Chapter 4! This is my longest chapter yet, so happy. Though it took forever to type up. i couldn't get my pic up so hopefully will be up by next chapter, sorry about that. Thank you so much for the people who have Favorited and Followed and Reviewed!
Eliza was starting to become nervous. Not because of the new arrival, but of the worried glances some of the dwarves sent her way.
"Gandalf," said a deep voice once Gandalf had opened the door, "I thought you said this place was easy to find, I lost my way, twice. I wouldn't have found it if it wasn't for that mark on the door." He continued on. The owner of that voice was a raven haired dwarf of proud stature.
"Mark! There's no mark on that door it was painted a week ago!" Shouted Bilbo.
"There is a mark, I put it there myself," said Gandalf, "Bilbo, allow me to introduce you to the leader of our company, Thorin Oakanshield."
At the mention of his name, Thorin crossed his arms over his chest, "So this is the Hobbit. Tell me Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin asked circling Bilbo.
"Excuse me?" asked a confused Bilbo.
"Axe or Sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin continued on.
"Well, I do have some skills at conkers if you must know," Bilbo replied before quickly adding, "But I fail to see how that's relevant."
"Thought as much," concluded Thorin, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."
Eliza felt herself become angry towards Thorin. He had no right to just come in and embarrass Bilbo like that. She knew that she should have kept her mouth shut, but she couldn't help muttering, "I'm pretty sure he has more to him than you assume."
Thorin's piercing blue eyes met hers. It seemed that Thorin had heard her. Oops. Giving Gandalf a glance he said stiffly, "I didn't know that you invited a dwarf lady here."
"Yes, Eliza will be joining on this quest," said Gandalf.
Thorin didn't look to happy at what Gandalf had just told him, "I will not have a lady join on this quest," he said angrily.
"Why not?" asked Gandalf.
"She will slow us down," his grumpy highness replied.
"Excuse me, but I'm perfectly capable on not slowing you down, but that doesn't mean I want to come" Eliza said in defense.
"Thorin, Eliza is from the other world. I wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this," said Gandalf.
Thorin along with the other dwarves looked shocked. "I still don't want a lady joining on this quest."
"Fine by me," added Eliza.
"Thorin, just because Eliza is a lady doen't mean she can't come," Gandalf said irritably.
"Can you fight?" Thorin asked her seeming to already know the answer.
"Nope" she replied popping the 'P'.
"Very well then, Eliza will travel with me, but she will still be coming along," said a determined Gandalf.
Thorin still didn't like the fact that Eliza would be coming but the quest needed Gandalf. "Fine," he said angrily, "But she will not be part of the company,"
"Excellent!" said Gandalf clapping his hands together. "I believe we have some things to discuss" he said heading towards the kitchen with everyone following him.
As Thorin was eating his stew, Balin asked, "What news from the meeting at Ered Luin? Did they come?"
"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms," Thorin answered.
"And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Asked Dwalin who was beside Thorin, "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin looked disappointed for a moment before saying with a sign, "They will not come. They say that this quest is ours and ours alone."
There was a murmur of disappointment among the group. Eliza thought that they were probably relying on Dain to help them.
"Your going on a quest?" asked Bilbo from behind Gandalf.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have some more light," Said Gandalf to Bilbo whom was now getting a candle.
"Far over to the east, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak," said Gandalf pulling out a map of a mountain. Eliza had never seen such a map before.
"The Lonely Mountain," read out Bilbo looking up at the others. No doubt wondering what they had to do with the mountain.
"Aye. Oin has read the portents and the portents say it's time!" said Gloin's voice amongst the group.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
"What beast?" asked Bilbo.
"Well that would be reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age," answered Bofur who was not being very helpful. "Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks, extremely fond of precious metals…"
"Yes I know what a dragon is," interrupted Bilbo. The poor hobbit had become very pale, he looked like he was about to throw up. Eliza wasn't doing much better either, a dragon? Like Harry Potter Horntail dragon? Was Gandalf seriously making her go on this quest with a bunch of mental dwarves?
"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it! I'll give him the taste of dwarfish iron up his jacksie!" exclaimed a determined looking Ori.
"Sit down." Dori said as he pushed Ori down,though the other dwarves cheered at this.
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us," spoke up Balin, "But we number just thirteen and not thirteen of the best nor brightest."
The dwarves started outroar at this, and Eliza honestly thought it was quite funny. Then Fili banged his fist on the table shutting the dwarves up instantly. "We may be few of us, but we're fighters down to the last dwarf!"
"And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time," Added Kili trying to back his brother up.
"Oh, well, now, I wouldn't say that," said Gandalf clearly looking uncomfortable.
"How many then?" demanded Dori.
"What?"
"How many dragons have you killed? Go on, give us a number!"
Eliza was laughing to herself as all the dwarves started another shouting match. "Oh, Kili, that totally worked," she said to Kili who gave her a sheepish look.
"Shazara" shouted Thorin standing up in some sort of language, and like Fili, the dwarves shut up. "If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors 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?
Du bukar! Du Bukar!" he shouted with the dwarves who cheered. Eliza had to hand it to him; he really knew how to inspire people.
"You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain," Added the ever so optimistic Balin.
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true," said Gandalf holding up a key.
"How came you by this?" asked Thorin with amazment.
"It was given to me by your father by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." Gandalf replied handing the key over to Thorin.
"If there is a key, there must be a door!" said Fili. Eliza rolled her eyes. Dwarves really couldn't get any thicker.
"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls," said Gandalf
"There's another way in," said an excited Kili.
"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map, and I do not have the skill to find it, but there are others in Middle-Earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But if we're careful and clever, I believe that it can be done." said Gandalf
"That's why we need a burglar," said Ori.
"Hmm." Said Bilbo, "And a good one too. An expert, I'd imagine."
"And are you?" asked Gloin looking at Bilbo along with the other dwarves.
"Am I what?" asked a confused Bilbo.
"He said he's an expert!" exclaimed Oin, Eliza realised that Oin was using a hearing trumpet, one that didn't really work.
"Me? No! No, No, No! I...I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life," said Bilbo. Eliza thought this was really funny poor Bilbo being tricked by Gandalf into coming. She couldn't believe that she had never watched the movie, but she was never really interested in fantasy.
"And I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material" said Balin.
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves," agreed Dwalin looking over at Eliza who was mildly offended. Even though Dwalin was right, and she didn't even want to go on this quest, but she hated it when people underestimated her.
The dwarves all started to shout again when Gandalf stood and did some sort of magic to make the room go dark, and shouted, "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is! Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose, and while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of a dwarf, the scent of a hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins and I have chosen Elizabeth Collins as well. There's a lot more to both of them than appearances suggest. And they've got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including themselves." Then looking at Thorin he said, "You must trust me on this.
"Very well. We'll do it your way." Said Thorin, "Give him the contract."
"We're off!" said Bofur
"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration,
funeral arrangements, so forth," explained Balin who rose to his feet and handed the contract to Thorin, who handed the contact to a pale looking Bilbo.
"Funeral arrangements?" asked Bilbo as he opened up the contract, a long one at that. Bilbo started to mumble to himself as he read the contract. He'll probably be there all night judging by the size of it.
As he is reading the contract, Thorin leans towards Gandalf and whispers, "I cannot guarantee his safety."
"Understood." Gandalf replied.
"Nor will I be responsible for his fate."
Gandalf took a moment before answering, "Agreed."
"Total's cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding, one fourteenth of total profit if any." Read out Bilbo to himself, "Seems fair.
"The 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 out in a panicky voice, "Incineration?"
"Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye," explained Bofur.
Noticing Bilbo's panicky state Balin asks, "You alright, laddie?"
"Huh? Yeah, I feel a bit faint," he relpied taking a deep breath. Eliza was wondering if he was going to have a panic attack. Though she felt that she was close to throwing up at the thought of facing a dragon.
"Think furnace, with wings." Said Bofur who was definitely not helping matters.
"Shut up, Bofur" she said.
I...I...I need air" Bilbo said. What was Gandalf thinking? Bilbo didn't seem the type to steal from a dragon.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!" Bofur said who ignored Eliza.
"Nope" said Bilbo fainting.
"Great Bofur, you made him feel so much better," said Eliza sarcastically helping Gandalf put Bilbo in an armchair.
"Thank you Eliza, could you just let me talk to Bilbo for a moment?" asked Gandalf.
"Sure, but I hope you know what you're doing." She said leaving Gandalf and heading over to an armchair. Why did the Valar have to chose her? Maybe this was some weird crazy dream. Maybe she'll wake up tomorrow and be in bed.
She didn't realise how long she had been siting there, but all the dwarves had Gathered in the room, with his royal highness at the fireplace. The dwarves all started to hum a slow sad tune.
"Far over the Misty Mountains" Sung the deep voice of Thorin which was full of remorse.
Eliza could feel herself starting to dose off.
"The pines were roaring on the height, the winds were moaning in the night. The fire was red, it flaming spread. The trees like torches blazed with light." Joined in the other dwarves. And that was the last thing she heard before she fell into one of her deep slumbers.