(Arulla's P.O.V.)
"Dwalin. At your service." I hear the dwarf say.
Dwalin was my father's closest friend. But I only saw him from far away. I doubt he would recognize me. I lean in closer, hugging the archway wall, hoping that he wouldn't see me. It didn't work. The dwarf walked through the archway and once he saw me, his gaze never left me.
"What's your name lass?" he asked gruffly.
I emerged from my hiding spot and removed my hood, "Aranel, Oiailmarë." I grab the sides of my cloak and bow down, "At your service."
The dwarf just looked at me and nodded his head gruffly and turned his heels, but stopped and turned back around,
"A dwarf who was raised by Elves?" he asked.
I nod, "My father died during the firestorm and my mother died protecting me. So, the Elves took me in."
Dwalin nodded and continued his way into the kitchen. Apparently searching for supper. He found it, but it wasn't his. It was Bilbo's, but the stubborn dwarf didn't care. His mouth was filled with food when he began to speak again,
"Very good this. Anymore?"
He threw his bones behind him and continued to eat. Bilbo produced a basket full of cornbread and took one for himself and gave the rest to Dwalin. Dwalin's eyes lingered until he found mine again.
"My brother Balin has a contract for you to sign if you are to be coming with us. I would better sign it before our leader comes. He's not too fond of women joining dangerous adventures. Basically because he deems them unworthy."
I scoff, "Well he hasn't met me yet. But thank you for letting me know that. It was very helpful."
Dwalin nodded and we heard another knock on the door. Bilbo goes to answer it and Dwalin moves from his seat by the table to the living room, searching the jars for more food. I walk over to Bilbo who was just about to answer the door. When the door swings open, I gasp in happiness. The person who stood before me was Balin. He was one of my mother's deepest friends in the mountain and I saw him more often than not. It would not be so easily to convince him of my secret identity. I quickly move to the edge of the hallway so I would not be seen.
"Balin." he smiled, "At your sevice."
"Good Evening." Bilbo says amazed.
Balin smiled again and looked to the sky, "Yes. Yes it is. Although I think it might rain later. Am I late?"
Bilbo looked confused, "Late for what?"
Balin looked over, only to see Dwalin, shoving his hand in a jar, trying I believe to get the contents out.
"Oh!" Balin chuckled, "Evening brother." Dwalin chuckled and the reunion of brothers commenced. I smiled at the happy pair, but my smile dissapeared when Dwalin pointed a finger at me and said,
"It seems Gandalf has invited a lass to come with us."
I removed my hood and bowed slightly, "Aranel, at your service."
Balin chuckled "A pleasure."
And reached into his shirt and pulled out a contract. I kept my head down and he handed me the contract saying,
"Well if this lass wants to come, she should sign this now before 'You know who comes' "
I snatch the contract from his hand and quickly sign it without looking up at him. I hand it back to him and was about to leave the room until Balin called out to me,
"Wait!!"
I stopped, 'Oh-No.' I turn around and look at him
"You forgot your quill lass." and he holds up my quill.
I hurriedly walked over, grabbed my quill, said thank you and turned away.
Balin nodded his head and then took Dwalin towards the pantry and they began to ravage it.
The next knock at the door, I answered. I opened the door only to be greeted by two very handsome and strapping young dwarves. A blonde haired on the left, and a brunette haired on the right. In a way, the brunette somehow reminded me of my father.
"Fíli" The blonde haired dwarf said
"And Kíli" The brunette spoke.
And they both bowed at me and said in unison, "At your service."
I nodded and slightly parted my lips for a smile, "Aranel Oiailmarë, at yours."
Kíli chuckled, "A Lady? Uncle will surly not approve of that. Or an Elf for that matter."
I was confused, "I can assure you that this uncle you speak of, will not be disappointed. And neither am I an Elf. I am a dwarf just like you, but I was raised by Elves."
Fíli nodded in respect, and I moved aside to allow them to come in. Bilbo walked over to us and Fíli gave Bilbo his weapons and by the amount, poor Bilbo almost fell over. I sniggered a bit and left the room, searching for the comfortable armchair I knew was around here somewhere. I laid down and rubbed my fingertips to my temples, my headache was returning. More and more dwarves came, but I stayed put, no one was really noticing my absence. I felt a nudge on my shoulder and I look up to see Fíli hovering over me.
"Aranel, are you alright? You've been back here for awhile now."
I nod quickly, but it only made my headache worse. I pulled my face into a mask and answered with very little emotion as possible.
"I'm fine Fíli. Do not fret yourself."
I quickly get up and move to lean against the doorframe.
All around me I can hear Bilbo complaining that he was not comfortable having this many dwarves in his home. I laughed, 'As if he had a choice.' I thought to myself. I glance down the hallway to see Bilbo face-to-face with a kind and gentle dwarf of whom I believe to be named Ori.
"Excuse me." I hear Ori plead, "I'm sorry to interrupt. But where do I put my plate?"
I smile at his politeness and I move to grab the plate but Fíli beat me too it,
"Here you go Ori, give it to me."
And he took the plate and chucked it down the hallway to Kíli. And with that, the dwarves began to sing,
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks!
Smash the bottles and burn the corks!
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
Cut the cloth, tread on the fat!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Splash the wine on every door!
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl!
Pound them up with a thumping pole!
When you're finished, if they are whole!
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins Hates!"
I started chortling at the hobbit's dazed reaction when he saw the pile of stacked dishes. Everyone was laughing as well. It took me a few moments to regain my breath when a large hand pounded hard on the door. I tensed up and cringed.
"He is here." I hear Gandalf whisper in a hushed tone. I felt a hand on my shoulder and Fílí smiled. I relaxed and looked up at Gandalf in question,
"Gandalf who's that? Who's here?" Gandalf gave me stern look and got up from his seat. I followed slowly behind, dwarves pushed passed me, eager to see the face of the new dwarf. Gandalf slowly opens the door, as if with hesitation. I never really saw the dwarf, but I heard him.
"Gandalf!" The voice exclaimed.
I froze in my steps, only one person I knew had that same voice. And I thought he was dead.
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Dun Dun Dun!
So sorry it took me so long! but I'm working on the next chapter now, it should be up in the next couple of days.
Hope you liked this chapter!
Please comment, rate, like, etc.
I have a lot of work to do!
Namarië!
-TC110