Chapter 6

With the hobbit now resting in his parlor, Thorin regarded the table, before deciding that he needed to address the idea of this girl joining the company.

"I do not agree with your accompanying us on such a long journey," he began. The others turned to look at Ember, who had returned to her place at the table, without having to crawl back. The dwarves had moved to allow her to sit, and she was now resting her feet on Fili's legs, while leaning back into her chair, her hair flowing down behind her like a golden cape. She held a mug of ale on her lap, that she sipped slowly. Kili sat behind her nursing another ale as well. He leaned forward slightly, quietly inhaling her scent. Sweet, like vanilla, and honeysuckle. Thorin noted how comfortable his nephews seemed to be with her already and he frowned. "The road is no place for a woman," he growled, determined to get a reply from her. Ember smiled softly at Thorin, shaking her head, as if she couldn't understand how he could believe something so foolish.

"Fili, may I borrow this?" she asked, reaching behind his leather armguard to pull out a sharp dagger. Fili raised his eyebrows and nodded. How had she known it was there? She began to slowly turn the knife, testing its weight, tapping the tip to her finger. Dwalin, seeing that she was ignoring Thorin, spoke up.

"The wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves. Even more so for a woman," he sneered. She raised her eyes to focus her attention on him, a slight frown marring her face. He picked up an apple and took a bite. "By the way, that's the sharp end, lassie." The others laughed softly. Dwalin raised the apple back to his lips. Ember flicked her wrist and the dagger sliced through the air, coming to rest in the center of the apple. Dwalin froze. He pulled the apple slowly from his mouth, looked at the dagger, then stared at her, stunned.

"You don't say," she murmured. The dwarves cheered uproariously, and Kili nudged her shoulders. She glanced back at him with a wide smile and giggled softly. Thorin sat back, considering her quietly. Despite her looks (which he had to admit were very striking), she had obvious skills and training. She had a calm, happy demeanor, and to top it off, she was a student of Gandalf's. Still, he was uncertain as to her coming along on this quest. Women tended to be distracting.

"I cannot guarantee your safety," he intoned firmly. "Nor will I be responsible for your fate." Ember's blue eyes met his sharply.

"I wasn't aware that I had asked for either, Master Thorin," she replied. "But I accept your terms, nonetheless." She grinned at him cheekily, reminding him of very much of his nephew Kili. Without thinking, he smiled back. Yes, she had a certain spark about her.

"Balin, prepare a contract. I am going to see about the state of our burglar." Ember rose, stretched her arm out to Dwalin, and smirked as she pulled the dagger from the apple. He tried to glare at her, but he chuckled instead, bowing his head to her in recognition. She did the same, before handing the dagger back to Fili.

"How did you know I had a dagger there?" he asked, as she made to leave the room.

"Simple," she said, heading towards the front room. "It's the same place that I carry mine!"

As she walked by Thorin, who was in discussion with Balin, she spied Bilbo shaking his head at Gandalf, and retiring to his bedroom. She looked questioningly at Gandalf and he sighed wearily. She smiled, patted Gandalf's arm gently, and went towards Bilbo's door, when Balin stopped her. "Lass, I have the contract for you to look over." She smiled at the old dwarf as he handed her the parchment.

"Thank you, Master Balin." She signed her name in a flourish, and Balin bowed as she handed it back to him.

"Surely, you will want to review the terms and conditions, my dear?" he asked. She shook her head, noticing that Thorin was watching them carefully.

"There is no need, Master Balin. I trust you all to be fair and honest dwarves. Besides, I am joining to ensure that Erebor is retaken, and its rightful king restored. That is reward enough for me." She thought she saw a soft smile reach Thorin's eyes as she bowed low to Balin. He patted her hand and smiled warmly at her. She then turned and headed down the hall way. She hesitated only a moment, then knocked on Bilbo's door. "Bilbo?" She slowly opened the door. He sat on the side of his bed, in deep thought.

"You knew about this, didn't you?" He asked her. She sighed and he nodded at her response. "Why didn't you tell me? It would have saved everyone a lot of time…and me a lot of food," he grumbled. She gave a soft chuckle as she sat down beside him.

"Bilbo, all of my life, others have judged me because I am a woman. They figured that I must only be good for cooking, cleaning...and baby-making. "She spoke the truth. While Gandalf and her beloved Lord Elrond had always encouraged her, she had been teased by other elves for being human, judged as weak during her sparring lessons (before knocking out the Elven instructor) and had been propositioned more times than she could count. Elves, humans, even dwarves, never realized how much power she had inside her. "But once people realized that there was more to me than at first glance, I was treated with respect. I believed in myself." He glanced up into her warm blue stare. "Bilbo…from the moment I first saw you today, I felt the same. I believe in you. There is more to you than meets the eye. I wish you would believe it, too," she finished softly. He once again felt himself lost in her gaze, a wave of calm weariness washing over him. "Just...promise me you will think about it," she said as she rose from the bed. He hesitated, then nodded. She kissed his cheek, and silently shut the door. She stopped briefly at the linen closet before heading back towards the living room. "I have done all I can," she murmured to Gandalf, as she passed him with an armload of blankets. He smiled at her back as she headed into room. Ember had not failed him this evening. He had been surprised at how she had reacted with Bilbo, and wondered if she truly understood why she had wanted him to look at her. It was as though a part of her burned with fierce protection. Could it be that her power was awakening? Was she even aware of it? Gandalf knew that he had made the right decision to bring her on this quest. He needed to be near Ember when the power emerged. He feared if she did not learn to control it, it would consume her entirely. He shook his head of these dark thoughts, and pulled out his pipe. He slipped silently out into the dark night. Yes, a quiet smoke on the bench below Bag End, that was just what he needed.

The dwarves had gathered in the living room, smoking their pipes in quiet contemplation. Thorin stood leaning on the fireplace mantle, a roaring fire warming the room. She approached him and he turned to look at her. Once again he was struck by her beauty. Her features seemed familiar to him, as they had to Balin, earlier. But he couldn't quite place them. She looked up at him and said, "Master Thorin…I wish to apologize for my comments upon your arrival. I tend to be protective of those I care about." Surprised, he glanced over at Fili and Kili, then nodded his understanding. Yes, he knew what that was like, to guard and protect those he loved. "I would like to offer you the spare room Bilbo set out for me earlier today," she added shyly. He looked at her once again with surprise. He started to shake his head, he couldn't accept such an offer, but she insisted, placing a hand on his arm. "As the leader of our company…and the future King under the Mountain, I…I just want to show you the respect you deserve." His eyes softened at her words and he finally bowed in acceptance. Ember walked slowly about the room, handing out blankets to her companions. She settled herself on a corner of the small couch. Kili came and sat in front of her, leaning against the sofa. He turned and whispered to her softly.

"I overheard your offer to Thorin. Thank you for your generosity. He does not get enough rest." His eyes searched her face and she smiled down at him. She fingered her silver ring, her fingers comforted by the etchings in the band. Softly, a hum started, growing into a haunting melody. The dwarves began to sing about their lost homeland. They did not know that it was her lost homeland as well. Nor did they realize the depths of her determination to see their quest succeed. Her blood warmed as she drifted off to sleep, dreaming about Erebor.