Thorin had finally arrived. Though Ilona was relieved that his travels had gone much smoother than her own, she was not excited for the impending conversation that was bound to happen. She tried to clear her mind of the thoughts but they continued to intrude on her mind. She was momentarily distracted when Thorin mentioned something about lost. Twice. She chuckled to herself. So much for his keen sense of direction. She was drawn back to reality as Bilbo began ranting about having his door painted.
"Bilbo Baggins allow me to introduce the leader of our company," Gandalf paused as Thorin passed his traveling cloak off to Kili, "Thorin Oakenshield."
"So," Thorin began initially assessing the hobbit, "this is the Hobbit." His tone radiated unimpressed and he went on to question about Bilbo's choice in weapons.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Ilona focused on Bilbo, curious as to how this would turn out.
"Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know," Bilbo answered, which made Ilona shake her head in disbelief, "But I fail to see why that's relevant."
"Thought as much," Thorin smugly stated. "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." This made the entire company of dwarfs chuckle.
Thorin turned toward Ilona who smiled before walking forward to embrace him, burying her face in the fur lining of his coat. She never thought she'd miss the feeling of the fur tickling her face. Now, in the arms of her father, Ilona felt now how close she had come, to losing everything. The warg's jaws bearing down into her flesh, the heat of the breath filled with death on her face. Her foolish decision had almost cost her her life. For the moment, she felt safe.
"I trust you journey fared well Zander."
Ilona watched Thorin's face carefully, judging if he knew more than she was willing to tell. She smiled cheekily at him, trying to end the conversation.
"About as well as expected."
Thorin sat to eat, having been offered some stew that had somehow been spared from the groping hands of the many hungry dwarfs. Balin was the first to speak, asking of his meeting in Ered Luin. After taking a sip of his stew, he replied with a simple grin, "Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms."
"And what of the Boar Riders of the Southlands? Any word from them?" Gloin questioned. Thorin's gaze turned to Ilona, for she had been the ambassador to that meeting, as Thorin was need at Ered Luin around the same time.
"They send their well wishes and have given that should we be in dire need of aid or supplies to send word," Ilona began, drawing light rings around the rim of the tea cup she had acquired, "But they will not ready themselves initially. They say the stakes are too high."
Thorin cast his eyes down, though he had not expected differently. He was glad for the supplies should he need them.
"And what do the Dwarves from the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin then asked. "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin's face then turned grim as his eyes dropped down to the table. "They will not come," he said, "They say this quest is ours and ours alone."
"You're going on a quest?" asked Bilbo, who was standing behind Gandalf and Thorin.
Gandalf then requested a little more light from the Hobbit and then proceeded to pull out a piece of parchment. "Far to the East," he began, "over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands lies a single solitary peak." He laid the parchment down to reveal a map.
"The Lonely Mountain," Bilbo pointed out as he held a candle out over it.
"Aye, Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time," said Gloin, motioning to his brother who was sitting across the table.
Oin, while still holding his ear horn to his deaf right ear, said, "Ravens have been seen returning to the mountain, as it was foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
Bilbo whipped around fearfully at the word "beast."
"What beast?" he asked nervously.
"Well, that would be a reference to Smaug, the Terrible; chiefest and greatest calamity of our age," answered Bofur. "Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat-hooks, extremely fond of precious metals—"
"Yes, I know what a dragon is," Bilbo quickly said, trying to stop Bofur from continuing.
Ori, a young scribe whom was coming along to chronicle the journey, then jumped from his seat, a determined look on his face.
"I'm not afraid, I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!" he exclaimed. He was then silenced and pulled back down into his chair by his older brother, Dori. Ilona smiled at his courage and gave him a reassuring nod from where she sat.
"The task would be difficult enough even with an army behind us. But we number just fourteen," said Balin, who was starting to sound rather doubtful. "And we're not fourteen of the best…nor brightest." The rest of the Dwarves started to grumble at this. Though Ilona did not appreciate the doubtful words, se knew there was reason behind it. He was right in his deductions. Fili then banged his fist loudly on the table, effectively drawing attention and began loudly, "We may be few in number, but we're fighters. All of us! To the last Dwarf!"
It was clear that his brother's words had had an empowering effect on Kili, who immediately added, "And do you forget? We have a wizard in our company! Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time."
The wizard began to protest against Kili's assumption, but was cut off by Dori, who asked, "Well, how many then?" When Gandalf hadn't heard his question the first time, the Dwarf asked again.
"How many dragons have you killed?" Now everyone's eyes fell on the grey wizard, waiting for an answer. When he gave none and started coughing (or more accurately choking on) smoke from his pipe, Dori grew impatient.
"Go on, give us a number!" He, along with a majority of the Dwarves, stood up from their chairs and starting shouting and arguing loudly.
Ilona leaned forward a pinched the bridge of her nose. This meeting was getting nowhere. They'd be lucky to make it to the East side of Bree at this rate, with all the fighting they were doing amongst themselves.
Thorin stood from his place at the head of the table and let out a fierce yell, effectively silencing everyone. The arguing was pointless and he was going to put an end to it.
"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too?" he asked. "Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon, Smaug, has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look to the East assessing, wondering, weighing the risk…perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected." His voice, so empowered as he asked the final question, belonged to one who was a natural leader, "Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours…or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?!"
The Dwarves all cheered in accordance with their Thorin; who, very accordingly was now their King.
"Du békar!" Thorin shouted as the final rally cry, which brought more cheers and a smile to Ilona's face. Her father really was a born leader.
But then Balin cut into their cheering. "You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain."
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true," Gandalf said to him and then, with a flourish of his hand, produced a large, old fashioned key from his pocket.
Thorin, now seated in his chair again, looked with surprise at the key. "How came you by this?"
Gandalf answered, "It was given to me by your father; by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." He handed the key to the Dwarf who gratefully accepted it and put it in his own pocket.
"If there is a key, there must be a door," Fili stated, though the statement was quite an obvious deduction.
Gandalf pointed down at the map. "These runes speak of a hidden passage leading to the lower halls."
Kili's face lit up. "There's another way in," he said gladly. The look on his face was hopeful and it made Ilona's heart flutter.
"Well, if we can find it, but Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gandalf pointed out. He began gesturing back to the map with his hand. "The answer lies hidden in this map, and I do not have the skill to find it," he admitted, "but there are others in Middle-Earth who can." His eyes lifted from the parchment to Thorin's. "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 it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar!" Ori said as if he was now catching on.
"A good one, too," said Bilbo, having not spoken for a little while now, though completely oblivious to the meaning behind his next words, "An expert, I would imagine."
"And are you?" Gloin questioned him.
Bilbo turned and looked around to see who Gloin was talking to, but then realized the question was directed at him. "Am I what?"
"He said he's an expert!" Oin cried out cheerfully, even though he clearly couldn't hear, even with the ear horn.
"No, no, no, I'm not a burglar!" Bilbo protested immediately. "I've never stolen a thing in my life."
'At least he's honest,' Ilona thought to herself, though she believe that Master Hobbit would turn out to surprise everyone here. Maybe even himself.
The air soon filled with loud noise again as the Dwarves began heatedly debating about Bilbo. This arguing had to stop.
Just then, a cloud of darkness overcame the room as Gandalf stood up and angrily stated in a firm voice, "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is."
Ilona, quite shaken by Gandalf's extensive power, let loose a breath she was not aware she had been holding. She glance around the table and noticed how all the dwarfs had completely silenced, probably fearful to upset the Wizard again.
Gandalf had composed himself and was continuing with his talk to the Dwarves about Bilbo. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet and can pass unseen by most, if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf, the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage." He lowered himself back down to their level. "You asked me to find the fifteenth member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins," he boldly said to Thorin, making known to him that we would not be dissuaded in his decision. "There is more to him than appearances suggest and he has a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself."
Thorin remained silent for a short moment before saying at last to the wizard, "Very well, we'll do it your way." He looked to Balin. "Give him the contract," he told him.
Ilona turned her attention to Bilbo who made his way into the hallway and was reading the contract that Thorin had forced into his arms out loud to himself. He seemed relatively content with the conditions of the contract until he came to the words,"…limited to…laceration…evisceration? Incineration?"
Bofur took this as a cue to complete his explanation from earlier, "Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye."
"Bofur, I really don't think that's helping," Ilona spoke, before standing and making her way to the head of the table so she stood by her father, watching the Hobbit all the while.
Bilbo's breathing started to slow down and grow shorter as he bent over.
"You all right, laddie?" Balin asked him, concern now written on his own face though it was covered by a certain amount of amusement.
Bilbo nodded and inhaled deeply. "Yeah…feel a bit faint."
Bofur stood up. "Think furnace with wings!" he said, attempting a pleasant tone of voice.
"Bofur..." Ilona mumbled quietly through clenched teeth as she eyed the dwarf across the table. Unfortunately, when Bilbo said he needed air, Bofur continued to speak.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!"
Ilona simply hung her head in her hand. Bofur could be a little too 'helpful' at times.
Bilbo started to straighten up, much to Ilona's delight. He seemed just fine, until he plainly uttered, "Nope," and collapsed to the floor.
Ilona rolled her eyes and shook her head before giving Bofur a stern look, who just shrugged.
"Can't blame me for trying."
Ilona helped move the unconscious hobbit into the next room and sat him in his large armchair, leaving him there with Gandalf before going to retrieve some tea from the nearby kitchen. Upon returning with a small cup, the hobbit began to stir, so she left the cup on the nearby table and quickly exited the room. She figured he'd need a moment alone to speak with Gandalf.
The dwarfs had since dispersed from the dining room and were now sitting around smoking their pipes and drinking what little was left of the ale peacefully. Ilona found both Fili and Kili seated in the kitchen at a small table.. She took a spot beside Kili and began to toy with the small braid by his left ear, bringing a smile to the dwarf male's face. Even Fili couldn't help but smile at the two young dwarfs. He knew how each of them felt about the other being on this quest, especially Kili. But on the other hand, he knew this experience would be enlightening for the both of them. Not to mention empowering.
"I see you're in high spirits," Fili spoke, smugly smiling at the young she-dwarf, raising his eyebrow as he did so. Ilona chuckled and lightly shoved the blond head dwarf, who in turn laughed heartedly. Even Kili couldn't help but laugh at the pair. When it came to his brother and Ilona, they were like children. Actually, they were all a slight bit childish and immature when it came to the other two.
"How could I not be Master Dwarf, with you and our brother as company?"
The three continued laughing and joking amongst themselves. The three had been inseparable since thy were dwarflings and their bond was something truly remarkable, ever growing and changing as they themselves grew older. Kili wrapped his arms around Ilona's shoulders and pulled her close, placing a kiss on the top of her head. Fili smile again to himself, pipe in hand. He's missed this picture.
The three remained in their solitude of the kitchen, simply enjoying the company of the other two. As the three sat there, Oin walked in to join them.
"Want me to have a look at that wound lassie?"
Kili turned to Ilona who simply nodded her head. His look was one of shock and bewilderment. What wound?
Fili's expression almost mirrored that of his brother's, though he tried not to seem so surprised. She was a strong one, and for her to carry on the way she has been, the wound could not be too horrific. At least that's what he'd hoped.
Fili's thought has been wrong. Ilona, moved her tunic up her side, revealing a quite blood soaked bandage. He was surprised it hadn't bled through her tunic. Oin removed the bandage as well as the medicinal leaves she had dressed it with, and tried to assess the wounds. Kili looked to shocked to move.
"Lad," Oin began, clearly trying to distract Kili from Ilona's current state, "go heat some water in that kettle would you?"
Kili did as he was told, but was very careful to not leave the immediate area. His blood was boiling, and he couldn't contain his shaking. He wanted to hear what had happened.
"Now lass," Oin began again, listening very carefully since he was almost completely deaf in both ears, "Tell me what happened."
Ilona took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady as Oin tended to her wounds.
"We were ambushed outside of Bywater. An orc pack had followed us from the lowlands, and tey attacked us while we were on the road at night. I was very rudely dismounted by a warg. Luckily, this is the most extensive injury I sustained." Ilona had condensed the story considerably, leaving out the fact that she had been forced to leave Darren and Shaw behind. Not to mention the orcs chilling words.
"She is the child taken in by Durin. She is the master's prize."
"Well, the bleeding is still pretty bad, so you'll probably need a couple of stitches but other than that, you should be fine," Oin focused very hard to make sure he was making his assessment correctly since he was waiting on hot water to clean the wounds, "I'll keep an eye on it these next few days to make sure it don't get infected."
Ilona nodded her agreement as Kili returned with the kettle, as well as a clean rag. He winced as he looked at the wound, resisting the urge to reach out and touch Ilona's tanned skin. He could not imagine any harm ever actually coming to her, yet here she sat, skin torn and inflamed, bleeding and battered. She had been attacked.
Kili's anger returned, swarming over him like a wave. He sat in hos spot next to Ilona and wrapped his arm around her shoulders again, pulling her to him. She did not resist and grabbed his available hand with her, squeezing it in an attempt to distract her from the searing pain that coursed through her boy as Oin cleaned and redressed the wound. As he finished with stitches, he tied off the ends and finished with her clean bandages before standing and leaving the room, reassuring Ilona and the brothers with a smile as he left. Kili grip on Ilona tightened for a mere moment before he pulled back and addressing his brother.
"Never again."
Fili nodded in agreement as Ilona finally relaxed into Kili's side, her body suddenly ebbed of all energy.
Ilona stood to move again as she watched the hobbit walk down the hallway not a few moments before. She could only assume that they had in fact lost their burglar, and she couldn't help but feel a little let down. She'd hoped he would have come along.
The young she-dwarf moved into the front room and decided to sit in front of the fireplace, where a large fire was busy burning away, pictures she witnessed being painted in flame. She knew not how much time had passed when she began to hear low sounds coming behind her. As the sounds got louder, she realized the Dwarves were humming and she recognized the tune. She stood from her spot in front of the fire and moved to stand next to Kili who had just walked into the room with his brother. At that moment Thorin began to sing, the sound low and gravelly. The words held feelings of their home, the one that was taken all those ago.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old
Ilona, having been humming softly with the company, joined her father in singing, for she had heard the song many times as a dwarfling and knew the deep feeling of hope it brought to Thorin that they would one day reclaim their homeland.
We must away ere break of day
To find our long forgotten gold.
No matter how many times she heard it, the deep meaning behind the song never ceased to send chills down Ilona's spine. To most of them, it was a song of home. Even though she never knew Erebor like Thorin or any of the others did, to her, it felt like a song of home, too. She closed her eyes as the rest of the dwarfs joined in singing.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.
There was long moment of silence as the spiritual song came to a close. The dwarfs revelled in this silence, sending protective prayers over the group, knowing they would possibly face unimaginable danger.
The silence was broken by Thorin who told the company that they should retire for the evening and that they would be leaving at first light. The dwarfs spread out amongst the room, grabbing blankets from nearby closets and travel packs. The silence of sleep came quickly, for the dwarfs prepared themselves for the long journey ahead.
Ilona lay underneath the window and watched the moon high in the sky. She was so lost in thought, imagining the peace beneath the moon, until she felt someone move next to her on the floor. She turned over slightly to see Kili settling his bedroll next to hers. She turned her body over so the she faced him and smiled smile was so radiant, he could see it even in the dark of the house and he did something he had not done in weeks. He placed his hand lightly behind her head and pulled her down so that their lips met. It was almost like a spark when he kissed her and she melted into him almost instantly. They broke away after a seemingly short moment and placed their foreheads together, the energy passing from one to the other. After another moment he spoke softly.
"I've missed you."
Ilona, the ever cheeky one, could not pass up the opportunity to respond as she did.
"I know."