The Truth Beneath the Rose


A/N- I am back and I am ready to get this quest moving. I am sincerely grateful as always to my dear sister, Fireelfmaiden1. She has been a wonderful help on keeping me inspired and motivated. Love you sis!

The journey actually starts next chapter but this is necessary as well for character development.

Disclaimer- I do not own the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, but I do own my OC's and this storyline.

'Thoughts'

I hope you are ready, because I am.

=^..^=


Chapter 2:

Well Met


Year 2941

*Within the Baggins residence*

Thorin watched the female hobbit as she tended to the newly awakened Bilbo. Something about her had caught his eye and now he couldn't stop looking at her. She was a puzzle and he was trying to figure her out. Feeling movement at his side he saw Balin approach him and nodded to him.

"I see you've finally met Miss Thalia. Quite a puzzle that one." Thorin raised a brow in questioning and Balin just shrugged, "she's got me stumped Thorin. She got your nephews to clean something while putting them in their place and even more confusing still. She knows how to sign our language. She has made quite an impression on Bifur."

Thorin narrowed his eyes at that, "is she full hobbit? Does she have dwarrow lineage?" Balin shook his head, "She's a full hobbit and has no ties to a Dwarrow family. She was even shocked by it herself, she said so herself. It's as if she's remembering something by being around us...although, I do not know what exactly."

Looking back at the female, Thalia, his eyes met hers once more before she glanced away and he felt something stir in him that he hadn't felt for many years. Something that he thought to never feel again. Attraction. He was attracted to this hobbit and he didn't even know her, hadn't even spoken to her.

"Is she requesting to join our quest as well?" He looked back at Balin at this and the elder dwarf seemed surprised by his question. He shook his head at that, "I do not know. I do get the feeling she would be more worthy of the position of burglar than her brother, though."

Looking back at the hobbit female as she scolded her brother with her hands on her rather shapely hips, he almost cracked a smile. "She would indeed."

Thalia did the best she could to ignore the eyes burning into the back of her head, it was very hard to do so though when all she wished was to gaze into said eyes until the end of time. Shaking her head at that foolish thought, she sighed when her brother muttered at Gandalf telling him to leave him alone.

Having had enough of her brother's pointless bellyaching; she placed her hands on her hips and practically growled at her brother. "Now don't you ignore Gandalf Bilbo, I think he is right when he says this quest would be good for you. Mother would swat you silly if she saw how you've been acting today."

Bilbo turned his eyes to her and he narrowed them, "you want to go don't you? Of all the foolhardy...Thalia, I am your brother and you cannot go with these...dwarves." Snorting at that she crossed her arms, "I am 48 years old Bilbo, I can make my own decisions and I know you are interested too. I am just as much a Took as you are; I know a gleam of interest when I see it."

Bilbo sputtered at that, almost spilling the tea he held. Rolling her eyes at his immature behavior, Thalia turned and walked away. She came to a sudden halt when she bumped into a solid wall. Blinking, she looked up and froze. Curious ice blue eyes looked down at her and she felt that pain from before, only this time it throbbed uncontrollably.

"Thorin Oakenshield, at your service miss?" His deep voice washed over her, making her feel warm all over. She took a deep breath and willed herself to respond. "Miss Thalia Baggins at yours sir." He nodded at that before he turned and walked into one of the sitting rooms, the one where she'd lit a fire earlier. Some of her knitting and sewing were still strewn about and she thought about rushing into the room to clean it up, but thought better of it.

It wasn't as if she needed to hide the fact that she had so many hobbies, it wouldn't change anything. Although she did want to make a good impression on this Thorin, she couldn't stand the thought of him disliking her for any reason. In the end this was the reasoning that had her following after Thorin, once in the room she saw that all the company had gathered in there. Each were watching Thorin from where he stood before the fire, looking deep into it as if he could see through it to something else.

Something rather sad and painful from the looks on everyone's faces. A hand gripped her shoulder and she looked over to see Fili looking at her in a rather peculiar manner. He motioned with his head over to where his brother sat and she followed him over, her curiosity overriding her concern over the suddenly solemn mood.

Then she heard it and felt her heart warm all over again. It started low, only a humming, until slowly his voice began to be heard. It was a song she knew well, one that echoed in her soul and brought forth a memory she didn't know she had.

Of a fire just like this one, except stronger and wilder. Dangerous. So many faces, so many people, so much death. The dragon. She remembered the dragon. A name echoed in her mind, one that had tears of pain springing to her eyes as the song finally ended. In the silence of the room, she murmured "Smaug."

All eyes turned towards her and seeing her distress, both Kili and Fili began cooing at her. Both gripping a shoulder gently. Thalia smiled softly at them, knowing they were just trying to bolster her and make her feel better. Feeling a certain pair of eyes upon her though made her straighten up and force herself back to calm. "I am alright. Just a memory."

Getting up she smiled at all the dwarrow in the room, "I will fetch some blankets so that you will all be more comfortable tonight. Please make yourselves at home." She then fled the room, practically running away before a certain dwarf could corner her. She wasn't sure if she could face him right now, not if he looked at her with those deep ice blue eyes.

Shivering at just the thought of it, she busied herself with gathering as many blankets and pillows as she could possibly find. The least she could do was make sure their guests got a good night's rest before their journey began on the morrow.

Thorin watched with a strange pain of loss as the hobbit female darted from the room. He couldn't understand why she had begun to cry, or why seeing her do so caused him so much discomfort. He didn't wish to see her cry, he wanted nothing more than to walk over and dry her tears himself. But he'd stopped himself, confused by such an overwhelming desire.

Something was going on here and he didn't have a clue as to what. Which was slowly but surely angering him, he wanted to know why he was reacting to her like this. Why such a thing was happening to him when he'd locked his heart away long ago.

Hearing a voice he shook himself out of his thoughts and looked at his nephew, his heir, Fili. "Yes?" He raised a brow in questioning, wondering why his nephew looked as distressed as he felt. "Uncle...will Miss Thalia be joining us on the quest as well?" Blinking and feeling rather stunned by such an out of the blue question, Thorin knit his brows asking, "Why?"

A light dusting of pink crossed Fili's face as he looked around nervously. "Well...if her brother joins us, she will be here all alone. No one to protect her, with us...well...Kili and I already talked about it. We would take full responsibility for her safety." Feeling rather flabbergasted, Thorin looked over at his other nephew whom kept glancing towards the entrance with a worried look on his face.

Everything clicked into place at that. His nephew's, the future of the Durin line, had grown attached to a hobbit. They were viewing her as a member of the family, just what role in the family though he wasn't sure. A part of him grew angry at the thought that his nephew's might have romantic feelings for the female and he quickly stamped it out. He didn't have a say and neither did they if one of them had chosen her as their One.

Doing his best to keep his anger out of his voice he asked, "Just why do you wish her to join us? Has one of you chosen her?" Fili's eyes blew wide at Thorin's words and he shook his head sharply. "No, no uncle. Nothing like that. We just...well...there is something about her that is decidedly...Dwarvish. Even Bifur agrees that she shouldn't be left here, not until we figure her out. Besides..."

Fili trailed off as he scratched at his beard nervously, "She reminds me of mother. She even bossed Kili around just like ma does. It just doesn't feel right leaving her here, I just keep feeling that she should be with us."

Thorin remained silent as he thought over Fili's words, letting out a breath he turned. "Balin." The elder dwarf halted in his conversation with Bombur and made his way over, "yes Thorin?" "Draw up another contract. One for Miss Thalia."

Balin's eyes blew wide in surprise but he nodded his head and moved off to collect the necessary items to do as his prince had ordered. Thorin watched him go before crossing his arms and turning to look at his nephew, "Satisfied?" Fili nodded his head, a smile breaking out on his lips as he turned and rushed over to his brother. After speaking excitedly to each other both clapped hands and grinned in triumph at each other.

Thorin fought down a smile at their youthful exuberance and turned to look back at the fire when the subject of his thoughts came waddling back into the room. A proverbial mountain of blankets and pillows in her arms.

Fili and Kili, as well as Bifur and Bofur rushed to assist her and soon the small woman was unearthed. Her face was red from exertion but she looked pleased with herself at providing them with such luxuries. After everyone had divided up the blankets and pillows, her eyes gravitated towards him and he swore he could feel her gaze as if her hands were running over him.

He inclined his head to her in silent thanks and she turned a very pretty shade of red as she shifted uncomfortably, one of her hands unconsciously moving to rest over her heart. Intrigued by this, Thorin walked over to her, intending to speak with her about the matter of her joining them on the quest. But to his slight anger and surprise, Kili and Fili beat him to it.

Both swooped in and grabbed a shoulder, excitedly speaking at the same time. Blinking in shock Thalia opened her mouth to speak when Thorin growled out, "Enough!" Both Fili and Kili stopped and flushed in embarrassment as they glanced ruefully at their uncle.

"Miss Thalia..." Thalia raised a hand as her cheeks flushed red once more, "just Thalia please." Thorin nodded and continued. "My nephew's and I request your involvement in our quest. We will ensure your safety to the best of our ability, as will the rest of the company. Will you join us?"

Thalia's eyes were wide as she looked about the room, not one of the dwarves seemed angered by this. In fact all of them were giving her encouraging smiles or nods. All except for Dwalin but he didn't look upset. Turning her eyes back upon Thorin she took a deep breath before she gave a firm nod of her head. "I accept. I would be honored to join you all and will help in whatever way I can to restore your home to you. This I swear."

Thorin's eyes widened at her final words, something about them struck yet another cord in his mind. He'd heard those words before, in the exact same manner as well. But where he wasn't certain, he would think on it though. "Well then, we will bid you good night then. Pack everything you believe you will need on the journey for we will be leaving at first light." He paused before remembering something. "With or without your brother."

Thorin then turned and went to arrange himself a place near the hearth. He heard his nephew's excitedly wishing the hobbit good night before they too settled down. He hoped that they would mellow more on this journey, for what lay ahead of them all was a long and very hard road. A certain hobbit should be prepared as well.

It was with the thought of grey eyes and a soft voice that Thorin finally managed to fall into a semi-peaceful slumber.

Thalia pressed her hands to her chest and felt her heart racing with excitement and dread. She was going on an adventure. With dwarves...with Thorin. Again that searing pain above her breast flared to life and she hissed lightly in the dark of the hall. Sighing she made her way towards her own bedchamber when a noise from behind halted her footsteps.

Balin was moving towards her, his hands clutching something. She stopped and smiled at him, "Balin, whatever is the matter?" He held out a folded bit of parchment and she saw the ink stains on his beard and hands. "Your contract Milady." Blinking she opened it and briefly read it before decisively taking the quill Balin held out and signing her name to the paper.

Balin blinked at how fast she'd done so and almost reverently took the parchment back. "Are you sure?" Hearing the concern in his voice, Thalia nodded her head. "More than anything. It feels like the right thing to do. Good night Balin." She then turned and left the elderly dwarf standing in stunned silence.

She made it to her bedchamber without another delay and leaning back against her door she took a deep and calming breath. She couldn't believe the day she'd had, not to mention how much had changed as well. Sighing she moved about, packing up several things for the journey. She then made sure that her bow, quiver, sword, and dagger were all at the ready.

She would need them, of that she was sure. One thing she was certain of was that this journey would be fraught with peril of all kinds and one must be ready for anything. Once she was certain she'd packed everything she'd need, Thalia finally stripped and went to change into her night clothes when she caught sight of something in her mirror.

There, above her left breast was a mark. A dwarven rune if she was correct, it was tattooed to her skin. She ran her fingers over the symbol and couldn't help but wonder at its meaning and how it had gotten there. Puzzled and worried, she grabbed a spare piece of vellum and quickly drew the symbol. She would show it to Gandalf on the morrow and hopefully he would have an answer for her.

She had a feeling though that it would be something having to deal with all her strange new feelings and memories. All of it had one thing in common, dwarves.


A/N- There. Chapter two is done. I hope this is well enjoyed by everyone who reads it. I also wanted to clarify something. I will be updating once every month but no more. I have a very busy schedule at work and am unable to do more at this time.

So please bare with me in this and thank you my readers for your continued support.

And as always...

May the Fluff be with you!

=^..^=