Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of either Godzilla: The Series or The Hobbit, only how the story goes. The characters of Godzilla: The Series belongs to Tristar and The Hobbit belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and other creators. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.
A/N: While most of the chapter is dedicated to Thorin's quest, there will be news for the team as well.
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Chapter Five: The Quests
Everyone from the dining room gathered by the door or in the hallway next to it. Gandalf was the one to open the door to reveal a raven-haired Dwarf wearing a cloak made of fur. The Dwarf looked to the Wizard and greeted, "Gandalf." He walked into Bilbo's house while saying, "I thought that you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice."
The new Dwarf nodded to the others standing in the door way before looking up to the Wizard, "I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door."
"Mark?" Bilbo asked and moved past the door to look for it. As Thorin removed the shawl from him, he happened to notice the humans and was curious about them, especially with how they were dressed. When he didn't see it, Bilbo shook his head and said, "There's no mark. This door was a painted a week ago."
"There is a mark." Gandalf said as he closed the door. Turning to the Hobbit he informed, "I put it there myself."
"Yeah, right before he scared Bilbo out of his skin." Randy added with a grin. This caused most of the Dwarves to laugh. Randy noticed the looks from his friends and glanced away. Gandalf looked to the Hobbit and said, "Bilbo Baggins, H.E.A.T.," He gestured to the new Dwarf and said, "allow me to introduce to you the leader of our company: Thorin Oakenshield."
"So…" Thorin said as he looked over the Halfling while handing the coat to Kili. He crossed his arms when he said, "This is the Hobbit.
"And you lot." Thorin said as he turned to the group. Nick, Randy, Elsie, Mendel and Monique knew it was coming even when Thorin asked, "Where do the five of you come from, may I ask?"
"We come from the world of New York." Randy said, making all his friends once again look to him. Then he said, "It's pretty far."
"So you say." Thorin said before returning his attention back to Bilbo. Walking around the Hobbit he said, "So, tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?"
"Huh? Pardon me?" Bilbo asked, not understanding the question. But Thorin only continued to walk around the Hobbit and asked, "Ax or sword? What's your weapon of choice?"
"Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know…" Bilbo said with a proud nod. But he was still confused as Thorin stopped in front of him and he said, "but I fail to see why that's relevant at the moment."
"He was trying to see if you're a fighter." Monique said as she was starting to get an odd feeling. Thorin looked to the French spy and was impressed. Looking back to Bilbo he said, "And I thought as much." The Dwarf then mocked, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar to me."
This caused a few snickers and chuckles from the other Dwarves. Elsie crossed her arms and questioned, "Is that really how you want to treat your host after unexpectedly allowing you into his home."
Her words made everyone look to her and stop laughing. Nick then placed a hand on Elsie's shoulder while Bilbo gave a grateful look. Thorin just turned away and followed the other Dwarves to the dining hall. Gandalf looked between the Hobbit and the team before following after the Dwarves. But before he went through the hall, he looked to the H.E.A.T. team with a small grin. While they were a bit confused, they and Bilbo then followed after the Wizard.
When they made it back to the dining hall, they saw that Thorin was sitting at the table and eating some left overs that were still warm. Bilbo and the H.E.A.T. team stood amongst the sides of the table while Gandalf and the Dwarves sat in the other chairs. The other twelve of Thorin's kin gave him a moment before Balin asked him, "What news from the meeting up in Ered Luin? Did they all come, Thorin?"
"Aye. Envoys from all of the seven kingdoms." Thorin nodded, causing smiles from each of his fellow Dwarves. There were even a few cheers, "All of them!"
"And what did the Dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin asked when the room became silent again. Thorin looked to his friend and Dwalin asked, "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin set his spoon down in the bowl and let out a sigh. He looked about the room as he regrettably said, "They will not come."
That caused a few murmurs of dissatisfaction among the Dwarves. Even Gandalf had a look of disappointment on his face. The H.E.A.T. team and Bilbo could tell that it was a low blow to something. Thorin then told them, "They say that this quest is ours and ours alone."
The majority of the twelve looked amongst each other as they couldn't believe what their kin had said. From his spot, Bilbo asked, "You're all going on a quest?"
His question made some of the Dwarves look to him. Gandalf looked to the Hobbit and asked, "Uh, Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light, please."
"Hm." Bilbo nodded before leaving to get a candle. Gandalf then removed a piece of paper from his robes and unfolded it as he said, "Now, far to the East…" Dwalin moved to move a few dishes out of the way as Gandalf stood up, "Over mountain ranges and rivers…" Thorin looked at the piece of cloth in the Wizard's hands, "beyond woodlands and wastelands…" Placing the paper on the table he revealed a map, "lies a single, solitary peak."
Bilbo brought a candle back into the room and moved between Thorin and Gandalf to take a look. Even some of the H.E.A.T. team looked over their shoulders to see. Thorin glanced about them and said, "A bit too close for comfort."
"Gee, sorry." Randy said as he and Mendel backed up a little. Bilbo looked back to the map and read, "The Lonely Mountain."
"Aye, Oin has read the portents…" Gloin said, making all look to him. While Bilbo and the H.E.A.T. team didn't know what he was meaning, some of the other Dwarves rolled their eyes as Gloin said, "And the portents say that it is time."
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold." Oin said while Gandalf lit his pipe with his magic. Gandalf breathed in and flicked his finger to put out the flame on it. as Oin recited, "It was told, 'When the birds of yore return to Erebor the reign of the beast will come to an end."
Bilbo had walked into the pantry and had a smile on his face at the thought of an adventure. But his smile fell when he caught the word beast. Turning back to the dining room he asked, "Uh, what beast?"
"And it's not…" Randy started to ask. Mendel gave the hacker an incredulous look and said, "Don't be silly. Of course it's not talking about Godzilla."
"Hm." The majority of the room said and looked to the two. They were all a little confused and Ori asked, "What's a Godzilla?"
"Nice going you two." Elsie whispered from across the table. Even Gandalf sighed at the sudden reveal of what the team's quest was for. Thorin looked to the Wizard and questioned, "Care to explain what's going on, Gandalf?"
"Our friends, as you have no doubt seen them…" Gandalf started, trying not to offend them as he said, "Are not from any parts of Middle-earth."
"That much we figured out, especially from our meeting earlier." Thorin said as he looked about the five's clothing once again. Then he said, "Must be somewhere very different if they wear that instead of something to help bear against the harsh world."
"But they are comfortable." Randy argued and crossed his arms. Nick then said, "We've come from a world called Earth."
"Is it like Middle-earth in any way?" Ori asked, and there were murmurs of agreement to the question. Elsie said, "Oh, it's nothing like Middle-earth. Trust me."
"Well, what is this 'Godzilla' as you called it?" Gloin questioned, still unsure of what their giant friend was. He followed up by asking, "Is it some kind of monster?"
"Uh, monster is kind of a strong term." Mendel tried to say. Monique scoffed and said, "But not a far off one."
Nick gave a slight glare to the French spy but kept his mouth shut for the time being. Randy then said, "The G-Man is totally something that you guys have never seen before. He's a giant lizard with spikes on his back and breaths green fire."
"So, he's some kind of Dragon then?" Dwalin said, feeling a little uneasy about the giant Mutation. Nick was quick to shake his head, "Actually, he's far from it. He's what we call a Mutation."
"A Mu-what now?" Oin said, looking as if he didn't hear what the Man said either due to know not knowing the word or because of his hearing. Mendel then said, "A Mutation; something like a plant or an animal that went through a bit of a change that caused it to be different from what's normally seen as."
He was met with a lot of wide and confused stares from the Dwarves and he happened to look around to see that only Nick, Elsie and Monique really understood. While Randy had understood what his friend had said, he looked to be falling asleep. Thorin, Gandalf and Bilbo were also looking at him with a confused look.
"And is this Godzilla with you?" Bilbo asked, not seeing or hearing anything about some giant creature. Elsie shook her head, "Nope. We were separated when we came here."
"How do you lose track of a giant lizard?" Nori asked, feeling as if it wouldn't be hard. Thorin was quick to interject, although a little curtly, "We can talk more about giant, fire breathing lizards later. We were discussing something else at the moment."
Bilbo, remembering his question from a few moments ago, then asked, "Uh, what kind of beast are you all talking about?"
"Well, the beast we were talking about…" Bofur said as he gestured with his pipe to his kin, "was in reference to Smaug the Terrible, the chiefest and great calamity of our age."
All looked to him as Bofur listed the things about Smaug, "Airborne fire-breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks." His words seemed to not only make Bilbo look nervous, but Mendel didn't like the sound of him either, "Extremely fond of precious metals."
"Yes, I know what a Dragon is, thank you." Bilbo said to make Bofur stop. But he and the Man beside him still looked a little nervous. Randy then asked, "You really do got dragons here?"
"Enough of your interruptions, Mr. Hernandez." Gandalf lightly scolded, and it seemed to make the hacker clam up for the moment. Ori rose from his seat and bravely said, "Dragon or not, I'm not afraid. I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!"
While it caused an approving uproar from most of his kin, Dori, Balin, Dwalin, and Thorin all didn't seem to have the same feeling. Dori grabbed the younger Dwarf and said, "Sit down."
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us…" Balin pointed out as the room calmed down. He looked about the Dwarves and said, "but we number just thirteen." With a slight shake of his head, "And not thirteen of the best… nor brightest."
"Here, who you calling dim now?" Nori questioned the older Dwarf as his words caused a good number of Dwarves to raise their voices. Fili was able to make his voice heard when he said, "We may be few in number…" He looked around the room and said, "but we're all fighters, each and everyone of us," He slammed his hand against the table, "to the last Dwarf."
"And you forget, we will have a Wizard in our company." Kili said, providing a good point. Looking to the mentioned Wizard he said, "Gandalf will have killed hundreds of Dragons in his time."
That caused murmurs of agreement while the team looked to each other. Nick then looked to Gandalf and asked, "Have you defeated any Dragons, Gandalf?"
"Oh, well, no. I wouldn't say-" Gandalf tried to correct them. Dori was quick to ask him, "How many would it be, then?"
"Hm, what?" Gandalf asked, somewhat missing the question. Dori then repeated the question, "Well, how many Dragons have you killed?"
This made all eyes turn to Gandalf as he tried to think of what to tell them. But his thinking left him coughing on what he was smoking. Elsie leaned her head to Monique and said, "Seems very embarrassing to a Wizard when asked about their powers."
"Oui." Monique agreed as they watched Gandalf continue to sputter out smoke rings. Wanting to know, the Dwarves asked, "Go on, give us a number. Come on, tell us."
The entire room started to break out into an argument amongst the majority of the Dwarves. Bilbo looked as if he wanted to say something, but was not heard over the loud shouting as he said, "Excuse me. Please."
But when they didn't stop shouting, Thorin rose from his seat and shouted something in Dwarvish. The shout in his native tongue made all five members of H.E.A.T. to slightly flinch from the harshness. It also caused the other twelve to stop shouting and they looked to him as they sat back down. Thorin then said in the Common Tongue, "If we have read these signs do you not think that others will have read them too?"
His words caused the Dwarves to think and they do know that Thorin had a point. Thorin continued, "Rumors of all kinds have begun to spread. The Dragon, Smaug, has not been seen for sixty years.
"Eyes look to the east to the Lonely Mountain…" No one said anything as Thorin went on, "Assessing, wondering, weighing the risks of even trying.
"Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected." Thorin looked about the room before questioning, "Do we just sit back while others claim what is to be rightfully ours?" He clenched his fist when he added, "Or do we go and seize this chance to take back Erebor?"
His speech caused another round of agreeing shouts amongst the Dwarves as they were with him. Up until Balin spoke up, raising a good point, "You all forget, the Front Gate is sealed."
His words caused the uproar to die down and Thorin sits back down. Balin grimly remembered, "There is no way for us into the mountain."
"That, my dear Balin…" Gandalf was quick to say. He raised his right hand and had a small smile when he said, "Is not entirely true."
Then twiddling his fingers a bit, he brought out a key from his sleeve. Everyone was surprised to see the key, but none more so than Thorin. The surprised Dwarf looked up from the key to Gandalf and asked, "How came you by this?"
Everyone looked at the key with wonder. Gandalf then stretched it to him while saying, "It was given to me by your father. By Thrain. For safekeeping."
"Talk about a pretty neat heirloom." Randy nodded. Gandalf didn't reprimand him this time as he had his attention on Thorin, "It is yours now, Thorin."
Thorin raised his hand and Gandalf placed it into his hand before letting go. Though while Bilbo and the H.E.A.T. team were still a little in the dark about this, the Dwarves knew exactly what it meant. Fili then guessed, "If there is a key, then there must be a door."
"But where's this 'Back Door'?" Mendel asked. Using the narrow side of his pipe, Gandalf touched the map and said, "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls in the mountain."
"There's another way in." Kili excitedly said while gently shaking his brother's shoulders. Gandalf knew that Kili had a point was quick to point out, "Well, if can find it, but Dwarf doors are invisible when closed."
"Some kind of defense or something?" Nick asked. Gandalf and the Dwarves all nodded as he was right. Monique then asked, "But why haven't you deciphered the runes yet, Gandalf?"
"Unfortunately, Miss Dupree…" Gandalf shook his head. He looked down at the map and said, "The runes are written in a form of ancient Dwarvish that not even I know of." With a sigh he said, "Without this skill, I cannot find the answer to the map.
"But…" He was quick to say, "there are others in Middle-earth who can."
Thorin looked to the Wizard when he said others and had a small feeling he know whom Gandalf was talking about. Gandalf looked about the Dwarves and said, "The task that I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth…" He looked to Bilbo when he said, "And no small amount of courage."
Bilbo noticed that Gandalf was looking at him when he said that, but didn't say anything at the moment. Gandalf had hope when he said, "But if we are careful and clever in this, then I do believe that it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar." Ori guessed and Gandalf nodded that he got it right. Even Bilbo nodded when he said, "Hmm. And a good one too. An expert, I'd imagine."
"And are you?" Gloin asked as just about everyone looked to him. Bilbo looked out of the room to see if they were talking to someone. He looked back and noticed that the question was directed at him, "Am I what?"
"He said that he's an expert." Oin said, once again impaired by his hearing. He let out a laugh that was joined by the others. Elsie patted the Hobbit on the back and said, "Let's hope that you're able to do your job."
"Me? No. No, no, no. I'm not a burglar." Bilbo said, not wanting to be roped into this. The Hobbit proudly said, "I've never stolen anything in my life."
"Well, I'm afraid that I have to agree with Mr. Baggins." Balin said, both not wanting to put the Hobbit in an uncomfortable position and the truth. With a nod he added, "He's hardly burglar material."
"Nope." Bilbo agreed with a shake of his head. Even Dwalin didn't seem confident in Bilbo when he said, "Aye, the Wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves."
"He may be a liability, yes." Monique agreed on that much. This caused the room to look to her when she said, "But Bilbo may also be the one thing that stands between success and failure to the quest."
Though Bilbo did appreciate the French Spy's words, he did wish she would stop as he didn't want anything to do with the quest. This caused another argument amongst the Dwarves as they shouted amongst themselves, "He's just fine. He wouldn't last a day out there."
Even though he didn't speak in the Common Tongue, Bifur was making hand gestures as if to argue with the others. His shadow starting to spread throughout the room, Gandalf stood from his seat with a booming shout, "Enough!" Man, Woman, Dwarf and Hobbit was shocked and silenced by this as Gandalf declared, "If I say that Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is."
The shadow receded as Gandalf cooled down and told them while Bilbo looked as if to protest, "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most, if they choose." Then he made an excellent point, "And, while the Dragon Smaug is greatly accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him," Bilbo tried to say something, but couldn't when Gandalf said, "which will give us a distinct advantage.
"You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company…" Gandalf said, looking to Thorin. Glancing to the Hobbit, he was certain with his decision, "And I have chosen Mr. Baggins here with great thought.
"There's a lot more to him than mere appearances suggest." Gandalf said as Bilbo didn't know what to say. The Wizard's words caused the other Dwarves to think as well, "And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know." He looked to Bilbo when he added, "Including himself."
Bilbo looked to Gandalf again while catching a thumbs up from Randy. Thorin thought about Gandalf's words before looking to the Wizard. Gandalf looked at Thorin with a knowing look and said, "You must trust me on this."
Knowing that the Wizard had not led him astray so far, Thorin nodded as he did trust Gandalf. He cast a glance to the H.E.A.T. team and asked, "And what of them? Are they to be a part of this quest?"
"They're actually on their own quest for the time being." Gandalf said. Looking to Nick and the other humans he said, "I would like to talk to you."
"Sure thing, Gandalf." Nick said in agreement. Gandalf turned back to Thorin and he said, "As for Bilbo…"
"What, no-" Bilbo started to say. But Thorin cut him off by saying, "Very well, then." Without looking, Thorin ordered, "Balin, give him the contract."
"We're in. We're off." Bofur excitedly said while Balin took out a folded-up piece of paper. Leaning to hand it to Thorin, Balin informed Bilbo, "It's just the usual. Summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements and so forth."
"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo asked as Thorin took the contract from Balin and shoved it into Bilbo's hands. Everyone looked to the Hobbit as Bilbo started to unfold and read the contract. With a sigh the Hobbit began to read. While most of everyone was looking at Bilbo, Monique happened to notice Thorin leaning close to Gandalf. The Dwarf prince whispered to the Wizard, "I cannot guarantee the Hobbit's safety."
"Understood." Gandalf nodded as he did not know what would happen. Thorin then added, "Nor will I be responsible for his fate."
Gandalf glanced at the Dwarf and looked as if he wanted to say something, but chose to just go along with it. Monique had happened to catch a little between the two, but knew that she couldn't say anything. With another nod, the Wizard said, "Agreed."
"Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one-fourth of the total profit, if any." Bilbo read along the section. He nodded as it did sound, "Hmm. Seems fair enough." He continued reading, "Present company shall not be counted liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including, but not limited to lacerations…" A few concerned looks came from the dining room as Bilbo kept reading, "evisceration…" Bilbo had to flip the page to keep going, but became very worried when he looked from the contract to the Dwarves, "Incineration?"
"Oh, aye. He'll melt the flesh off of your bones in the blink of an eye." Bofur nodded, knowing what the Dragon was capable of. Bilbo folded the contract with a whimper and tried to cool his nerves. Mendel walked out of the dining room and said, "Easy there, Bilbo. Take deep breaths."
"You going to be all right, laddie?" Balin asked, seeing that the Hobbit was becoming very stressed out. Bilbo tried to take deep breaths while Mendel placed a comforting hand on his back. Randy then said, "Don't worry too much about it, Bilbo. It probably won't even happen."
"I feel a bit faint." Bilbo said when he stood up straight. Mendel then suggested, "Maybe you might want to sit down for a while."
"Or try thinking of a furnace with wings." Bofur said and rose from his seat. Bilbo shook his head, "Air. I-I-I need air."
"Flash of a burning light, a quick searing pain, and then poof. You're nothing more than a pile of ash." Bofur described the experience. Nick looked to him and said, "Bofur stop. It's not helping."
"Hmm." Bilbo said as he seemed to calm down. Everyone looked to see what the Hobbit would say or do. He took a deep breath before looking to the large group and said, "Nope."
He suddenly passed out and fell to the floor with a thud. Mendel quickly knelt down and checked to see if he was alright. Gandalf looked to the Dwarf across from him and sarcastically commented, "Oh, very helpful, Bofur."
"Nice going." Elsie said as she moved to help Mendel. Gandalf too rose from his seat. Mendel and Elsie took one of Bilbo's arms before hoisting him off the ground and taking him to another room. Gandalf looked to one of the three remaining from the team and asked, "Could one of you go and fetch Bilbo some tea, please. Perhaps it will settle his nerves."
"I will go." Monique said before making her way to the kitchen. Nick and Randy followed after Gandalf. The three came into another room where Mendel and Elsie had placed Bilbo into a chair and the former said, "He should be fine if he takes it easy for the moment."
"Hopefully our gracious host won't kick us all out after that." Elsie said as they looked over the Hobbit. The Hobbit's eyes started to open a little when Monique walked in with a cup of tea in her hand. When his eyes fully opened, Bilbo saw the cup of tea being presented to him. With an appreciative nod he took it from her. Then looking to the others he said, "Don't worry, I'll be alright. Just let me sit here quietly for a moment."
"You've been sitting quietly for far too long." Gandalf said as he looked down at the Hobbit. The five had to move out of the way when Gandalf started to pace around the room and he questioned, "Now tell me, when did doilies 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." Gandalf remembered the Hobbit when he was much younger. Gandalf looked to slightly smile when he said, "Who would stay out late, come home after dark trailing mud and twigs and fireflies."
"Sounds like he gave his mom a headache every time." Randy said with a smirk. Gandalf nodded to the hacker and said, "That he did from time to time.
"He was a young Hobbit who would have liked nothing better to know what was beyond the borders of the Shire." He finished by looking out the windows of the room. Nick noticed that some of the Dwarves were walking about, but kept her focus on the conversation before her. Gandalf sighed before looking to Bilbo again, "Bilbo, the world is not in your books and maps." With a gesture of his head, "It's out there."
"Take it from us." Elsie said, drawing their attention on her. Gesturing to her and her friends she said, "We've been all over the world where we're from. We've also been to the bottom of the ocean, nearly to space and we went to the future."
"The future-" Mendel started to ask. But he was quickly shushed by Monique. Bilbo listened closely as Elsie continued, "While it's part of our job to go to those places, it's also being part of the adventure."
"I understand what you're saying, but no." Bilbo shook his head. Then he tried to remain firm by saying, "I can't just go running off into the blue." His voice cracked when he said, "I am a Baggins…" He cleared his throat before saying, "of Bag-End."
"You are also a Took." Gandalf reminded and it caused Bilbo to sigh at being reminded of his heritage. Nick asked, "I'm willing to guess that Tooks are a little more adventures than Baggins, huh?"
"You are correct, Master Tatopoulos." Gandalf nodded. Looking to Bilbo again he said, "Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle Bullroarer Took," He gestured to a portrait of the Hobbit, "was so large that he could ride a real horse?"
"Yes." Bilbo said as he remembered the stories. Even Gandalf nodded, "Yes, well, he could." Then he told a small story by saying, "In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged through the Goblin ranks." With a sweeping motion of his arm he said, "He swung his club so hard, it knocked the Goblin king's head clean off and it sailed one hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole.
"And thus, the battle was won." Gandalf said while moving in front of the Hobbit. He threw in a cheery note by saying, "And the game of golf invented at the same time."
"I do believe that you made that part up." Bilbo said disbelieving that bit. Gandalf did nod that he made it up, but defended it by saying, "Well, all good stories deserve a good embellishment." He sat down in a chair across from Bilbo and added a good point, "And you'll have a tale or two of your own to tell when you come back."
"Hmm." Bilbo lightly laughed as he thought about it. The Hobbit looked to the Wizard and asked, "Can you promise that I will come back?"
Gandalf opened his mouth and wanted to reassure him, but knew that it would be better to be honest. With a shake of his head, "No." He also added, "And if you do, you will not be the same."
"Look, Bilbo…" Nick said as he moved next to Gandalf and knelt down. When he was at eye level he said, "I know that this all seems nerve racking to you. And trust me," He gestured to each of his friends when he said, "We've all pretty much been there."
"Some more than others." Elsie cracked while looking to Mendel and Randy. Nick sighed before saying, "But this is the kind of thing that you may not want to pass up."
"Well, what about your quests?" Bilbo asked, looking to the scientist/leader. Then he asked, "Does all go well with them?"
"I'm not going to lie to you, Bilbo." Nick shook his head. He was honest when he said, "Things don't always go as smoothly as he hope for them to be."
"That's what I thought." Bilbo nodded and looked between the Wizard and the five humans. With a deep breath, the Hobbit rose from his chair and said, "I'm sorry, Gandalf, but I can't sign this.
"You've got the wrong Hobbit." Bilbo said before walking out of the room. Gandalf, Nick, Randy, Monique, Elsie and Mendel all watched him go. Gandalf let loose a disappointed sigh from his friend's decision. Monique then looked to the Wizard and said, "I believe that you had something you wished to tell us."
"Indeed." Gandalf said and they all listened intently. Gandalf looked amongst the five and said, "While I was out and about, I heard from a small group of Men; three of them, talking about a large creature that they saw in the woods. A large reptilian creature."
On the word creature and its description, the team perked up a little. Nick then asked, "Where did they see this?"
"They said they saw the creature a few miles from Bree, on the east side of the river." Gandalf informed. Then he said, "Unfortunately, there were no signs of N.I.G.E.L. I'm afraid."
"Oh." Mendel sighed while Elsie patted her friend's back. Gandalf then said, "I plan to take the Dwarves down to the Green Dragon to gather some supplies. I invite you to join us until we leave the shire. Then we can go on our separate quests."
"I guess that's all we can do." Nick agreed with him.
Out in the hall, Thorin and Balin watched as Bilbo walked off through his home. Both sat on opposites sides of the hall as they watched him go. With a sigh the older Dwarf said, "It appears that we have lost our burglar.
"Probably for the best. The odds were always against us." His words made Thorin look to him. Balin looked about Bilbo's home when he said, "After all, what are we? Merchants, miners…" He looked down the hall to see Bombur approaching Bifur, "tinkers, toy-makers."
He laughed as he skeptically said, "Hardly the stuff of legend."
"There are a few warriors amongst us." Thorin pointed out with a grin. Though Balin was appreciative of his friend's words, he countered with, "Old warriors."
"I would take each and every one of these Dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills." Thorin proudly said. He sounded very grateful when he added, "For when I had called upon them, they all answered.
"Loyalty, honor and a willing heart." Thorin listed all the good qualities of the other eleven. The Dwarf prince shook his head, "I can ask no more than that of them."
"You don't have to do this." Balin said as he rose to his feet. He reminded his friend, "You have a choice in all this." He thought of the good that Thorin had done, "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." He firmly believed it when he said, "A life that is worth so much more than all the gold in Erebor.
"And now we here of a giant creature running around." Balin added, a little nervous about it. Looking about the home he asked, "Is it worth risking the lads?"
"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me." Thorin said as he held the key. Balin sighed as he could tell that he could not sway Thorin about the quest. Thorin then added, "And about this 'Godzilla' we have learned, he is a friend amongst this group of Men.
"It may not give us any trouble." Thorin confidently said. Then glancing about the home he said, "These Dwarves and others have dreamt of the day when the Dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland."
Balin still looked to be against it, but he looked to Thorin when the prince said, "There is no choice, Balin." With a shake of his head, "Not for me."
Balin nodded as he could see that Thorin was dead set on going through with this. And as Thorin's friend he would stick with the Dwarf prince. Placing a hand on Thorin's shoulder he said, "Then we are with you, laddie.
"We will see it done." Balin said as Thorin smiled in appreciation to this.
They all reconvened into a room with a fireplace. The five humans walked into the room just as the Dwarves started humming. Some sat down in chairs while others stood. Some had pipes for smoking while others just sat around in the room. Gandalf sat in a chair in a room that was adjacent from theirs as Thorin started…
Thorin: Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
Everyone, whether they were drifting to sleep or wide awake, thought about the journey ahead of them…
Company of Thorin Oakenshield: We must away
'Ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold
In his room, even Bilbo was finding it hard to sleep as thoughts kept running through his mind. Though deep down he wanted to go and be a part of an adventure, he was afraid to. All the Dwarves rose from their seats as they kept singing…
Company of Thorin Oakenshield: 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
While most were retiring for the night, Mendel couldn't stop thinking about Bilbo. From his own perspective, he understood where the Hobbit was coming from in being reluctant in going, but something was just nagging at him to tell Bilbo that there's nothing wrong with a little adventure.
The scientist looked about before his eyes fell upon some parchment paper and some ink and a quill. Those items gave Mendel Craven an idea. Knowing that he didn't have a lot of time, Mendel walked over to it. Randy saw his friend walking out of the room and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Something important." Mendel said as he didn't stop. The entire group in the room watched him go before looking to each other.
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Elsewhere…
In the woods still a few good miles from the Shire, N.I.G.E.L. had come a great distance. But when the robot noticed how dark it was and that his destination was still a good ways away, the robot believed the most logical thing would be to power down for the night. N.I.G.E.L. looked about before hiding underneath a leaning tree and said, "Initiating power down."
The machines within the robot's body started turning off and the robot slightly folded himself to avoid detection.
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Elsewhere…
When night time had rolled in, Godzilla found himself by a small lake and decided to take a rest. The giant Mutation sniffed around to see if there was anyone nearby, but when no foreign or familiar scents came to him, the giant lizard turned a few circles before laying down. Though no one could ever know what Godzilla was truly thinking, he was hoping that he would find his parent again soon.
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Author's Note: And I think that I'll stop it here. Yes, Mendel is the one to help give Bilbo a nudge out the door. I was wanting to have Mendel stay in the Hobbit's home, but I thought this was a little better since the H.E.A.T. team will be separating from the Company for a little while. The next chapter is going to be filled something that you wouldn't expect, even I just thought about it. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.