically, relieved until she heard the window crack. She whimpered. She tried to get up when she felt it start to give. Then it shattered and she fell down, down, down. She burst through the window far below where she was as she screamed. She braced her self for the impact and screwed her eyes shut.
But nothing happened. She cracked her eyes open and saw trees? Wait what. What the hell? She bolted upright and hissed as her sore and battered body protested the sudden movement. She looked around and saw that other having no idea where she was, she was perfectly fine. Her rifle was lying next to her and she still had everything. She snatched her rifle and slung it over her shoulder and just started walking in a random direction.
A few hours later she came across a dirt road. She decided to go to her right and started walking. She didn't see anything indicating she was somewhere she knew. Great. I'm freakin lost in an unknown environment. She walked for hours on end with out a single hint of civilization anywhere. She was beginning to grow frustrated at her predicament. She kicked a pine cone as she grumbled to herself and walked straight into something or someone and fell down.
She looked up to see an old man clad in grey robes with a grey scarf and a grey wide brimmed pointy hat. He had grey blue eyes and a long grey beard. Hie eyes were framed by bushy grey eyebrows. In hi hand was a large staff with a crystal of some sort in the top of it. His eyes widened at the sight of her and as if she was the answer to a prayer or something.
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When Gandalf had heard from Lady Galadriel that the one destined to save the Line of Durin has returned to Middle-Earth he wasn't expecting to literally run into her. Perhaps he shouldn't have been thinking so hard about what the Lady of Light has said and more to where he was going. He felt himself run into someone who then stumbled backwards before falling down.
When he looked down he was met with nearly glowing amethyst eyes boring into him. Her auburn hair was tucked under a helmet of some kind. She had on a leather long coat with an added black vest of some kind to it. The forearms of the coat had vambraces sewn on to it and on top of the vambraces were a dull metal plate on each one. She had on an olive green trousers with many pockets made from a material he had never seen before. It was different from the vest sewn on to her coat. She had on an earthen brown shirt and scuffed, muddy boots. Running across her chest was a belt of some kind with several pouches on it. Her hands had fingerless gloves on them. On her face he noticed a long scar starting from an inch above her right eyebrow that ran all the way down her right cheek before stopping a quarter of an inch from her jawline. Her fair skin was covered in dirt, blood and grime. Her build was an athletic frame. Her ears gave her away that she wasn't a full elf but half dwarf as well. They were slightly smaller than a dwarf's but slightly pointed from her elf side. Gandalf had no doubt in his mind that she was a dwelf, and she matched the person that the Lady of Light had shown him.
On her left side sat a sword and on her right thigh was what looked like a long dagger. She had a knife with a curved blade in her belt. Hanging off of her right shoulder was a strange looking club. On her left shoulder was a recurve bow and situated slightly off center of her back was a quiver full of arrows. Her could see the handle on another sword barely peaking out from her pack.
"I'm terribly sorry my dear, I didn't see you there." Gandalf said to her. "Although I must ask, what is a Dwelf doing in the Shire?"
Lara blinked at that term. Her face contorted into a look of complete puzzlement as she said "A what?"
"A dwelf. Half dwarf~"
"Hey! I'm not that short!"
Gandalf ignored her offended outburst as he continued "Half Elf."
"Don't be ridiculous, elves don't exists."
He once again ignored her "Which is what your are me dear."
"Right, Uh Huh. That's a load of crap. Anyway where am I?" She asked.
"Ah where are my manners, I am Gandalf the Grey. And you are in this shire." Gandalf answered.
"Lara Azar, At your service." She replied before continuing "I've never heard of the Shire before. Is that in America?"
"Hmm, I have never heard of this America before Lady Lara."
"Then where is the Shire? And please just call me Lara. I'm no lady."
"West of Bree."
"That doesn't help! I have no ideas where I am and my ribs are killing me. Stupid freakin skyscraper. Just had to collapse didn't you." Lara snapped Gandalf. "What are you supposed to be anyway?"
"Why I am Gandalf the Grey! The Grey Pilgrim! The Wandering Wizard! Mithrandir!"
"Mithrandir?" Lara said quietly to herself. The name sounded familiar but she couldn't remember from where. She continued to rack her brain for any memory of that name and a face with it. Gandalf started to speak again making her jump.
"Why don't you come along with me and all will be explained tonight." Gandalf suggested to her. He watched as she began to think and weigh her options.
Well I could get answers, but it could also be a trap. Lara thought. She weighed her options and decided to simply make a compromise. "I'll meet you at a meeting point tonight. That's not negotiable. Then we can go to wherever it is your going. In the mean time can you point me towards the nearest river. Sound good?" She supplied as a compromise.
Gandalf nodded "Yes find me at the Green Dragon Inn in Hobbiton. You can't miss it. I'll see you then Miss Azar." He pointed in the direction of the Inn then turned and left quickly walking with a purpose towards Hobbiton. Huh even wherever I'm at people walk like New Yorkers. With a purpose where you might just get run over if you don't move.
She turned and went toward the the river nearby carving small lines that wouldn't be noticed unless you were looking for them as she went so she could find her way back afterwards. She observed the suns position and decided that she didn't have time for a bath. Fill the canteen then start making my way towards the Inn.
When she came upon the river she took off her rifle and set it down. She then got out her large canteen and unscrewed the lid on it. She quietly began to fill it up as she kept careful watch of her surroundings. Once she was done she put the lid back on and reattached it to her pack. She picked up her rifle from where she had set it down.
She turned and started to make her way leisurely towards her destination. She kept her rifle in her hands as she didnt know what she might run into and wanted its reassuring weight in her hands. She figured based on the way Gandalf was dressed that they still used swords, bows and axes as the main weapon of both civilian and military use. Her rifle will allow her to have a weapon in her hands without causing any problems.
She statted walking at her normal pace as the sun began to set. Just after the sun had gone down she came out of the woods and saw homes built into the rolling hills spread out in front of her. The place was quiet and peaceful. She had never seen such a place before, she looked down and could see what had to the Inn Gandalf said he would meet her at. She could tell there would be no threats here and slung her rifle back onto her shoulder.
She made her way down to the Inn and quickly spotted Gandalf standing outside waiting on her. She approached him as he was leaning of his staff which confused her on how it hadn't broken from him doing that. Gandalf saw her approaching and his eyes crinkled up at the ends as he smiled down at her. "My dear, we should go catch up to the others at the meeting place."
Lara nodded at him and together they went off further into Hobbiton towards the largest of the rolling hills. "So where are we going?" Lara asked him.
"To an old friends house. Her name is Bella Baggins, But she sometimes goes by Bilbo which what I told our little company her name is. Dwarves are quite protective of their women and I doubt they would allow Bilbo to sign a contract if they knew that he is actually a she." Gandalf informed Lara who simply nodded.
She pointed up ahead at the group at the door of one of the houses. "Is that them?" Lara asked as she looked to Gandalf. He nodded to her and went to address the small group of Dwarves at the door arguing to who should knock on it.
"My dear fellows, May I introduce Lara Azar. She is the 14th member of our merry company." Gandalf said as the dwarves whipped around at the sound of his voice.
The Dwarf with the funny-hat turned around and said with a bow "Bofur, At your service." His eyes were crinkled and his mouth in an almost perpetual smile. I bet he's always good company. Lara thought. He pointed to each dwarf as he said "Bombur, my brother who's an excellent cook. Bifur, he camt speak the common tongue but can understand it perfectly fine. Ori, Nori, Dori, Gloin and Oin" Bofur concluded with a smile.
Lara smiled back at him relaxing a bit under his laid back attitude. "Well don't let me stop you from the party inside." Lara said. Bofur knocked on the door and an irritated voice could be heard coming towards them.
"Go away and bother somebody else! There's far too many Dwarves in my dining room as it is. If this is some clot-head's idea of a joke, I can only say that it's in very poor taste!" The door shot open to reveal an irate little Hobbit with honey combed curls and blue eyes. The dwarves fell into the home with Bombur landing on top of Bofur making him yell out "Gett off you big lump!". Gandalf looked in with an amused smile as the hobbit said with a tired deadpan tone "Gandalf."
"By Mahal's Beard! What happened to you lassie?!" Bofur exclaimed at seeing Lara now with light shining on her. Her glowing amethyst eyes blinked at the sudden exclamation of surprise from the hatted dwarf. It was only know that the dwarves and Bilbo [A/N: same person as Bella, I will contine to call Fem!Bilbo that until the dwarves learn of her true gender] got a good look at her. Her skin was caked in dirt, blood and grime.
"Don't worry Bofur, it's not my blood." Lara told him with a dismissive wave. But by judging by the looks they gave her she had only made it worse. She decided to ignore them and instead asked Bilbo for a directions to the bathroom. Bilbo told her where she could find it and Lara went to go take a short bath. She was hungry, so no soaking.
She went through the door, shut and locked it. She stripped out of all of her gear then set about taking a quick bath. She filled the tub which to her surprise had running water and a plumbing system. She got in and was pleased to see that it was room temperature. She pulled out a soap bar from her pack and began to wash. The once pristine water turned the color of mud as she washed off the grime and blood on her skin. She was done rather quickly and began to dry off with a towel she had found. She redressed in her clothes she had been wearing since she had a feeling they were going to be on the road tomorrow.
She walked out of the room and set her stuff down, starting with her rifle. She looked up when she felt eyes on her and found herself looking into ice blue eyes and golden hair.His mustache was braided and he watched her with curiosity. She continued to disarm herself. When she was done all she had on was her long sleeve army shirt that she had rolled up the sleeves on. Her cargo pants, boots and helmet she still had on as well. She then made her way into the dining hall where all ther dwarves were sitting.
She entered the hall and Bofur smiled at her now clean form. "Everyone, this is Lara Azar." The remaining dwarves all looked at her at once. She didn't flinch under their gazes, instead she studied each one. The bald one with tattoos was most likely an enforcer or guard of some kind. She didn't like the way he looked at her and decided he might be a threat. The white haired one seemed wise and collected. The two younger ones were obviously related. She could tell the black haired one was the youngest. The blonde motioned for her to sit next to him and so she did. She sat down next to him and the two of them immediately introduced themselves.
"Fíli." Said the blonde.
"Kíli." Said the black haired one.
"At your service." They said together.
I wonder how many times they practiced that to get it right. She thought. "Lara, At your service." She told them with a smile that didn't meet her eyes. She stuffed her plate and dug in with such vigor some of the dwarves near her gave her a funny look. "What? Last time I ate was yesterday." She told them.
"So what's a Dwarrowdam doing here?" Asked Fíli.
"A what?"
"A female dwarf."
"Oh. Gandalf said he would explain tonight, that's all I know. Besides I was lost. Never even heard of the Shire or Bree until tonight." Lara said as she continued to practically inhale her food. She didn't notice the dwarves share a look at what she had said. Fíli took this time to observe her. Other than her shining violet eyes that were even more prominent due to her auburn hair, he had also noticed the large scar on the right side of her face. To his eye it had seemed that it had been treated but rough edges on it showed that it hadn't be sutured. Her clothes were odd as well. Her earthy brown shirt was well worn and her olive green pants had lots of pockets and was made out of an material he had never seen before. He noticed that she still a long dagger on her right thigh. On her head was some sort of helmet or metal hat, he wasn't sure which it was. It was had a ding and a few scratches on it. Her black fingerless gloves had seen better days and looked like they were only being held together by a few repair stitches. Her boots were also well worn. He had noticed that she had an athletic body that he could see.
She was far more observant than he thought when she asked "Is there a reason your staring at me?"
Fíli jumped a little and blushed at being caught by her. Her amethyst eyes looked at his ice blue ones with a raised brow. He shook his head as one of the dwarves called out "On the count of three! On, two, three!" And they all began to chug their ale. Lara sat back and watched them curious to as what they were up to. They all slamed their tankards down and began to burp loudly. The one in the corner with grey mittens on stood up and let loose a long, deep burp. Lara's eyes widened at that considerably, she certainly had not expected the little fellow to be able to do that. She could hear Bofur calling out to him "I knew you had it in you!" Lara shook her head at their antics. It almost reminded her of them, she shook her head and shoved those memories far away. They were gone now.
Fíli watched her out of the corner of his eye as she gave a small smile at their antics. He couldn't describe it but he felt a pull towards her. He shook his head and didn't give it any more thought.
They got up and began to clean up the place. Lara had spotted what must be her host, Bilbo Baggins. She walked up to hobbit and thanked her. "Thank you Mister Baggins for your hospitality. It's been a while since I've had a roof over my head, even for a meal." Lara told her sincerely with a knowing glint in her eye.
Bilbo flushed and gave Lara a soft smile as she said "You're most welcome..."
"Lara Azar. But just call me Lara. No titles or anything like that."
"You're most welcome M~ er Lara. I'm just being a good host." Bilbo told the dwelf. Lara smiles at her and moved off to find the kitchen. She came back just in time to see Fíli snatch a plate from Ori with a "Here you go Ori give it to me." He smatchsd it from his hand and threw it to Kíli behind him who threw it behind him into the kitchen where Bifur was washing the dishes.
Bilbo let out a startled squeak as the dishes flew through the air. "That's my mother's West Farthing pottery! It's over a 100 years old. And can you not do that? You'll blunt them!" She shouted out.
"Oh do you hear that Lads, he's says well blunt the knives." Bofur said in jest.
"Blunt the knives, Bend the forks" Kíli started to sing as Lara gave him an odd look.
"Smash the bottles and burn the corks." Fíli added on as Lara rolled her eyes at his wink. She just stayed out of the way.
They dwarves all started to sing together.
"Chips the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth, tread on the fat
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
When you're finished, if they are whole
Send them down the hall to roll
THAT'S WHAT BILBO BAGGINS HATES!" They finished with an almighty roar before bursting into laughter. Fíli saw Lara's eyes narrow at something behind him but all he saw was the window and nothing else.
Lara saw a face watching through the window and narrowed her eyes. Fíli saw her do this and looked behind him no seinf anything he gave her a funny look.
Three loud knocks echoed through the hobbit hole and everyone became silent. They all moved to the door with a solem air about them. Gandalf said solemnly "He is here."
"He who?" She asked as she looked to Lara as well.
"I don't know Mister Bilbo." Lara said with a slight raise of brow at the word mister before adding in a whisper. "If you decide to come, I will not reveal your gender unless you say to." Lara gave her a knowing look and the hobbit flushed realizing only Lara had noticed the Bilbo was a female. Bilbo gave her a small smile at that as they walked into the entrance of Bag-End.
Gandalf opens the door to reveal a regal looking dwarf and Lara fought very hard no to roll her glowing eyes as he walked in acting like he owned the place. "Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. I wouldn't have found it all if it had not been for that mark on the door." He said with a baritone voice.
"Mark?! There's no mark on that door!" Bilbo said.
"There is a mark on there." Gandalf said as he shut the door to keep Bilbo from going to see the mark. "I put it there myself."
"I should twist your beard for that you old coot!" Bilbo snapped at the wizard who gave a sheepish smile. Lara snickered at the exchange beginning to like the hobbit even more.
"Bilbo Baggins allow me to introduce the leader of our company: Thorin Oakenshield."
"Well you are all going to get lost for sure." Lara mumbled under her breath. Bofur and Fíli who were standing next to her covered their snicker with a cough.
"So this is the hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins have you done much fighting?" Thorin said as he circled the hobbit like a predator hunting its prey.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo sputtered.
"Ax or sword? What's your choice?" He contined to prod at the poor hobbit who was confused as to why he was asking such questions.
"Neither. Though I do have some skill at conkers if you must know. But I fail to see why that's relevant." She answered. Lara had noticed a staff perfect size for a hobbit. She must be used to staffs. Lara mused. She felt her blood boil at what the dwarf said next.
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." He said with a haughty laugh. Lara's eye twitched.
"And you are a pompous arrogant jackass. Just because he said neither doesn't mean he doesn't no any weapons. In fact I'm positive he uses staffs. He has also hosted your company and fed them which I'm sure he didn't have to. This isn't your home either, so don't come walking into it acting like you own the place, which you don't, then insult your host." Lara snapped at Thorin just now realizing that she had closed the distance. Her vibrant violet eyes bored into his ice blue ones.
"How did you?" Bilbo asked Lara who's answered by pointing to her eyes.
Thorin sighed as he realized that she was indeed right, he had taken his frustrations on his host. "I'm sorry Master Baggins. You have hosted my kin and in my frustration with something that had happened I took it out on you."
"You are forgiven Master Oakenshield." Bilbo said as they all went back into the dining room. "You didn't have to do that Lara."
"I did. No one should be treated like that in their own home." Lara said before turning and following the others. Bilbo fixed up Thorin a bowl of stew from the leftovers and have it to him. He ate it slowly as the others waited. Unfortunately for them Lara was tired and wanted to be done with this meeting so she could sleep. "Just ask your damn questions already, Good grief!" Lara said with a wave of her hands.
"What news form the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asked anxiously.
"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms." Thorin said to them.
"All of them!" Gloin cheered.
"And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked hoping that the answer would be good. But when Thorin's face fell and he set down his spoon Dwalin knew the answer already.
"They will not come. They say this quest is ours and ours alone."
"Your going on a quest?" Both Bilbo and Lara asked at the same time.
The dwarves all looked at Lara when she had said that. They assumed she knew of it already and that's why she was here. She frowned at Gandalf as she snapped at him "You didn't say anything about a quest!"
Thorin took this time to do what Fíli had done earlier and observe her. The scar on her face was long and jagged, made by a blade that wasn't properly sharpened. Her clothing was odd but what stuck out the most were her eyes. The seemed to glow. He had never seen such an eye color before. She seemed cautious of them as well and very observant too he found out when she turned sharply on him. "Quite staring at me! God it's like you've never seen a female before!" Thorin flushed at being caught and he saw Fíli snickering at that.
"Bilbo my dear let us have a little more light." Gandalf asked the hobbit who was behind him at the moment. Bilbo walked across the hall to get a small lamp and Gandalf pulled out a folded map. He unfolded it and then put it down on the table in front of Thorin. "Far to the east over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands lies a single solitary peak."
Bilbo came back just as Gandalf finished saying that with a lamp and leaned over the map. Thorin silently giving himself a quick look over of the hobbit. "The Lonely Mountain." She said more to herself than everybody else. Lara leaned over from the other side of Thorin to get a better look of the map. She frowned as she took it in. This map has no scale on it. This map serves some other purpose than directions. Lara mused.
Thorin glanced up at her along with Balin. Crap. I said that out loud didn't I?
"Aye. Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time." Gloin responded as he said to everyone as he looked around the table.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain" Oin said as he to looked around then leaned fowards looking at Thorin. "When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
"What beast?" Bilbo asked with trepidation.
"The would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals." Bofur supplied as he waved his pipe around in the process eventually tapping it on his chin.
Lara's eyes glazed over as a life she hadn't known flashed before her eyes.
Flashback:
"Adad tell me about Erebor!" A small child with nearly glowing amethyst eyes and auburn hair bounced as she gave him puppy eyes.
"Well I guess I could do that my shining Mizimith." Tumir Ironskull, Son of Druamir said to his beloved daughter. Tumir's family heritage was both Firebeard and Longbeard clans. Tumir was very close with Thorin and often thought of each other as brothers. "Under The Lonely Mountain was the seventh of the Great Dwarf Kingdoms, Erebor. Stronghold of Thor, King under the Mountain. His line lay secure with his son Thrain and his grandson Thorin. Erebor was built deep into the mountain itself, the beauty of the fortress city was legendary. It's wealth lay in the Earth in precious gems hewn from rock and in great seems of gold running like river through stone. They fashioned great things of beauty there. But the peace wasn't to last, Thor's love of gold had become to fierce and a sicknesses began to grow in him. A sickness of the mind. And were sickness thrives nathith bad things will follow. The first heard was a noise like a hurricane coming down front the North. The pines on the mountain creaked and cracked in the hot, dry wind. He was a fire drake from the North. Smaug had come. Dragons covet gold with a dark and fierce desire. Thranduil showed up with an army and then turned away. No help came from the elves that day nor any since."
"Except for naneth right Adad?" The little girl asked.
Tumir chuckled "Yes Lara, except for your mother Míria. The dwarves of Erebor were once a mighty people now robbed of their home wondered for years before settling in the Blue Mountains. They made a place called Ered Luin" Tumir finished. Lara rubbed her glowing violet eyes and gave a yawn.
"Looks like its time for someone to go to bed." Míria said as she walked into the living room where her family was.
End flashback.
Lara shook her head as the memories she never knew she had came back to light. She tuned in just in time to hear Thorin bellow a word she knew. "Shazara! If we have read these signs do you not think other 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?! Du Bekâr! DU BEKÂR!" Thorin said as he rose from his chair and rallied the company.
Then Balin motioned with hands as he rained on their cheer. "Your forget! The front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." Balin frowned as he looked down at the table.
Gandalf gave a small bright smile as he said "That my dear Balin, is not entirely true. Lara, the key you were sent years ago." Lara's eyes widened as she remembered that key. She had just cleaned out a safe and doubled checked it to make sure it was empty. She went to leave when saw the key appear out of thin air right in front of her in the safe. She hesitated but eventually took it and kept it. Always hiding it from everyone. She pulled it out of her chest pocket on her shirt. She then handed it to Thorin.
"How come you by this?" He asked hoarsely.
"Apparently Gandalf sent it to me. This is a different world isn't it?" She directed the last part at Gandalf who nodded. Lara blew out a breath then excused herself. She sped walked out of the Hobbit hole, climbed up on the top of it and sat down. She thought long and hard about being in this other world. She saw the beauty of this place, she hadn't seen any zombies either. She made her decision. She got off of the roof and made her way back inside.
As she came back into the dining room just in time to hear Dwalin say "Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." He looked at Bilbo them at Lara who scowled at him.
"I have lived on my own in a world where everything and everyone is a threat to your survival. Don't talk to me of not being able to fend or fight." Lara snarled at him. But Dwalin's words had started another argument amongst the dwarves.
A shadow grew from the corner where Gandalf was sitting in as he rose and boomed out with a powerful voice as he seemed to grow in size. "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they pass by most unseen if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find a 14th member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. I have also chosen Lara Azar as a scout. She is absolutely vital to this quest, She bears the mark of Mahal, Mandos and Eru. There's a lot more to Blibo Baggins than appearances suggests. He's got a great deal to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this."
Thorin mulled it over shortly and nodded. "Very well, we will do it your way. Give him the contract and draw one up for the girl."
"I have a name, use it. I'm not some object." Lara snapped at him. Violet eyes burning with fire bored into his ice blue ones. Thorin gave her an unreadable expression. Does she really think I'd treat her as such? He wondered.
"We're off!" Bofur said with a bright smile.
Balin handed the hobbit a contract. "Its just the usual. Summary of out of pockets expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements and so forth."
"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo squeaked.
Lara came up behind her and reassured the hobbit "Don't worry Bilbo, I'll protect you. I promise."
They walked out into the hall as Bilbo began to read the contract with Lara over her shoulder. She could hear Thorin whisper to Gandalf. "I cannot guarantee his or her safety."
"Understood." Gandalf replied.
"Nor am I responsible for their fate."
This time Gandalf hesitated before replying. "Agreed."
"Terms: one fourtheenth, now fifthteenth of total profit if any, seems fair. Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including but not limited to lacerations, evisceration ... incineration?" Bilbo asked slightly paled with a wide eyed look at the dwarves.
"Oh aye, he'll melt the flesh off of your bones in the blink on an eye." Bofur responded to Bilbo's question. Bilbo paled at that bit of information.
"Are you all right laddie?" Balin asked Bilbo while leaning foward, genuinely concerned.
"Yeah, just feel a bit faint." She responded.
"Think furnace with wings." Bofur added, not helping the situation.
"Air, I need air."
"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash." Bofur continued with a wave of his hands.
"Hmm nope." Then she promptly fainted, Lara catching her before she hit the floor. Lara glared at Bofur who at least looked sheepish.
"Next time, shut up Bofur. Not everyone finds facing death in the face easy." Lara admonished the hatted dwarf.
"Very helpful Bofur." Gandalf stated sarcastically. He got up and took Bilbo from Lara's arms as he walked into the he other room.
Lara walked into the kitchen and fixed up a cup of tea for Bilbo before heading into the room where Gandalf and the hobbit were. "Here Bilbo." Lara smiled kindly at her.
"Thank you." Bilbo replied to Lara who was quickly becoming her friend. Lara smiled at her and nodded. She then went off to where her things were.
"Let me just sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo said to the wizard.
"You have been sitting quietly for far to long. Tell me, when did dollies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit who was always running off in search of Elves in the woods. Who would stay out late, come home after dark trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the Shire. The world is not your books and maps, it's out there." Gandalf tried in his best persuasive voice.
"I can't just I running off into the blue. I am a Baggins of Bag-End." Bilbo said but it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself that.
"You are also a took. Did you know that your great great great great uncle Bullroarer took was so large he could ride a real horse?"
"Yes."
"Yes well he could. In the Battle of Green Fields he charged the Goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard, it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off and it sailed 100 yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won and the game of gold invented at the same time." Gandalf told her.
"I do believe you made that up." Bilbo said with exasperation.
"Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. When you come back you'll have a tale or two of your own."
"Can you promise I'll come back?"
"No and if you do you will not be the same. Also if you do come it would be best to appear as a male, it would make it easier so they aren't as likely to send you back considering they need all the help they can get."
Bilbo nodded before saying "That's What I thought. Sorry Gandalf, I can't sign this. You have got the wrong Hobbit." She handed him the contract and walked into her room.
Back in the other room Balin watched as Bilbo left. "It appears we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. After all what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy makers, hardly the stuff of legend."
"There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin said with a fond smile.
"Old warriors." Balin retorted with exasperation.
"I would take each and everyone of these dwarves over an army form the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty, Honor and a willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
"You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life worth more than all the gold in Erebor." Balin reminded him.
"From grandfather, to my father, this has come to me." Thorin said slightly shaking the key in his hand.
"They dreamt of the day when the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice Balin. Not for me."
"Then we are with you, laddie. We will see it done. But what of Miss Azar?"
"She seems familiar to me Balin but I can't remember why. She could be dangerous and most likely a burden. She is half dwarf and half elf. She could be a spy." Thorin growled at the thought of the infuriating halfling.
"She also has seen things. And has had a hard life, you can see it in her eyes. And if what Gandalf says is true, she could be a valuable asset. We need all the help we can get and this way we can keep an eye on her." Balin told him. Thorin mulled it over and nodded. Both of them were unaware that she had heard them both. Seems like even here people just assume the worst of me. Only Bofur and Bifur caught the hurt look on her face followed by disappointment. Then they watched as a mask quickly came onto her face as she stalked off, passing by Fíli. They shared a look at whatever she had Thorin had said she had clearly heard and was hurt by. They silently vowed to make her feel welcome.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked her.
"Piss off! Like you lot actually care." She snapped at him knocking his hand off of her. Fíli stood there dumbfounded by her reaction as he watched her stomp off further into hobbit hole.
Thorin leaned over the fire, smoking his pipe as he began to sing followed by the others joint in.
"Far over, The Misty Mountains cold
Two dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep where dark things sleep
In hollow halls beneath the fells
For ancient king and Elvish lord
There many a gloaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon fire, in twisted wire
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
Two dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To claim our long forgotten gold
Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light
The bells were ringing in the Dale
And men looked up with faves pale
The dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail
The Mountain smoked beneath the moon
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom
They fled their hall to dying hall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon
Far over the Misty Mountains grim
Two dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away ere break of day
To win our harps and hold from him!"
Both Lara and Bilbo heard the song as it lulled them to sleep. Lara decided that she would wait for Bilbo to come before leaving with the Dwarves. She was soon asleep afterwards, thinking of the adventure to come tomorrow. The dwarves to turned in and soon everybody in the hobbit hole was asleep.
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A/N: well I finally got it done. Hopefully you guys like it. Please read and review! I would love to hear what you think. Until next time, BFWolves.