Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings Imagines

The Egg

This is based on an imagine found here: http://imaginexhobbit.tumblr.com/post/125380427197/imagine-during-the-quest-to-reclaim-erebor-you

I hadn't thought much of the troll cave, except that it smelt, but I followed the Company in anyway, my curiosity of what could possibly be within getting the better of me.

I went deeper than the others, ignoring their warnings about being careful. I was probably the most careful out of all of them, except for possibly Bilbo.

Something got my attention in a small passage way just above my head. I climbed up to it, peering inside.

There was something gold within.

To reach it, I had to squirm into the passage, struggling to get past my shoulders for a moment, before I could reach.

Whatever it was, it was smooth and cool to touch. Getting a grip on it, I tired to wriggle backwards.

I was stuck.

Groaning, I was determined not to call for help, instead, I started twisting, trying to move myself backwards.

It was clear it wasn't going to work.

I sighed. "Hey guys! I could use a little help here!"

For a moment a I was greeted by silence, then scattered laughter.

Great, I wasn't going to hear the end of this.

"Looks like your in a bit of a pickle there." Someone mocked.

"Yeah, yeah, just get me out please."

Several moments of more laughter, and finally several strong hands gripped my legs.

Several tugs and I was out, landing hard on the ground, still clutching my prize.

I blew a lose strand of hair out my eyes. "Thanks."

They all stared at me.

"What have you got there?" Nori asked.

"No idea." I held it up. It looked like an egg. A golden egg, but anything else it was too dark to tell. "I'll look at it later, for now, the smell is too much in here."

I slipped it into my pack and got to my feet, leading the way out of the cave.

In the following hours, the egg slipped my mind completely. I guess that's what happens when you are chased by an orc pack and then saved by elves, even if your illustrious leader was unwilling to admit so.

So as I opened my bag to pull out supplies for a proper dinner, I got quite a shock.

"Oh, I forgot I had this." I said, pulling the egg from my bag, much to the curious glances of the Company.

"What is it?" Bofur asked, watching as I turned it in my hands.

I didn't get a chance to answer as Elrond and Gandalf entered.

Elrond stared at the egg in my hands. "Where did you get that?"

"It was buried in the troll cave I said." I said, holding up the egg in the light. "I caught a glimpse of it and dug it up."

"The trolls had that in their cave?"

All eyes fell on Elrond.

"Yeah, but I don't think they knew it was there."

"If they did, they would have destroyed it." He said, still looking at the egg cautiously. "I'm not even sure you should have it."

"What is it?"

"A dragon egg." Gandalf said before Elrond could. "Something that has not been seen in a long time."

We all stared at him, stunned.

"A...dragon egg?"

"Yes. You'd be surprised at how long they can survive without being cared for." Gandalf bends to get a closer look at the egg. "Is it warm?"

"Err...yes? It wasn't before." I said cautiously, still not entirely believing what I was holding.

"Hmmm, it's already taking in the heat from the air. It must have been deprived for quite some time." Gandalf looks up at me. "You keep it close enough it'll probably get attached to you,even inside the egg."

"Why would I want a dragon attached to me?"

"You wouldn't." A voice growled and we all looked at Thorin. "Destroy it before it hatches."

Gandalf raises an eyebrow. "I understand why you would be so quick to judge, Thorin, but I assure you, that all is not as it seems with this egg."

"I do not care. Dragons are vile, evil creatures. It should not be given a chance." He gives a very pointed look at me. "Destroy it."

But I looked at Gandalf. "What do you mean?"

"This is a golden dragon. Golden dragons are unlike their counterparts in that they are inherently good." We could both feel Thorin's glare, but we ignored it. "They see it as their purpose to be rid of the other dragons, not that there are many left in this age."

"And you know this for a fact? That they are good?" Thorin snaps. "We cannot risk it. Destroy it."

"No." I said angrily. "If this is indeed a good dragon, then it may be able to help."

"Help with what? Even if it hatches now, it will still be too small by the time we reach the mountain to do any good." Thorin's gaze never left mine. "I know of your fascination with the world of old, but now is not the time to be trying to learn more. Be rid of it."

"No." And with that, I slipped the egg back into my bag. "I found it, therefore I feel I should have the only decision on its fate."

Gandalf and Elrond share a look, while the Company look between Thorin and I. We'd been good at clashing heads, but it was clear that they feared this may be enough for Thorin.

But he says nothing, and the Company awkwardly looks around, starting to go back to what they were doing.

"If you do intend to keep it, a word of warning, if I may?" Elrond says calmly.

I nod in acknowledgement.

"While golden dragons are inherently good, and their loyalty to those that raise them is generally unconditional," he casts a glance at Thorin. "It will only go so far. Be cautious."

He walks away with Gandalf, leaving me suddenly not feeling overly good about keeping the egg. I saw the nervous looks on the dwarves faces, clearly, I now shared in their concern.

Part 2 to come