Chapter Text
You had no idea what you were supposed to do while you were here, all you knew was that you served a purpose. So when you crossed paths with Gandalf just near The Brown Lands, you were surprised to find he was almost clear in stating where you needed to go.
Which just so happened to be Bag End, over the other side of the map that was supplied in the bag that showed up next to you when you woke. Also in your ‘magic bag’ was a few months worth of salted meat and bread, a sword, a dagger, and a picture of the family you left behind in your old world.
You also, just-so-happened, to have woken up in clothes fit for a cold cross-country trip. You had leather fur arm wraps, knee-high combat boots and a hooded cloak, both also lined with fur, a black surcoat, and thick woolen leggings. They all came in very handy on your trip, considering the cold days, and even colder nights.
You soon found your way over the Misty Mountains, towards Bree, and by the time you’d made it to Bag End on the night Gandalf said you should be there by, you had already quite a journey and story to tell.
As you entered the parlor of the Hobbit-Hole, you walked through the east hall into the atrium the dwarfs in your eye line went silent. You were relieved to see that everyone - including Gandalf and Thorin - had arrived already, and Thorin had been given the key to Lonely Mountain. Bilbo followed their gazes and looked over at you, as did Thorin and Gandalf, the other dwarfs moved to try and see you better.
“And who might you be?” Bilbo asked, already irritated from his unexpected guests, but by the dwarfs reaction he guessed you were definitely uninvited, and therefore was even less pleased.
“She’s here to help.” Gandalf said as he sat back up. You walked to stand next to Thorin’s unoccupied side.
“Exactly.” You nodded, smiling lightly thinking about how amazing it was to be with all these dwarfs in person instead of behind a screen. It was awesome, in the most awe-inspiring way. “I’m here to help you take back the Mountain.”
“Why might we need your help?” Thorin started, ruining your pleasant mood and standing to loom over your newly shrunken body. “You aren’t a dwarf, too small, too weak. You’re no Hobbit either. What could you possibly do to help us?” You eyed Thorin, wondering if he was really being so hostile to a stranger.
“I know how your story ends, Thorin Oakenshield,” you hissed, leaning your head back. Dwarfs really were stubborn creatures, “And I wouldn’t have traveled all the way from The Brown Lands to help you if I didn’t think I could help properly. Gandalf wouldn’t have told me to come if he thought I was too weak or small.” All eyes then turned to Gandalf, of which was pretending he hadn’t quite heard you.
“I’ve already told you she’s here to help.” he said promptly after a once over of the group.
“I vote for her coming!” Fili said, a smile cracking onto his face as he playfully hit his brother on the shoulder. “We could use a pretty lass in amongst us.”
“I’ll have you know I don’t want to be objectified. I might be the only woman coming on this journey, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone here degrade me.” You said bitterly, looking over at the two younger dwarves with stern eyes, a quiet falling into the group as the laughter died down.
“I don’t wish to sound like I’m doing what you just asked me not to do, but I want you to know that I think you are really, really pretty.” Ori said shyly, breaking the silence after you spoke. You breathed out a laugh, shaking your head as you stuffed your hands beneath your sword belt.
“Thanks Ori.” The Company went into an uproar once more, partially out of frustration and annoyance that Ori was the first to tell you his thoughts - and the apparent truth, and partially out of confusion as to how you knew his name even though you just got here.
“What is your name, as what skills would you bring? Apart from ‘knowing how my story ends’?” Thorin asked, and you turned your attention away from the bickering dwarfs to answer.
“My name is (y/n), of Tharbad. I can use a sword well, I’m a quick thinker, and I can hold my own in a fight-”
“Fight against what? An elf?” he asked, making your eye twitch in frustration. Why did he hate you so much? Was he really that emotionless when it came to others? Gandalf noticed your dilemma and the stubbornness of the King and intervened for you.
“Not elves, but she has had her fair share of orcs and trolls.” he said as you turned away slightly to regain your composure, missing the slight flashes of hurt and regret on Thorin’s face before he spoke.
“I didn’t know.” Thorin said.
“You couldn’t have known. It’s not like you know me.” You replied, letting out a short laugh.
“So is she coming?” Bilbo asked, popping himself into Thorin and your conversation. “Because I’d feel more comfortable coming with someone who knows what’s going to happen coming too.” He finished. Thorin took a few more moments to think, looking you up and down as he did so.
“I guess she can. The worst she could do to us is die.”
“I can see how grateful you are to my offer, Thorin. I shall take my leave instead of staying around.” you said and made your way back out of Bilbo’s house and into the crisp night air, Bilbo himself coming after you almost pleading with you to stay or make everyone else leave with you.
“Get her back here Thorin.” Gandalf said, peering down at the dwarf with narrowed eyes.
“Why should I? She’ll be nothing but trouble, even if she can hold her own in battles.” Thorin said, his irrationality kicking in again.
“You need her. You yourself noted she was neither Hobbit or Dwarf, and have you seen a human that small before?” With Gandalf’s explanation Thorin seemed to slowly understand. “She is not of this world. She was sent from another specifically to help you reclaim Erebor and keep those close to you safe until then. She’s suffered at the hands of this world’s forces to be here tonight, if that alone isn’t enough reason to let her stay with you then you have a denser skull than I remembered.”
Thorin looked over a Balin, of which was listening to Gandalf’s words and nodded at Thorin to go after you. He clenched his jaw, let out a yell of frustration, then stormed out to push past Bilbo towards where you went.
“(y/n), wait.” Thorin said, catching up to you a little ways down the path. You turned, your eyes flashing (e/c) from under your fur hood, daring the king to speak again. “You will come with us as Gandalf is advising, and… I’ll try to act more agreeable towards you.” He explained, his eyes falling to the hem of your surcoat as he stood up straighter.
“Less like a jerk, more like a King, you mean?” you said, tilting your head as a light smirk reached your lips.
“I suppose so.” Thorin said through gritted teeth. He sensed you’d be the death of him; of he of you if you both kept this up. “Especially if you decide to be nice in turn.”
“Oh, your majesty, I’m only nice to those who give me a reason to.” Thorin tenced more at your quip, feeling his frustration rise as did his urge to yell at you to leave again. You noticed this, your smirk widening. “Careful there King Thorin, you might blow a fuse again.” you said, walking passed him and back towards Bilbo’s.
“If you want to vex me more I’ll-”
“You’ll what?” you turned, facing the equally angry dwarf, of which was now eye-level to you from the hills slope. “You’ll let - no, force - me to leave and let your fate, and the fate of the rest of the Company reach the same end that I’ve seen, and trust me - you don’t want what’s coming!”
“Well what choice do you give me when you act like such a nettler.”
“Says he who is nothing but a prig.” your comment silenced Thorin, your eyes locked in a fierce hold. “You may be a king but that doesn’t mean you can be pardoned for acting so horrendously. Even so I will strike a deal with you, for the fate I see coming is one that won’t affect you so greatly.”
Back in your world you liked Thorin quite a bit, but if he was going to act like such a prick you decided at that moment that you wouldn’t care much if he died.
Your words hurt Thorin. Gandalf said you were here to help and keep those of the Company safe - you knew their future - if you were saying that he wasn’t going to be affected it must’ve ment someone else. That alone made him more lenient.
“What do you suggest then?”
“A truce, of sorts.” you started with a shrug, meeting Thorin’s blue eyes once more. “We shan’t speak unless completely necessary, travel at separate ends of the party, and sleep as far away from each other as we can. Limited contact should make you more bearable.” You finished with a half-smile of sorts.
“I’d have to agree. It sure sounds inviting.” Thorin returned the smile slightly.
“We have a deal then?” you asked, sticking your hand out for him to shake. He grabbed hold of your hand, holding it a little too tight.
“Deal.”