The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings one shots and Imagines Book II

The merchant - Part 9 - Balin x Thorin x Dwalin x Reader

"Commander..........?" The pale haired dwarf queried, as he looked between the two taller beings.

"You seem to doubt me, Master dwarf? Perhaps you do so because I am a woman? Maybe you would like me to prove myself worthy of the title, before you allow me to speak to your king........" (Y/n) retorted, as she stepped forward; it not that she had an issue with the dwarf, just how he had queried her title.

As a female, it had always been difficult for her to be accepted, even given that she was her father's daughter; men, just like dwarves, not keen on having women in their ranks, having them fighting. The two races a contrast to elves, who had many a female warrior in their forces. But despite what the men might have thought, she had proved herself over and over again. She had fought and fought hard to show that she was good enough to be one of them. Fought to demonstrate that she was worthy of her rank and being given the command of her own cohort of archers. That she was worthy to train new soldiers in not just archery, but with the sword as well; so, she was more than ready to prove herself again. To prove that she was good enough, experienced enough to warrant the title the Master had given her. (Y/n) raising herself to her full elven height, as she waited for the elder dwarves reply. The pale haired being just smiling and shaking his head slightly.

"No doubt at all, lass. I learnt a long time ago, never ta underestimate a woman; and though our women aren't warriors, there isn't a one that can't swing a mean frying pan when tha time calls fa it. My mother used ta be an expert; just ask my brother........." The dwarf chuckled, before nodding respectfully.

"And I know Bard well enough ta know that he would not just give away a title such as that, without believing in ya. Now........why don't we go and find the king..........." He added, giving her a soft smile, before turning and escorting he and Bard through the towering halls.

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The walk towards the King's rooms had been quiet; dwarves giving her strange looks as she and Bard made their way through the dark corridors. The burning torches that lined the walls, picking up the flecks and streaks of what the peredhel presumed must be gold, in the rock. It seeming to (Y/n) as though lightening had been caught by the very stone of the Mountain. Yet her thoughts had gone from the grandeur of the surroundings, to what she had said earlier. She knew that she would have to apologise, not only to the dwarf, but to Bard too. (Y/n) chastising herself for letting her pride get the better of her; of feeling that the dwarf had insulted her.

Over the years, she had grown herself a thick skin; not often taking anything as an insult. But when it came to anyone questioning her skills, her honour, she had to admit that she was still prone to react; and she had certainly reacted to the dwarf. Her conduct not what it should be for her first real meeting with those that live in the Mountain. That and it did not reflect well on Bard. (Y/n) hating the notion that anyone may question the Master of Dale, because of her. But apologies would have to wait; the trio stopping as they came to two large doors, being guarded by a pair of axe wielding dwarves. The elder Balin nodding to one of the guards who knocked on the metal doors. A smile coming to his lips, as they all heard a loud voice call for them to enter. The ingress being pushed open, before he looked up at (Y/n), gesturing for her to enter.

"Ladies first..........."

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"I am well aware that dwarves are some of the greatest smiths in Middle-earth; and I believe that there is no one better to come to when asking for armour for the cities soldiers........." (Y/n) finished, before sitting back in her chair; she and Bard waiting for the King under the Mountain to responded.

Bard had had her speak to the King; told her that he thought it would be best that she told Thorin and his advisor's what they needed. Reiterating that he had never been a soldier, and though he had fought at the Battle of the Five Armies, she knew better than he did, what a soldier truly required. The former captain in the Gondorian army even having drawn some pictures to illustrate what she thought would be best for the men. The King, Balin and a large, bald-headed dwarf with a rather gruff demeanour, gruffer than normal, even for a dwarf, that the elder dwarf had introduced as his brother, Dwalin, going over the list of requirements and drawings that she had handed to them.

"You were a soldier..........?"

"Yes, your Highness. I was a Captain in the Gondorian army, until my father passed away......." (Y/n) replied, as Thorin finally looked up at her.

"Gondor......? You are some ways from Gondor. What brings you here.......?"

"When my father joined the gods, I resigned my commission; there was nothing left for me in the White City after his death and given that I had ensured my men were suitably trained, I took to travelling and fell into the life of a merchant. I came to Dale for the markets, the other day........."

"Ya travelled on ya own, a woman..........with all the pacts of orcs that are still wandering tha lands these days.........." Dwalin interrupted. The big dwarf obviously doubting that a female could do such things; it quite evident now, why his mother might have been driven to hit him with a frying pan. (Y/n) doing her best to swallow her pride before she answered.

In truth, over the centuries she had probably met just as many, if not more foul creatures than those that had followed the king to reclaim their home, had. The half-elf no stranger to fighting vile beings such as orcs. The scars she had received from these interactions, well hidden under her clothes.

"I have indeed met my fair share of orcs, master Dwalin; believe me when I say that I have the marks to prove it. And I have also had to deal with attacks from men, who not only wanted the goods that I carried, but also desired to take things from me personally. Yet they were the ones that were left to be picked over by the scavengers, and I am here. I am the one that is the Commander of the Dale forces, not them. Now.......can my man have the armour...........?"