Keith, Gandalf, Bilbo, and 13 dwarves went through a passage to a valley with magnificent architectures.
"It's magnificent," Keith muttered.
"The Valley of Imladris. In the common tongue, it's known by another name," Gandalf introduced the place.
"Rivendell," Bilbo spoke as he knew the name.
"Here lies the Last Homely House East of the Sea," said the wizard.
"This was your plan all along. To seek refuge with our enemy," Thorin spoke in a bitter tone.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself," Gandalf spoke clearly to the dwarf prince.
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us," Thorin spoke as he did not trust the elves.
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact. And respect. And no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me," the wizard spoke clearly and led Thorin's company in.
After they crossed a bridge, an elf approached them, "Mithrandir."
"Ah. Lindir," Gandalf recognized him.
The elf spoke in a language to Gandalf that the dwarves and V.S.S.E. agent did not understand.
The wizard knew elvish language and spoke to Lindir in common tongue, "I must speak with Lord Elrond."
"My Lord Elrond is not here," said Lindir in common language.
"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked and there was a horn.
A large battalion of horse-riding elves began crossing the bridge and Thorin ordered, "Close ranks!" Bofur pulled Bilbo in while the others gathered in formation as the riders surrounded them. Keith did nothing as he had no quarrel with the elves whereas the dwarves snarled at the elven riders.
"Gandalf," said the leader of the battalion in common language.
"Lord Elrond," the wizard recognized him and then spoke in elvish.
Elrond spoke in elvish to Gandalf as he dismounted then gave the wizard a hug. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near. We've also heard noises that we've never heard before," Elrond spoke in common language.
"That may have been us. The noises come from the weapon of Keith Martin," Gandalf pointed his hand to the V.S.S.E. agent.
Elrond turned to the man, "Welcome to Rivendell, Keith Martin."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond," said Keith.
"You don't have to thank me now," said the elf leader as there wsd more to offer to him. 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.
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.
When Keith went throughout the sanctuary, the elves stared at him.
In a dining hall, Thorin and company were given fruits and vegetables for supper.
"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 impressed, "Where's the meat?"
"Have they got any chips?" Ori asked.
"The elven cuisine is good," Keith made a complement as he enjoyed the supper and the music.
"Kind of you to invite us. Not really dressed for dinner," said Gandalf as he, Thorin, and Elrond were heading towards the dining hall.
"Well, you never are."
Keith 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 Keith and the other dwarves to laugh.
After they were seated, Elrond checked the elven swords Gandalf took from the troll hoard. "This is Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. A famous blade forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. 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.
"13 Dwarves, a Man, and a Halfling. Strange traveling companions Gandalf," Elrond commented.
"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."
"There's nothing wrong with the music," said Keith.
"Is somebody dying?" Oin asked.
"No one is dying," said the V.S.S.E. agent.
"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. The man, Elrond, and Lindir look surprised and spoke nothing about it.
Keith, 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 Keith.
"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.
"Who else can we turn to? Let Lord Elrond read the map," said Keith.
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 Keith, Gandalf, Bilbo, Thorin, and Balin to a table made by something Keith 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.
The next day, Keith came across a shrine holding a tray that held shards of a sword and looked at a painting of a battle where a man was holding a piece of the broken sword facing an armored figure. He looked out from a balcony, "It's sure beautiful from up here."
"Not with your friends?" it was Elrond.
"Yeah."
"I heard a lot about you and the … V.S.S.E. It sounds like you have been fighting evil back in your world."
"That's what the V.S.S.E. is made for. We'll never what evil will arise in our world."
"We never will. You're welcome to stay here."
At night, Keith overheard a conversation between Gandalf and Elrond.
"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.
"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 also.