Chapter Seven: Past Encounters

A.N. For those of you just reading the updated chapters, I went back and changed Rona's age when the dragon attacked Erebor, so she was 20 when it happened, it's only so the flash back in this chapter will make more sense.

The elfs of this valley were so different than the ones she had met at a child. They seemed friendlier, more open to new comers, with the exception of Lindir that is. He was just a plain old stick in the mud! Rona made her way through the halls of Imlardis, smiling at the elves whom she passed. With the help of one of the maids she got washed up and put into a purple corset top dress. It had no sleeves but she didn't care, it was a lovely dress. The skirt at the bottom was a bit transparent, but by the time it got to her knees it was solid.

On her uppers arms she had bell sleeves attached, a black band holding the sheer material in place. Her dark hair was pulled back into two long braids that rested over her shoulders, small silver clasps holding the ends together. It was not yet time for the group to eat so she made her way to a small bench the rested just before a small bridge leading out over a stream. Once more her thoughts were drawn away from the present and into the past.

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"Princess! You shouldn't be out here!" cried out Baktar as Rona road a fully grown horse around the horse stalls. "You worry too much! This is a sweet animal! He wouldn't hurt me!" she smiled down at the dwarven guard and spurred her mount out of Erebor. She ignored the cries behind her. It was her day of freedom since there were a people visiting from a fairly far off land. The elves of Mirkwood, that's who they were.

She always wanted to see the elves, but her father had sent her on her way. She just had to be back in time for supper that was when she was to be introduced to the elven king and his company. Behind her she could hear Baktar yelling at her but she paid him no mind, instead urging her mount even faster. "Faster Bea! Faster!" She cried laughing gleefully as the shine whipped her braids around in the wind.

Never had Rona felt so free. She rode for what seemed like an eternity; before she realized she'd best get back. "Come on Bea, time to get home." Bea nickered softly before started to walk back to the mountain. They had only been going about 3 minutes when he started to shift about, his ears pinned down. "What is it boy? Bea?" Not but a moment later the horse let out a terrified sound, and bolted. Rona went falling to the ground hard. To fall off of a pony was bad enough, but this was a horse of man, so it was even taller.

She hit the ground with a cry of pain and heard hissing coming from her left. 'Snake…' Rona grabbed the dagger from her leg and with a quick motion, caught the snake just as it struck out. It was then that the small bit of adrenalin wore off. With a small scream she fell onto her back, pain shooting through her how body. "I am so in trouble…" slipping her dagger back into its place she tried to relax, it helped but she still hurt.

After laying there for a good 10 minutes she heard something coming her way. With a groans she flipped onto her stomach and slowly pushed herself up, hands on her knees, the blue riding skirt torn, her arms covered in scratched. And over all she was covered in dirt.

"Now, what have we here? A lost child of man?" the voice was smooth, and ethereal in her ears. Rona looked up, it was an elf. His mount was not horse but something more majestic than that. Its antlers were wide and its hide pale at its riders hair. "No… you are an adult I think. What is your name?" she could hear his voice harden slightly, he must have something against her people, that was the only thing she could think of that would make his attitude change so suddenly.

"Elra… Mi'Lord" she managed to pant out, bowing slightly before falling over holding her head, she wouldn't give her true name to someone she didn't know. Even she knew better than that. She heard a laugh then what she could only think to be a command when she was picked up. She hissed as her lower back protested. Before she knew it she was placed before the rider who spoke to her. He placed his back on her lower back making her hiss out and flinch away. He was silent for a few moments cocking his head before speaking. "You are brave to ride a horse given you size." She heard slight mockery in his voice but ignored it.

"Bea was fine until a snake went at his heels…" she said softly. There was a light laugh before the group moved on. "Thank you…" she whispered softly. Once more she felt his hand press against her lower back, along with him whispering softly in what she could only think to be his own tongue. The pain in her body lessened.

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They rode for at least two hours before the man hand 'Elra' put down. "Thank you once against Mi'Lord. It would've taken my hours to get back without my mount." He waved his hand dismissively. She was filthy, covered in dirt, so her true appearance was unknown to him. "Think nothing of it Dwarf." With that said he left her, about half a mile from the halls or Erebor. Rona shook her head and began to limp her way back to the hall.

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She managed to slip in through the stables when she was met with a furious Baktar. "Where have you been?! Beafire came back without you over an hour ago!" Rona ducked her head down, she hated being scolded, and she was 18 years of for pities sake! "Baktar! I'm fine! Just a little bit banged up, but none the worse for wear." The guard shook his head. "Well whatever the case you best hurry up! Dinner will be in about two hours, since I guests finally arrived, they are in the main hall. Run along!" Baktar pushed her making her stumble and press a hand ot her lower back. "Don't tell me… You fell off the horse…."

"He was scarred by a snake and bolted, I didn't have a good grip. But I'm on, I landed in a lost spot!" before the guard so say anymore she took off, though her run was a bit slower than normal.

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"Princess! Where have you been?! Hurry up into the bath with you!" her 'lady in waiting' the real Elra, who was also her closest friend, gave her scarcely a moment to breather before attacking her. Clothes went flying and there was a splash as Rona was shoved into the tub of water, she was just barely able to keep her hair from getting wet. "Elra!" the woman giggled at the glare sent her way and went about putting a new dress out for her lady. Rona washed up quickly before jumping out and drying off.

There was one hour left before dinner and Elra had just managed to get Rona into her dress when there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" called Rona as she helped Elra pull the braids from her hair. "Thrain."

"Oh! Come in Grandfather!" she called, her smile clear in her voice. The older dwarf entered her room with a smile, a fair sized box in his hand. "I was told to bring these too you. You father, with the help of some of the crafters, made this for you." He put the box in her lap and when she opened it she gasped. Inside was a double band of jewels, a mix of diamonds and what looked to be, what she could only describe as moon stones! The metal was fine silver. "It's perfect… Elra? Will this work?" she turned to her friend, whose eyes widened, "It's just what I needed!" gently she took the box and rested it on the vanity. Muttering to herself she ra about the room grabbing all of Rona's strewn hair thigns.

"Thank you Grandfather." She stood and hugged him tightly, which he returned before pulling back. "Now something from me." He grabbed a box from outside the door and laid on in her hands. "That is from myself. I made it lone ago, now I'm glad to pass it to you. I've made a few adjustments so it will fit."

Smiling Rona opened the second box. Inside was a belt of brilliant silver. Carefully she picked up the belt and put it on over her dress. "I'll wear it tonight. It's perfect Grandfather." She leaned up and kissed his cheek, making him chuckle. "I'll leave you to finish preparing for dinner." And with that he left. Not but a moment later she was pulled back to her vanity. "Now just you sit still Little Princess! I'm going to make you shine brighter than the Arkenstone!" that made Rona laugh. But shine she did.

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"There…" Elra had just placed the head band on Rona's head as the final touch to her look when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" Elra said distractedly as she pinched Rona's cheeks, "Well you're as good as I can make you Princess, the rest is up to you!" Elra bowed and trotted out of the room humming. Turning around Rona was met with the hard gaze of her father. She knew he was ill at ease with the elves staying there, but he did offer her a smile. "You look lovely."

"Thank you Papa. Your gift is what helped pull it all together." She bowed a bit stiffly to him making him smile. "Come our guests as waiting." He offered her his arm and she placed her glove covered hand in the crook of his elbow. He frowned upon seeing her hands covered, but said nothing. She had her gloves on to hide the scratches she has sustained after falling off of her mount earlier that day.

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Dinner was going splendidly, or so she thought. Sitting to the right Thror was the elven king, Thranduil, then Thrian, and to his left was Thorin then Rona. The rest of the elven company sat farther down the table, visibly cringing at the dwarves eating habbits. Rona let out a small augh and shook her head slightly before going back to eating, though her was must more well mannered then the rest of the table. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, Elra whispered softly into her ear that the cooks had finished making what she had requested for their guests.

"Thank you Elra…" she said softly, with a smile as she touched the girls hand. "Be sure to have it served to our guests first. I'm sure they will be happy with something that doesn't hold any meat in it." Elra laughed softly, "Yes Mi'Lady." With a bow she was off.

"Elra? I've hear that name before. Just today as a matter of fact… but that was not the… female I met…" Rona blushed and looked down at her plate. "Look up child." She did and it was the first time she actually looked up at his face. His face was flawless, his frown, turned gentle smile, no hint of hate in his eyes, but curiosity. "I think it another I met." She looked down at her plate, "Possibly. Just possibly."

Rona could feel her father staring at with, but he said nothing, instead going back to eating his supper.

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After supper the group retired. Before Rona could escape though she was stopped, an elegant hand on her shoulder. "Might I learn the lady's name? Her true name?" Rona felt her cheeks turn pink but she turned and faced the elf. With all the grace she had she bowed to him. "My name is Rona daughter of Thorin My Lord Thranduil." He took her hand and kissed it after kneeling before her, a look in his eyes she'd never truly seen before, she wasn't sure she wanted to know what it was. "Might I have the young Princess walk with me?"

"But of course Mi'lord. Though might I crave you indulgence, I wish to change from these cloths and into something a bit warmer." He smiled nodded. "As the lady wishes. I'll walk you to your room." He stood, in all reality he was just about two feet taller than her, and because she was walking along the small side rail which was about a foot and a half tall, making her level with his chin. the walk was silent.

"This is my stop. I think that your room is just down that hall, the first one on the right." He nodded and bowed away as she jumped back to the ground. "I'll be out in about 30 minutes; it will take me a bit to get my hair down." He nodded and went to his room to change into a warmer uniform.

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Rona quickly changed from her dress into an evening gown made of thick and sturdy cotton. It faded from light blue to dark blue on the under layer which was long sleeves that clung to her arms coming to small points on the tops of her hands, and the over layer with belled sleeves was faded dark to light. An aqua blue back rested round her neck, matching the blue of the tattoo on her brow. About two minutes after she changed there was a knock on her door. "Come in!" she sat at her vanity attempting to pull the braids out of her hair.

The door opened and she felt a large hand over her own, though it was thin, "Allow me…" gently the elven kind unwove her hair allowing it to fall down her back. He was able to get it to lie completely flat, leaving the small bun in at the back of her head. "Thank you…" she went to put her gloves on but he stayed her hand. "You've no need to hid the marks from me. I've seen then before haven't I? Elra?" he teased her gently before taking her hand and leading her from the room.

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'Papa never knew about that walk… I hope he never does…' she was brought out of her thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Bifur offered her his arm, which she took with a smile. The dwarf led her to the rest of the group, the first of the group she saw was Fili and Kili. They waved at her and she blew them a kiss making the blush and her laugh silently. Gently she pulled her arm form Bifur's, planted a small kiss on his cheek and went off to sit between her cousins. They hugged her tightly making her squeak softly. They didn't hear her of course, the music was louder than her small noise, but she felt and light heard it.

Her hand flew to her neck before a large grin spread over her lips. No one seemed to notice her as they tried to fine meat at the table. 'Maybe… just maybe…'

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Once Rona was done eating she slipped away from the company and to a small garden. The tree's hid her from view, or so she thought. "Well little miss. What you doin' out `ere?" she looked up smiling and patted the spot next to her. Bofur smiled and sat next to her. Rona sat on her knees and motioned for him to sit closer, like she was going to whisper softly to him. He leaned forward smiling. She pulled off his hand and put it on herself smiling before taking a deep breath, "I asked…"

A.N. Cliffy! I love you all! Don't kill me! Also I had the flash back idea after I fell off of a horse a few days ago. An odd way to get a plot bunny idea but there you have it! Lol Review Review Review! ~5150