Elena: Hobbit Fanfic

Map and Contract

Elena's POV

Thorin ignores me and goes to the dinner table where Dwalin gives him a plate of food. I roll my eyes and lean against the wall as the other dwarves crowd him. Gandalf owes me big time for working with dwarves. "What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asks Thorin.

"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms" Thorin answers.

"And what did the dwarves of the Iron Hill say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asks him.

"They will not come. They say this quest is ours, and ours alone" Thorin replies.

"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asks them.

"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light. Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak" Gandalf explains placing a map on the table.

"The lonely mountain" Bilbo and I say.

"You seriously want me to go to the other side of Middle Earth, to help dwarves reclaim Erebor?" I ask Gandalf.

"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold. When the birds of the old return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end" Oin explains.

"Uh, what beast?" Bilbo asks.

"Well that would be a reference to Smaug the terrible" I answer.

"Chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks, extremely fond of precious metals" Bofur adds.

"Yes, I know what a dragon is" Bilbo says sharply.

"Gandalf, I'll get them to the mountain. But I am not fighting a dragon" I tell him in a low voice. As the dwarves talk amongest themselves.

"Of course" he says.

"Enough! If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty 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 asks.

"You forget, the front gate is sealed" Balin tells him.

"There is no way into the mountain" I state.

"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true" Gandalf says taking a key from his pocket.

"How come you by this?" Thorin asks looking at the key.

"It was given to me by your father. By Thrain. For safekeeping. It is yours now" Gandalf explains handing it to Thorin.

"If there is a key, there must be a door" Fili says.

"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls" Gandalf states.

"There's another way in" Kili says smiling and I roll my eyes.

"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 explains.

"That's why we need a burglar" Ori states.

"And a good one too. An expert, I'd imagine" Bilbo states.

"And are you?" Oin asks him. I look at Gandalf in surprise, that's why he wants a hobbit? Bilbo so won't be going alone.

"Am I what?" Bilbo asks Oin confused.

"He said he's an expert. Hey" Oin says and the others cheers.

"No, I'm not a burglar" Bilbo states.

"No Hobbit is" I say in agreement.

"Aye, the Wild is no place for gentle folk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves" Dwalin says agreeing with me.

"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is. 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 a Hobbit is all but unknown to him... ...which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the 14th 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" Gandalf tells Thorin.

"And the woman?" Thorin asks.

"My name is Elena and I will protect Bilbo and the company" I state.

"You must trust me on this" Gandalf tells Thorin.

"Very well. We will do it your way. Give them the contract" Thorin tells Balin.

"I need no contract, I have no one to miss me and I want nothing from you as I said before" I state. "I also have no other requirements at this time and can remain as long as needed" I add.

"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth" Balin explains handing Bilbo the contract.

"Total's cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding, one fourteenth of total profit if any.' Seems fair. Uh...'The present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including, but not limited to...lacerations. Evisceration. Incineration?" he asks looking at the dwarves.

"Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye" Bofur states.

"You ok Bilbo?" I ask as he goes pale.

"Yeah, I feel a bit faint" he stutters.

"Think furnace, with wings" Bofur tells him.

"Not helping" I growl.

"I need air" Bilbo gasps.

"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!" Bofur explains.

"Nope" Bilbo says and faints. But I catch him and place him on the arm chair. As Gandalf scolds Bofur and I go prepared Bilbo some tea.

A/N

Picture above of the lonely mountain drawing and picture on the external link of the contract.

Elena: Seriously I didn't sign the contract? I could of been the richest skin changer alive!

Author: You don't care about money and enjoy the simple life

Elena: True, but the money could of come in handy *grumbles*

*Kettle whistles*

Elena: I must prepare Bilbo's tea *prepares Bilbo's tea, while humming*

Kili: There's something strange about her *whispers to Fili*

Fili: True, I'm sure we'll fin out what on the journey