Chapter 3
Thorin Oakenshield
We all head to the door. Stacia had her arms wrapped around my neck. Gandalf opened the door and Thorin stood in the doorway. He looked very handsome like he did in the movies.
"Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find." Thorin said, stepping into the house, not noticing us girls yet. I felt Anna elbow me and I shot her a glare to shut up. "I lost my way, twice. I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for the mark on the door." Thorin took off his cloak as he spoke.
"Mark? there's no mark on the door. It was painted a week ago." Bilbo said, moving towards the door, but Gandalf shut it.
"There is a mark; I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf said. Stacia was bouncing on my hip with excitement. I held back a groan and Anna noticed and took her off me.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin asked.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo asked.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin asked, handing his cloak over to Kili.
"Well I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant." Bilbo said.
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." Thorin said, earning laughs from the group. He turned and noticed Anna, Stacia, and I.
"I like to introduce you to Anna, Mariah, and Stacia." Gandalf said. Thorin's eyes landed on me and lingered and he turned angrily at Gandalf.
"I said fourteen, not seventeen. Why do you have women here along with a child. They will just hold us back." Thorin said, with anger in his voice. I step forward.
"For your information Thorin. Anna and I are both skilled in archery and swordsmanship and I know how to attend broken bones and stitch up wounds. So I suggest you let us come. Stacia is quick on her feet and good at climbing trees so none of us will be a problem." I snap. Everyone looks at me in shock surprised that I spoke out to their leader. Thorin stood in shock.
"Fine." Thorin said. We head to the table. Stacia sat in my lap as we watched Thorin eat. Anna and Fili sat together near his brother.
"What news from the meeting at Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asked.
"Aye. Envoys of all seven kingdoms." Thorin said. There were murmurs of happiness among the dwarves.
"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin said.
"They will not come. They say this quest is ours, and ours alone." Thorin said. More murmurs but this time of disappointment.
"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asked.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light." Gandalf said. Bilbo went to grab a candle as Gandalf spread out a map on the table. "Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak." Bilbo leaned over to see the map with the candle as Gandalf spoke.
"The Lonely Mountain." Bilbo said.
"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time." Gloin said.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of old return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." Oin said. Anna and I looked at each other and smiled.
"What beast?" Bilbo said.
"Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals." Bofur said.
"I'm sure everyone knows what a dragon is Bofur." I said. Thorin shot me a glare. I shot one right back at him.
"You two are so perfect for each other." Anna whispered.
"Shut up." I said.
"Yes I know what a dragon is." Bilbo said. Ori stood up and we all looked at him.
"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarvish iron right up his jacksy." Ori said. Dori pulled him down.
"Sit down." Dori said.
"The task will be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen. Not thirteen of the best, nor brightest." Balin said, eyeing a few of the dwarves. There were objections.
"We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!" Fili said.
"And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." Kili said. I held back a laugh at that comment.
"Oh, well, now, I wouldn't say..." Gandalf began.
"How many, then?" Dori asked.
"I, uh, what?" Gandalf asked.
"How many dragons have you killed?" Dori asked. We all looked at Gandalf, who started choking on the smoke he was smoking. "Go on, give us a number." Dori said, jumping up with other dwarves to argue. I rubbed my temples as Thorin got to his feet and they all fell back in their seats.
"Atkat! If we have read these signs, do you not think that others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 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 Bekar! Du Bekar!" Thorin said as the dwarves cheered.
"You forget: The front door is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." Balin said. Stacia cuddled close to me like she was getting tired. I kissed her forehead as she fought to stay awake. I caught Thorin eyeing me. I gave him a small smile.
"That, my dear Balin is not entirely true." Gandalf said, pulling out a key. Thorin looked at it in wonder.
"How came you by this?" Thorin asked.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." Gandalf said, handing it to Thorin as he talked.
"If there is a key, there must be a door." Fili said. Gandalf points to the map with his pipe.
"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls." Gandalf said.
"There's another way in!" Kili said, with excitement.
"If we can find it. Dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in the 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 are careful and cleaver. I believe that it can be done." Gandalf said.
"That's why we need a burglar." Ori said.
"And a good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine." Bilbo said.
"And are you?" Gloin said.
"Am I what?" Bilbo asked.
"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" Oin said.
"Me? no, no, no. I'm not a burglar, I've never stolen a thing in my life." Bilbo said.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material." Balin said. Bilbo agrees with Balin.
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves. Especially women." Dwalin said, shooting Anna and I a glance. Anna and I joined in on the argument this time. Gandalf suddenly stood to his full height and casts darkness over the group, making all of us stop and look at him.
"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is." Gandalf says in a powerful voice. Stacia buried her face in my chest. This part was scarier then the movie.
"Its alright cutie." Anna whispered, rubbing Stacia's back. Stacia unburried herself and slid into Anna's, who was her godmother's,
lap.
"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 dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of our company, and I have chosen Mr. Bagins along with these three girls, who are not from this world, but could be helpful in the long-run. There's a lot more to them than appearances suggest, and they got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including themselves. You must trust me on this." Gandalf said.
"Very well, we'll do it your way. Give them the contract." Thorin said. Balin handed two to me and Anna.
"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." Balin said.
"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo said, as Thorin shoved the contract into his chest.
"Stacia doesn't need to sign it since she's a young one, but you do." Balin said. I nod as Anna and I sign it and hand it back to Balin as Thorin whispered to Gandalf.
"Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any. Hmmm. 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.. incineration?" Bilbo said, turning to face the group.
"Oh yes. It will melt the skin right off your bone." Bofur said.
"Uh Bofur." I said.
"I feel a bit faint." Bilbo said. I shook my head.
"Think furnace with wings." Bofur said.
"Air, I need air." Bilbo said.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you're nothing more than a pile of ash." Bofur said.
"You alright, Bilbo?" Anna asked.
"No." Bilbo said, falling to the floor in faint. I stood up with a tired Stacia in my arms.
"You're very helpful Bofur." Gandalf said, getting up. The dwarves moved away. I laid Stacia on a couch to sleep wrapping her in the blanket. Thorin stood talking with Balin as I tucked her in.
"Mommy. Can you sing me that song from Tarzan?" Stacia asked. I always sang that song to her when she couldn't sleep and when she was in my womb. I smile and nod. (AN: Song is You'll be in my Heart by Phill Collins)
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry.
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This Bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always.
Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
from this day on
Now and forever more.
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know?
We need each other
To have, to hold.
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
I didn't notice while I sang that the room when I was singing to my daughter. Stacia fell asleep and I looked up to see everyone looking at me. Anna smiled. I blushed.
"That was beautiful, Mariah." Dwalin said.
"Thank you. Excuse me." I said, hurrying outside. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes.
"You're a mystery." A deep voice said. I turn and saw Thorin coming over.
"I don't like sharing the past." I said.
"Where's the little ones father?" Thorin asked.
"He was out of the picture before she was born and wants nothing to do with her." I said, walking past Thorin. He grabbed my arm and I looked at him.
"Why?" Thorin said. I looked at him and I knew he saw the pain and hurt in my eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it now." I said.
"I'm here to talk if you need to. She'll be well protected by my men and me." Thorin said. I smile weakly.
"Thank you." I said. Thorin and I walk into the sitting room together. I slid into a chair to relax. Anna was sitting across from me as the dwarves smoked their pipes. Thorin started singing and the others joined in. I smile as I recognized the song.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold
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
Anna and I laid out the bedrolls. I laid awake for a while, thinking of what is to come. I just hoped I could save Thorin and his nephews. I saw Anna curled up to Fili. Well looks like both were courting. I looked at Thorin and saw him watching me. I closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
AN: Well that was a long one. LOL. Hope you liked. :)