Ch 6: A Invitation for Dinner


Standing above the valley, the Company of Oakenshield gazed upon a hidden structure. The light shined over the buildings, glistening like the jewels of the north. "Here lies the last homely house east of the sea." Gandalf informed all.

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Gandalf assured Thorin that he had no enemies. "You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin asked in a bitter mood.

"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." Gandalf said as they began to descend to the bridge entering Rivendell.

The dwarves became very paranoid as they crossed over the passageway. Shail examined an elven statue as she passed, studying its facial features. Only her eyes shifted. Fili changed his path and walked beside her. "Don't be fooled. Elves may look beautiful to some, but they are ugly at heart to all. Even to their own." Fili whispered. She turned and scoffed in disbelief.

"How can ya judge a wolf by its blood soaked pelt?" She asked.

"Easy, it's a savage creature that hunts for fun." He answered cocky.

"You see a savage animal, but have ya ever though the kill is to feed it's pack or young?" She asked raising a brow. Fili went silent pondering the quote.

A dark-haired elf walked down a long flight of stairs greeting Gandalf, "Mithrandir."

"Ah Lindir." He smiled patting the elves shoulder. The two spoke as the others watched on. Horns echoed across the way as armed horsemen rode over the bridge.

"Hold ranks!" Thorin yelled bunching them into a tight circle. The horsemen galloped wrangling the dwarves.

"Gandalf." Another dark-haired elf called dismounting his steed.

"Lord Elrond." Gandalf bowed gracefully. The lord and wizard conversed in elvish. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near."

"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf answered as Thorin stepped forward.

Elrond looked upon the king,"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."

"I do not believe we've met." He commented.

"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."

"Indeed; he made no mention of you." Thorin insulted the elf. Elrond ignored his arrogance speaking in Elvish ."Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asked raising his axe.

"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." Gandalf translated. With a quick discussion amongst themselves they all agreed to feast.

"Would the young lady care to wash up before dinner? Change into something more comfortable?" Elrond asked stopping Shail atop the stairs.

Shail looked over as the others were escorted to the dining hall. "I don't have any other clothing...sir." She answered.

"Then will have to see you're properly dressed." Elrond said waving over three maidens. "Take lady?" He asked for her name.

"Oh, Shail my lord." She answered quickly.

"The lady Shail to be dressed for the evening feast." He commanded the maidens.

"Yes my lord." bowing they lead Shail to a fitting chamber. Thorin growled under his breathe watching them separated her from the group.


~ Shail's POV~

Standing in my undergarments I watched as the maids pulled dresses holding them against my body. "This color is lovely, but this fabric will fall nicer on you." She put a pink dress next, "Oh no, this definitely isn't for you."

"Will have to make sure that scar and tattoo are covered." The other whispered. I could hear each word leave her fair lips. My scar must be a sickening sight, elves know of beauty.

The eldest saw Shail grip onto her shoulder. "M'lady which do you prefer?"

"Me? I haven't a clue. Truth is...never wore clothes this nice." I answered running a hand along the line of soft fabrics. A dark royal blue silk dress, specks of silver shimmering threw drew my attention. "It looks like the heavens." Taking hold of the dress. "Like it was cut right from the night sky."

The eldest smiled, "If a dress could be spoken about in such beautiful words, then it was meant for you to wear." Placing the dress over Shail's stout figure it hugged nicely on her body, with a few minor adjustments. "Beautiful, you are simply elegant. Let us move to this hair."

"My hair?" I asked as they began to undo my braid. Grooming for a dwarf was only done by ones you could trust. I felt them brush out knots I had since I was a little lass. They pulled strands of locks beading pearls throughout. It had been so long since my hair laid lose. Last a elven ban was gently placed atop my head falling onto my forehead.

"The ladies and I shall go inform the lord of your arrival. Please join when you are ready." She bowed departing.

Timidly I walked over to a full length mirror. I clasped both hands over my mouth in shock. "By Durin's name. Oh my...ha, this has to be elven magic." Touching the surface of the mirror then myself not believing my own eye. As I left the room a male elf was waiting to escort.


The dwarves sat around tables in the Elven court. The meal consisted of greens, fruits, soft breads, and a fruit tarts. Bombur was the only member who wasn't bothered by the meal, after all food was food. Thorin sat at the head table of the elven lord, gandalf accompanied them. An empty chair was placed between Elrond and Thorin for the young lady. "Try it. Just a mouthful." Dori nagged Ori as he fiddled with a piece of lettuce.

"I don't like green food." Ori whined dropping the vegetable on his plate. Dwalin stuck his hands in a bowl of greens asked where the meat was at. "Have they got any chips?" Ori asked looking down the table.

A young elf playing the harp caught the eye of Kili, he gave a slight wink and cheeky smile. He turned to Dwalin stone face an unamused. "Can't say I fancy elf maids myself. To thin. They're all high cheekbones creamy skin, not enough facial hair for me." Looking around as another passed behind him,"Although, that one there ain't bad."

"That's not an elf maid." Dwlain said leaning over. Kili took a second glance seeing it was a man. Dwalin gave a wink before the company broke out in laughter. Kili laughed in embarrassment. An elf played a flute; Oin disliking the sound, stuffs a napkin in his hearing trumpet. As Elrond spoke with Gandalf about his strange traveling partners the elf informed Lindir the dwarf maiden was present.

"My lord the she dwarf is amongst us." He spoke in elvish.

Elrond smiled seeing the she dwarf standing in the doorway. "Ah you've joined us in time. Come take a seat at the table." He called. The company turned their attention seeing Shail, the sight was one to behold. What a beauty she was. Fili couldn't take his eyes off her, Balin reached over tapping for him to escort her. Fili got up quickly and went over, holding his hand out she took hold. Walking her to the table she blushed seeing all eyes on her, she was handed over to Thorin who sat her down. "What a beautiful dress." Elrond complimented.

"Thank ye mah lord." She bowed her head as they place down a plate.

"Yes, quite right." Gandalf agreed.

Thorin nodded with a charming smile taking her hand and kissing it. He then let go and continued his meal. Fili would look at her every chance he could, Ori would do the same. Balin chuckled, "Ah you youngins are smitten with the lass."

"Smitten? No no...you must be mistaken." Fili lied grabbing a handful of food and shoving it into his mouth.

"Oh, what of you Ori? I couldn't help but notice your heroic stand against the warg rider." Balin asked. Fili looked across to Ori who looked at his plate, goin to answer he was cut off by his brother.

"Ori? Smitten? Nonsense he only a lad. Besides young dwarves like her don't understand love." Dori said sipping his wine. Ori nodded then glanced back at Shail, his heart beating fast as they made eye contact. "Eat your greens." Dori said tapping his plate, Shail chuckled seeing the brothers. Looking at Fili she gave a hand jesture up and down her body seeing if her approved of the new look. Fili nodded a yes and joked flexing his arms. Shail couldn't help but laugh finding him charming, Thorin glared back at his nephew pointing for him to eat not play.

Gandalf told Elrond that the dwarves were descendents of Durin and well rounded characters. Not convinced by the wizards words he questioned why they were traveling so far. Thorin bit his tongue an excused himself from the table, Shail sighed and ate.

"Change the tone why don't ya. Feels like i'm at a funeral." Nori said picking his ear clean.

"Did somebody die?" Oin ask mishearing the insult.

"There only one thing for it lads." Bofur said stepping on top of a small table in the center of the court. He began to belt out a song. The company joined in.

There is 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 runs his bow,

A squeaking high, now purring low,

Now sawing in the middle.

So the cat on his 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.

Food was tossed around the tables making a huge mess. Kili pelted a tart at the statue beside Shail and Lindir. Bursting on impact it hit both of their cheeks. Stunned, she sat frozen. Throwing a roll next Kili hit the table tipping a glass of wine over onto her lap. The dwarves laughed seeing her jump up. "That's an improvement I'd dwarvish style tossed in." Kili laughed. The others joined in but stopped seeing her face becoming upset.

"Lass he didn't mean-" Bofur was saying til she ran off.

"Shail! Wait!" Fili called getting up from the table but she was gone. The dwarves were dismissed by lord Elrond as he, Linder, and Gandalf left.