A/N: Hello people! :D thank you for following/favouriting! Thank you La aL, Mozart's Fantasy, Silversun XD, Shiningheart of ThunderClan, queenofthefallenfics, shadewatcher for the reviews! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the previous chapter ^^
IMPORTANT: I'm going to have to put this story on hold until around mid November. My GCSE exams are in a month and I didn't do as well as expected for my prelims, so i won't have time to update from now onwards. So sorry guys. :(
To La aL: Oops, when I mean human years, I mean something along the lines of "if you convert the dragon years to human years" (does that make sense to you?) So basically she's reaaaaally old in terms of age but mentality is equivalent to about 29 years old for a human? I'm terribly sorry for the confusion! I don't quite know how to put that into words properly.
Reminders: I have no betas, so if you spot any mistakes, please do let me know! This story mainly follows the movieverse, and characters may be ooc and all.
Reviews and constructive criticism will be great :)
DISCLAIMER: The characters and the Hobbit universe belongs to J.R.R Tolkien (and the movie company), sadly.
Chapter 5
On the dwarves' insistence, three dwarves were to share a guest room, while Bilbo was bunking in with his sister in their old room.
"Elrond, Where's Elrohir and Elladan?" Bilbo asked curiously, as he jogged slightly to walk with Lord Elrond. Both of them lead the way, with Ryadher close behind and the dwarves with Gandalf a few steps back.
"They went to visit Galadriel's elves there to learn from them. They won't be back for a few months," Lord Elrond replied. Bilbo deflated slightly; he was looking forward to seeing them again.
"The dwarves do not know your... identity, I presume," Lord Elrond said quietly, piercing eyes searching.
"No, they don't, and I don't intend to tell them any time soon."
Elrond glanced at him. "They'll be furious when they found out."
"They hate dragons, they would never have let me come along if they knew about me, and you know I can't just fly there without them as the other races would probably shoot me from the sky when they see me," Bilbo sighed.
Elrond nodded, and replied with a hint of a smile, "Maybe their views can be changed, ion. It's easier to start with the younger ones; young minds are the most impressionable." Bilbo followed his gaze to Ori, and hummed thoughtfully.
"Anyway, how have you been?" They exchanged pleasantries, with Bilbo quickly recounting the events that had happened.
"You'll probably only hear the edited version, but I think you should know the full thing," Bilbo admitted.
Elrond frowned. "This venture is very risky."
"Smaug needs to be taken down," he quietly said.
Elrond sighed. "Revenge has never suited you, my child."
"It's not just about my revenge," Bilbe protested, "Gandalf fears that something dark is stirring; they will find Smaug, and will gain an ally in him. It is better to stop him now than to face him in a war. He would wake up sooner or later," Bilbo insisted as they reached their rooms. Elrond looked unconvinced.
"We will talk more later, Bilbo. For now, have a good rest." Elrond squeezed his shoulder lightly. "It is good to see you, my child, despite the grave news you bring," he smiled warmly before departing.
It has been years since he had shared a room with his sister, so he was not surprised to find his bed rudely shoved aside. Instruments of all kinds from all races - drums, harps, flutes and more - filled the entire room, invading his side of the room instead. A few books were stacked atop his bed, but aside from that, nothing in the room belonged to him. There was barely enough space to walk. His sister kept an expensive hoard.
She blushed and grudgingly cleared a small space for Bilbo to place his bag, and books from the bed. "Isn't this a bit too much?" Bilbo asked.
Ryadher shook her head solemnly. "There is never too much," she declared. Bilbo thought of the rooms filled of books he had back in the Shire, and agreed.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Bilbo pulled out a small, carved wooden flute from his bag. Ryadher gasped, cradling the instrument with reverence. "It's not much, but I couldn't carry anything too bulky. The hobbits back at the Shire made it, they love to play this sort of flute during celebrations. Thought it would be good to add into your collection."
Ryadher cradled the instrument lovingly and with reverence. "Thank you!" She squealed, running her down the smooth surface. She blew into it a few times, reveling in the sweet, melodious notes the flute produced. It was the Dragonkin's custom to occasionally bring a gift to add to the host's hoard when visiting. Since Bilbo was imposing on his sister and disturbing her hoard, he could not not give her anything. Furthermore, Bilbo loved doting on his sister, even if he would never admit that out loud.
"I would hug you, but you stink. Do go shower, brother dear, you're making my room smelly."
Bilbo grumbled, but trudged into the showers. After a fantastic and much-needed bath, he was feeling civil enough to visit the dwarves. If luck was on his side, they would be settling in just fine and not causing any property damage.
The dwarves' room were in the farthest corridor, isolated from the rest of the elves. The guest room was spacious, with a toilet and three comfortable and soft beds in eac room. The decorations were to a bare minimum, but Bilbo doubted the dwarves would notice such details. Thorin and his nephews shared a room; Bofur, Bifur and Bombur to one; Nori, Dori, Ori shared another, and Dwalin, Balin, Gloin and Oin occupied the last one. Most or the dwarves had already showered, and was lounging around in Thorin's room, the biggest room, making small talks with one another or tidying up their bags. Bilbo sat in a corner of the room, away from the rest, observing them as always (they were a curious and amusing bunch) From the corner of his eyes, he saw Ori approach him, a thick hand made book pressed tightly onto his chest.
Ori tapped his shoulder lightly, asking shyly, "Mister Bilbo? If, if you're free, can I ask a few questions about hobbit culture? There are barely any books or information on hobbits."
The dragon quirked his eyebrow in surprise, and wiped his palm onto his shirt; despite having spent 30 years with the hobbits, he was not all that familiar with the culture. But he could not turn down Ori, especially not when Ori was looking at him with those sad puppy eyes.
"What would you like to know?"
"Well... why don't you wear shoes?" Ori first asked. That was easy. Patiently, Bilbo explained about the toughness of hobbits' feet, which had surprised even him at first, as Ori dutifully jot down the information. The dwarves were also listening, occasionally adding their own input to each answer. Question after question, Bilbo answered without an ounce of annoyance. Yes, hobbits do eat seven meals a day ("where do they even put all of it?") but even normally he only have 3 which is unusual ("Thank Mahal, I thought we have been starving you."); yes, hobbits only live until 100 years old if they are lucky ("but that's so short!" Kili protested); hobbits fear water, yes; no, we're not half-anything and definitely not related to elves.
"Why do you and Ryadher have the same eyes, then?" Bilbo was stumped. However was he going to explain this, without revealing anything?
"As a wee child, I loved Bilbo's eyes, so with a little bit of magic I changed my eye colour to imitate his." Ryadher leaned against the door frame, casually flipping a dagger in her hand as she answered dryly. Bilbo gave her a grateful smile; that was a total lie, as elven magic do not work that way, but he hoped that none of the dwarves knew that. They lapped up her explanation like cats to milk.
"What was your initial eye colour?"
"Oh, turquoise, I believe," came the cheeky answer. Bilbo rolled his eyes at her; her scales were turquoise in colour.
"What do you want, Ryad?" Bilbo asked.
She batted her eyelashes at him innocently. "I want to test your skills with those daggers, hanar. You used to be proficient at it."
That started a new bout of questions from the dwarves.
"You know how to use daggers?"
"Oh! I almost forgot; you fought the trolls with a dagger!" That was Kili.
"You can fight? I thought you're a grocer!" Not surprisingly, that was Fili. Bilbo stifled a laugh: like uncle, like nephew.
"Come on, Bilbo, demonstrate your prowess to us!" Coaxed Bofur.
"Prowess? He's more like a kitten than a formidable foe," Dwalin rumbled.
Bilbo groaned as the dwarves chortled. There was an urge to prove the dwarves wrong, and wipe those smirks off their faces.
"Very well, nîth, you leave me no choice. Let's go to the courtyard."
It probably looked peculiar; a hobbit versus an elf. But the elves of Rivendell were used to the peculiarities of the siblings of the Dragonkin, for they had stayed in Rivendell for a few centuries, and spared no second glance to them. The dwarves, however, were placing bets on how long Bilbo would last.
Bilbo held out two daggers, one in each hand, and crouched down. Ryadher mirrored his stance before nodding.
"Begin."
They circled one another slowly, assessing their opponent's physique. Ryadher towered over him now, body lithe and lean. It would be hard for her to stoop down to attack, just as it was difficult for Bilbo to target her upper body. She, as usual, was the first to strike; Bilbo blocked her with ease and slashed at her with his dagger. She jumped back nimbly, the dagger narrowly missing her.
Once more they circled each other. She tried again, rushing to him without warning, aiming for his shoulder. He nimbly stepped aside, taking the opportunity to slash her leg. She let out a sharp hiss as the cold metal blade came into contact with her flesh. The dagger barely nicked her, yet there was a line of red. He had drawn the first blood.
He grinned. "Getting rusty, sister dear?" She snarled at him, and attacked with more ferocity. Bilbo calmly side-stepped each attack. Sweat trickled down his face while Ryadher showed no signs of slowing down; although Bilbo had always been better than Ryadher, she had been training while Bilbo had been slacking, and the difference in stamina was showing.
Bilbo knew he would lose if this continued. He had to end this quick. Quick as a flash, he feinted, coming close to his sister before disarming her. Then, taking advantage of her stunned silence, Bilbo threw his daggers aside and launched himself onto her. They tumbled onto the ground, with Bilbo grappling her down.
"What - are - you - doing!" She protested, trying to wrestle the heavier hobbit off her. Bilbo grinned, and tickled her mercilessly. She choked, laughing uncontrollably.
"Hahaha... Evil! Evil... Stop! I yield! I yield!" She finally gasped. Bilbo smirked, giving her one last tickle before stopping. He stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes noncholantly.
"Still doubting my abilities?"
"That was a lucky shot. I could have won," Ryadher sat up and pouted. Bilbo chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"You improved! Well done!" He said sincerely.
She beamed. "You're getting fat and lazy, brother dear. Some exercise would do you good," she drawled with a wicked smile.
"Oh, shut up."
The thunderous applause reminded them of their dwarf audience, and they blinked as the dwarves surrounded them.
"Not bad, hobbit," Thorin nodded his approval. Bilbo shrugged, a more neutral smile replacing his wild grin.
"Where have you learnt to use the dagger like that?" Bofur asked excitedly. Bifur, behind him, patted Bilbo and muttered in Khuzdul - probably some sort of praise.
"Here and there." was the vague answer Bilbo gave. Thorin eyed him suspiciously.
"Are you as skilled with the sword?" Balin asked.
Bilbo ignored Ryadher's sudden laughter at that question. "No, I have never learnt how to use the sword."
"He did, but he was just so bad at it," His sister stage-whispered. Bilbo elbowed her in the stomach and she merely grinned back. Revenge, she mouthed to him, and he sighed.
Bilbo paled at the bright looks Kili and Fill gave him.
"We can teach you!"
"Oh, no no no, I am very happy with my daggers, thank you-" he backed away hastily.
"Rubbish, it's good to learn another weapon, Bilbo dear, and why have a sword if you don't use it?" Ryadher said sweetly, instantly siding Fili and Kili. That traitor. He would never ever buy her another instrument again.
The Durin siblings traded mischievous grins with Ryadher, and Bilbo felt his stomach sink. The three of them would be a nightmare to deal with.
"We can train him from tomorrow onwards, at noon."
"Yes, he'll do it, it's a fantastic idea," Ryadher continued, striding over to the twins before shaking their hands enthusiastically, a maniacal glint in her eyes.
Fili's grin widened slowly. "I think we're going to become great friends," he promised, and firmly shook Ryadher's hand.
Bilbo felt an ominous air surrounding that one simple sentence. I'm truly doomed, he thought.
The next day was another relaxing day. Ryadher had scouting duties to perform, Gandalf was privately seeking counsel from Elrond, leaving Bilbo and the dwarves free for the day. Some of the dwarves decided to explore the area, going in pairs due to Thorin and his suspicion towards all things Elven. Others decided to care for their weapons or mend their clothes. Bilbo went to visit the library instead.
"Ori, do you want to come along? The library here is majestic; you may find ancient scrolls and forgotten tales," Bilbo offered. Ori leapt to the chance, and his brother's grudgingly allowed him to.
The walk to the library was one in comfortable silence. Which was broken by Ori and his inquisitive mind.
"Bilbo?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you searching for anything in particular in the library?"
Bilbo smiled languidly at him, trying to hide his glee; he had been waiting for that question.
"Yes. I would like to research more about dragons. Know your enemies before the battle, after all." Bilbo paused for a short while, seemingly deep in thought. "I've heard tales about good dragons, dragons who do not plunder cities or kill without being provoked; I wonder if that's true?" He half-wondered to himself, pretending to not notice Ori's bright eyes staring at him.
"Good dragons?" He was dying of curiosity; Bilbo could hear it in Ori's voice. Bilbo smiled slyly.
"Indeed. I may have read it somewhere in a book in the library. Elrond said it's true, but he may just be pulling my leg. Forget about what I said," Bilbo laughed awkwardly and looked away, as though embarrassed to have said anything at all. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the indecision hardening into resolve in Ori's eyes.
Bilbo would bet half his hoard of books that Ori would be on a mad hunt about the existence of "Good dragons" for the rest of the day, and would be passed a small book with a short introduction about the Dragonkin's existence by the librarian at the end of the day. He would be enthralled, would drink in every word, would verify its reliability with the librarian("of course it's true"), and would be the first among the dwarves to begin believing in "good dragons".
Young minds are the most impressionable.
His plan was in motion.
Learning a sword was a pain in the ass, Bilbo realised. He was initally supposed to be taught by Kili and Fili, but apparently Thorin had his doubts about their teaching skills, and entrusted Dwalin with the task instead. Truthfully, Bilbo was relieved. He did not trust his life with the Durin siblings, not when there were "sword", "teaching" and "Ryadher" involved. Maybe if Dwalin taught him, he could actually improve, Bilbo thought hopefully. Of course, he was wrong. Of course.
Since young he had shown absolutely no proficiency in sword-fighting, which he was painfully reminded of during his lesson with Dwalin. Every other second the strict instructor would yell at him for his foothold, or gripe about his holding of the sword ("it's a sword, not a snake, don't look so afraid of it!"). The dwarves, and his kind dear sister, took great joy in watching him suffer.
"Always be prepared!" Dwalin barked as he feinted a stab towards Bilbo. The hobbit cursed colourfully, stumbled, and flung the sword towards Dwalin as one would throw a spear. The wooden sword hit his leg and clattered noisily onto the ground. Dwalin hopped around in pain for a few seconds, much to Bilbo's chagrin. It was an accident, he claimed.
The dwarves howled with laughter.
Dwalin, however, was not amused.
"We will try again next time," he declared after two pathetic hours, and left, disgruntled.
Bilbo was battered, bruised, and dirty, and he barely restrained himself from lunging for his sister's throat when she approached him.
She grinned at him. "I don't understand, how can someone be so bad at a sword even after years of practice? You can wield a dagger, a spear, and can even shoot decently, but you can't use a sword?"
"I only tried sword fighting for a month before giving it up entirely, and that was decades ago," Bilbo protested.
She snorted, "You're impossible."
"You're infuriating, and if you don't shut up, your beloved harp may magically disappear," Bilbo warned.
She snapped her mouth shut and spoke not a word to him after that, but her mischievous smiles still got on his nerves for the rest of the day.
End of Chapter 6
This chapter feels a bit like a filler chapter, nothing serious happening, just some light-hearted fun and all. Hope y'all find it acceptable.
Like it? Hate it? Do leave a review, I really appreciate it! :)
nîth - sister
hanar - brother
ion - son
This story is ON HOLD until mid November. I'm terribly sorry :( And once again, thank you all for your support!
-littlesparrowkeet