Thirteen dwarves and a wizard
"Very helpful, master dwarf," Gandalf leaned forward and looked down on the unconscious hobbit lass.
A bit uncomfortable, the dwarves gathered around Bella. Dwalin was the first one to take action. He picked her gently up and carried her into the living room. Nori placed a cup of tea on the table next to her and quietly left to sit with the others.
Thorin looked up to Gandalf as they all gathered around the empty table.
"How could you tell her about us?" Thorin was angry, furious even.
So why did he keep his voice down to not disturb their resting host. He had to agree with Bofur. The small lass, fierce as she reacted, was kinda cute. Not that he would ever admit such a thing.
"Well, I have to say, she acted quite strange today," the wizard brushed his beard with one hand, "but I didn't tell Belladonna that you all would come, nor did I mention your names."
A ring of smoke floated through the room, turning into a butterfly before vanishing.
"How was the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin shifted the attention from the unconscious lass in the living room to the main topic, the reason for their gathering.
"Aye. They all came. Envoys from all seven kingdoms."
Whispered conversations filled the heavy silence.
"What did the dwarves from the iron hills say? Is Daín with us?" Dwalin asked in a low growl.
All dwarves watched Thorin, hopeful, curious and tense. Their leader looked up from his plate, which is filled with all kinds of food. Bella saved quite a lot for him. She knew how much a dwarf could eat, let alone thirteen. Thorin took another swig of the beer.
"They will not come," a disappointed murmur fitting their defeated looks went through the company, "they say this quest is ours and ours alone."
Thorin took up his fork again and continued eating. He was grateful for the food and the roof over their heads. Even so his mind was set on not liking whatever fourteenth member Gandalf had in mind for them. It must have been a poor joke of the wizard to even consider this gentle and kind type of creature.
Actually he had a lot of time to make up his mind on the way to Bag End. He lost his way, twice. But still, he observed the folk living around here. Nobody carried swords or axes, the knives were only used to prepare food and the halfling themselves seemed not really like fighters nor like burglars. They were even smaller than dwarves, corpulent and always, always friendly and happy.
Well, most of them. The lass -their host- seemed to be a bit fierce. She even reminded him of Dís while yelling at him. Until she fainted that is.
His thoughts were interrupted when Gandalf stood up.
"Far to the east, over ridges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands. Lies a single solitary peak," as he spoke he unfolded an old piece of parchment. A map.
Ori appeared beside him, holding a candle for a little bit more light.
The map showed the lonely mountain, a red dragon above it. Dale and Escaroth as well as the Woodland realm.
"The front gate is sealed. There is no way in," Balin said with a sigh, "and even if it wasn't sealed. We only number thirteen. Even with an army from the Iron Hills this journey would be hard."
Gandalf reached into one of the many pockets in his grey coat. A key showed up in his hand. Dwarven made.
He pointed towards a mark on the side of the mountain.
"These runes speak about a hidden passage to the lower halls. This map and key were handed to me by your father, Thrain. He wanted you to have them," the wizard ended, handing the key to Thorin.
Hope sparked in Thorin and as he looked to his friends and family, he saw the same spark in their eyes.
"If there is a key, there must be a door!" Fíli shouted into their conversations.
"And we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf must have killed hundreds of dragons!" deep admiration in his voice Kíli looked to Gandalf as if he expected the smoking man to present a dead dragon to him.
A fairly loud discussion took place, whether Gandalf had taken down hundreds of dragons or not.
Thorin, now finished with his meal, and unusually annoyed by the noisy gathering, suddenly stood up.
"Shazara!" in Khuzdul he called them to order.
A glance into the living room reassured him that the hobbit was still fine. He stopped in his very motion.
'Why would I bother if that lass is comfortable or not? Though, she is not that bad at all.' Shaking his head he banished the strange thoughts from his mind.
"Don't you think others might have read the signs too? Rumours have begun to spread. Smaug hasn't been seen for sixty years. Eyes look east towards the mountain. Calculating. Are we going to leave our home, our ancestors' treasure, unprotected? No, we are going to take back what is rightfully ours. We are going to take back our home!"
Agreeing cheers hummed through the air as they all began to dream of a brighter future.
In the meantime, Bella had woken up. With both hands she clutched the mug of hot tea. It was no dream. This was real. There were indeed thirteen dwarves in her hallway. Happily chattering about a glorious future once they reclaimed their mountain.
Anxiously she takes a sip of tea . Her hands were shaking. Just like that one time she had to fight for the first time in her life. Her first time holding her sword. She missed the trusted weight on her hips.
Quietly she wandered towards the happy cheers and loud laughters. Bella stopped in the round opening which led into the hallway where the dwarves placed the table to fit everyone in.
None of them noticed her. She also had no intention of announcing her presence. Simply standing here, counting 'her' dwarves and watching them, calmed her down. Her hands stopped shaking, allowing her to take another sip of tea.
The dwarves continue to make plans when Ori seems to realise something.
"So this is why we need a burglar!"
"Yes, you are right, Ori. A dragon guards his plunder till his death. To get the Arkenstone, and the help of all those who swore their loyalty upon it, we need an expert burglar. If the dragon is still alive he must steal the Arkenstone," Balin nods.
Dwain looks down on the table. He seems deep in thoughts. And he is not the only one. Bofur as well as Kili and Fili had observed the halfling for the whole evening. She did indeed act strange. Not upset, angry, annoyed or surprised. Rather friendly and understanding. With thirteen dwarves -she shouldn't know- inviting themselves inside and pillaging her pantry Belladonna Baggins was still friendly and understanding. She simply smiled at the harsh jokes and rough manners of them. Always there to refill the plates and mugs of her guests.
Bofur was the one speaking out what they all seemed to brood over, "does one of you know this hobbit, besides Gandalf?"
It was a rather simple question. Still, it irritated half of the dwarrows while the other half got what was going on.
Gandalf leaned back. He looked amused towards Bella and as their eyes met, she could swear he winked.
"I don't know her," Gloin denies.
Oin had to be asked twice until he also denied, as well as the rest of them.
Dwalin rose to speak, "when I arrived, she jumped at me. I first thought I was being attacked. She was sobbing and muttering something about being relieved that I was alive. Then suddenly pulled away. She knew the lads' names before they arrived as well," The tattooed warrior looked a bit lost, as if he still couldn't quite understand if this was real.
Fíli and Kíli nodded strongly.
"She hugged us, uncle. Tears in her eyes," Fili said.
"She looked a bit like our mother when she said farewell to us…" Kili added.
Suddenly they all had something to say, except Bombur. He was still eating. Without a care in the world or for this conversation. Bellas lips curled up to a shy smile. He was still the same as always. In fact they all were.
'If I go with them this time, maybe I can change their fate. Now I am more capable than ever. I could save them.' Deep in thoughts Bella started chewing on her lip, not realising she had bitten too hard. Blood was slowly dripping out.
"Has she gone mad?"
Bellas head shot up. Her eyes locked onto Dori.
In this exact moment she had to make a decision. To tell them about her 'situation' or not to tell them at all. She would go with them, if they wanted her to or not. That was set in stone. Even if she would tell them, would they believe her? She surely wouldn't. Gandalf, he may be of some help, well, maybe.
Lord Elrond, or to be precise, Lady Galadriel might have known how to handle this kind of situation.
Yes. Better not tell them. She would figure out how to help them. She would change their fate. She would save their lives. Nothing, not even a dragon would ever hinder her. She wouldn't let them die a second time. Determined what she had to do she took a step into the light.
"Well, master Dori. Who wouldn't? With thirteen dwarves in my home, pillaging my pantry, trailing mud through the halls, throwing my mothers finest dishes from one to another and into my kitchen. With a wizard, who only speaks in riddles and a king who can't even properly introduce himself!" The grip around her mug tightened as she took another step into the room.
"I also have to apologise. I haven't introduced myself yet. Belladonna Baggins, at your service. You are very welcome to stay the night. I have plenty of vacant rooms, also plenty of pillows so you could sleep all together in my living room. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
Once again silence filled the hobbit hole. Bombur stopped eating and Oin looked around with a curious look.
"Give her the contract," Thorin grunts in Balin's direction.
The dwarf stood up and rummaged through his pockets. His white beard was swinging from one side to the other.
"Just the usual. Summary of all the pocket expenses. Time required. Funeral arrangements, so forth."
Bella had read that contract before. She took it from Balin before Thorin could shove it onto her again like last time. Briefly glancing at it she looks up again. They all observed her. Again she chewed on her lip till the taste of iron filled her mouth.
"I am sorry… I can't sign this," Bella muttered more to herself than to the company.
Immediately an uproar of complaints, disbelief and angry 'I told you' screams, hindered her to make her request.
Dwalin, hammered with his fist on the poor table while loudly arguing with Gloin. Bifur barked in Khuzdul and made different gestures with his hands towards Oin, who looked even more confused. Fili and Kili threw bits of food across the table and yelled that they wouldn't need a burglar, because the dragon would long be dead. Thorin was surprisingly quiet.
Bella politely signed Balin to follow her into the living room. He followed, as did Gandalf. Thorin as well followed them, out of curiosity only of course and not because he was concerned about what the halfling had to say.
"I can't sign this…" she tried to start again.
"When did doilies and your mothers dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit who was running off in search of elves in the woods. Who would stay out late, coming home trailing twigs and mud and fireflies. A young hobbit who wouldn't like any better than finding out what is beyond the borders of the shire. The world isn't in your books and maps. It is out there," the Istari points towards the window.
A long deep sigh escaped Bellas mouth. She felt the burning look of Thorin on her back. Looking at Balin she tried for a third time.
"Master Balin. I am terribly sorry, but I can't sign the contract as is."
A despising grunt from behind her made her close her mouth once again. She could have ignored the stubborn and prejudiced dwarven king, but where would be the fun in that? So she turned around.
~
Thorin had known from the very beginning that something was terribly wrong with this hobbit. She was different. In her presence it was hard to keep a neutral expression. She reminded him even a bit of his sister. When she was near he started to question all sorts of things, even himself. And the worst, there didn't seem to be a reasonable explanation for all of this.
Before he could stop himself a displeased grunting sound vibrates in his throat. The hobbit stopped talking and slowly turned around to look him in the eyes. He took a moment to examine her. Long and curly brown hair framing her lovely face. Sharp shining green-blue eyes and a mouth that always seemed to smile gently. Her ears slightly showed between the thick curls were a little bit pointy. Her green dress with the yellow waistcoat beautifully complemented her figure and eyes.
'How nice would it be to braid those amazing curls'
"Can I help you with something, master Thorin?" she asked him gently, yet with a sharp subtext.
Thorin straightened himself to his full height, like a young pebble caught red-handed.
"Right, you…" before Thorin could think of any kind of convenient answer his nephews stormed into the living room.
"Mistress Boggins!" Kili shouted, "I think I set your kitchen on fire," before he disappeared again.
Fili watched as Bella slowly stood up and made her way towards him. As she passed Balin she smiled apologetically. Fili looks at his uncle. Thorin's whole attention was focused on the lass. His eyes followed her every motion. To most others it might have looked like the king was angrily eyeing her, but Fili could read his uncle better than most. This expression, he had never seen before. With a last concerned look towards his uncle he followed Bella into the kitchen.
~
Thick black smoke filled the room. The shadows of two people running up and down in front of a small flame made Bella lift an eyebrow. Kíli was trying to suffocate the flame with one of her doilies. Which obviously wouldn't work. While Ori could only jump from one foot onto the other, a frightened look in his eyes.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no… What should we do? What if she yells at us?" Bella heard Ori mutter in a panic.
Bella opened one of the windows and allowed the smoke to leave her home. Rolling up her sleeves she grabs Kili on one ear and Ori by the other.
"What were you trying to do? I do like you both, but I don't trust your cooking skills, so please leave my kitchen," she escorted them into the hallway where she released them both.
Bella turned towards the older brother. Fili had been watching her from the side this whole time. She returned his puzzled look. Defeated, she closed her eyes for a moment.
'What a mess. Those really are my dwarves!'
"Fili, would you be so kind and get Bombur and Bofur for me? And please don't look at me like that. Next time just ask if you are still hungry. Tell this to your brother as well. I am not angry at either of them, so please calm Ori down. I am certain Kili must have dragged him along, like always. And if you are still in the mood for a little snack, down the hallway to the left, on the board there should still be some cookies and other pastries. Well, if Dwalin hasn't eaten all of them."
~
"It appears we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. What are we? Merchants, minors, tinkers, toymakers. Hardly the stuff of legends," Balin sat down once again, looking up towards his king and friend.
"There are a few warriors amongst us," the king answers, his arms crossed. His voice was nothing more than a low rumble.
"Old warriors," Balin corrected him. His eyes wandered towards the rest of the company.
"I would take all of these dwarves over an army of the Iron Hills. For when I called upon them, they answered. Loyalty. Honour. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
Thorin stopped his pacing near the fireplace. His mind was still circling around the halfling. Somehow he couldn't free himself from the urge to follow her, to watch her whenever she is in sight. Absent minded he starts to hum.
"We are with you laddie. We will see it done," the king's advisor whispered before he also joined the low hum.
One by one the whole company of Thorin Oakenshield found their way into the living room. The fire was burning brightly, sending small sparks into the dark night sky. Those who were old enough to remember the raging fires of the day when the dragon came, stared at the small fire with a deep horror in their eyes.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold
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