{7 - The Contract}

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(A/N - so I apparently messed up the chapter order but I am currently working on fixing them)

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Thorin hands me what he calls the contract. I don't want to go on an adventure and have not since the start. The dwarves are lucky that I haven't kicked them out (though I feel that would be of great difficulty) and even so, I still made them my mother's stew AND added side food. Though I stole from their plates, this is my home and I wasn't going to go without food.

As I read through it, I hear Thorin and Gandalf whispering to each other.

"I cannot guarantee his safety," Thorin whispers harshly to Gandalf, probably not expecting me to hear.

"Understood." Though Gandalf may be a wizard, it seems he has forgotten the hearing abilities of a hobbit.

"Nor will I be responsible for his fate."

"Agreed," Gandalf replies with a nod of his head.

I read through the list, quite a long one.

It read that the 'totals cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding, one-fourteenth of total profit if any.' Seems fair I think to myself and continue to read, hmm - I read this to myself and then repeat it out loud

"The present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including, but not limited to...lacerations... Evisceration..." I blink at it before flipping the page over "Incineration?" I say in a squeaky voice.

"Oh, yeh'. That thing will melt the skin right off yer bones," Bofur responds. I gulp. Furrowing my eyebrows as I try to make sense of what in the world is going on. I feel a hand on my shoulder and snap my head up to see Balin looking at me with concern. "Did you say something?" I ask, my voice still squeaky.

"I asked if you were alright, but it don't seem like you are," Balin replies. I brush his hand off my shoulder.

"It'll be okay, just think of a furnace, with wings." Bofur imputed in a terrible attempt to make me feel better, but it was too late, I was starting to hyperventilate. "Flash of light, searing pain, then poof! You're nothing more than a pile of ash!" Bofur continued. "Nothing to worry about!"

"Okay, I'm completely fine, just dandy," I say in between breaths, I take a few deep breaths, looking at the ceiling, is the world spinning? "I promise I am 100 percent a-okay" I go to give a thumbs up, but as I do, my entire body loses all sense of gravity and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor and being swarmed by dwarves and the last thing I heard before everything turned black was Gandalf sarcastically thanking Bofur.

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