~I only own my Ocs and the chaos they might end up causing Please Review or tell Pm me with ideas. This story is long overdue for a fixer upper. I am still looking for a beta. If anyone would want to volunteer that would be great! Just leave me a comment or PM me saying so. ~
(Rose's Pov)
After the introductions everyone fallows Thorin in the room where all the dwarves had been eating. Seats are found for us to sit.
"Is there any food left? I see poor Master Baggin's pantry has been emptied." I say. I am hungry and so are the rest the late arrivals. Not long after that what food that remains is put before us and we all have seats. Thorin is at the head of the table. I am sitting by Balin. Sami is sitting between Oin and Dwalin. Ash is sitting between Fili and Kili. I rather petty her in case they cause they decide of have some fun at her expense. Ted is sitting by or rather behind Bombur. Then Balin starts speaking to Thorin.
"What news of the meeting, did they all come?"
"Aye, from all seven kingdoms."
"And what do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asks.
"They will not come," Thorin says looking off in to the distance and sighing "They say this quest is ours and our alone"
At the mention of a quest Bilbo comes up beside Gandalf who is seated on Thorin's left. "You are going on a quest?"
At that statement Gandalf looks at Bilbo. "Bilbo my dear fellow let us have a little more light." When Bilbo came back with another candle, Gandalf said,
"Far to the east, over ranges and rivers. Beyond woodlands and wastelands lies a single solitary peak." Gandalf says while setting an old looking map down on the table. As he does I share a look with Sami. We know the significance of this map both to the quest and to its rightful owner.
Bilbo leans over Thorin's shoulder to get a better look at what the map says "The lonely mountain."
At that Gloin speaks up saying, "Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time." Oin continues what his brother was saying "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor the reign of the beast will end." it is at this time that both Bilbo and Ted see fit to ask the same question at the same time.
"Um, what beast?"
"Oh that would be a reference to Smaug the terrible, greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks...extremely found of precious metals..."
It is there that Bilbo interrupts Bofur in the middle of his explanation. "Yes I know what a dragon is."
Then Ori stands suddenly causing everyone in the room to look at him "I'm not afraid. I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of dwarvish iron right up his-"
It is when he gets to this point when his eldest brother makes him sit down saying, "Nori don't encourage the lad and Ori there are ladies present."
"These three Ladies? Ha that's a riot!"
"Ted would u like to take that back before I turn you inside out?" I say glaring daggers while smiling sweetly at my cousin
"Sorry" He squeaks, "All I meant was that you... uh you..."
"Good now Balin I know you have something to say on this matter."
"Aye lass. The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us, but we number just 13 and not 13 of the best nor brightest."
At that last statement every dwarf in the room except Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin starts to protest.
"Oy who you calling dim?"
"Hey!"
"What did he say?"
"We may be few in number but we're fighters down to the last dwarf!" Fili exclaims and every one stops their grumbling and listens as the youngest dwarves of the line of Durin speak
"And you forget we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have slayed hundreds of dragons in his time." nice going Kili I think to myself
"Oh well now I wouldn't say that." the old wizard protests
"How many then?" Dori asks
"Wha...what?"
"How many dragons have you killed?" At that question Gandalf starts to cough, smoke from the pipe he had been using trickling from the corners of his mouth.
"Go on give us a number." Then all the dwarves except Thorin start yelling at each
"Um excuse me." Bilbo tried to get the dwarves attention
"SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!" Ashley yelled at them with growing annoyance. They all quieted and sat down immediately. Most of them were stunned silent. The only person out of the group their king had arrived with that had spoken was the girl that was dressed uncannily like Thorin. They had not expected to be yelled at by a young woman blonde haired woman in purple.
"Thank you Ashley." turning to the dwarves in front of me I say, "If you have read these signs, do you not think that others will have read them too? Rumor have begun to spread the dragon Smaug has not be seen for sixty years. Eyes look east to your mountain. Assessing. Wondering. Weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of your people now lies unprotected. Do you sit back while others claim what is rightfully yours, or do you take this chance and seize Erebor? Du Bekar! Du Bekar!"
"You forget the front door is sealed there is no way into the mountain."
"That my dear Balin is not entirely true." Gandalf says producing a key with a twirl of his hand.
"How came you by this?" Thorin asks stunned
"It was given to me by your father by Thrain. For safe keeping, tis yours now." Gandalf says handing it to Thorin. Who takes it closing his hand tight around it. Deep in thought.
"If there is a key there must be a door."
"No shit dumbass." Ted says without thinking and immediately regrets it.
"Gandalf will you please wait before you continue. Ted may I speak to you in the other room." I say my tone staying neutral when I looked away from the wizard and towards Ted. He gulps and nods once getting up as I do and fallowing me out of that room and down the hall.
(no one's Pov)
"YOU COMPLETE MORON! YOU HAVE JUST INSULTED A PRINCE! WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A FILTER FROM YOUR MIND TO YOUR MOUTH?! WHY MUST YOU BE SO STUPID? YOU WONDER WHY I NEVER ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH YOU! YOU ARE NOT WORTH THE TIME I SPEND FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES FOR YOU! HAVE YOU ALREADY FORGOTTEN THAT I SAVED YOU FROM GETTING THE SHIT BEAT OUT OF YOU IN BREE? OR THAT YOU HAVEN'T EVER BEEN ABLE TO BEAT ME IN ANYTHING? I HAVE NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET SO YOU WILL SIT IN THE EMPTY PANTRY ACROSS THE HALL FROM WHERE WE ARE ALL SITTING SO I, ASH OR SAMI CAN MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CAUSE PROBLEMS! AND IF YOU SO MUCH A SHOOT ANYONE A NASTY LOOK I WILL HURT YOU SO BADLY YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EVER REPRODUCE. THIS WORLD DOES NOT NEED MORE MORONIC ASSHOLES!"
The males in the dining room all looked towards each other. What on earth had just happened? None of them had ever heard anything like that before even the wizard. However the two girls in the room shared a look saying "He had really done it this time." when she came back in the room and asked to switch spots with Balin. "I hope you don't mind Balin. I need to keep an eye on my cousin. I believe you understand since you have probably had to deal with some trouble makers in your day." She was very polite and didn't look like she had just been yelling at/threatening her cousin. "No worries lass, you are correct I have dealt with quite a few trouble makers." Balin says quickly glancing at Fili and Kili.
(Rose's Pov)
When I reentered the room I asked to switch spots with Bofur and finished talking to Balin everyone was looking at me strangely.
"Gandalf please continue." I say ignoring the looks I am getting from the dwarves.
"Thank you. These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls."
"There's another way in." Kili says smiling
"Well if we can find it. Dwarf doors are invisible but to the cleverest. 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." At this Gandalf looks at me, "The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage but if we are careful and clever I believe it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar." Ori said
"A good one too. An expert I'd imagine." Bilbo said
"And are you?" Oin asked
"Am I what?"
"He said he's an expert hey hey."
"Me? Oh no no. I am not a burglar. I have never stolen a thing in my life." Bilbo protested
"I'm afraid I have to agree with mister Baggins. He is hardly burglar material." Balin states while Bilbo nods in agreement
"Aye the wild is no place for either gentle or womenfolk-"
"Excuse me Mister Dwalin would you like to spare to see just how fit some of us Womenfolk are for the wild?" Sami asks. I know Dwalin can refuse otherwise he will look weak.
"I stand by my words lass but if u wish to spare then we shall spare."
Everyone got up and went outside including Ted. Once outside and on the road Dwalin and Sami took their stances. Both using giant axes. Dwalin charged Sam. She ducked under his swing and countered with her own blow. Thrusting the staff part of the weapon towards his face and then swiftly swinging it around so it landed a blow on the back of his right leg. His leg gave out causing him to kneel on that leg and swing his weapon out to give himself some space. Sami jumped the swing and brought her axe to rest by his throat.
"How is that for fit Dwalin son of Fundin?"
"I take back my words about women but not about gentle folk more worried about dollies than they are their guests." With that Sami helped him up and back inside everyone sitting back where they belonged. Then out of nowhere they started yelling at each about wither or not Bilbo was burglar material and if he should come along.
"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a Burglar then a Burglar he is." Gandalf said standing up with darkness gathering around him and his voice getting louder.
"Hobbits are remarkable light on their feet in fact they can pass unseen but most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him witch gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the 14th member of this company and I have chosen mister Baggins. There is a lot more to him than appearances suggest and he has a great deal more to offer then any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this." The old wizard stated
"Every well we'll do it your. Give him the contract and give another one to Lady Samantha. She has earned her place in this company just as I said she would get the chance to. Her friends will also get their chances before we head out in the morning." Thorin stated. At that Balin stood up and passed one of contract to Sami. Who promptly signed it and passed it back to Balin before the ink was even dry.
"We're off" Bofur said
"It's just the usual about out of pocket expenses, time required, funeral arrangements, so forth." Balin said handing the contract to Thorin who then slammed it into Bilbo.
"Fu...funeral arrangements?" as Bilbo took the contract and looked it over in just a few steps away Thorin got up and whispered to Gandalf
"I cannot guarantee his safety."
"Understood"
"Neither I will not be responsible for his fate."
"Agreed"
"Terms cash on delivery. Up to and not exceeding 1/14th profit if any. The company shall not be liable for any injuries by or a consequence there of including but not limited to laceration, evisceration... incineration?" Bilbo turned the last word into a question.
"Oh aye he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye" Bofur answered
"Are you alright laddie?" Balin asked seeing that Bilbo had gone a bit pale
"Uh yeah...feel a bit faint." Bilbo said
"Think furnace with wings." Bofur stated happily oblivious to the distress his words caused the hobbit.
"Ya I need air." Bilbo said in an attempt to get Bofur to shut up.
"Flash of light. Searing pain then poof you're nothing more than a pile of ashes." Bofur stated still trying to be helpful
"Nope." With that Bilbo fainted.
"Oh every helpful Bofur." Sami says
"Ted will you please carry him to the sitting room? Great Ted has fainted too. Dwalin, Ashley will you too please carry them to the sitting room? And Thorin, would you mind if I take a look at the map?" I say
"Go ahead though I doubt it will do you much good."
"Sami would you mind coming here for a moment and tell me if I am correct, my dwarvish rune reading is a bit rusty." as she gets up and comes towards where I am sitting we get more looks from the dwarves, especially Balin.
"Five feet high the door and three may walk abreast. Signed Thror and Thrain."
"Your rune reading is as good as ever. And it would appear that the door is on the North West side of the mountain." she says
(no one's Pov)
"I'll be alright, just let me sit quietly for a moment."
"You have been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell when did dollies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young hobbit who was always running of in search of elves and wolves, stay out late. Come home after dark trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young hobbit who would have like nothing better than to see what laid beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps, it's out there."
"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins of Bag-End!" Bilbo said, his voice breaking a couple times but acted like that settled the matter. Gandalf however wasn't having any of it.
"You are also a Took!"
"Did you know that your Great Great Great Great Great Uncle Bullroarer Took was so large that he could ride a real horse? Yes well he could! In the battle of Greenfields he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard he knock the Goblin kings head clean off. It went sailing through the air for a hundred yards and went down a rabbit hole. Thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time."
"I do believe you made that up." Bilbo said.
"Well all good stories deserve embellishment. I imagine you will have a tale or two of your own to tell when you come back."
"Can you promise that I will come back?" Bilbo asked
"No. And if you do, you will not be the same."
"That's what I thought. I'm sorry Gandalf I can't sign this. You've got the wrong hobbit. Besides I'm sure he would be a good burglar." Bilbo said pointing at the boy who had still to regain consciousness. With that Bilbo walked out of the room.
"It would appear that we have lost our burglar. Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all what are we? Merchants, Miners, Tinkerers, Toymakers. Hardly the stuff of legend." Balin said to Thorin. They had heard the whole conversation between the hobbit and the wizard.
"There are a few warriors amgunst us." Thorin says with a small rare smile on his face.
"Old warriors." Balin admonished.
"I would take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hill, for when I called upon them, they answered. Even the three women who arrived with me. They were not called upon and yet they came to help. They bring much to our group. Two are fighters even more skilled then Dwalin I would wager, and they can read the map which, Gandalf could not. It is possible the other two have much to offer as well. Loyalty, Honor, A willing heart. I can ask no more than that."
"You don't have to do this. You have a choice. You have done honorable by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains. A life of peace and plenty. A life worth more than all the gold in Erebor."
"From my grandfather to my father this has come to me. They dreamt of the day the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland. There is no choice Balin. Not for me."
"Then we are with you laddie. We will see it done." Balin said standing up and patting Thorin's arm and walked away leaving the king to his thoughts.
(Rose's Pov)
"He is right, you know." I say coming up to Thorin. If he is surprised that I heard what he and Balin were talking about he doesn't show it. "You have done honorably by your people and you rose to face the challenges that stood in your way. Many would have faltered and failed at the challenges that you and your people have faced. Yet you plow through them as though they are but leaves in the path of a hurricane. Elves may be long lived and they may be called the fair folk, but if they ever had to go through what your people did they would not have done half as well as dwarves. Your folk are made to endure. That's what makes you so strong. Think about that."
"When people compare us to the elves it is to point out our flaws not the flaws of the elves. But you have done the very opposite. Why?"
"I have no dislike for the elves but neither are they perfect as so many make them out to be. And if I was forced to pick elves over dwarves I would pick the dwarves. I will stand with you on your quest Thorin Oakenshield if you would let me. Sami has already signed the contract and she is as a sister to me. Besides even if I was not permitted to sign the contract I would follow any way."
"You wish to face your tests now? You will have more tests than your friends for you are their leader."
"What must I do?"
"Your first test will be against Kili. I saw you carried a bow and quiver. You will have to match him shot for shot, arrow for arrow. You have proven yourself to be loyal and very diplomatic and you have a skill few possess. Your final task will to face both me and Dwalin."
"I will do my best to prove myself worthy to join the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain."
At that he nods and walks away. I follow him into one of the sitting rooms. All the dwarves have gathered there, Ash and Sami are there too. Sami is sitting in a chair with Dwalin standing behind her. Ashley is leaning against an entryway. I go to stand with Thorin by the fireplace. After a few minutes he starts to sing and everyone is humming.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
About half way through the first verse I sing along with Thorin, earning myself more looks of surprise. I learned this song at age five and have had it committed to memory for many years often humming it to myself when alone.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gloaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
By now everyone is singing except Ash and Sami who still hum with the song, Ashley may not know the words but she has often heard me hum it.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
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 biased with light,
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
The dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying -fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
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 biased with light,
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
The dragon's ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
After the singing had stopped everyone remained quiet, their thoughts elsewhere, some thinking of the people they had left behind, others thinking ahead to the future, I thought of what the dwarves had gone through. As though a spell had been broken everyone looked expectantly at Thorin.
"It is time. Go get your weapons and prepare for your test."
I turn to leave and am almost of out the room when I hear Thorin tell Bofur to set up two archery targets, and Kili to do the same as me but to only grab his bow and quiver but not his swords. I grab my gear and go outside to wait.
(Thorin's Pov)
"Everyone go wait outside while I talk to Dwalin."
They do as ordered, even the girls who I do not command. After they are all out of hearing. I turn to Dwalin.
"After she has outshot Kili which I have no doubt that she will do. She will immediately have to fight against us. I have seen her in hand to hand combat, when she pulled her cousin out of a brawl he had gotten into. He was attempting to fight several large men. When she had pulled him out he was rather beat up. When she stepped into the fight it seemed the men that were fighting they tried to hit harder. I think they were going to try to teach her to stay out of a man's fight. They didn't care if they hit her. After the fighting stopped and she was dragging her cousin back to where I and her friends were sitting, she didn't have a hair out of place and she didn't look like she had fought at all. The men not only had bruised egos, but they had black eyes, bloody noses, and looked like they had just faced a group of muggers. I would bet that a few bones had been broken as well."
It had been long time since Dwalin had such a look of disbelief on his face. While she did give off an aura of power, it was not the same as the one fighters give off.
"You fought Samantha. Would it not make sense if Rose was even more skilled? That is why I think we should face her at the same time."
"If what you say ends up being true Thorin I have a feeling we will be every glad to have her on our side."