Chapter 9
The next morning Bilbo woke up later than usual to a surprisingly quite home. Too quiet in fact. Getting dressed and stepping out of his room he looked around Bag End is aww. It was completely spotless, as though the dwarves had never been there in the first place.
Searching further Bilbo found the contact still unsigned on his desk in the study. A not on top of it said for him to meet them at the Green dragon by 11 which was in the next 30 minutes.
"You know if you relay want to go then just go."
Biblo jumped. He hadn't heard Emel approach from behind him.
"…no…no I can't. What about you? I can't leave you here all by yourself." He argued weakly.
Chuckle she said, "Dear brother, I know you still have some Took in you who wants to finally step out his door as you dreamed about when we were younger. This is your chance! And anyway, who said anything about leaving me behind? I'm your faithful house cat Buttons after all." She winked.
Bilbo hummed and hawed a little longer before becoming resolute and frantically signing the contract with an inked quill.
Decision made he began to run around in a panic trying to pack everything he might need. Luckily Emel had already pulled out there old traveling gear and packs. She, of course, had her trusty black leather bag from her old world which still looked as fresh as the day it was made. She had also packed Bilbo's old leather traveling bag, as he had to add to it was some spare clothing from his closet. After a quick breakfast, he locked his door and they were off running through the shire and dogging the other hobbits in an effort to catch up with the dwarves.
When they got near and Bilbo began to yell at them to wait for him, Emel took the chance to shift into Buttons unseen. She had sewn a special Rune on her pack which would allow for her to shift with it on her back and it would disappear while she was a clouded leopard like the rest of her clothes did. Very convent that.
When she caught up to her brother he was being hoisted onto a pony, much to his discomfort at being manhandled thus. When he began to worry about having lost his handkerchief Emel began to second guess the wisdom of encouraging him to leave the shire. Oh well. Too late now.
Emel had kept to the tall grass and tree's along the roadside so no one had noticed her following them until they had set up camp that night. As a way to prove her usefulness when she revealed herself Emel took the time to hunt for some rabbits for dinner. She ended up catching three of them and had trouble bringing them all to the clearing camp had been made in.
"Ho Ho! Well, look at what we have here! Bilbo, it looks like your house cat Buttons has followed you all this way." Exclaimed Bofur.
Emel dragged her catch all the way to Thorin's feet and dropped the offerings in front of him. It irked her to pay the ass any kind of homage such as this, but she had to be practical and diplomatic if she wanted to stick around for any length of time.
Emel sat on her rump and looked up at the king waiting for the king's decree.
After watching Buttons for some time, it became clear to him that his Burglar's pet was not your average pet and held some intelligence in its gaze. "Very well. You can follow your master miss Buttons but do not cause me any trouble or I will skin you and cook you myself."
Beside him stood Dwalin who had watched the whole of the exchange with arms crossed. He nodded as though in agreement with Thorin's decision. Clearly, Bilbo's cat was going to be of more use then he was.
Buttons just huffed softly in response and meander over to her brother bedroll.
Once the rabbits were skinned and cooked everyone settled in around the fire and ate Bomburs excellent cooking. Bombur was even kind enough to make a bowl for Buttons to have and she lapped up the rabbit's stew with gusto.
When she was done, she made of point of approaching Bombur and licking his cheek in thanks. He had been a little uneasy at first but quickly fell to her charms and patted her head gently before she went and settled down beside Bilbo again.
Over the next couple of days, Buttons acted as a sort of ice breaker between Bilbo and the dwarves. Fili, Kili, and Bofur and approached the pair whenever they were camped to get a close look at there resident feline, and they ended up striking and conversation with her brother at the same time. Soon it became apparent that jogging after the ponies was exhausting her.
Concerned, Fili and Kili introduced her to the Ponies at camp and only two of them seemed to be at ease with the predator, one being Bilbo's ride, Myrtle. Sadly, Bilbo was not a competent enough rider to watch over a passenger and the only other pony that would possibly take her on its back was Dwalin's.
Surprisingly Thorin ordered Dwalin to let Buttons ride with him and he only nodded affirmatively at the kings' command. Buttons went over to Dwalin and licked his cheek in thanks as they learned she was want to do upon occasion causing the burly dwarf to chuckle. "It's no problem little miss. Just don't claw me and we'll get along just fine."
(A/N: Again, a lot of the quotes in this scene are taken straight from the movie.)
Three weeks into there Journey it began to rain, and then rain some more. Everyone was miserable and soaked to the bone.
Buttons was seated between Dwalins thighs with her front paws resting on the saddle's horn. She leaned back against his wide chest while his cap warped around them both. Only her nose and ear were visible at the top of his collar making an entertaining picture for Thorin who rode beside them.
Dwalin pretended to suffer her presence in silence but in truth, he was glad to have her riding with him on a day like today. Her fur coat and body heat kept them both nice and warm even though they were soaked through to the bone whereas the other of the party were beginning to get chilled after days of rain.
Short tempers were all around and Dori, being prim and proper as he was beginning to get seriously frustrated with the weather. "Here, Mr. Gandalf. Is there not something you can do about this deluge?"
"It is raining Master Dwarf and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world you should find yourself another wizard." Replied Gandalf with some exasperation.
"are there any?" Enquired Bilbo.
"What?" said Gandalf.
"Other Wizards?" Bilbo clarified.
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. Then there are the two blue wizards. You know I've quite forgotten their names?" Said Gandalf.
"And who is the fifth?" -Bilbo.
"Well, that would be Radagast the Brown." Replied Gandalf.
"Is he a great wizard or is he… more like you?" questioned bilbo with total honesty.
Slightly affronted Gandalf answered him. "I think he is a very great wizard. In his own way. He is a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the east and a good thing to for always evil will look to find a foothold in this world."
After that, all conversation fell.
After a full week and a half of rain in finally cleared and Thorin ordered Everyone to set up camp beside a broken farmhouse.
Looking around it was clear Gandalf was disquieted by something. Button's had to agree. She heard no other wildlife what so ever and that was never a good sign.
Dismounting, Dwalin deposited the feline beside Bilbo with more care then he would seem to possess if you looked at him. For the past few days, Emel has had trouble keeping down the food the company had shared with her. She would eat only to get sick an hour later in the bushes and Bilbo was worried about her. He figures she got sick after all the rain they had been riding through and was beginning to regret in letting her follow him on this adventure.
"Burglar leave the cat be. She'll be fine. Go do something useful and collect some firewood. Fili and Kili go look after the ponies and make sure to stay with them."
Jumping to do as instructed, Bilbo left the campsite to try and find some dry branches for the fire.
Gandalf pulled Thorin aside to speak with him and not be overheard but with her superior hearing Buttons was able to eavesdrop.
"Thorin, something foul is afoot in this area. I do not think it wise to stay. A farmer and his family used to reside here but clearly, something came in through the roof of there home. We should move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley."
"The Elves Gandalf? I told you already that I will not go near that place."
"Why not? The elves could help us! We could get food, rest and advice. We cannot read the map, but I know for a fact Lord Elrond can."
"I do not need their advice." Growled Throin. "When Smaug attacked Erebor, what help came from the elves? None! Our supposed allies sat on the cliff and watch as we burned in dragon fire. While we cross the lands of middle earth, they gave no aid through my father begged them. I watch my people starve and die and we journeyed in search of a place to call home, treated no better than thieves and vagrants wherever we went. They watched and did nothing as orcs desecrated the sacred halls of Moria and left us to fight alone when we tried to take it back. You ask me to ask for aid from the very people who betrayed my grandfather and my father. No, we will not be going to Rivendell."
"Gerr! Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves!" Barked Gandalf before he began to walk away from camp.
Emel was frozen in her place. She had no true idea of hope deep the dislike for elves ran among the company of dwarves. She began to seriously worry about what would happen if one of them were to discover the truth about her. With that though Emel rose and followed behind the wizard. When they were far enough away Emel would reveal herself to him. If she played this right, he would be a good person to have at her back should the worst happen, and she is found out. Gandalf continued to stomp ahead of her grumbling to himself under his breath.
After walking for some time Buttons mewed loudly and clawed at his cloak to get his attention. Stopping he turned to look at her. "Yes, miss Buttons? What is it?"
Well, here goes nothing. She concentrated on her two-legged form and before Gandalf sat a very disheveled Emel. It took her a second to adjust to the changes to her senses. She had maintained her form as a cat for quite some time now.
"Well Bless my bearded! A skin changer! How is it that you came to live with Bilbo, my dear?"
Sighing, Emel motioned to some stone nearby where they could be seated. "This is going to take some explaining. You may wish to sit down. But before I tell you anything you need to promise me you will keep it to your self. I'm taking a serious risk revealing myself to you here. Don't even say anything to that White Wizard you say is the head of your order, not unless its extremely dire circumstances at any rate."
He scrutinized the small girl in front of him for some time before decided there was no ill intentions in her eyes and gave her his word to keep her secret.
When they settled comfortably Emel started at the very beginning. She told him everything she could remember about her original world and how she had been sent to middle earth by her papa Snape and Grandpa Dumbledore. She told him how she was found by Glorfindel in these very woods and how she was eventually adopted by the Baggins family. She choked up a bit when she talked about her parent's death during the Fell Winter and Bungo's deterioration. To add credence to her story she showed him her cherished photo album which Snape had given her the morning of her departure.
"So, you can now understand why I am so attached to Bilbo. He's all I have left so when you tried to pull a fast one and have me sent away for the evening before the company arrived you can guess just how displeased that made me. Also, I had no idea just how far their hatred for elves went until I overheard you and Thorin arguing. I must say it made me very concerned and felt the need to confide in you for guidance. I can't leave Bilbo. He needs me and I need him."
"Yes, my dear, I do and I apologize but please know I had my reasons for my actions. The Dwarves and very protective of there females and would never have allowed you to come with Bilbo on this journey. I'm glad you have seen fit to share your fascinating tale with me. Quite a thing to have lived through as you have. I am sorry for your loss though. I can see how much Bella and Bungo meant to you. Now, if you're to continue on this Journey with us then you should probably remain in your cat form. Best you turn back now in fact. It's not too far off from morning and Bilbo will be looking for you. We should head back." Said Gandalf.
When they came back to camp, they were surprised to find it disserted. With growing concern, the set off to find their lost companions. Coming upon a large stone the saw the shine of a campfire light overtop the rock and heard the company's voices hollering at someone.
"We don't have parasites! You have parasite!" Shouted Kili. Then after what sounded like a swift kick, the group of them began to change their tune.
"I've got parasite as big as my arm!" Said Oin whom Emel remember was the half deft healer among the group.
"I've got huge parasites! The biggest!" Corrected Kili and the others were same much of the same.
Have stolen a peak around there hiding spot Gandalf whispered to her. "It's trolls. Three of them and they have the company captive."
Turning back into her elven self she asked. "How do you kill a troll?"
"Not very easily but they can't stand the sunlight." He replied.
Luckily for them, it was just about sunrise and a gap in the trees behind them began to brighten ever so much. Thinking to himself more than talking to her he said, "Hmm, Morning is coming soon and Bilbo is smart to play for time but I worry we are running out of time and they won't be enough light to finish them off… maybe if I split this stone in half…."
"If you like I have a sunlight spell I can use. If you split the stone and I can give the sunlight a bit of a boost from the side and turn into Buttons again before anyone is the wiser." Offered Emel.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea my dear. It's good to have a fellow caster around to give a helping hand. I can't be saving these fools from themselves by myself all the time. Let's do it."
Quickly Gandalf climbed up to the top of the rock and dramatically roared for his audience. "Let the Dawn take you!"
"What's that?" asked one troll.
"Don't know. Can we eat it you think?" said troll number 2.
With a resounding crash of his staff, Gandalf split the large rock in half as planned and Emel quickly followed by casting a 'Lumos Solem'.
A bright light escaped from between the rock halves and the trolls screamed in agony while turning to grotesque stone statues.
Turning back into Buttons she pelted out from her hiding place and rocketed over to Bilbo. Slamming into him he fell onto his back and Buttons proceeded to sniff him incessantly searching for any wounds or injury on his person. Laughing lightly Bilbo reassured her. "Buttons, I'm fine. Barely a scratch on my amazingly enough. Only a couple bruises to show for it." Emel began to rub her face against his cheeks to show affection and to sent mark him for the next foolish beast who thinks he can touch what's hers.
After making sure her brother was hale, she went to each company members starting with her favorites Dwalin and Bombur and repeated the actions much to everyone's amusement.