Ch 2: Gandalf the Grey and an Adventure
Unknown POV
Sighing, I looked up into the fair sky dreaming of adventure beyond the gate of Bag-End and beyond the lands of Hobbiton. I was restless and wondered how I came to Bilbo in the first place. Each time I asked, he would change the subject or find something to do. It was so frustrating. I knew I wasn't full hobbit like Bilbo and everyone else in Hobbiton. I had fairer skin and slightly pointy ears but not enough to be considered an elf. I had the stamina, grace and beauty of the elves but not so much that I could be considered one. I shook my head and started singing.
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Hush, lay down your troubled mind
The day has vanished and left us behind
And the wind - whispering soft lullabies
Will soothe - so close your eyes
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Sleep, angels will watch over you
And soon beautiful dreams will come true
Can you feel spirits embracing your soul
So dream while secrets of darkness unfold
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
(All rights go to Hayley Westernra)
"That was beautiful Angel."
Looking towards the gate I saw Gandalf the Grey looking at me with awe.
"Thank you Gandalf!
I jumped down excitedly from the roof of Bag-End and into the arms of Gandalf. Laughing Gandalf held me looking into my brown eyes with his twinkling lighting blue eyes. I gave him my "breath-taking" smile (as he, Bilbo and many others have called it).
"It's great to see you again Gandalf!"
"It's good to see you again too my dear little Angel."
I rolled my eyes and looked right into his eyes.
"I am not THAT little anymore Gandalf!" I exclaimed smiling.
He chuckles and gently puts me down onto the wall in front of Bag-End as he positions himself in front of my adoptive big brother, Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo looked confused till he saw Gandalf. I doubted he recognized him or anything.
"Good morning."
"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you mean to say that you feel good this particular morning? Or are you simply stating that it is a morning to be good on?"
"All of them at once, I suppose."
Pausing for a second, Bilbo looked at Gandalf more closely. I just giggled and watched from my spot on the wall.
"Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."
"Ooooo, what kind of an adventure?! Can I joi-"
Bilbo then cut me off.
"An adventure?... Well, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner!"
Bilbo went to the mailbox and checked through it to see what was there then out of the corner of his eye gave me a "you will not be going on any sort of adventure as long as I live" look and turned to Gandalf.
"Good morning!"
I face-palmed myself and grumbled watching Bilbo start walking towards the door until Gandalf spoke up.
"To think that I should have lived to be "good morninged" by Belladonna Took's son as if I were selling buttons at the door!"
"Beg your pardon?"
"You've changed. And not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins. Luckily Angel hasn't changed a bit. The singing though is a new hobby."
"I just randomly started singing a song that came to my head and I have sung ever since."
"I'm sorry, do I know you? Obviously Angel here knows you."
"Well, you know my name although you don't remember I belong to it; I am Gandalf! And Gandalf means... me. Angel and I have bumped into each other enough since I left her in the care of your mother..what? Twenty years ago give or take a few years."
"Not Gandalf, the wandering wizard who made such excellent fireworks. Old Took use to have them on Midsummer's Eve. No idea you were still in business."
"And where else should I be? [Bilbo continues to smoke his pipe] All the same, I'm pleased to find you remember something about me, even if it's only my fireworks. Well, that's decided. It will be very good for you... and most amusing for me. Angel I already plan to bring you along for this journey whether Bilbo or anyone else likes it or not. So, I shall inform the others."
"Inform who? Wait, wha- no! No. No, wait. We do not want any adventures here, thank you- not today! Not- I suggest you try over the Hill or across the Water. Good morning! Come along Angel. Adventures! What a thought!"
"I am sorry Gandalf..he can be stupid at times."
"No need to apologize my child. Now go on before he really loses it."
I nodded and scurried towards the door and shut it closed. A hand grabbed me and pulled me into a chest. I looked at Bilbo with confusion.
"Why are you-"
"Shhh"
I glared at him.
Then we both heard something being carved into wood and then silence. We looked at one another and shrugged.
Bag-End receives guests and Who Are You?
I wasn't very hungry so I told Bilbo I would be on the roof again if he needed me for anything. I layed down on the roof and watched the stars glisten and gleam. I closed my eyes for a little bit till I was awakened by rough but strong knocking on the door then a deep gravely velvet voice speak.
"You said this place was easy to find Gandalf. I passed by it twice until I found it. No thanks to your mark you left."
I sighed and felt like my insides were mush now. I know it sounds strange but I am still a girl and already I can tell the owner of the voice was handsome just by his voice. I sigh and look back up towards the sky and decide to sing a song I remember from a long time ago.
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow
I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice, I am the voice
I am the voice, I am the voice
(All rights go to Celtic Woman)
Thorin's POV
As I was about to ask our "burglar" some questions when I froze hearing the beautiful voice I hadn't heard in over 60 years.
"It can't be."
I said in awe listening and looking around.
"What is it? Oh the singing?"
I turned to the burglar and nodded.
"Do you know who the voice belongs too?"
"It belongs to me."
Angel's POV
"Do you know who the voice belongs too?"
"It belongs to me."
The dwarf turned around and my entire insides turned to instant mush even more than before. I gazed at the dwarf in front of me and what I had imagined him to look like did him no justice. He was more than handsome. I could tell he has worked hard a long time with the muscle I could see from looking at his slightly tight fitting uniform. His hands I yearned to have on my waist and hold me close to his body. In his presence, I felt the safe, more than I have ever felt before. I also got a sense of regalness coming from him. Was he royalty? I was still guarded because I had fallen before and I couldn't risk another heartbreak. But something inside my heart was telling me he was different. But still I couldn't take a chance.
"Who are you and was that you singing milady?"
The words didn't leave his desirable lips but another's. I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw 12 other dwarves sitting around a table in the middle of the room. They chuckled as did the handsome dwarf from before and Gandalf.
"What is so funny?"
I questioned smiling.
"You just had a funny look on your face when you saw all of us lass."
A wise voice said then chuckled.
"Oh I am sorry! I should introduce myself. I am Saraphina Angel Greyhame- Baggins. I am Bilbo's (i gestured towards Bilbo) adopted little sister. Who may you gentle dwarves be?"
The wise voice from before spoke up. He had a white beard with white hair.
"I am Balin."
Another's voice spoke.
"May I say you are more beautiful than any treasure found in the mountains and fairer than any maiden or female dwarf I have ever encountered."
I blushed and stuttered.
"Th-thank you. No one has ever put me th-that way before."
"WHAT?!"
I jumped from the roar of every dwarf (including the handsome one). You see dear reader's no matter how many times Angel was told she was pretty or gorgeous by a man, she never once believed them and she wished one day someone would come and somehow make her negative thoughts disappear. Now don't get me wrong, she knew she was pretty but she had a habit of looking into some mirror or into water and point out every flaw she saw on herself. Also, she was independant but she just wished to have a companion or something who treasured her for more than her beauty.
"What? What did I say?" I asked confused.
"Lassie are you saying no one has called you beautiful?" Balin asked bewildered.
I slightly nodded then shook my head.
"That was not confusing or anything beautiful." Another handsome dwarf said but this one had little to no beard and had dark hair similar from the dwarf I first met.
"Sorry. It's just...umm...it doesn't matter." I explained looking down at the floor sadly with my eyes glistening. Then I felt a small shock from two fingers that lifted my head to gaze into the deep misty blue eyes of the mystery dwarf that had asked about my singing before. He took notice to my eyes threatening to leak tears. He gave me a gentle look and smile sadly.
"It does matter my little Angel but I will not press the issue further if you wish it." He spoke softly so only I would hear. I smiled with appreciation and nodded slowly.
"I would prefer not to be on the subject
He removed his fingers from under my chin and bowed slightly.
"I am Thorin Oakenshield. I happen to be the leader on this journey."
"Do you mean to tell me I am standing in the presense of royalty?" I squeaked looking wide eyed at Thorin. He smiled slightly.
"Yes I am. But please Angel don't feel like you have to bow or anything in my presence." He asked with sad eyes. I stared blankly at him but smiled.
"Of course. Do you want me to call you Thorin? Or your majesty?"
"Please call me Thorin. I am not royalty here." I smiled and curtsied playfully.
"Of course Thorin." He smiled at me and rolled his eyes playfully.
"She isn't the 15th member you spoke of, is she Gandalf?" The younger looking dark haired dwarf asked suddenly. The room went silent waiting for an answer. I was about to ask what they were talking about but Gandalf spoke.
"Yes she is Kili." Gandalf answered for me. Then the uproar sounded.
"What in Durnin's name are you thinking Gandalf?!"
Exclaimed Thorin and he put his muscular arm around my waist holding me closer to the heat of his body. I blushed and made myself a little comfortable watching what was going on. What! I am cold.
"She needs to come with us if she wishes to find out about her origins and I know you ALL would protect her if she came and her singing may help us in the future."
Gandalf stated as he looked at Thorin's arm around my waist with a knowing smirk.
" You all wouldn't have to protect me. I can protect myself. I know how to use a bow and arrows along with a sword and axe. I don't wouldn't want to burden you all with you all keeping a constant eye on me. I am capable of that much. Please Thorin let me come! I need to know that you all get with as little injury as possible to your destination and I wish to know about what I am/who I am."
It seemed I won Thorin over with me just speaking his name and giving him my soft eye look. He sighed and frowned at me.
"Very well Angel. But, I want you to promise to stay in eye sight of one of us, preferably myself, Dwalin or Balin or my nephews Kili and Fili. Understood?"
He said with a rough but gentle voice. I nodded and buried my face into his shoulder smiling.
"Thank you Thorin! I promise I will."
I kissed his cheek lightly before looking over his shoulder, all the while he had his arm still around me, and asked who the rest of the dwarves were. After introductions, Thorin removed his arm from around my waist and sat in the empty seat at the head of the table. Gandalf set a seat for me on the opposite side of Thorin next to Bifer. I smiled at Bifer and sat down bring my knees up and resting my chin on them listening to the conversation while I shut my eyes. A few moments passed till I felt a hand lay on top of mine, electricity flowed through leaving sparks tingling in my hand. Smiling I looked up to find the hand belonged to none other than, Thorin. He was smiling watching me with a look in his eye. Was it love? Adoration? I shook the absurd thoughts from my head and smiled back at him. I noticed Bilbo glaring at the back of Thorin's head. I giggled at his face. In confusion Thorin turned as Bilbo quickly looked away towards Gandalf. Rolling his eyes Thorin returned to his original position and took a hold of one of my hands. I noticed the looks from the other dwarves.
"What is it with the staring?" I mumbled softly hoping no one heard me. Unfortunately, a certain prince did. He distracted them and talked about his whereabouts before getting here and what some counsel said. I felt my stomach grumble so I quietly slipped from the table into the kitchen and found some soup for me to eat along with some bread and water. I set everything up in the kitchen and ate quietly listening to the conversation.
Then I heard Thorin start to sing.