Finding Gandalf proved to be no issue. Andrea found him sitting in an empty chair right outside of the room that the dwarves were gathered inside of. He was smoking his pipe in deep concentration. It wasn't until Andrea stood right in front of him that he broke free from the trance.
"Rosula my dear. Pray, have a seat next to me," Gandalf motioned to the seat next to him. Andrea sighed and sat down. After a minute of silence, Gandalf spoke up.
"Rosula, what is it you're not telling me?"
"Right after you told me to protect Bilbo and the company, I saw a goldfinch outside the window." Andrea then pointed to the window where she had seen the brightly colored bird. Gandalf, to her surprise, was unfazed by the revelation.
"What did the Valar assign you?" Gandalf asked with a grim tone. Andrea at first was shocked that he even knew what she was talking about, but she was pleased to know that she had one less thing to explain.
"Defender of the righteous," Andrea responded. Gandalf sighed in relief. He had been worried that she would be assigned something else. Gandalf was relieved to know that this task would not be something that she would have a difficult time grasping. It was another one of her assignments that was yet to be given to her, that troubled Gandalf greatly. He worried that he would not be able to provide Andre the proper training and knowledge to help her obtain the title.
"Very well then. Did you recognize the voice of whom gave the declaration?" Andrea shook her head.
"No, Mithrandir. It was a female though. She sounded so sad, and all I wanted to do was to comfort her." Gandalf thought for a moment, and then an answer came to him.
"It may have been the Nienna. The Lady of tears. She often grieves that the righteous die and the evil live in this world. You must be sure that you please her wishes. She is one of the more powerful queens of the Valar. I have learned much from her." Andrea nodded at new information. She was very familiar with the Vala Gandalf was referring too, but she did not know her personally.
Andrea had served her time with the Valar before she left for her training on Earth. First, she trained with Tulkas, the strongest of the Valar. He was the most warlike of all the gods. He enjoyed going to war and he didn't hate to kill people or any living creature. Andrea was upset by this, but she had learned something great from him. Tulkas had taught her to fight to defend something. Never go into a fight or into a dangerous situation without a purpose of the greater good. Even if the greater good means you have no part in it.
Next, Andrea served Este. She enjoyed the time she had spent studying with her. It was a great change. Este the Gentle, some called her. Others called her Este the Ever Young. She was youthful and full of life. She taught Andrea how to love life and live the life she was given to the fullest. In fact, Gandalf had too served her. It was a great privilege for the both of them.
Andrea also served the great Orome, the Huntsmen of the Valar. He had perfected her skills in swords and archery. To her surprise, unlike Tulkas, he didn't enjoy killing. This was something that Andrea admired about him, and tried to imitate. He only killed for the benefit or protection of others. He would kill a monster to prevent it from terrorizing a village, or kill a deer so that a family would have something to eat. Whenever he took her on a hunt with the other Maia training with him, he would have them all say a silent prayer to Nienna to gain forgiveness fromm the Vala of grievance. Andrea's time training with Orome was the longest she had spent with any of the other Valar.
Because of her time and success with each of the Valar, Middle-Earths creator, Aule, had her take on the life of an elf in Middle Earth. This way, she could be gentle and wise, strong and swift, and skilled in fighting for the right reasons.
She had never served Nienna, which is why she didn't recognize the voice inside of her head while in the foyer. Gandalf looked down at his boots in deep thought.
"Yes, so the council was correct."
"What? You knew? Gandalf, you know about the Valar assigning what I'll patron?"
"Well, of course. If I didn't know, then how could I help you fulfill what the Valar have decided you to do. Without this knowledge, I cannot allow you to complete the tests that the Valar have set up for you to pass." Andrea felt stupid. Of course he knew.
"Do you know what I will or could be patron of?" Andrea asked. Gandalf nodded.
"I do. And do not think that for a second that I would tell you here in this hallway. The dwarves don't even know you aren't a full elf! No Rosula, I will not tell you unless I am asked by another, and even then I can only reveal a skill that has to be developed." Andrea sighed, defeated.
Next, she heard a low hum from the other room. She turned to Gandalf to see him in a deep thought once more. She thought it best not to disturb him anymore. Andrea got up from her seat and walked into the other room.
All the dwarves moved there and were smoking their pipes. They were also humming a low, deep tone from the depths of their throats. How Andrea loved to sing, but she thought against joining them. She had no desire to look uncouth by singing a song she did not know. Instead, she stood against the wall, between Dwalin and Balin.
Not the best position.
Andrea didn't care what the two of them thought of her. The two older dwarves gave a side glance towards her, but then ignored her.
Thorin, who was standing at the mantle, began to sing a low, harmonious tune. It was beautiful. His voice made her almost slip away from all thought and time. She was only just able to listen to the words of his song, and realize that it was sung about the destruction of homes and lives.
The other dwarves joined in the singing, and Andrea sighed. They all seemed so close to one another. She was almost happy to be a part of this whole adventure. Even if they didn't like her yet. But they would. She had faith that they would. These are the people who will help her attain her goal.
When the song finished, the dwarves began to get settled for the night.
"Sleep now while you can. This will probably be the most comfortable sleep you all will have in a very long time," Thorin spoke to them all.
Andrea decided that she would not ruin their last night. Besides, she wanted to rest else were. She walked out of the room and to the door. Before she left, she met Gandalf's questioning eyes.
"I'm sleeping outside tonight. At the top of the Hill." He nodded and went off into yet another room. Andrea then stepped outside and inhaled the fresh air. Though she enjoyed her form as an elf, she was still getting used to sleeping. In fact, elves never seemed to sleep at all. They slip into a memory or a thought as they rested. Andrea wasn't even a full elf yet, so she had an even more difficult time trying to rest. She found it easier, and more comfortable, when she was outside. The company being at Bag End was a convenient excuse for her leaving.
Andrea climbed up the side of Bilbo's house and onto the "roof." At the top, there was a large tree and a chimney. She then sat underneath its shady branches and closed her eyes. Elves sleep with their eyes open, but Andrea was just taking things one step at a time.
