A/N: (In Mrs Doubtfire's voice) Hello my dears! I hope everyone is well, given the current circumstances and all. I'm terribly sorry for not updating, in a long, long, long time. Long story short, I've suffered with depression for sometime and the pandemic hasnt made things any easier, not just for me but for all of us. Took a spiral down into a dark place and tried crashing my car. I took some time away for myself, a little bit of therapy and a lot of comfort food in hopes to get myself back on my feet. I'm slowly but surely getting there, I can't tell you how many times I've sat down at my laptop and thought about writing but a cloud crosses my mind and I can't bring myself to write anything. Especially when my head and heart isnt in the right place for this. I didn't want my work to be affected by my personal life anymore than what it should be, I apologies to all my loves who have had their patience tested. I'm hoping to be more active with my writing so everyone keep posted if you are still interested.
Much love to everyone, I send much needed hugs to everyone and I'd like to gently remind people that regardless to this pandemic, you are not alone. I am here if anyone would like a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to. Just drop me a PM!
Deal
"How is it you came to be a Guardian of Middle Earth? Who are you? What are you? What makes you different and more worthy than everyone else to have been granted this title?" Thorin asks rudely and I snort at him because of this.
"What I am or how I came to be, is not what we are discussing at this moment in time Thorin." I glare at him and he gives me an equal one back. "So, let me remind you. From what little I have gathered. Gandalf has chosen Bilbo as your fourteenth member of your company, you have agreed to his choosing but will not accept Bilbo nor take responsibility for his safety or well being."
A muscle twitches along his jaw as it clenches.
"The quest you are taking is to reclaim your homeland from the dragon that took it from you in the first place, to steal the Arkenstone, which will apparently give you your right back as King, so you can command the seven dwarven armies and then march upon the mountain to slay said dragon. Am I getting warm?" Another twitch, the damn fool is going to break a tooth soon.
"And the reasoning for this, is because that fool of a Wizard has taken it upon himself to go off on his own and try to snuff out the evil wherever he sees fit." I mutter to myself and hear a chuckle off into the hallway. I glare in the direction and hope the speaker can feel it. "Even though you and your kin, are very much happy and settled in the Blue Mountains."
Another twitch of the jaw and this time a twitch of the eyebrow too.
"He's asked you to do this, 60 years later after the sacking of Erebor. He's encouraged you to gather your kin, many of which who have refused to follow you, for lack of said jewel. Which makes me wonder as to how your kin truly see you."
"Lassie-." I hear Balin start to disagree with me but I flick my hand slightly, shushing him.
"But saying that, you have but a handful who have proven their loyalty to you." I say somewhat admirably. "Without the numbers you need, you have been given no choice but to carry on with the small company, you have agreed to let Gandalf choose your last member, Bilbo. Gandalf has done this, partially to spite me but also because the shire folk, are light on their feet, they can very much going nigh undetectable to that of the most seasoned of warriors. The dragon will most likely not hear him coming nor will he be accustomed to the scent of a hobbit considering he's spent the last 60 years holed up in a mountain that homed thousands of dwarves."
"The reasoning behind Gandalf's decision making, selfish or not, is unfortunately sound. In regards to Bilbo, but yours behind giving Bilbo your protection, is not. So, I am standing in front of you, as a Guardian of Middle and as his sister, accepting, quite happily, wholeheartedly and without question that responsibility, should he agree to join your quest. Whatever it is you have offered Bilbo as compensation, it shall be Bilbo's and Bilbo's alone. I want nothing of it. I am here for Bilbo. Your offer does not stand for me, I do not have to sign you're contract because I do not need it as I will not be part of this company. Nor do I need your word or your protection, not that it means much to you evidently. You can like this or not. It doesn't bother me. I've dealt with people and Kings such as yourself before, nothing will sway me. But either way, if Bilbo says yes, be assured you will be seeing more of me."
"Lass-." Balin starts again.
"However." I pause and give Balin a small look. "Regardless as to my age, race or gender. I will prove to you that I am not a selfish dwarf such as yourself, who would risk the life of someone who is not his kin. I will protect whoever I can with every part of my being, I will fight to my last breath and then some, because that is who I am. My ability to care for and protect others does not stop because they are of a different race, species, or gender. That is why I am a Guardian, so if at any point in this quest, there are dangers that could harm anyone, I will not be bitter or selfish. I will not hesitate or withhold my help to anyone, including you Thorin Oakenshield." Slight muttering from several mouths carry through from the hallway but I'm too busy staring down the stubborn dwarf in front of me to take notice of the words being spoken.
"I will not ask of you for anything in return. You will not owe me a debt if I save your life, I will not ask anything of you for going out of my way to help you, or your kin. And you will do well to remember that, Bilbo is my brother yes, I will fight for him until the end of time if needs be, but it is also my duty to protect and fight for the other lives in Middle Earth too. It would go against my honour not only as a Guardian but against who I am as a person if I did. Do not undermine me, or underestimate me on this. For you will not win, that is not a threat, it is a promise. And if you can not see that then you are blind to everyone else on this Earth and a fool."
It's silent for a while as I stand my ground against Thorin, I can see Balin looking at me out of the corner of my eye as I face down Thorin, who hasn't broken his glare on me from the moment I'd spoken back to him.
"I'm willing to put aside any grudges I have against you, even though I've just met you. I'm willing to earn the trust of every other dwarf is this house and prove my honour to them. Not as a show of defiance against you, but to reassure them that I am who I say I am. I will show you all that I have the courage to stand up and fight, even if I know I may not make it to see the next sunrise. Because that is who I am and what I willingly do. I will give you until tomorrow morning for your answer, my advice, is I suggest for you to discuss this with the rest of your company. You may be a leader and a King to them, but they are still your company and each and everyone of them has a voice and an opinion. Don't make this choice based on your decision alone, nor out of spite and hate. Listen to them and their advice. Now, if that is all, please excuse me. Master Balin." I nod to Balin and step around a still glaring Thorin and make my way out of the room.
Entering the hallway, I come across the rest of the company, each ones facial expression clouded with several emotions but none the less, all staring at me. They all stand back and offer me room to walk through, nodding my head slightly at their manners, I walk back to check on Bilbo.
"Is it true?" I small voice asks from behind me, stopping me in the archway of the parlour and I turn slightly and search for the voice. A younger dwarf with mousy brown hair and holding a journal looks back at me, eyes shinning with questions.
"Is what true Master dwarf?" I ask back, my voice softer than before as I turn my body fully to him and all heads turn towards him.
"The stories. Of you, the fifth Guardian. They say of how she is a fierce warrior, that she is stronger than dwarves and faster than elves. Speaks languages that are older than time. Dances with fire, walks on water, glides through air. Is it true that you are gifted, with the powers to control the elements. That you were trained by Elves and Wizards?"
"Those are the stories that are usually told to young children at night Master dwarf. It's the ones that spread from village to city that you should take word from." I say with a soft smile, he looks disheartened and a little embarrassed as he backs into another dwarf, the one who made tea for Bilbo. "However, I do wish those stories were told differently and to the right ears as well." I say as I walk towards him, stopping just in front of him and glancing up to the chandelier above us as I do. The candles are bright and are flickering their light gently, he looks to them too then back at myself as I lower my gaze to him and give him a wink.
"I cannot control the elements for they are not mine to control nor should they ever be. However, I have gained their trust through hard work and in doing so I have a connection with them. I call for them and they allow me to use them as to how I need them. I have never, nor will I ever, take advantage of them, for I fear the repercussions would be devasting, tis why I take great care and give them the respect they need." I lift my right hand up in front of us and he looks at it confused. "Unlike Gandalf, I cannot create an element at will just yet but I can use what is already around me." I open my fist and as quick as a blink, the flames that were on the candles, have now correlated into a bigger flame into the palm of my hand.
"Impossible!" I hear someone mutter. But I pay no mind to them as I watch the young dwarf's expression in front of me. His face lights up with joy and a smile as big as the moon beams back at me.
"Go ahead, touch it, I promise it wont hurt." I say softly, he quickly reaches for the flames but the grey haired dwarf stops him.
"Don't! This is witch craft, she's got you under some dark spell!" He scolds him harshly.
"I can assure you Master dwarf, that I am no witch. If you too have heard the stories of my wanderings around Middle Earth, I am the farthest thing from that. My presence alone in this room proves I am not, do you not feel the air around you calm and tranquil? Does it not feel safe and protected? If you were in the presence of a witch, the darkness surrounding them would suffocate you in seconds. Their evilness would sink into every crack and crevice, corrupting everything good in its path."
I stare at him as he processes his words.
"Tell me, what do you feel?" He takes a moment to ponder my question.
"Safe. I feel like I am in the presence of someone powerful but not an overwhelming, suffocating, fearful kind. It's almost as if you are a breath of fresh air, a warmth in the coldest of places. A light so bright standing out from the darkness. I feel protected, like you said. Like I'm in the safest place on Earth." I smile back as he realises this and apparently so do several others as they murmur their agreement.
"See for yourself Master dwarf, touch the flames." I ask him and instead of the younger dwarf, he reaches forward and touches the flames, an air of confidence around him.
He gasps in surprise as he is neither set alight nor burned as he pushes his whole hand through the flames before retreating back.
"It didn't burn me, but I could feel the heat of the flames."
"I protect the light. That includes the light in nature. Everything has a life and a spirit. There are parts of Middle Earth, where trees still walk and talk. Rivers and lakes that brings in more life than you could ever imagine, that holds more memory than Middle Earth itself. That light, has recognised me as one of their own and accepted me." I say as the flames dance around my fingers and I let one twirl through the air, it dances towards a dark haired dwarf, who moves to reach out his own hand to catch it but is stopped by a golden haired dwarf who gives him a sharp look. I call the little flame back to the others and turn around. I spot the tattooed dwarf as he stands near the doorway of Bilbo's study. I reach my other hand out to him, as a test of trust.
"Upon my word, as a Guardian that I would never hurt those who live and prosper in the light and are full of good." He slowly unfolds his arms and gives me one leather gloved hand. Placing his hand on top of mine, palm facing up, I bring the hand with the ball of flames to us and place the it into his palm. It brightens, grows in strength, little embers escaping and retreating now and then. I let him feel the life, that of the fire spirit who has given me permission to wield it. He looks up for a moment as he gets a small glimpse of the life of that spirit before it retreats. "So long as I'm around, the elemental spirits will recognise me, allowing me to wield their element, meaning, you will never be in danger from them. But, remember this, I can never disrupt the natural way of life by using them." I give them a moment to take in my words, each of them peaking around each other trying to get a better look.
"If you cannot trust me after my declaration of going to the ends of the Earth for Bilbo, then trust me when I say, that I would do the same for you. Otherwise, I would've burned you by now." I stand back, look up at the tall dwarf before turning on my heel and heading towards Bilbo again. Before walking through the archway, I look back and take in every dwarf, suddenly huddled around the taller, tattooed one, who is cradling the ball of flames in his hands like a new-born babe. All staring in wonder and awe.
The tattooed dwarf looks up at me, his own eyes full of wonder before he nods subtly. I lift my hand again, this time calling for the ball of flames which leaps out of his hands and soars through the air like a ball of light. Several dwarf's duck automatically. Catching the light in the palm of my hand, they all look at me in surprise, looking down at the ball I smile for a moment.
"Off you go now." I say gently before opening my palm again, the ball slowly splits into several little flames that suddenly extinguish themselves, my palm gently smoking behind in their wake. The chandelier above the dwarves lights itself and they gasp again as they all look up in awe. "I'd advise you not to try and touch the flames without me, they will burn you." I chuckle as the golden haired dwarf lifts his hands to stop those of his dark haired companion. Who looks at me as a fluster of pink creeps up his cheeks.
"ROSE!" A very familiar voice calls for me and I dash into the room, to have a very awake and aware Bilbo throw himself into my arms.
"Hello Bilbo!" I laugh as I wrap my arms around him and we squeeze each other as hard as we can without hurting ourselves or each other.
"Oh Rose, thank the heavens you are here! You wouldn't believe what's happened. First Gandalf destroys my newly painted door. Then-." I can only smile as I pull back and Bilbo begins pacing in front of me, gesturing here, there and everywhere as he speaks, recalling his encounter with Gandalf and the dwarves before I had arrived. I laugh as he exclaims about the mud trot into the carpet and he looks at me with annoyance though his own lips twitch.
"Miss Aurora?" I turn to the voice that calls me, pausing Bilbo in his rant and pacing. He leans around me to see who has interrupted him. "Dinner is served. I've managed to make a chicken pot pie for you and there are also some scones and jam should Mister Bilbo require something to bring his strength back up." The round bellied and braided dwarf comes to us and Bilbo is quick to take the presented tray of food from him.
"Goodness, you must be famished from your travels Rose, had I known you were coming home I would've been more prepared for your arrival! If the dwarves hadn't have eaten me out of house and home…" He moves to glare at the said dwarves that are peering around door frames and archways.
"Thank you Bombur, I appreciate it, we both do." I say the last three words pointedly at Bilbo.
"Yes, alright, thank you Master Bombur." He nods to Bombur who beams at us before bowing, only to have several dwarves grab him and pull him back up as he begins to topple over. A dwarf with a peculiar hat comes forward with another tray, this time with some beverages and I take it from him, giving him a grateful smile.
"We'll give you some privacy, so you can catch up. You won't hear a peep from us for the rest of tonight." Bilbo raises an eyebrow is disbelief and a giggle escapes me, to which the hatted dwarf gives me a wink for.
"Thank you." I say as Bilbo shoo's me the best he can whilst carrying his own tray and we head towards his rooms, leaving the dwarves to their own devices.
As soon as we are in, I set my tray down on a small table and seat myself at it, he follows suit and places his tray down before quickly shutting the door behind him. He sits in the remaining chair, dishes out my meal and beverage before asking:
"Now then, tell me of your adventures!" He asks excitedly, forgetting about the quest, thirteen dwarves and one pain in the ass of a wizard who are wondering the halls of his home.
Well, what do you think, have I made a good come back?