"Elvish"

"Other Language" (will be specified later)

"English" a.k.a. Common Tongue

'Thoughts'

Chapter 2: Welcome to Paradise

It was two days after the arrival of Frodo that Aragorn and his three hobbits companions, Merry, Pippin and Sam, walked through the gates of Rivendell. The Halflings were all looking around the valley in wonder of its beauty, pointing out details as they walked through the elegant buildings. The ranger answered their questions and all through the whole walk he had an amused expression at the hobbits' enthusiasm.

Later that same day after bathing and changing into finer clothing, Aragorn found himself strolling through the city when someone caught his eye. An elleth with flowing golden hair was walking through a garden a few on a slightly higher level of the city. 'I have never seen her before. Maybe someone to partake in the council?' Aragorn quickly vanished with that thought; women weren't consulted on matters of war. Aragorn understood such customs, but he knew that some women didn't want to sit around and always do what their husbands told them to, and he respected such. He once again focused on the enchanting elf, he noticed then that she was walking besides a rather short companion, but due to the grey hair he concluded that it must have been Bilbo.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by hearing his name being called.

"Estel!" Elladan and Elrohir called. He turned towards Elrond's twin sons and the one who he assumed was Elladan continued, "Ada wanted to see you." Aragorn nodded in understanding, but before the twins could walk away he asked them who the golden haired elleth was. This time it was Elrohir that answered him, "That is Estella, a friend of our father's. Father had thought her dead until a few days ago when she appeared and helped heal Frodo." Elladan nodded in confirmation of the story and added "But we haven't talked to her yet, we have seen her around and exchanged pleasantries but never actually talked. Though I'm sure Arwen will know more, they have become good friends over the past few days."

Aragorn nodded partially satisfied with the twins' explanation, though he would most certainly inquire more about the fair maiden to Arwen. HE then bowed to the twins and made his way to his ada's study.

Estella after her walk with Bilbo was returning to her room when a commotion at the entrance of Rivendell caught her eye. She walked onto a balcony that overlooked the circular area where visitors were greeted. The area under her was had creamy tiles lining the floor and on one side a wide arch that was the entrance, as it came down from a trail through the valley. On the opposite side of the arch, there was a long staircase that led into the building to which the balcony she was standing on belonged. But what caught her attention was not the area in itself, but who was in it.

There were a group of people arriving oh horse back and judging by the platinum blond color of their hair and the clothes they wore, Estella concluded that these were the elves from Mirkwood. Greeting them was Erestor, Chief Counselor of Elrond's household. The elf at the lead of the Mirkwood party was someone she recognized as well, Legolas Greenleaf. She watched as Legolas and Erestor exchanged greetings. Legolas seemed to notice that he was being observed for he looked around and soon their eyes met. Bright blue met emerald green, the former widened in surprise and so he bowed and sent a quick smile to the lady who smiled and gave a gentle nod of her head. Legolas turned back to Erestor who was already guiding the other eves from his party towards their rooms.

After deciding that it would be a good idea to observe the guests that would be arriving for the council she sat on the bench that was on the balcony to wait, she promptly retrieved a book that had been tucked under her arm and started to read.

She didn't have to wait for long before another party arrived. The first thing she noticed was that the solitary rider was not an elf, but was of the race of men, Gondor to be specific. The stitching of the white tree on his clothes gave him away. She watched as Erestor greeted him, Boromir, as Erestor had called him. But the man did not seem to take notice in her as Legolas had. She watched as the two below her made their way up the staircase. She had had dealing with men of Gondor before; she sometimes helped some of the villages and even passes by the White City, though she never actually entered it. She turned her attention back to her book, it was almost sunset, but there was still enough light to read, so she decided to make use of the time she had.

It was an hour before dusk that another party caught her attention. Dwarves. She smiled when she noticed that she knew some of the dwarves that had come for the council. The one who caught most her attention was Glóin, one of the dwarves from Thorin's company to reclaim Erebor. His red bear was just as long and still braided in the same way as it had been those many years ago. She noticed another dwarf by his side and could only assume that it was his son, Gimli. Glóin seemed to notice her while his eyes had darted around in distrust of the elves, he gave a brief bow in acknowledgement and she returns the gesture. As the dwarven party is escorted away, she decided that it was time for a bath before heading to dinner, and off she went in the direction of her quarters.