Over 1100 views! Thank you guys so much! Honestly I'm so grateful for all of you that have followed, favourited and written a review for my story! I haven't been writing for very long at all and I'm so happy that people are still enjoying this story! I know it's not the most original story but I'm trying to change it up from the usual stereotypical storyline. Thanks so much for reading and please drop a review when you've finished as it really helps me a lot and I really appreciate it!

Chapter 7 - Rivendell and Faint Memories

Aella stumbled forward as her overflow of adrenaline drained out of her muscles leaving them burning and aching along with the pain from all her new injuries which slowly began to creep up on her. Her legs shook as she stared at the floor, her eyes wide as the battle still raged on around her. The elves had rode in swords ready and arrows flying. Aella had been overrun by wargs as they had teamed up on her. When she tried fighting one another would jump on her back and claw and bite at her. Soon they had swarmed her and she was fighting to breathe whilst about ten wargs had jumped on her like a pile up... except that they were trying to rip her apart.

The elves had, inadvertently, come to her rescue as they pierced most of the wargs that were crashing their jaws at her; and the ones that weren't instantly killed were at least drawn away from Aella giving her a chance to stand back up again.

There was only a small amount of orcs left alive and, realizing that they were outnumbered hurried away from the battlefield. The elves thundered around her on their horses and ended up surrounding Aella their bows pointed at her. A very regal looking elf dimounted his horse and slowly walked towards Aella, who's wolf form came to about three quarters of the elf's height. Aella instantly felt small around them compared to when she was with the company where she was mostly taller then them if she was a wolf. The elf walked towards her slowly with his arms raised up in a sign of peace, but the rest of the elves kept their weapons aimed at her.

"I mean you no harm." Aella backed away and growled lowly at him, but her fear covered her face and her blood oozed out from the gashes along her figure, creating her normally golden and velvety fur to look scraggly and clotted.

"Aella." The elf said with a small smile. The shock of him knowing who she was caused Aella to straiten up and stop growling, but she still feared the elf.

"My name is Lord Elrond. It's been so long since we last met so I'm not surprised that you don't remember me, but you don't need be afraid. You should probably come with us and we can tend to your wounds. But you'll have to trust me, you will be safe with me Aella."

Aella glanced around at the surrounding elves who had now sheathed their weapons but were still looking down at her wounded form as if they were far more important. Images of Elrond started to flash through her mind as faint memories slowly came back to her, although she couldn't remember details.

Hesitantly Aella nodded to him and followed him and the horses away, trying to keep up with them despite her injuries. She wasn't sure she trusted him completely but she knew she should, she knew she would be safe with them so she gritted her teeth and went with it.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads, do we follow it or not?" Dwalin called to the company, but Thorin wasn't really listening. He was concentrating on what was happening outside the hidden cave. He could hear snarls and yelps all mixed in together and he couldn't decipher if it was the wargs making the noises of Aella. Until he heard a yelp clear as day followed by the hideous growls of the wargs, but the noises were quickly ended and the only noises that filled the air were the thundering of hooves and the shrieks of orcs.

"We follow it of course!" Bofur replied a hint of panic in his usually cheery and optimistic voice.

The company started filing down the passage but Thorin's feet were stuck and he was struggling to retain a strong and serious expression as he intently listened for any signs of life that wasn't an orc or elf. Gandalf clapped his hand on Thorin's shoulder dragging his gaze to the wizards.

"Aella will be fine, do not worry. And to think you didn't want her to join us at the start." Gandalf gave Thorin a reassuring smile a small chuckle and then followed down the passage. Thorin turned and began to walk when he heard it.

"Aella. My name is Lord Elrond. It's been so long since we last met I'm not surprised you don't recognize me, but you don't need to be afraid - " Thorin's face filled with horror, worry and anger all at the same time.

She knew him! If he lays a bad finger on her I... I... I don't know what I'll do but it'll be bad! I can't believe you've fallen in love with a girl and admired a girl that used to fraternize with elves! But what if he's lying, what if he hasn't met her and it's just to brainwashing her into going with them so they can do what they will with her! What if they kill her! I wouldn't put it past an elf to kill anything that they thought was prettier or more important than them. And Aella is more beautiful than any poncy elf!

Thorin's thoughts had distracted him from the elf and so he had missed the last part of the conversation. He found it incredibly hard to not run back out there and take her back from the elves but he shook his head to get rid of any thoughts of Aella. He couldn't get distracted on this quest so having her gone was probably for the better. This was a serious quest and meant the world to him and his people, he couldn't get distracted from it by a girl and a stupid love. Thorin stumbled down the passage after his company but as he turned a corner he was met by the view of a valley and the rest of his company.

Thorin only just managed to not crash into the back of Bilbo and looked at the sight in front of him.

"This was your plan all along wasn't it." Thorin turned to Gandalf "To seek refuge with our enemy."

Gandalf rolled his eyes at the stubborn dwarf by his side.

"You have no enemies here Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will you will find is that which you bring yourself."

Thorin simply ignored the wizard and continued to unload his hatred for the elves, pushing the thoughts of Aella spending time with them out of his mind. "You think that the elves will give this quest their blessing? They will try to stop us."

"Of course. But we have questions which need to be answered. If we are to be successful this will needed to be handled with tact,and no small degree of charm." Gandalf then looked at Thorin as if directing his next statement to him specifically "Which is why you will leave the talking to me."

One by one the dwarves followed the wizard down the rock steps and crossed a mall bridge to stand on a circular platform. Gandalf was met by an elf that ran down the stops to greet them.

"Mithrandir!" The elf smiled and then started to speak in elvish. Thorin stared on grumpily, he hated it when people spoke in language he didn't understand.

"Lindir! I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf said. Lindir frowned.

"My Lord Elrond is not here." The elf simply stated.

Elrond? That was the scum that took my Aella! Wait did You just say 'my Aella'? Thorin she is not yours, you don't love her. You just find her remarkably attractive and admire her skill and gift. Stop this nonsense. But if that fancy Elrond has hurt her, shit will hit the fan.

Gandalf's smile dropped but it quickly returned when an elvish horn broke the silence. As he turned he saw a long line of riders clatter over the bridge and onto the platform. Thorin narrowed his eyes at the elves and drew his sword. When all the riders turned off the bridge in pairs to continue riding around the small circle of dwarves that they had formed, Aella stepped onto the bridge, limping with her head hanging low as she panted and rasped for breath. Thorin hadn't noticed her yet, even though her form glowed brightly like an angel in a dream.

"Lord Elrond!" Gandalf cried out and embraced his old friend. They spoke in elvish briefly, probably just greeting each other though.

"Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders, something or someone must have drawn them near. But look who we found facing down a pack of wargs by herself, she is certainly still a fierce fighter and had managed to take down most of the pack by herself!" Elrond told Gandalf proudly and gestured towards where Aella was standing, her legs shaking and her head still looking at the floor.

The company looked towards where Elrond was pointing and all let out sighs of relief and some even small cheers at the return of their friend. Thorin smiled at her return and his heart lifted slightly but soon plumeted when he noticed the deep gashes and bite marks that coated her, and his temper rose.

"Yes I'm afraid that may have been us." Gandalf continued not noticing Thorin's rage until his sudden outburst.

"What did you do to her!" Thorin shouted angrily at the elf who just looked at him and then Aella with a blank expression.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain, and I assure you she will be quite alright. We will take care of her, and will heal her wounds." Thorin wanted to believe the elf was telling the truth, but realizing his outburst in front of the company he pushed his thoughts of Aella aside, he didn't want anyone to know of his feelings so tried to reply as civilly as he could.

"I do not believe we have met."

"You have your grandfathers bearing, I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain."

"Indeed, he made no mention of you." Thorin replied icily but Elrond just raised an eyebrow and announced something in elvish, which got the company a bit riled up.

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult!" Gloin pretty much growled from the centre of the company, raising his axe in Elrond's direction.

"No, Master Gloin, he is offering you food." Gandalf said in exasperation and Gloin paused before nodding.

"Well in that case, lead on." Thorin glanced at Aella who was still crouched in pain. Elrond saw Thorins expression soften but also worry as he looked at the wolf.

"Call for Arwen to tend to Miss Aella's wounds and to get her cleaned up for dinner. Im sure she'll be overjoyed when she hears who's returned." Elrond told Lindir whilst smiling at the fond memories of the two young girls playing in the gardens, and Aella coming to grips with her talent. But Thorin heard the whole thing and was about to comment but stopped himself and reminding himself that he couldn't afford to care for Aella, but in the back of his mind he couldn't help but think of her.

What does he think she is?! A pet? I hope she bites your daughters hand off, and yours come to think of it."

Aella was led down a corridor by Lindir and they walked in pleasant silence, memories flooded back to her of the place and she could remember where she was going. She even thought about telling Lindir that she didn't need his assistance anymore because she could remember where she was going. Her eyes glanced around at the walls and the memories that painted themselves on the landscape. Memories of a young girl, her best friend Arwen also returning; and as if on cue, her long-lost best friend screeched round the corner, her face beaming in delight.

"Aella! Aella it's so good to see you! I missed you so much!" Arwen cried as she ran down the hall to meet them. She knelt down and cupped the wolfs head stroking Aella's fur and ran her hand softly over the blood clots and stains. Her smile could light up a cave as she looked into her friends eyes, with tears just forming in her own.

"Thank you Lindir!" She smiled at the male elf who bowed and walked away from the pair.

"Come on lets get you cleaned up!" Arwen stood and walked a little further down the corridor to her room, Aella followed her inside and shut the door behind them with her nose.

Aella was just coming to terms with everything but was happy to see a friendly face that she knew she could trust with everything. It was like she had never left all those years ago and so instantly opened up to the elf with anything she asked.

"So? What happened to you?" Arwen asked as she set up an area and gestured for Aella to lie down. Her delicate fingers traced the gashes and wounds but lingered over the arrow. Arwen stood up and went about mixing herbs but Aella knew that she was listning.

"Orc attack. Azog came and burnt down the forest and I wasn't there to stop him because I was busy protecting a company of dwarves from trolls, which didn't end well really." Arwen looked at Aella as she crouched back down by her side.

"Drink this, it will help with the pain." Aella obeyed and drank it, whilst Arwen's hand gripped the arrow.

"Pain? What pain?" But Aella's rambling was cut short when Arwen gavethe arrow a short, sharp tug and pulled it out. Aella yelped suddenly and then realized what the pain was.

"That pain." Arwen smiled "So how did you get involved with the company of Thorin Oakenshield, I watched the arrival from my window, he seems to care for you Aella." Her smile now turned into a knowing smirk as she started to clean the wounds, with her concoctions. Aella blushed at the thought of Thorin caring for her and immediately denied it, which of course made it more obvious that there was something going on between them, even if she wasn't sure what it was.

"What? He doesn't care for me! He's a king and I'm a... a... not a queen, or worthy of being one." She added quickly looking down at the floor. "And they were traveling through the forest and Gandalf noticed me so he asked if I could help keep them safe. So I did and then ended up tagging along. Then they got caught up with some trolls whilst I was dealing with some orcs and so I kind of, turned into a dragon. Which then meant that I collapsed and turned into a human. Then Thorin asked if he could speak to me privately, and he asked me to turn back into a human because after I woke I became a wolf again. We then kind of... nevermind but then I had to go because of the fire." Aella recapped as quickly as she could hoping that Arwen hadn't noticed the bit about Thorin that she had let slide whilst she way busy cleaning her wounds so that they became neat thin lines and small puncture holes.

"Wow. Sounds like quite the adventure so far. Wait what happened between you and Thorin? Aella, spill." Arwen sat down and began tidying the medical supplies away.

"Well, we sort of... almost kissed. Like really close, lips brushing almost." Aella said embarressed but ended up laughing at the memory "But then I broke the moment by running off after orcs and a fire, I guess I kind of left him hanging." Arwen burst into laughter at the thought.

"Only you would reject the king under the mountain in such a way. Now get into the bath, we need to get you cleaned up for dinner." Then Arwen's face turned serious and she mimicked Thorin's voice "Will you turn into a human for me?" But her impression of the dwarf only lasted a short while because the pair burst into laughter, and Arwen pointed towards the bathroom after passing Aella a towel. "Here you go, I'll find you something to wear, don't drown." She smiled at her friend and shook her head good naturedly.

Aella padded into the bathroom and shut the door. It felt good to be back and her memories of the place made it feel like she never left. She was glad that Arwen was still her friendly self and that they still got on like a house on fire, even if it had been seventy five years. Aella turned into a human and gingerly stepped into the warm water of the bath, wincing as her still open wounds met the water. She knew that Arwen would work her healing magic when she got out of the water and it would be like her wounds were never there. But for the meantime she just enjoyed the feeling of the water soaking into her skin and she let her body relax for the first time since she was last here. Yes it felt good to be back.

Please Read:

Okay so I imagine that Shape Shifters have a similar life expectancy to dwarves maybe a bit more though so it needed to be a long tim ago for her to vaguley remember the place.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm so thankful for everyone that has favourited, followed and left reviews.

I love hearing what you thought of the chapter, what you think I could improve on, future ideas for the plot and if you enjoyed it so please leave me a review, I'd really appreciate it!

(hint, hint)