Chapter Text
Chapter 1
After spending the last month on the road, I smile as I see Bree in the distance.
"Finally. Be nice to sleep in a bed tonight." I say to myself.
Pushing Sidhiel into a canter, we reach the gates not long after. I thank the gatekeeper as he lets me through and I ride to where the stables are located by the Prancing Pony.
Dismounting Shieldhill, I pay the stable boy handsomely to guarantee my horse will be well taken care of. Taking off my packs and kissing her snout, I allow her to be lead off before I make my way to the inn.
Walking in, I am immediately accosted by the loud noises and smells of the other patrons. Tuning out my senses slightly, I go to the bar to wait for the keep.
He notices me and smiles as he walks over. "'Elko lass. What can I do for you?"
I smile back. "Do you have any spare rooms available by chance?"
He nods. "Yes, I do believe I have a few still. Just the one?"
"Yes please." I reply with a nod.
After paying, he jots down my name and passes me my room key.
"Thank you. Oh, before I go, would you have happened to have seen an older gentlemen lately? About, yea tall," I raise my hand to approximately the right height, or try to with my short stature. "Grey pointed hat, beard and robes?"
He hums before going into thought. "I did a good few months ago, but not recently if you mean."
I nod. "Then I'm early. Thank you for your help."
He smiles as I leave him and make my way up the stairs up to the second floor where I go into my room, locking the door behind me.
Looking around the room, I notice there's not much to it. A bed, bedside table, dresser and a small table and chair. Nothing much to look at, but it will do for the night.
Setting my weapons in the corner, I walk over to the dresser where a bowl of water, cloth and a bar of soap had been left for the new guest. Reaching up to the water, I hold my hands over the bowl for a few moments, concentrating on my magic to heat the water up to a decent temperature before using the soap and cloth to wash myself down. Afterwards, I pull the chair to the window where I sit and begin to sharpen my weapons.
I had just been in Rogan when Gandalf had met me, asking me to come to the Shire, however, since I had to return home first, I informed him I would not be able to make it at the time he asked, so we arranged to meet here. I have no idea why he would want to meet, and in the Shire of all places.
What I do know is that Gandalf tends to meddle in a lot of things, things that shouldn't concern him too much. Or at least, that is what I have overheard Sarum an the White say, on the few occasions I have met him.
I do smile though as I look out of the window, Gandalf is lucky I would do almost anything for him. He has been a dear friend of my family since before I was born and I was extremely fond of the Grey Wizard.
I stay in my room for a few hours without realising, looking up as the sun is beginning to set. Putting my weapons aside, I decide to go downstairs to wait for my old friend.
Having left the safety and comfort of the Shire behind, the company of Thorin Oakenshield were now on their way to truly begin their quest.
Thorin did not know whether to feel relieved or annoyed that their Burglar had arrived, running after them with the contract flapping behind him. He did not feel optimistic about the wizards choice of the fourteenth member, being a hobbit, he was extremely soft, never having pocked up a weapon in his life. Dwalin was right, the wild is not for folk who can't take care of themselves. However, he would have to trust that Gandalf knows what he is doing.
His thoughts then turn to their mysterious fifteenth member that Gandalf had promised them. He had mentioned this person would meet them in Bree, having had a previous engagement and unable to meet in the Shire. He mentioned this one actually had some skills at fighting, but given his previous choice, he wasn't sure if he could believe his word on this, but, he would wait before giving judgment on this matter.
It takes the group a little under a week to reach the village of men. Having been given entrance by the gatekeeper, the company ride along the streets, ignoring the many stares from the people as they went. Reaching the stables, they made sure their mounts were secured and would be comfortable for the night.
After getting his pony settled, Thorin watches as Gandalf stands by a stall and pets the snout of a horse he did not recognise. It looks to be an appaloosa breed, pure black apart from its rump which was white as snow with black spots. The steed looked as though it knew Gandalf as it appeared calm, as if welcoming an old friend.
"You know this horse, Gandalf?" he asks curiously.
Gandalf turns to him. "Indeed. This is Shieldhill. She belongs to my friend and our final member."
Thorin raises a brow, not liking how the horses name sounded too elven-like. "You brought an elf to join us?"
"Oh no, my friend is not an elf. You will see when we find her."
The arrows brow rises even more as he watches the wizard leave. He hired a woman to join them? How could this get any worse? He notices Balin and Dwalin standing nearby, both having heard Gandalf's words.
"A woman? Is he serious?" Dwalin grunts out as Thorin joins the brothers.
"He must be. I don't see him being the joking type, especially over something like this." Thorin replies.
Dwalin shakes his head. "I have said it once and I'll say it again, the wild is not for gentlefolk who do not know how to fight."
"I have heard of some women that are able to fight. Maybe he knows she will be able to handle herself." Balin, ever the optimistic, suggests.
Thorin sighs. "Maybe. Gandalf did tell me she can fight. However, I will reserve judgement until we have the chance to meet this woman. For now, let us get inside."
Thorin then gives the order for the others to follow when they are ready before making his way to the inn before walking in.
As soon as they stepped inside, Thorin could feel the atmosphere drop, the stares of the patrons immediately on them. Thorin walked in with his head held high, not bothering with the thoughts of others as he walks over to the right back corner of the inn where the dwarves begin to gather some tables together so they can all sit together.
"I knew this place isn't anything to look at, but I thought they would have some decency to not let such rabble in here to take over."
This causes all the dwarves to tense. Turning to the voice, Thorin sees a middle aged man glaring at them, greasy hair falling in his eyes.
"Got something to say, whelp?" Dwalin growls.
"Oh, nothing." The man begins as he stands, towering over them. "Except that your kind aren't wanted, or welcome, here. So you might as well leave."
"Is there a rule, or a sign, to say dwarves are not welcome?" Thorin says as he stands tall besides his friend and cousin.
The man then sneers down at him. "Take my advice, dwarf, get lost. Your kind are nothing but trouble."
Just before he, or anyone else can utter a word, there is a loud laugh coming from the opposite corner. Looking towards it, he sees a woman sitting at a table, almost lazily. She's sat back with her left elbow resting on the back of the chair, her right hand cupping a mug. From what he sees above the table, she is wearing a dark green tunic with a black cloak. Her fiery red hair tied behind her. Face pale, although he can see a smattering of freckles under her eyes and across the nose. A smile on her red lips and her ice blue eyes sparkling in merriment, though with a tightness at the edges. As he looks into those eyes, he cannot seem to pull himself away. He has never seen eyes so blue before, even his brother didn't have eyes so blue.
"Something funny, girly?" the man asks with a sneer.
The woman shakes her head as she stands and makes her way to them, standing between the man and the dwarves.
"Just the hypocrisy of a good for nothing drunk. You talk about dwarves causing trouble, but the only one I see causing trouble is you. Now, either sit yourself down and finish your drink quietly, or I will be forced to escort you out myself. And trust me, you won't want that."
It's now his turn to laugh. "You think you can take me on? You're nothing but a little pipsqueak."
"Just sit down, little boy, I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
Giving a patronising pat on the man's shoulder, she moves past him to go back to her table, his friends laughing at their table.
Thorin watches her walk away, surprised that a daughter of man would stand up for the dwarves in such a way, especially against someone twice her size and being obviously outmatched.
"Why you wench!" The man growls.
"Look out!" Thorin hears Kili call out.
Turning back to the man, Thorin's hand immediately goes his sword and begins to draw it as the man whirls around, his right fist pulled back, ready to strike. Before he can step in however, the woman twirls on the spot and blocks the man's fist with her right hand, gripping the man's wrists tightly. Thorin gapes, the woman moved so quickly, he would have missed it if he had blinked. He hears the man yelp in pain.
"I warned you, boy." the woman growls, her blue eyes now holding such a fire in them, it almost takes his breath away.
Now, if he hadn't seen this for himself, he would never had believed it if he had been told, but the woman turns her back to the man, still gripping his hand, and the man is suddenly flying through the air and over her shoulder where he lands with a thud on the ground. There is no movement or sound in the inn, except from the writing, groaning man on the ground.
The woman turns to the men at the table.
"Take him and get out."
Not needing to be told twice, the men immediately listen as they scramble to their feet to grab their friend and rush out. The woman then looks around at the other patrons, who had watched the whole thing in awe, shock and fear.
"Anyone else got a problem with dwarves?"
They immediately turn away and get back to what they were doing.
Thorin is still staring in shock at this unknown woman. Looking at her, he sees she is roughly the same height as he, maybe slightly shorter, unusual from the race of men. So, to have been able to flip someone twice her size, seriously impresses him.
Sheathing his sword, he steps forward and clears his throat, gaining the woman's attention as she turns to look to him.
"Thank you for your assistance, milady. It was not necessary, but appreciated nonetheless."
She smiles at him, giving a slight bow of the head. He opens his mouth to say more when Gandalf's voice speaks up.
"Causing trouble once again, Seraphina?"
The woman turns to the wizard with a smile. "Who me? Never. The drunk had it coming."
Gandalf chuckles as they embrace. Seraphina? That is a most unusual name, but it somehow suited her.
"Well, I for one am happy you were here to intervene.
They pull apart and Gandalf turns to him.
"Thorin, I would like to introduce you to our final companion. Seraphina."
Thorin looks over the woman. So, this is the one he had asked to join them? He had serious doubts before about a woman joining them, but if the rest of her fighting skills were anything like they just witnessed, than he definitely saw great potential in her. More so than the hobbit the wizard had hired.
Having introduced me as the last member of the dwarves company, and knowing the name of the dwarf in front of me, I freeze as I hear it. Thorin. .. .Thorin Oakenshield?
Looking over said dwarf, I instantly know of this dwarf. It's hard to not know of the exiled pince of Erebor who lost his home to Smug many years ago. Looking over at the others assembled, I begin to put together the nature of why there are thirteen dwarves here. A hard look comes over my face as I turn to the wizard.
"Gandalf. I would like a word with you. Now."
Without giving him a chance to say anything, I turn and make my way up the stairs to my room. Thankfully, I hear Gandalf following, closing the door behind him once we are in my room.
"I assume you have figured out why I asked you to meet with me."
I turn to him. "You're leading them to Erebor, are you not?"
"Indeed."
"And you want me to go?"
"I do."
I can feel my eyes turn gold in my anger. "Don't you realise how insane that is! Thorin lost his home to a fire breathing dragon and you want another one to join them! I swear all that pipe weed has gotten to your head."
"I figured you would want to jump at the chance to join. After all, you also know what it is like to lose your home to Smug."
"That was not my home, Gandalf. I was only an egg at the time, you know that. My home is in Rivendell."
"Hm. Then maybe you could help another reclaim their home from the dragon."
I look at him for a moment. "Why are you adamant on this? Why Erebor?"
He looks to me for a moment before sighing. "I assume you have been sensing the same thing I have the past few years. The darkness, evil beginning to spread again."
I pause at this, my eyes turning back to their icy blue. He is right. For a few decades I have not felt right. Something in the back of my mind has been itching at me, a feeling that I have not felt in over forty years.
"Sauron?" I ask as I look to my friend. "You think he is returning?"
"I do not know. However, if he were to return, Erebor would be a perfect advantage for him to begin his quest to take over the world. His plan cannot succeed, and with Thorin having his own dragon on hand, it leaves us having our own advantage, do you not think?"
I sigh. "I can see your point. However, my strength and power is not even close to equalling Smug. The strongest of my people could not defeat him, how do you propose we do?"
"Oh, we can deal with that when the time comes, I think."
I smirk at him. "You have no idea, do you?"
He gives a little grin of his own, that familiar twinkle in his eye. I sigh as I look out of the window, thoughts of the mission ahead running through my head.
It would be nice to get revenge, avenge the deaths of my father and those that died during that day, as well as for those of us who had to scatter and go into hiding because of him.
"Very well. However, not one word about my heritage until I am ready. I don't think Thorin needs to know quite yet what I really am."
"Wonderful. I will go and let Thorin know."
He turns and walks out, his robes billowing behind him.
Having watched the woman and wizard go up the stairs, the dwarves don't say anything for a few moments before they take their seats.
"So, that's the woman he talked about. She can certainly handle herself." Dwalin says, a small grin on his face.
Balin nods. "Aye, it seems that way."
"Did you see the way she flipped him like he was nothing!" Kili exclaims, a large grin on his face.
Bo fur's grin is just the same. "Aye, certainly not shy to get stuck in, that one."
The others agree and they continue to talk about their new possible fifteenth member, those who weren't present being told of what happened, who were just as shocked as the rest of them.
Thorin, however, keeps his eyes on the stairs. The hard look Seraphina had worries him. He doubts that she's unhappy to be around them, she wouldn't have stood up for them if she had a problem with dwarves. Although, there has to be something to do with the dwarves to make her angry enough to practically snarl at the wizard.
Sitting up straight, Thorin sees the wizard come down and nod for him to follow. He nods and tells Balin and Dwalin to join him, Balin gathering the contract and writing utensils before the begin to follow Gandalf up the stairs and to the woman's room.
I sigh as I watch the wizards leave before sitting on the window ledge, resting my arm on my raised left knee, the weight of my acceptance bearing down on me.
Surely I'm getting too old for adventures now? I mean, yes, I am only two hundred and eighty four years of age, and our kind are said to live for thousands of years, so I would still be counted as a young adult, but I have responsibilities at home that I can't abandon, nor can I go off gallivanting to my possible death. And I doubt my mother would be happy to know I am on my way to face the dragon that took almost everything from her.
I am interrupted by a knock on my door. Giving Gandalf permission to enter, he walks in, but he's not alone, as I suspected. Thorin walks in after him, followed by the bald dwarf and an older one with white hair and beard, which forks into two, curling at the bottom.
"Seraphina, I would like to properly introduce you to the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield. And his trusted advisors, Balin and Dwalin."
I don't move from my position on the ledge as Balin and Dwalin bow when their names are mentioned. I give an incline of my head to each of them before turning my attention to Thorin, watching as he appraises me. I don't interrupt his thoughts, but I do wonder what he thinks.
"You know how to fight?" he asks.
"Of course. I don't just flip people over my shoulder for the fun of it."
I hear Dwalin snort back a laughter while Balin is grinning, I can even see a slight smile gracing Thorin's lips.
"Aye, it's clear you know some combat, lass. How about weapons?" Dwalin asks.
I point with my left forefinger to the corner where my weapons are perched against the wall.
"I don't just carry them with me for decoration, Master Dwalin. I am quite proficient with both bow and blade."
Thorin looks over the weapons before looking back to me. "I would like to test you on that while on the road, if you are agreeable to it."
I nod. "I am. I have faced many men, elves and orcs before, but dwarves would be a first. I look forward to it."
He nods, although I see him tense at the mention of elves. Knowing about Thrandeston and what he did, I can see why.
He turns to Balin and nods, who walks over to the table and lays out a parchment, quill and ink pot.
"We just need you to sign this for us, lass."
Finally rising from my spot, I get up and walk over before looking over the contract. When I reach the part about death, I turn to Thorin.
"May I make a stipulation in the contract?"
He raises a brow. "That would depend?"
"If anything were to happen to me, I would ask for my body to be returned to Rivendell, to my mother."
I see the corners of his eyes tighten again at this. "You hail from Rivendell? You are no elf."
I shake my head. "I am not. However, the elves of Rivendell have been friends of my family for generations, and I was born there. I know of the tension between elves and dwarves, but I would appreciate it if I was returned to my mother in Rivendell, should I meet my end."
He looks me over, seeming to be in deep thought about this, warring with his morals and beliefs before he nods.
"Very well, I will honour your request. I am asking much from you, you deserve to be in charge of your own autonomy, alive or not. Balin, could you make the changes before she signs?"
Balin nods as he takes the quill before quickly scratching my request in before I sign, everything else looking right. Balin takes out an eyeglass and looks over my signature for a few moments.
"Everything seems to be in order. Welcome, Seraphina, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."
I smile my thanks to him before turning to Thorin. Standing straight, I place my right fist over my heart, bowing slightly.
"I swear to do all I can to help you succeed in your mission."
I seem to have surprised him slightly with my actions, although he recovers quickly, before giving an incline of his head in respect.
"I cannot ask no more than that. And I in return, thank you, Seraphina, for lending your skills to us."
Giving another nod of my head, I turn to Gandalf as he speaks.
"Now we have that out of the way, have you eaten yet, Seraphina? We were just about to have some dinner before bed."
I shake my head. "Not yet. I was going to wait until you arrived before I ate."
"Well, we're here now. How about you join us and we can introduce you to the rest of our merry group?"
I agree before the five of us leave the room and go downstairs where the others are waiting. As I'm scanning the group, I am incredibly surprised to see a hobbit with them. Why on Earth would Gandalf agree for a hobbit to join us? And why would one agree to come? They prefer to stay in the safety of their homes, not wandering the world.
Once they are informed on my acceptance to join, I am introduced to each of them. First off, are the nephews of Thorin; Fili and Kili, Fili having blond hair with braids and a very short beard with a moustache that is braided on either side of his lips. His brother, Kili, has long, shaggy brown hair which isn't braided and stubble on his chin. As Kili spoke of his service, I recognise his voice being the one to warn me of the man from before.
Next are the brothers Oin and Gloin; Oin is a dwarf with grey hair and beard which is braided and curled around as well as a long, straight moustache. I notice he also has an ear trumpet, so I assume he is hard of hearing. Gloin, has magnificent long red hair and a beard which holds many braids.
And then there are the brothers Bofur – the hatted dwarf, Bombur – the overweight dwarf, who has a marvellous beard which circles around his rotund belly and their cousin Bifur – who surprises me at first as I see the axe in his head, but I quickly ignore it as I smile at him, who gives a small smile back and a nod of the head.
Next are the brothers Dori – who has intricate braids in his grey hair and beard. Nori – red hair, which is tied into three points above his head and his beard braided into three sections, which reminds me of a star. I'm also sure I can see his eyebrows braided into his hair. And then Ori – the only dwarf with short hair, apart from Dwalin who has hair around his head. Ori's hair is the same colour as his brother Nori's.
And finally, I meet the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who gives me a welcoming smile. I smile back before taking my seat between him and Bofur after the hatted dwarf pats it for me to join them.
"That was a great move you did on that drunk before, lass." he says with a grin.
"And surprising, since he was twice your height." Fili points out.
"Height and strength doesn't count for a lot of things. If you know where a person's centre of gravity is, you can use that against them."
"Well said, lass." Nori says, giving me a grin.
"What was your name again, lassie?" Gloin asks from further down.
"Seraphina." I reply.
Kili smiles. "It sounds different. Nice, but different."
I chuckle. "I suppose it does sound unique. You can call me Sera if you wish, I don't mind."
They all nod and we continue talking while eating, the dwarves also seem to like it when I offer to buy a round of ale for everyone, which makes me smile.
As I'm sitting with this bunch, I surprisingly don't feel as shy as I usually do within a big crowd. Usually, I surround myself with just a few people at a time, but with this lot. . .I can happily sit with them all and listen to their stories. I don't know what it is, but they make me feel. . .at ease and safe. Surprising given my past experiences with men. I wonder if this feeling will be the same when the found out what I truly am.
Not long after, Thorin has us going to bed, with us having an early start, we don't want to sleep too late. I take my leave of the company to go to my room where I take off my armour and outer clothing and boots before climbing into bed, making sure one of my blades is within easy access. Laying back against the pillow, I have to smile. This is going to be an interesting journey indeed.