I sit at the table and watch amused as all the dwarves go into Bilbo's pantry and set it on the three tables that have been pushed together. At first, I was feeling angry for Bilbo as his house got turned inside out but after realising that this was part of Gandalf's plan and remembering that he did inform me this would happen, I began to loosen up and watch the dwarves in their state of reunion and hunger. Gandalf smiles in my direction when he notices me chuckling to myself. Although I have never truly liked dwarves, I can't help but find this particular group amusing. I laugh at Bilbo as he tries to get one of the Dwarves to put a chair back.
"So, Gandalf, what are all their names?" I ask looking around bewildered as Gandalf sits next to me.
Gandalf begins to point out the dwarves as he says their names "That's Fili and Kili. There's Dori, Nori, Ori, Gloin and Oin. Those guys over there are Bifur, Bofur and Bombur. And you've already met Dwalin and Balin."
I nod to myself as Gandalf points them out trying to take mental note of something unique of each of them, so I can remember. As soon as the dwarves are seated and eating, everything turns to chaos. I sit next to Gandalf and pass along a bowl of tomatoes to Gloin. Fili stands on the table walking along passing drinks out to the dwarves. I lightly jump in my seat as I try to avoid some broth landing on me as it spills out a cup Fili holds. I look out the door and see Bilbo's back, he's strangely still. I can tell he's about to go into a state of crazy.
Gandalf stands and walks out of the room as some of the dwarves begin to take stuff into the kitchen and the pantry "So why would an Elf maiden be in The Shire?" I hear a soft voice ask. I turn to see Balin seated next to me, puffing on a pipe.
"I am no elf maiden" I simply say in a strong tone. I haven't been called that in a long time and I don't like addressing my eleven side in any term. I know it's there and it's a part of me, but I'd rather not accept its existence. Besides, I don't think the dwarves would take lightly to knowing I have elf within my blood, so I'll do what I always have. Lie.
"Oh. I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I thought you were an Elf because of your bow and arrows at the front door" Balin explains himself "they are very similar to the elvish bows. In fact, it seems to look like an ancient elvish bow from thousands of generations ago."
This dwarf knows his history, I'll give him that. Taking in a breath and sitting pokerfaced, I look at him like he's crazy "Well, I bought that bow from an old man near Mirkwood. It could have come from anywhere before that" I say trying to not make it seem too suspicious as I take a sip of my tea. Balin gives a small nod, taking the information as nothing of interest.
I turn around as some of the dwarves at the table begin to make a tune with the knives and forks. Bilbo comes running in saying "Please don't do that! You'll blunt them!"
"Did you hear that lads? He says we'll blunt the knives!" Bofur says in a cheerful tone. Before I know what's happened, plates and bowls are going flying everywhere and the dwarves begin to sing.
Blunt the knives and 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 and trail 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;
And when you've finished, if they are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
I stand next to Gandalf laughing with amazement. The dwarves have cleaned up every mess they have made! They are all standing in the dining room laughing at Bilbo's face. I can't help but let out a bit of laughter as well. I strangely am quickly taking a liking to these folk, which is weird for me with anyone in general, never mind dwarves!
Everyone falls silent as there's a loud knock on the door. Gandalf turns to face everyone and says, "He's here" In a strong voice.
Without another word, everybody begins to shuffle along to the door. Pulling me with them, I have no choice but to follow because I'm in the centre of the large group. Once we're all squished into the small hall by the door, Gandalf quickly rushes through the crowd to the door and opens it. The green doors reveals a tall strong dwarf standing out in the night. His black and grey hair and beard blends into the night, metal beads tangled through his long hair shine when the light from inside the house hits them.
"Gandalf," The Dwarf greets, "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."
Bilbo pushes his way through the crowd "Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!"
Gandalf lets out a small cough "There is a mark. I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."
I can't help but let my eyebrows frown together. From what I have heard of Thorin, I never pictured him to look like this, he doesn't look must different from the other dwarves and nothing about him indicates that he's a King to me. He looks nothing more than someone you would pass on the street in your travels. Watching as the other dwarves stare admiringly to Thorin I let my impressions fade away, to them, this dwarf is their leader.
"So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Mr Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin asks, stepping towards Bilbo.
"Pardon me?" Bilbo asks confused.
"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin asks walking around Bilbo looking him up and down.
Bilbo stands up straight in a way of being proud "Well, I have some skill at conkers if you must know...but I fail to see why that's relevant."
"Thought as much, he looks more like a grocer than a burglar" Thorin states coursing the dwarves to burst out laughing "So Gandalf. Where is this woman you were talking about?" Thorin asks looking around.
Having the first impression that he's quite arrogant, I take a step forward out of all the crowd, standing tall and proud. When Thorin sees me, he looks at me with surprise. I can't help but be a little surprised myself, this being the first time I get to meet the mysterious and legendary Thorin Oakenshield.
"Thorin, this is Ivy. She has agreed to sign the contract if our Burglar takes his absents" Gandalf explains trying not to let Bilbo know about the adventure yet.
"So, Ivy. What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin asks, clearly much less sceptical than he was with Bilbo.
"Well out of the two choices you gave Bilbo, I would say a sword but the true weapon that I place my life on is a bow," I say straight out, not necessarily in a rude or respectful way. I don't really care if I say something to upset this dwarf prince.
"I'd usually would say to you that the wild is no place for women. But I will say to you that you have fire" Thorin states "we may need that."
Feeling a little annoyed by his first comment I choose to keep my mouth shut, also because Gandalf glares at me from behind Thorin. So, all I do is give a small nod in thanks. With that the dwarves all head back into the dining room so Thorin can eat.
"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asks Thorin.
"No. They will not come" Thorin says with disappointment. All the other dwarves talk amongst themselves with disappointment as well " They say this quest is ours and ours alone."
"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo says walking into the dining room.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light," Gandalf says while pulling out a map from in his pocket. Bilbo places a candle on the table for more light.
"Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak" Bilbo reads the top of the map which says The Lonely Mountain.
"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time" Gloin says with a strong accent.
"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," Oin says.
"Ah. What beast?" Bilbo says from behind Thorin. I didn't realise that I was slowly tuning out of the conversation until Bilbo's voice startled me, I almost forgot he was here and that he doesn't know what he may or may not be getting into.
Bofur begins to explain in detail "Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks, extremely fond of precious metals-"
"Yes, I know what a dragon is" Bilbo cuts in.
"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie" Ori says with no fear coursing me to giggle.
"Sit down!" Dori yells at Ori and pulls him back to his seat.
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest" Balin says with a little lose in faith.
The dwarves start arguing at what Balin has said. Some of them saying things like "Hey, who are you calling dim?"
"Watch it!"
"No!"
"What did he say?" Oin looks around confused by what is happening. He can't hear very well, only through a horn-shaped figure.
"We may be few in number, but we're fighters," Fili says. He slams his hand to the table "all of us, to the last dwarf!"
"And you forget we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf would have killed hundreds of dragons in his time" Kili says with high spirits. I can't help but let out a small giggle, my gaze turning to Gandalf in amusement. I've known Gandalf all my life and I've never heard a story about him slaying a dragon which only makes this so much funnier when I see his expression.
"Oh, well, now, uh, I-I-I wouldn't say that I-" Gandalf shudders.
"How many, then?" Dori asks with force.
"Uh, what?" Gandalf says in a dim voice.
"Well, how many dragons have you killed? Go on, give us a number!" Dori says coursing havoc between the dwarves. They all begin yelling at Gandalf to answer and yelling at Dori.
The noise begins to get beyond okay, causing Thorin to stand up and raise his voice. "Silence! If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" Thorin says with strong hopes.
Balin shakes his head "You forget, the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain."
Gandalf smiles "That, my dear Balin is not entirely true" Gandalf moves his fingers and a key appears. I look at it with curiosity. It seems like it was carved from the stone within Erebor itself, no doubt ancient to the beginning of Erebor's creation.
Thorin stares at it in wonder "How'd you come by this?" he asks.
"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now" Gandalf says handing Thorin the key.
"If there is a key, there must be a door," Fili says in wonder. I look at Gandalf and he looks back at me, knowledge that hasn't been said hiding behind the eye pools. Something tells me there's more to this map and key then we know.
Gandalf smiles "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls."
Kili places his hand on Fili's shoulder with a small grin "There's another way in!"
"Well, if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in 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 that it can be done" Gandalf says giving a glare my way at the mention of those in Middle Earth. I can't hold but the dark glare that I give him for making his point that I won't comment on here.
"That's why we need a burglar," Ori says with a high-spirited voice. I sigh, looks like the news is going to be broken to Bilbo too soon. I'm not too sure how he may react.
I look up as Bilbo says "Hm, A good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine" In my head I imagine facepalming.
"And are you?" Gloin asks.
Bilbo rocks back and then forward on his feet "Am I what?" he asks.
"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" Oin laughs. A few other dwarves laugh. I roll my eyes. Poor Bilbo.
"M-Me? No, no. I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life!"
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr Baggins. He's hardly burglar material" Balin states.
Dwalin nods in agreement "Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves" Bilbo points at Dwalin and nods in agreement.
The dwarves begin to fight amongst themselves and Bilbo continues agreeing with what some of the other dwarves have to say "What about the lassie? If we're going to fight over the Hobbit, why don't we discuss her?" Gloin asks.
His words catch my attention, a sidewards glance answering his question from me.
I sit back in my seat as Gandalf begins to rise and darkness begins to fill the room. Gandalf's voice begins to turn powerful "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is!" Gandalf goes back to his old self and the darkness fades away "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this."
"Very well, we will do it your way," Thorin says agreeing.
Bilbo begins to try and change their minds "No, no, no."
Thorin raises his voice "Give him the contract."
Bilbo rolls his eyes "Please."
"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth," Balin says handing the contract to Bilbo.
Bilbo hesitates "Funeral arrangements?" he repeats. Was this contract necessary? Sure, he's going to be a burglar in a position that could possibly get him killed but...was it really needed?
Bilbo steps back and begins to read the contact. I watch as he raises his eyebrows every now and then. If Bilbo refuses to sign the contract, I must. After all, I did make a deal. Either way, I'm coming along for the journey, contract or no contract I'm coming, and Gandalf knows he won't be able to stop me.
Bilbo begins to mutter the contact out loud "Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit if any. Seems fair. Eh, Present Company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations ... evisceration ... incineration?" Bilbo questions the last word.
Bofur nods and stands up "Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye."
Bilbo lets out a breath "Huh."
Balin leans forward "You all right, laddie?"
Bilbo bends over a little nauseous and looks like he needs air "Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint."
"Balin, of course, he's not ok," I say standing up and walking over to Bilbo "Come on Bilbo. You need fresh air" I state placing my hand on his shoulder.
"Think furnace with wings" Bofur continues.
Bilbo leans over and places his hands on his knees "Air, I-I-I need air."
"That's what I was saying, come on Bilbo, let's go outside," I say trying to nudge him towards the door.
Bofur doesn't stop there "Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash."
Bilbo waves my hand off his shoulder and stands up straight looking at Bofur as though he feels better. He nods believing he is better but not a moment later he says "Nope" and faints.
"Very helpful, Bofur," I say giving him a stare. I kneel next to Bilbo, he seems very pale, and I don't blame the poor hobbit he hasn't stepped foot out of the Shire in his whole life. I help Gandalf carry Bilbo into the lounge and sit him on a large tall chair.
I walk out of the room and into the dining room where most of the dwarves are still lingering. Others have decided to explore the hobbit hole. I sit down at the dining table and grab my cup from earlier. It's empty. Typical, I think rolling my eyes and put it back on the table. I rub my forehead as I begin to take in the information that I've heard being discussed around the table. There's nothing that I haven't heard before, even the dragon part doesn't seem bizarre to me. I've witnessed so much in my long life that none of this scares me anymore. I find a weird satisfaction in knowing there'll be action and adventure, that I've been lacking over the last few decades.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a cup being placed on the table by my side. I open my eyes to see Fili and Kili beside me, both with warm smiles and curiosity plastered across their faces. They're young, this is probably one of their first big quests, everything is so new and exciting to them. They both sit down, Fili on my left and Kili on my right as though I'm about to tell a bedtime story.
"So, Ivy? Isn't it?" Fili asks. I give a small nod and look at them both a bit alarmed. I don't like being overstretched to answer questions. I can tell these two young dwarves are going to be at me all night wanting to know much.
"So what city do you come from?" Kili asks.
"What?" I question.
"Lothlorien, Rivendel or Mirkwood?" Fili asks.
I look at them confused "Wait. You both think I'm an Elf" I say looking between both. I little relieved that this is all they wanted to know. I've told lie about this for hundreds of years, it's like second nature now.
"Yes," They both say.
"I am not an Elf," I say with a grumbled tone. They both go to protest, but I stop them "If this is about my bow, I bought it off an old man by Mirkwood" I say loud enough so they can both get the point. They both nod in agreement understanding.
"Fili, Kili. We're gathering by the fire" Dwalin says.
I follow them into the lounge where most of the dwarves are puffing on their pipes. I stand in the hallway and watch as they begin to hum a song and sing it.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light."
Balin walks out and over to me "It looks like we have lost our Burglar" Balin says. I look down as he hands me the contact "We hope that we've found a new one."
I give a weak nod and taking the contract. With that Balin walks away to join the others once more. I look down at the contract and begin to read it.