Another Love | The Hobbit

XI. Fifty Thousand

After the dwarves and one hobbit, all successfully swam their way through the toilet, and after a good laugh from Lucien, they began discussing their plans. Most were standing or sitting around the small dining table.

Little Tilda had stuck herself to the wizard's side, asking meaningless questions that Lucien easily answered. He thought the small girl was adorable and much too sweet for the world and he thought the same of her older siblings who were not far behind their sister.

"Do you have a wand?" The young girl asked, her eyes wide and stuffed animal held tightly to her chest. She was a curious one, reminding Lucien of a certain Baggins.

The wizard chuckled and shook his head, "I'm afraid not, little one, but I do have a staff."

"Where is it?" Singrid questioned, stepping forward quickly before realising she had spoken and looked down. She was quiet, too wise and mature for her age. It was obvious Singrid had to grow up before she even finished childhood.

Lucien smiled warmly, clutching his hands together, "Back in Rivendell. My home."

The girl nodded and turned back to stand at her brother's side. Bain simply listened and watched, he was an intellectual it seemed, much like his father. Lucien could feel it.

A few moments later, the wizard was found standing at the table with the others, listening to their plans and thoughts, as well as their demands. Lucien rolled his eyes at that one as he stood close to Bard. The man was taller than him by a few inches and for some reason, Lucien was absolutely loving it as he stared up at him dreamily. He knew he was being creepy but nobody was noticing so he didn't really care. Every guy he had liked in the past were all shorter than him, other than that other guy he never wants to think about again, and it got really annoying. Sure, Bard was greying and a little older than his 'maturity' age but who didn't like an older good looking guy?

The wizard wasn't listening at this point but someone calling his name quickly caught his attention, "Lucien!" It was Thorin and he did not sound happy.

Lucien turned to face the prince as if he had been caught in a terrible act, "Yes, my love?" He rushed out, slightly hoping the name would throw him off course and he would be saved from whatever yelling that ensued.

The dwarf, however, only a look and pointed to the empty seat next to him, "Sit." It was not a suggestion and everyone knew it. 

Lucien found it suspicious, still thinking he was about to be told off for something, but shrugged and made his away over. Thorin on one side and Dwalin on the other, the warrior dwarf's arms crossed and stature straight, it was like he was about to murder anything that came too close. What did Thorin tell him?

The wizard plopped down into the chair with a dramatic sigh, "Why, thank you, kind sir." He grinned, oblivious to the fact the dwarf prince and the human were glaring daggers at each other. Dwalin saw this though and stared back at Bard with a threatening and warning glare, nothing was about to harm his family.

Then the group went back to talking while Lucien went back to staring but at Thorin this time. He's so majestic and beautiful! 

Thorin felt this and hid the growing smirk from his lips.

Bard was angry, the dwarf treated Lucien like a dog and Lucien did anything he said. And why did he call him 'my love'? Were they lovers? And if so, Bard thought it was very manipulative and one-sided. And here he thought the wizard was smarter than that.

Lucien, again, wasn't listening and watched as Bard left the house without context as to what is going on. He frowns and gives Balin a questioning look but the older dwarf only smiled and shook his head. Lucien took that as a sign that it didn't really matter.

"We must leave," Thorin mumbled to the group around him, "We must get to that mountain."

Bofur nodded, "We should find weapons though."

"The armoury?" The wizard suggested, receiving many looks of agreement and a pat to the shoulder from Thorin.

Their eyes locked before Thorin spoke as the leader, "Then we head there. Quietly."

Suddenly, Bain rushed over with a frown, "What are you lot whispering about?" He wondered suspiciously. 

Gloin turned to the boy, "Nothing, laddie. Just grown-up talk." It sounded quite condescending and the young boy must have thought the same as he glared.

"I'm not a child."

Lucien huffed a laugh, "Sure, you're not." He spoke sarcastically.

"I'm not!"

"How old are you?"

"...Fourteen."

The wizard let out a bark of laughter at that answer, "Fourteen?" He questioned, still giggling with the others around him listening with amusement, "Honey, I'm well over fifty thousand years old." This caused shock among everyone in the room. Fifty thousand? They knew he was an old being but wow, that was old.

Bain's face dropped from extreme surprise to defeat. It was true, he was a child, a mere infant, compared to Lucien. He wondered what his life had been like for all those years.

"Alright, enough of this," Dwalin grumbled, "We should go." And they all nodded in agreement.

"Let's go." Thorin grabbed Lucien's arm and dragged the tall wizard behind him, ignoring the yelling children behind them.

Lucien waved, "Bye guys. It was nice meeting you!"

"Bye Lucien!" Tilda was heard shouting over everyone, making him smile, how cute.