Chapter Text
~Confounded this awful bird´s nest of hair!~
Billa cursed as she rushed through her tiny house in Dale, trying to tame her wild curls. She had fallen asleep over her work the other night and now her curls were in disarray and messy beyond repair. And today was the day she had to fill in as a scribe for her friend Ori, who had gotten the flu just yesterday. Billa and Ori were both scribe apprentices in the service of the kingdoms Erebor and Dale and shared a small house. They were best friends, but they could not be more different. Ori was a stunning, confident and independent red haired dwarf and she knew what she wanted in life. Billa was a plain jane hobbit compared to Ori. She had huge blue eyes, honey blonde hair and was of a fragile and small build. Her feet were very big compared to the rest of her body and Billa hated them. Billa was a simple hobbit, she had no fancy clothes and she had no jewelry. She had no need for such clothes and did not feel comfortable in those. After a look in the mirror, Billa decided that this outfit would do.
She grabbed her map with the writing set and walked into the kitchen to get her tea. Ori was already up and was leaning on the kitchen counter.
'Oi! You´ll get germs all over the place! What are you doing up? You should be in bed, I´ll bring you your tea. And when I come back I will cook a nice stew for you.' Billa told Ori, who still looked better than her, despite the flu.
'Thank you, my precious, you´re the best.' Ori sniffed. 'I am so sorry to dump this on you, but its important! It took me weeks to get this appointment in the king's busy scedule! I know that you are busy and that you have a paper to work on, but I really needed you to do this. Here, here is a list with the questions I planned to ask him. You will need to write the answers down and forward them to the officials of Dale. They need the info to prepare King Bard for the first meeting between him and King Thorin and to write down the genealogy.'
Ori gave Billa a small list with some questions written onto it. 'Remember, he is the youngest king in the history of the dwarven kingdoms and he has lost most of his family when the dragon attacked. He rebuild Erebor and secured it for his people. The new gate will never break down to another dragon again. The families who have lost all their posessions to the dragon were supported with the gold of the royal treasury. He is a powerful dwarf, Billa, do not blow it.'
'Thank you, very helpful.' Billa remarked dryly. She was already nervous and Ori did not help at all. Billa knew only little about Erebor and even less about its king. Billa had come to Dale two years ago, after her mother had left the Shire to go on an adventure with one of the Istari, Gandalf the Grey. Billas father had not understood his wife's need for adventure and had turned away from her and his daughter. Billa had remembered him of his wife, who he had loved more than anything, but who had left him for her thirst of adventure. Billa had not felt welcome at home anymore and had left the Shire to see Middle Earth as soon as she had become of age. She had travelled north into the city of Dale and had met Ori. Ori had introduced her to the work of a scribe and Billa had decided to stay to learn how to become one herself. She spoke Westron and Sindarin and she was one of the few non-dwarven peole who also spoke Khuzdul.
Today, Billa would have to go into the lion´s den alone and unprepared and she hated that. With a sigh Billa brought Ori her tea, as promised. In a rush, Billa ran down the stairs of their little house, past some flowers and herbs which grew in many pots on their doorsteps. Hobbits were good on foot, but the walk to Erebor would take some time. Billa had a pony called Myrtle and she sattled her in a hurry. The bad thing about Myrtle was that she stopped every few miles if she found some fresh grass or apple trees. The ponies appetite was even higher than Billas, who mostly stuck to her hobbity eating habbits and had seven meals a day. Today, she would miss elevensies, but Billa was not hungry anyway. She only hoped that her stomach would not grumble when she stood before the king.
#
This day could not get more awful.
Billa stood in front of the massive mountain and closed her eyes in defeat. She was on time, so she could inspect the mountain a little bit. The city of Erebor was built into the green stone of the mountain. The floor was the same dark green granite as the walls and huge torches enlightened the dark entry hall. The torches and some huge candlerholders were shimmering golden and Billa could not take her eyes of the huge statues of dwarven kings guarding the gate.
As Billa walked towards the royal wing a beautiful dark haired dwarf woman in a shimmering and flowing dress welcomed Billa and smiled at her with a professional and fake smile.
'Good morning, mistress hobbit. How can I be off service?' she asked and scanned Billas appearance.
Billa instantly felt as if she did not belong and looked down at herself, quite aware of her simple outfit. Compared to the dwarf woman, Billa was completely underdressed. The woman was wearing a dark blue dress and matching earrings, necklace and rings. Her skin was flawless and her hair was braided back into a complicated updo. The short beard was caressing her jaw down to her chin and reminded Billa of the short and red beard of Ori. Billa was of course hairless in her face, her hair was pointing into every direction possible and her dress was wrinkled from the long ride. Her father would scold her when he saw her like this. He had always told Billa to present herself as the respectable hobbit woman she was, but Billa could not help it. She was simply not that classy and not that smooth. Her charm was more simple and normal and in no way royal and highborn.
'Good morning.' Billa answered softly. 'I have an appointment with the king. My friend...uhm colleague was supposed to come, but she is not feeling well. Mistress Ori, daughter of Ri.'
'You are mistress Ori?' the woman asked and cocked one of her perfect eyebrows at Billa.
'Oh, no! My colleague is mistress Ori. I am Billa Baggins.' Billa swallowed hard and mentally cursed herself. ~Pull yourself together, Baggins! For the love of Yavanna!~
The dwarf woman nodded and gestured Billa to wait as she walked to inform the guards about the appointment. Billa started to feel more uncomfortable and more out of place with every passing moment.
'Mistress Baggins? Please take the stairs on your right and then turn left.' she directed Billa. 'The king will be available in a moment.'
Billa nodded and followed the dwarf woman´s instructions. With shivering knees she walked up the stairs and waited patiently until the next doors opened again. Billa peered through the door with big eyes and faced two guards and two other brunette dwarf women. The younger one smiled at Billa while the older one took a short glance at Billas outfit and turned away. With a sigh Billa stepped out of the door and faced the younger one.
'Good morning. Billa Baggins, I am here by order of king Bard. Because of the genealogy.' she told the young dwarf woman and tried to speak out loud, for confidence.
'Of course, mistress Baggins, please wait here, the king will be right with you in a moment.' the young dwarf woman told Billa and pointed to a stone bench at the opposite wall.
The older brunette came back into the room and frowned at Billa. Billa was already wondering what she had done wrong this time as the older dwarf woman turned to the younger.
'Have you offered king Bards scribe something to drink?' she asked and frowned at the young dwarf woman.
'Not yet, Ma´am.' the younger dwarf woman paled and jumped out of her chair, turning towards Billa. 'What can I offer you? Ale? Tea? Water?'
'Tea would be nice, thank you.' Billa answered and watched the girl rush away.
'I apologise, she is a new intern.' the older dwarf woman told Billa and this time, her smile seemed honest.
Billa was about to tell her that it wasn´t a problem as the door to the throne room opened and a huge bald dwarf walked out. In the door he turned and grinned back into the throne room.
'Tomorrow morning then, your majesty. Don´t forget your elven sword!' he boomed and left without even looking at Billa.
'You can go in, mistress Baggins.' the older brunette told Billa with a smile. 'No need to knock, just go in there.'
Billa nodded and swallowed heavily. Her hands were sweaty and her knees were shaking. She wondered how the king looked like. Most dwarves she knew were sturdy, round and hairy. They had big and round noses and round ears. Billa estimated him to look like one of the statues guarding the gate, but considering that his fighting partner was a huge and strong dwarf, the king had to be in a good physical condition. A middleaged dwarf, looking a bit like Oris older brother Dori came into Bellas mind as she walked into the throne room. But luck was not with Billa today. On her way into the throne, Billa stumbled and fell through the door, landing on her hands and knees. Her curls flew around her head and blinded her for a moment. She cursed her big and clumsy feet and tried to scramble up again.
Big and warm hands wrapped themselves around her arms and pulled her up. Billa froze as she looked up into the face of the dwarf who had helped her up. He was tall, strong and incredibly handsome. A straight and thin nose, raven black curls and a shortly trimmed full beard gave his face something extremly masculine and a pair of beautiful blue eyes looked back at her as she was picked up from the floor. Billa had to look away and her gaze landed on his body. He had broad shoulders and massive arms. Especially his lower arms seemed to be toned. Billa noticed because she was holding herself up on them. His upper body was muscular and Billa could actually see his muscular chest and abs through his tunic. He was leaning down to her and a little chest hair was visible through the cleavage of his tunic. Billa had to force her eyes away from the dwarf and straightened her back.
This had to be the king's bodyguard. Billa took a deep breath and looked up at the dwarf again.
'Thank you, sire, I apologise, I am so clumsy.' Billa said quietly and took a look at the throne. They were alone. But that could only mean that...this could not be.
'No worries, mistress scribe.' the dwarf' s voice was deep and raspy and it sent shivers over Billas spine. He let her go and took a step back. 'Please, follow me.'
I am alright, thank you for asking. Billa mentally snarked, but she followed him to the throne. The huge room was shimmering in the light of a few hundred torches and Billa had to concentrate to not stare down into the dark depths of Erebor as she walked to the throne. Thick golden veins reached down into the depths so that the riches of this mountain became visible for every guest. The attractive young dwarf sat down on the throne and leaned back. So, this was the king.
'Your majesty.' Billa remembered her manners and bowed deeply. The king nodded at her and pointed to the bench beside him.
'You can sit, mistress scribe.' the king smirked at Billa, who was still standing in front of his throne.
'Thank you, your majesty.' Billa sat down and blinked nervously. 'I apologise that mistress Ori could not attend. I hope that you will accept my service today.'
'And you are?' the king did not seem to care about the switch. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was warm and he was polite.
'I am Billa Baggins, I work as a scribe together with Ori...I mean, mistress Ori, daughter of Ri.' Billa stuttered.
'I see.' the king nodded. The door opened and the younger brunette entered, bringing Billa her tea. Billa thanked her and watched her leave as her gaze was caught by a shining stone over the throne. It fascinated Billa and she jumped as the kings voice sounded in the silent room.
'The Arkenstone. The heirlom of my family.' he told her and watched her gaze with an amused expression. 'It is beautiful isn´t it?'
'Yes.' Billa croaked hoarsely and cleared her throat. 'Yes, it has a warm and welcoming shine, your majesty.'
The king cocked an eyebrow at her and nodded politely. Billa remembered why she was there and pulled out her scribe's set from her backpack. She fumbled around in it until she held Oris list in her small hands, while the king watched her patiently. Billa looked up and realised that he was waiting for her to begin. She did not like the smug and arrogant expression on his face and bit her bottom lip. She had to get this over with as soon as possible. Unconsciously, Billa stretched and spread her toes, not seeing the king's eyes widen in amusement.
'I apologise, your majesty. Ori...mistress Ori was better prepared than I am.' Billa mumbled.
'Take your time, mistress Baggins.' the king answered smoothly and hid his amusement under his beard.
'Do you agree on some personal questions?' Billa swore under her breath. The king should know that king Bard wanted to know as much as possible of the new dwarven king. King Bard himself only sat on his throne since two years, since the dragon's attack on Dale and Erebor.
'Of course, after you went through all the trouble to bring such a long list of questions.' the king smirked again and Billa grinded her teeth about her clumsiness. Taking a deep breath, Billa sat up straight and looked into the kings eyes.
'Well, your majesty. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. May I ask what made you take time out of your busy scedule to do this interview?' Billa asked and tried to sound professional and not too snarky.
'This interview is part of the diplomatical contact between Erebor and Dale. Because of the strong destruction of Dale and Erebor by the dragon Smaug, the diplomatical contact between me and king Bard was sadly limited to letters. Now that both kingdoms have been restored, it is my duty to seal the bond between the two kingdoms.' the king answered and Billa lifted her brows in surprise. She had not expected such a diplomatical answer. Most dwarves she knew were moody and had only little manners.
'I...I have some more questions.' Billa started and immediately bit her lip. But it was already to late.
'I thought as much.' the king remarked smugly and Billa decided to ignore the uneasy feeling in her guts.
'Your majesty, you have been very young as you took over this kingdom and you have brought it up to be one of the most powerful kingdoms in Middle Earth in only two years time. How did you achieve this?' Billa asked herself how old he might be. Looking at him, she estimated him to be barely over a hundred.
'My grandfather, who was the king before me, died a in the battle of Azanulbizar. My father has disappeared and is believed to be dead as well. I fought at the battle and earned my people's respect.' Thorin told Billa and she winced. She could have looked that up before she had come here. There were countless books about the dwarven battles of the past. 'I took over the throne and worked hard and tirelessly to make Erebor as wealthy, powerful and peaceful as it is today. My council, who stayed loyal to me although I seemed too young to take over my grandfathers kingdom, are my biggest pride. Without them, I might have failed.'
Billa listened silently, torn between his arrogance and his praise of his people. 'You seem very controlling. Maybe you were just lucky in achieving your goals.' Billa mentally kicked herself. This question was not on the list and she did not know what had made her ask it.
But the king did not deem it an unconventional question. 'I tend to have control in all things.' he answered in his deep and hoarse voice and send shivers down Billas spine.
Billa cleared her throat and glances at the list. 'How do you feel about the power resting on your shoulders?'
'I see it less as power, more as responsibility. I do not seek personal power.' the king did not look at Billa and she knew that he was lying about not seeking personal power. He loved power, she was sure of it. Billa felt more and more annoyed by the kings character and tried to quicken the interview. She did not feel well in his presence and she highly disliked his arrogance and pride.
'What are your interests outside of your reign?' Billa further asked.
'I have many.' the king answered and Billa tried not to roll her eyes.
'Since you work so hard, what do you do to relax?' Billa redirected her previous question at her opposite again.
'I like sword fighting.' the king smirked. 'The time of great battles is over, but I indulge in many physical activities. Many time consuming activities.'
Billa tried to ignore the hot and cold shivers running down her spine as she listened to his answers. He was a proud and arrogant jerk, why was she so fascinated by him?
'You sent dwarven workers to help rebuild the city of Dale, as well as much gold out of your treasury. Are the ressources of Erebor as massive that this support did not hurt the financial status of your kingdom?' Billa looked back at the king and tried to keep a straight face.
'My grandfather's greed lured the dragon to our kingdoms.' the king stated and Billa was surprised by this. His honesty was refreshing. 'It was my duty to help the people in need. Ours as well as the men.'
'It seems that you have a kind heart.' Billa stated and tried not to sound to surprised.
'Some say that I have no heart at all.' the king looked at the scribe and watched her closely.
'Why is that?' Billa asked and the king twisted his lips to a humorless smirk.
'Because they know me.' he answered dryly.
'What do your friends and family like about you?' Billa continued and tried not to lose focus. The king's blue eyes seemed to burn onto her soul and she had a hard time concentrating.
'This is a very private question, mistress scribe. You should know that I protect my private life and I rarely give such personal information away.' the king suddenly seemed very distant.
'Why do you answer to me, then?' Billa dared to ask.
The king blinked in surprise about Billas forwardness. 'I promised king Bard that he would get to know me personaly. When we meet, the presence of our councils and our diplomats will prevent us from showing our true selves.'
'What is your philosophy, your majesty?' Billa quickly jumped to the next question.
'Loyalty, honor and a willing heart.' he answered immediately. 'I cannot ask for more than that.'
Billa liked that answer and tried to see her opposite with different eyes. Maybe he was not the ignorant and insufferable prick she expected him to be.
'Are you posessive?' Billa frowned as she looked at the questions on the list. What had Ori been thinking?
'Yes.' the king smiled at her with a smug expression and Billa began to sweat. These eyes made her insides burn and this voice made her breath falter.
'Did you sacrifice your family life for your reign?' Billa focused on the list which seemed to never end.
'I have my sister and my nephews and I never had any interest in extending my family beyond that.' the king answered and Billa immediately moved on to the next question.
'Nobody has ever seen you with a female at your side. Are you maybe only interested in males?' Billa paled as soon as the words were spoken. She would kill Ori when she came back. And then she would kick herself for not having looked at the list in beforehand.
'No, I am not.' the king's voice had become hard and his eyes turned cold. He was clearly annoyed and Billa could understand.
'I apologise, your majesty.' Billa was quick to explain. But she knew that she had no excuse, for she had not even read over the list when she had gotten it. 'Mistress Ori wrote me a list with questions to ask you. And these questions came directly from the king of Dale.'
'These are not your questions?' the king seemed to be strangely relieved and Billa frowned. 'That explains alot.'
Before Billa could ask him what he meant by it, the king continued. 'Why did you volunteer for this assignment?'
'Ori...mistress Ori is my best friend and she was supposed to be at your service today. She fell sick and did not want to postpone this interview, so she asked me to fill in for her.' Billa explained.
A silent knock on the door interrupted their conversation. The older brunette dearf woman bowed into the throne room and adressed the king.
'I apologise for the interruption, king Thorin.' she stated quietly. 'But your next meeting is due in a few moments.'
The king nodded and Billa made ready to leave. She froze as she heard his next words.
'We are not finished. Cancel my next meeting.' the king ordered and his eyes bore into Billas. The brunette cocked her perfect eyebrows and looked at Billa in surprise, but Billa could not tear her gaze away from the king. She heard the door close and took a deep breath. She felt like a tiny rabbit in the lion's den. The king's eyes made her feel like his prey and she was sure that this was his plan all along. He looked at her as if he might devour her in the very next second.
Swallowing nervously, Billa still had to decide wether she liked it or despised it. She was completely lost. And this insufferable dwarf knew, for his smug expression made Billas toes curl. Billa frowned at the king, who seemed even more amused by her reaction. This day could not get any worse.