Another chapter, yay! I apologize if the storyline has been going slow. Things are about to pick up (hopefully).
The arrival of the dwarves had been rather, well, okay in truth it was chaos with high tension and hatred, though the elves had been pleasant enough toward their guests. Dinenloth had not been present for the arrival. Her first appearance before the entire company was at their first elven meal. It had been Gandalf who introduced her to the company.
"Here in Imladris she is known as, Lady Míweth. However, when I first met her three years ago, she introduced herself as Misteth. It is the name she goes by beyond these walls."
Elrond lifted an eyebrow at the name and stared at his daughter. 'So she believes herself to be lost to both family and herself. Hm, a most fitting name. But by your journey's end I know you shall be no longer be lost. The time is quickly approaching when the little, frail plant shall search for strong, rich soil so it can grow to become a tree capable of aiding many."
They wondered at her as took in her beauty and sadness. In regards to her beauty Biblo immediately connected her with nature, being the same as all other Hobbits who love the earth. He felt deeply honored yet unworthy to be in her presence. A Hobbit such as he in the presence of one who was like the embodiment of Earth and Nature.
Without thinking Biblo stood from his spot and headed toward the maiden. He gave his best bow to her.
"Hello, I am Biblo Baggins of the Shire."
Míweth gave him a small smile. Those closest to her noticed she lacked a bit of light. "Well met at last. I have heard of you and of the Shire from Gandalf. Perhaps when our journeys are over, I shall venture into the Shire and see the beauty that Gandalf has spoken of."
Biblo's eyes lit up at the prospective opportunity of giving her a tour. "Oh, if it is your first time, I would be honored to show you the entire Shire and the most absolutely must see places!"
Dinenloth gave a questioning gaze at Gandalf, who shrugged and emptied his mug. She slowly nodded. Biblo barely stopped himself from jumping in ecstasy. For him it was like receiving the present he always wanted for birthday. He hurried back to his seat and merrily continued his meal. She watched him the rest of the meal, giving a few quiet giggles.
Gandalf raised both eyebrows at the female. Since traveling with her, not once had he heard a noise of merriment nor songs. To hear it now rather surprised him.
Elrond caught the wizard's expression. Immediately, he knew that his daughter had reverted back into her old self. She had not mentioned that nor showed she had when she spoke of her travels with Gandalf. Within he once again burned with anger at Thranduil's continued foolishness. He really needed to visit Greenwood and bring it's king back to his proper mind.
Celebrian sighed at the hidden tension building within her husband. She knew exactly what was on his mind. A sudden change of song with added vocals and dance jolted her and Elrond from their troubles.
Deciding the meal was getting boring midway, the dwarves thought it best to liven things up with a song of their own. They did achieve the liveliness but it brought mess, few broken dishes, shocked elves, and bit of chaos. The meal ended upon completion of the song.
Lindir had the unfortunate task of showing the dwarves around Imladris. The dwarves themselves decided to drive to the poor elf crazy with their antics. Bilbo did his best to ignore the dwarves and pay closer attention to what their guide said and showed. Imladris is afterall his first elven city to be in. So no dwarves were going to disrupt this chance! Erestor passed his friend, giving only a glad smile and shoulder pat while humming a merry tune. Lindir swore to give Erestor a portion of his chaos in the near future.
It wasn't long before the group heard a soft melody drifting their way. Out of curiosity the dwarves and hobbit searched for the singer. Lindir allowed them passage and simply remained behind the group. What or rather who they found was Míweth sitting in the midst of a small garden singing to the flowers.
The dwarves thought it strange she would be singing to a bunch of plants, though they believed all elves were strange. Biblo found it appropriate. Thorin didn't find it as strange as his companions when Gandalf imparted some knowledge on the female.
As they continued watching, the next sight caught them by surprise. All of them were unsure if it were their eyes playing a trick, a trick of the sunlight, or reality. Not only the flowers surrounding her but other nearby plants softly glowed. They then saw the flowers gently wave as if a breeze had blown by.
All too soon for them, she finished singing. Míweth stood and glanced at the group. She spoke not a word but only bowed and quietly left.
The company still stunned, bowed in response. A blink left them with the sensation of waking from a dream.
"What just happened?" Dori asked.
"Did we dream that up?" was Fili's question.
Kili shook his head. "I hope not."
Lindir decided to speak. "Twas not a dream."
"She cast a spell on us all," Thorin said angrily once his mind cleared.
"She did no such thing!" Bilbo defended.
Lindir smiled at the Hobbit. The dwarves turned to stare at him.
"And what makes you say that?" Gloin asked.
Bilbo flustered as he tried explaining. "I-I don't know! It's just that she doesn't seem like the type to do such things!" He paused. "Besides, she seemed so sad about something or several things." Here Lindir raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how to describe it. I just saw it in her eyes and I could feel the same. It was like . . . like she had lost lots of precious things or people. From that loss she felt sorrow. There was also pain, deep pain and sufferings. When I felt all of that, I felt as if an unbearable burden had been placed upon my back and I also felt like crying because it hurt too much."
"What you have seen, little Hobbit, is but a glimpse of her life."
Everyone now turned to pay attention to Lindir.
"She has been through much which should never had occurred. The people of Imladris would do anything to keep her from any more suffering, especially Lord Elrond and his household. "
"Why is that?" questioned Thorin.
"She is like a second daughter to him." Lindir told the story, leaving out details of her first name, Greenwood, and her family. By the end, everyone sorted out their thoughts concerning Míweth.
"Why was it that she spoke to me when we first met?" Thorin wondered. "If what you said is true, should she not have spoken if she did not trust me?"
Lindir nodded. "It is true, however in times past, there have been times she has forced herself to speak whether in respect or politeness. With help from many, she managed to speak comfortably to strangers. It is only at the meal did I notice, as well as the others, that she had regressed into her old self for the last three years."
Thorin thought back to the meeting. "So why speak if she once again feared?"
Lindir grinned at the dwarf lord. "Is it correct that she will travel with you at times?"
Everyone looked to Thorin in surprise. Thorin grumbled at the reminder. "That is correct. Gandalf had a crazy idea for her to travel with us, but she has her own journey and won't be able to travel with us the entire time.
"To gain, one must earn. It is known that there has never been much trust between our peoples. If she wishes to gain your trust, then she is willing to do anything to earn it first. Once you trust her will she then trust you. For her, trust is what she depends upon. She has lived upon it since being taken in. To break her trust will shatter her. Like a child having complete trust in his parents until that trust is broken. That child fears to trust again and wishes not to get feel that hurt again, should the another event repeat itself.
So when you first met her, she pushed past her fear and spoke with you. Trust is needed amongst traveling companions." Lindir looked at Biblo. "The same was with you at the meal. It may not have been noticeable to you, but those close to her saw it within her eyes. She lacked the light that normally shines within her eyes. She was hesitant to speak to you."
Biblo's shoulders sagged. "Does that mean she meant none of what she said? It was only out of politeness?"
Lindir laughed. "Nay! She meant every word!"
Energy surged through the Hobbit and a smile replaced the frown. "She did!? Then I shall find her and tell her all about the Shire right now, so that she'll be all the more eager to see it! At least this way she won't have to worry about talking as I will do enough talking for the both of us."
With that all watched Bilbo Baggins run with childlike energy in search for the elf maiden.