Chapter Four
Discussions About Erebor
I watched as everyone except for Hetti, Loki and I all follow Gandalf in the hallway. I slowly walk a little so that I could see what the fuss was about. Gandalf opened the front door and I saw a silhouette of a person who had a hood around his head.
The person stepped in the hallway as Gandalf shut the front door once more. The newcomer than took of his hood and I finally took in his apperance.
He had long black hair which was a little wavy, a few strands of sliver in his hair which really suited him. Two braids neatly tied at the side of his ears with a sliver clasp of some sort. He had a heart shaped face, straight nose, trimmed beard and thin lips.
It was his eyes that had really caught my attention however, never have I seen the colour of his eyes before. They were the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen.
I realised I was staring so I averted my gaze to a drawing I did years ago of Bag End.
"Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." the newcomer remarked.
'How can you get lost in The Shire?' I thought to myself 'Not once, but twice. Just what was he doing?'
"Mark?" exclaimed Bilbo, stepping forward "There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!"
'Maybe I should have informed Bilbo after all!' I realised to myself, not noticing a chuckle behind me.
"There is a mark, I put it there myself," replied Gandalf facing Bilbo now "Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."
I could see Bilbo swallow hard when he saw that Thorin was watching him intently as he crossed his arms against his chest.
"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?"
Bilbo fidgeted with his robe and I could tell he was not prepared for this question that had come from nowhere.
"Pardon me?"
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" asked Thorin.
I did not like where this was going.
"Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant." replied Bilbo.
"Thought as much." smirked Thorin "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."
Everyone around me roared with laughter but I was completely angry by the cheek this 'Thorin Oakenshield' person and walked up besides Bilbo who looked hurt. My eyes return to the smirking face of Thorin.
"Tell me something," I began, my eyes never left Thorin who until now was watching Bilbo "have you always been rude to your host, or is it because Bilbo is not a dwarf?"
Thorin was just staring back at me, there was no emotion from his face. I refused to back down and stared right back at him. He did not scare me in the slightest.
"It is alright Elaina," said Bilbo trying to get my attention but I continued watching Thorin "no harm done."
"No harm done," I spat "This late comer is taking the-,"
"Elaina," begged Bilbo "It is just a misunderstanding."
Finally I look at Bilbo, noticing his blue eyes had worry etched on his face.
"That was not a misunderstanding Bilbo," I say softly to him "He was mocking you."
"So, this is the lady you spoke of Gandalf," remarked Thorin, causing me to return my attention back on Thorin "What is your weapon of choice?"
At first I just blinked at him before answering him,
"Oh, it's my turn for you to mock me is it?"
Thorin's blue eyes went wide.
"Are you always like this?" asked Thorin.
"Like what?"
"Hot tempered!"
The look I gave him could have caused him to turn to stone.
"Funnily enough,"I began, noticing Bilbo trying to get my attention by placing his hand on my arm "this hot tember of mine, only emerged, since your arrival!"
With that, I brushed past the many dwarves and opened the front door, before stepping out for my anger to diminish.
~~Thorin's POV~~
Never has anyone dared raise their voice to me and to my shock walk away from me. I was not amused by her at all.
"That was not your finest moment Thorin," scorned Gandalf looking down at me like I was a naughty little boy "We need everyone present."
"I'll go check up on her."
I saw that man Loki, that I briefly met back in Bree, when Gandalf and I first spoke about how to reclaim my home, Erebor. Looking at him, I did not trust him then and I certainly did not trust him now. There was something strange about this tall man that I simply could not place.
Loki smirked at me, before he too went outside. I would be keeping an extra eye on him, I decided.
"I think you yourself should bring back Elaina!" remarked Gandalf
"I beg your pardon?"
Now I was being told of by a wizard. Who next? Perhaps the hobbit would try his luck and say something back at me. Glancing at him however, I saw he, himself look very nervous.
"You heard me Thorin!"
Gandalf was towering over me now. I glared at him, not at all amused by him.
~~Elaina's POV~~
'The gall of that man.'
I was pacing back and forth, willing my anger to subside. Even though Thorin only asked Bilbo what weapon he used, it was the little outburst at the end I really hated.
"Are you alright?" came a voice, causing me to stop pacing around.
I turn around and came face to face with Loki.
"Stupid question." grinned Loki.
"I have no idea who he is," I began looking at the front door "but the way he acted towards Bilbo, was not on!"
"He was trying to lighten the mood."
"At Bilbo's expense!" I point out catching Loki's amused face "You didn't see the hurt expression on his face."
"If you don't beat them," smiled Loki "join them."
I found myself smiling back at him. I had no idea who Loki was either but, I found myself being completely at ease with him.
"Come, you have a hobbit to defend!" laughed Loki.
Despite myself, I laughed with him and followed Loki back inside.
Bilbo and our guests were now in the living quarters and for a second I stayed standing by the door frame taking everything in. It surprised me that not long ago every dwarve here, were shouting, throwing food around and making a right mess of everything.
Now though, they were all sitting around the table being quiet and reserved. I glance at the head of the table and notice Thorin there, having something to eat with a drink next to his meal.
I also noticed that there was only one place to sit and it was right next to Thorin. I decided to stay where I was. I wanted nothing to do with this obnoxious man.
At first I could not find Hetti or Bilbo and I scaned the room and finally saw Hetti, sitting next to Ori, but where was Bilbo?
"Elaina, won't you have a sit?" asked Gandalf, who was sitting on Thorin's left.
"No thank you, I prefer standing!"
"I'd rather you sit down Elaina." replied Gandalf, gently to me.
I politely shook my head and lean on the wall behind me. I was most surprised to see Dwalin stand up and approach me.
"Lady Elaina, perhaps you could sit next to me."
I was about to decline when I caught Gandalf's stern looking face and I reluctantly nod my head and follow Dwalin towards the table, noticing some of the dwarves shift up one chair so I could sit next to Dwalin.
"Now perhaps we can start this meeting." said Gandalf.
I was relieved to see Bilbo hovering between Gandalf and Thorin.
"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" I heard Balin ask.
"Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms." replied Thorin in the middle of eating an array of food from his plate.
I raise my eyebrows when nearly everyone cheers in approval.
"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" asked Dwalin.
"They will not come." said Thorin and I watch him look into his meal with a hardened look on his face "They say this quest is ours, and ours alone."
Again all the dwarves mumour their disappointment and I wonder just what is going on here.
"You're going on a quest?" asked Bilbo, who so far had been listening quietly.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light." replied Gandalf.
Bilbo walks away and goes in search of a candle. Gandalf meanwhile was in the process of smoothing out a map which he then placed on the table. Bilbo came back with a lit candle and placed it on the table, besides the map.
"Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak." said Gandalf, placing his finger on the map.
"The Lonely Mountain!" queried Bilbo, sounding a little curious.
"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time." replied Gloin.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." remarked Oin.
I look up at Bilbo and see he is swallowing hard.
"Bilbo are you alright?" I asked him seeing him swallow hard again.
"Uh, What beast?" asked Bilbo.
"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." exclaimed Bofur.
I glared at him for trying to scare Bilbo.
"Yes, I know what a dragon is!" remarked Bilbo frowning at Bofur.
I noticed Ori stand up and say,
"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!"
His statement made my mouth twitch a little and several of the dwarves all cheer and laugh at Ori's sudden confidence.
"Sit down!" snapped Dori.
Ori then sat back down.
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest." said Balin.
Many shout at what Balin has just said but I was having my own problem to take any real notice. For a spilt second, all was silent around me, I saw a red, sleeping form in a dark place in my mind and it scared me a little.
The dwarves voices came back to me which I was relieved to hear but I was wondering what just happened there.
"We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!" smiled Fili, bringing me out of that strange place I was in.
"And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." smiled Kili.
I roll my eyes.
"Oh, well, now, uh, I-I-I wouldn't say that, I-," stammered Gandalf.
"How many, then?" asked Dori.
"Uh, what?" said Gandalf, causing me to smirk.
"Well, how many dragons have you killed?" Gandalf starts coughing into to his pipe "Go on. give us a number." asked Dori.
I could tell Gandalf was getting uncomfortable as every Dwarf except Thorin are shouting over themselves. I took matters in my own hands, I stood up and whistle very loudly stopping the shouting immediately.
"Does it really matter on how many dragons have been slain by Gandalf?" I ask them all, seeing them all look at me then at the table "I thought not!...Let's just concentrate on one dragon, yes?"
"Lady Elaina is right," began Thorin standing up "If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty 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 Bekâr! Du Bekâr! (To arms! To arms!)"
Every dwarf start cheering, as Thorin sits back down again, resuming his meal.
"You forget, the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." remarked Balin.
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." smiled Gandalf.
I watch Gandalf as he delves inside his pocket and retrive something. Gandalf produces a dwarvish key, ornately wrought. Thorin looks at it in wonder.
"How came you by this?" asked Thorin, staring at the key.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now."
Gandalf hands over the key to Thorin, who then takes it. Thorin then puts the key on a chain and places it around his neck for safe keeping.
"If there is a key, there must be a door." remarked Fili.
"Well that's normally the way, is it not?" smiled Hetti.
"Hetti!" I warned her, giving her a stern look.
Gandalf points at runes on the map with his pipe
"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls." said Gandalf.
"There's another way in!" smiled Kili.
I saw Hetti roll her eyes, trying not to smile with it.
"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. 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. 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." smiled Gandalf.
"That's why we need a burglar." admitted Ori.
"Hm, A good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine" agreed Bilbo.
I look at Bilbo and realise he is the burglar and frown. I did not like where this was going.
"And are you?" asked Gloin.
"Am I what?" asked Bilbo clearly confused.
"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" laughed Oin.
Looking at Gandalf I say to him,
"Do you mean to tell me, you haven't told Bilbo his the burglar?" Gandalf looked at me sheepishly. "Good grief" I add shaking my head in disgust.
Several dwarves start laughing, not noticing Thorin watch me intently.
"M-Me? No, no, no, no, no. I'm not a burglar, I've never stolen a thing in my life." exclaimed Bilbo.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material." remarked Balin.
I watch Bilbo nod his head, agreeing with everything Balin was saying.
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." remarked Dwalin.
Again Bilbo is nodding his head. I could understand Bilbo's hesitance but I knew he really liked traveling to places. Why was he acting like this, I wondered.
Gandalf seems to get angry and stands up and I look at him in shock as he seems to grow even more and a darkness comes around us. he then speaks using a different sounding voice.
"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is!"
Gandalf reverts back to normal and the darkness that was around us, suddenly disappeared.
"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 this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this."
"Very well. We will do it your way." Thorin remarked.
"No, no, no." exclaimed Bilbo, looking bewildered.
"Give him the contract," began Thorin who then caught my eye "and one for his two daughters."
'What? Why was he including Hetti and I in his quest of his.' I thought, noticing that Thorin was still watching me, which I did not like.
"Please." Bilbo pleaded.
"Alright, we're off!" smiled Bofur.
Balin hands Bilbo, Hetti and I a contract which was very long.
"It's just the usual summary of out of pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." remarked Balin.
"Funeral arrangements?" stammered Bilbo, going pale.
"Charming!" I whispered as I read the contact.
"I cannot guarantee his safety!"
I heard Thorin say quietly to Gandalf. How was it, I could hear what he was whispering about.
"Understood." replied Gandalf.
"Nor will I be responsible for his fate."
"Agreed!" said Gandalf somberly.
I glared at Thorin, I knew we would never be friends. I thought he was a vile, nasty person, who clearly had no time for others, except these dwarves here that is.
"Terms, Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any. Seems fair. Eh, Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations ... evisceration … incineration?" I heard Bilbo read from the contract.
"Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." joked Bofur.
I watch Bilbo go even more pale.
"Huh!" was his response.
"You all right, laddie?" asked Balin looking concerned at Bilbo.
"Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint." confessed Bilbo.
"Oh my!" I remark, looking at Bilbo with worry, unaware that Thorin was watching me again.
"Think furnace with wings." joked Bofur again.
"Is that really helping him?" I exclaim getting some laughter from across the room.
"Air, I-I-I need air." remarked Bilbo.
I was getting very worried about him.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you're nothing more than a pile of ash!" smirked Bofur.
"Oh for the," I cry out watching Bilbo intently as his breathing was increasing. "If your not careful Bilbo, you will hyperventilate," I caught Thorin staring at me as I heard Bilbo's breathing "and," I add returning my attention back to Bilbo seeing him act funny. "faint!"
"Hmmm. Nope." replied Bilbo before fainting on the floor.
"Well done!" I clap sarcastically to Bofur, who looked ashamed "That was not on!"
I get up and walk towards Bilbo and kneel down.
"Ah, very helpful, Bofur." replied Gandalf not looking impressed himself.