Fandom: The Hobbit
Summary: A stubborn headed ranger joins the company unaware of the treasure she is about to find.
Pairings: FilixOC ThorinxBilbo
Chapter warnings: alcohol mentioned, Weapons
Khuzdul
Jargh = Idiot
Burushruka igbulul e = I'm sorry
Chapter Two
"Bilbo!" Arabelle's voice rang down the street as the small woman bounced her way over waving at the hobbit who had been swaying on his feet "Sorry I'm so late!" She said as she pulled her uncombed hair out of her face and fixed up her dusty jacket, she had been forced to deal with some unruly customers late into the night and had never fancied herself for the mornings regardless.
"That's alright we were happy to wait." The young brunette dwarf from the night before emerged from behind a pillar, his blonde brother behind him.
"Belle this is –" Bilbo started.
"Fili" the blonde stood proud, his chest buffed out "and Kili." The brunette matched up "At your service." They bowed in unison.
"Well that was very well rehearsed." Arabelle smirked as Kili beamed a smile back, Fili's own smile twinging at his lips as a slight blush developed. "Arabelle." She offered her own name in good manners and nodded at them both "Bilbo will you join me for a walk to the markets?" He nodded but she noted the two dwarves began to walk alongside them "Did I not just hear your names to not be Bilbo?" She looked at the two boys who sheepishly looked away.
"They are here to protect me Belle." Bilbo put a hand on her arm, immediately it relaxed under his soft touch.
"Very well." She smiled as the boys seemed to perk up at her acceptance "I've always wanted a few strong men to carry my bags."
"Well, you are in luck! That is our speciality." Kili grinned as the four of them entered the market, the boys perhaps regretting the offer to carry the bags as now both arms were filled as Bilbo and Arabelle walked ahead deep in conversation.
"I do need to apologise for how long it has been Bilbo. In truth I have been in Bree for a number of months now and I know how selfish this will sound I just-" Belle's eyes trailed over the jewellery of the stall they had found themselves at, though her mind was far from them.
"It's hasn't been the same since mother passed" Bilbo finished the sentence for her.
"I am so sorry Bilbo. I have been a terrible friend." Arabelle wiped the tear that stung at the corner of her eyes quickly moving on as Kili and Fili had caught up and while they spoke in their own language, she could see their disgust at the jewels in front of them.
"I miss her too in fact it is why-" he fell silent his eyes darting back to Fili and Kili who were still grumbling about the offensive jewels.
"Don't worry Bilbo, I have a plan for ditching the surveillance. Follow my lead." Arabelle turned the corner to her street nodding at a boy who raced ahead of them she turned with a smile as sweet as honey.
"You boys have truly been so kind." She motioned to the bags "and Bilbo did mention that I missed the drink you brought for me last night." Fili seemed to light up as they continued up a small flight of stairs to the door of what must have been the biggest house on the street. "But alas I must inform you that many a man has tried to flatter me for favour with the girls." They entered together, Kili and Fili stunned as women seemed to appear from every direction. The bags taken, coats slid off and while Kili seemed to be beaming Fili watched Arabelle's smile fade "But you will pay my friends what they are due and if I hear of any rudeness, I will have both your balls on my wall." She came inches from Fili's face, sighing inwardly; his eyes were an even deeper blue up close. While the two dwarves were then whisked away in a flurry of women, Arabelle pulled a stunned Bilbo towards the back of the house and into a rather plain room when comparing it to the luxury of fine silks and colours that covered the rest of the house.
"Bilbo, what in middle earth is going on?" She asked plainly as she began to pour some tea, a whole table of sweet treats in front of them.
"Nothing." Bilbo squeaked out, quickly taking a sip of the far too hot tea, spitting it out all over his already dirty vest "Not a clue what you are talking about."
"So, I see you are still the world's worst liar." She quipped as she handed him a glass of milk to cool his tongue "Bilbo if you are in trouble, I can help you." She watched as Bilbo eyes softened as he looked into hers.
"We are on a quest. I cannot tell you anymore. I promised." Bilbo said as he wrung his rag of a handkerchief in his hands Arabelle clearly stewing over the very small amount of information. Bilbo worried if she pushed him further, he had signed a contract and he imagined the dwarves would not take kindly to him breaking it only days into the quest.
"I do not need to know anything specific but is this quest dangerous?" Bilbo's face as he recalled the word incineration was all the confirmation she needed "Then I am coming with you."
"Belle you don't-"
"I don't need to know Bilbo, I am coming." Arabelle stood and opened double doors to reveal a smaller room with a bathtub, she began laying out some towels and pouring some oils into the tub; lavender and Bilbo's nose was leaning to rose. "But first you should get cleaned up, I will ask for some warm water to be bought in. Also, here." Arabelle handed over a neat little handkerchief and Bilbo clearly stunned began to stammer out a thank you, but Arabelle merely stopped him with the rise of her hand "Your mother fed and bathed me a whole month when I was recovering, this is the least I can do."
"Miss, I have a report for you." The small boy who had been in the street rolled on his heels, eyes darting to the plate of food in front of the hobbit.
"Go on help yourself you little goblin." Arabelle laughed as the boy grabbed at a pastry "The room is yours Bilbo, I laid out a robe for you while the girls wash those clothes." She nodded to the boy who followed her out the room whispering in her ear.
Arabelle walked down a narrow hall before turning into a small parlour, dark red chiffon drapes covered the windows slowing down the warm light of a setting sun. Two girls played on the harps, while three more danced around the room together, they swung their hips around with hooded eyes. Kili looked as though he was a child on the eve of Yuletide. Fili completely different as he looked up at the plain wood of the ceiling as though it was an intricately carved marble stone. Arabelle coughed a few times to draw the attention of the dwarves whom she now knew to be princes, The Prince's of Erebor, who travelled with their Uncle Thorin Oakenshield who had a bounty on his head that could tempt an old man with a blunt fork. Arabelle was not sure what trouble Bilbo had gotten himself into with these dwarves, but she was going to get him out of it.
"Enjoying ourselves?" Arabelle smirked a little as she poured herself a glass of wine, men truly were the easiest creatures.
"Where is Master Baggins?" Fili looked outright concerned, Arabelle taken back slightly as she wondered if he had worried this whole time for the hobbit.
"Bilbo is cleaning up in my room, he will join us soon." Arabelle smiled as the boys shared a look between them, though their faces seemed a mixture of surprise and shock she wondered if bathing was so uncommon to the dwarves. "I suspect the rest of your company will not be too far either."
"You told Thorin we were here?" Fili's jaw near hit the ground as Kili paled.
"I sent an invitation for dinner saying you were already here?" Arabelle questioned as though she might have done something wrong.
"He is going to murder you." Kili looked to Fili who's face delved into his palms "He is hardly going to think this was my idea." Fili shot back "Jargh. You been the one mouth open and drooling." The two brothers descending into a battle of Khuzdul as Arabelle sipped her drink wondering if all siblings were like this and if so, she was glad to have been an only child.
"Fili! Kili!" A booming voice shot through the house, Arabelle watched as both boys seemed to try and sink into the cushions below them "I'm going to go answer that."
Arabelle walked rather fast to the front of the house, an entire company of dwarves and a wizard pushed into a small waiting area but that was not what stood out. It was rather the dwarf who stood at the front of the group, his hand wrapped around the collar of the small boy who had been her spy and messenger. "My nephews what have you done with them?" Pure venom dripped from him but Arabelle did not need long to react.
"Let the boy go. Or I remove your balls." Arabelle spoke plainly for her blade which pushed against Thorin's trousers was sharp enough. Arabelle was aware the entire company now had weapons drawn but her eyes did not leave Thorin's as they entered a battle of wills and perhaps they would have been stuck in such a state till the end of days. However, Fili and Kili had heard the commotion and nervously emerged from the parlour, Thorin releasing his grip the boy fell to the floor as Arabelle retracted her blade to break his fall.
"You right?" She spoke quietly to him and he nodded "Go up stairs to your mother and stay there." Arabelle shooed the boy who nervously looked around but as she pushed him further he stumbled onto his feet scattering up the stairs. Thorin had crossed the room to embrace the two young dwarves who were clearly shocked, Arabelle smiled a little at the sweet worry of an uncle though her smile was taken away as a balding dwarf held a blade to her throat.
"Be careful master dwarf who you threaten." She warned as she stared him down without an ounce of fear.
"You take my nephews hostage. You threaten my kin!" A very angry Thorin stalked towards her.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Bilbo jumped between them, two outstretched hands placed firmly on Thorin's chest and while he hadn't the strength to do so somehow the dwarf had come to a halt. Bilbo blinking a few times, perhaps even shocking himself or perhaps from the water that still dripped from his hair. He huffed out in annoyance, fixing up the robe he had thrown on rather fast "Now she didn't kidnap them, in fact I don't think either of them objected much at all at being brought in here." Bilbo and Thorin looked back at two, very, sheepish dwarves. "There was never any threat, at least I don't believe there was?" Bilbo looked to Arabelle who nodded and Thorin was clearly recalculating the events, his eyes staring daggers back at Fili and Kili who were both seemingly preoccupied with looking everywhere else.
"Good. Now that is sorted, I will give you to the count of three to remove your blade before I take it and put is somewhere the sun does not shine." Arabelle shot a look to the dwarf behind her, who at Thorin's nod grumbled "Burushruka igbulul e." before withdrawing his axe Arabelle sneering at whatever final words he had just spat at her.
"I'd invite the company of Thorin Oakenshield to dine at my table." Arabelle said as she looked to the dwarf who was clearly sizing up the woman who would know his name and summon them all here. He seemed unsure, looking briefly at Bilbo who was smiling "It smells delicious!" Bilbo noted and Thorin finally gave his nod of approval.
"I hope you prepared enough." Thorin said as Arabelle's smile spread across her face and she clapped two hand together "Entertaining is kind of our thing here." She said as a flurry of women entered the room, wine glasses in hand they entice the dwarves into the main area which had been set up for a feast; they might as well have been farmers herding sheep.
Thorin was gifted the head of the table, ensuring Fili and Kili sat beside him while Arabelle took the other end, Bilbo on one side and an empty seat to the other; none of the dwarves wishing to align themselves with the stranger. While most of the dwarves talked in Khuzdul to each other in hushed conversation Bilbo and Arabelle conversed in the common tongue.
"I do like these chairs, rather comfy." Bilbo noted the plush cushion which had seated him up to be the right height for the table.
"Yes, it is a lovely house miss." A young dwarf who sat beside Bilbo added, the wine from the evening loosening his tongue rather quickly. "I'm Ori by the way."
"The name is Arabelle if it pleases and I thank you." Arabelle looked up at the multiple colours of fine silk that draped the walls, trailing up to meet at the centre beam that hung from above them. In a place as dreary as Bree it was an escape, not just for them men who visited but for the women who called it home.
"Do not be fooled lad this is a whore house you need keep your wits about you." While the older dwarf spoke in Khuzdul he outed himself as he needed use the common word of whore house and Arabelle's eyes sparked.
"These whores serve your meal and pour your wine master dwarf." Arabelle was not a tall lady, in fact she was rather short for mankind, but she grew with each word spoken "Now I suggest you apologise."
"Forgive my word M'Lady, I meant no offence." He bowed his head to her.
"She meant to us." Jessalee cooed in the dwarves ear as he easily began fumbling words as she poured his wine, her chest much closer to his face.
"Please forgive my brother miss." The dwarf across from them put his hands together.
"Well how can a girl stay mad at those eyes." Jessalee winked across the table, as all the girls seemed to approach, music began to play and suddenly everyone was talking a common language.
"Might I pour you a drink Oakenshield?" Arabelle had waited to steal Kili's chair as he was distracted by a dwarf, she believed his name was Bofur, who was dancing on a stage made for women.
"Fili go watch your brother, if he makes a move for that stage, you are to stop him." Thorin shared a long look with his nephew who looked between the two his hesitation clear, but Thorin did not repeat himself.
"Your company is reckless and loud." Arabelle noted as they looked to the crowd of men who swung from swings and danced on platforms. "I like them." She smiled as she poured them both a drink.
"I would thank you for this meal but-"
"There is always a but-" Arabelle teased as they both drank, Thorin sitting back in his chair, his drink clutched in one hand, his silent brooding was enough for Arabelle to continue "Your company entered Bree last night and in the matter of less than a day I knew who you were and more importantly I know there is a price on your head." Thorin seemed to tense a little "I do not care and as far as I am aware no one else has found this out but I suggest you lay low here and leave first thing tomorrow."
"Why?" Thorin leaned in close now, he wished to look her in the eyes and though he wouldn't admit it he was impress when she didn't cower "Why help us?"
"Because you will release Bilbo from whatever is binding him to you. I do not care what is owed, you will leave him here with me or I will see to it that every bounty hunter and their mother knows you are here." Arabelle held his gaze, and she was impressed by the fact he seemed to harden at the thought of letting Bilbo go, she wondered exactly how much debt Bilbo must owe.
"Um no." Bilbo chimed between them, pulling himself up to the seat Fili had occupied.
"Bilbo you need not worry, Thorin will be a man of reason and release you from your debts." Arabelle said but her certainty wavered as Thorin looked as though he was smiling, well rather smirking.
"I'm not in his debt." Bilbo stated plainly, almost abruptly and Arabelle began to wonder if the wine had gotten to his head "I signed a contract of employment."
"Bilbo you don't know what you are getting yourself into." Arabelle responded.
"I know exactly what I have gotten myself into. I want to go on this adventure." Bilbo argued back and while Thorin wanted to speak up at the notion his quest to reclaim his homeland was a little more than an adventure he sat back to see where this would end. "There are other adventures Bilbo. Ones that don't have you travelling with a group of dwarves with death sentences." Arabelle's voice began to get short.
"Fear is only your head trying to stop your heart." Bilbo spoke words which had belonged to his mother, their effect on Arabelle clear "Belle, I am doing this."
"Then I am joining you." Arabelle fell back in defeat.
"Our company is full." Thorin finally spoke "We will take care of Master Baggins."
"Full disrespect intended but I don't know you. I don't know what this stupid quest is about. And I will not be entrusting the safety of one of my few remaining friends into a company of dwarves. I am coming, or I will stop you myself." Arabelle watched as Thorin's hand seemed to linger on his blade.
"We should let the Lady join us; another warrior would do us good." Gandalf appeared from the shadows.
"Gandalf you know this woman?" Thorin looked to the wizard who joined them, his pipe smoke billowing from his nostrils. "I do not, but she bears the mark of the Rangers." He noted and Arabelle looked to her wrist, her sleeve had ridden up enough that her leather cuff, with a pointed clasp attached to it was visible.
"A Ranger?" Thorin looked at the woman again, he had judged her as semi-capable with the weapon she bore but only now saw the other skills she might have, especially when it came to tracking and travelling the land. "Not anymore." She quipped pulling down her sleeve "But I can fend for myself if that is what you are wondering." Thorin closed his eyes, clearly weighing up his options and when he realised there was only one option left to pick, he sighed heavily.
"We leave at first light."