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Chapter 11 – Gandalf's Ultimatum

Bilbo stood behind Gandalf away from the table and watched as the tall dwarf ate the soup that had been saved for him. The dwarves started a discussion about a meeting with others of their kind but Bilbo was busy being distracted by Gandalf's odd behaviour to pay too much attention. Gandalf kept throwing slightly worried glances in the direction of the front door his eyes looked slightly distressed. Bilbo also noticed that Gandalf had saved a small plate of food, besides Thorin's soup it was the only food left on the table. Bilbo was very aware of Bombur's greedy glances at it every now and then.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Once again everyone fell silent, but this time they all looked somewhat confused. Bilbo thought that maybe they weren't expecting any more dwarves, but who else could be here at such a late hour. If these dwarves hadn't shown up he would most likely be tucked up in bed with a good book ready for sleep.

Everyone turned towards Gandalf who had orchestrated this meeting. The wizard looked rather sheepish and without a word of explanation he ducked out of the room. The dwarves and Bilbo stared after him for a moment before looking back at Thorin for some sort of explanation, however he just continued to eat his soup although his brow had begun to furrow. The entire room sat, waiting for Gandalf.

Upon his return, Gandalf seemed to notice the changed atmosphere in the room and the beginning of a glare he was receiving from Thorin Oakenshield. The wizard cleared his throat before starting what could be a rather strenuous conversation.

"I would like you all to meet someone who will be very important to our quest."

"We do not wish to meet them. They are NOT welcome to our discussions." Thorin stated turning back to his supper. The company didn't say anything but exchanged wary looks over the growing tension between their prince and the wizard. A flash of anger crossed the wizard's eyes but then a resolute look entered his blue spheres.

"But it's not up to you, because she WILL be joining our discussions this evening or you will be embarking on this quest without a wizard!" Gandalf finished with a triumphant smile on his lips.

Chaos broke out. Dwarves were standing from their chairs shouting at each other. There was uproar over losing the wizard if they didn't meet her. Fists pounded on Bilbo's dining table as they demanded answers about this unannounced guest who was apparently a woman.

"Enough!" Gandalf shouted, the air around him grew dark and heavy, as if his very presence was expanding, filling the shadows. His voice so overpowering that each fell silent and took their seats trying to escape the effect.

"Bring her in then," Thorin said gruffly through clenched teeth, knowing that he would need the wizard on this quest.

"You may come in now my lady," Gandalf said calmly in his usual demeanour. He stepped back and bowed slightly as a young woman entered the room.

…

Hermione plastered her face with a controlled stoic expression that even a Malfoy would appreciate after hearing their words against her presence. She walked through the doorway into the dining room. Hermione stared expectantly at Gandalf but he only smiled encouragingly in an empty gesture. She managed to push through the discomfort of being the centre of attention in these unfamiliar surroundings and stood as straight as she could, but it was difficult, she had to tilt her head a little as to not put it through the roof. The gaze of the fourteen pairs of eyes were studying her intently.

"May I introduce," Gandalf raised his hand and gestured to each dwarf as he went around the table. "Dwalin, Bifur, Oin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Ori, Dori, Nori, Gloin, Balin, Bofur & the Leader of this company Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin Oakenshield stood turning as he stared at the woman for a moment. His sudden movement gave Bilbo quite a fright and prompted Gandalf to lean closer to Hermione, ready to step in if necessary.

Thorin's mind had gone completely blank, unsure of how to handle this situation. He studied her intently. Her features were delicate and overall she was petite for a human, her skin was tinted by the sun, similar to that of a lowborn woman, not a trait that a 'Lady' normally had. But there was something different to her skin, it seemed as though it glinted a golden hue in the firelight, making her seem almost ethereal unlike others who had earn their colour from the sun.

Her clothes were skin fitting to say the least but modest enough, if he was honest they looked like a feminine version of the clothes that he and his kin were wearing. The fact that she was wearing patched up leggings confused him. But what held his attention were the faint bruises which had just started to yellow on her exposed skin although, the bruises on her knuckles were starting to turn purple. Not only was there a raw cut on her lower lip, but he could see the small cuts on her hands. Only a few seconds had passed before Thorin could feel the company's expectant stares on the back of his neck.

"Who are you? And what is your purpose here?" Thorin asked in an authoritative tone as he straightened his back to his full height, looking upon the woman.

Bristling at the tone of the so called 'leader', Hermione leant down to stare directly into Thorin Oakenshield's steely eyes. He blinked and jerked back minutely at the invasion of his personal space before recovering his stoic expression. However, it was enough to satisfy Hermione's ego.

Remembering what Gandalf said about the importance of titles she straightened back up addressing the room with a steady voice, "I am Lady Hermione Granger, and the question of my purpose here would be better answered by Gandalf."

All eyes turned to the wizard some with accusation, others with curiosity and then there were Hermione's eyes filled with mirth at the look of discomfort on Gandalf's face. Bilbo looked back at the woman in his dining room biting back a smile, as Gandalf shifted uncomfortably under the room's gaze.

There was something about her that seemed special almost mystical even. She reminded Bilbo of how it felt in Gandalf's presence. It always seemed to him, that the wizards' emotions were reflected by his magic. Whilst Gandalf had a large dominating presence Hermione seemed like a very small bright flame, changing depending on her mood. While she waited in the hall, although he couldn't see her passed Gandalf, it was if he could sense her changing moods as the dwarves argued over her joining their discussions. He could feel a flicker of nervousness at first which became erratic as the arguments in the dining room escalated, simmering to a cold but lethal feeling which Bilbo assumed reflected her anger for their dismissal before meeting her. As she entered the room it felt like a fire was being quenched, as if she was trying to forcefully reign in her emotions before facing the rather unwelcoming crowd.

"Lady Hermione will be one of our greatest assets. She will make the chance of success greater than we'd ever hoped." Gandalf stated bluntly, unsure of how to put this without mentioning prophecies or time travel. He believed that it was her right to share such information when she was ready.

"How in the name of Durin could she be our greatest asset, look at her slight stature, she wouldn't have enough strength in her to wield a weapon." Said Dwalin, his statement was followed by murmurs of agreement as they considered her stature, small for one of the race of men.

"Be careful what you say Master Dwalin, I believe Lady Hermione here can take care of herself," muttered Gandalf, Thorin looked to Hermione once again taking in her slightly battered appearance, catching her smirking at the wizard as he continued, " Hermione can bring many abilities to the company, ones even unknown to myself."

Everyone turned expectantly towards Hermione as if expecting her to prove herself right there in this tiny dining room.

"Thorin I would have your trust in this. And, like I mentioned earlier, if she cannot join the company, then you'll find your company one less wizard and burglar. Your quest will fail." Gandalf stated glancing down at Bilbo who was nodding in support, unaware that the burglar in question was himself. Gandalf knew that Thorin would have no other choice but to say yes because without a burglar he stood no chance of succeeding.

"Fine." Thorin sighed with a curt nod, pinching the bridge of his nose "Balin, write her up a contract." He seemed to slump in defeat as he reclaimed his seat whilst Balin wondered off to find some parchment.

Gandalf and Hermione shared triumphant smiles before the hobbit stepped in front of Gandalf into Hermione's line of vision.

"Wait, you're going on a quest?"

Hello everyone, well I hope you all enjoyed that chapter. I would love to hear your thoughts, especially seeing as most review recently have been in reference to this scene. Also reviews/favourites/follows do inspire me to write more. When this story reached 100 followers I wrote two chapters in one hit, each of them were 4x longer than my normal chapters because I was so happy, so keep the support coming :D