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Happy New Year everyone!
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Daisy followed Bilbo into his little kitchen which was overcrowded with dwarves. The stuck up dwarf that Daisy didn't like was eating some sort of soup dish. At least his table manners are good, even if his everyday manners are appalling. Daisy thought.
Upon seeing the pair enter, the room went silent. It was broken a couple moments later by Gandalf, who was probably acting a bit too cheerful given the current mood that was hanging over Bilbo's residence.
'Ah there you two are! I've just realised Daisy that you have no idea who all these dwarves are, with the exception of a couple.' He said, eyeing Fili and Kili. 'Daisy, allow me to introduce: Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili and the leader of our company Thorin Oakenshield.' Gandalf pointed them out in turn. 'Don't worry; we're not expecting you to remember all of their names. It's taken me the best part of a year.'
Daisy looked at Thorin. So he's the leader of the company She mused. Then:
'Hang on, what company? Where are you going?' Daisy asked, confused. 'And why is Bilbo a burglar?'
'I'm a what?' Bilbo exclaimed in surprise.
'I haven't got round to telling him this yet' Gandalf whispered to Daisy.
'Oops' She whispered back.
'Do not concern yourself with this matter.' Thorin spoke up, his voice deep. Daisy turned to him, angered by the fact he didn't trust her.
'And why not? If I'm to accompany you to this Rivendell place then I demand to know what's going on!' Daisy argued, earning a round of applause from Fili and Kili and a scowl from Thorin.
'Why should I tell you my secrets when you will not tell me yours?' Thorin questioned, his eyes darkening. Daisy was annoyed he had a valid point.
'I think we should all calm down here' Bilbo piped up, clearly getting agitated again. He was ignored.
'In time all will be told. Now Balin, give Bilbo his contract.' Gandalf instructed a very old looking dwarf, who then preceded to hand Bilbo a chunk of paper.
'What's this?' Bilbo asked. Balin muttered something which ended with Funeral Arrangements.
'Funeral arrangements?' Daisy asked, eyebrows raised.
'Funeral arrangements?' Bilbo repeated in a high voice. 'Incineration?' he said in an even higher voice.
'Oh yes, he'll melt the bone of you in the blink of an eye' The one who had asked her about heaven said, Bofur she remembered him being called. 'Think furnace, with wings' Daisy would have laughed at that description if she hadn't been too busy registering what Bofur had just said. Why the hell are they looking for a dragon?! She was pulled out of her thoughts for what seemed like the hundredth time that evening by Bilbo going:
'Nope. Not helping' and then quickly falling to the floor. The dwarves around her chuckled and Bofur looked a bit taken aback.
'Isn't anyone going to help him up?' Daisy asked, outraged that they could just leave poor Bilbo lying in the middle of his own floor. When no one answered she grumbled and made her way over to the unconscious hobbit to start tapping gently at his face to wake up him up. Gandalf hurried over and helped her carry him to a small armchair.
'Thank you Daisy, now if you would excuse us I would like to have a few words with dear Bilbo. Go and help yourself to any food you can find.' Daisy nodded and left to go back to the kitchen.
Instead of finding it crammed with dwarves she found only Fili and Kili in there, talking in hushed tones. As they noticed her arrival they suddenly stopped talking and stood up.
'Miss Daisy!' Fili said, smiling.
'Hey. You can just call me Daisy you know' Daisy replied. Being called Miss Daisy sort of freaked her out a bit.
'Fine then Daisy. Um look, we kinda wanted to apologise.' Kili said a tad awkwardly.
'Yeh we feel bad. I mean, for leaving you but then for not considering that you might have been through something.' Daisy felt a little shocked that they were apologising, they were nothing like their Uncle that was for sure.
'Gandalf explained everything-'
'He what?!' Daisy let out a little shriek. She had been more than ready to forgive them, but now they knew everything? And Gandalf, she didn't even want to know what he'd told them.
'No no! Not everything, I mean only bits. To set everyone straight. Dwalin, you know the guy who's big and said you were lying?' Fili quickly amended his brother's mistake. Daisy nodded, remembering his stare.
'Well' Kili began. 'He doesn't think you're lying anymore. But I think they are all expecting some sort of explanation. But you can hardly be surprised, can you? You turn up here having ended your young life. It's enough to make anyone feel a little unnerved.'
Daisy sat down heavily.
'I suppose you're right. I'm just so confused! Why am I here?' Daisy sighed, putting her head in her hands. Fili put his hand on her shoulder.
'We don't know Daisy. But as you are, we'd advise you make the most of it. The others seem to accept you, it's only Uncle you have to worry about.' He said soothingly.
'Speaking of your Uncle, why didn't you tell me you were royals?' Daisy asked, curious. They shrugged in unison.
'We don't really think of it like that. It's not like we have a kingdom any more' Kili said before Fili hit him.
'We weren't meant to say anything about that' He whispered. 'Thorin's gonna kill us.'
'Why would he?' Daisy asked.
'Um listen Daisy, it's not that we don't want to tell you-'
'But we've been forbidden to…' The sound of a low humming came from the sitting room, and Fili and Kili trailed off.
'Daisy, follow us' They whispered and the three of them walked slowly into the room and sat down amongst the dwarves already there. She noticed Thorin standing by the fireplace looking rather solemn, until he began to sing and she forgot about his arrogance.
Far over, the Mist Mountains cold
To Dungeons deep….
Daisy was entranced by the dwarves singing that she didn't noticed Bilbo standing sadly in the doorway, then walk away to his room.
The trees like torches, blazed with light.
Then it was all over and the dwarves began making sleeping arrangements after grumbling about loosing their burglar. She felt someone sit down heavily beside her and breathe in her ear.
'I've told you my story, now you tell me yours.' It whispered and she immediately recognised Thorin's voice. Daisy looked at him with confusion.
'And when exactly did you tell me that?' She asked curiously. Thorin looked at her. Am I missing something?
'My Company just sang to you; do not tell me you did not understand any of it.' Thorin replied, borderline angry. Daisy couldn't believe it. The one time she didn't listen to anything and it was her ticket to getting on good terms with Thorin.
'Oh well I was just in deep thought. Though I heard the ending about the trees being like torches. Why were they like torches?' She wondered out loud. Then it clicked. 'Was it the dragon?' She whispered, remembering Bofur's description. Thorin looked at her.
'Who told you about that? Was it my nephews?' Thorin threatened. Daisy jumped a little.
'No! No it was just when Bofur described the furnace with wings. Why was there a dragon?'
'If you had been listening then you would have known.'
'But as I wasn't I don't, so tell me.' Daisy said firmly and Thorin huffed.
'My homeland, Erebor or the Lonely Mountain as some call it, was once a rich kingdom under the mountain. Gold was mined far below and the cities were inhabited with the dwarven race. However the as the gold grew, so did greed. One day the dragon, Smaug is his name, attacked the kingdom and the neighbouring city of Dale. He destroyed Dale and took the mountain forcing us out into the wilderness. We have been homeless ever since and we are here to journey East to reclaim Erebor.' Thorin explained and Daisy had to say she was impressed, even though she didn't see how they were going to defeat the dragon.
'How are you planning to kill the dragon?' Daisy asked. Thorin shook his head.
'That doesn't concern you.' Daisy shot him a look. 'I speak the truth. And I cannot have you spread word of our quest once you have departed form us. Now it's your turn.'
Daisy didn't want to tell Thorin anything. But even when she refused to speak he started her explanation for her.
'The men say you killed yourself.' He said softly, but Daisy recognised the all too familiar trace of doubt etched in his voice.
'And what if I did?' Daisy replied coolly, looking ahead at Ori arguing with Bofur about the space near the fire.
'I would like to know why.' Thorin said. 'Ori said you were abused.' Daisy closed her eyes.
'Look, you have to understand. I have no idea why I am in a hobbit hole surrounded by a load of dwarves and off to seek answers from a bunch of elves. This morning I was in my home from, and I expect this is the truth, another world. When I died I thought I'd go to what we call heaven, an afterlife. But I came here.' Daisy shivered a bit, she was still in her damp dress.
'If I may be so bold as to ask, why did you kill yourself? I think we have all been abused by someone at some point yet none of us seemed to have killed ourselves.' Thorin said as if he thought she was mad. Daisy looked at him.
'I was 5 years old when my father decided it would be fun to drink alcohol and hit his only child. I was 13 when he decided that every night was a hit Daisy night. I was 14 when my Mother joined in hitting me. I was 14 when I last had a proper meal. I was 14 when I thought the only way to control my emotions was to cut myself and hope I'd get used to the pain. I was 15 when my only hope of getting out of my hell hole died.' Daisy said, angry that Thorin was talking about it so casually.
Thorin on the other hand desperately wanted to take back what he'd said before.
'And how old are you now?' He asked, voice barely above a whisper.
'Sixteen.' Daisy replied curtly and stood up.
'Where are you going?' Thorin asked, actually concerned for the girl's well being.
'To say goodnight to Bilbo, and ask him if I can sleep in his house tonight as none of you did.' Daisy told him only to have Thorin grab her wrist. She cried out in pain, her cuts were still sore.
'What?' Thorin said, more to himself than her. Daisy withdrew her wrist from his grasp.
'If you've quite finished-.'
'Wait, you haven't told me everything.' Thorin said. Daisy looked at him. It was almost as if he was pleading.
'Neither have you. When you finish your tale I'll finish mine' and with that Daisy left him sitting alone.
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Needless to say she had no idea where Bilbo's room was and so she was rather grateful if not slightly embarrassed when she bumped head long into Gandalf, who pointed her in the right direction.
'Just down the hall there Daisy. Get some sleep tonight, we leave early tomorrow.' He turned and left her standing alone then, and she had the feeling he was keeping something form her again. Realising she was quite tired she quickly hurried down the hall and found the door Gandalf had said.
'Bilbo?' She called and heard shuffling on the other side.
'No Gandalf, I will not have it. And when you leave make sure the Dwarves clean up everything. And do not eat anything for breakfast as I-' He opened the door at this point and his eyes widened when he saw it was Daisy. 'Oh goodness me Miss Daisy I am so dreadfully sorry.' Daisy had a feeling he would have carried on his apologies all night if she had not interrupted him.
'Bilbo! It's alright. And call me Daisy please. I was just wondering if I could stay in your house tonight.' She asked shyly. Bilbo looked at her.
'Of course you can stay! Weren't you anyway?' He asked worriedly.
'I just thought it would be nice if you got a say in something, seeing as the dwarves made it very clear they were staying.' Daisy explained. Bilbo's eyes lit up when she said this.
'Daisy, you are most welcome here. Now you can have the spare bed, let me just make it up for you' Bilbo lead her down the hall a little way until they came to another door. Once inside Bilbo lit up the room and started to make the bed comfy.
'Thank you Bilbo.' Daisy smiled. It was the first sleep she was looking forward to in a long while. Bilbo turned to face her and then cried out:
'Oh! I haven't gotten you anything to wear! You can't sleep in that and I'm certain you can't travel with only one pair of clothes. Bear with me for a moment and I'll be right back.' Daisy watched him go, hoping he had a pair of shoes in the house but knowing it would seem unlikely. He returned a few minutes later carrying a pile of clothing.
'Oh Bilbo, you shouldn't have!' Daisy cried as she picked up a very nice dress. 'Hold on, where did you get these from? They're not yours…..are they?'
'Oh no! Gracious me no! They belonged to my mother. Hopefully they will fit, and last you until you reach Rivendell. Gandalf also said he'd have you a pair of shoes in the morning, though I've no idea where from. No one this side of Bree has a single shoe.' Bilbo explained. Daisy ran at him then and pulled him into a hug.
'This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me' She said, tears threatening to fall. Bilbo, although surprised at first, hugged her back.
'That's quite alright Daisy.' He soothed. She pulled away from him, looking sad.
'I'll miss you Bilbo. You've helped me so much and put up with a lot too,' She said. Bilbo just smiled and left her alone to sleep, wondering if he'd made the right decision regarding Thorin Oakenshield's company.
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Next chapter done and dusted!
Ok guys I'm not sure what pairing this story will end up with. I wasn't planning on a Bilbo/Daisy as I just want them to have a strong friendship. I was originally gonna do Thorin/Daisy, but then I thought there is a very big age difference so it might be slightly creepy! So then I thought about Fili/Kili with Daisy but I'd like to know what you guys think!
Thanks again for reading