Calm Before the Storm ➛ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍

02

❝The Calm Before the Storm❞ ➛ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍
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{ M I R I E L }

I ARRIVED in the shire just as the sun was beginning to set. Colors of red, orange, and pink painted the sky in a beautiful contrast to the green rolling hills of the shire. I had been protecting the lands of the shire for many decades now, but I had never had the pleasure of truly visiting. And might I say it it probably the one of the most lively and peaceful places in middle earth. I could smell the wafting aroma of freshly cooked meals, and hear the laughter radiating from small pubs near the market places.

The sun continued to set as I worked my way through hobbiton. Green door with a mark, green door with a mark. I stopped at just about every door until I made it to the top of the hill. Low and behold, there was a freshly painted green door with a mark on the bottom right corner. I could faintly hear two people talking behind the door as I rose my hand to knock.

A flustered hobbit with light brown curly hair opened the door, his eyes growing wider, "H-hello... what can I do for you?"

"Are you Mr Baggins?"

"Y-yes, um who are you?"

"I'm Miriel," I responded curtly as I walked passed him into his home. It was very clean, yet incredibly cozy. I made my way towards the two voices I hear while outside, to find two dwarves. One was bald with tattoos, and quite tall, whereas the other was much older with a large white beard. The quirked up their eyebrows at the sight of me, I had put my hood back up as to not draw attention to myself, or my race.

"Who are you, wh—," the bald one started but was cut off as someone knocked on the door. I followed Bilbo to the door, curious about whether or not it was Gandalf, but alas it was not.

Bilbo opened the door to find two younger dwarves, one with blond hair and a short beard, and another with dark brown hair and only a little stubble. "Fili, and Kili, at your service," they bowed. "You must be Mr. Boggins!" Kili, the brunette, happily exclaimed.

"Nope, you can't come in, you've come to the wrong house," Bilbo quickly tried to close the door only to have Kili shove his foot in the door.

"What? Has it been cancelled?" Kili quickly retorted, followed by Fili, "No one told us."

"No-nothing's been cancelled," Bilbo said in a confused manor.

"Well, that's a relief!" The two of them pushed through the door. Fili handed over his weapons to Bilbo, while Kili proceeded to wipe his foot against a wooden chest, much to Bilbos distaste. This is going to be a long night.

I stood in a corner doing my best to stay out of the way as the bald headed dwarf, who I learned is named Dwalin, and Kili moved around furniture for the rest of the company. I must say I am rather surprised that neither Fili or Kili had noticed my presence, just as it seemed Dwalin, and the dwarf with the white beard seemed to forget.

I couldn't help but let out a snicker at the sight before me. Bilbo chasing around the dwarves, as well as throwing in a comment or two, as they continued to move the furniture around. Just as Bilbo seemed to be at his tipping point, there was a sharp knock on the door.

"Oh no, no no! There's nobody home. Go away, and bother somebody else. There's far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is. If­ this is some clotterd's idea of a joke, I can only say, it is in very poor taste." He opened the door and a whole gaggle of dwarves fell into a heap in the doorway, "Gandalf."

I decided it was now or never to make my presence known, "well one thing is for sure Mithrandir, you have always known how to make an entrance," I remarked with a smirk.

"Ah, I see you found your way all right?"

"I do know the surrounding lands very well, however I am rather famished."

At the mere mention of food, the dwarves began to make their way towards the kitchen and dining room. Almost every dwarf had some sort of food in their hands, as they moved and bustled around, it was quite a humorous sight. I watched a flustered Gandalf look around counting and naming off all of the dwarves.

"Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori...Ori," just as he finished listing off the dwarves, a dwarf with an axe in his head said something in Khuzdul. "Yes, you're quite right, Bifur. We appear to be one dwarf short."

"He is late, is all. He travelled North to a meeting of our kin. He will come," the dwarf with the long white beard said. Who?

I followed behind Gandalf, as we made our way to the table which is filled to the brim with food. I opted to sit in the back on a stool, as the dwarves were making a huge mess. A dwarf with an interesting hat, Bofur I believe, threw a piece of food at his brother, who caught it in his mouth. This caused the whole table to erupt in laughter and applause. I couldn't help but let out a small smile.

A dwarf with a graying beard tapped me on the shoulder, "Excuse me miss, but would you like some camomile tea?"

"That would be lovely, thank you," I smiled at him, taking the small cup of tea. Just as I began to drink my tea, all of the dwarves began downing full cups of ale, spilling it everywhere in the process. Now, I am used to being surrounded by men, as I have traveled with the rangers for years now, but nothing prepared me to the belching contest which proceeded. Gross.

The dwarf with the long beard turned to me, "Excuse me miss, but I do not believe we have been properly introduced. I am Balin." So that's his name.

I let out a slight sigh, and removed my hood, prompting a couple of shocked looks and even a few glares, "my name is Miriel, it's a pleasure."

"You're an elf! But how, you're so small?" Kili quickly questioned. This comment caused Dwalin to scoff.

"Even I cannot answer that question," I then turned to Dwalin giving him a very point d look, "though I have searched for thousands of years." This comment made him to go silent, though I don't think he will come to trust me for a long while.

All attention was taken off me as a plate went flying across the room to be caught by Kili. What in the world. Bofur then began to create a rhythm using the silverware. "Can-can you not do that! You'll blunt them!" A very exhausted Bilbo exclaimed.

A smirk then formed on Bofur's face, "Oh, d'hear that lads? He says we'll blunt the knives." Kili then began to sing, shortly after the rest of the dwarves joined in.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks
Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Chip the glasses and crack the plates
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Cut the cloth and tread on the fat
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
When you've finished, if any are whole
Send them down the hall to roll
...
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"

Looking over bilbos shoulder I was pleasantly surprised to find the dishes perfectly stacked up and clean. There's definitely more to these dwarves then meets the eye. Everyone's laughter was cut short, as three loud knocks cut through the air.

"He is here."

Gandalf opened the door to reveal a taller, regal looking dwarf. He was draped in a fur cloak, and had both an air of authority and mystery about him. He had longer dark brown hair with streaks of grey in them, and two braids framing is face. A shorter dark brown beard covered his chin, a chiseled jawline, but what stood out the most was his piercingly blue eyes. Wow.

"Allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield."