DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do however, own my OC, Kidhuzel! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known but be polite while you do it. Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4
"What are ye going to do with it?"
Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, and Gandalf sit once more at Bilbo's table trying to decide on what to do with the newest guest. Though the other members of the company have been instructed to bed down for the night, none of the quickly constructed council believe that they will just yet. Both the young and the old are too curious of the happenings surrounding the night's events to lay their heads to rest without answers. It had quickly become clear that the odd creature had an obsession with the dwarf king and refused to let him out of her sight; instead grinning wildly while following him with her eyes wherever he might go. While Dwalin did not trust her in the least, he begrudgingly admitted that he would be unable to harm the girl unless she were to strike first. He almost wished she would just so he could be rid of the thing. Still, sitting at a table with a naked half dragon child made him more nervous than he'd like to admit.
"Her."
"What?" he questions, glaring at the child, firmly keeping his eyes on her face as she spreads her wings and stands on the old chair. In slight alarm, he grips his twin battle axes in case she attempts to attack "What do ye think ye are doin'?"
"I am a 'her' not an 'it' so I wanted to correct your mistake." Gesturing to her nether regions she hums low in her throat at the four uneasy males "I lack a second head."
"Oh my good gracious!"
In the rounded archway the master of the house stands in his nightclothes, shocked. While he had been awakened by the commotion earlier, he refrained from exiting his bedchambers deciding that the dwarves were simply being rowdy again. Once they quieted, he came to insist that they retire for the night only to find a dwarf child standing on his dining room furniture just as naked as the day she was born. Completely missing all her eccentric features, he is overwhelmed by her nudity and quickly enters the room. Scooping her under the arms, the hobbit lifts the girl off the chair with a huff before removing his robe and wrapping it around her shoulders.
"Have you no sense of propriety?!" he lectures as the dwarves and wizard gape at him "Letting the poor girl run around in the nude with a house full of males! Why, I never!"
"That is no mere child, Master Baggins." Balin attempts to explain before the flustered hobbit can work himself into a state. While everyone present had been aware of her nakedness, none were comfortable enough to offer to clothe her. A mistake on their part, for with the robe the creature looks much less dangerous. Almost normal "That-"
"SHE." the little creature hisses in annoyance while playing with the tassels on her newly acquired covering "I told you that I am a 'she.' I am of the female sex and therefore cannot be identified by genderless pronouns."
"Yes. Yes, that is all very true." surprisingly, the girl seems content with his response. She stops hissing and returns to her curious state of observation. All present truly expected her to rip the arms off the little hobbit when he touched her person, but she merely watches him with interest much to their silent surprise "SHE is a dragon. At least partly so."
"She is?" Bilbo questions, unfazed by the information. Taking in the girl's form he notices her many oddities but does not comment on them. As a fauntling, he once met a hobbit with hairless feet. His mother, an adventurous lass by the name of Belladonna Took, explained that it wasn't proper to point out people's differences lest you seem callous. So instead, he bends at the waist to look directly into her golden eyes "Are you a dragon, Miss?"
"It would seem that way, sir. The seed that I grew from was that of a drake but the female body that temporarily held me was of the dwarvish make." The little one nods to herself, before turning and climbing back onto the chair. Flashing a smile at Thorin, she turns back to the hobbit expectantly "Is there a word for that?"
"Not one that I've ever heard. Have you eaten tonight?" The hobbit does not ask to be a good host but rather to gage whether or not there is a hungry drakling in his smial. While not knowing what makes up a half dragon's diet, the Shireling would like to be prepared in case he must flee for his life from the pointy toothed being "Is there something you would like to eat Miss… oh dear. We haven't been properly introduced. I'm-"
"Daft." Dwalin interrupts with a disbelieving sneer. That the Halfling would attempt to exchange pleasantries with the drake could only mean that he is a few coins short of a pound. The company is lucky he backed out of the quest "Dragons do not eat tea and scones, Master Baggins."
"I've always wanted to try tea and scones!" the young girl chirps with enthusiasm, ignoring Dwalin's snort "Apple cinnamon streusel is Thorin's favorite and I'd really like to try one. And could you bring one for him too? He has not had any in, oh… a little over a year. Do you have any Bilbo?"
"Ah… yes." the light that shines behind the girl's eyes when she speaks about the king is not lost on any within the room and the hobbit answers without even thinking. To some, her taking a shine to Thorin is almost endearing but others are made nervous by their distrust that such a creature can speak with anything akin to thoughtfulness "My larder is all but empty but I-I-I'm sure I could find some, Miss…"
"My bearer named me Kidhuzel." Tilting her head in the direction of Thorin, causing her curly hair to bounce, she brings her hand to her mouth in thought "But, if we ever grow to become closer than acquaintances… what is the word… um… FRIENDS! Yes. If we ever become friends, you may then call me 'El' for convenience's sake."
"Alright, then. Miss Kidhuzel. I'll do that. I'll see if I can find any scones." nodding to himself while taking in the girl's form her turns from the room in search of the promised treats "And something for you to wear."
"Thank you!" Once again sitting in her chair, El gazes around at the original four occupants "You were saying?"
"You shant fool me with this form or dainty talk." Having watched the entire scene, Dwalin had made up his mind that no good would come from associating with this being. Time has taught him to be wary of things that are out of the ordinary, fore they tend to bring extraordinary problems along with them and she is truly something unnatural "Dragons only know how to kill and destroy; only caring for gold."
"Is that so?" Turning her gaze to the dwarf king, El searches his gaze for confirmation "I cannot say I care for gold. Nonetheless, do you want me to kill and destroy?"
"… No."
"Then," she turns back to Dwalin with her response "I will not."
"And if I did?"
"Thorin!" Balin exclaims at the very idea but is halted from furthering his thoughts on the topic when his king raises a silencing hand.
"If I did?" he probes again, watching her face for any tell tale sign of a lie "If I told you to kill and destroy, to murder and steal, to spread pain or love or desire… would you?"
"I would."
The surety of her answer is disturbing; that something so potentially powerful would actually pledge itself to a person is frightening. Her supposed dwarvish pride would ensure that she upheld her promise and her obvious dragon heritage would grant her the power to do so. Frightening indeed yet, Thorin cannot help the thrill that shivers up his spine at the prospect. It's not only flattering but empowering to know that he has control over such a weapon. He may not know the extent of her abilities but if the unease of the wizard is anything to go by, the half drake is a force to be reckoned with. Or she will be once he is through with her. The possibilities for the future are endless… if her words are true. The prospect that she may be lying slams Thorin back to Middle Earth rather quickly.
"Why?" Gandalf offers the simple question as he watches the thoughts run clearly across the dwarf king's face. He eyes El warily, not liking this new unknown factor. While he doubts her ill intentions, caution is not unwarranted in this instance "Why follow his orders?"
"I am King, Tharkun." Using the wizards dwarven name while puffing his chest in offense, the dwarf discards all former thoughts of his princely status. Though he has been revered as a king for many years now, it is only this night that he has truly shed his internal title of prince "Why would she not?"
"I have as much interest in kings as I do gold. I would follow you whether your pockets were lined with diamonds or dung." El speaks her mind, having heard enough of titles and riches. Her attention is for only Thorin "You gave me the warmth I sought time and again. Brought me back to life when I was all but cold and dead. I will return the favor with my unyielding devotion. My actions are yours to delegate so long as they do not cause me to depart from your side for any largely sustained extent of time."
At her declaration, the room is left speechless. There are no lies detected in her voice or demeanor. Many know the story of how Thrain came by the jewel, or what was thought to be a jewel, backing most of her story. The only questions that can be given are against her loyalty but that can only be proven, or disproven, with time. The silence is broken with the reappearance of Bilbo. He parcels out the scones, clothes, and rooms before dismissing himself for the night. It is not until the sweets are done and the night is no longer so young that anyone speaks again.
"What is to be done with 'er?" Dwalin grumbles his original question "Ye cannot take 'er with us."
"Nor can you leave her here." Gandalf inserts, cleaning his pipe of the tobacco before putting it into his pocket "The Shire is no place for a dragon or a dwarf."
"Nor can we release such a creature out into the world." shaking his white head, Balin sighs softly. Either she would destroy it or it would destroy her. Despite not having any strong feelings for the child, the elder dwarf finds the idea of losing a dam, no matter how queer, to be a major loss "Unable to take her. Unable to leave her. A mighty fine situation we've found ourselves in."
"She has already stated that she will follow us." the king states, not liking the idea of leaving without the girl "Whether we take her with us or she follows on her own, she will come."
"And ye'd let her?" the burly dwarrow questions skeptically. Thorin is naturally a paranoid dwarf. To let this course of action play out with so little fight is unlike him "She'll just take Smaug's place."
"I do not think she will, Dwalin. However if you can stop her from following, I will not complain." expecting some response from the girl, Thorin peaks at her from the corner of his eyes "Though it might be best to keep her where we can control who she comes into contact with."
"Tis true." Balin agrees, crossing his arms and watching the girl munch away while she ignores them. She does not appear to be even slightly disturbed that they are discussing her future "The lassie knows as much as you do about the quest, what with her hanging around your neck for so long."
"It has gotten quite late. Nothing will be decided tonight." holding onto a wall and shuffling forward carefully as not to bang his head on the low ceiling, Gandalf interrupts the conversation by making his way to his room "I trust that you all will keep an eye on young Kidhuzel?"
"Aye." Thorin rumbles, holding back a smirk at the newly dressed child. An oversized shirt for sleepwear and a loose fitting dress to travel in were provided by Master Baggins. El's head bobs repeatedly as she attempts to stay awake but it is obviously a losing battle "We will put her up for the night."
"Come now, lassie." Balin coos but carefully stands out of her reach. Though undecided of her absent ferocity, the dwarf would rather not chance coming into contact with her claws "It is time for bed now."
"Alright." she hums amicably and stands. To the dwarves' surprise, she stumbles over to Thorin, lifting her arms expectantly "Up."
"Walk to your room." the dwarf orders lightly, guiding the girl's short arms back down to her sides. He has not carried a child to bed since Kili was no taller than his knees. Though not much bigger, the king does not plan to carry the girl "It is only a short distance. I will be down the hall."
"No." she pouts, throwing her arms around his hips and burying her face in his thigh "I will not let you leave me. If you sleep down the hall, then I will too."
"It is hardly proper-" Balin starts only for his brother to add his thoughts in as well
"There is no way I'd let you be alone with him!"
"Then you too." she snaps out but its muffled by Thorin's trousers "I care not about you but I'm not leaving my bearer's side."
"So much for loyalty." The bald dwarf growls out, looking as though he would like to tear the child away from his king "You said you would follow 'is orders."
"And I am, as best I can." Lifting her face, she looks up at her dwarf with large pleading eyes "I won't leave you. Not now, not ever. Never. So please do not ask it of me."
"A night is not long." He begins to clarify but when she gives no response, Thorin lets out a sigh before untangling himself from El's limbs. While her words warm his chest, he refuses to let it show. Giving her a stern look, he nods his acceptance "… Stubborn aren't you?"
"I am part dwarf."
"Maybe." Giving his attention to his oldest friends Thorin explains his decision "Balin, divide up the remaining rooms for anyone still awake. Dwalin, you're with me for the night. I hope you do not mind sleeping on the floor."
"As long as ye aren't alone with 'er, I don't mind." Glaring down, Dwalin thuds away to retrieve his pack and set up his bedroll in the room. Calling over his shoulder as he rounds the bend, he shoots back a warning "Ye try anything funny and ye'll regret it."
Within 15 minutes the house has gone quiet of all conversation. The steady snores of the company almost shake the home with their nightly songs of sleep. Dwalin's heavy breathing blocks out El's silent ones but should not be taken lightly. Snoring or not, the dwarf would be up in an instant at the slightest threat of an enemy. His friend is not Thorin's concern at the moment, but rather the tiny babe curled up in his arms. Dwalin had turned a horrid shade of purple when she crawled into the king's bed but eventually relaxed upon finding her asleep instantly. Disgust and wonder battle each other within Thorin's mind as her tail slides against his leg; tightening to make certain he does not leave her. It feels strange but not as unpleasant as he would expect upon touching a dragon.
"Dragon. More like an octopus." he scoffs quietly, peeling Kidhuzel's arms from around his torso only for the appendages to snap back around him again "Your place is no longer so close to me."
Even as he whispers this, the dwarf doesn't attempt to extricate himself again. Looking at her now, one would not know of her dragon heritage. Little feet kick him beneath the blankets now and again each time he removes her thumb from her mouth. The soggy black tipped digit curls into his shirt prior to once again slipping into the pointed cavern. 'If she bites herself, the blame can only be hers.' Not that he can see her teeth at the moment with them hidden. No, looking at her now, anyone would guess that she were a normal dwarfling. And she would be if not for certain attributes. Thorin begins to imagine ways in which he could hide her oddities and by the time his eyes drift shut for the night, he believes a solution has been found.
~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~
Heya! Hiya! How ya doing? Hope this chapter brightens up your day as much as it does mine. Say something nice about it or say something mean. I might cry or laugh either way just because I'm unpredicatable. So lets give a warm thank you to the wonderful reviewers that got this chapter out! Thank you watergoddesskasey, YMR, Laura, and Bleeding blue kunoichi for your reviews! I appreciate them from the bottom of imagination. ~Shishi