"Patience, Master Dwalin." Gandalf urged, though knowing its importance, he turned to Kattrin and asked, "My dear, are you able to read this?"
That familiar look overtook Kattrin once again, that look of uncertainty. She gently took the map into her hands and looked at the writing. Her eyes narrowed, as if she too struggled to make out its contents. She spoke, "Nejarim dalexeem eres lenth, senitro."
"Well, what did the lass say?" Gloin asked loudly.
Gandalf translated, "She says it has been long since she has read, but yes, she can read it."
"Does it tell us how defeat the beasts?" Dori questioned the girl, taking a sip of his second glass of chamomile.
Bilbo was indeed listening the entire time, thought the moment he heard 'beasts' he could no longer contain his curiosity, however frightening it seemed, "Uh…what beasts?"
Many of the dwarves, as well as Kattrin all turned to face Bilbo who had now decided to join the meeting. Bofur answered, "Well that would be reference to what might certainly become the chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breathers, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals—"
Bilbo cut him off, "Yes, I know what a dragon is."
Ori abruptly stood from his spot, a wide grin plastered upon his young face, "I'm not afraid! I'll give'em a taste of the Dwarfish iron right up their jacksies!" While some dwarves shouted in concurrence, Dori pulled on his younger brother's sleeve ferociously, begging him to sit down to urge him not to embarrass himself any further.
Dwalin continued to seem impatient, "Regardless, I'd still like to hear of what the map says."
Kattrin began to speak again, this time in far longer intervals than she had previously. Her expression was a grave one, telling a tale, no doubt, dark in nature. "She says the map lays out seven burial sites. These sites mark the graves of seven dragons, known for their power, trickery and bloodlust. Six of them remained undisturbed," Gandalf said on her behalf.
Bilbo gulped, "W...where's number seven?"
"He has awakened. They call him Smaug, and it is this 'Smaug' that has the power to awaken his kin. And it does not take a fool to rationalize the devastation that would result if such an occurrence were to come to light." Kattrin continued talking to Gandalf, but Gandalf only spoke to the others after she was completely finished talking. "Now, there is a way to stop this. Which is precisely why she has come here." Gandalf began to point to the burial sites outlined on the map, "Within one of these sites there lies a chest. Contained within that chest is a mechanism that possesses a power so grand that not even Smaug himself would have the ability to stop it. Inside the chest lies the mechanism known as the Hesper." Gandalf then spoke on his own accord, "While this map speaks of the chest being at one of these dragon graves, I happen to know that it is Smaug who guards the chest. " The wizard appeared to want to continue, however, Fili cut him off.
"If this Hesper contains such an incredible power, than how can any chest contain it? Wouldn't the Hesper's power merely seep through the chest and destroy Smaug regardless?" Fili interrogated.
Gandalf was growing very tired of being interrupted, "I was moments away from getting to that, young dwarf. You see, the Hesper cannot simply 'exist'. It must be activated." His eyes turned to Kattrin, "And you all are gazing upon the only person in Middle Earth who can activate it." After a long moment of silence Gandalf nodded, "Now Smaug is hiding deep within the mountainous ruins of Thades, waiting beneath hoards and hoards of gold. That is where your payment resides, dwarves. And that is where he guards the chest. 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 we can retrieve the chest and put this to an end."
A Flower
Start from the beginning
