Golden Eyes

Chapter 7: We Must Away

There was heard a large thud and everyone's eyes where directed to where Bilbo once stood. Now the little fellow where lying in his back as the result of a faint caused by his realization of, what being this requested burglar would mean to his ever so peaceful hobbit-life. It was simply too much in one evening for a small hobbit who had lived his whole life in Hobbitton, where no things such as dragons or the risk of losing one's life on the road, were ever mentioned or even thought of. It nothing more or less than an utter shock. The dwarves, however, did little to help him in his unconscious state and instead started bickering. Gandalf and Smaug, however, both rose from their seats. Gandalf went to get a chair and some tea, while Smaug scooped the little person up in her arms and gently put him in the chair. She rolled her eyes at the dwarves but paid no attention to them. Soon Bilbo came to his senses and the first thing he did, for he was a kind and considerate hobbit, was thanking them both for their consideration. He refused however to rush out on such a ghastly thing as this quest and it would seem that Gandalf held no such talent in persuading him to join the company. Smaug and Gandalf stood and talked with Bilbo for a long time. Gandalf then asked Smaug to exit the scene, "I wish not to sound rash, my friend, but might I have a word with our hobbit alone?" Smaug could sense he had a plan unfolding behind his eyes and nodded her head as she left the scene. She closed the door behind her and then she stopped. The dwarves had stopped bickering. She continued through the corridor and avoided a collision with a chandelier. The dwarves seemed to be cleaning the rest of the mess they had made during their little party and Smaug could not help but think of them as a little respectful towards the hobbit. It was, after all, their fault, the little guy had had a cause to faint the way he did after what he had endured during the entire evening. "The hobbit must be exhausted" Smaug said to herself in a tone none could hear. Her ears then picked up a sound from around the corner. A conversation. She leaned towards the wall and listened closely to what was said and she thanked her admirable hearing senses. She could hear it was two voices and she recognised them to be Thorin and... the old dwarf, whom, she remembered, was named Balin. She heard Balin first, "Thorin if Gnadalf says she is an ally of ours then it would be wise to accept her offer of accompanying us on our quest" Thorin left no time in thought, "I will not risk putting my life in the hands on her, nor my kin" She guessed they were talking about her. Balin sighed, "Thorin, I know you do not trust the likes of elves and man but from what I heard from Gandalf she is a skilled warrior and... she has already saved your life once when you were in Bree". " She fought with honor, she did not even seem to have a plan to what she was even doing besides from swinging her from one side to another and she joined a fight that was her's to join before she savagely disabled the brutes." Smaug clenched her fist. How dare he? Then she heard the old dwarf again, "What I believe, is that what you reasoned as not honourable was actually your helpless state and envy." Smaug smirked. "She was capable of fighting your assailants while you were close to be overpowered". She could almost hear the old dwarf smirking and she knew he must have hit a nerve. Thorin talked in a calm yet low and warning tone, "I will let her join Balin, but if she refuses my orders or stands in my way again I will not care what neither Gandalf nor you will say" Smaug smiled and straightened her back. Thorin might the leader of the company and he had more pride and prejudice than any other dwarf, she had known, but it would seem that Balin was the wisest and most reasonable of the dwarves. She left the corridor and sat in of the chairs in the corner of the dining room. She rested her elbow on the armrest and laid her chin on her fingers as she clenched her hand. She thought as she watched the flames dance in the fireplace. If one looked closely the shine in her eyes would reveal that it was not the calm and tamed flames from the fireplace, which danced in her eyes but a more wild and unpredictable spark that made her eyes glow in a brilliant red- orange shine. She thought of the past, the present and her glimpses of the possible future. She was so lost in thought she had not realised the dwarves had come in and placed themselves around the fireplace. None seemed to have noticed her, since she sat in a very dark and secluded corner of the room. She was satisfied with this. She noticed Thorin lean against the shelf, above the fireplace, with a very thoughtful look upon his features. The flames where reflected in his eyes too, but they stayed as mere reflections. She leaned back as some of the dwarves began to hum. She realised she knew the song. Thorin began to sing in a low and almost sad tone, "Far over the misty mountains cold, to dungeons deep and caverns old. We must away, ere break of day, to claim our long forgotten gold" The other dwarves rose from their seats and joined Thorin in the same low tone. A yearning yet hopeful tone, "The pines where roaring on the hight. The winds were moaning in the night. The fire was red it flaming spread; The trees like torches blazed with light". They fell silent and she let her presence be known as she let out the same low tone as they only this time it was not a yearning tone but a narrative one. Emotionless yet she formed it with honesty. She continued the tale, which was ever so true, "The bells were ringing in the dale And men looked up with faces pale: The dragon's ire more fierce than fire Laid low their towers and houses frail". They were surprised to see her, when she stepped out of the shadowed corner but they were shocked when she sang the song, which told the story of the day the dragon came. Kili was the first to speak, "how do you know this song lady Frey?" She looked at him, and then gazed into the fire again, "I know not only the song but the story as well, it is part of me in a way you cannot fathom". She looked back at him then at the rest, "Which is why I decided to aid you on your noble quest". "What aid could a las like you possibly bring to us?" Dwalin questioned, "If it was not because of the armour I would say you belonged in a human court". She laughed, "Master Dwalin your sense of humour stuns me, but I must say that a human court would never be the place I could call home". She looked at all the pairs of eyes, which were pointed in her way, "Me at a human court is just as master Dwalin here at school of fine dancing". The other dwarves laughed at this and even Dwalin smiled at her fast tongue. Thorin then approached her and the dwarves fell silent. He starred unamused at her, "Your skills with the sword will be tested as well as if your actions matches your words" He turned his back to her, "In time I will decide whether you are worthy of my trust and time". She kept her voice low, "I do not follow your company in the search of your acceptance, Oakenshield, I came on my own accord and it is the same way I will leave. I do not disrespect you, but none is to judge where I will go, how I will get there or what kind of person I will be. I will do nothing to disrespect you intentionally but I refuse to do anything just to please you and I will always do what I feel is right even if you disapprove" One could have heard a feather fall to the ground as the two stood before one another and starred at each other. She had a calm look while his was full of mistrust. He nodded his head. It was sign to her that the conversation had ended, but this feud was far from over. She accepted this but nodding her head and then left the room. She met Gandalf in the hall. He had heard the conversation and asked if everything was settled. She could only answer for the time being. She asked about his progress with the hobbit but he could not give a clear answer, "Bilbo is drawn to adventure, it is his Took side, but he is also a Baggins and a Baggins has not set foot on the other side of the garden fence for many a time". It was quite a decision the hobbit had to make but she did, to her own surprise, hope he would join the company. She left the house and followed the same path she had come across the hill. She found her original place on the next hillside and laid on her back. The last thing she saw was the stars, which covered the sky like a million flares from a never-ending fire.