Though many protests were heard, drowning each other out, I stood calmly having expected this reaction. However out of the corner of my eye I could just make out Dwalin reaching out to the pile and grabbing one of the daggers I had brought along; small enough to conceal but sharp enough to do just as much damage as any long sword.

Noticing this Bifur rattled something off in Khuzdul that I didn’t quite catch, Seeming to be addressing the large warrior with a still sheathed blade in his hand. However I did catch Dwalin’s response, and so did the rest of the company.

“Well despite her being a dwarrowdam it is still customary to at least examine a smith’s work before refusing or taking it.” This quieted the rest of the dwarves.

“Aye, indeed it is quite rude to do otherwise.” Balin piped up now that there weren’t ten other voices overpowering his own, “I quite glad one of you remembered it as such.”  At this declaration about half the heads in the room fell in shame, while others simply stayed stubborn as a mule.

“Very well then,” Dori was the first to speak after a few moments of silence, “Let us see what has been provided” there were a few snorts but eventually every dwarf had some weapon or another in his hand. All of which have yet to be unsheathed, as Ori had the idea they all do so together.

“On the count of three,” Bofur began the count off, “One,” he looked around at everybody, “Two” by this point I admit I was quite nervous as to their reactions. “Three!” the sound of metal being drawn filled the small dining area.

You see there is a reason most all smiths love new customers, and no it is not the gold. It is moments like this, the reveal, their faces like a child opening a birthday present. Regulars such as Balin become so used to it that they simply refuse to accept anything of less quality. But the new ones, watching them unsheathe your work for the first time; it’s seeing the thrill of a new addiction in their eyes. This glow last for the first 4 to 5 visits and then lessens but the memory of holding such a fine blade never fades, this is why I do and love my work no matter how uncommon a trade it is for a women.

Every dwarrowdam find happiness and comfort in the joy and safety of their men, this is true in every way shape and form no matter what the race of man thinks. However each is different, so this does not limit such things as raising the family and cleaning house. Smithing, that is what bring me happiness, because not only do I have faith that with my blades the men will be far safer than otherwise, but seeing the joy, the rush of excitement, the need to start swinging weapon here and there just to see how they handle, that our men express when looking upon a new blade. That is how I achieve such a level of happiness that many women do not know before marriage.

Looking among the faces of these 12 dwarves, I was in no way disappointed. The accomplished and yet relieved smile that spread across my features could not be helped.

While the men, or boys in case of the Durin brother,held their blades in different angles and lights, transfixed by the weapons I had brought; I found myself a bit queasy from the tense moment and  found myself in front of a bathroom mirror splashing water on my still smiling face. Their transfixation was anything but offencive, it has been so long since I have had a new face in the shop I had nearly forgotten the sensation their approval brings.

Back with the rest of the house the shock had worn off and chaos resumed its rightful place among the dwarves. The younger boys were now dueling, Balin went ahead and explained more details on his favorite blacksmiths work, Dwalin had found himself staring in disbelief that all the praise his brother had rained down about the dwarrowdam had been more than accurate. However in these moments a resounding knock vibrated through Bag End.

As silence fell the first to speak was the wandering wizard, “He is here.”

The company met there fearless king at the door, as he entered with the grace of any true royal member, a grace in which his nephews are lacking. “Gandalf,I thought you said this place was easy to find. I lost my way, Twice.” the king addressed the one who answered the door “Wouldn't have found it at all, had it not been for the mark on that door”

“Mark?” The hobbit spoke up, “there is no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!”

“There is a mark, I put it there myself” Gandalf spoke, trying to calm the agitated hobbit, though his attempts only made said Baggins that much worse. “Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company Thorin Oakenshield.”

“So this is the Hobbit.” The king spoke, casually adjusting the gold chain around his neck as he addressed the company burglar, “ax or sword, what's your weapon of choice?”

“Nether if I were to guess” Eiki’s voice rang out as she entered the room, causing most the men to jump. “He’s far too lacking in upper body strength  for an ax and his small size would compliment a concealed dagger more so than any lengthy sword.”  By this point she stood in front of the group of males hand placed properly behind her back, position relaxed.

“And who might this be?”

The lady of the company kept a polite smile, however the wicked gleam in her eye did not go unnoticed by those around her.

As Thorin inquired about my identity I couldn’t help the realization that, like the others, Balin had yet to inform the king of my presence, and this time I would not be the one to explain. Half turning to said dwarf, though keeping attention to the leader of the company as not to be presented as rude, I made quite the dramatic gesture.

“Balin, you mean that you even failed to inform Master Oakenshield of the situation,” I blinked innocently “you should be ashamed of such actions , so while you explain I shall make us some tea as to insure a good night's rest for the journey tomorrow, it may be the last you get for a while,”  smiling sweetly as I made my way towards the kitchen waving a hand over my shoulder, “one of you boys care to follow; I do believe I can't quite reach the correct shelf”

Catching on to my jest Dwalin quickly made to follow, after casting his brother a “shameful” look and leaving all the trouble of explaining to the gray haired dwarf , who has just realize he had been duped.

Balin sighed as the two sneaked around the corner out of site, the other snickering as they followed, “Mutiny, I do believe it has become a pattern whenever those two team up.” he muttered before turning to his king and distant cousin to nervously explain the details he, so carefully,  left out during their last meeting.

    When next I caught a glimpse the company's leader and his consultant, it seemed as though the king under the mountain had been defeated in whatever argument he may have brought up, with Balin still smiling cheekily in victory. Glad the explaining did not fall upon me I sat down quietly and immersed myself into the conversation bouncing back and forth between the men, attempting to ignore the obvious disapproval radiating from Thorin Oakenshield.

After the table had filled and once again emptied of food, Ori made a motion to ask Bilbo where to put his plate resulting in Fili taking it from the younglings hand “here go Ori, give it to me” and tossing it into the awaiting hands of his brother. Who would then toss it behind his back into the kitchen where Bifur strategically caught it and began running the water as to wash the plate thrown at him. Gandalf dodging each toss the best he could.

“Excuse me!That’s my mother's westfarthing cockery” Bilbo began in a panic, “It’s over a hundred years old!” as he said this Kili noticed my conseild laughter and proceeded to bounce the next bowl off his foot before tossing it back to Bifur. Following his example Fili began to show off the fact he could juggle two bowls with just his elbows.

Looking back to the dining room I saw the others dancing around as Oin, Bofur, Dori and Gloin decided to have some fun with cleanup by banging the silverware on the table and making music while clanging them together.

“A-a-and can you not do that” Our Hobbit host exclaimed with a shout “You’ll blunt them!”

“Now he’s done it!” I laughed happily, knowing that he just handed the enthusiastic dwarves a theme for a song.

“Oooh do ya hear that Lads,” Bofur dramatically announced, “He says we’ll blunt the knives” followed by a cheer from those around him.

This resulted in Kili making a stand on top of the table as he belted out.

Blunt the knives!

Bend the forks!

The next line was picked up by his brother who was still juggling bowls in the archway.

Smash the bottles

and Burn their corks

In that moment everyone but Thorin himself joined in on the musical number.

Chip the glasses

And crack the plates

THAT’S WHAT BILBO BAGGINS HATES

Everyone was getting into it, Including myself might I add. Dancing around with each male in turn. Getting spun by some and  twirled by others, Dwalin even managed to lift me and place me on the table where Kili proceeded and grab my hands and drag me into a dance with him. I was simply enjoying the entertaining caos, and after dinner show.

Cut the cloth

Trail the fat

Leave the bones on the bedroom mat

The group began tossing the empty plate into a surprised Ori’s arms. While Dwalin dodged a beer mug that had been thrown fairly close by his nose.

Pour the milk on the pantry floor

Splash the wine on every door

By this point in the song our gracious host was absolutely manic, running around between each dwarf attempting to stop them, dodging his own kitchenware and being positively out of breath.

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl

Pound them up with a thumping pole

And when you're finished if any are whole

Send them down the hall to roll

THAT’S WHAT BILBO BAGGINS HATES!

Said hobbit came pushing through the crowd of rowdy dwarves to find his dishes all stacked neatly on his kitchen counter, undamaged. The group of us laughing merrily at his flustered expression. However our fun was put to a tidy end when Thorin pounded on the, now empty, table. “I think that’s enough. Let us get to the reason I called you here”

We all made our way back to our original spots, picking up the fallen chairs along the way, but not before I caught the Durin boys mutter something about “Always the party pooper. He used to be fun,” earning them a glare from the head of the table where Thorin rightly resided.

Once seated Balin spoke up beside me, starting this meeting off by addressing the head of the company. “What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?”

“Aye,” Thorin began “envoys from all seven kingdoms” This sent the company in a round of pats on the back and quiet cheers.

“And what of the dwarves from the Iron Hills say?”  Dwalin, whom was sitting on my other side spoke up startling me. The Iron Hills, isn’t that were Dain rules? “Is Dain with us?” well that answers that.

“They will not come” sighs showed the disappointment of each dwarf. “They say this quest is ours and ours alone.” I wanted to speak up, tell them I was sure Dain had a point, as he has his own kingdom to run and defend. However I knew this was not my place to speak.

Bilbo on the other hand did not “You’re… going on a quest?” Thankfully Gandalf was there to rescue the poor boy.

“Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light.” Gandalf began, as he unfolded parchment from his pocket. “Far to the east, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and West-lands; Lays a single solitary peak.” setting the parchment, now identified as a old map of Middle Earth.

Peering over the sitting wizards shoulders the Hobbit read “The Lonely Mountain…”

“Aye” Gloin spoke up “Oin has read the portents and the portents say it is time” I couldn’t help but to admire his unwavering belief in his brother.

From here Oin took over the explanation “Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain, as it was foretold.” he began reciting what seemed to be memorized piece of hope left towards the dwarves of Erebor. “When the birds of yor, return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end…”

“What beast?” Bilbo spoke up from the back, fidgeting from one foot to the other.

“Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible” Bofur explained bluntly “chiefest and greatest calamity of our age.” I couldn’t stop my disapproving thoughts at how lax he was about the cause something so tragic.”Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals”

“Yes I know what a dragon is” Bilbo stated in an attempt to get Bofur to end his explanation. However this seemed to invite others and their opinions, expressly the young ones.

“I’m not afraid, I’m up for it!” Ori said standing from his seat, “I’ll give him a taste of the wolfish iron right up his jacksie.”

“Sit down!” Thankfully Dori pull him back into his seat before he could continue on.

“The task will be difficult with an army behind us” Balin spoke up again, “yet we number just 13, and a dwarrowdam for support…” I nodded my head in thanks for including me “ and not 13 of the best, nor brightest.” this gained a number of protests.

However above the complaint Fili spoke up “We may be few in number, but we’re fighters. All of us!” he shouted “Too the last dwarf!”

“And do you forget we have a wizard In our company,” on poor naive Kili add onto his brothers statement “Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!”

“W-well ah n-now I wouldn’t say-” Gandalf began to correct but was interrupted by Dori.

“How many then? Well how many dragons have you killed?” You see this is why most the decisions are watched over by their wives, as to prevent such idiotic situations. “Well go on give us a number!”

Gandalf began coughing on his pipe at this unruly accusation. Causing a sort of uproar within the company.

It seemed it was my turn to step in, as Thorin's agitation was becoming quite clear. “Enough of this boys! Shazara! (it means silence)” They all seemed to freeze at my voice, as I had sat quietly through this whole ordeal. “It’s no wonder your wives never let you make decisions without them present, or this type of conversation would get you nowhere.” Before any could protest I moved on “Think about this logically first of all,  Are their even hundreds of dragons out there? If so than the death of one would have been spread throughout the lands like wildfire and we would undoubtedly know. For all our knowledge there may only be one at all and he is most obviously not dead!” I scolded “Indeed Gandalf’s presence is an advantage to our cause but even that is no defence against centuries old creatures that we know practically nothing about.”

The men began sitting back down, thinking about my words as Thorin stood up adding onto my logic. “If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too?” Ok yes that is a reasonable point, glad someone in this company has some sense. “Rumors will have spread, the dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk” he continued. “Perhaps the vast wealth of our people lies unprotected, do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor!” His voice slowly rising above the cheers of the company. “Du Bakar! Du Bakar! (translated to “to arms, to arms” sort of a battle cry)

“You forget!” Balin drew their attention back to subject from their cheering. “The front gate is sealed. There is no way onto the mountain.”

“That my dear Balin,” Gandalf made his voice known once again “Is not entirely true.” As he said this he seemed to magically conjure a key, twirling it between his fingers.

The leader of our company stared at the wizard in shock “How came ye by this?”

“It was given to me by your father, by Thrain.” I had to hold back my gasp as, even as far off as my village was, word had spread of Thrain’s disappearance among the dwarven community like dragonfire had Erebor. “For safe keeping, It is your’s now” Gandalf held out the large key to Thorin. Who gingerly took it and held it too the light in disbelief

“If there is a Key..” I whispered softly, the sound cutting through the scilence.

“There must be a door!” Fili mentioned sitting up straight in his chair.

The old wizard nodded, “These rune speak of a hidden passage through the lower halls”

“There’s another way in.” Kili breathed placing a hand on his elder brothers shoulders.

“Well if we can find it.” Gandalf reminded us “but dwarf doors are invisible when closed, the answer lies somewhere in this map and I dont have the skill to find it.” he sighed “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 it can be done.”

“That's why we need a burglar.” Ori reminded our companions.

“Hum, A good one too” Bilbo added absentmindedly “An expert, I’d imagine.”

“And are you?” Glion questioned unsure.

“Am I what?” oh no, I should have known Gandalf had failed to explain to him his position.

“He said he’s an expert! Hey! Hey!” Oin cheered. Joined by the laughing of several dwarves.

“M-m-me? No no no no no, I am not a burglar. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life.” Bilbo feebly protested.

Balin inputted his voice, and I couldn’t help but to share in his opinion “I’m afraid I have to agree with master Baggins, he’s hardly burglar material.”with the resident Hobbit nodding enthusiastically in agreement to my gray haired friend.

“Aye “ Dwalin shouted out above the crowd, “The wild is no place for for gentlefolk, who can neither fight nor fend for themselves.” with Bilbo continuing his nodding, the dwarves around the table began to argue loudly. I simply held my head in my hands and rubbed my temples knowing that this wasn’t a situation I could fix if I myself share the same opinion.

However that was when the wizard rose to his full height and darkness encompassed the small Hobbit hole in which we resided.  “Enough!” His voice loud and final as he announced “If i say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, than a burglar he is!” A few deep breaths later Gandalf had returned to his usual self. “Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, In Fact they can pass unseen by most If they so chose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the smell of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage.”Now back to his logical self he began the process of convincing the others. “You asked me for the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There is a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and hes got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. Trust me on this.”

With a sigh this decision was agreed upon, “Very well. We will do it your way.”