Chapter One: A Chance Encounter
Three sharp raps on the strange wooden door, the soft blue glow of the Khuzdul word for thief shone like a beacon in the night. Eyes narrowed she looked around, what an odd place for a thief to reside surely this one was good for a wizard to go recommending. Her knocks went unanswered, and she frowned, perhaps this thief hadn't learned proper manners when guests came calling. She sighed looking up at the twinkling stars above her head and swore under her breath in her mother tongue, she was certain she had seen other Dwarrow enter the house, in fact she could hear something loud and boisterous coming from inside. Just as she was about to lean around the small walkway and peer into the small circular window the wooden door was flung open, bouncing on its hinges as its aggressor audibly groaned. She straightened up and looked at the little fellow that opened the door, he was small with curly chestnut hair, donned in a lovely red robe with large hairy feet. She smiled brightly so this thief was a hobbit then, she hadn't heard much about hobbits only that they tended to be a gentle folk, she found it odd that one would procure such a dangerous profession.
She bowed low sweeping her hands out to her sides "Narâ at your service"
He slammed the door in her face "No we don't need anymore visitors today" he growled as the wood clicked shut against her nose.
She huffed and raised her fist to knock again, her pride not allowing that deed to go unpunished.
The hobbit opened the door again with an exasperated sigh "There are far too many dwarves in my house already thank you" he grunted his cheeks tinted red with rage, he attempted to close the door on her again, when she stuck out her booted foot, the door jarring off the metal with a clang. He squeaked in surprise and took a step back his mouth popping open as he stuttered at her intrusion into his home. Her eyes scanned the small living quarters, looking past the hobbits head to see a small gathering of Dwarrow sitting around a table.
"And who might you be" someone said from behind her.
She spun on her heel and looked up in shock at the aged face of a Maiar, she had never had the pleasure of meeting a wizard of the order before, but her father often spoke of them. This one she assumed based on his attire and ragged looking appearance would be the one whom the elves called Mithrandir.
"Tharkûn" she said bowing her head to his authority.
The old wizard smirked at the odd name, having not heard it in many ages, he had almost forgot the name given to him by the dwarves of old, and he was surprised this one seem to know it well. His blue eyes held their gaze, sweeping down the stout profile he chuckled surprised once again to find himself not staring down another Dwarrow but a dwarrowdam.
Narâ swallowed clearing the dryness from her throat before she spoke "Narâ daughter of Narvi, Lord of the Grey Mountains at your service"
The wizard smiled looking over the dam's head to his company sitting watching the exchange with shocked looks on their bearded faces.
"Gandalf who is this dwarf" someone growled out angrily from behind her.
Narâ turned and looked at the table of Dwarrow with a raised brow, eyes sweeping over the small company with a scrutinizing eye, this was hardly the Dwarrow of legend, they looked more akin to blacksmiths and tinkerers than warriors. Her eyes settled on a few battle-worn faces with satisfaction at least a few in the party could properly handle an ax. Finally, her eyes landed on him, the King of Durin's folk, he was taller than she pictured him to be, with long black hair streaked with silver and a short beard, Thorin Oakenshield in the flesh. She bowed low as was custom before straightening up into a proper stance "Narâ daughter of Narvi, Former Swornshield to the king of Erebor, currently Lord of the Grey Mountains at your service"
"I know Lord Narvi well, and last I heard he didn't have any daughters certainly not any as old as yourself" an old Dwarrow stood fists leaning against the wooden table.
She sighed in frustration "Master Dwarf I assure you that he does as I am living breathing proof of his linage and I can assure you I am in fact female"
Thorin looked over her with a frown, she was dressed in a heavy leather jerkin, and leggings, a thick white furred cowl hung loosely on her shoulders, fastened with leather strapping across her chest, a matching white furred skirt covered with leather tassets adorned her hips meeting in the middle with a large wolfen head carved into iron. She had the darkest hair he had ever seen on a maiden, so black it looked like the feathers of a raven, deep dark green eyes that sparkled in the light against angular features. She was a beautiful dwarrowdam, which made her appearance here and now all the more puzzling. "What are you doing here?" he tried again clearly addressing her this time as he stared into her emerald eyes.
Narâ licked her dry lips "You called for council with the seven dwarven clans, my father of course was among them, requesting aid to retake the kingdom of Erebor as is your right, but they would not aid you thinking it a fools errand to trifle with the drake that slumbers there, likely in fear of burning to death bunch of stuffed up pompous blowhards" she growled blowing out a breath, before looking up to continue surprised to see the smallest of smirks on his face "Anyway, my father of course thought it ridiculous to refuse the call of his king, however in his old age he was unable to lend aid, my brothers of course couldn't risk getting their beard hairs singed lot of cowards, so I am here in their stead"
Thorin crossed his arms over his wide chest and looked down his nose at the dwarrowdam, she certainly looked dressed for the part but that was hardly a convincing plot, he was troubled that she traveled so far from her homeland to seek him out "And what say your father Narvi, that he sends his only daughter on this quest"
She looked down at the floor with a guilty flush of embarrassment "He doesn't not know I have gone"
"That's what I thought, Narâ was it?" Thorin questioned looking at the dam with a harsh glare as she nodded "You are to return to the Grey Mountains at once, tell Narvi I send my apologies that his clearly foolish daughter sought me out without his permission"
She shot him a withering glare, her cheeks flushing with anger "No I can not return, honor demands that my family heed your call"
"It was not you I was calling for but the aid of the Grey Mountains the aid of your father" Thorin countered loudly.
"Thorin, let's not get too hasty perhaps the lass could be useful" said the old Dwarrow, his eyes turning to look her up and down "I know the dwarves of the Grey Mountains to be a fierce people, having had many dealings with dragons in the past"
"Balin, you know as well as I that dragons have not attacked the Grey Mountains in an age" Thorin stated plainly his mouth a firm line.
Balin shrugged "That may be so lad, but that doesn't mean they aren't trained as dwarrowlings to learn the ways of the warriors of old"
Thorin rolled his eyes and gestured to the dam with one hand "She's a female Balin, they don't train the dams to fight"
"Wrong" she interrupted with a grunt, her eyes flashing in anger that they would speak about her as if she wasn't present in the room. "I have been trained my entire life as have my brothers, and my father before me"
"Aye, and how many battles have you fought in then lass" a bald Dwarrow growled from behind Balin.
She gave him a deadpanned stare "One lad, likely while you still suckled upon your amads breasts"
The bald dwarf flushed crimson immediately "By Mahal I'll put my ax through your head"
She smirked "I'd like you see you try dwarf"
"Enough" bellowed Thorin, looking between Dwalin and the dam, he turned his furious gaze toward her and frowned "What battle have you fought in" he said sarcastically thinking it likely a spat between dwarves and men.
"Azanulbizar, we fought to push back the orcs at the eastern gate, your grandfather was beheaded there, my father and eldest brothers fought alongside him, they were Swornshield's, duty bound to protect him and failed. Narin my eldest brother was killed that day"
Thorin looked at her in shock, he never expected her to say that; he looked at her more closely she didn't appear to be even old enough to remember that battle let alone fight in it, and how was it a dwarrowdam managed to enlist in the battle at all, dams were typically kept from fighting as there was so few of them to begin with.
Narâ knew that look, the disbelief shining in his pale eyes and she narrowed her eyes in a rage "Don't believe it, it matters little, I know what happened I was there, I saw the bodies I saw the pale orc smash away your shield, I saw my prince pick up a oaken branch just as the blade was coming down to splice him and wield it like dwarven iron" she lifted the hem of her jerkin and tunic and exposed the pale flesh of her stomach, where a huge scar riddled the skin in an angry slash "I still wear the scars of that battle on my flesh"
"What do you want lass?" Balin asked peeling his eyes away from her exposed flesh and her unsightly scar, to meet her emerald eyes.
She tucked away her clothing and straightened to her full height "I want to join on your quest to retake Erebor, I want to restore my families honor, perhaps my brother's soul can finally be put to rest in the halls of waiting, now that I resume his charge and serve the king of Durin's folk"
"And what could you offer me that my current companions cannot" Thorin asked gruffly.
She sighed "I can offer my guidance as crossing the Misty Mountains is likely all but brand new to most of you, having dwelt along the mountain range my entire life, I know the best passages to take, places to make camp, where to find food when storms rage so hard that you can't see the ax in front of your face"
"Why do you care if Erebor is retaken, have you forsaken your fathers' halls?" another Dwarrow asked, this one with a great beard the colour of fire, adorned with fine iron beads. She turned to address him properly "Nay I have not abandoned my father, I should like to return when this quest is over and Erebor returned to its rightful king under the mountain, a dragon slumbers on the treasure of dwarves and that is an affront to Aulë himself"
"Well lads, I say let the lass join us, what a fine party we will make, a wizard, thirteen Dwarrow one lovely dam, and our burglar" said a Dwarrow with a funny looking floppy miner's hat.
She smiled in gratitude at him, at least one of the group had faith in her, although perhaps it was misplaced as she was not interested in compliments or flattery. "This burglar you speak of I assume it is the hobbit that owns this home" she said matter of fact looking for the little curly head and could not see him.
"Aye that be Bilbo, Gandalf here has chosen him to be our burglar" said the miner with the floppy hat.
She turned toward the Maiar with a questioning look, why a hobbit of all races, he smiled gently at her and told her the very same thing he told the others "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, and while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf a hobbit is all but unknown to him"
She nodded satisfied with the answer, drawing her attention back to Thorin "And this Bilbo is going to steal from the drake and procure the Arkenstone"
Thorin blew out a breath, she was far to clever with her understandings of the situation "What of it"
She smiled "That is bloody brilliant, with the Arkenstone surely others will offer aid, in hopes you line their pockets, greedy bastards we are"
"Aye is that why you've come lass" growled the bald Dwarrow eyeing her up like filth on the ground.
She chuckled "No Master Dwarf, I care not for golden coins, I care about honor, therefor I Narâ daughter of Narvi Lord of Grey Mountains pledge my ax to you Thorin Oakenshield"
Thorin sighed she was a stubborn dwarrowdam, he would give her that, but if all she said was truth than she would be a valuable ally on this journey. "Rise Narâ, I accept, you may accompany us, Balin get her a contract, I will see that you are rewarded fairly as the rest of my company"
She smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with mirth, and he found himself drawn to the sight, she was like a fine cut emerald. Narâ caught his gaze and looked away a red hue tinting her pale cheeks, she cleared her throat and caught sight of the little hobbit standing off to the side next to the tall wizard a candle in his hand. She approached him with two strides and looked him up and down a smile on her face "So you are Bilbo then"
Bilbo swallowed and nodded "Bil..Bilbo Baggins madam"
She chuckled slapping her hand on his shoulder causing him to jolt back "Don't make me laugh Master Baggins, madam, hardly a fitting title, but I thank you for it" she let him go and walked around him looking him over, he didn't look like anything special, and by his posture he looked terrified, hardly the person needed to sneak up on a dragon, but Maiar were very wise and she trusted his judgement. She stopped in front of the hobbit and placed her hands on both his shoulders giving him a warm reassuring smile she knocked her forehead against his, surprised to find him melt into her arms like warm butter. She bellowed a laugh and turned to look over her shoulder at the other Dwarrow holding the knocked out hobbit in her outstretched arms "I think I broke our burglar"
Gandalf huffed taking the hobbit from the laughing dam with an eyeroll "Here give me Bilbo I'll sit him down for a moment, try not to knock him on the head I rather like him In one piece"
She shrugged her shoulders "It's a friendly greeting is all, meant nothing by it"
"Not all creatures are as hard-headed as dwarves mistress dwarf" Gandalf scolded lightly with a smirk.
She nodded in agreeance with a small smile as the old Dwarrow with a wonderous white beard approached her with kind dark eyes "Narâ let me introduce my fellow Dwarrow" he said gently taking her by the forearm and leading her toward the table sitting her down to Thorin's left.
"I am Balin at your service" he said with a bow, then gestured around the table "This is my brother Dwalin, beside him you have Gloin and Oin, then Dori, Nori, and Ori, end of the table you have Bombur, Bifur and Bofur, then the youngest Fili with the golden head, then Kili his younger brother and of course there is the leader of our company Thorin" Balin said gesturing to each Dwarrow with a pointed finger.
Narâ nodded her head as each Dwarrow was introduced a polite smile on her face, she was used to being put on display at the Grey Mountains as it was customary for her fathers lineage to socialize during celebrations, and she was often forced to sit on ceremony with a smile plastered to her face. "Greetings all" she said stiffly.
"No need to be so formal here lass" Fili winked at her, sliding a tankard toward her, the amber liquid sloshing about spilling on the wooden tabletop. Her reflexes were thankfully fast as she reached a hand forward to grab the cup, frowning in annoyance when another hand snatched it first. Her green eyes followed the hand to see Thorin pick it up and swallow heartily before setting it down and pushing it toward her with a smirk. She snorted a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand before picking up the drink and guzzling it down, slamming it on the table with a satisfied sigh.
"Hobbits can certainly make a good ale" she chuckled.
"Aye, that they do, good food and good ale before a long journey, what more could you ask for" Bofur said happily.
She smirked "Well I know of one thing for certain"
"Aye and what is that lassie?" Balin asked watching as she brought her hands onto the tabletop and started tapping a rhythm with her nails "Why a song of course, come now lads surely one of you can sing us a lively tune"
Narâ was pleasantly surprised to find that indeed the Dwarrow of the company did know how to sing and even played instruments much to her delight, she clapped and sang along, drank, and ate whatever was brought to her as the evening faded into the blackness of night.
"Come now, we must rest before our departure, and I do believe Master Baggins has had quiet enough of our merrymaking" Balin stood up cracking his back looking at his host sat in a large armchair nursing a steaming cup of tea face drawn toward the fire.
The Dwarrow settled down in the sitting room, all huddled together in front of the massive hearth moods turning somber as thoughts of the journey ahead started to come to fruition. Narâ settled down nearest the fire, pulling off her fur cowl she laid it on the floor using the soft furs as a cushion for her head, the blazing fire behind her enough to keep her warm throughout the night, if sleep would even come to her. She closed her eyes and her thoughts drifted to home; her fathers face even crestfallen looking at her with clouded eyes. She shook away the thought and pinched her eyes shut tighter praying to Mahal that rest would come.
…
A rooster woke her at dawn, the abrasive sound of its call grating on her ears, she was certainly not used to such a strange sound, having only crows kept at the rookery in the Grey Mountains, chickens certainly would not survive the harsh environment. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat upright, smiling as the young Dwarrow Kili approached her with a steaming cup,
"Here Narâ I brought you a tea" he said proudly puffing up his chest.
She smiled in thanks and took it from his outstretched hands "Why thank you Kili, how thoughtful"
"Anything for a pretty dam" he winked walking away, she rolled her eyes he clearly was still very young having not sprouted his beard yet. She inhaled deeply enjoying the rich aroma of the herbal tea it smelt of flowers, she brought it to her lips and sipped at the beverage it was rather good. She finished it quickly getting up to join the others, standing beside Thorin at the table as plans were laid out "I have sent Gloin and Oin to procure us ponies, Narâ unfortunately you will have to ride with someone else as I did not know of your arrival beforehand" Thorin said looking at her from the corner of his eye.
"No matter I have my own mount, so it won't be a problem" she said absentmindedly.
"Alright, let us be off then" Thorin said tucking away a crude map and key into his coat, turning away from the others he grabbed his traveling gear and opened the door waiting for the rest of the company outside.
Thorin led them away from the rolling hills of the Shire on foot until Gloin and Oin appeared, frowns on their faces as they led a herd of small ponies and one large horse behind them.
"Hobbits are fool hardy creatures ill tell you cost us nearly all we had for these nags" Gloin complained tugging aggressively on the reigns of a pony causing it to whinny in irritation.
Thorin smirked "Gloin I gave you that coin for the ponies not for your pockets"
Gloin puffed up and stuttered "And every piece was spent I assure you"
Narâ chuckled rolling her eyes at the cheapness of her companion, so typical of Dwarrow to try and hoard their coin and she felt bad for the poor hobbit that was likely haggled to death by Gloin for his animals.
"Where is your mount Narâ" Fili asked steering his pony toward her with a flick of his wrist, the stout little beast tossing its head in annoyance. She smiled at the pony rubbing her palm along its grey flank "He is here somewhere I shall whistle for him when we are further out"
"Further out?" Fili asked confused watching as the dam's eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Wont you ride with me then? While you wait, surely you would rather ride than walk?" he asked offering her his hand.
She smiled at his politeness, he had good manners, no doubt the lady Dis was responsible for that feat, she shook her head "No that's quiet alright"
"As a Lords daughter I'm surprised" Dwalin grunted at her.
She rolled her eyes "Dwalin what am I to do to convince you I am no damsel, while I am technically a lady of the Grey Mountains, I am a warrior first and foremost"
"Lassies aren't warriors" Dwalin grumbled under his breath.
She sighed shaking her head, content to let it drop as they walked. She was slightly disappointed to find the hobbit not among them, clearly the thought of such a dangerous adventure was too much for him. She didn't blame him, it would be a long and grueling journey without the comforts of home, her own people refused the call let alone someone who had nothing to gain except gold.
"Alright lads, and lass, who wants to wager that our burglar will show up" Bofur said leaning forward In his saddle waggling his brows at his companions.
She snorted as small pouches of coin were tossed back and forth all wagering on the little hobbit showing up or not "what say you Narâ? You think ol Bilbo will show up after all?" Bofur smiled trotting his pony alongside her.
She sighed and looked over her shoulder at the little hobbit homes in the hillside slowly fading away, her mind drifting to the peace that seemed to blanket the Shire in a warm happy glow, why would anyone want to venture away from here was beyond her, but she knew that if there was a spark in his heart that it would grow into a blaze, and nothing could keep him from joining. Although he was quiet, she could see the interest in his eye as he listened to their tales last night, she reached into her purse and pulled out her coin tossing It at Bofur "He shows" she stated with a note of finality.
Bofur nodded happy she agreed "I think so too"
…
They had only been walking a short time when shouting started from the back of the group "WAIT".
Narâ turned to look over her shoulder a triumphant smile on her face as Bilbo rushed toward them a contract flowing out behind him like a long ribbon blowing in the wind. His face was flushed, and he was panting as he reached them "Here... I've ...signed it" he huffed all but throwing the contract at Balin, who smiled warmly at the little hobbit as he read over the contract.
"All is in order Thorin" Balin stated folding up the paperwork he passed it to Thorin who grunted in acceptance "Get him a pony"
Thorin looked over Bilbos head to see the dam standing there with a warm smile on her face, eyes not looking at him, but at the hobbit, he frowned "Narâ call your mount"
She looked up at him and nodded, pulling out a strange looking horn that was fastened to her hip she brought it to her lips and blew into it, the sound was a deep baritone that echoed through the forests of the Shire. Satisfied he would hear it she tucked it safely away and waited arms at the ready, eyes scanning the horizon for the white blur.
"WARG" Dwalin cried grabbing his battle ax from his back he took aim from the back of his pony, throwing the gleaming battle ax with all his might toward the thundering body of the white Warg.
The clash of metal grated on everyones ears as the ax was flung from the sky as it collided with another, Narâ panting in outrage as she stomped toward the fallen weapons and pulled her ax from the ground, brushing it off she whirled on Dwalin "Don't you ever try to kill him again"
She turned and looked toward the beast and it crashed into her with a slobbering kiss, its long thick pink tongue covering her with saliva and it knelt over its master wagging its enormous tail. She smiled brushing her palms through his pristine fur, so white it seemed to glow in the light
"ashamâkh khimâ" she said lovingly patting his cheek, to which he barked shaking her small person.
"You ride a Warg" stuttered Ori, hiding his pony behind his brother Dori's.
Narâ tutted her beast and he got off sitting on his haunches waiting for her command she turned to the others "Yes, his name is Khimâ, I found him as a pup and have raised him myself, he is my most loyal companion"
"You are ik-kund ukhrab" Balin whispered in awe, looking at her with a new light as she blushed and nodded.
"What is that?" Bilbo asked his voice trembling in fear at the sight of the great white wolf beast.
"It means Wolf Rider lad, I've heard tell of your bravery fighting off the orcs and goblins of your mountain range, but I never would have guessed it was a dam" he chuckled.
Narâ smiled whistling out a sharp command and watching as her Warg companion bellied down on the ground allowing her to mount him properly, she slide her foot into her leather homemade saddle and patted his shoulder allowing him to stand. As a full grown Warg Khimâ stood several inches taller than the ponies, he was pure white with a long shaggy coat and red eyes.
"He is a wild Warg, I didn't know they still existed" Gandalf commented looking at the beast with interest, this was an unaltered breed, free from the grips of Sauron, closely resembling a massive wolf, it had similar proportions unlike its cousins that sported enormous teeth and small ears curved backs and shorter tails.
"Aye, he is a wild Warg, native to the Misty Mountains, fear not lads he wont bite you, he's quite tame" she said patting in between his long ears.
"How can you be sure" Bilbo stuttered holding the reigns of his little chestnut pony tightly.
"Insidî" she called, smirking as her Warg instantly dropped to his haunches, tail thumping wildly on the ground. "I'lizî" she shouted and pat him on the side as he stood up shaking his massive head waiting patiently for his master to give the next command.
"That is amazing" Kili said in awe, he had never heard nor seen a dwarf ride a Warg before and here she was on the back of a white one no less.
"Ensure he doesn't eat the ponies and lets get moving" Thorin grunted from the front of the progression kicking his pony into a cantor.
She nodded whispering in Khimâ's ear to move forward, he happily obliged trotting leisurely beside Gandalf's horse pink tongue hanging out of his maw.
"Perhaps you should scout ahead, Mistress Dwarf I'm afraid your mount is causing the ponies distress" Gandalf suggested gently patting his horse down as it tossed its head in irritation being so close to a dangerous predator.
"Thorin, shall I go scout ahead" Narâ called waiting for his answer.
"Go" he grunted watching her bound away astride a white Warg.