Chapter 2
"So... Why are you hear?" asked Bilbo, his eyebrows furrowed. All that could be heard were the crickets singing quietly in the grass.
"I have witnessed a prophecy. A prophecy which was revealed by one of my very good friends," said Gandalf, peering at Bilbo with amusement. Bilbo did not find this funny at all.
"And who was that?" asked Bilbo bluntly. Ireth stood awkwardly in the corner of his eye, her pupils glinting in the dark.
"An elf. But not just any elf. One who has lived in these lands for quite some time now. Can you guess to whom I am referring to? Brilliant intelligence, long flowing hair that seems to be made from moonlight, the most beautiful eyes-"
"I thought all elves were like that. Airy-fairy, wondering around eating lembas bread, singing-"started Bilbo, who was feeling rather negative now because Gandalf was prolonging his tale.
"That is not all that they do," came a bitter and blunt voice. Bilbo turned towards Ireth and immediately sucked in his breath. Ireth was fuming, marching towards Bilbo as if she wanted to rip his throat out. Although Bilbo was suddenly quite terrified, he couldn't help but notice that she looked rather pretty and becoming when she was blushing, though looking angry and flustered. Except for her wild eyes of course, which seemed to be calling out for blue murder.
"He didn't mean to be so abrupt, my dear Ireth. Please understand that Bilbo Baggins has the slight flaw of impatience. I was testing to see how long he would endure, but he seems to have failed miserably," said Gandalf warmly.
"Why are you so protective over the elves anyway?" asked Bilbo, ignoring Gandalf.
"Because I was brought up by them," said Ireth matter-of-factly, her eyes cold and indifferent.
Now for Bilbo and probably the rest of the hobbits in his village, to know of a hobbit that was not from Hobbiton was a rarity. To know of one from outside the Shire was simply out of the question. But to know of a Hobbit who was... who was... who was raised by elves?! Well, that was just simply ridiculous. Which was why Bilbo's jaw dropped and his reply was, "Excuse me?"
"We can talk of Ireth's wondrous past another time Bilbo," intervened Gandalf, frowning at Ireth. "But for now I must carry on with my story."
Checking his surroundings, Gandalf nodded to himself before continuing in more hushed tones, making Bilbo and Ireth come closer towards him in order to hear.
"Galadriel. It was Galadriel-"
"As in, Galadriel, ruler of Lothl-"stammered Bilbo, to which Ireth raised her eyebrows sarcastically.
"Yes, yes," said Gandalf vigorously. "The very same. The Prophecy came abruptly and Galadriel was taken off guard. She had not asked for a prophecy to be told. At first I thought she was ill, but she said that she saw something in the waters. The prophecy mentioned two beings. One was explicitly described as a halfling who was raised by the elves. This could mean no other than Ireth to my knowledge. Galadriel agreed that she only knew of Ireth and no one else. The second mentioned was a hobbit of middle age living in hobbiton, of certain wealth, credibility and respectability. I immediately thought of you, Bilbo. It could not possibly have meant anyone else. Unfortunately, I could not unravel what the prophecy meant, which is why I went to Ireth and asked if she knew anything of it, but she was just as ignorant as I. Galadriel refuses to look deep into these prophecies and I understand her wisdom. It is dangerous to look too deeply at these things. They can lead to destruction. Prophecies are powerful but also fragile and weak. But this was different to the others, it was vivid and not hazy, more of a message than a prophecy, a task I felt, an order almost. I have called for you tonight Bilbo Baggins because I once again must ask too much of you. I am to take you on a journey to another wizard such as myself who may hold answers for us and tell us what the prophecy is foretelling."
Bilbo gazed at Gandalf, who looked very grave, staring up at the sky.
"You're saying that we are to go on an adventure?" he asked slowly.
"Something of that description," said Gandalf lightly.
"But you are not going to tell me what the prophecy initially said?" prodded Bilbo.
"No, I think it best not to at this stage," said Gandalf carefully.
"Right. But Ireth here knows," continued Bilbo, pointing at Ireth who was being abnormally quiet.
"I had no right to tell her at first. It is of little consequence however. As I said before, it is beguiling language, not of our tongues. I could only decipher a couple words," said Gandalf, looking back now at the pub in the distance. Laughter still rang from it.
"I am saddened at the fact that I must take you away, Mr. Baggins. But please understand me. I am trying to be as clear as I can. This may be an adventure, but it is also a mission. A mission to insure your welfare. I am not making a suggestion, I am making an order."