Chapter 5
Ember allowed the others to slip past her as they approached the front door. Gandalf himself opened the door. A regal looking dwarf, in a black velvet cloak trimmed in fur greeted him. "Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." Ember peeked between Fili and Dwalin to get a better look at the speaker. He was also quite tall for a dwarf and his voice was a smooth deep baritone, matching his appearance. His long dark hair was the color of black coffee, flowing down his shoulders with two braids at the temples and his beard was neatly trimmed. His eyes were the same blue as Fili's, and she knew that both he and Kili had to be related to this majestic being, the similarities were apparent.
"Mark? There's no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!" Bilbo said, sounding slightly offended. The poor hobbit had barely gotten over his dishes flying through the air, and the thought of his beautiful door being marked was almost too much.
"There is a mark; I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield," Gandalf said proudly. Thorin stepped closer to Bilbo, eyeing him closely.
"So, this is the hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin's blue eyes studied the hobbit intently.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo stammered, wondering if he was being challenged in his own home.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?"
"Well, I have some 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 a burglar." The dwarves all laughed and Ember saw Bilbo's cheeks burn in embarrassment. A rare flash of anger swept over her.
"Since we have eaten all of his wonderful food, we should be thankful he resembles a grocer, don't you think?" she retorted loudly, stepping forward into the light. Thorin halted and turned towards her. He regarded her sternly as she gazed at him. He slowly approached her, but she held her ground, though he nearly towered over her. Her eyes nearly glowed in the dim light. Kili made to move towards them, but Fili held him back. The other dwarves stood in silence, watching the scene play out nervously. There were very few who would dare to speak to Thorin in that manner. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he spoke.
"Well, once I too have eaten, I will be sure to give you my thoughts on this matter, woman." He turned and stalked into the dining room, virtually dismissing her. Ember bowed her head in embarrassment as the others followed him. She looked out of the corner of her eye and saw the look on Gandalf's face. Her heart sank slightly as he frowned his disappointment. She had not meant to be disrespectful, but she felt very protective of the little hobbit that had been so kind to her. Sighing, she entered the kitchen to fix a meal for Thorin, hoping that her second impression would wipe out her first.
As the dwarves resettled at the dining room table, Thorin turned to Gandalf. "Who was that female? I do not remember agreeing to meet with a woman present." Truthfully, he had been impressed when she had stood up to him. He had not meant his comment to be hurtful, but he had been known to forget how people could react to his deep, authoritative voice and demeanor.
"Ember is a long time student of mine. She will be a valued member of this company." Gandalf replied quietly.
"WHAT?" Thorin yelled, his voice near rattling the windows. The others turned to observe their exchange, as Ember appeared in the doorway with his food. She hesitated, for a moment uncertain as to whether she should interrupt them. She had known it would take some convincing on the part of Gandalf to have the dwarves allow her to join the quest, and she didn't want to make things worse. The dwarf glared at the wizard, rising to his feet.
"Calm yourself, Thorin. We will discuss this matter once you have eaten," Gandalf soothed calmly. He placed a hand on Thorin's arm, and the dwarf reluctantly sat back down. Gandalf gestured towards Ember, and she slowly approached the seething dwarf. He looked up into her eyes, prepared to tell her just how unwelcome she was…but his thoughts froze. Ember smiled at him gently, her blue eyes piercing his own blue-gray with a calm radiance. She settled his plate before him with a mug of ale.
"Please enjoy your meal, Master Oakenshield," she spoke in a soft and humble voice. He shook his head and broke eye contact, feeling somehow placated. He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement and Ember eased away. The others shifted slightly to allow her to pass and she settled into her place between Fili and Kili. Ember relaxed in her chair, observing the conversation about her quietly, as it turned to the quest and the return to Erebor. She focused on her attention on Balin as he spoke up.
"You forget, lads, the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the Mountain," he said firmly. Thorin looked at Gandalf as the wizard spoke up.
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." A look of astonishment covered each face in the room as Gandalf produced an key from his robes. Thorin looked at it in wonder.
"How came you by this?" he asked in awe.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now," Gandalf stated as he handed Thorin the ornate, wrought iron key. Gandalf pointed at the runes on a map, which he had produced and laid before Thorin. "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls of Erebor."
"There's another way in!" Kili murmured in her ear. She turned her head towards him and rewarded him with a smile. Gandalf frowned and continued.
"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. 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. The task 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 it can be done." Gandalf glanced down the table to Ember, who appeared to be contentedly deep in thought. He knew that she was aware of everything going on around her, though she appeared to not be listening. As the conversation turned to the fact that the company required a burglar, and that Bilbo had been nominated by Gandalf, she pulled herself from her thoughts. She had a feeling she knew what the answer to the map was, but she would need a closer look. She smiled as Balin withdrew a large contract and handed it to Bilbo.
"It's just the usual summary of out of pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral expenses, so forth." Bilbo paled as began to peruse the contract. Balin looked sidelong at Thorin and asked, "Shall I draw up another contract for the lass?" Ember felt all eyes turn towards her, but she remained focused on Bilbo.
"Incineration?" he squeaked. Ember frowned, sensing the hobbit was upset. A hatted dwarf named Bofur quickly grinned mischievously, reaching the same conclusion.
"Oh aye, the dragon will melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye," the dwarf piped up. His brogue was much stronger, and his voice carried through the room. Bilbo started to pant.
"You all right, laddie?" Balin asked, as Bilbo bent over. Ember rose quickly, but couldn't get past Fili, who was watching Bilbo with glee. She was boxed in near the back of the room, as Bilbo appeared dazed.
"Excuse me...Fili, move...oh, forget it!" She finally said, climbing onto the table. "Bilbo?"
"Uh, yeah…feel a bit faint." Bilbo whispered, as he bent over, his hands on his knees.
"Bilbo, look at me," she called, as she proceeded to crawl towards him. The other dwarves swiveled their heads between the two, in an almost comical manner.
"Think furnace with wings," added Bofur, rising from his chair, approaching the hobbit.
"Air, I..I..I need air." Bilbo gasped. Ember pushed Thorin aside having reached the end of the table. He grunted in surprise as she grabbed Bilbo by the shoulders.
"Look at me, Bilbo! Watch my eyes!" she said frantically. By this time, the other dwarves were staring at her, not understanding her anxiety. Why was she so determined for the hobbit to look into her eyes?
"Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash," finished Bofur. Bilbo panted heavily.
"BILBO!" Ember finally yelled. "Look at me!" He raised his head slowly, peering into her eyes. But it was too late.
"Hmm. Nope." Bilbo fell to the floor in a faint, just avoiding hitting his head as Ember cradled it in her arms. She glanced up at the now silent room, realizing all eyes were now upon her.
"Very helpful, Bofur," she muttered. Bofur chuckled in amusement as Gandalf lifted the hobbit, taking him to the sitting room. Ember slowly rose to her feet, feeling awkwardly out of place. Her eyes sought out Kili, who was staring at her in confusion. The others seemed amused by her frantic crawl across the table.
"Well…Fili was in my way," she explained. The dwarves looked at each other, and burst out laughing. She grinned as they moved back to allow her to sit down again. Even Thorin had a small smile on his face.