Ya'aburnee

The Burglar Faints

The dwarves, human, Wizard, and hobbit all made their way to the door. All crowded around with bated breath as the door was opened. Liv stood back, but her eyes searched as the door opened the same as all the others did.

"Gandalf." Thorin greeted the wizard first, stepping into the threshold. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way. Twice." He nodded to the dwarves to his left as he entered, reaching up to unclasp his cloak, nodding his head subtly to Liv as he caught her gaze, a nod which she returned. "I would not have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door."

"Mark?" Bilbo pushed forwards from between the crowd of Dwarves. "There's no mark on that door. I painted it a week ago!"

"There is a mark, I put it there myself," Gandalf said, closing the door and turning to the hobbit. "Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company. Thorin Oakenshield."

"So," Thorin spoke, stepping forwards and crossing his arms in front of him. "This is the hobbit." Kili came back from where he had stepped forwards to greet Thorin to stand back near Liv.

"He's my uncle," He whispered proudly to her, and she glanced down at him, nodding slightly to let him know she heard him.

"Tell me Mr. Baggins," Thorin pushed past Bilbo, "Have you done much fighting?"

"Pardon me?" Bilbo asked.

"Axe or sword?" Thorin continued, walking a full circle around the hobbit, "What is your weapon of choice?"

Bilbo made a show of it, not liking the question. "Well I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know." His confidence faltered. "But I... fail to see why that's relevant."

"Thought as much," Thorin replied, turning over his shoulder to remark to his kin, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." Even months ago he had doubted the skill that a hobbit might bring to the company. It had been the only time Liv had cut into that discussion and contradicted him, insisting that hobbits were hardy and brave folk, even if it took them a nudge to get there.

The dwarves chuckled, following Thorin as he pushed through to the interior of the house, the three non-dwarves being left behind. Gandalf made eye contact with Liv and sighed, and she tipped her head towards the doorway through which Thorin had disappeared, moving to follow the dwarves. "Come on, Bilbo," She said softly as she passed him.

Liv decided that she liked it much better with Thorin around. The company before had been quite merry, but it had been loud, and it was getting very late, and she was tired and had begun to get a little overwhelmed by the cacophony, so the relative silence was comforting as she stood back from the table, leaning in the doorway, a warm mug of tea in her hand. Bilbo had warmed it up for her when he had gone to get some soup for Thorin, and she blew over it gently to cool it, seemingly lost in the warmth of it, though all but her eyes were attentive to her surroundings.

"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin?" Balin asked Thorin as he ate, "Did they all come?"

"Aye," Thorin replied. "Envoys from all seven kingdoms."

"Ah, all of them!" Balin rejoiced, and there was noise of approval and happiness from the other dwarves, though it was much quieter and more controlled than it had been earlier.

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

Liv glanced up from her tea in the silence, watching Thorin as he sighed, setting down his spoon and speaking. "They will not come." There were soft disgruntled murmurs from the dwarves, and Liv turned back to her tea, risking a small sip, hoping it had cooled enough that it would not burn her. "They say this quest is ours and ours alone."