Everyone slowly got up and went to the door. Vanáezae stuck to the shadows and followed. Gandalf opened the door and there stood the one and only, Thorin Oakenshield.

"Gandalf," Thorin greeted, "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all if it weren't for that mark on the door."

"Mark? There's no mark on that door. It was painted a week ago!" Bilbo denied.

"There is a mark I put it there myself," Gandalf explained. He turned, quickly glancing at Vanáezae and looked at Bilbo. "Bilbo Baggins, may I introduce, the leader of our company. Thorin Oakenshield," he said, gesturing to Thorin.

"So," Thorin handed his coat to a near dwarf, "this is the hobbit. Tell me master Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Thorin walked up to Bilbo and started to slowly circle around him. Sizing him up, Vanáezae realised. He stopped in front of Bilbo.

"Pardon?" Bilbo asked.

This hobbit has no idea what he's in for, Vanáezae mused. Orcs, goblins, wargs, dragons, elves, giant bears. At the thought of orcs and wargs Vanáezae pulled up her hood. They made her uncomfortable.

"...Now, I have brought another person to this house," Gandalf said. Great, she was singled out.

"Who?" Thorin demanded, "We did not agree on another member."

"Oh you'll just have to trust me," the Wizard answered.

"Fine. Who is this other person, and where are they?" Thorin growled.

Gandalf slightly motioned Vanáezae to come forward out of the shadows. She walked forward, making sure her hood covered my face. Every pair of eyes were on her as Vanáezae walked towards the dwarf.

"Who are you?" Thorin asked.

"That is for me to know, and you to never find out," Vanáezae answered.

Thorin raised an eyebrow. The next thing Vanáezae knew her hood was thrown back showing her elven features. Her green eyes glared at the dwarf and her hair was put up in a braid. Many gasps were heard throughout the room.

''Happy now?" Vanáezae asked, folding her arms.

"An elf? Gandalf, I will not being an elf, on this quest! Much less a woman! These elves abandoned us!" Thorin said, spitting out the world elf as if it were a disgrace.

"Hey!" Vanáezae shouted at Thorin, "This elf has a name you know! And you know what? Gandalf wanted me to come so I did. But I am no where close to the elves that abandoned you, son of Thrain!"

Everyone was now staring at her in shock. No one raised their voice at Thorin. Even Gandalf was surprised. Only a little though. He knew how headstrong she could be. Vanáezae quickly walked to the door and went outside to get fresh air. The first day of the quest hadn't even started yet, and she was already fed up with Thorin. Vanáezae walked up to the tree on top of Bilbo's house, and climbed it. Sitting on one of the high branches. Nicely handled. Let's rage shift and set everyone against you. It wouldn't be the first time, her thoughts taunted.

Bilbo's door opened. Vanáezae looked down from the tree to see Kili walking out. He looked around, seeming to be looking for something or someone. Gandalf must have sent him out here to get her. After seconds of Kili trying to find her he gave up and walked to sit beneath the tree Vanáezae sat upon.

"Have you given up that easily?" Vanáezae teased Kili, making him jump and look up at her.

"Will you come down here?" Kili asked.

"No, I'm good. Come back later," she grinned, laying belly down on the branch and looking at him.

"Why not?"

"I'd rather not go back inside. Besides, it's peaceful out here."

"Well Gandalf requests your presence."

"Really Gandalf? I just screamed at a dwarf king and you want me to go back in there?" Vanáezae rhetorically asked.

"I wouldn't want to go back inside either. Now come down before I drag you down," Kili half-heartedly threatened.

Vanáezae grumbled a 'fine' and climbed down the tree. They went inside and all eyes turned to look at the two.

"Problem?" Vanáezae asked, raising an eyebrow.

Most of them turned away and listened to what Thorin was saying. The others just kept glancing at the shape shifter.

Vanáezae walked over to the wizard. "Yes, Gandalf?"

"Control your temper. You remember well what happens when you don't," Gandalf reminded her.

Vanáezae nodded and started paying attention to the meeting.

"And what do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked.

Thorin put down his spoon and moved his food away from him, "They will not come. They this quest is ours, and ours alone."

"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asked behind Vanáezae, startling her.

"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light," Gandalf said.

Bilbo went and fetched a candle, placing it near Gandalf. Thorin moved it as Gandalf then placed a map on the table. Vanáezae recognized the map instantly.

"Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak," Gandalf spoke solemnly. Vanáezae glanced over Thorin's shoulder.

"The Lonely Mountain," Bilbo muttered, reading the map.

"Erebor," Vanáezae whispered, mostly to herself. Thorin cast her a sideways glance, and looked back to the map.

"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say, it is time," Gloin proclaimed, setting the dwarves off into another discussion.

"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 said, leaning slightly forward in excitement.

"Uh, what beast?" Bilbo asked worriedly.

"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-" Bofur said.

"Yes I know what a dragon is," Bilbo snapped.

"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it! I'll give him a taste of dwarvish iron right up his jacksie!" Ori yelled, standing from his chair.

Several dwarves nodded in agreement, making Vanáezae chuckle slightly.

"Sit down!" Dori said, pulling his brother back into his chair.

"The task will be difficult enough with an army behind us. But with number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest," Balin sighed.

The dwarves started shouting insults, right after being called thick. But what could Vanáezae say? She would have been offended too if Balin had reffered to her.

"We may be few in number, but we're fighters! All of us. To the last dwarf!" Fili slammed his fist on the table.

"And you forget we have a wizard in our company! Gandalf will have killed, hundreds of dragons in his time!" Kili continued for his brother.

Vanáezae scoffed. There weren't even that many dragons in Middle-Earth in the first place! Maybe a few hundred when everything began.

"Oh, well now, I-I wouldn't say-" Gandalf started, fumbling for words.

"How many than?" A dwarf asked.

"I, uh, what?" Great, Gandalf's trying to play dumb.

"Well how many dragons have you killed?" Dori asked.

Gandalf spluttered on his pipe, not wanting to answer. Thorin looked at him, also wondering if he had even killed one dragon.

"Go on. Give us a number," the same dwarf said.

Yelling went around betting how many dragons he has killed.

Thorin stood. "Shazara!" He shouted in dwarvish, effectively silencing the dwarves. "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? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!"

The dwarves cheered with their leader. But of course Balin broke the moment.

"You forget!" Balin called over them. "The front gate is sealed, there is no way into the mountain."

"That my dear Balin, is not entirely true," Gandalf said, producing an iron key in his hand.

"How came you by this?" Thorin breathed.

"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." Gandalf handed Thorin the key to Erebor. Thorin took it from him, looking at the key in amazement. Or was that wonder?

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

Gandalf gestured towards the map with his pipe, "These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls."

"There's another way in," Kili grinned, leaning slightly in.

"Well if we can find it but dwarf doors are invisible when closed," Gandalf sighed, "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." Thorin looked at Gandalf, silently questioning him. "The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage," Gandalf said, looking at Bilbo, "But if we are careful, I believe that it can be done."

"That's why we need a burglar," Ori inquired.

"Hm. A good one too. An expert I'd imagine," Bilbo said, drawing everyone's attention.

"And are you?" Asked Gloin.

"Am I what?" Bilbo asked confused.

"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" Oin said, dwarves chuckling.

"M-Me? No. No-no-no. I'm not a burglar! I've never stolen a thing in my life!" Bilbo stuttered.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with master Baggins. He's hardly burglar material," Balin said, his voice slightly sad.

"Aye the wild is no place for folk who can neither fight, nor fend for themselves," Dwalin agreed.

Bilbo nodded in agreement. The rest of the company started to argue about him being a good burglar or not. Some of them even started making bets. Suddenly Gandalf stood.

"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar, he is!" Gandalf yelled, the room growing dark with his shadow. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, and 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," Gandalf explained turning to Thorin. "You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. And he has more to offer than any of you know. Including himself."

Some dwarves nodded in agreement.

''Fine, we'll do it your way," Thorin said.

Bilbo shook his head and started disagreeing but Balin was already giving him the contract.

"It's just the usual. Summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth," Balin explained.

Thorin took the contract and passed it behind him, onto Bilbo's chest.

"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo asked incredulously.

He then started read through the terms and conditions. Bilbo Baggins, the only person to have ever read the terms and conditions, Vanáezae mused.

"I cannot guarantee his safety," Thorin said, leaning near Gandalf.

"Understood," came his reply.

"Nor will I be responsible for his fate."

Gandalf hesitated, "Agreed."

Bilbo was now reading the contract aloud. "Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of the total profit, if any. Hm, seems fair. The present company shall not be liable of any injuries by or sustained as a consequence there of including but not limited to...lacerations... evisceration...incineration?" Bilbo said, looking frightened. Vanáezae moved behind him, knowing what would happen.

"You alright laddie?" Balin asked.

"Uh, feel a bit faint," He said, to no one in particular.

"Think furnace, with wings," Bofur happily replied.

"Air. I-I need air," Bilbo mumbled, swaying a bit.

"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!" Bofur added, not making it better.

"Hm. Nope," He said, fainting.

Vanáezae caught him just before he hit the ground.

"Very helpful, Bofur," Gandalf sarcastically said.

Vanáezae picked up Bilbo and carried him to the armchair near the fireplace. He came to after a while, but she wasn't paying any attention. Vanáezae jumped as a dwarf spoke from behind her.

"You will have to sign the contract too, if you are to join the company," Balin said, handing her the contract and a quill.

"Of course," she said, signing it with the quill he handed her. He nodded and took the contract, leaving the shifter with Fili, Kili, Bofur, and Ori.

"What's your name?" Ori questioned.

"I am known as Vanáezae," Vanáezae answered, turning to look at them.

"What are you?" Kili questioned.

"What?" She asked, her head slightly tilted.

"Well you look like an elf, but you are smaller, and your ears are only slightly pointed. Not like those of an elf though," He explained.

Vanáezae smiled, "You are right. I am no elf. Merely a relative of sorts."

They nodded and went to the living room. A low hum could be heard and it eventually forming a tune. Vanáezae slowly rounded the corner to the living room as she heard Thorin's voice.

"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"

Vanáezae found herself falling asleep to the tune.

"Sleep, we leave at first light," Thorin ordered.

Vanáezae immediately went outside the hobbit hole and transformed into her phoenix form. Taking off, she flew atop the tree on Bilbo's house. From there, she slept all night. For some unknown reason, being in trees always soothed Vanáezae. Gandalf said that it was because she felt most at peace when in a tree. She actually agreed with him.

*********

Edited!