"I'll be alright I promise. I just need to sit a little longer." Bilbo said as he held a mug of tea and sat by the fire in his den. "You've been sitting for too long." Gandalf argued as he paced beside Bilbo.
I shook my head with disbelief. Two minutes ago, we were being offered a job by Thorin Oakinshield who wanted me, Aurora Lorien, and Bilbo Baggins to be his secretary and cook. Then immediately following the news, Bilbo fainted. Yes, the grow man fainted like a little girl. I hadn't had time to consider the job since Bilbo was still in a state of shock. I could potentially be the secretary to one of the richest people in Middle Earth. I would have money again. I wouldn't be living off the savings in my bank account, that not longer existed. I could have an apartment… in the city!
But I wouldn't be able to find my brother. Valar knows how much I've missed him. If I got the job, I would have to give up on finding him. Would I be able to walk to away?
I stared at the flames of the fire as Bilbo and Gandalf continued to argue with each other. Gandalf eventually gave up and stormed off to join the other dwarves in the dinning room. "You're not actually considering the job, are you?" Bilbo asked as I glanced up at him. I lifted my head off my hand and shrugged my shoulders. "Honestly, I need the money, and as much as I don't want to work for him, I gotta do it."
Bilbo took a sip of his drink. "You are going to willingly take a job from a stranger who works for a has been tech mogul?"
"I'm living off the spare change in my wallet… so I think yes." I countered. Bilbo didn't expect that answer and fell silent as he watched the fire. The room grew silent as we both stared at the flames. "Well… I can't. I'm a Baggins of Bag End." Bilbo proclaimed, awaking me from my thoughts. "Have you ever left the Shire?" I asked him. He shook his head no. "See that's the thing about people in the Shire. You're homebodies. You never step one foot out of the Shire and then you die. You never see what the world looks like. How the tallest spires in Gondor glisten in the early dawn light, or what halls of Helms Deep echo when you're there alone. Or how the gates of Amon Din greet you or the whispers you'll hear in Fangorn Forest. It's out there. Beyond the Shire." I explained pointing to the night sky outside of the house.
Bilbo stared at the window, before standing up. "You've got the wrong hobbit." He said turning to walk off. "Okay, I'm sure they can find someone else. The food wasn't that good anyways." I answered as I messed with my nails. Bilbo turned back to face me. "Excuse me?" he demanded. "They can find someone else since the food wasn't good." I repeated, glancing between him and my nails. Bilbo huffed in frustration and left the room. I chuckled at what I did. Now he can't possibly refuse.
I stood and walked into the dining room where I signed one of the two contracts on the table. Balin, one of Thorin's oldest friends and director of affairs, watched to make sure I signed everything correctly before he and Thorin signed as well. After that was done, they introduced me to everyone in the company.
There was Fili and Kili, Thorin's nephews who would inherit the company when they "matured". Fili had blond hair, with a few braids in his hair while his brother Kili had dark hair, the same as Thorin's, but no beard unlike most dwarves. They wouldn't tell me what happened to Kili's beard, but it put them both on edge when I asked. Then there was Dwalin and Balin, both brothers. Dwalin was head of security and honestly, I would not try to make him mad. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur worked in sales. Bifur had had some hunting accident go wrong and currently had an axe wedged in his skull. Bofur, was the most talkative, making jokes and puns every five seconds. Their brother Bombur's only goal in life was to eat. Seriously, I saw him eat five blocks of cheese. BLOCKS OF CHEESE. Head of marketing was Nori, Dori, and their younger brother (who was an intern) Ori. Nori was also part-time with security since he had a talent for stealing and pickpocketing. Dori did most of the marketing, while also making time to baby Ori. Ori was honestly the sweetest dwarf I had ever met; he was timid around everyone until he showed off his skills of burping at dinner. Oin, was the medic of the group and his brother Gloin oversaw technology with the company, making sure everything was working. Basically, if there is something wrong with your phone, you call Gloin. Gandalf is a volunteer HR. I have no idea what Gandalf really does, but Fili told me Gandalf helps HR. Then the CEO himself, Thorin Oakinshield. He's a jerk. Case closed. Well that's what I pretty much figured out after being around him for five minutes.
…
I was fumbling around with Bilbo's books, glancing through his shelves when I accidently stumbled into Balin and Thorin's conversation. "-Well I believe we have lost our cook. Probably for the best. At least we have gotten Miss Lorien." Balin was saying to Thorin as I watched from the edge of the hallway. "I do not believe having Miss Lorien with us is for the best." Thorin answered as he leaned back against the wall. "Perhaps she will be vital for us Thorin. I believe the lass has a good heart…" Balin paused to think.
"-But a forked tongue." Thorin added.
Balin chuckled at his friend's comment. I rolled my eyes at his comment about me. "I still approve of her, Thorin." Balin said, patting his friend on the back before heading towards me.
I backed away and darted into the living room and sat down in between Fili and Kili. "You better slow down, Ro or you'll run into something." Fili said patting my leg as he handed me a mug full of tea. I took a sip and felt the warm liquid run down my throat, warming my body instantly. I scanned the living room to see if Bilbo had joined but he was nowhere to be found. Thorin and Balin had joined the group, silently grabbing their pipes and smoking. I handed Kili my mug and went to go find Bilbo.
"She's pretty, don't you think?" Fili whispered to his brother as soon as Aurora exited the room. "Definitely. Wanna make a bet to see who wins the fair maiden's heart first?" Kili questioned placing the extra mug on the table. Fili stuck his hand out, "aye brother." They shook hands and Dori swatted the backs of their heads. "You will do nothing of the sort to that girl." He scolded them while the two held the backs of their heads. "Didn't have to slap us to get the message across. Besides you aren't our uncle, so the bet is still on." Fili said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
I found Bilbo in his bedroom, sitting on his four-poster bed with his head leaned up against one of the posts on the bed. "Can I come in?" I asked as he nodded. I came and sat down next to him on the bed. "I remember when I decided to leave my home. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but it was worth it. I've been everywhere in Middle Earth and I don't regret leaving at all." I said as I stared off. Bilbo turned to face me. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked as I turned towards him. "Because you will spend the rest of your life, regretting that you didn't go. Now I'm not forcing you to go, you must be the one to say yes. I'm just telling you how wonderful the world and how very few ever get the chance to see it." I patted him on the leg before standing and walking out the door, taking one last glance at the Hobbit.
…
The next morning, we stayed long enough to see if Bilbo would come around to signing and he eventually did come around. After running down the hill towards the bus, yelling that he signed it. Then of course Bilbo was shocked we had made wagers if he would turn up or not.
So, the Company of Thorin Oakinshield set out to Erebor. Gandalf had given the nickname for us after having an epiphany on the long drive over there, we were to be called the Company of Thorin Oakinshield. Sixteen travelers setting out from the Shire to Erebor that hopefully was going to be better than the night before. Thorin argued with Gandalf the entire drive. Thorin wanted to go above Mirkwood and Gandalf wanted to drive through, saying we would arrive earlier than if we went around the forest. Sadly, he was outvoted by thirteen dwarves.
Bilbo sat with me next to Fili and Kili in the middle row of the bus, while Thorin drove and Gandalf rode shotgun. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur rode together in the back row, Dwalin and Balin rode behind Thorin, Oin and Gloin rode in row in front of Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur, and finally Nori, Dori, and Ori who sat behind us. It was a long ride.
Gloin wouldn't stop talking about his son Gimli, who looked just like him. His brother was too busy to pay any attention to his brother, because he was checking over all the medical supplies we brought. Bombur wouldn't stop eating, Bofur would make puns every five seconds. Dori played mother to Ori, Fili, and Kili; and his brother kept sneaking my watch off me when I wasn't paying attention. Kili and Fili would not leave me alone for five seconds, both flirting with me.
We finally made a rest stop, stopping at some overnight campground to get some fresh air. We made a fire and ate a silent supper before many of the men fell asleep. The only people left awake was me, Bilbo, Thorin, Balin, Fili, Kili and Gandalf. Suddenly we heard a high pitch scream which made everyone awake sit up. "What was that?" Bilbo asked me as I relaxed, realizing what the sound was. "Orcs," Kili said softly as Bilbo repeated the answer. "Throat cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are covered with them. They strike in the wee small hours when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet, no screams. Just lots of blood." Fili explained as Bilbo looked over the cliff, white as a sheet. We started chuckling, proud that we succeeded in scaring Bilbo.
"You think that's funny?" Thorin asked, sternly, "you think a night raided by Orcs is a joke?" I immediately stared up at him. "Oh, come on. Orcs haven't been seen in this area for years. If you wanted to see an Orc go to Mordor. We didn't mean anything by it." I retorted.
"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world." He snapped, walking over to the edge of the cliff. I crossed my arms and scoffed, staring at the flames of the fire. "Don't mind him, laddie. Thorin has more cause than most to hate Orcs." Balin said as he puffed on his pipe.
I sat up as Bilbo came and sat down next to me. "What do you mean Balin?" Bilbo asked as he grabbed a snack from his pocket.
"Long ago, before Thorin's grandfather had completely built up his empire, he tried to expand to Moria. Moria, during that time was controlled by Orcs. Most famously Azog, the pale Orc. He hated the idea that Thror would control Moria, so he murdered Thror in cold blood one night when everyone was working just outside Moria. Thrain, Thorin's father went mad over finding his father, we still don't know what happened to him: if he had been killed or driven mad. You could say a battle had commenced. Dwalin and I were there, we killed many an Orc. But Thorin rose above them all. He fought Azog, wielding an oaken branch, he shot off Azog's arm, thus ending the fight." Balin explained as he smoked on his pipe. "And the pale Orc? What happened to him?" Bilbo asked. He was now sitting crisscross and had been snacking on trail mix.
Thorin walked back over to fire. "That filth died of its wounds long ago." He spat out before walking over to a sleeping bag that was near his nephews. As he was walking away from the group, I noticed Gandalf and Balin give each other the same look.
Thorin didn't know the full story.
I stood, dusted off my pants and walked over to my sleeping bag, which sadly was next to Thorin. I slipped inside and stared up at the stars, sighing long and meaningfully. "Don't sigh like that," I heard Thorin's muffled voice say, since his back was to me. "Then how do you want me to sigh, your majesty?" I asked sardonically. I glanced and saw him cringe slightly under his blanket. I sighed again, long and meaningfully just to mess with him. "Aurora. Stop." He turned over this time and stared at me silently before turning back over.
"Can't take a joke much? Can't get any jokes," I groaned as I closed my eyes. I heard Thorin sigh. I opened an eye and whispered, "don't sigh like that." I saw him inwardly groan as he pushed the cover up towards his face.
…
The next morning it rained. Correction it poured. It had started raining around dawn, which shook everyone out of their sleep. Everyone was angry let's just say. There was a lot of cursing. We quickly packed up camp and loaded back into the bus. Round two for a long ride.
"Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori spoke up after a while in the bus. Gandalf turned back to face him. "It is raining Master dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself a wizard." Gandalf explained before turning forward to stare at the road ahead.
"Are there any?" I spoke up, glancing up from my computer.
"What?"
"Other wizards? Like you?"
"Miss Lorien I am not a wizard although I do have five brothers. The oldest of us is Saruman. And two twin brothers…. you know I've quite forgotten their names… We haven't spoken in some time."
"And the fifth?" Bilbo piped up.
"Well that would be Radagast."
"Is he great…or is he more like you?" Gandalf spun around and smirked at Bilbo. "Well, I think he is very great… in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too. For always evil will look to find a foothold in this world." And with that Gandalf spoke no more about his brothers. Bilbo and I glanced at each other and I shrugged before turning back to my computer.
After a few hours, Gandalf and Thorin argued more. Gandalf wanted to make a pitstop in Rivendell to see Elrond, Thorin protested greatly. The dwarves also protested saying 'elves had never been kind to us, why should we go into their territory!'. Bilbo and I were all for going to Rivendell. I wanted to see Elrond who had practically raised me, and Bilbo had never been there before and was dying to see the city.
Thorin and Gandalf argued to the point where, when we finally made it to our destination Gandalf deserted us. Yes, you heard me: DESERTED US! "Is he coming back?" Bilbo asked grabbing his sleeping bag, when we noticed the man storming off. Bilbo and I looked at each other then back to Gandalf.
"Gandalf where are you going?" I yelled at him as I ran to catch up to him. "I'm going to consult the only person who has common sense in this group!" he yelled at me. I stopped behind him. "And who's that?"
"Myself, Miss Lorien!" And with that Gandalf was gone. I turned back to the group of men who stood around by the bus. Thorin barked off an order to Bombur to start making supper while the others got their camping supplies off the back of the bus. "He's not coming back." I breathed as I ran my hands through my hair.
