Elrond led Master Chief and Arbiter through a passageway, "Welcome to Rivendell, Master Chief and Arbiter."
"Thank you, Mr. Elrond," said the super soldier.
The leader of the battalion blew the horn as they were approaching the entrance. Gandalf, Bilbo, and the 13 dwarves had already arrived to Rivendell. "Close ranks!" Thorin ordered as Bofur pulled Bilbo in while the others gathered in formation as the riders surrounded them. The dwarves snarled at the riders.
"Gandalf," Elrond spoke as he saw his old friend.
"Lord Elrond," the wizard recognized him and then spoke in a language that Master Chief, Arbiter, Bilbo, and the dwarves did not understand.
Elrond spoke in that language to Gandalf as he dismounted then gave the wizard a hug. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Master Chief and Arbiter drew them near as they made noises that we never heard before."
"It's not just them, we led them in at the first place," Gandalf clarified.
Thorin approached Elrond who said, "Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met," the dwarf prince did not seem to be courteous.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain," said Elrond.
"Indeed? He made no mention of you," Thorin spoke in a quite insulting tone.
"Talk about not being king," Cortana commented.
Elrond spoke in elvish causing Gloin to question, "What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?"
"No, Master Gloin, he's offering you food," Gandalf clarified.
The dwarves spoke to one another and Gloin said, "Well, in that case, lead on."
"Hey. Come on," said Bofur.
"We'll have to park the Warthog, you guys go ahead," said Master Chief.
Elrond said to an elf, Lindir, in their language and he boarded the passenger's seat. "It's an amazing machine," said Lindir as he showed them the way to where they could park their vehicle.
"It's a Warthog, an armored jeep," said Master Chief.
As they parked the vehicle, the super soldier made a request to his A.I. partner, "Cortana, can you bring the Pelican over?"
"Got it, Chief, the Pelican's enroute," Cortana replied as she called the ship over.
The dwarves began having dinner in a hall and they were served fruits and vegetables.
"Try it. Just a mouthful," said Dori.
"I don't like green food," said Ori as he didn't want to have vegetables.
Dwalin and Oin did not seem to be impressed, "Where's the meat?"
"Have they got any chips?" Ori asked.
"Kind of you to invite us. Not really dressed for dinner," said Gandalf as he, Elrond, Thorin, Master Chief, and Arbiter were heading towards the dining hall.
"Well, you never are."
As the wizard, the elf lord, the dwarf prince, the alien, and the super soldier were seated, Master Chief took off his helmet as he was about to eat.
"A downside of being an A.I. is that I never to get to know what food taste like," Cortana muttered.
The super soldier took her chip out from his helmet, "Lord Elrond, I would like you to meet Cortana, she's an artificial intelligence."
"It's nice to meet you Cortana," said the elf lord.
"It's nice meeting you too," said the A.I.
Cortana noticed Kili winked at an elf maid playing the harp and Dwalin was staring at him, "Can't say fancy elf maid myself. Too thin. They're all high cheekbones and creamy skin; not enough facial hair for me. Although … that one there's not bad."
"That's not an elf maid," Dwalin spoke as Kili had mistaken the male harpist for the female causing the dwarves to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Arbiter asked.
"It's just the same as mistaking a guy for a girl, how embarrassing for Kili," Cortana replied in a sarcastic tone.
As Gandalf gave the swords to his old friend, "I heard these swords are made by your people in Gondolin," said Arbiter to Elrond.
"It's true, but the High Elves of the West are my kin," Elrond chuckled. He began checking the swords, "This is Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. May it serve you well," he identified the one with a curved blade and gave it to Thorin. "And this is Glamdring the Foehammer. Sword of the King of Gondolin. These were made for the Goblin Wars of the First Age."
Bilbo pulled his slightly from the sheath and Balin said, "I wouldn't bother, laddie. Swords are named for the great deeds they do in war."
"What are you saying, my sword hasn't seen battle?"
"I'm not actually sure it is a sword. More of a letter opener, really."
"How did you come by these?" Elrond asked Gandalf.
"We found them in a Troll-hoard on the Great East Road shortly before we were ambushed by Orcs."
"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?"
"Excuse me," Thorin spoke as he left the dining table.
"That is sure some delicious exotic elven cuisine," Arbiter praised as he enjoyed the food causing to Elrond to smile. The Elite also enjoyed the soothing elven music and an elf woman played a flute near Arbiter.
"This is one meal I can remember," Master Chief muttered.
"The music gives us stress relief and it is soothing," Cortana muttered.
"13 Dwarves, a … SPARTAN, a … an Elite, and a Halfling. Strange traveling companions Gandalf," Elrond said to his old friend.
"These are the descendants of the House of the Durin. They're noble, decent folk. And they're surprisingly cultured, with the deep love of the art," said the wizard.
"Change the tune, why don't you?" Nori said to the harp-playing elf maiden. "I feel like I'm in a funeral."
"Is somebody dying?" Oin asked.
"Nobody is dying," Arbiter replied.
"All right lads, there's only one thing for it," Bofur spoke as he stood up. As he sang, the other dwarves joined in.
"There's an inn.
Inn, there's an inn, a merry old inn.
Beneath an old grey hill.
And there they brew a beer so brown.
That the Man in the Moon himself came down.
One night to drink his fill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat.
That plays a five-stringed fiddle:
And up and down he saws his bow.
Now squeaking high.
Now purring low.
Now sawing in the middle.
So the cat on the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle.
A jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune.
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
'It's after three!' he said."
The dwarves even threw food around. Elrond, and Lindir look surprised and spoke nothing about it. Master Chief and Arbiter were not impressed and kept themselves occupied with the food they got.
After dinner, Master Chief and Arbiter passed a shrine holding a tray. They checked on the shards of a sword and looked at a painting on their left. Both the alien and the super soldier went to a library where they studied the history of Middle-earth and learning about the other creatures in the planet. Several hours later, "Not with your companions?" It was Elrond.
"We're just studying," Master Chief replied.
"It's a good idea for strangers to learn about this world here. Cortana told me a lot about the two of you," said the elf lord.
"There's nothing we can do to undo what we have done at the first place," said Arbiter as he thoughts of shame remembering he and his people were responsible for glassing the planet Reach.
"Fate decides what we ought to be," said Master Chief remembering that he was abducted as a child and had to undergo augmentation becoming the SPARTAN II.
"Sounds logical. Both of you have a lot to amaze us. You're always welcome to come by," Elrond spoke in a warm tone. He took a book and gave it to Master Chief, "This book contains elven language. It's for your friend, Cortana."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond."
At nightfall; Master Chief, Arbiter, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, Elrond, and Gandalf gathered at a room. "Our business is no concern of Elves," said Thorin not in a polite tone.
"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map," said Gandalf.
"Elrond is trying to help you," said Master Chief.
"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect, as are its secrets," Thorin spoke in a reluctant tone.
"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond," said the wizard.
"Elrond can decode the map for us, who else can we turn to?" said Arbiter.
The dwarf prince reluctantly gave the map to Elrond. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?"
"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text," said the wizard and turned to his elf friend. "You still read ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"
Elrond spoke in elvish as he knew something from the map.
"Moon runes? Of course. An easy thing to miss," Gandalf asked.
"Well, in this case, that is true. Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written," said the elf.
"Can you read them?" Thorin asked.
Elrond led Master Chief, Arbiter, Gandalf, Bilbo, Thorin, and Balin to a table made by something the super soldier and the alien had never seen before by a waterfall. "These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight," Elrond spoke as he unfolded the map on the table and the crescent moon was appeared in the sky. The table and the moon runes in the map glowed. Elrond read aloud, "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."
"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked.
"It is the start of the Dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appeared in the sky together," Gandalf answered.
"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us," Thorin spoke with concern.
"We still have time," Balin tried to reassure him.
"Time? For what?" Bilbo asked.
"To find the entrance. We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened," said Balin.
"So this is your purpose, to enter the mountain?" Elrond seemed to figure out the intention of Thorin and company.
"What of it?" asked the dwarf prince.
"There are some who would not deem it wise," said Elrond.
"What do you mean?" Gandalf asked.
"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth," said the elf. "Mind if I borrow Cortana?"
"OK," said Master Chief as he gave Cortana's chip to Elrond.
"Chief, let me remind you that the Pelican will be here in 10 minutes," Cortana said to the super soldier.
Chief and Arbiter went to where the Warthog was parked. Without a notice, Gandalf and Elrond had followed them. The Pelican arrived and landed.
"That is one amazing flying object," Elrond muttered.
"It's a Pelican dropship, we use them to transport troops, vehicles like the Warthog you saw, and supplies," said Cortana.
"You see, Chief and Arbiter possess a lot of weapons and equipment that we have never seen before," said Gandalf. Master Chief and Arbiter had the Warthog loaded into the ship as well as replenishing ammo.
"Of course, I was to going to tell. I was waiting for a chance and really. I think you could trust that I know what I'm doing," said Gandalf and Elrond was holding Cortana's chip as her holographic body was in display.
"Do you? That dragon has slept for 60 years. What will happen if your plan should fail? If you wake that beast," Elrond spoke with concern.
"But if we succeed, if the Dwarves take back the mountain, our defenses in the east will be strengthened."
"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf."
"It is also dangerous to do nothing. Oh, the throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright. What is it you fear?"
"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness has run deep in the family. His grandfather lost his mind and his father succumbs to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-earth."
Thorin and Bilbo overheard their conversation.
"With or without our help, these Dwarves will march on the mountain. They're determined to reclaim their homeland. They're determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels that he is answerable to anyone. Nor, for that matter, am I," said Gandalf as he, Cortana, and Elrond were going to a meeting.
"It is not me you must answer to," said the elf lord as they turned to another elf.
"Lady Galadriel," Gandalf recognized her.
"Mithrandir," said Galadriel then she and the wizard spoke in elvish.
"This is Cortana, an artificial intelligence," Elrond introduced the A.I. to Lady Galadriel. "Cortana, this is Galadriel, Lady of Lorien."
"It is pleasant to meet you, Cortana," elf lady spoke in common language to the A.I.
"It's nice meeting you too."
"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you," said Gandalf in common tongue.
"He didn't. I did," it turned out to be another wizard in white.
"You must be the Saruman the White, greatest of the wizards," said Cortana.
"What are you? You learn very fast," Saruman complemented.
"I'm an artificial intelligence."
"I see," Saruman turned to Gandalf. "You've been busy of late, my friend."
The wizards took the seats and Cortana's ship was placed on one side of the table while the elves stood at the sides from the table.
"Tell me, Gandalf. Did you think these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed?"
"Unnoticed? No. I'm simply doing what I feel to be right," Gandalf answered.
"The dragon has long been on your mind," Galadriel spoke in common language.
"That is true, my lady. Smaug owes allegiance to no one. But if he should side with the enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect," said the grey wizard.
"What enemy? Gandalf, the enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength," the white wizard scoffed.
"If I'm not mistaken, Sauron must have done a lot of atrocities in this world. Therefore he deserves such death," said Cortana.
"That is correct, Cortana," said Galadriel.
"Does it not worry you that the last of the Dwarf rings should simply vanish along with its bearer? Of the seven Dwarf rings, four were consumed by dragons, two were taken by Sauron before he fell in Mordor, the fate of the last ring remains unknown. The ring that was bore by Thrain," Gandalf stated the fact.
"Without the ruling Ring of Power, the seven are no value to the Enemy. To control the other rings, he needs the One and that ring was lost long, long ago. It was swept out at sea by the waters of the Anduin," said Saruman.
"For 400 years, we have lived in peace. A hard-won, watchful peace," Elrond spoke in a better tone.
"Are we? Are we at peace? Trolls have come down from the mountains. They are raiding villages, destroying farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road," Gandalf countered the statement.
"Hardly a prelude to war," said Elrond.
"Always you must meddle looking for trouble where none exists," said Saruman.
"Let him speak," Galadriel spoke as she was supporting the grey wizard.
"There is something at work beyond the evil of Smaug. Something far more powerful. We can remain blind to it, but it will not be ignoring us, that I can promise you. A sickness lies over the Greenwood. The woodsmen who live there now call it Mirkwood. And they say …" Gandalf began to bring everyone to awareness of the evil Radagast spoke about.
"Well? Don't stop now. Tell us what the woodsmen say," Saruman spoke as everybody wanted to know.
"They speak of a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur. A sorcerer who can summon the dead," Gandalf continued.
"That's absurd. No such power exists in this world. This Necromancer is nothing more than a mortal man. A conjurer dabbling in black magic," Saruman commented.
"Gandalf, do you have the evidence Radagast …" Cortana asked but was cut off.
"Radagast? Do not speak to me of Radagast the Brown. He's a foolish fellow," the white wizard spoke as he did not like the brown wizard.
"What makes him foolish? When the orcs attacked us in the Great East Road, he did his best to distract them," Cortana asked.
"It's his excessive consumption of mushrooms. They've addled his brain and yellowed his teeth. I've warned him. It is unbefitting one of the Istari to be wandering the woods …" said Saruman
"It doesn't matter, wait till you see this," said Cortana then she turned to her wizard friend. "Gandalf, what's inside the parcel Radagast gave you?"
"A relic of Mordor," Galadriel knew what it was.
Elrond became horrified when he unwrapped the parcel, "A Morgul Blade."
"Made for the Witch-king of Angmar. And buried with him. When Angmar fell, the Men of the North took his body and all that he possessed and sealed it within the High Fells of Rhudaur. Deep within the rock they buried him in a tomb so dark it would never come to light," Galadriel spoke about the sword.
"This is not possible. A powerful spell lies upon those tombs. They cannot be opened," Elrond spoke as he found it hard to believe.
"What proof do we have this weapon came from Angmar's grave?" Saruman asked.
"I have none," the grey wizard spoke as he did not have proof.
"Because there is none. Let us examine what we know. A single Orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen. A dagger from a bygone age has been found. And a human sorcerer who calls himself 'The Necromancer' has taken up residence in a ruined fortress. It's not so very much after all. The question of this Dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I'm not convinced, Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest. If they'd come to me, I might have spared them this disappointment. I do not pretend to understand your reason for raising their hopes," Saruman did not seem supportive of that quest.
"Evidence can be found once an investigation is carried out," Cortana argued.
Galadriel sensed something that Gandalf agreed.
"No, I'm afraid there is nothing else for it," said Saruman.
Lindir came and reported, "My Lord Elrond. The Dwarves and Arbiter, they're gone."
The 13 dwarves took along the hobbit and Arbiter went ahead, while Galadriel and Gandalf spoke in private.
Elrond returned Cortana to Master Chief and she told him everything about the meeting.
"If you are to join the investigation, so be it," said Master Chief.
Author's Note
A possible split up can be predicted after An Unexpected Journey scenario.
