A/N: Thank you every one that is reviewing and a special shout out to Spark and Fire i really am appreciating the feedback. Keep it coming hope you guys enjoy this new chapter.
Restania waited patiently for an answer it seemed all the dwarves were in great discussions about her story and whether to allow her to join them. Finally after listening to arguments for several minutes
Thorin stood "ENOUGH" he bellowed. "I believe that she should join us" All the dwarves nodded assent.
"Then that is settled" Thorin turned and met Restania's eyes "We would be glad for your help and company on the quest to regain our home"
She smiled the most beautiful smile he had ever seen and he felt he would tell her yes 100 times over to see her smile that way again. He turned to Balin "Have you an extra contract? " Balin pulled one out handing it to Restania who took it and began to read over it.
The dwarves were talking quietly to one another when Bilbo asked about what the portents were. "What are the portents what is so special about them?"
The dwarves turned their eyes onto him and Balin answered "The portents are like a prophesy it was said to tell us the signs to look for when we would most be able to defeat the beast. The signs we talk of have as we said before begun to occur.
Thorin stood then "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 in 60 years.
Restania looked up from the contract adding "Eyes have started to look east to the mountain assessing, wondering, weighing the risk many times when stopping at inns or restocking supplies I have heard them talk of it
Thorin nodded to her "What she says is true. What if the vast wealth of our people sits unprotected? Do we sit back and let others take what is rightfully ours or do we take this chance to reclaim Erebor."
Restania now understood what Gandalf had said this dwarf was a born leader and as looked around him to the other members of the company she could see the respect all the others had for him. He would be a mighty king someday if the chance was given to him.
Balin spoke up now "You forget the front gate is sealed, there is no way into the mountain!"
"That my dear Balin is not entirely true" Gandalf said as he produced a key.
"How came you by this" Thorin asked?
"It was giving to me by your father, by Thrain for safe keeping it is yours now." Thorin took the key with reverence.
"If there is a key then there must be a door" Fili said.
"These ruins" Gandalf indicated ruins on the map "speak of a hidden passage into the lower halls"
"There is another way in" Kili said with awed excitement
"Well if we can find it but dwarf doors are invisible when closed are they not?" Restania asked as she handed the signed contract back to Balin. Thorin nodded answering her question as he watched the exchange and the small wink that Balin sent the female's way.
Gandalf went on "The answer lies 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 are careful and clever I believe that it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar" Ori piped up
"A good one too, an expert id imagine" Bilbo replied messing with his suspenders.
"And are you?" Dwalin asked
Bilbo looked up confused "Am I what"
"He said he's an expert" Oin claimed laughing
Restania shook her head trying not to laugh herself Mr. Baggins sure looked nothing like any burglar she had ever met.
"Me no, no, no im not a burglar I've never stolen a thing in my life." Bilbo stated slightly panicked wondering where they had gotten the idea he had.
"Im afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins he is hardly burglar material." Balin stated
Dwalin piped up also "Aye the wilds no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves."
Bilbo attempted to agree and arguments broke out again over what they should do for a burglar. Thorin leaned to Restania about to ask her opinion when Gandalf stood menacingly and said "Enough if I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet and go unseen by most when they choose, and while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf the scent of a hobbit will be unknown to him which gives him a distinct advantage."
Restania although not fully convinced herself could see the advantages however she could also see the dwarves point of view that if the hobbit were to get separated or hurt he would be the least likely to survive and could slow them down in troubled times. She trusted Gandalf's judgment to a certain extent and would attempt to trust him on this.
Gandalf meanwhile had turned to Thorin "you asked me to find the 14th member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins here. He has a great deal more to offer then any of you know including himself."
Thorin answered him saying "You have also chosen a 15th member I did not ask you for and I would trust the women much faster then I would trust you're would be burglar." But Gandalf's simply said "You must trust me on this"
"Fine we do it your way" He turned to Balin "Give him a contract".
Balin smiled as Bilbo tried to say no. "It's just the usual out of pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements so forth. "Funeral arrangements?" squeaked Bilbo.
Thorin stood and leaned to Gandalf's ear. "The woman's safety and fate I will take into my hands but I cannot guarantee the burglars safety nor will I we be responsible for his fate." Gandalf looked up at Thorin in surprise at the declaration of Restania's fate but agreed to both none the less.
"Terms cash on delivery" Restania heard Bilbo read the contract quietly to himself she had to smile at least he was smart enough to read it all the way through. She had to keep herself from laughing when he came to the part about the company not being liable for injury "Lacerations, eviscerations, Incineration?" His voice went higher with every word.
"Oh aye he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye" There was Bofur again messing with the poor hobbits mind.
Thorin watched the amused look that came on to Restania's face and leaned over to her "You find it funny do you thinking about being burned to a crisp," She looked at him the amusement still there
"No however I do find Bofur messing with the hobbits mind generally amusing." Thorin smiled at her and as she looked in his eyes she saw the amusement that mirrored her own.
She looked over at Bilbo to see he was pale and trying to breathe as Balin asked "You alright laddie".
"Umm yeah I feel a bit faint" Bilbo said as he blew out a few breaths.
"Think furnace with wings" Bofur added
"I need air" Bilbo replied as he breathed deeply twice.
"Flash of light, searing pain then poof your nothing but a pile of ash" Bofur also added.
Restania was actually becoming concerned at how pale Bilbo had actually become. He was breathing deeply and then he let out a little breath and for a minute she thought he might actually be ok but the he said "Nope" and passed out.