Chapter 5:
I am not a cougar, I am a Phoenix
I avoid listening into the neighboring conversation, a skill I learned from my time traveling. It helps in keeping my self-confidence, as my ears have picked up some rude comments on multiple occasions. I lay my head back against the wall as my eyelids fall, weary from the days of travel. I would prefer a more comfortable chair, but it has to do for the moment, as Gandalf sits conferencing with Bilbo in the living room. The dining room is still occupied by the dwarves, who are too loud for my sleeping plans. I send a quick prayer for a peaceful rest before fully succumbing to the silence of the hallway.
Of course, the Valar just has to side against my sleep schedule as I feel a tap on my shoulder. Opening my eyes, I see the two brothers. They are grinning in a way that I can only describe as cheeky.
"Fili," the blonde dwarf says.
"And Kili," the brown dwarf adds.
"At your service," they conjoin as they bow. I chuckle at their actions, wondering how many times it took them to get that line right.
"And Erudian at yours," I smirk, bowing my head but not my body as I still sit on the uncomfortable bench.
"What brings such a beautiful lady, such as yourself, to a dwarf meeting in the Shire?" Fili asks. I roll my eyes at his flirtatious manner, but blush at the same time. Don't judge me, I am still a woman. The two decide to take a seat on either side of me, throwing their arms over my shoulders. They just stare at my profile as I look at the wall in front of me.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, boys. And even then, I am way too old for you," I reply. As looks of disappointment flash across their faces, I can't help but gape. I was only joking, but apparently they are attracted to me.
"You surely cannot be that old," Kili asserts, quickly followed by Fili's, "how old are you?"
"Has your mother never told you that it is rude to ask a lady her age?!" faking horror, I shout. It is way too easy to mess with them.
"We are sorry my lady. That was indeed very rude of us," Fili apologizes.
"If it makes you feel any better, I am 78," Kili continues.
"I am 83," Fili adds.
"Given the fact that I am not much of a lady, I will answer your inquiries. I am 150 years old," I state proudly. They gasp at my age while I chuckle. I am going to enjoy their company on this trip.
"But how!? You look to be the same age as us," Fili inquires.
"Ah....now that would be my Phoenix blood. Keeps me energized and refreshed, yet gives me a fiery temper. Although, that may just be my dwarf blood talking," I inform them.
"Wait, so your Phoenician and dwarven?" Kili asks, not quite understanding.
"Indeed."
"That is incredible!" Kili shouts, scaring half the company in his excitement.
"Stop with all the pleasantries. It will go to my head." They laugh before squishing me into a hug. An awkward hug at that, as we are still lounging on the bench.
"Uh-hum," I look up to see Thorin in front of us. Kili and Fili quickly pull away from me, blushing, I just laugh.
"Jealousy is not a good look on you, Thorin. We are just getting to know each other," I respond to the temperamental dwarf.
"By hugging?" he asks, clearly suspicious of my friend-making skills.
"Indeed, but I doubt you would know that," I reply, scoffing at him.
"Who do you think you are, speaking to me this way!? I am a king," Thorin yells, grabbing the attention of all the tiring dwarves.
"And I, a queen, though I do not call myself such. We are equals, Thorin Oakenshield, and even if we weren't, I would still speak back to you. Someone needs to keep your attitude in check because clearly you are not doing that yourself," I shout back.
"Why do you not think yourself a queen?" interjects Balin.
"I cannot be queen when I am the only Phoenix left. Royalty only exists to rule and protect its subjects, but since I have none, I am just a queen of an empty throne," I respond sadly, my emotions getting the best of me.
Thorin contemplates my words, before storming off into the now vacant living room. Clearly, I have upset him, but I figure he will be over it by tomorrow. I look to Kili and Fili as they started laughing over their uncle's anger. Eventually, they calm down enough to join the company. I pull them by their arms onto the couch that is far more comfortable than the hallway bench.
The dwarves sit around the fireplace, smoking the pipes of their ancestors. I cough at the stench, as I always do around Gandalf. It surprises me when they begin to hum, nonetheless sing.
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere, break of day
To find our long, forgotten gold"
I gape at Thorin's deep, hypnotizing voice. It is gravely, yet enchanting as I fall into a trance, joining in with the rest of the company for the second verse:
"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."
The dwarves look shocked as I sing with them, harmonizing beautifully. I am told that my soprano voice sounds as a bird does when it sings its morning melodies.
As the humming dies off into the cold night, we settle into sleeping positions around Bilbo's living room. For some crazy reason, I decide to sleep on a chair rather than the couch that is offered to me. Unfortunately, the chair is as comfortable (or as uncomfortable, in this case) as the bench in the hallway.
Despite all this, I make myself into a comfortable position. My eyes almost immediately close as the night air is filled with mumbled words and deep snores. Before passing into my dreams, however, my eyes peek open, one last time. Sapphires, illuminated by the red fire, stare at me from across the room. It is a pleasant site to witness before I turn away, finally falling into a long awaited sleep.
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Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for Erudian, Sidel, and Typhon as well as any events or dialogue I have added. The remaining content is credited to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. All pictures belong to their respective owners
That gif though>
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