I couldn't find this place anywhere. Who knew that such a small place like the Shire could be such a maze? Next time that Wizard wants us all to meet somewhere, I'll have to remember to ask for more specific directions.
It was finally happening. After all these years of living in grief and exile, we were going home. We were taking back our mountain. I would take my company of Dwarves, march upon Erebor, and restore the glory of my people once more! That is, of course, if I could find this damned Hobbit hole!
It was Gandalf's idea to find a burglar. He suggested that someone as stealthy as a Hobbit would have a much better chance against the dragon. I'd never thought much of Hobbits before, but I would not question the Wizard's judgement...yet. I'd have to meet this fellow first, though I'm already sure that I know what to expect.
Gandalf also suggested bringing someone else along. He'd vaguely mentioned this person, only said that he'd have a great advantage against Smaug. After my cousin refused his help on the quest, I figured we could use as many willing hands we could get. I was still skeptical though. The Wizard didn't even give a name, or say how his "abilities" would give him more advantage than us. He spoke with such a mysterious tone, I had an instinct that this would not go well. I guess I'd find out once I'd gotten there.
Hold on. I turned around and did a double take. The door. There was a mark on it. Gandalf's mark. Finally! As I approached the door, I could hear them. The cheery voices of my company singing, and the great stomps of their boots dancing on the floor. I loudly knocked on the door, then turned around and took in my surroundings. The Shire really was a peaceful place. It only made me want to reach the mountain even more. I hadn't felt peace since the day Smaug took Erebor, since the day the damned beast took everything from me. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I almost didn't hear the door open.
"Gandalf." I smirked. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." As I was putting up my fur coat, I could hear a squeaky voice going on about his painted door. That must have been the burglar. When I turned around, I saw him.
The Hobbit really didn't look like much. He looked about the average size, with curly, honey brown hair, dark eyes, and big hairy feet. I prevented myself from rolling my eyes at the sight of how scrawny he was. This creature was supposed to steal from a dragon? What was the Wizard thinking? He couldn't fight, I could tell by the mere sight of him. This Hobbit looked like he'd never even stepped out of his door before. He wouldn't go with us. I knew he wouldn't. Gandalf introduced us, but I knew it was a lost cause. I hid my anger at the fact that this whole introduction would be a waste of time.
"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" I asked. I circled the Hobbit, hiding my smirk as I did so.
"Pardon me?" he asked nervously.
"Axe or sword? What is your weapon of choice?"
"Well, I do have some skill at Conkers, if you must know. But I fail to see why that's relevant." Mr. Baggins said, still breathing in deeply. Did my presence really make him that nervous? This time, I did not hide my smirk.
"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." My company chuckled at my comment, and I made my way into the dining room. Already sitting at the table, to my surprise, was a small figure with their hood up.
This must have been the other person. I didn't understand why he had his hood up. What did he have to hide? "Hello, my dear. I apologize, we didn't hear you come in." I heard Gandalf coming in behind me.
"You never do." a sweet voice replied.
I widened my eyes. A woman! I narrowed my eyes at Gandalf. "You invited a woman to join us?" I hissed.
"A very capable woman, I promise you."
"I don't care how capable she is! I will not have a woman come in here to be a distraction and a burden to my company!" I nearly shouted. I didn't have the time for this. I was not going to spend my time looking after a little woman and neither were my men. I would not allow it!
"You will have her join us. You need her more than you believe." Gandalf told me. I looked at the woman with narrowed eyes.
"Remove your hood and stand up!" I demanded. The woman did as she was told.
I hid my shock as she stood as tall as she could. The woman was shorter than the Hobbit! In fact, I was positive that she was shorter than the average Hobbit. How in Middle Earth was she supposedly capable of taking care of herself? I glared at her, and began to circle her as I did with Mr. Baggins. The woman had a beautiful face, with wavy golden hair and dark ivory skin. However, she would not look me in the eye. No matter which way I turned my head, she always looked away from me.
"Have you done much fighting?" I harshly asked.
"I killed my first Orc before I reached maturity." she politely answered. That caught my attention. This little thing managed to kill an Orc? I would have paid to see that. I couldn't imagine that tiny, slim body killing such a massive creature.
"And your weapon of choice?" I asked, my tone not in the slightest lighting up.
"The spear."
"One weapon. Is that it?" I challenged.
"I can use a bow if need be." All of her answers were simple and to the point. She seemed completely unfazed by me. And I hated it.
"Do you have a name?"
"I have multiple names, but I know that you will not call me by any of them." she answered.
My eyes widened a little. How dare she just assume what I will or will not do! This little morsel didn't know me! "You dare-"
"What do most people call you?" Kili interrupted. I turned around, I'd forgotten that the entire company was in the room, watching the whole thing.
"They call her the Waterdancer." Gandalf answered before she could.
"Waterdancer? As in, the Waterdancer?" Fili asked. That made me curious. How did my nephews know her name?
The woman giggled. "Yes."
Fili and Kili, along with Ori automatically beamed. "We've heard all the stories about you!" Kili exclaimed, hardly containing his excitement. "The merchants told us that you performed water tricks in the streets, and then you picked up a spear. Your skills were so fluid that you could have easily taken down twenty Orcs before they even knew you were there! They say that you can't be killed!"
The Waterdancer laughed. "I'm afraid that last part is not true, Master Dwarf. Anyone can be killed, even me."
"I thought Elves were supposed to be immortal." Ori said, mostly to himself. The smiles of Fili and Kili faded, and they would not meet my eyes. I quickly turned my head back to the woman. Then I grabbed her by the shoulders, and shoved her against the wall.
When I had the Waterdancer securely pinned in place, I took a handful of her hair and pushed it back. There they were. Those pointy ears said all. "She's an Elf!" I hissed, ignoring some of the shocked looks of the younger members of the company. The Elf said nothing. She didn't seem to be afraid, but she still refused to look at me.
"Thorin, let her go." Gandalf calmly said. I roughly pushed her back against the wall before releasing my grip.
"She's not coming! She can go back to her filthy kin where she belongs!"
"She did not have to do this, Thorin! She did not have to come, but she did, even though she knew that this would happen." the Wizard said, his anger becoming clearer with every word.
"Then why did she?" I spat.
"Because...because Gandalf asked me to." I turned my head around to see the creature, who had picked herself up. I didn't know why, but I had an instinct that there was more to her answer. It was as if she had more to say, but chose not to say it. "If you'll excuse me, I need some air." and with that, the Elf had rushed out the door.
It kind of surprised me that she walked out so quickly, even though she supposedly knew how she was going to be treated. But I didn't care. It was filth like her that betrayed my people, that betrayed me. I was not going to bring a treacherous Elf along with us, no matter what Gandalf said. I don't care if she's capable of taking care of herself. I don't care if all those stories about "The Waterdancer" are true. She was not coming with us.
I turned around to face my company. Fili, Kili, and Ori looked like they wanted to be miles away. Balin had his eyebrows furrowed, as if he were trying to figure something out. The rest looked indifferent to the situation, which was how I wanted it. Now that I had the Elf out of the way, I could carry on with what I came here to do. I nodded my head, and directed everyone towards the dining table. I had much to discuss with them.