The Dwarves were sitting at the table, Thorin sat at the head of the table, eating some soup and bread and Gandalf sat next to him. Everyone stared as I came in, and seeing no open chairs I leaned against the wall behind Gandalf, accepting the bowl of soup from him with a thank you. Before I could take a bite Gandalf introduced the other Dwarves and I tried to fix faces to names, giving a nod of greeting at each. Eating quietly, I was all but forgotten as they discussed the meeting Thorin had gone to and that the Ironhill Dwarves would not help them with their quest.
I finished my food and took it to the sink, washing it as I listened. Groans sounded around the table as Thorin said solemnly, "They say this quest is ours and ours alone."
Coming back over Gandalf said to me, "Ariana, a bit more light please." I fetched a candle from the nearby counter and lit it as he pulled out a folded piece of thick parchment from his sleeve. He unfolded it and I felt my curiosity get the better of me and I leaned closer to the table and in doing so I was closer to Thorin. I didn't think anything of it as I looked closer at the paper, seeing that it was a map of a mountain, with a red dragon on top. It read, "The Lonely Mountain?"
The red haired dwarf, I think Gloin was his name, then said, " Aye, Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time." He ignored the sighs and rolls of eyes from some of the others.
The one across from him that listened with a horn, Oin, had silver hair and his beard was braided down the middle and it split into curled braids, said strongly, "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain is it was foretold." I saw Gandalf light his pipe with his finger again and wonder how he did that as Oin continued, "When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
Talk rang up from them and the one across from Gandalf looked at me, Bofur, and I noticed that it looked like he had braided pigtails and a neat floppy hat as he asked curiously, "So lass, you willing to face down Smaug the Terrible? Chiefest and greatest calamity of our age?"
I couldn't say anything, pausing for a second because I was finally addressed, but then he continued, "Fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals."
I wondered if he was trying to scare me and said softly, "Yes, I now what a dragon is."
The one who looked to be one of the younger Dwarves had gingery hair in a simple bowl cut with a few strands braided. He had wide eyes and was wearing a knit sweater and hand warmers. He was clutching a book to his chest and watching everything with wide eyes. He was sitting in the corner and suddenly jumped to his feet, "I'm not afraid, I'm up for it! I'll give him a taste of Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!"
He was pulled back down by his brother, the one that had braids all over his gray head that connected to his beard in a knot by his chin and had a sort of top knot, Dori. I hid my grin, amused, until the elder dwarf with white hair and neat curls in his beard, Balin said solemnly, "This task would be difficult enough with a army behind us. But we number just 13. And not 13 of the best, nor the brightest." My eyes crinkled with mirth at the yells of protest and that was all the amusement I showed, not wanting to ruffle any feathers.
Then the blond dwarf with braids in his hair and mustache, Fili said strongly, "We may be few in numbers, but were fighters. All of us! To the last dwarf!" Then I saw another young one next to him with black hair clasped back and little beard, Kili, speak up, "And do not forget we have a Wizard in our company! He must have killed hundreds of dragons in his time."
My amusement grew as Gandalf tried to deny this, when the one with intricate silver braids of hair and beard, Dori asked, "How many then?" "What?" Gandalf sounded bemused as Dori asked again, "How many dragons have you killed?"
In answer Gandalf huffed his pipe and nearly choked. Yells and arguments filled the air and I whispered so only Gandalf could hear, "We're off to a good start there sir, and I thought the biggest problem would be their attitudes towards me." He almost glared at me until he saw my hidden grin and sighed smoke through his nose. When I looked back at the Dwarves, they were even getting to their feet as if to brawl. Not about to get in the middle, I thought blows would be dealt until Thorin got to his feet, shouting something in Dwarvish that made all of them sit quickly and be quiet. I was impressed, realizing that he was really a leader they would follow even to a dragon.
Thorin said firmly, looking around the table, "If we have read these signs, don't you think others have read them as well? 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. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours?" Thorin's voice rose as he thundered, "Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor!"
It was a moving speech and the Dwarves cheered thunderously. I was even moved. But in the back of my mind I had to wonder if we were taking back a home, or going on a treasure hunt? I figured I had better keep that to myself.
Balin though, put a damper on things when he stated over the noise, "You forget the Front Gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." This sobered the group, but then Gandalf said smoothly, eyes deep with wisdom, "That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." and made a key appear in his finger tips.
Thorin looked startled as he asked softly in disbelief, "Where did you come by this?"
Gandalf said softly as he handed it to him, "It was given to me by our father. By Thrain. For safekeeping. It is yours now."
Fili said, beginning to get excited, "If there is a key, there must be a door." I thought cheerfully, "So wise this one. And state the obvious he will."
Gandalf nodded to Fili, pointing to a marking on the map, "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls."
Kili slapped his brother on the back, excitement plain on his face, "There is another way in."
Gandalf nodded but said carefully, "Well, if we can find it, but Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Then he sighed heavily and pointed at the map again, "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." Thorin glanced at him and Gandalf said firmly, "The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage." He glanced at me, "But if we are careful and clever I believe it can be done."
Ori, said excitedly, "That's why we need a burglar!'
All eyes landed on me and I blinked owlishly at them, pretending they weren't talking about me, "Yep, an expert I imagine."
Gloin raised his eyebrows, "And are you?"
I pointed to myself, "Am I what?" Then made a show of looking around behind me. I was having fun with this and by the roll of Gandalfs eyes he knew this but I saw the slight grin on his face. Then Oin, who used his metal horn to hear cheered, "She said she's an expert! Hey!"
I hid my chuckle but grinned widely at the Dwarf, as the others Dwarves shook their head at Oin. Balin sighed, shaking his shaggy beard, "No offense lass but you don't look like burglar material."
My amusement faded slightly as I raised an eyebrow, curious as to why he thought that and Dwalin, the dwarf with no hair on top, cool looking tattoo's, missing part of an ear and wearing armored knuckles, sneered at me, "Aye, the Wild is no place for woman who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." I wondered if he was blind, for I carried weapons. I smiled a touch when Kili called, "I'm sure she's fine!"
But it was practically drowned out when all the Dwarves started shouting about not taking me, and how a woman didn't belong in the Company. I couldn't even defend myself over the noise, my heart fell and I thought, "Well, I guess that's that."
But to my pleasure and alarm Gandalf had a say in this matter. Suddenly he stood, towering over everyone, shadows expanding to all the corners of the room and he boomed in a deep voice, "Enough! If I say Ariana is a burglar, then a burglar she is!" Then just as suddenly as they expanded, the shadows shrank back to Gandalf and he softened his voice, "Ariana has skill in thievery and she is a fighter! And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, Ariana will smell like nothing to him which gives us a distinct advantage because she is not from Middle-earth."
This caused murmurs but Gandalf wasn't done. He turned to Thorin and said, "You asked me to find the 14th member of this company and I have chosen Ariana. There is more to her than meets the eye. And she's got a great deal to offer then any of you know!"
Luckily I don't blush easily but I was immensely pleased by what Gandalf said. But I wasn't about to let him have all the say. So I reached into my tunic and pulled out five different purses and set four of them in front of Thorin, "I forgot to mention, I stole these off the fellows I knocked out earlier. Should help with traveling expenses." The last I gave to Gandalf to pay him back. He pocketed it with a wink at me.
Thorin looked startled and Gandalf said firmly, but softly, "You must trust me on this."
That must have sold it because he gave in, "Very well, we do it your way." And he turned to Balin, "Give her the contract."
Bofur sounded pleased as he said, "We're in! We're off!" Balin stood and held out a parchment to me, "It's just the usual. Summary of out of pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." I was about to lean over the table to get it, but Thorin took it and then swung it into my chest, letting go as if he had touched hot coals.
I took it before it fell and unfolded it, reading the details of the contract. It was a bit longer then I had guessed and saw Thorin lean in to Gandalf as I read. I muttered under my breath, "Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one-fourteenth of total profit, if any." then I got the the injuries list. I must have let some of my amusement leak out as I read, "Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including, but not limited to lacerations, evisceration... incineration?"
Bofur interrupted me, sounding amused himself, "Aye. He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." I raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was having fun and he continued, "Think furnace, with wings." I slowly began to grin as he said, "Flash of light, searing pain then: poof! Your nothing more than a pile of ash."
I couldn't help it. I really tried not to hold it back, but I chuckled. Which startled them, I think may have even scared them a bit, "Only if he hits you dead on with the flames. Eh? I could just lose an arm or a leg. Maybe singe my eyebrows off. Or he could eat me, that could work."
Thorin's face became a thundercloud as he snarled, "You think this is a joke?"
I sobered and looked him right in the eye as I said in complete truth, "No, I only laugh because that's all a person can do."
He looked confused and I saw an ink well on the counter and went over to it, signing my name on the contract as I explained, "We all die sometime."
Signed I walked up to Thorin and shoved it into his chest, "Death smiles at us all Thorin Oakenshield. All a person can do, is smile back."
Grinning at him I turned and said to Gandalf, "I'm going for a walk. I know you would like to discuss the trip with them and you've already explained it to me." He nodded and I headed out without another word and I heard him talk to the others about me, trying to convince them that I wouldn't be a burden. Outside I took a deep breath of cool air and didn't go far, just to a rock outside the fence. Sitting on it I looked up at the stars, wondering how this journey would go, with the Dwarves disliking me so. I surely didn't trust them, but that didn't mean I could get along with them.
Cracking a smile that was sad, I thought bitterly, "Since when does anyone like me. One with no friends, no family or even a home. I'll just make the most of it, it's all I can do."
Sighing heavily I got up and went back into the house and saw Gandalf still at the table smoking a pipe and the Dwarf's in the living room by the hearth. I sat at the table, wondering if I should say anything. Then the Dwarves started singing.
I crossed my arms on the table, resting my chin on them and listened.
"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 height,
The winds were moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light."
I felt sad as I saw the Dwarves move to go to bed and I looked at Gandalf, seeing sadness in his eyes, even if he wasn't looking at me but staring at the wall. He knows the pain they were feeling. The pain of losing family, loved ones and home to the dragon. The dragon took everything from them, and all they wanted to do was get their home back.
Curling my face into my arm I thought solemnly, "I'll still help them. Even if they hate me, I will help them reclaim their home, even if I don't have one." With that last thought I drifted off to sleep.
