Hi. Sorry that you had to wait, but I tried to make it perfect (well, I have three more chapters, but i was reading this over and over again, so...). It's late birthday gift for Katherine, because she's perf.
I hope you will enjoy this chapter :)
"The... what beast?" Bilbo asked, standing in a corridor near me.
The dwarf with a cute hat replied "Well, that'd be a reference to 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...".
"Yes, I know what the dragon is" hobbit interrupted calmly, but I saw he didn't like that idea and I wasn't surprised. I wouldn't be happy either.
"I'm not afraid, I'm up for it!" yelled Ori, getting up from his chair. "I'll give him a taste of dwarvish iron right up jacksy!"
Dwarves were fuming and one of them dragged him to down, ordering him to sit down. I felt sorry for him, because it was kind of cruel how they silenced him, but on the other hand I knew how Smaug defeated army commanded by Thror and Thráin – Thorin's grandfather and father. My dad told me this story when i was a child. it wasn't hard to understand that thirteen of them, wizard, hobbit and me were too few.
And it wasn't only my thought, because when i was wondering about it, the oldest stated, that this job would be hard for a whole army. "Not thirteen of the best, nor brightest." All of dwarves were full of indignation, when they heard that someone called them dim.
The noises stopped when blonde's voice cut the air "We may be few in number, but we're fighters. All of us! To the last dwarf!" and handsome one quickly added "And do you forget, we have a wizard in our company... Gandalf would've killed hundreds of dragons in his time!"
When I heard this I hardly stayed silent. I was giggling through my hands, but luckily no one seemed to hear me. Mithrandir froze for a moment with a hesitation and then he shook his head, raising his eyebrows as he heard him. "oh, well... no, I wouldn't say..." Gandalf started to explain himself, but someone interjected him asking "How many then?" Wizard frowned and simply replied 'what?' He was so flustered and I wanted to hug him so much, but I couldn't and it was killing me inside! The question was repeated, "How many dragons have you killed?" My dearest friend started to cough through his pipe with fright in his eyes. They all started to yell and each one louder than former one, asking for a number of dragons killed by him. I pitied him for that, because actually, Gandalf had never killed a dragon, but how could he explain it to them? There was no way, because they all thought he was... dragon slayer or something.
Finally, Thorin got up. "Enough!" he bellowed in tongue of dwarves and company shut their mouths in a second. "if we have read these signs, do you not think others would've read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty 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? or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" He boomed, lads raised their mugs and we all nodded (yes, even me!).
Wrong. Not all of us. The oldest one stopped our cheering, "You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain."
"That my dear Balin is not entirely true." it seemed like Mithrandir knew something we didn't. Surprised, I glimpsed at old man, noticing in my head name of that white-haired dwarf. 'There is a way into mountain? But... everyone knows Smaug's presence means no available entrance onto Erebor!" I wondered, lending an ear to hear the story about key, which just appeared in wizard's hands. He explained that he got it from Thráin for safe keeping and then he handed it to king. "It is yours" man informed.
"If there is a key, there must be a door" blonde lad remarked and then it was too much for me. I needed to leave this place for a while, because Gandalf didn't want me to be seen by Thorin. I left that room and disappeared in another one. i was really frightened that I'd start laughing so hard, that I wouldn't stop it. Balin was right saying they aren't really brightest. I sat by the window and took few deep breaths trying to calm myself.
The Shire looked really beautiful in the evening. It was dark and only moon gave some light to this tiny town. The moon and fireflies. My eyes never saw that many of those insects at the same time in the same spot. In few houses, in windows there still were shining candles and all of that together made this place amazing with this unique beauty. Hobbits sat on benches near round doors of their homes with their children running and trying to catch some glowing I could, I'd spend hours sitting on the grass in Bilbo's garden and just watch the Hobbiton. Smile appeared on my face, when I thought about searching for my place. In that moment all I wanted was to find my spot in this world, where I'd want to come back to no matter what.
It was amazing for me that hobbits love to live under the ground. I couldn't do that for more than few days, because nature was so important to me. And stars. There is nothing more beautiful than view of dark skies full of shining stars. I seldom sleep in inns or barns when there is some town nigh me. Sleeping in high grass under the sky is much more interesting than dirty room in burgh. When Gandalf approached me near Bree I spent the night in the same spot, where he found me. And honestly, staying in the same place for a long time is not for me, it's too boring. My friend once said that someday I would find someone who I'd love and then we'd find a place, where I'd like to stay forever.
This trip from Bree to Shire in few hours was really exhausting, but i wanted to stay awake so yawning loudly, I sneaked into the kitchen and splashed some water on my face. I heard my friend explaining "The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map. I do not have the skill to find 'em, but there are others in Middle-Earth who can". I found one clean mug and drank some ale from it, sitting by the table. After finishing, returned to the company.
"Me? No, I'm not a burglar. I have never stolen a thing in my life!" it seemed like they finally told him, why king was speaking about burglar before. Bilbo was full of indignation, when he stated that.
Balin glared at him for a while and agreed with him. "He is hardly a burglar material". Twelve of them begun to yell and scream about Baggins doesn't fit to their journey and what the hell they would do.
Gandalf got up from his chair, whole room was covered with darkness by him and in deep voice he said: "Enough; if I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar and a burglar he is!" The light appeared again as he calmed himself down. His voice returned to the original sounding. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can past unseen by most if they choose and while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarves, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage." Bilbo gazed at wizard with fear all over his face, scared of even interrupting speaking Gandalf. I pitied him, because I knew something about hobbits – they didn't want to leave their villages, they didn't want to travel, they didn't want to be late for a dinner. And now he found out that they want him to sneak near the dragon. old man had sat and spoke to the leader: "You asked me to find fourteenth member of this company and I have chosen mister Baggins. There's a lot more to him that appearance have suggest and he's got a great deal to offer, than any of you know... including himself. You must trust me on this."
After few long seconds, Oakenshield nodded. "Very well, we'll do it your way" he agreed.
Before he added something more, wizard interrupted, "You asked me to find fourteenth member, right? Well, I did more than that. i found even the fifteenth member, but please, don't judge her for aspect or posture of hers. I think she will fit perfectly to the company... and she will be useful. Come here, sweetheart." Mithrandir waved at me and I walked to him. I caressed fabric of my shirt and stood near him. I bowed to the Thorin and looked him straight into his eyes. He chuckled watching me and I snorted. "My dear Thorin, allow me to introduce you my dearest friend, Táraëil Anárion". Then, king greeted me and bowed his head, looking at me carefully. He was suspicious, when he looked at me. And I was right with that, because few seconds later he asked what I could do to be useful. "She is great doctor, perfect scout and she is pretty handy in archery. Her eyes will help us, trust me. But Táraëil, I'm sorry, you might have a problem with win archery contest with Kili" he pointed his finger at dark haired one, who was staring at me with interest. 'Kili... I like this name' I thought in that moment, but quickly shook my head and put all of my attention at wizard. "I think she would beat all of you in contest like this."
I punched him gently in arm, giggling quietly and all eyes in room were on me. Bilbo gasped and I smiled to him. I had to remember not to laugh with them for all of us safety. "I think I'm better in archery now, Gandalf. I had few years of training since we last saw each other. if... Kili can shot accurately while he sits on speeding horse then he can beat me, but I don't think that he could do that". He looked at me amused, when I was saying this. I smiled to him, bowing my head lightly. He answered giving me a sneer.
"I vouch for her with my own life" Gandalf spoke quietly and I turned my sight at him, shaking my head. "I am asking you to trust me once again."
I looked straight into his eyes and hissed "Stop it. Don't say things like that. Never, Gandalf". There were few tears ran down my cheeks, but luckily only he saw them. "Please... you are my family, you are the only one I have got." I muttered. He smiled comforting to me and patted my head.
"Fine. Give them the contract" Thorin told Balin and the oldest pulled two sheets of paper. on one of them he started to write quickly and when he ended he gave hobbit one and second he handed to king, who signed it and transferred it to me. I leant at wall and started reading, but soon Bilbo interrupted me with his question.
"Funeral arrangements?" he spoke with his voice collapsing, but no one responded at that. I glimpsed at him, when he left the dining room and stand in the corridor. I wanted to start reading again, but I heard Thorin's voice.
"I cannot guarantee their safety." He murmured to Mithrandir, thinking that no one could hear them. Wrong, my lord, I have better hearing than any of Bilbo's guest and himself. I looked at my contract, imitate reading, but I couldn't quit eavesdropping those two. My friend nodded this had and replied that he had understood. "Nor will I be responsible for their fate."
"Agreed" he replied with hesitation after few seconds.
When I heard Halfling again, i moaned quietly with resignation and asked for the pen. I slanted above the table and signed contract just below Thorin and Balin's signatures. I left the sheet there and came over Bilbo. "You read it?" he asked and looked at me with astonishment, when I replied that I didn't have to, because I am trusting dwarves and Gandalf and then he returned to reading. "Terms: cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fifteenth the total profit, if any. Seems fair. Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to... lacerations... evisceration..." he read. "incineration?" he asked, looking suspicious at them. I swallowed, thinking that signed this contract was a stupid idea, but I really trusted my friend so after two deep breaths I stopped thinking about it.
Dwarf in hat responded, "oh aye. He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." I shook at that thought and blinked few times trying to calm myself. I looked at Bilbo, but he was in worse state than I, because he moaned silently and took few long, deep breaths.
"You alright, laddie?" Balin asked with care, peering at him.
"I feel- feel a little bit faint" hobbit mumbled trying to catch his breath. He leant and put his hand on his knees.
"Think furnace with wings" dwarf added, after he rose from his chair. I glared at him with anger and trying not to come over and hit him in that stupid head.
"Air" Bilbo whispered. "I need... need air". I was trying to help him leave this place, but I was interrupted.
"Flash of light, searing pain and poof!" Dwarf's hands flew into the air. "You're nothing more than a pile of ash." When I heard this I ran over to him.
Word "no" got into my ears and I heard bang. I realized that this means Bilbo passed out, but I didn't turn to him. "Very helpful, Bofur."
"Do you even think about what you saying or doing?" I hissed and all the dwarves shut their mouths. I stuck my finger in his chest feeling rage bubbling up in my body. "Look at him and think that he never fought. HE NEVER FOUGHT." I spelled to him. "if you weren't fighting before, would you like to hear something like this? oh sorry, I forgot that you are bloody DWARF and he is only a HOBBiT. He is frightened, you know? You come to his house and informed him, that he is your burglar and he can't even say anything. You just made it all worse. Try to convince him now to come to this journey with you." I shook with anger, glaring intensively at him. "Is it so hard to keep your mouth shut? Were you thinking that is funny to frighten him? It wasn't and I'm done with this. You are an idiot, Bofur."
Some of them tried to say something to defend his friend, but I frowned, folding my arms across chest and peered into them. "Don't even think about it now. Just stay silent for a few minutes and think not to something like Bofur next time." They all nodded, so I took a deep breath, shaking my head. I turned, searching for my bag and when I found it.
"He must to know, Táraëil" Bofur muttered and I sighed.
"I know that, lad, believe me, I know, but it was too much for a one time. Especially today, when he found out about this trip of yours. I am sorry for my behaviour, Bofur. It was mean" he smiled to me cheerfully, waving his palm for me to forget about it.
I left the room and saw Gandalf putting Bilbo in big, comfy chair. I knelt beside them and searched for a small glass bottle in my bag. I opened it and put it under hobbit's nose. He flinched, when the scent reached his nose and opened his eyes. "How are you, Bilbo? Everything alright?" I asked politely. I hid the bottle in my sack and started to wipe his forehead with a cloth.
Bofur knocked at wall and when I allowed him, he entered the room and apologise to Bilbo, giving him a cup of tea. Bilbo smiled poorly saying "we are good", so dwarf nodded and left our three. "I'll be alright, miss Táraëil..." he heard my sighing and corrected himself. "Tára. Just let me sit quietly for a moment"
"You've been sitting quietly for far too long!" Mithrandir grunted. "Tell me, when did doilies and mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit, who was always running in search of elves in the woods..." when he said that he looked at me with a big smile and I chuckled. "A young hobbit who would've like nothing better than to find out what was beyond the border of the Shire." Wizard looked through the window and pointed it out. "The world is not in your books and maps. It's out there!"
"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of a Bag End." he responded loudly, raising finger of his right hand. He obviously thought that this would end this conversation, but he couldn't be more wrong.
I started at Mithrandir. He was more like a father to me than my real one. I left the room quietly and sat on a bench in another room. My dad, after the mom died, changed. He wasn't the same. He never laugh, never talk too much. All of he was doing was sitting in his home. One of his friends took my brother and raised him as hers own child. I lost both of my parents when I was thirteen. I finished my education and left that place as soon as it was possible. I found Gandalf and helped him in his journeys for almost eighteen years. And he treated me like his daughter – he cared for me, he started to teach me... 'He IS my father' I whispered to myself, trying to convince myself that this is true.
Two pairs of legs stand in front of me, so I raised my eyes to meet dark haired and blonde dwarves.