Back with another chapter. Here, we'll see our three Avengers meet Thorin, and their aid in the Quest for Erebor sealed.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 4- A New Quest
Gandalf slowly stands up and walks over to the door of Bag End. He opens it, revealing a dark haired and bearded dwarf, with a sense of nobility about him. He looks at Gandalf and merely says, "Gandalf."
The dwarf steps in and begins removing his cloak as he says, "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way. Twice. I wouldn't have found it all if it hadn't been for that mark on the door."
Bilbo steps through the crowd of dwarves and loudly interrupts, "Mark? There is no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago."
Gandalf closes the door as he says, "There is a mark. I put it there myself." He then looks at the new arrival and says, 'Bilbo, allow me to introduce the leader of our company. Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin steps forward, looking Bilbo over, and says, "So, this is the Hobbit." He then slowly walks around him and asks, "Tell me, Mr. Baggins. Have you done much fighting?"
"What?" Bilbo asks, confused.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin asks, walking back around to the front of Bilbo.
Bilbo, straightening up a bit, says, "Well, I have a bit of skill at conkers, if you must know. But, I fail to see why that's relevant."
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than burglar," Thorin says, drawing laughs from the other dwarves, before turning to walk towards the kitchen.
"You know, guests usually should show more respect to their host. Even your friends showed more respect than you have so far," Steve says bluntly, unimpressed by Thorin's attitude.
Thorin turns to Steve and his two companions, his eyes lingering on T'Challa for a moment, before he harshly asks, "And who are you? Some poor travelers?"
Steve narrows his eyes. "No. I'm Captain Steve Rogers. United States Army," he says. He knows that saying he's in the US Army is incorrect nowm but he wants to show through saying it that he's not just some random guy.
Bucky steps up beside him and says, "I'm Bucky Barnes. The Winter Soldier."
Finally, T'Challa steps up beside Bucky and says, "And I am T'Challa. King of Wakanda."
Thorin feels a little uncertain. It's clear the first two men are soldiers. Now, to think he's dealing with a king like himself makes a little uneasy about his haughtiness. After a moment, in a slightly less harsh voice, he demands, "Why are you here?"
Gandalf speaks up for them. "There are here with me. They are on a journey to return to their homeland, and their path lies with us. They will be a great help to us. And, as Captain Rogers suggested, I would be a little more polite, Thorin," he says.
Thorin waits for a moment. Then he slowly inclines his head just a little bit before again turning towards the dining room.
Within a minute, the group is all in the dining room, with Thorin eating some soup and bread.
"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asks Thorin.
"Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms," Thorin says.
Several give chuckles of excitement. Dwalin leans in a bit and asks, "And what do the Dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?"
Thorin's face drops a bit before he responds, "They will not come."
Several groans are heard from around the table. "They say this quest is ours, and ours alone," Thorin explains.
Bilbo, who has snuck in from the next room, and just listened until now, pipes up and asks, "You're going on a quest?"
Gandalf turns to look at him and says, "Bilbo. Let us have a little more light."
Bilbo goes to fetch a candle, as Gandalf pulls out a map. Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa lean in a bit, paying more attention, feeling they're finally about to get an explanation for what's going on.
Gandalf begins to explain. "Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak," he says as he unfolds the map.
Bilbo, who has returned with a candle, leans in between Thorin and Gandalf to get a better look at the map. "The Lonely Mountain," Bilbo reads aloud.
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa feel intrigued, wondering what the significance of this mountain is.
One of the dwarves, Gloin, speaks up. "Aye. Oin has read the portents. And the portents say it is time," he says. Some of the other dwarves roll their eyes.
Gloin's brother Oin speaks up. "Ravens have been seen flying back to the Mountain as it was foretold," he says. He then begins to recite the prophecy he was alluding to: "When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa glance at each other. The word beast does not inspire good feelings. Bilbo, who had returned the candle to its place, apparently feels the same way, because he pops his head back into view and asks, "Uhh, what beast?"
Bofur speaks up and says, "Well, that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible. Chiefest and Greatest Calamity of our age." He takes a puff from his pipe before he says, "Airborne fire breather. Teeth like razors. Claws like meathooks. Extremely fond of precious metals."
"Yes I know what a dragon is," Bilbo says. Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa all loom at each other, all slightly surprised. Steve knows the other two are thinking the same thing as him.
Really? There are dragons in this place?
Right then, Ori shoots to his feet, trying to show some backbone. "I'm not afraid. I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of Dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!"
Several dwarves chuckle in agreement, while his brother Dori pulls him back down. As he does, Balin speaks up and says, "The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen. And not thirteen of the best. Nor brightest."
Most of the dwarves quickly read between the lines, and start murmuring. One clearly asks, "Who are you calling dim?"
After a moment, Fili hits the table to draw their attention and says sharply, "We may be few in number. But we're fighters. All of us! To the last dwarf!" He hits the table again to emphasize his point.
Kili pipes up and says, "And you forget we have a wizard in our company! Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!"
Gandalf quickly raises a hand and says, "Oh. Oh, no, I wouldn't say…"
Dori quickly interrupts with, "How many then?" Gandalf looks at Dori curiously. "Well, how many dragons have you killed?" Dori elaborates on his question.
Gandalf begins to awkwardly cough on his pipe. The dwarves feel eager for the answer, some wondering if Gandalf is really gonna be as useful as they thought. Privately, Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa are all wondering if Gandalf has actually killed even one.
"Go on! Give us a number!" Dori says loudly, which incites the dwarves to all start shouting incoherently.
After a few moments, tired of their antics, Thorin shoots to his feet and shouts loudly in Dwarvish to get their attention. The rest of the Company goes quiet and sits back down.
Thorin looks around at his kin before saying, "If we have read these signs, do you not think that others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain. Assessing. Wondering. Weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected." His tone growing more fierce, Thorin says, "Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?!"
All the dwarves start cheering. Thorin shouts, "Du Bekar! Du Bekar!", further inciting them.
However, Balin, still the logical one, speaks up and says, loudly, "You forget. The front gate is sealed!" Everyone quiets down and sits down. Balin looks around and concludes, "There is no way into the mountain."
"That my dear Balin, is not entirely true," Gandalf says as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a strange key.
Thorin looks at the key in amazement before asking, "How came you by this?"
Gandalf looks at Thorin and says, "It was given to me by your father. By Thrain. For safekeeping. It is yours now."
Everyone watches as Gandalf passes the key to Thorin. Fili speaks up and says, "If there is a key, then there must be a door."
Gandalf points to a pointing finger and a set of runes on one side of the map. "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls," he explains.
"There's another way in," Kili says excitedly.
"Well, if we can find it. But Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gandalf says. He sighs, then gestures to the map as he says, "The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map, and I do not have the skill to find it. But…there are others in Middle Earth who can."
Steve notices that Gandalf looks at Thorin as he says that. Thorin looks back at him, and Steve wonders what's going on there.
Gandalf turns back to the whole group and says, "The task that I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar," Ori realizes aloud.
Bilbo finally comes back into the conversation in agreement with that, "And a good one. An expert, I'd imagine."
"And are you?" GLoin asks.
Bilbo looks around, as if wondering if Gloin were asking somebody else. Finally, he looks back at Gloin and asks, "Am I what?"
Oin, completely misunderstanding that with his bad hearing, says cheerfully, "He says he's an expert! Hey-hey!"
Bilbo looks stunned, and slightly horrified at the thought of stealing. "No! No, I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life!"
"I have to agree with Master Baggins. He's hardly burglar material," Balin says.
"Aye, the Wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves," Dwalin agrees.
The dwarves start talking over each other again. Steve looks at Dwalin, kinda wanting to chew him out for taking a dig at Bilbo. Then, Gandalf suddenly stands, and the room suddenly seems to grow darker.
When Gandalf speaks, he speaks with a deeper, more thundering voice. "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is!"
All the dwarfs look at Gandalf, somewhat stunned by the display. The darkness that seemed to rise recedes, and Gandalf continues speaking in a more normal voice, "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances to suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know. Including himself," finishing by looking right at Bilbo.
Thorin looks down at his soup, conflicted. He then looks back up at Gandalf, who says in a low voice, "You must trust me on this."
Thorin sighs a bit. Then he replies, "Very well. We'll do it your way." He then turns to Balin as Bilbo starts to protest and tells Balin, "Give him the contract."
Balin stands and holds out a contract to Bilbo, explaining, "It's just the usual. Summary of out of pocket expenses. Time required. Remuneration. Funeral arrangements. So forth."
"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo asks in a terrified tone as Thorin passes the contract to him somewhat forcefully.
After a moment, Bilbo steps away and unravels the contract to read it.
Thorin looks at Gandalf and asks, "Why do we need these three men?"
"They need to find a way to return to their home. And there may be a way home along our path. And their skill in battle is something nobody would want to throw away," Gandalf says.
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa all eye Gandalf. They realize Gandalf is volunteering them for the quest without them actually saying they would go.
Thorin looks troubled. After a moment, he looks at the three and says, "Very well."
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa look at each other, knowing they have a decision to make. A brief silent conversation goes on before Bucky and T'Challa both nod, an understanding passing between them.
The three Avengers will be aiding the Quest for Erebor.
As this is going on, Thorin leans in to Gandalf and whispers, "I cannot guarantee their safety."
"Understood," Gandalf whispers back.
Thorin glances back before whispering again, "Nor will I be responsible for their fates."
Gandalf waits for a moment before he slowly replies, "Agreed."
In the hall outside the dining room, Bilbo is going through the contract, reading the fine print. "Cash on delivery, up to, but not exceeding, one fourteenth of total profit, if any. Hmm. Seems fair. Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but no limited toooo…lacerations…evisceration…incineration?"
"Oh, aye. He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye," Bofur cheerfully elaborates.
Biblo turns and looks away, worrying about that statement. Realizing how he's reacting, Balin asks in concern, "Are you alright, laddie?"
Bilbo bends his knees, taking a few quick breaths. "I feel a bit faint," he gasps.
Bofur, seemingly oblivious to the effect his words were having, stands and says, "Think furnace with wins."
"I…I need some air," Bilbo gasps.
"Flash of light. Searing pain. Then, poof, you're nothing more than a pile of ash," Bofur adds.
Steve is about to speak up and tell Bofur to stop when Bilbo simply says, "Nope," before passing out.
"Oh, very helpful Bofur," Gandalf says chastisingly.
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa sit in the dining room with some of the dwarves while Gandalf tends and talks to Bilbo.
"So, friends. You all are clearly fighters. Tell us of some of your battles," Gloin asks them.
"Are you sure?" Steve asks.
"Of course. We love to hear good tales of battle," Gloin responds.
Steve looks at Bucky and T'Challa and shrugs. He then turns back to their new companions and begins telling the story of how the Avengers were formed during the fight with Loki.
The dwarves listen with rapt attention. They are completely enamored with the descriptions of some of the other Avengers, as well as Loki himself and the Chitauri.
When Steve finishes the story, Fili speaks up and says, "That is an incredible story, Captain Rogers. You and your fellow Avengers are the kind of people any dwarf would be proud to fight alongside."
Steve smiles with appreciation. Then, T'Challa starts telling the story of how his hunt for Klaue led into the attempted takeover by Killmonger, and his fight with the rogue Wakandan.
The dwarves express outrage at Killmonger's murder of Zuri. Yet, they express admiration of his attitude in his final moments, and his desire to die a free man.
"I wish I could visit your homeland," Dori says at the end of T'Challa's story.
"If the opportunity ever appears, all of you are more than welcome in Wakanda," T'Challa says.
Fili speaks up. "I think we can all say we feel honored to have you three assisting us," he says, to which all the dwarves in the room nod.
The dwarves soon leave to go into the parlor, leaving Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa alone.
"Well, what do you guys think? About this whole situation?" Steve asks.
"Gandalf seems to believe strongly that there is somewhere, or someone, along the path of the Company that may hold a clue as to how we can get home. I feel no qualms about accompanying this Company," T'Challa says.
"Agreed. Yet, I feel a strong desire to help these dwarves. Even if we find clues to get home, I wonder if we should delay going home in order to help these dwarves," Bucky adds.
Steve nods. "I agree. Their cause is a worthy one. And I feel that we should help them as much as we can. We may be Earth's mightiest heroes, but we should be willing to help anyone in need," he says. T'Challa and Bucky both nod in response.
"Are we agreed? We assist the Company as long as we can?" Steve asks. Both Bucky and T'Challa nod.
As they do, they hear signing from the parlor.
"Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day
To find our long forgotten gold.
The pines were roaring on the heights
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light."
Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa sit there, listening, and realizing that the quest ahead may be one of their greatest adventures ever.
I'll end there. I hope you liked this chapter.
I hope you all have gone and checked out my Star Wars/Lord of the Rings story called Middle-Earth and the Mandalorian. If you haven't checked it out, then go do so.
I don't have anything else to add, except to ask that you please review, and stay tuned!
