An Unexpected Companion

Chapter 21

A New Home

Gandalf sat on a stone chair much too squat for his long legs. Dwarven furniture, sturdy and strong, but always too short. But, he did not complain. He made hobbit chairs work just fine, although the cushions on those were always far more comfortable. His pipe sat in the corner of his mouth as he lazily puffed, his mind distant as he observed the sun rising in the east over Erebor and Dale.

Pyres still burned in the wastes at the feet of the Lonely Mountain. But, as they smoked, flowers bloomed as well. New life in the aftermath of terrible death.

When Smaug was defeated, the survivors of Esgaroth marched to Erebor to demand the gold Thorin promised them when they aided him on his quest. King Thranduil arrived at that moment as well, looking for the white jewels that he coveted. Then, finally, to top it all off, Dain Ironfoot arrived from the Iron Hills to support his cousin against the "rabble" as he called the elves and men. A complete mess already, as Thorin Oakenshield did as Dwarves are oft to do: be stubborn. Gandalf's words could not reach him, because he viewed Gandalf as a liar for not telling him of Tiki's nature.

However, Thorin also did something unexpected. He demanded Tiki be brought into the Lonely Mountain for care. While she was a dragon, she fought for the dwarves. Gandalf insisted on accompanying her, which the new King Under the Mountain begrudgingly allowed. And, right as he was about to get comfortable and determine what made Thorin so gracious toward Tiki, the Orcs arrived.

A mess all of it. He huffed as he gazed out at the aftermath of the enormous battle that had taken place. Five armies. Five! Not since the war of the Last Alliance had such a massive battle occurred. That was an age ago.

I can't help but think my meddling might've played a part…

"Tea, Gandalf?"

Gandalf glanced across the small room to Bilbo Baggins. The hobbit had bandages wrapped around his forehead. The poor soul had taken a sharp blow to the head at the start of the battle. Thankfully, he survived, but he missed the entire thing. Although, that was likely for the best.

Gandalf smiled as he took the small teacup from Bilbo. "Thank you."

He exhaled then glanced back from the balcony to the bed in the room they sat. Tiki lay beneath rich furs, asleep, still as a statute.

"How long will she sleep?" Bilbo asked as he patted his pockets, then grabbed his own teacup and sipped.

Gandalf pulled his pipe from his lips and then sipped his tea. "It has been several days already. I get the feeling it may yet be a little while longer. But that is nothing to worry about. I think this is normal for her kind. She did mention her transformations are quite taxing."

"And the battle wasn't?" Bilbo remarked, one brow raised.

Gandalf snorted. "I'm sure it was exhausting. Smaug was no easy foe to defeat, as we all witnessed." He sipped his tea again then set it to the side. "Thankfully, Tiki was victorious. If not, I shudder to think the destruction Smaug would have wrought."

"I don't think there's much of any way we could have beat him," Bilbo nodded in agreement. "I mean, what could you have done?" And he sipped his tea.

Gandalf furrowed his brow. "And what do you mean by that?"

Bilbo's eyes widened. "I um- head. Just nonsense." He gestured at his bandages.

"Oh, sure…" Gandalf hummed.

A knock sounded on the door. Gandalf flicked his eyes to it as it opened. An honor guard of dwarves stepped in first, followed by one of the people Gandalf had been eager to talk to, but hadn't had the chance yet.

King Thorin Oakenshield still wore chainmail and leather. While he had changed and refreshed himself since the battle, he had not garbed himself in anything splendrous. There was much work to be done, and he was helping in any way he could, even wielding a hammer himself as he rebuilt Erebor and Dale. He had a limp as he walked in though, one he stubbornly walked through. He had taken a nasty wound, and Gandalf was sure he would have fallen if not for his deciding to defend the Mountain more than charge out into the open. After all, the Mountain held something worth defending, and it was not gold.

"Has she awoken at all?" Thorin asked.

Bilbo shook his head. "Nope. Sleeping like the…" He trailed off and sipped his tea. "Like the stones. Yes, the stones. That's the metaphor I was looking for."

"A fine recovery," Gandalf muttered.

"Thank you."

Thorin laughed under his breath. He patted Bilbo's shoulder. "I'm glad to see you up and about." He turned to Gandalf. "Do you mind giving us a moment, Master Baggins?"

Bilbo shot Gandalf an uncertain look. Gandalf nodded, gesturing for him to go. Reluctantly, Bilbo left, as did Thorin's honor guard. When they were gone, the dwarven king exhaled, winced, then slumped to a seat across from Gandalf, massaging his leg.

"You should rest as well, your majesty," Gandalf counseled.

Thorin shook his head. "I'll have plenty of that when we are finished rebuilding. When wrongs are set right, then I can breathe easy." He sat up a little straighter, looking ever more like a king by the moment. What he said next, though, made Gandalf certain that he would be a great one. "I must apologize to you Gandalf, as I have to the others of our company. I was… rash and foolish when we got to the mountain. I let my ambition and my desire to see my kingdom restored blind me, and it nearly got me and my friends killed. Not only that, but I also allowed dragon sickness to almost take me. If not for the timely words of Bilbo… I fear I may have been lost to it."

"And if not for him snatching the Arkenstone from under your nose," Gandalf added with a twinkle in his eye.

Thorin snorted. "That one still stings."

"I'm sure it does. Having that happen can be quite bruising to one's pride. Thankfully, Bilbo is a terrible burglar, as he managed to also return it to you."

"Yes, that he is." Thorin drew in a deep breath and glanced at Tiki. "It's funny, I started this quest to rid Erebor of a dragon, and now one sleeps inside as an honored guest and friend."

"Amazing how chance works like that."

Thorin looked at Gandalf out of the corner of his eye. "Did you intend for this to happen, old man?"

Gandalf smirked as he replaced his pipe in the corner of his mouth. "No, Tiki was quite the unexpected companion. Although, I am pleased with how things resulted, even if they were not according to plan."

"Far from the plan, yes," Thorin nodded. "If she does not wake by the time you and Bilbo choose to leave, she may stay here in Erebor until she does. We will look after her as if she was one of our own. After all, if not for her, we would not be sitting in these halls now."

"And if she wakes?"

Thorin was quiet for a moment. "Then I will welcome her back with a smile and wish her well on her way, a friend of all dwarves."

Gandalf slowly nodded. "You have grown much on this journey, Thorin. Even if you had to do so kicking and screaming."

They shared a laugh. Then, Thorin rose. "Make sure to fetch me when she wakes. I wish to thank her personally."

"I shall, your majesty."

Thorin rose from his seat, limped to the door, then left. As he left, Gandalf leaned back in his seat. Bilbo returned, looking perplexed.

"You seem oddly pleased? What happened?"

"Oh," Gandalf puffed on his pipe, "nothing more than a rational conversation between two friends, Bilbo."

Bilbo flopped to a seat. He sniffed then gave Gandalf a suspicious glance.

"You have the look of someone smug about being right."

"He does, doesn't he?"

Gandalf sputtered on his pipe when he heard Tiki speak.

Several weeks passed, and Tiki still wanted to nap. Sadly, she could not, no matter how hard she tried. She was restless, and instead of resting after a grueling battle, she was now leaning against the stone railing of her room's balcony, looking out at the Long Lake and Dale. Her eyes were fixated on the smoking ruin of Smaug.

She could only remember glimpses and flashes of what happened. Fire, talons, black water, and icy cold were sensations that burned through her nerves still. Her muscles and bones continued to ache, and she still nursed wounds that stubbornly refused to heal quickly. Whatever happened must have been catastrophic, because Smaug was nothing more than a charred husk…

… and her dragonstone had a massive crack in it.

Her thumb ran along the jagged fissure in the precious gemstone.

"Tiki?" The tap of a walking stick made her ear twitch. "Oh, there you are."

Bilbo moved to her side. He looked at her dragonstone, puzzled.

"That looks-"

"Damaged?"

"I was going to let you say it, not me," Bilbo finished.

Tiki chuckled. She pocketed her dragonstone. "Yes, it is badly damaged."

"Is that normal?"

She shook her head. "No."

Bilbo grimaced. "So, what happens now?"

Tiki drew in a deep breath. "That is an excellent question, Bilbo." She rested her hands on the railing. "I suppose my search for a way home must continue."

Bilbo's gaze fell. "Ah yes, that."

"That?"

"Yes, well, I mean," Bilbo shuffled his feet, "look, you can't just have no place to go while you roam around, especially if the thing that helps you, you know-" he flapped his arms, making Tiki snicker. "The point I'm trying to make," Bilbo continued, "is that, until such a time as you find your way back to your home, you have a place to stay in Bag End. And it would be nice if you joined me and Gandalf back there, for now."

Tiki gave Bilbo an amused look. "Why Master Baggins, are you asking me, a woman, to move in with you? I think we may have skipped a few steps in this relationship."

Bilbo's mouth opened and closed. "I- well- no- you see, I'm only being neighborly, so let me!"

Tiki chuckled, then knelt and gave Bilbo a hug. He hesitated, then returned it.

"Thank you," she whispered, then pulled away. She blew out a long breath. "Well then, it's going to be nice to have someplace to call home again. Even if it is temporary."

Bilbo smiled at her. Another walking stick clacked against the stone floor. Gandalf cleared his throat.

"Are we ready?" He asked.

Tiki smiled at Bilbo. The Hobbit nodded at her. The pair marched after Gandalf. When they walked through Erebor, they found it bustling with activity as dwarves from the Iron Hills greeted their kin who traveled all the way from the Blue Mountains. Dain Ironfoot, chief advisor to the King Under the Mountain, was the one who met them first.

Tiki smiled as she saw all of the dwarves laughing, smiling, and embracing. They had found their way home. It was a hard-won victory, but one that was cherished by all. Her heart swelled when she spied several dwarf children racing through the halls, brushing past traders from Dale and an elf from Mirkwood.

"This will be a lovely place to come back to in a few years," Bilbo mused.

Tiki nodded. "I'd say this is a lovely place already."

Gandalf said nothing as he led the way.

When the trio reached the gates of Erebor, they stopped in their tracks. Thirteen dwarves blocked their path. At the lead was the king himself. Thorin marched forward, still having a limp that he muscled through. When he reached them, he smiled.

"Thank you, Gandalf. May your travels fare you well." He looked at Bilbo. "And thank you, Master Baggins. Know that if the Shire should ever need aid, the dwarves of Erebor will be there." Then he came to Tiki. "And thank you, Tiki."

Tiki blinked. "What? No grand words for me? Is it because I'm a dragon?"

"On the contrary!" Balin called from behind Thorin. "He saved the best for last! Lads!"

The dwarves unfurled a long banner. It was a green dragon on a black field. Green fire shot from its maw, and it seemed to glow with ethereal light.

"The new banner of the King Under the Mountain!" Kili grinned.

"A dragon remains, but it is a friend this time!" Fili declared, earning a cheer from the others.

Tiki grinned. "It looks splendid. Thank you."

"No, thank you, Tiki, Emerald Dragon."

Thorin bowed his head then stepped aside, as did the other dwarves. The trio marched forward into the sunlight of a new day with a long road ahead of them.

The road back to the Shire was an easier one. Mirkwood presented no challenges. The elves of the Woodland Realm made sure of that, although most regarded Tiki with nervous caution. The Misty Mountains were much easier to traverse now that the weather was fair and the pass easy to see. Tiki, Gandalf, and Bilbo stayed for a few weeks in Rivendell and were treated to Elrond's great hospitality once more. The elven lord congratulated them on their achievements and wished them well on their journey when they departed.

Bree was still Bree. Thankfully they only stayed a night, and the Prancing Pony was at least warm and friendly.

Tiki's heart leaped, though, when they crossed the Brandywine River. The cracked landscape of Eriador was replaced by rolling green fields. Soon, hobbit holes popped up on the side of the dirt road. Eventually, the dirt road turned to cobblestones. Finally, they passed by the Green Dragon Inn and entered Hobbiton itself.

Gandalf bade Tiki and Bilbo farewell there, turning to continue his wanderings and leaving them to head up the hill to Bag End. When they reached Bilbo's home though, they were startled to find that the hobbits of Hobbiton assumed he was dead and thus were holding an estate auction, as was the proper thing to do.

Needless to say, Bilbo was quite distraught. Some stern words from Tiki set the situation right.

And now, Tiki found herself sitting on a bench outside of Bag End. The sun was setting in the west, making the rolling hills of Hobbiton look golden in the distance. A pipe sat between her lips. She lazily puffed, her mind wandering to places she could look for information on how to return home.

"May I join you?" Bilbo asked.

"Of course," Tiki replied.

Bilbo took a seat, lit his pipe, puffed, and blew out a perfect ring. "There. I think that one might be as good as one of Gandalf's." He nodded, puffed again, then furrowed his brow. "Tiki, I have a question for you."

"Oh?"

"You're a dragon?"

"Yes."

"And you breathe fire?"

"Mhmm."

Bilbo furrowed his brow. "Shouldn't the lake have drowned you?"

Tiki closed her eyes and let her pipe fall from her lips. "If I was like Smaug, yes."

"Like Smaug?"

"Yup. Because Smaug is, as I have heard, a Fire Drake. That sounds to me like the fire dragon tribe of my home. Although none of them were ever as rude or nasty as him. As for me, I am not, nor have I ever been, a fire dragon."

Bilbo drew a long puff from his pipe. "Okay… then what kind of dragon are you?"

"The same as my mother."

"That being?"

Tiki smiled at him. "A Divine Dragon."

Bilbo's mouth hung open and his pipe dangled from the corner of his mouth. "There's such a thing?"

"Indeed."

"Do tell!"

"Oh, that requires me spending hours recounting history that-"

"I love history!"

Tiki threw her head back and laughed. When she recovered, she puffed on her pipe again, blew out a ring even better than Bilbo's, then pulled the pipe from her lips.

"Where to begin?"

And story! Well then, that was a fun, little adventure if I do say so myself. A wonderful exercise... and one that I'm eager to continue.

Yes, I plan, and have even begun writing, a follow-up to this story. A proper sequel, hopefully. So, keep an eye out for that one. It should be coming soon!

As for this story, this was definitely not the epic I tend to write, and that was probably a good thing. The Hobbit is not meant to be a super grand scale, world shattering tale. It's a small one, with quaint, quirky characters and fun moments (all of which I utterly adore). While I doubt I could ever match the greatness of the original, I merely hope that I was able to provide a small measure of entertainment for you all.

Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter and the story! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it! Have a nice day!