Chapter 2: Meeting in Bree
One rainy night in Bree, a little village off the borders of the Hobbit lands of the Shire, 2 Swarf figures had entered the village. The 2 made their way to the local village inn, The Prancing Pony. They entered the inn, making sure they weren't being followed. The 2 took off their hooded cloaks, revealing the faces of the young Dwarf prince and princess of Erebor. Thorin Oakenshield and his sister, Tharia.
The 2 seated and ordered their meal, observing the hyperactive, drunken locals as they smoked their pipe weed. "Here you are." The maid said, handing them their food. "Thank you." Thorin said, taking the meals. Thorin handed Tharia her dish, ripped off a piece of his yam and took a small bite. Tharia peaked behind her as she ate her yam too. "Thorin." She whispered. Thorin looked to where his sister was peaking. A bald man with one pale white eye was watching them. Thorin turned to his left, where another man was also watching them. Thorin carefully put his food down. "Get ready." He whispered. The 2 men stood up and prepared to walk towards them.
Thorin reached for his sword and Tharia slowly pulled a dagger from her sleeve. Just then, 2 figures sat down at their table. An elderly gentleman and a young blonde girl. "Mind if we join you?" The elder asked. The girl stopped the maid from earlier. "We'll have the same." She said, letting her go. The Dwarves just stared. "We should probably introduce ourselves. My name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf said. "And I'm Selindra. Gandalf's student." Selindra said. "We know who you are." Thorin said. "Well now, this is a fine chance. Tell us, what brings Thorin and Tharia Oakenshield to Bree?" Gandalf asked. "We received word that our father had been seen wondering the wilds near Dunland." Thorin explained. "We went looking. Found no sign of him." "Not a single trace. No footprints. No beard hair. Nothing." Tharia said. "Thorin, Tharia, it's been a long time since anything but rumor was heard of Thrain." Gandalf said. "He still lives. I am sure of it." Thorin said. Tharia looked at her brother with a bit of concern. She knew Thorin had changed much since their father disappeared after the battle at Moria.
By then, the maid had brought Gandalf and Selindra the same dish. "Our father came to see you before he went missing. What did you say to him?" Tharia asked. "I urged him to march upon Erebor. To rally the 7 armies of the Dwarves. To destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I will say the same to you. Take back your homeland." Gandalf said as Selindra ate her food. Tharia looked at her brother. Thorin was silent for a second. "This is no chance meeting is it, Gandalf?" He asked, taking a sip from his mead. "No, it is not." Gandalf said. "Thorin, the mountain has been troubling us. That dreaded dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn towards Erebor." Selindra said. "She is right. We ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling down the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond. And Selindra as my slave consort." Gandalf said. "I imagine they regretted that." Thorin said. "Oh, they did, after I took these off their hands." Selindra said, showing her string of conquered fingers. Tharia looked long at Selindra's work. "It's a personal hobby." Selindra said, putting the fingers away.
"One of them was carrying a message." Gandalf said as he brought out a piece of parchment with something written on it. "It's Black Speech. A promise of payment." "For what?" Thorin asked. "Your heads." Gandalf revealed. That shocked Thorin and Tharia. "Someone wants you dead." Gandalf said. "We don't know who though." Selindra said. "Thorin, you and Tharia can wait no longer. You 2 are the heirs to the throne of Durin. Unite the armies of the Dwarves. Together you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting with the 7 Dwarf families. Demand they stand by their oath." Gandalf said. "It's the only chance you have to take back your homeland." Selindra said. "The 7 armies swore that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel. The Arkenstone. It is the only thing that will unite them. And in case you forgot, that jewel was stolen by Smaug!" Thorin explained.
The 4 saw the 2 Men exiting the inn. "What if we were to help you reclaim it?" Gandalf asked. "How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried beneath the feet of a fire-breathing dragon." Thorin said. "Yes, it does. Which is why we're going to need a couple of burglars." Gandalf said. "Who Gandalf?" Selindra asked. Gandalf just smiled. He knew exactly who would be their burglars.
Nearby, a young ranger around Selindra's age was listening to their conversation. With a desire for adventure, and being entranced by Selindra's beauty, he decided to accompany them in secret.
Special thanks to vulcran for the young ranger.