Chapter Text
It’d been no more than two days since I had awoken to Securis’ bulging eyes staring at me. No more than two days of worrying and fussing over Andromaeda and her whereabouts. It wasn’t until Securis knocked me over and pinned me to the dirt floor of the cave did I realize that I would not find her if I was this delirious. I will not return home to Caelum unless it is with Princess Andromaeda. Be it with her in tow with Nox, or cradling her corpse in my arms .
I thanked my past self for packing small cake bars of barley and fruit and the palm-sized flask of King Vaelor’s finest wine. Within the confines of my satchel were also my weapons and gear. Gear that I should’ve worn that day. At this time I refuse to look at them, maybe I shouldn’t stress myself with these bouts of regret. At least not right now.
I know that I’m low on provisions and Securis is getting antsy. We can’t stay in this cave forever. So we venture out.
On Caelum we have books about this land, ‘Middle-earth’, but not once since our beginning has a fae of the skies descended upon the surface. However, our books and paintings truly serve no justice to the land. One could say that this nature’s beauty rivals our own on Caelum.
It seems that time flies by when you’re admiring beauty; the forest is thickening and Securis lets out a steamed huff beside me. The abundance of trees are in clusters, and it started to get cramped for him down here. Perhaps for me as well? I could fancy a ride in the breeze of Middle-earth. So would Andromaeda, I could hear it already.
“Y/n! Stop fussing over me and let us ride in this sky! Middle-earth isn’t so different from home, we’ll be fine! You’ll be fine.”
I smiled and looked up at Securis, who was also looking at me.
Securis is tall . Large in every sense of the word, and just as grand. Quite the contrasting beauty to the surrounding nature; red scales in resemblance to dried blood, a hulking frame slithering so elegantly against the grass. His leathery wings tucked in tightly against him. Sometimes it baffles me how he isn’t fully grown, yet he’s already the height of two houses.
“Would you like to go up?” I asked him.
A pleasant quick huff in response and he sprang up into the air, whooshing past the tree tops until it was only his shadow that had blanketed over me. However his take off was short lived, he lands back in his spot and nods his maw just past me. He angles himself firmly and straighter and his eyes are slitted. A gentle chill travelled down my spine, the hairs on my arm and nape raised in alert. Securis was cautious and wanted me to be the same.
A trek more and the trees started to thin out, a bridge just a bit more from where I stood. The sun has started to set. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face Securis. The night sky reminded me of Nox and how he could very well be roaming these skies right now and throughout the night. Then it struck me; a dragon in Middle-earth! If there were a thing or two about learning of this land in the academy, it was how dragons were feared and despised by the people of Middle-earth. Understandably so given the history and stories, but to us? As people of Caelum we were quite the opposite! With that in my mind I could not in good conscience take Securis out of this forest. For now at least.
“Stay here, Securis.” I approached him and palmed his snout. He nuzzled into my hand soundly. “So no objections?” I chuckled, grabbed my satchel off of the saddle and made way for that tiny bridge in the distance. I heard Securis curling up around foliage behind me.
The bridge bannisters were lower than anticipated and I fear of somehow losing my footing and toppling over the edge and into the water below. As unlikely as it is I couldn’t help but put much focus into walking in a straight line. The sheet of night slowly blankets the land and skies as I make my way down this dirt path.
Long into my hike I approach what I can only assume are homes, curiously embedded into small hills. I pass a man, much shorter than me and he gives me a look.
“Just passing by, good sir! Is there an inn nearby or a market where I could get some food?” I smiled politely. The man (at least half of my stature) looks me up and down, not necessarily glaring or disapproving but rather in skepticism.
“Just down the road, lass.” He informed me curtly and gestured with his chin. I took it with a nod and continued down the path. I can only hope that if I were to meet any more of the people residing here, that they’d be kind and polite back to me.
Lost in thought of these curious homes, the aesthetic of this place, I find, is very beautiful. I wish Andromaeda could see this. I chuckled as I could see the ghost of her plucking every flower she could get her hands on. I was abruptly interrupted and Andromaeda’s ghost dissipated into thin air. I looked down and saw that I'd bumped into another resident, and found that his basket of goods was on the ground.
“Oh terribly sorry, sir!” I exclaimed and started to pick up his food for him. Fish? Dinner rolls? Veggies? My stomach growled devilishly as I stood to give him his basket.
“It’s alright Miss, thank you.” He gave me a quick look up and down. Oh great… “You’re not from here.” He stated.
“No I’m not, just passing through.” I confirmed and my empty stomach makes its presence known once again.
“I’m assuming you’ve nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat…” The man (or rather half of one) mumbled. He’s thinking of something, opening then closing his mouth just as quick, eyes shifting anywhere else. I take it as a moment to get a better look at him. A messy mop of brown hair, rather large hairy feet, and a suit of sorts.
“How would you like to have dinner at my home, as a gesture of thanks?” He offered, how can he be so trusting?
I take the offer regardless, “ I’d like that very much, Mr..?”
“Baggins. Bilbo Baggins. And yourself?”
I shake his hand, “Y/n L/n.” He leads the way to his humble abode.
Albeit small, it was a very homey and warm place. I kept everything to my person and followed behind Mr. Baggins with a shut mouth and wandering eyes. The small man was very organised in some places and in the others, there were piles of books and scattered miscellaneous items.
Mr. Baggins prepared my food first, considering how obviously desperate my stomach was to be filled. As soon as he set the plate in front of me, I subtly sniffed the air around it. The perks of being fae included heightened senses, and I could not smell of anything odd or poisonous.
When I chewed my mind drifted off to Securis, all alone in that dense forest. He can take care of himself, I know, but this is unfamiliar territory. I hope to not lose him too.
I looked up and saw Mr. Baggins set down his plate, but a charming ring came from the door.
“I’m sorry, did you have plans this evening?” I asked worriedly.
He looks at me then back out into the hall. Confused, he mumbled before going to check. “No…”
I continued to enjoy my meal. Until a hulking but short man waltzed in. He was bald at the top of his head with tattoos adorning the space, but does have long hair on the rest of his scalp. Mr. Baggins is behind him, saying about he wasn’t expecting company and that “Yes, there is food but what do-” The man saw Mr. Baggins’ plate and started eating from it immediately.
I look at Mr. Baggins who is just as baffled as I am. “Excuse me, sir.” I started and put down the utensils, but the man paid me no heed.
“That plate was for Mr. Baggins, sir.” I stated matter-of-factly. Again, no acknowledgement but instead he asked if there was more. I quickly finished my own plate then comforted Mr. Baggins, who was obviously distressed, yet another ring chimed.
“That’ll be the door.” The man said pointedly at Mr. Baggins.
Now that I stood, I could observe that this balding man is larger than Mr. Baggins, but still shorter than I. Not like how Mr. Baggins is though, he must be up to my chest or shoulder.
I shyly followed Mr. Baggins to the door and was greeted with another stout man with white hair and a rather impressive beard. “Oh! Didn't know there’d be a maiden here. Balin, at your service m’lady.” He smiled.
I find this Balin man to be more pleasant than the other one. “Y/n, pleasure to meet you.” I smiled back.
I opened my mouth to ask about these strange men but Mr. Baggins had beat me to it, “Dwarves.” He rolled his eyes.
Dwarves! I’ve only seen portraits and paintings alike, but to see them in front of me is surreal. “And… I don’t believe I know what… you are.” I said as politely as I could to Mr. Baggins.
“Really? You don’t know? I’m a hobbit Miss Y/n.” With that he sped off to the two dwarves who were raiding his pantry.
I stand off to the side, not sure what to do with myself. My host’s home was being raided? And his inability to get physical with these men, or dwarves, is leading to them taking and eating his food.
While he was fussing with Balin and Dwalin, as I’ve learned, along with butting foreheads was a greeting gesture; a more persistent ring echoed the halls. I think quickly on my feet to answer the door and reject any more dwarves in Mr. Baggins’ home.
“Fili” “and Kili,” I’m greeted with, “At your service.” A duo of a dirty blonde and a brunette dwarf smile at me.
“Good evening,” Is all I can get out before they cut me off.
“You’re not Mr. Boggins are you? He’s a hobbit.” Kili asked, confused. “And a male.” Fili adds.
“Yes, well, Mr. Baggins isn’t expecting any more guests.” I smiled and went to close the door, just as Mr. Baggins himself joined me.
However Kili shoved the door back open, “Has it been cancelled?” He looked genuinely distraught. The blonde one, Fili, also lurched forward, “No one told us.”
The aforementioned host chimed in at my side, “…No, nothings been cancelled.”
“Well that’s a relief.” And with that we’re both pushed to the side as two more dwarves join the party.
Mr. Baggins and I gave each other a look, “Just. Stay here.” He went off and tried to reason with the new dwarves but I see that they’re giving him their weapons and making themselves comfortable.
How absurd! Balin was the only decent one so far… Why couldn’t they be like him?
The bell chimed a more eager ring. I stood in my spot, perhaps I should let Mr. Baggins handle this? The hobbit himself rounded the corner and dropped all gear he was given.
“No, oh no. no. There’s nobody home! Go away!” I stepped further away from the door to give him some space.
“If this is some— lothead’s idea of a joke—!” He laughed sarcastically then grasped the handle, “I can say, it is in very, poor taste.” The door fell open and a large pile of more dwarves fell inside.
I covered my mouth to not let any laugh escape me.
Behind the dwarves was a man, an actual human man, I hope. The grey robe and staff are definitely an odd choice. The man leaned down and smiled at Mr. Baggins. Mr. Baggins’ shoulders drop with a sigh, “Gandalf.”
“Is he a friend of yours?” I asked, it seemed to be the only reasonable explanation as to why so many dwarves know where he resided.
“No.” He answered curtly.