A/N: I do not own the Hobbit nor any of its creations. It belongs to great J.R.R. Tolkien and the wonderful visions of Peter Jackson made real by MGM and New Line Cinema. I own Fallon, her family, background and heritage. I make no profit from this story and only seek to bring entertainment to other like-minded individuals as myself. Thank you and please review.
Chapter Two
I dressed in a gray sweater dress with black leggings and plain black flats. It had celtic interwoven designs on the sides of the v-neck. It fitted the chest and torso before flaring out into a skirt that reached a few inches above the knees. The sleeves were three-quarters length and a white, lace camisole was worn underneath for modesty's sake. I put my hair into a quick braid that hung over my left shoulder. The necklace that my uncle had made and gave me for my sixteenth birthday hung in its place. It was a beautiful pendent, the size of a half-dollar coin, made from a round and smooth-surfaced diamond with the Trinity symbol engraved into it and filled with silver. The silver chain it hung on was plain but strong and could handle being worn daily.
Gandalf was waiting outside the Inn as planned when I stepped out into the warm Spring air. Apparently the seasons were different or time was warped, since I'd left in December and it was now April.
"Ah! Fallon, my dear. I must say you look beautiful in that dress, though the style is foreign to me."
"Thank y-"
My reply was cut short by exclamations from a group of men. Or rather, a group of Dwarves. From the distance and lack of lighting, I could only see their shapes in the late evening. I let out a breath at seeing they were barely taller than me and some were even shorter. My petite size always set me on edge when in large crowds, most people being a half foot to a whole foot taller than I. As they grew closer and greeted Gandalf, I stayed back and took them in. I was always best at observing my surroundings and made a habit out of people-watching. It really wasn't as creepy as it sounds. I simply found people interesting.
They seemed to be grouped in two's and three's, even with the familiarity between the whole group. I took notice of their names as Gandalf mentioned them as they spoke. Oin was an older Dwarf with grey hair that was partially pulled back into a braid at the back of his head that looked like a swooped horn. His beard forked in two and was braided outwards in a curl. He had an ear trumpet that told me he had a difficult time hearing. Gloin was his younger brother with red hair. His beard had many clasps in it, making an interesting pattern. He had brown eyes and a slight scar above one eye.
Dori had an intricate hairstyle with criss-crossing braids around his head and his beard clasped in a silver tube-like container. He was the oldest brother with Nori being the middle and Ori being the youngest. Nori had auburn hair in three sections with small braids with each one, similar to a starfish. His sideburns were braided as well as his beard, making three more sections on the bottom half of his face. His eyebrows also ran into braids into his hair. He had a sly look about him and I knew to keep an open eye on my possessions with him around. Ori was gentle-looking, Dori's mothering behavior not helping his appearance as the youngest. His hair was a sort of bowl shape with braids often appearing with his small beard in two braids. His brown eyes were doe-like and innocent.
The last three were related as well and the only ones not of Durin's Folk. My eyes immediately went to the largest Dwarf. He had ginger red hair that went to his shoulders, slightly puffy but with a large braid wrapping around his neck and hanging to his stomach. He had bangs and his mutton chops were groomed away from his face into his hair while his chin was bare. He was Bombur. The next one, Bofur, was his brother. Wearing a strangely shaped trapper's hat, he was hard to miss and gave off a fun-loving, cheerful aura. His dark brown hair was braided into two sections that curved out slightly and reminded me of Pippy Longstockings. He had a long handlebar mustache with a goatee. The last was the two formers' cousin, named Bifur. He also had an eye-catching accessory. The remains of an axe was embedded in his forehead and I was amazed he was still alive after such an injury. His black hair was wild with a tuff of silver which showed up more in his beard. His long mustache was braided on each side and somehow managed to swift perfectly from black to silver and again.
"Well, I am glad you have all made it safely." Gandalf said, before beckoning me forward. "May I introduce you all to my companion, Lady Fallon."
Instantly, eight pairs of eyes were on me. I held my straight posture, acting as if their stares didn't unnerve me. I noticed how their attentions seemed to hover on my face but frequently cast glances at my hair. At least, they weren't like men from my- the other world, I amended. Though the intensity in which they appraised me made my stomach knot. I dipped a quick curtsy in greeting.
"Now...now," Gandalf chided as if they were children. "You're all acting as if you've never seen a lovely young lady before."
At Gandalf's words, they seemed to snap out of whatever held them and greeted me in turn. They all offered their services with me offering the same. Ori blushed and stuttered over his words which I found adorable. Not that I'd tell him that. We quickly got underway and walked to Mr. Baggins' home with Gandalf leading the way. I was walking next to Bofur with his brother and cousin behind us. Dori and Nori followed Gandalf, forcing Ori to as well while Oin and Gloin brought up the rear. The whole way, though short, was filled with laughs from Bofur's hilarious stories. By the time we'd reached a round green door with a glowing rune etched into the wood of it, my sides ached from laughing so much in so little time. Upon announcing that we'd arrived, the Dwarves' eagerness for warm food seemed to get the better of them. They rang the bell and crowded around the entrance. Shouting was heard inside and suddenly, the door sprang open.
The Dwarves all fell into a great heap at the large, hairy feet of the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins. His expression was exasperated and he seemed resigned when his eyes met those of Gandalf.
"Gandalf..." he murmured as if he had lost a long-fought war.
I finally laughed as the Dwarves tried and failed to pick themselves up. With the help of Gandalf and myself, the Dwarves were soon introducing themselves before filtering through Mr. Baggins' home.
"Hello, Mr. Baggins. It's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted, dipping a slight curtsy. "I'm Fallon."
He fumbled for words as his eyes lit upon me before, "U-uh, you as well. L-lady Fallon."
I smiled at him before leaving him with Gandalf who was trying not to bump into anything. I imagine it was quite difficult to be so tall in a home so small. I giggled at the thought until I noticed the previous noise had ceased. I looked up and realized I had wandered towards the others. Now I was once again the center of attention. Four new sets of eyes were staring and I shifted my weight to my right leg. Awkward silence descended and Gandalf wasn't present to break it this time. Summoning my courage while shoving my shyness away, I dipped a small curtsy to the newest Dwarves.
"I'm Fallon...at your service."
The spell was broken and the two younger looking Dwarves scrambled towards me, shoving the other in a race to get to me before the other. My eyes widened, not used to people wanting my attention so much; least of all, people of the male gender. They were stood before me in an instant and bowed in sync.
"Fili," the dark blonde greeted.
"Kili," the dark brunette said.
"At your service!"
They both took a hand and pressed a kiss to the knuckles while keeping a steady gaze on my face. The face I just knew was flushing pink at their actions. With twin winks, they moved away as Gandalf and Bilbo appeared. In a sudden whirlwind of movement, the Dwarves had silently agreed it was time to eat and started emptying Bilbo's pantry of all food's stuff. I shook my head to clear my buzzing thoughts about cheeky, young Dwarves when the last two appeared.
"Hello, Lassie." This Dwarf was clearly the oldest of the gathering with short, white hair but his beard was long and curled outwards before him slightly. "I'm Balin...at your service."
He bowed at the waist with his arms spread out before straightening.
"Hello, Balin. It's nice to meet you."
He smiled a grand-fatherly smile before joining the others.
The tallest Dwarf present had an intimidating appearence; a shaved head with tattoos across it, a scar that went through his right eyebrow that cut his nose a bit, metal knuckle-dusters, big muscles and general aura of strength. His hair was black and passed his shoulders in the back with a beard and mustache that slightly forked. Like his older brother, there was no adornments worn in his hair or beard. He did wear an ear cuff on an ear that looked to have a part bitten off. However, his blue eyes shone with sincerity through the experience of life seen in them. He stood before me and bowed.
"Dwalin, at your service."
His voice was deep with a timbre akin to some of the others but different as well.
I nodded with a smile before we both moved into the dining room to take seats at the table. A seat had been saved next to Gandalf for me and I slid into it easily. Soon, food was tossed about as conversations picked up around the table. Gandalf kindly gave me a full plate and I ate silently, passing eyes over the company and watching their interactions with each other. They were certainly a fun group though a bit rough around the edges. I say this because of the burping contest, not that it's the worst thing I've ever seen. People were exceedingly rude back in the modern world.
After everyone had finished, save perhaps Bombur, they filtered through the Hobbit hole into different areas. I pressed myself against the wall as Bofur and Nori passed by, having a tugging war with a long link of sausages. Bilbo's fretful complaints filled the air as he spoke with Gandalf and I sat on a low stool in front of the fireplace in the kitchen near Dwalin. Suddenly a rhythm started up and I watched dishes come flying into the room to Bifur who was at sink. He never dropped a single thing and I heard others making a beat with silverware on the dining table and foot stomping. I rocked my heard to the beat and laughed lightly at the words to the song.
Blunt the knives and bend the forks!
Smash the bottles and burn the corks!
Chip the glasses and crack the plates!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth and tread the fat!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Splash the wine on every door!
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl!
Pound them up with a thumping pole!
And when you've finished, if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Everyone laughed in the kitchen where they'd gathered and the dishes were clean and stacked on the kitchen table. Bilbo looked astonished which only served to fuel the Dwarves' amusement. I smiled at the scene. I was liking the idea of traveling with these Dwarves more and more. Suddenly, three loud knocks echoed through the home and placed a heavy silence on everyone. Gandalf looked up, his eyes ominous as he gazed at us.
-:- -:- -:- -:- -:-
I've had 3 reviews so far.
Thank you,
Ari
meredith.
Taralia-Rebelle-Sky
You're reviews are motivating. It would help if people voted and perhaps, even told me why you'd want whichever Dwarf to have a romance. So far, the votes are as follows...
Thorin- 2
Dwalin- 2
Bofur- 1
Thank you again and I'll update soon.
UnwrittenJourney