Hey guys! Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of this new story and will continue to enjoy it! Please leave me your thoughts and feelings in the reviews, I love hearing from you all xx

Chapter 2

After spending the last month on the road, I smile as I finally see Bree in the distance.

"Finally. Be nice to sleep in a bed tonight." I say to myself.

Pushing Sidhiel into a canter, we reach the gates not long after, I thank the gatekeeper as he lets me through and I ride to where the stables are located by the Prancing Pony.

Dismounting Sidhiel, I pay the stable boy handsomely to guarantee my horse will be well taken care off. Taking off my packs and kissing her snout, I allow her to be lead off before I make my way to the inn.

Walking in, I am immediately accosted by the loud noises and smells of the other patrons. Tuning out my senses slightly, I go to the bar to wait for the keep.

He notices me and smiles as he walks over. "'Ello lass. What can I do for you?"

I smile back. "Do you have any spare rooms available by chance?"

He nods. "Yes, I do believe I have a few still. Just the one?"

"Yes please." I reply with a nod.

After paying, he jots down my name and passes me my room key.

"Thank you. Oh, before I go, would you have happened to have seen an older gentlemen lately? About, yea tall," I raise my hand to approximately the right height, or try to with my short stature. "Grey pointed hat, beard and robes?"

He hums before going into thought. "I did a good few months ago, but not recently if you mean."

I nod. "Then I'm early. Thank you for your help."

He smiles as I leave him and make my way up the stairs up to the second floor where I go into my room, locking the door behind me.

Looking around the room, I notice there's not much to it. A bed, bedside table, dresser and a small table and chair. Nothing much to look at, but it will do for the night.

Setting my weapons in the corner, I walk over to the dresser where a bowl of water, cloth and a bar of soap had been left for the new guest. Reaching up to the water, I hold my hands over the bowl for a few moments, concentrating on my magic to heat the water up to a decent temperature before using the soap and cloth to wash myself down. Afterwards, I pull the chair to the window where I sit and begin to sharpen my weapons.

I had just been in Rohan when Gandalf had met me, asking me to meet him here, for what reason, he has yet to explain. However, I do know that he tends to meddle in a lot of things, so this doesn't give me much hope that this is just a passing visit. However, for Gandalf, I would do almost anything, having been a dear friend since I was born.

I stay in my room for a few hours without realising, looking up as the sun is beginning to set. Putting my weapons aside, I decide to go downstairs to wait for my old friend.

Keeping a few hidden blades on me, I leave while locking the door behind me and go downstairs where I order an ale and sit in one corner of the room, out of the way of other patrons.

It's not long after that I look up and frown as I see dwarves, quite a few dwarves, walk in. This quite surprises me, It is not often known for dwarves to wander from their halls, being a secretive race and all. Raising my mug to my lips, I watch as the group go to the other corner and gather up some tables to sit at. I also notice the mood in the inn has dropped considerably, most of the others watching them, some leering. I make sure to keep an eye out for trouble. Not long after this thought enters my mind, a man from the table next to me whispers loudly, enough for everyone to hear.

"I knew this place isn't anything to look at, but I thought they would have some decency to not let such rabble in here."

I watch as the dwarves freeze, most of them glaring in the direction of the voice.

"Got something to say, whelp?" the bald one asks.

"Oh, nothing." The man begins as he stands, towering over the dwarves. "Except that your kind aren't wanted, or welcome, here. So you might as well leave."

"Is there a rule, or a sign, to say dwarves are not welcome here?" another asks.

The voice of this one sends flutters all through my body and as I look to it, I see a dwarf with raven black hair has stood next to the bald one, wearing a blue coat and grey/blue eyes swirling like a storm, even more so at this man.

"Take my advice, dwarf, get lost. Your kind are nothing but trouble."

I can't help myself, I let out a loud laugh at this, bringing attention of everyone to me, the man now sneering at me.

"Something funny, girly?"

I shake my head as I stand and walk over, standing between him and the dwarves.

"Just the ramblings of a good for nothing drunk. You talk about dwarves causing trouble, but the only one I see causing trouble around here is you. Now, either sit yourself down and finish your drink quietly, or I will be forced to escort you out myself. And trust me, you won't want that."

It's now his turn to laugh. "You think you can take me on? You're nothing but a little pipsqueak."

"Just sit down, little boy, I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Giving a patronising pat on the mans shoulder, I move past him to go back to my table, his friends laughing at his table. Whether it's from my taunting or his laughing friends, I know I hit a nerve as I hear him call me a wench and then hear the sound of swords being drawn.

"Look out!" A voice from behind calls.

Spinning, I catch the fist of the man, just before it collides with my face, he looks to me in surprise and then yelps in pain as I use my strength to squeeze more, hearing the creaking of his bones.

"I warned you, boy."

Turning, I put my back to his chest and pull on his arm to flip him over my shoulder causing him to cry out and then groan as his back lands on the ground with a thud. Everyone in the inn is now silent again. I turn to the man's friends.

"Take him and get out."

They immediately heed my warning before they scramble to their feet to grab him and lead him out. That's when I notice Gandalf along with a few dwarf stragglers. I look around at the other humans.

"Anyone else got a problem with dwarves?"

They immediately turn away and get back to what they were doing. Hearing a throat clearing behind me, I turn to see the raven-haired dwarf stepping forward.

"Thank you for your assistance, milady. It was not necessary, but appreciated nonetheless."

I smile and give a slight bow of my head to the dwarf. He opens his mouth to say more when Gandalf's voice speaks up.

"Causing trouble once again, Seraphina?"

My smile widens as I turn to him. "Who me? Never. The drunk had it coming."

He chuckles as we embrace one another. "Well, I for one am happy you were here to intervene.

We pull apart and he turns to the dwarf who was speaking with me, a hand on my shoulder.

"Thorin, I would like to introduce you to our final compantion. Seraphina."

I freeze at this. Thorin. . .Thorin Oakenshield? Looking over said dwarf, I instantly know of this dwarf. It's hard to not know of the exiled pince of Erebor who lost his home to Smaug many years ago. Looking over at the others assembled, I begin to put together the nature of why there are thirteen dwarves here. A hard look comes over my face as I turn to the wizard.

"Gandalf. I would like a word with you. Now."

Without giving him a chance to say anything, I turn and make my way up the stairs to my room. Thankfully, I hear Gandalf following. He closes the door behind him.

"I assume you have figured out why I asked you here."

I turn to him. "You're leading them to Erebor, are you not?"

"Indeed."

"And you want me to go?"

"I do."

I can feel my eyes turn gold in my anger. "Don't you realise how insane that is! Thorin lost his home to a fire breathing dragon and you want another one to join them! I swear all that pipe weed has gotten to your head."

"I figured you would want to jump at that chance to join. After all, you also know what it is like to lose your home to Smaug."

"That was not my home, Gandalf. I was only an egg at the time, you know that. My home is in Rivendell."

"Hm. Then maybe you could help another reclaim their home from the dragon."

I look at him for a moment. "Why are you adamant on this? Why Erebor?"

He looks to me for a moment before sighing. "I assume you have been sensing the same thing I have the past few years. The darkness, evil beginning to spread again."

I pause at this, my eyes turning back to their icy blue. He is right. For a few decades I have not felt right. Something in the back of my mind has been itching at me, a feeling that I have not felt in fifty years.

"Sauron?" I ask as I look to my friend. "You think he is returning?"

"I do not know. However, if he were to return, Erebor would be a perfect advantage for him to begin his quest to take over the world. His plan cannot succeed, and with Thorin having his own dragon on hand, it leaves us having our own advantage, do you not think?"

I sigh. "I can see your point. However, my strength and power is not even close to equalling Smaug. How do you propose we defeat him?"

"Oh, we can deal with that when the time comes, I think."

I smirk at him. "You have no idea, do you?"

He gives a little grin of his own. I sigh as I look out of the window, thoughts of the mission ahead running through my head. It would be nice to get revenge, avenge the deaths of my father and those that died during that day, as well as for those of us who had to scatter and go into hiding because of him.

"Very well. However, not one word about my heritage until I am ready. I don't think Thorin needs to know quite yet what I really am."

"Wonderful. I will go and let Thorin know."

He turns and walks out, his robes billowing behind him. Sighing, I sit at the window ledge, resting my arm on my raised left knee, the weight of my acceptance bearing down on me.

Surely I'm getting too old for adventures now? I mean, yes, I am only two hundred and eighty four years of age, and our kind are said to live for thousands of years, but I have responsibilities at home I can't just abandon, nor can I go off gallivanting to my possible death. And I doubt my mother would be happy to know I am on my way to face the dragon that took almost everything from her.

I am interrupted by a knock on my door. Giving Gandalf permission to enter, he walks in, but he's not along, as I suspected. Thorin walks in after him, followed by the bald dwarf and an older one with white hair and beard, which forks into two and curls at the bottom.

"Seraphina, I would like to properly introduce you to the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield. And his trusted advisors, Balin and Dwalin."

I don't move from my position on the ledge as Balin and Dwalin bow when their names are mentioned. I give an incline of my head to each of them before turning my attention to Thorin, watching as he appraises me. I don't interrupt his thoughts, but I do wonder what he thinks.

"You know how to fight?" he asks.

"Of course. I don't just flip people over my shoulder for the fun of it."

I hear Dwalin snort back a laughter while Balin is grinning, I can even see a slight smile gracing Thorin's lips.

"It's clear you know some combat, lass. How about weapons?" Dwalin asks.

I point with my left forefinger to the corner where my weapons are perched against the wall.

"I don't just carry them with me for decoration, Master Dwalin. I am quite proficient with both bow and blade. However, I find axes to be cumbersome."

Thorin looks over the weapons before looking back to me. "I would like to test you on that while on the road, if you are agreeable to it."

I nod. "I am. I have faced many men, elves and orcs before, but dwarves would be a first. I look forward to it."

He nods, although I see him tense at the mention of elves. Knowing about Thranduil and what he did, I can see why. He turns to Balin and nods, who walks over to the table and lays out a parchment, quill and inkpot.

"We just need you to sign this for us, lass."

Finally rising from my spot, I get up and walk over before looking over the contract and sign my name at the bottom. Balin takes out an eyeglass and looks over my signature for a few moments.

"Everything seems to be in order. Welcome, Seraphina, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."

I smile my thanks to him before turning to Thorin. Standing straight, I place my right fist over my heart, bowing slightly.

"I swear to do all I can to help you succeed in your mission."

I seem to have surprised him slightly with my actions, although he recovers quickly, before giving an incline of his head in respect.

"I cannot ask no more than that. And I in return, thank you, Seraphina, for lending your skills to us."

Giving another nod of my head, I turn to Gandalf as he speaks.

"Now we have that out of the way, have you eaten yet, Seraphina? We were just about to have some dinner before bed."

"Not yet. I was going to wait until you arrived before I ate."

"Well, we're here now. How about you join us and we can introduce you to the rest of our group?"

I agree before the five of us leave the room and go downstairs where the others are waiting. As I'm scanning the group, I am incredibly surprised to see a hobbit with them. Why on Earth would Gandalf agree for a hobbit to join us? And why would one agree to come? They prefer to stay in the safety of their homes, not wandering the world.

Once they are informed on my acceptance to join, I am introduced to each of them. First off, are the nephews of Thorin; Fili and Kili, Fili having blond hair with braids and a very short beard with a moustache that is braided on either side of his lips. His brother, Kili, has long, shaggy brown hair which isn't braided and stubble on his chin. As Kili spoke of his service, I recognise his voice being the one to warn me of the man from before.

Next are the brothers Oin and Gloin; Oin is a dwarf with grey hair and beard which is braided and curled around as well as a long, straight moustache. I notice he also has an ear trumpet, so I assume he is hard of hearing. Gloin, has magnificent long red hair and a beard which holds many braids.

And then there are the brothers Bofur – the hatted dwarf, Bombur – the overweight dwarf, who has a marvellous beard which circles around his rotund belly and their cousin Bifur – who surprises me at first as I see the axe in his head, but I quickly ignore it as I smile at him, who gives a small smile back and a nod of the head.

Next are the brothers Dori – who has intricate braids in his grey hair and beard. Nori – red haired dwarf which is tied into three points above his head and his beard braided into three sections, I'm also sure I can see his eyebrows braided into his hair. And then Ori – the only dwarf with short hair, apart from Dwalin who has hair around his head. Ori's hair is the same colour as his brother Nori's.

And finally, I meet the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who gives me a welcoming smile. I smile back before taking my seat between him and Bofur after the dwarf patted it for me to join them.

"That was a great move you did on that drunk before, lass." he says with a grin.

"And surprising, since he was twice your height." Fili points out.

"Height and strength doesn't count for a lot of things. If you know where a person's centre of gravity is, you can use that against them."

"Well said, lass." Nori says, giving me a grin.

"What was your name again, lassie?" Gloin asks from further down.

"Seraphina." I reply.

Kili smiles. "It sounds different. Nice, but different."

I chuckle. "I suppose it does sound unique. You can call me Sera if you wish, I don't mind."

They all nod and we continue talking while eating, the dwarves also seem to like it when I offer to buy a round of ale for everyone, which makes me smile. As I'm sitting with this bunch, I surprisingly don't feel as shy as I usually do within a big crowd. Usually, I surround myself with just a few people at a time, but with this lot. . .I can happily sit with them all and listen to their stories. I don't know what it is, but they make me feel. . .at ease and safe. Surprising given my past experiences with men. I wonder if this feeling will be the same when the found out what I truly am.

Not long after, Thorin has us going to bed, with us having an early start, we don't want to sleep too late. I take my leave of the company to go to my room where I take off my armour and outer clothing and boots before climbing into bed, making sure one of my blades is within easy access. Laying back against the pillow, I have to smile. This is going to be an interesting journey indeed.

There's chapter 2 done and dusted. Next chapter the quest truly begins x