AN: Hello all! Thank you so much for viewing and reviewing! I'm sorry that another chapter took some time. I hope you will enjoy this, from now on this story will wrap up with the events in the Hobbit 1 ja 2 movies, eventually leading up to the Hobbit 3 movie when it comes to the cinema. :)

Everything except Galarel Tirnel belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. This is made only for fun, to be enjoyed by the fans of the Hobbit.

The next morning came and Elrond insisted that Galarel would enjoy a breakfast within before departing back to Mirkwood. She gladly took it, appreciating the offer.

"I hope you will find a solution for this, complicated situation, as you described it."Elrond said and Galarel waved her hand dismissively as she replied;"I'm sure I will.. Do not worry about that, there are more pressing things at hand."

"Perhaps. But you are like a daughter to me so it is my privilege and nature to be worried about you."Elrond answered with a warm smile which made Galarel feel cared and warm inside.

"I did not say I don't appreciate it, because I do. Believe me."she said kindly and took a sip from her cup;"I truly hope Legolas will approve the bow I'm going to give to him."

"I am most certain he will. It is a unique design and one of its kind."Elrond said comfortingly.

"My lord!" a yell from the doorway interrupted their conversation.

Both of the half-elves stopped eating and turned to look at the elf standing there, it was Lindir. Behind him stumbled a scout, seemingly exhausted. Galarel felt a pinch in her stomach, /this is not good/.

"My lord. My apologies for interrupting your breakfast. Orcs has been detected near our borders, near Hidden Pass!"Lindir reported on the behalf of the scout and bowed his head, waiting for orders.

Elrond stiffened as he heard the news and wiped his mouth with a napkin before standing up;"This I have to see with my own eyes. Ready the horses, we are going there right away!"

"My lord, I will go with you."Galarel said and Elrond arched a brow;"Thank you my dear, but I can handle orcs just fine. If you are in a hurry to get back.."

"No, my lord. I insist. I know orcs are rarely near the borders of Rivendell."Galarel answered to him and Elrond nodded;"Indeed, it is. Perhaps your worry of this taint in the air is spreading."

Galarel sighed as she followed Elrond out of the dinner hall and toward the stables;"I really hope that isn't the case."

"Lindir, take care of things while I am gone."Elrond ordered and the younger elf bowed.

It was quite brief mission to carry out, as there were luckily only a pack of Orcs against fifteen elven warriors.

After scouting the area they headed back to Rivendell.

As they ascended down the road, Galarel noticed there were lots of elves on the inner yard.

/No, not elves./she thought as she noticed a tall figure standing beside them, dressed up in grey.

They rode through the gates and reached the inner yard, riders circling these guests they seemed to have gotten while they have been on a mission.

Galarel's eyes widened up as she realised they were dwarves, and she noticed that the tall one wearing a grey cloak had a long staff and a pointy hat. And his face revealed for him to be old. /He must be Gandalf.. I have not seen him since I was a little girl/she realized.

She saw Lindir standing at the end of the stairs near Gandalf, and nodded at him when his eyes met hers.
Lindir nodded back, his expression was a mixture between confusion and worry. Rivendell rarely had dwarves as guests.

Galarel felt a smile appearing on her lips as she saw how delighted Elrond's expression changed when he greeted his friend;"Gandalf!"

A smile spread on Gandalf's face also as he met Elrond's gaze;"Lord Elrond! Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?"

"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui."Elrond told him, and dismounted from his horse.

He walked toward Gandalf and greeted him with a short embrace. Then he turned his gaze, letting it swoosh over the dwarves as he stated with a hint of amusement in his voice;"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders."

He walked past Gandalf, handing his sword to Lindir;"Something, or someone, has drawn them near."

Galarel looked at the dwarves, they seemed to be cautious and suspicious. Tightly shoulder to shoulder and back on back, they stood in the middle of the elves.
She also noticed that among the dwarves was standing a figure, a size of a child yet face like a grown man. Bare feet. /That must be a hobbit/she mused.

"That may have been us."Gandalf said, sounding a bit sheepish, and he turned to look at the group of dwarves.

Galarel noticed one of them holding an axe in his hands, a bow attached on his back, stepped forward, and the others gave room for him. He looked a bit different from the other dwarves, he was more smooth skinned, one could say handsome, than the others. He also had trinkets on his hair and some accessories on his clothes made of silver or something similar. He stood tall although he was short compared to the elves, and he held his head high, jaw clenched tight.
/He is their leader/Galarel gathered.

Elrond looked at the dwarf and immediately stepped forward, greeting him;"Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain."

Galarel's jaw dropped open at hearing his words, this dwarf was Thorin Oakenshield, grandson of Thror.
/What is he doing here..? /she wondered, for she knew that dwarves and elves had not been in touch since the events of Erebor.

"I do not believe we have met."Thorin said and at the end of his sentence he dared to rise his eyes to look at the elven lord.

"You have your grandfather's bearing."Elrond mused as he eyed the younger man;"I knew Thror, when he ruled Under the Mountain."

"Indeed? He made no mention of you."Thorin replied, his voice dry and almost contemptuous.

Galarel's brow furrowed when she heard the words, her grip on the reins tightening; she disliked the tone of his voice. /Disrespectful./she thought as her jaw clenched.

A silence followed those words and for a moment there was growing tension in the air. Galarel knew this feeling well, it was always there before a fight begun.

But all the elves looked up to their lord, who never turned his eyes from the dwarf and after a moment decided to dismiss Thorin's insulting behaviour.

He decided to continue the conversation in elvish; "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."

One of the dwarves instantly started rambling, sounding very suspicious;"What is he saying? Does he offer us insults?!"

Galarel smirked at the reaction, for Elrond had used that tone on purpose as a response to the insulting attitude of Thorin. She had always admired Elrond's sense of humor and his smooth sarcasm. She let out a relieved breath, she really did not look forward to fight with dwarves.

Elrond and Gandalf switched knowing and amused glances and Gandalf stepped in, saying with a bit wary voice;"No, Master Gloin, he's offering you food."

After hearing that, the dwarves eyed Gandalf suspiciously and gathered in a tighter group, murmuring emitting among them.

After a while, Gloin, turned around and seemed less suspicious;"Well, in that case, lead on."

The dwarves moved eagerly up the stairs as Lindir led them toward the dinner hall. Food seemed to act as a great source of motivation when dealing with dwarves.

/
/

"As interesting as this seems, I really have to make my way back to Mirkwood. I have been away long enough already, duties awaits."Galarel said to Elrond who nodded, but Gandalf had heard her and came closer;"Mirkwood, you say? You do look familiar, young lady. Have me met before?"

Galarel looked at the old wizard and nodded a bit confused;"Mirkwood is my present home. And I believe we have met when I was just an elfling, Gandalf the Wizard."

"So it is you, Galarel Tirnel, the one curious elfling always gazing up at the starlit sky. You have grown up to a very beautiful lady."Gandalf said with a friendly smile and bowed to her.

Elrond smiled proudly as he put his hand on Galarel's shoulder;"That she has. She is the Guardian of Mirkwood these days."

Gandalf nodded and then his expression went to darker;"Then I assume you are the one who visits Radagast the Brown once in a while, he has mentioned you. I met him some days ago and he told me something I am sure you need to be informed also."

Galarel's eyes flashed with worry and she focused fully on Gandalf's next words;"He said that the outer parts of Greenwood have started to die, just like Mirkwood did a long time ago. He has seen huge spiders lurking in the borders of the forest."

Elrond's grip felt heavy on her shoulder as she managed to swallow the lump that had gathered in her throat;"..I have sensed an evil taint in the air outside the borders of Mirkwood."

Gandalf nodded and looked at her and then Elrond;"Perhaps she should stay until we have discussed of important things."

Elrond looked at Gandalf, with deep thoughts and confusion written on his forehead, then nodded;"As you wish, if you feel it is important. Galarel?"

Galarel looked at Elrond, suddenly feeling like she was not a lady but yet again, a commander;"I think I should stay for a bit longer. I will leave at evening."

Elrond and Gandalf departed to have dinner with the dwarves, but Galarel requested to take her in her old room.

Worry pounded in her chest and she wondered what was these things Gandalf wanted to discuss with Elrond.

They must concern Mirkwood for Gandalf had asked her to stay after hearing she lived there.

Elrond, Gandalf and the dwarves had gathered together after the dinner and Galarel did not have permission to take part in that meeting. It seemed dwarves were very stubborn and did not want anyone participating who weren't necessary.

She was getting frustrated and annoyed for she was aching to get answers. And aching to get back home.

The turned into an evening and Galarel was surprised to hear that Lady Galadriel had come to Rivendell and so was another wizard, Saruman the White.

It seemed these important things were truly important. She had tried to get to meet Lady Galadriel but was rudely dismissed by Saruman the White.

Galarel wondered how two wizards could be so different, Gandalf and Saruman. She did not argue for Saruman was a great wizard and she did not want to offend him. Or Elrond.

She decided to wander in the gardens of Rivendell, trying to be patient as she waited for Elrond's meeting to be over.

/

The dwarves were eating again, gathered around a fire and kept a lot of noise. Galarel wondered did they ever be quiet? Even asleep they snored, or so did the rumors say.

Galarel really looked forward being on her way to Mirkwood, the solitude and silence of her trip. And she looked forward reporting to her king. /I miss him./she admitted to herself.

She heard rustling near her and turned around, to see a young elfling peeking at the dwarves and was startled as she realized Galarel had spotted her.

Galarel looked at the girl and smiled as she recognized her;"Faerveren! What are you doing up at this hour, little one?"

The girl seemed to look ashamed but excited at the same time;"I heard they are dwarves!"

"Well, yes they are, you are quite correct. And you should be in bed, not wandering around gardens, young miss."Galarel said to her and kneeled ready to take her up, when the little girl asked;"Could you tell me about the dragon again? And the king Under the Mountain and Elvenking?"

Galarel sighed and stroke the little ones hair;"Very well. But after that you will go to sleep, alright?"

They went to sat on a bench and the girl looked at her with big eyes, full of excitement. Galarel smiled softly at the elfling, she reminded her of a time long ago, when Tauriel and Legolas had been as young and unaware of the cruel world outside, in the world. For a moment, she enjoyed that feeling. Like everything was alright.

/

"It began long ago in a land far away to the east, the like of which you will not find in the world today.

There was the city of Dale, its markets known far and wide, full of the bounties of vine and vale, peaceful and prosperous.

For this city lay before the doors of the greatest dwarven kingdom in Middle-earth; Erebor, stronghold of Thrór, King under the Mountain and mightiest of the Dwarf-lords. Thrór ruled with utter surety, never doubting his house would endure, for his line lay secure in the lives of his son and grandson.

Erebor was built deep within the mountain itself, the beauty of this fortress city was legend. Its wealth lay in the earth, in precious gems hewn from rock and in great seams of gold running like rivers through stone.

The skill of the dwarves was unequaled, fashioning objects of great beauty out of diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Jewels of all kind.

Ever they delved deep, down into the dark and that is where they found it, the Heart of the Mountain; the Arkenstone. Thrór named it the King's Jewel as he had taken it as a sign; a sign that his right to rule was divine. All would pay homage to him, even the great Elvenking of Greenwood, Thranduil.

But the years of peace and plenty was not to last. Slowly, the days turned sour and the watchful nights closed in.

Thrór's love of gold had grown too fierce, a sickness had begun to grow within him. It was a sickness of the mind. And where sickness thrives, bad things will follow.

The first and last warning dwarves heard was a noise like a hurricane coming down from the North; the pines on the mountain creaked and cracked in the hot, dry wind. The creature causing all that was a fire-drake from the North. Smaug the Dragon had come!

Such wanton death was dealt that day, for this city of Men, Dale, was nothing to Smaug. His eye was set on another prize. That prize was in Erebor, for dragons covet gold with a dark and fierce desire. They are drawn to it like moth to fire.

Erebor was lost, and has been that way to this day, for a dragon will guard his plunder as long as he lives.

It was a huge risk the Elvenking was about to do, to risk the lives of his kin against the wrath of the dragon. But because of the old anger between dwarves and elves, no help came from the elves that day... or any day since.

The Elvenking felt great sorrow for the fate or Erebor, but there was nothing he could have done. The dwarves were scattered from their former home and are looking for a way to reclaim their home once more."

She was about to continue when a sour and cold voice barked a laughter near them;"Nothing he could have done?"

Galarel was alarmed and stood up, standing face to face with the dwarf that emerged from the shadows around them; Thorin Oakenshield.

"He came long before the events of Erebor happened, with intention to aid your grandfather but was denied of that. It had been between two kings, from one king to another. He warned what the greed would summon. I am sure you're familiar with the story, you were there."Galarel stated simply and stood between the child and dwarf.

She looked at the young girl;"It's time to go to sleep now, little one. Go on. It's alright." The little girl nodded, looking a bit scared as she run off to her house.

"I am perfectly familiar with it and it seems you are not. My grandfather was well aware of the dangers!"Thorin spat the words, anger in his eyes and his posture stiff and alerted. Galarel's eyes narrowed lightly and she turned her had to look at the ranting dwarf.

Galarel had no difficulty to understand why there was hate between the two races, dwarves were seemingly very stubborn and arrogant. They could have some patience but with elves it was mostly because the were immortal and they had all the time in the world. Or at least, so it seemed to be. Dwarves were mortal.

She rose up from the bench, her height towering over the dwarf;"For a son of the king, you sure seem to lack manners and respect for your elders."

Thorin narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth ready to say what was on the tip of this tongue when another dwarf appeared from the shadows. He was looking much older than Thorin, his beard and hair a shade of pure white.

"My apologies, my lady."the older dwarf said bowing his head and scolded at Thorin;"Thorin, please. We are guests here, we should be grateful and show some respect. They gave as shelter and food."

"I have nothing against you and I offer my apologies if this story I told to an elfling offended you. I know every coin has two sides."Galarel said softly, trying to maintain a neutral tone and offered her hand;"I have seen those times, lived through them. I am from Mirkwood. Galarel Tirnel."

Thorin eyed her suspiciously, huffed at Balin and sighed with frustration or defeat when taking her hand;"Apologies.. my lady. Your looks deceived me, I would have thought you haven't even been born at that time. I am Thorin Oakenshield."

"No harm done. It is.. an honor to meet you."Galarel replied, trying to calm herself. She did not like that Thorin seemed to not respect elders and seemingly despised Thranduil. /Perhaps he is like his grandfather/she wondered sadly. As Thorin probably had no clue what Thraduil had gone through, he had no right to judge the elvenking so harshly.

He of coursw had his reasons to be angry and she also understood that the young dwarf did not probably accept what really had happened at the events of Erebor. Thrain had waived Thranduil off. He had denied help. Galarel had noticed that Thorin did not accept it to be true, but it was not her place to convince him.

"Uhh, I'm sorry lads but it is time."said another dwarf, and Galarel wondered if all the dwarves were somewhere in the darkness around her. She tensed up a little.

She also realized that it had gone silent, dwarves weren't being noisy anymore nor were they snoring. It was too silent.

"I am.. really sorry, Galarel."the older dwarf said with an apology in his eyes and Galarel felt confused, then alarmed.

Before her hand reached for her swords, she remembered they were in her room and suddenly someone hit her hard on the back of her head. She saw stars.

She cursed for herself letting her guard down and as she fell on the ground she heard the old dwarf exclaiming;"Dwalin! You were supposed to make her unconscious, not crack her skull!"

"Ahh she will be fine."was the reply before darkness surrounded her and Galarel lost consciousness.

/

"My lady? My lady, please wake up!"she heard a concerned voice calling for her and felt water being splattered on her face, then someone slapped gently her cheek.

"I'm.. awake. Please, stop doing that."she said annoyed as she felt the banging pain feeling at the back of her head. /Dwalin.. he will pay for this../she cursed in her mind, memorizing the name.

"My apologies, lady Galarel. Thank goodness you woke up, I was worried. What happened?"asked the young elf, as he helped her to sit up. It was Lindir.
He offered her a bowl filled with drink made of herbs; it would help with the pain.

Galarel took it, thanked the elf, and told him what had happened. She looked around, acknowledging that it was still evening so she must have not been unconscious for a long time. She wondered what were those dwarves up to.

Lindir vanished quickly and went to tell Lord Elrond about the situation.

The dwarves had left.

Galadriel and Saruman seemed to be in a hurry as they left Rivendell after the meeting had ended, and Gandalf too departed to catch up with the dwarves.

Galarel stood on a platform where she could see them vanishing behind the hill, where the road took them. She felt worried and uneasy. Restless.

Galarel looked at Elrond, frustration written over her face;"Could I get some answers now, my lord? Is Rivendell or Mirkwood in danger?"

Elrond sighed deeply and a mist of sadness passed his eyes, it made Galarel's heart drop and her tone soften with worry;"Please, tell me."

"Gandalf had met Radagast the Brown on their way here. Radagast had been very concerned that Dol Guldur was not abandoned although it seems to be so. He had seen huge spiders lurk at the borders of Greenwood, and they come from Dol Guldur. Whispers and rumours only, but people have spoken of a necromancer living there, the one that can raise the dead."Elrond told her slowly, letting the information to sink in.

"A... necromancer?"Galarel repeated as her mind gasped /Not again../

"So they say, and rumors tend up to include some bit of truth."Elrond nodded and his burrow frowned;"Gandalf brought to me something that Radagast had recovered from the Dol Guldur. It was an old sword, a relic from Mordor. A Morgul blade."

Galarel's eyes widened at that information;"Radagast found that from Dol Guldur!?"

"Yes. Lady Galadriel identified it to be the same one that once belonged to the Witchking of Angmar."Elrond answered, his words heavy and tone concerned.

"Saruman thinks Gandalf is overreacting. The sword had been buried with the Witchking and therefore Gandalf is probably going to travel to his tomb to make sure his remains are still there. I however think there is nothing bad in preparing and being cautious. I want you to travel to Mirkwood with haste, these news must reach Thranduil."Elrond told her and Galarel bowed her head;"Of course, my lord."

Her eyes were glimmering with anger and sadness when she looked at Elrond;"I have been away from Mirkwood for too long, it was a mistake to leave to visit here..."

"No, my dear. You will not blame yourself for there is nothing you could have done to prevent these events. If the necromancer exists, it means a grave danger for Mirkwood. And perhaps more."Elrond spoke firmly and seriously.

His face was hardened and his expression a bit wary, but only for a moment;"It was good for you to be here now, you have more knowledge of the situation to report to the Elvenking. And remember to be more cautious, there may be more orcs moving around than before. Like the ones we found near the Hidden Pass."

/

They shared a comforting embrace and said their goodbyes. Elrond waited until Galarel has disappeared from his sight, before he returned inside the house.

Galarel was lost in her thoughts, eyes set upon the lurid sunset far on the horizon. She then closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She needed to be fast as the wind and reach Mirkwood as soon as possible.

The rumors of a necromancer were just rumors, but she would feel a lot more at ease when she would be back in Mirkwood. To make sure everything was fine.

The horse neighed as Galarel commanded and urged it to speed up. It was going to be a long trip home.

R&R!

Elvish words:

Mellonnen! Mo evínedh? - My friend! Where have you been?

Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui.
- We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass.

Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin - Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.

Tirnel - Star Gazer (tirn+êl)

Faerveren - Joyous Spirit