Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Hobbit or Tolkien's works.
This chapter is for Fallen-Ryu. My thanks
The last thing Thorin had expected when he knocked on the door of a hobbit hole was a woman. And one who nearly resembled a Mirkwood elf; she had long, wavy silver-blond hair that might've brushed the floor if it hadn't been braided. There were no pointed ears, so he knew that she wasn't an Elf, but it was the eyes that gave him pause. They were gray but so light in color that he would've thought her blind if she weren't looking straight at him.
He blinked and nodded in greeting. "Is this the home of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins?" She smiled at him and answered, "It is at that, Master Dwarf. Please come in and welcome. I'm fairly certain that everyone else in your group has arrived." He came inside, looking at her with much curiosity, even more suspicion and perhaps even a smidgen of amazement. She bit back a giggle, knowing that her presence in the house was confusing, as well as her appearance being unusual. But any explanations could wait until later.
Bilbo had been curious to see the thirteenth dwarf and come out into the hallway. Now he looked intimidated and awestruck at the same time; Lorelei couldn't blame him for Thorin's grey-streaked dark hair and striking blue eyes gave him a kingly look indeed. Thorin looked at him appraisingly and said, "So this is the hobbit... he looks more like a grocer to me." He began to question Bilbo rapidly and the hobbit's answers clearly weren't what the kingly dwarf was looking for.
All were silent as Thorin entered the kitchen and took the seat at the head of the table. Lorelei quickly filled a bowl with soup and poured ale for him. He accepted with a nod and grateful eyes.
He looked proud at seeing the other dwarves already there and seemed to savor the hot food as he ate. After a moment Balin asked, "What news from the meeting at Ered Luin?" Thorin said that envoys from all seven of the main families had come to conference. Dwalin also piped up, saying, "What of the Iron Hills? Is Dain with us?" Thorin sighed. "He will not come, says this is our quest and ours alone." The entire atmosphere dimmed at the announcement with many shaking their heads in disappointment.
Oin and Gloin both spoke of omens that spoke of the time being right to return to Erebor, of ravens being sighted there again as was 'foretold'. Many of the others were skeptical; it seemed that Oin saw himself as a something of a seer as well as healer and was sometimes ridiculed for it. An argument began and Bilbo became slightly distressed, looking at Lorelei helplessly. She shrugged.
After a moment, Thorin stood up and yelled 'Enough!' in Kudzul, making everyone sit down and be quiet. Lorelei barely refrained from raising an eyebrow and thought 'Note to self, never irritate Thorin Oakenshield.' Thorin began to speak of how Smaug had not been sighted for sixty years and others would have noticed this as well. "Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back and let others claim what is rightfully ours or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" His passionate words roused his companions and they loudly voiced approval.
Balin spoke after a moment, obviously the calm of age amongst the passionate storm of youth. "You forget the front gate is sealed! There is no way into the mountain." With this truth, the mood began to dim again but Lorelei spoke up. "Are you so sure of that, Master Balin?" When everyone looked at her, she glanced at Gandalf and smiled. "Am I right, old friend?"
Gandalf got a knowing look on his face and used his sleight-of-hand to make a large key appear. Thorin's eyes widened as he recognized the item. When he softly questioned how Gandalf came to possess such a thing, the wizard answered, "It was given to me by your father, Thrain, for safe-keeping... It is yours now." He handed the item over and Thorin looked both sad and reverent as he turned the key over and over in his hands. Lorelei supposed that he was remembering his father and considering the very real possibility of entering the Mountain other than the front gates. He was also probably regretting that his father wouldn't be there to see it done.
Fili and Kili seemed more hopeful now at the prospect of having another way into their ancestral home but there was one problem that Gandalf quickly pointed out: actually finding the door since Dwarf doors were invisible when closed. "The answer lies somewhere in this map; I do not have the skill to find it but there are others in Middle Earth who can."
Thorin raised an eyebrow at Gandalf's insinuation but said nothing. The wizard went on to say that this mission would require a great deal of stealth and care, which brought them to Bilbo. "Give him the contract." Thorin said. Balin produced a length of parchment and gave it to the hobbit.
Bilbo looked at Lorelei in uncertainty and she shook her head. "I cannot tell you what to do, young master Bilbo. It is ultimately your choice." His hands clutched at the parchment, which was still folded up. "I know but I would greatly appreciate it if I speak with you for a moment, Mistress Lorelei?"
Lorelei nodded immediately. "Of course, excuse us, Gandalf, Master Dwarves." As she went past Gandalf, she winked at him, unseen from the others. The wizard relaxed slightly and the Dwarves looked slightly confused. But the pair paid them no mind and went to the nearby study. Bilbo sat in his armchair while Lorelei delicately sat on a nearby windowsill. "What is it, Bilbo?"
"Miss Lorelei, Hobbits aren't known for going on adventures or even housing strangers. These are rough-and-tumble Dwarves who've obviously had a much harder life than I. How am I to possibly help? ... I'm not a burglar of any kind, no matter what Gandalf says!"
Lorelei placed a gentle hand on Bilbo's arm. "I think that you would be surprised at what you can do when the right circumstances occur. All beings often discover new things about themselves when under pressure or experiencing new things. And no matter what the expectations or needs of this Company, no one will pressure you into anything. As I said before, the decision is up to you alone. And there is still time to think it over, so take advantage of it." After patting his arm, Lorelei got to her feet and then hesitated. "Though I have to say... it would ease my mind greatly to have you along, burglar or not. I have a feeling that you would be... a calming influence."
She walked into the hallway and saw Balin and Thorin. "It seems that we have lost our burglar." She shook her head at Balin's statement. "I do not think so, Master Balin. I think that you will only have to wait a little longer for an answer."
Thorin raised an eyebrow again but before he could say anything, Lorelei said, "I know that you have questions about my presence and I will gladly answer them. But I would prefer to tell everyone at one time and in a more comfortable setting than a hallway. Let us join the others in the living room."
Within minutes, the dwarves were gathered in that place and Lorelei sat in the middle of the room on a comfortable stool. "I am sure that you are all eaten up with curiosity about me. Since I am to come with you on this journey, I find it wise to tell you everything, in order to establish trust between us."
She looked around the room, locking eyes with every Dwarf. "My story will be fairly unbelievable to you but I swear to Aule," the Dwarves perked up at this. "that I speak nothing but the truth."
Taking a deep breath, Lorelei began her tale...
Author's note: Fallen-Ryu, you have asked that I not make Lorelei a Mary-Sue and I don't intend to. But I need your help, as you are the only reviewer I currently have. I'm wanting to use one of the lesser Valar Queens or female Maiar as Lorelei's true form and want your opinion as it is a very hard choice. Which do you think would be the best fit or should I just make up an OC Maia? Thank you!