Gandalf had tricked him. Thorin looked at the wizard, cursing him to the dark lands of Mordor. Thorin felt certain that he and his company could have easily overcome the Warg scouts; they just needed to work together. Now, they were barely hanging on as the wizard hurried them along the edge of a ravine, warning them that one false step would send them tumbling far below to their deaths. It shouldn't be said that the dwarves were uncomfortable with the rocky cliff, for they were very much used to the terrain of their past home. If any uneasy glances were sent downwards, it was only to check that shoes did not need to be repaired for the journey ahead was too long for worn shoes.

Thorin harrumphed into his beard, suspicious of the strange riders that had come to their aid with the Wargs. There was a connection between their appearance and Gandalf's disappearance, he was sure. Behind him, his nephews Kili and Fili were going on about the fine archers that had been a part of that other company. Kili felt sure that they must have been elven; only elves could have such fine bows. Fili argued that they had to be men with extremely good aim. Thorin smiled when the two made bets on who was right but then barked at them to stop dilly-dallying around. He was a fine uncle to the two young dwarves, but he didn't want them getting too spoiled.

His attention was grabbed by Gandalf, bringing the company to a halt. "Look friends, a place of rest. We shall be welcome there. A very dear friend of mine lives below. " Using the blunt end of his staff, he pointed down. At the bottom of the ravine, along the walls of the canyon, a village spread out above the large river flowing beneath it. The buildings and walkways almost seemed to be floating above the rushing waves, making Thorin even more suspicious. The golden walls, pathways, roofs, railings, domes, and any other kind of architecture you could imagine were made even more blinding in the bright sunlight that shone down on the Eden.

As quickly as they had stopped, the company began again their descent to the village. Through his heavy brows, Thorin couldn't help but take small glances at the architecture. The buildings were not floating, but instead seemed to be a part of the mountain, almost as if the village had been born along with the mountains. Whoever dwelled down there were beings capable of fine craftsmanship and it made Thorin hate them even more. Getting closer to the village, all the dwarves looked around, stunned at their surroundings.

What had looked so intricate high above was truthfully very simple. A dwarf barely born could create a similar work, yet this was somehow better. Stepping into a circular courtyard, they all were brought to a halt by a tall fellow rushing down the stairs. He was dressed in gray, his long brown hair tied back around the temples, not a strand out of place. With the hair so neatly kept, the pointed ears of the elves were evident. Curse that blasted wizard; he had brought them to the elves!

"Wizard Gandalf!" the elf spoke. His voice was smooth yet sounded panicked, if an elf could be. "Lord Elrond is not here right now." Gandalf looked put-out, Thorin was pleased, Bilbo the Hobbit was curious and the rest of the company was still busily admiring the workmanship while standing securely around their leader. This changed when they heard the sound of hooves quickly approaching from behind. The company formed a tight circle, tucking Bilbo into the center. The riders rode up, circling the group like hunters. Kili gasped and slapped Fili behind the head, noting that they were the same riders that had helped them with the Wargs; they were elves as he had supposed and that Fili now owed him a small amount of the 1/14 he would receive at the end of their mission. Fili, momentarily forgetting the position he was in, cursed aloud and yelled at a passing rider for being an elf and not anything else.

One rider pulled away, his laugh muffled by the helmet he bore. Sliding from atop his horse, he pulled his helmet away to reveal another elven face. He too had long brown hair like the elf that had met them, but his was more intricately braided. His face was young yet the dark brown eyes spoke of hard centuries and many battles. Indeed, he had the grace of an elven warrior that had had many years of practice. The other elves took his helmet-removal as a sign of good will and stopped circling. They all took of their helmets as a sign of respect; all dark-haired except for one.

She was a young female with piercing blue eyes and golden hair that fell to the horse's stomach like rolling wheat fields. This was what Bilbo thought as he had seen wheat fields. Thorin, on the other hand found her to be as repulsive as the trolls they had encountered in the woods. He remembered a similar elf that had come to the halls of his grandfather and then had turned his back when they needed his aid. Elrond came up and clasped Gandalf's hand, remarking on what bad form it was that they had arrived so early, for the celebration of their arrival had not yet been prepared. Gandalf chuckled, arguing that he could not help that the path that led them to Rivendell was so short and quickly travelled.

Thorin turned to look at the elf who he supposed was Lord Elrond. Elrond looked back at him and smiled, not a hint of pity or hostility. It was only a smile, offering welcome and no more. "So, this must be Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin, son of Thrór. Welcome you and all your company to Rivendell. May you find peace and rest your weary feet."

Oh my, do I have plans for this story, most of which involve some serious AU, so don't hate me if I get facts wrong. Anywho, please let me know what you think! I know it's a lot of description and not a lot of action, but that'll change! I promise! So just scroll down and type a few words letting me know if I should keep up or not. Please and thank you!