I pulled up my hood over my head, placing a finger over my mouth while I sneak skillfully into the living room. Bilbo just nodded, his brow furrowing slightly, before walking up to his door, opening it to reveal a dwarf with a bald top, dark brown hair growing at the side, his beard nearly reaching his chest. A dark green cloak covered him, hiding the clearly present armor underneath, he bowed slightly saying, "Dwalin, at your service."
Bilbo adjusted his robe slightly saying, "Bilbo, at yours." Then he looked at the dwarf confused, "Do we know each other?"
The dwarf stepped up towards the entrance stopping beside Bilbo to say, "No." He sounded as if Bilbo had asked a stupid question, walking past him while slipping off his cloak, revealing fur of an animal resting on his shoulders, and the rest of his clothing was earthly brown, an axe rest on his back. "Which way, laddie?" Dwalin asked, looking around expectantly. "Is it down here?"
"Is what down where?" Bilbo asked, not leaving his spot by his still opened door, looking at the dwarf confused.
Dwalin walked up to the small hobbit, shoving his cloak into his hands while saying, "Supper." Dwalin then walked away once more while saying, "He said there'd be food and lots of it." Bilbo shut his front door, following after the large dwarf questioning who he was talking about.
I sat down on the couch once they left from sight, watching the flames flicker at the fireplace. It has been a few minutes since Dwalin arrived, so far no one else has showed up to the meeting place. Not even Gandalf, where is that old bloke anyway.
I jerk up to my feet, hearing another knock at the door. I watched from my spot behind the wall, seeing Bilbo scurry up to the door. When Bilbo opened the door, another dwarf was on the other end, he seemed older than the other one, as his hairs were white along his head and beard. According to Gandalf and some people I knew, mortal's hairs become white as they age to their later years ... how bothersome.
Ther old dwarf bowed just like the other one saying, "Balin at your service." A gentle smile shone on his face.
"Good evening." Bilbo said in a slightly agitated tone, no smile present on his face.
The dwarf turned his head to look at the sky, nodding in agreement, "Yes, yes it is." He looked back at Bilbo. Taking a step forward to stand beside him saying, "Though I think it might rain later." He then looks back at Bilbo placing a hand on Bilbo's shoulder asking, "Am I late?"
Bilbo squinted his eyes, "Late for what?" He questions, extending the "L" a little bit. The dwarf then walked away with a smile, a slightly agitated Bilbo following him rambling on as the two dwarfs started putting food on the table. Not even two minutes later the door rang, catching Bilbo's attention once more. He walks up to the door, grumbling under his breath. I couldn't help but chuckle, catching Bilbo's attention for a moment, before he opened the door revealing two more dwarves.
One dwarf was blonde while the other had black hair, both introduced themselves the same way as the other two, "Fili." The blonde one spoke. "And Kili." The one with black hair spoke. "At your service." They both said at the same time as they bowed. "You must be mister Boggins." Kili said with a smile.
A small giggle erupted from my throat, hearing the young dwarf get poor Bilbo's name wrong. "Nope! You can't come in, you came to the wrong house." Bilbo exclaimed, hoping to get rid of the two dwarfs standing at his door. He began to close the door as he spoke only for it to be stopped by Kili, pushing it back open asking with a frown, "Has it been cancelled?"
Fili stepped up looking between his brother and Bilbo with a frown on his face, "No one told us."
Biblo replied, not so smart on his part, "Cancelled? Nothing's been cancelled."
A smile grew on Kili's face saying, "That's a relief." Then both dwarves pushed past Bilbo walking into the house. Bilbo gave the wall a small glare, as if a way to stop himself from snapping at the two young dwarves.
I watched as Fili and Kili led Bilbo away from my sight, allowing me to let out a huff. "When will Gandalf get here? I'm starting to get tired of hiding, I can't see what's going on!" I exclaimed quietly, a pout on my lips.
I hear a ring once more, I couldn't help but laugh quietly as Bilbo shouts, "No! Nobody is home!" He continued on his little rant as he made his way to the front door, grabbing onto the doorknob and opening it, causing a whole horde of dwarves to fall over right in front of his feet.
A familiar old man in a grey pointy hat looks through the door, looking around a little before making eye contact with Bilbo. Bilbo let out a sigh, finally realizing who was up to this, "Gandalf."
I myself let out a sigh of relief, "Finally." I stepped out of the small living room, walking up to Bilbo's side, watching as the dwarfs untangled themselves and went into the dining room. I crossed my arms, looking up at the old wizard, "Took you long enough."
"Traveling with many dwarfs can slow you down a bit my dear." Gandalf spoke, standing up slightly only for him to hit his head on the chandelier. He immediately bent his head, grabbing a hold of the chandelier with his hand to stop it from swaying around.
"Care to explain why there are dwarfs in my house?" Bilbo questions firmly, placing his hands on his hips and glaring up at the grey wizard.
"Now, now my dear Bilbo. Now is not the time for questions, but for feasting and enjoying life." Gandalf answered, walking into the dining room.
Bilbo simply threw up his hands, before walking away into a different direction. I entered the dining room, watching the whole table covered with food ranging from different types of meats, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Gandalf sat among them, eating and enjoying their company. Not wanting to intrude or ruin the surprise Gandalf planned, I took my place in the corner of the room.
I watched in amusement as the dwarfs threw food at one another, eating, talking, laughing, and even teasing one another. I watched as Gandalf parted himself from the table and walked into the kitchen area, I couldn't help but walk around the table as everyone was too distracted with one another. I learned each one of the dwarfs names, voice, and face; as they all spoke and laughed.
The youngest dwarf in the company, Ori I believe his name was, left the dining room walking over towards Bilbo asking, "Excuse me, but what should I do with my plate?"
Before the hobbit could answer, Fili took the plate out of the young dwarf's hands, "Give it to me Ori." He said, before passing it to his brother you caught it and passed the plate behind him.
Bilbo frantically tried to get the dwarfs from "damaging" his dishes and blunting his silverware. "P-Please don't do that, you'll blunt them!" Bilbo exclaimed, sounding slightly annoyed. The dwarfs continued banging the silverware against the table, making a small beat.
"Hear that lads? We'll blunt the knives." Bofur said before laughing.
"Blunt the knives, bend the forks." Kili starts singing, as he throws some dishes to the other dwarves at the table.
"Smash the bottles and burn the corks." Fili continued.
"Chips the glasses and crack the plates!" Everyone sang at once, before stopping their beat for one moment to sing out, "That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"
"Cut the cloth, tread the flat. Leave the bones on the bedroom mat. Pour the milk on the pantry floor." The dwarfs sang, a bright smile spreading across my face with glee. "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." They finished the song with a laugh, as a pile of clean plates laid on top of the small table in the kitchen, all nice and cleaned.
Gandalf made eye contact with me, raising his pipe slightly as if in cheers and a knowing look on his face. I giggle, shaking my head slightly. Then a knock came from the door, everyone going silent all at once, a tense atmosphere replacing the jolly one.
"He is here." Gandalf spoke with a serious frown.
Bilbo walks over to stand next to me, "Who is here?"
"The leader of the company." I whisper to him, before nodding for him to go on. He turned and walked out of the dining room following Gandalf towards the front door. I followed behind Bilbo, stopping right under the archway looking on as Gandalf opened the door.
On the other end was a dwarf with long black hair and sharp blue eyes, he spoke in a deep voice, "Gandalf." He looked up at the tall wizard, walking through the doorway as he spoke. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way ... twice, wouldn't have found it if it wasn't for the mark on the door." He spoke, as he took off his cloak.
"Mark? There is no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!" Bilbo exclaimed, walking over to stand beside Gandalf.
"There is a mark, I put it there myself." Gandalf spoke, giving Bilbo a reassuring smile. "Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf spoke, gesturing a hand to him before gesturing his hand towards the new dwarf, "I want you to meet the leader of our company, Thorin Okenshield."
Throin passed his cloak over to Kili while he spoke, "So ... this is the Hobbit?" He questioned, looking Bilbo up and down with his arms crossed over his chest. "So, tell me mister Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin questioned, circling the small hobbit.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo responded, confused.
"Axe or sword?" He continued, circling the confused hobbit, before stopping in the same place he was standing before. "What's your weapon of choice?"
"Well, I do have some skill in conkers, if you must know." Bilbo stated proudly with a smile. But his smile faded into a frown as he questioned, "But I fail to see how that's relevant?"
Thoring turned slightly to glance back at his company, "Thought as much. He looks like a grocer than a burglar." Thorin chuckled as everyone laughed, before everyone headed into the dining room. I moved out of the way quickly, heading back to my corner where I was standing at before. Everyone took a seat at the table, Thorin sitting at the end of the table with Gandalf sitting down beside him.
"What news of the meeting in Ered Luin?" Balin questioned, looking over at Thorin expectantly. "Did they all come?"
Thorin took a spoonful of soup, one of the dwarves had given him before answering, "Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms."
All the dwarfs spoke in joy, cheering quietly, most nodding in approval. "What did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?" Dwalin asked, looking over at his leader. "Is Dain with us?"
Thorin placed his spoon into his bowl, taking a breath in and out before answering, "They will not come." The dwarves grumble in response. "They say this quest is ours and ours alone." Thorin added, looking around the table as his dwarves went quiet.
Bilbo, who had taken his place next to me, asked, "You're going on a quest?"
Thorin seemed to ignore the small hobbit's question while Gandalf looked back towards Bilbo saying, with a small nod, "Bilbo, my dear, let us have a little more light."
Bilbo scurried away, going to fetch a candle while Gandalf pulled out a map from his pocket, placing it on the table for Thorin to see. Bilbo came back, looking down at the map as well, shining his candle light onto it. "Far to the east-" Gandalf started, dragging his finger along the map. "Over the ranges and river, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single, solitary peak."
"The Lonely Mountain." Bilbo read off, Gandalf nodding in approval.
Thorin nodded, "Aye, Oin has read the portents say it is time. Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold. When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."
Bilbo looked confused, questioning out loud, "Uh, what beast?"
Bofur answered this time, taking the pipe out of his mouth, "That would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, cheiftest and calamity of our age."
I felt my hand clench into a fist, as I glared at the floor. Just the mention of the dragon fills me with rage and disgust, anger boiled deep within my stomach. I can't wait to sink my teeth into that monster's neck. "Airborne fire breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals." Bofur continued to explain what a dragon was.
Biblo stopped him by saying, "Yes, I know what a dragon is."
Ori shot up from his spot at the table, "I'm not afraid! I'm up for it! I'll give him a taste of dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!"
"Good lad, Ori!" One dwarf cheered, some others cheering on as well.
Dori grabbed him by his shoulder, shoving him down in his seat saying firmly, "Sit down."
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us." Balin stepped in, silencing everyone. "But we number just thirteen. And not thirteen of the best ... nor the brightest." Balin continued.
"Who are you calling dim?" One dwarf growled, some others putting their input in as well.
Fili slammed his hand down on the table, catching everyone's attention, "We may be few in numbers ... but we are fighters. All of us! To the last dwarf." I watched as Gandalf lit his small finger on fire before putting it on the end of his pipe.
Kili stepped in as well, gesturing to the grey wizard, "And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time."
I covered my mouth quickly, preventing myself from laughing. Gandalf? Killing a dragon? Ha, as if! He left all the dragon fighting to me whenever we ran into one. Gandalf would just knack his sword at its feet while I do all the hard work.
"Oh well no, I wouldn't say that-" Gandalf begins before being interrupted by Dori.
"How many then?"
"What?" Gandalf questioned, looking over at the grey haired dwarf.
"How many dragons have you killed?" Another dwarf asked, although I didn't know who as I was too busy suppressing my laughter as Gandalf stayed silent, smoking on his pipe. Soon the dwarfs got into an uproar, it wasn't until Thorin stood up, shouting a word in dwarvish for everyone to be silent.
Gandalf turned his head slightly, giving me a small glare as he noticed my struggle in surprising my laughter.
"If we read the signs, do you not think others have read them too?" Thorin questioned, staying on his feet as he looked at his company. "Rumors have begun to spread, people have their eyes looking towards the mountain, assessing, wandering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected." Thorin explained, hunching over the table for a moment. "Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" He questioned among his kin.
"You forget, the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain." Balin stated with a sad look.
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Gandalf said, holding his hand out to me, the others now beginning to notice my presence. I took out a key from my pocket, placing it into Ganadalf's hand for him to present it to Thorin.
"How did you come by this?" Thorin questioned, looking at the key in shock.
"It was given to me by your father." Gandalf answered. "By Thrain for safe keeping, it is yours now." Gandalf handed the heavy metal key to Thorin, who took it without hesitation looking at it himself.
"If there is a key, there must be a door." Dwalin spoke.
Gandalf pointed to the writing on the side of the map, "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Hills. There's another way in, well ... if we can find it. But the door is invisible when closed, the answer lies here somewhere in this map." He cast a glance to me before looking back at the company, "I do not have the skill to read it but ... there are others on Middle Earth who can."
"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 it can be done." Gandalf continued. "That's why we need a burglar." Gandalf nodded towards Bilbo.
"Hmm. A good one too." Bilbo put in with a nod. "An expert, I'd imagine."
"Which you are if I stand corrected." I spoke, looking over at the hobbit with a bright smile.
"And who are you?" Thorin asked bluntly, gaining the attention of everyone else.
"She is the fithteenth member I have chosen." Gandalf said, given a small nod in my direction.
I pulled back my hood, letting it fall on my back, giving the dwarfs a small nod, "My name is Saharia."
It was quiet for a moment, the only noise I could hear was the crickets outside and the breathing of the dwarfs. "We can't bring a woman on this journey!" Dwalin growled disapprovingly, starting an uproar from the dwarfs. Each one of them saying how useless I would be, how I would never survive outside in the wilderness, how I would run screaming at a small bug. The list continues.
A frown fell on my features, hearing all the dwarfs downgrading comments reach my ears. I shift uncomfortably, backing myself into the corner hoping to disappear into the shadows. I could even hear comments about Bilbo as well, doubt in their voices. I looked over at Bilbo who seemed to shrink away slightly.
Gandalf seemed furious, he had enough of hearing the downgrading comments being directed towards his old friend and burglar. Gandalf shot up from his seat, his voice deep and booming silencing all the dwarfs, "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is." The lights dimmed as he spoke, all the dwarves now frozen in fear. "Hobbits are especially light on their feet and the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to Smaug. Which gives us an advantage." I noticed Bilbo stood a bit straighter at Gandalf words. Gandalf stood, gesturing me with my hand, "Saharia herself has skills that will prove useful on this journey."
"You asked me to find a fourteenth member, so I have chosen two members that would fit perfectly on this quest. Mr. Baggins and Saharia." Gandalf stated firmly. "There is a lot more than appearance suggests." Gandalf continued, looking at both Bilbo and I with a warm smile. Gandalf looked back towards Thorin, "You must trust me on this."
Thorin sighed, turning his head away saying, "Very well, we will do it your way." He looks over at Balin nodding to him, "Give them the contract."
I walked over to Bilbo as Balin handed him a folded piece of paper, seeming to have been weathered down by the road. "It's just the usual." Balin began. "Summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, and so forth." Balin, listed as Bilbo, opened the contract.
Bilbo began to mumble under his breath as he read off the contract, his eye scanning over the contract rapidly. I wasn't really listening, but reading the contract myself, admiring the hand writing. "Incineration!?" Bilbo questioned, looking over at the table with wide eyes.
"Aye." Bofur answered him. "He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye."
Bilbo's face went as white as a sheet, placing his hands on his knees. "You alright Bilbo?" I ask him, placing a hand on his shoulder afraid he might pass out.
"Huh? Yeah." He said quietly, seeming out of breath. "Feel a bit faint."
"Think of a furnace with wings." Bofur continued. I sent a glare in his direction, hoping to shut him up.
"Air!" Bilbo shouted. "I need air." He stood up straight, beginning to pace around.
"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof ... you're nothing but a pile of ash." Bofur continued.
Bilbo then stopped pacing, looking over towards the group before looking back forward, saying, "Nope." He then passed out onto the hard floor, I winced slightly.
I then whirl around glaring at Bofur, "Oh very helpful Bofur." Gandalf and I spoke at the same time, glaring at the dwarf. Gandalf stood up from his chair, "I'll go take him upstairs."
I nod, "I'll go fix him some tea." I walk into the kitchen, noticing most of the pantry is empty ... no sign of tea leaves. I looked behind me, making sure no one was watching, before opening the window, the cool breeze of the night flooding in. I held out my hand, my palm facing up. I closed my eyes for a moment, concentrating on tea leaves appearing in my hand. I felt something being placed on my hand, I opened my eyes to see a few tea leaves now resting on my hand, vines retracting away from my hand.
I bring my hand back through the window, before closing it. I take a small tea cup, filling it with water and placing the leaves inside the cup. I placed the tea cup on the palm of my hand, a red glow emitting from my palm as I walked up the stairs. I stop heating up the cup once I notice steam rising from the small tea cup.
I entered the room, seeing Bilbo awake, still looking a bit pale. He looks over at me, I offer him a warm smile which he returns. I hand him the cup, "Thank you Saharia."
"You're welcome." I then leave for them two to talk, closing the door behind me. Hopefully Gandalf will convince him, he seems fun. Besides, we are both in the same boat with these dwarves, they doubt our capabilities. I walk down the stairs, stopping at the bottom, sitting down on the steps.
I let out a small sigh, playing with a strand of hair. However, I stopped as I heard the dwarfs singing. It was a very cold song, not like the happy jolly one they were singing a while ago. It brought me back to that dreadful day.
*****************
I clung to my reward of the successful hunt, the salty water dripping from my white pelt. The whale I caught seemed completely dry unlike myself. I didn't mind, I love the feeling of water soaked into my pelt. "I can't wait to show them!" I exclaim with a bright smile.
I flew over the forest below, unaware of the change in the greenery. The trees went from green, to grey in a matter of a few seconds, red flames were scattered about. I landed among ash, of my once home. The once green trees were now grey, the leaves were ashes. The once crystal clear pool my siblings and I played in was now decorated with a mix of red and grey.
I left my prey, looking around in confusion. "Mom!" I call out in alarm. "Dad!" I run around, trying to find any sign of them. In the distance I see a familiar cream colored fur. I ran over, slowing down to a stop as I stepped in something wet. I looked down seeing crimson red liquid, I looked back up at the cream colored fur horrified.
"Mom." I whimpered out, making my way around the large body, me being a little more than half the size in comparison. My eyes widened in horror as dull sky blue eyes stared at me, blood decorated around the neck and stomach. "No ..." I mumble slowly.
"No!" I roar out, "Mom, wake up!" I place my large paw-like-talons on her shoulders, trying to shake her awake. "Get up!" But the only thing that happened was her feathered wings dropping to the ground.
"Sweetie ... she's not waking up." I hear a low rumble, I turn my head seeing a creature like myself with brown and white fur along his legs and stomach, dark brown, deer like horns grow out of his head. His amber eyes staring into my tearing cobalt blue ones.
"Dad." I whimpered, making my way to the bloodstained beast. "Dad, what happened?" I choked on my words, tears falling freely.
"I ... I love you Saharia. You will be a wonderful queen for our kind ... I believe you will do great things." He spoke with a sad smile, tears flooding down his own cheeks. "I wish ... I wish I could've watched you become an adult." Then he closed his eyes, his breathing coming to a stop.
"Dad! No!" I cried out. I looked over him, seeing my two other siblings were in the same shape as my parents, except they seemed to have been eaten on. Their guts out for show, some small predatory animals already gnawing on their bodies.
Thunder boomed above, as I cried, rain falling down hiding my tears. I took a deep breath before letting out a sad roar, sounding similar to a cry, breaking anyone's hearts who hears it.
I closed my mouth as I finished the roar, anger shining in my cobalt blue eyes, my mouth going up in a snarl. There is only one creature that could do this, and when I find this creature I'll rip its throat out!