Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE HOBBIT! The OC is my original character, all others are that of J.R.R. Tolkien
Chapter One
Thunder in the distance wakes me up several hours later. I roll over on lush grass. My eyes fly open as I sit up. I look around trying to figure out where I am when a couple voices drift toward me on the breeze. I stand and inch toward them slowly. There's a road not too far from where I woke up. Two figures pass by. They're short and thick, not fat but muscular, with no other discernible features in the darkness. I take a step forward and snap! a twig breaks under my foot. The two people stop. They turn with objects glinting in their hands.
"Oiy, come out whomever you are," one of them commands.
With a silent curse I step out onto the road with my hands raised. "Please don't hurt me. I'm unarmed," I state. I wait as two heads come together speaking in hushed tones. The minutes tick by and my arms begin to ache.
"Okay, lass, come with us," the right one comments. I breathe a sigh of relief as my arms drop. I join them as they lead me somewhere I don't know. My nerves set my senses on high alert. The silence carries on and on until a window set in the hill lights up the dark road. My guides turn to walk up the path to the round green door. At the bottom of it is a glowing blue mark. In the light I now see that one of the two men have blond hair and the other brown, slightly lighter than my own. The brunette rings the doorbell.
A huffing little fellow answers the door. The two men bow exclaiming, "Fili and Kili at your service." I make a mental reminder to ask them which one is who. They push their way past the small man.
In the door way I state, "I'm Violet." I enter the foyer as the two men greet two more men equally as gruff as they are. I take a seat in the corner trying, and failing, to fade into my surroundings. Bilbo, the host, offers me food and drink which I respectfully decline as the four short men pound me with questions. I try to answer them as best I can until the doorbell rings once again. Their attention shifts to the other short men that have just fallen in the door, literally, that I watch climb to their feet from my vantage point. The whole house now erupts into chaos as everybody cheers and greets far off friends.
The rambunctious group quiets a small amount when they sit down for supper. I stay in my little niche content just to watch. A tall man dressed all in grey sits next to me with a small sigh. He looks over and smiles, "A loud cheerful group aren't they?"
"Oh very," I chuckle, "I'm Violet."
He replies, "I am Gandalf the Grey. I'm glad to meet you Violet." We sit in silence for a few moments as conversation strikes up again. The men stand and commence with cleaning up their mess. I cannot help the laughter that escapes my lips as plates fly by at dizzying speeds. Poor Bilbo is running about fussing at the way his dishes are being handled. I'm surprised he hasn't passed out from lack of oxygen.
The laughter dies in everyone's throats as a knock sounds at the door. The fourteen men enter the foyer as Bilbo answers the door admitting a regal looking man in blue and silver. "Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way twice. I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door," he states.
Bilbo exclaims, "Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago."
"There is a mark," Gandalf counters, "I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company: Thorin Oakenshield." From my spot in the back I watch as Thorin begins to interrogate the poor fellow about weapons and proceeds to make fun of him. I clench my fist wishing to stick up for the man. Right as I step forward to say something the whole group returns to the dining room to have their meeting.
One word in particular catches my attention. "Dragon," I ask.
Bofur explains, "Yes. Smaug the Terrible. The chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals." I look at all the men in turn. They're expressions are still as if frozen in place. Balin hands Bilbo a contract and as he reads over it Bofur keeps describing to him what Smaug, dragons in general really, are like and can do. The poor thing passes out from fright.
Surprisingly, my curiosity is peaked. As Gandalf takes Bilbo into another room to relax and the others disperse to await his answer I find myself seeking out the two boys that brought me here. They're sitting together in a corner with their heads together whispering. I clear my throat as I approach to get their attention. "How long do you suspect you will be gone," I ask.
They shrug in unison before the blond answers, "Not really sure lass, but until the quest is finished we won't be quitting."
"Uh huh." I sit down nearby as thoughts swirl through my head. What if I went in Bilbo's place? Could I even succeed in what they want me to do? Well, you never truly know unless you try. Why not it would be good maybe even build your confidence. "What if I signed the contract in Bilbo's place? I'm not exactly small, but I'm quiet and I'm sure I can handle myself in a fight," I ask the boys.
Once again they look at each other. This time, though, they put their heads together to whisper to each other. When they separate the brunette states, "I will go talk to Uncle." He stands to walk away leaving me with his brother.
"So, Violet, where do you come from?"
I take a deep breath before answering, "Seeing as how I'm not sure exactly where I am, I can't tell you where I'm from."
He chuckles, "Well, describe it."
"I live in a large house with a small yard around it. There are many homes close to mine and in the distance you can see tall buildings. They look as if they're touching the sky. I have a mother who works for a trading company and my dad was a military man until he passed away. I attend school about half a mile from my home," I explain.
He smiles, "Sounds like it's a little crowded."
I nod turning toward him to tell him more about my school when his brother returns. "Uncle said that he would except you if you signed, but he is not responsible for your fate and if the Hobbit decides to join us then you could be asked to leave the company," he relays. I look between their two faces contemplating if it was a good idea to even ask. I don't understand how I could have even considered not going and nod my head once. They both smile at me their eyes lighting up.
Smiling as well, I go in search of the contract. Asking for something to write with I'm handed a quill and some ink. Dipping the quill I sign my name just below the dotted line. Setting my expression in a determined fashion I hand it to an older man with white hair. He examines it closely through a small eye glass. Looking up he nods to the regal man from earlier. They seem satisfied and I'm welcomed into the company.
Bilbo retires to his room soon after leaving us to ourselves. The lights in the house are dimmed or out altogether. In the sitting room around the hearth the Dwarves, as I had learned they were, begin to sing.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To find out long forgotten gold
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were mourning in the night
The fire was red it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light
It's a low song and quickly fills the room with a melancholy feeling. I can understand the longing in their voices. The loss of a home. My eyelids begin to feel heavy and I allow myself to doze for a while.
The next day is beautiful and warm as Fili and Kili lead me to our transportation. Embarrassed I look down kicking at the ground saying, "I've never rode a horse before."
"Well, these are ponies, but I understand," Fili encourages, "It's not hard once you've been on one for a few hours." I look up at him as he gives me an attractive smile. I can't help but return it. He assists me into the saddle and mounts his own pony that's standing in front of mine. Ten minutes later everyone is mounted and ready to begin our journey.
I ride in silence as the Dwarves begin debating and setting wagers about whether Bilbo will show up. We're almost out of the green rolling hills of the Shire when Bilbo can be heard yelling, "Wait! Stop, I've signed it." My face falls as I think, Please don't make me leave the company.
"Everything seems to be in order," Balin declares. Fili looks back at me a sad expression on his face. One that mirrors my own. I distract myself with the scenery passing by at a leisurely pace. The forest is beautiful and in full bloom with small woodland creatures scurrying about minding their own business.
I frown I wish some other people would mind their own business and stop tormenting me. "Penny for your thoughts," Fili asks.
I look at him blinking. "I'm just thinking of some people from back home," I reply.
"The same people who gave you those scars on your arms," he asks innocently. His eyes darken as they focus on the horizontal scars that cover my forearms. I cross my arms to hide them as best I can shaking my head. He narrows his eyes at me momentarily before turning to face forward. I sigh defeated He's gonna find out eventually that I did this to myself. What's wrong with just telling him? Well, he wouldn't be interested in me after that. He'd probably go far out of his way to avoid me.
That night Kili helps me down from my saddle. I groan as I stretch my legs and rub my sore backside. Bofur calls me over to the fire and hands me a bowl of stew with a smile. I return it going to find a place to stand out of the way and eat in peace. The food is amazing. I quickly inhale every last bite and return the bowl to the Dwarf. I go and take a seat near the fire watching as everyone is unpacking bedrolls and blankets. I shiver just as the wind blows through the camp making the fire dance in its stone circle.
"Here," Fili offers, "Take mine. When Kili relieves me of the watch I'll go sleep on his." He hands me a bundle of blankets, one really thick and a thinner one. I smile up at him shyly with a blush. He returns my shy smile before going to sit across the fire.
I stand and shake the thicker one out so that it lays flat on the ground. Sitting on it I unfold the thinner blanket and lay down. I hadn't realized until then just how tired I was. Rolling onto my side facing the fire, and Fili on the other side of it, I smile closing my eyes. I really like Fili. I just hope he likes me too.