Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in a couple of weeks, real life got in the way. It was the end of the quarter for me, so I had final papers and projects that were due.


As the Company made their way down into the valley, toward the large estate nestled at the foot of the valley, and the terror of the pursuit by the orcs and wargs faded, Magnolia's body began to ache. It was true that the fresh, clean air of the valley had caused some of the mind-numbing exhaustion to ebb away, but the air did nothing to alleviate the pain of strained muscles, bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Her shoulder stung and burned where it had scraped against the floor and walls of the hidden passage, and the countless bruises that littered her body after the ordeal with the trolls and being flung down into the hidden passage ached and throbbed.

As the Company crossed a bridge that ended in a courtyard of sorts, Magnolia began to feel truly small, not an uncommon occurrence, since Magnolia was small, even for a hobbit, but here in Rivendell she felt positively tiny. She had encountered Men occasionally on visits to Bree to fetch medicines for her mother when she was still alive, and she had read about elves and Rivendell in books borrowed from Bilbo, but reading about something was quite different from being faced with it in person. She began to fidget as she walked, wringing her shredded apron in worried hands. Fili sensed her anxiety and sent a reassuring smile her way, grabbing her hands away from her apron.

"Don't worry, Magnolia. We'll not let these dirty elves harm you," he said, dropping her hands.

While Fili was trying to calm Magnolia's nerves, Gandalf had been greeted by a very stately elf.

"I need to speak with Lord Elrond. Where is he?" the wizard asked.

"My Lord Elrond is not here," the elf replied. Before he could say anymore though, horns sounded nearby, the same horns the Company had heard while they were in the hidden passage. A group of mounted and armored elves rode into the courtyard, banners streaming. They began circling the Company, forcing the dwarves and hobbits to huddle together. The dwarves drew their assorted weapons at Thorin's orders, and Magnolia watched everything with wide, frightened eyes.

The elf wearing the finest, most extravagant armor dismounted his horse and embraced Gandalf as an old friend. The two Big Folk were speaking Elvish with each other, leaving the other members of the Company to wonder about the content of their conversation. When Lord Elrond turned his attention to the thirteen dwarves and two hobbits in his domain, the tone of his voice caused a murmur of outrage amongst the dwarves.

"What did he say? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin demanded. Gandalf rolled his eyes, exasperated that the dwarves were so quick to assume the worst.

"No, Master Gloin, he is offering you food!" the wizard replied. At the mention of food, Magnolia's stomach gave an audible growl, causing the nearby dwarves to begin laughing. Even the corners of Lord Elrond's lips turned up faintly. Magnolia simply flushed the color of a beetroot in embarrassment.

"Well then, that seems to settle it. If you would follow Lindir, you may adjourn to the dining room for dinner, I will join you shortly," Lord Elrond said graciously, a hint of laughter coloring his voice.


While the dwarves of the Company complained about the lack of meat in the meal provided by Lord Elrond, Magnolia began fidgeting self-consciously. She had heard Gandalf joke with Lord Elrond, apologizing for not being dressed for dinner, but the state of Magnolia's clothes was dreadful. She kept tugging on the torn shoulder of her chemise, half hoping it would magically mend itself, and her skirt was in tatters. She glanced around at the elegantly dressed elves, and felt even smaller and more out of place.

At the High Table, where Lord Elrond sat with Gandalf and Thorin, they were speaking of the two swords they had found in the troll-hoard.

Taking Thorin's blade, Elrond unsheathed it partially, examining it. "This is Orcrist, the Goblin-Cleaver, a famous blade. It was forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well," the elf-lord said, passing the sword back to Thorin. He turned his attention then to the sword Gandalf presented to him, "This is Glamdring, the Foe-Hammer. It was made for the King of Gondolin. Although I wonder how came you by these swords They were thought to be lost long ago. Where did you find them?"

"In a troll-hoard, near the Great East Road, if you'll believe it!" Gandalf answered quickly. Thorin glowered at the wizard.

"And what where you doing on the Great East Road? Where are you traveling with thirteen dwarves, and two halflings, especially when one of the halflings is a maid wearing little more than rags. What is your purpose with her?" the elf lord asked imperiously. Once again, Gandalf answered quickly, before Thorin could take or offer offense.

"I can answer your second question more easily. The lass' name is Magnolia Bramblevine. Her mother was a kind soul who unfortunately passed away several years ago. Her father and elder brothers mistreated her, they are the reason her clothes are in such a poor state. As you know, dwarves cannot abide by the mistreatment of women, regardless of race, and so they invited her to travel with them, asking nothing of her, and offering little, other than a chance for safety," the wizard explained. Lord Elrond's eyes widened ever so slightly at Gandalf's tale, twitching his gaze to Thorin, who gave a small nod, confirming that what Gandalf said was true.

"I would be most obliged to you, Lord Elrond, if you could help to procure some new clothes for the lass. She mentioned that she has not had new clothes in several years, and she should not have to travel in rags," Thorin said, surprising both the elf-lord and the wizard.

"Gladly, Master Dwarf. I shall ask my seamstresses to begin working on new clothes for Mistress Bramblevine immediately. In the meantime, I believe my daughter might still have a dress or two from her childhood that should fit," Lord Elrond responded.


After dinner, Magnolia got separated from the Company as they were shown to their quarters while they were guests of Lord Elrond's, and she became quite lost.

"Would you happen to be Magnolia Bramblevine?" a gentle voice behind her asked. Magnolia spun quickly, startled, coming face to face with a beautiful elf-maiden with dark hair and kind grey eyes. Magnolia nodded shyly, and the elleth smiled.

"My name is Arwen. My father has asked me to help you get cleaned up. Would you please come with me?" she asked, offering her hand to Magnolia in friendship. Cautiously, Magnolia took the extended hand, and followed Arwen through the winding corridors of the Last Homely House.

Finally, the two young women reached a set of large doors. Pulling them open, Arwen ushered the hobbit-lass into some richly appointed chambers.

"These are my personal rooms, when I am here. If you would like, there is a bath waiting through that door, and I shall see what I can do about something for you to wear." Walking toward the indicated room, Magnolia marveled at the size of the bathing room. The bath alone could have easily fit three full grown elves, it was practically large enough for the hobbit-lass to swim in, and it was full of steaming water covered in a thick layer of perfumed bubbles. Nervously, Magnolia stripped off her ragged clothes before carefully entering the warm water in the bath. She sighed as the heated water soothed her aching muscles, although it did sting her scraped shoulder a bit. Grabbing a nearby cloth, Magnolia soaped it up and began running the cloth over her body, hissing when it passed over her shoulder.

Magnolia next went to work on her hair. She dunked her head backwards in the water, before grabbing a bottle that smelled of her namesake flower. Pouring some of the soap into her hands, she worked it into a lather, and tried to run her sudsy hands through her hair. She was dismayed though, that even though she took care to comb her hair every day, there were still places where her curls were matted and grimy. She dunked her head again, and found a comb near the bottles of soaps. As she began trying to run the comb through her hair, Arwen came into the bathing room. The elleth gracefully knelt by the side of the tub and took the comb from Magnolia's hands.

"Here, please allow me to help you," she said quietly, beginning to gently comb out Magnolia's wet hair. The hobbit lass quickly relaxed, glad the thick bubbles on the surface of the water preserved her modesty. She might be traveling with dwarves, and Arwen might be an elf-maid, but Magnolia was going to try and maintain some semblance of respectability.

Under Arwen's ministrations, Magnolia's curls were soon untangled, and the hobbit-lass was able to finish with her bath. She soaped her hands again, and lathered her hair several times, glad to wash away nearly two months' of grime. Magnolia rinsed her hair clean of the soap, and she saw another bottle by the side of the tub. Reaching for it, she saw that the contents were thicker than soap, and almost creamy in consistency. As she was examining the mysterious bottle, Arwen re-entered the bathing room, arms full of drying cloths and a few ceramic jars.

"That is used for softening the hair. You could try it, if you would like," the dark haired elf explained. Magnolia was curious about the substance, so she poured a small amount into the palm of her hand and ran it through her hair.

"It works best if it is combed through," Arwen suggested, handing Magnolia the comb from earlier. The cream was quickly distributed through Magnolia's thick curls, and just as quickly it was rinsed away. The water had begun to chill by this point, so Magnolia asked Arwen to turn away while she got out of the bath. Arwen had laughed lightly, but agreed, holding up a very large drying cloth for Magnolia to wrap herself in.

After Magnolia had gotten herself mostly dry, Arwen handed her a simple white linen shift. Since it was meant to be worn underneath a dress, it had no sleeves, and so Magnolia's injured shoulder was bared to Arwen's scrutiny.

"I have a salve made by my father for your shoulder. It will help to prevent infection, speed healing, and it will dull the pain," the elleth explained, picking up a large pottery jar, and scooping some of the contents out with a clean cloth. Arwen gently tended to Magnolia's various cuts, scrapes, and bruises, and before long Magnolia felt much better. The two young women left the bathing chambers, and Magnolia saw a dress laid out on Arwen's bed. It was small, obviously for a child, and made of a soft lavender colored linen. At Arwen's urging, Magnolia put the dress on over her shift. It was a very simple dress, but it was much nicer than anything Magnolia had ever worn. Arwen laced up the back, ensuring it fit Magnolia's small frame. Although Magnolia was still considered quite thin for a hobbit, she had surprisingly managed to gain a bit of weight on the journey, no doubt thanks to regular meals and portions comparatively larger than those of her companions. Still, the dress fit her fairly well, though it was a bit too long, pooling around her large feet. Magnolia made a note to herself to tread carefully, lest she trip and fall.

"Thank you, Lady Arwen, for your kindness this evening," Magnolia said sincerely.

"It was my pleasure, Mistress Bramblevine. Would you like me to show you the way back to your friends?" Arwen answered, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Yes, thank you. They are probably quite worried about me, since I disappeared after dinner." Arwen handed her the clasp that Magnolia had removed from her hair in the bathing room, and the two set off to meet the dwarves.

Soon, boisterous dwarvish laughter could be heard ringing through the halls.

"I will take my leave of you here. I trust that you can find your way back to your companions?" Arwen asked, before she turned to walk away.

"Yes, thank you again. Have a nice evening," Magnolia said, but the elleth had already begun the journey back through the corridors to her chambers. Magnolia followed the sounds of the laughter, and before long she was able to find the veranda that Lord Elrond had appointed for the Company's use. She stood shyly in the corner, unsure of the best way to make her presence known. Before Magnolia could do anything though, Fili happened to look up and see her. He quickly jumped to his feet, prompting the others, who looked as though they were about to try and find somewhere they could bathe themselves, to turn and look. When they saw Magnolia in her borrowed dress, skin rosy from scrubbing, and hair falling in thick, glossy curls the color of honey fresh from the comb, there were several exclamations of surprise and happiness. Several of the dwarves offered up compliments, telling Magnolia that the color of her dress suited her, or that she looked beautiful. All she could do in response was blush and murmur her thanks. Fili, for his part, looked somewhat dumbstruck at the change in Magnolia's appearance.

When the commotion about Magnolia's new dress died down, most of the dwarves and Bilbo excused themselves to go bathe. Only Fili stayed behind, keeping Magnolia company. She could see that Fili's hair looked freshly washed and braided, so Magnolia assumed that Fili did not accompany the others because he had already bathed. The two sat in companionable silence for a while, Fili tending to his various blades, and Magnolia working on her knitting. Fili was the one to break the silence, looking up his work to where Magnolia was sitting.

"I don't think I said anything before, but you truly do look lovely. Would you like me to braid your hair again?" he asked. Magnolia had looked up at the sound of Fili's voice, and she blushed at his compliment, before nodding shyly. Magnolia went to her pack and pulled out her comb and picked up the clasp that Bifur had made, and sat down in front of Fili, handing him the items. For several long moments Magnolia just enjoyed the sensation of Fili's large hands running her comb through her hair. She let her thoughts drift as he sectioned her hair, preparing to plait it. Magnolia remembered the last time he had braided her hair, surprised to realize it had only been the previous morning, rather than weeks before. Her thoughts then turned to her conversation with Ori, before Fili had warned everyone about the trolls. She wondered if Ori had been teasing her, and to her surprise, she found that she hoped very much that Ori had not been teasing. Magnolia could be impulsive at times, although those times were very few and far between, as they usually led to unpleasant repercussions from her family. She took a deep breath, encouraged by Fili's gentle hands in her hair, before she voiced her thoughts.

"Ori told me something rather interesting last night, before you came back to camp yelling about trolls nabbing ponies," she trailed off, unsure how to proceed.

"Hmm? What did Ori tell you?" he responded.

"Well, hesaidthatyouwanttocourtme," Magnolia said in a rush, her courage leaving her in an instant.

"Slow down, lass. Now what did Ori tell you that's got you so worked up?" Fili teased gently. Magnolia forced herself to take another deep breath, and she let it out very slowly.

"Ori told me that because you've taken to braiding my hair, and you've always been so careful about my safety and comfort, he said that means you want to court me," she said, her voice only just loud enough for Fili to hear. Fili's hands stilled in Magnolia's hair and there was no sound except for the twittering of birds in Rivendell's gardens below the Company's veranda. The tense silence dragged on, and finally Magnolia could not take the awkwardness.

"Of course, Ori was teasing me. I should have just kept my fool mouth shut. What could someone like you, a dwarf and a warrior, possibly want with a useless lump of a hobbit like me?" Magnolia vaguely realized that she was rambling, but she couldn't let the awkward silence return. Fili's hands had left her hair, the plait unraveling by the second. Magnolia was still talking, but she wasn't at all aware of what she was saying, it was utter nonsense. Fili's quiet voice broke through her babbling.

"Ori wasn't teasing you," Fili said as he moved in front of Magnolia, her mouth snapping shut. He took her hands in his. "Ori was right, he wasn't teasing. In dwarven culture, braiding the hair of someone who is not family is seen as an overture for courtship. And you are not a useless lump of a hobbit, you are a beautiful and clever hobbit-lass, whom I would very much like to court. If it would be accepted, of course," he continued.

Magnolia blinked rapidly several times, trying to understand Fili's words.

"Ori wasn't teasing me?"

"No."

"You really would like to court me?"

"Yes, if I thought such a suit would be accepted."

"Yes," Magnolia said simply.

"Yes, what?" Fili was confused, hoping Magnolia meant what he thought she meant, but needing to be sure.

"Yes, your suit would be accepted." Magnolia was smiling at Fili, both shy and pleased at the same time.

"When the others return we will need to ask Thorin's permission, with the others as witnesses, before anything can be official, so for now I will leave your hair unbound, for if he agrees then I shall plait a courtship braid into your hair."


When the other members of the Company returned to the veranda some time later, they saw Magnolia leaning her head on Fili's shoulder, his arm around her waist. Magnolia was clearly asleep, but only just. The other dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf were startled at the intimacy displayed between Fili and Magnolia, but Thorin and a few of the more observant members of the Company were not entirely surprised at the turn of events. Thorin cleared his throat loudly, getting Fili's attention, and at the blond dwarf's startled jerk, Magnolia's as well.

"Care to explain yourself, nephew?" Thorin asked.

"Uncle, I would like to ask your permission, and that of our companions, to court Magnolia. I have asked her, and she has accepted, but in accordance with our customs we will not continue without permission. Do you grant it?"

Thorin and the others were silent for long moments, but Bilbo, Bofur, Ori, and Gandalf were already smiling expectantly, although Bilbo did not fully realize the significance of Fili's question.

Finally, Thorin broke the silence. "Truthfully, I have been watching you both for some time now, and I was waiting for you to approach me. Although I had hoped that you would wait until after we have reclaimed our Mountain. Fili, do you understand that if I grant my permission you will be responsible for Mistress Bramblevine, protecting her, providing for her, treasuring her, and teaching her, and you will not let this interfere with your duties as my heir or to deter you from spirit and purpose of this quest?"

"Yes Uncle, I understand."

"Very well. Mistress Bramblevine, Magnolia, do you understand that if I grant my blessing, then you will be responsible for caring for Fili, guiding him, treasuring him as he will treasure you, teaching him, and supporting him as not only your betrothed, but as my heir to the throne of Erebor, and that this is not to interfere with the spirit and purpose of our quest?" Thorin asked.

"Yes, Sir, although I think I will need to learn much about dwarvish culture to best support Fili and guide him," Magnolia answered, quietly. All attention then turned back to Thorin, awaiting his judgment.

"Balin and Fili will instruct you in our ways, when they have the time. I have heard the sincerity in your voices. Do any of the dwarves gathered here, or others, have any reason why these two should not be allowed to embark into courtship?" No one voiced any objections, and the air took on a palpable quality of excited expectation.

"Very well, if there are no objections, I grant my blessing and permission upon you both. Fili, you may add the first courtship braid to your intended's hair," Thorin said solemnly, before allowing his face to be split by a broad smile. Indeed, everyone was smiling, and Fili reached into his coat and retrieved a pouch of beads etched with his personal insignia. Picking one of the beads, Fili took a small section of hair from above Magnolia's left ear and began weaving the strands together. Fili sealed the end of the braid with his bead, and wrapped Magnolia in a tight embrace, which she happily returned.

"Fili, do I have to braid something into your hair, because I have nothing," Magnolia asked quietly.

"No, lass. Only the one being courted wears courtship braids. That bead on the end shows that I am the one courting you, but when we marry we will both wear marriage braids," he explained, equally quietly.

"I see. Thank you for explaining that to me," Magnolia said. Fili then gently turned her face toward him and pressed his lips to hers. It was a chaste kiss, but it left Magnolia's face burning and the several members of the Company began teasing the pair. It died down quickly though, as everyone settled in to sleep. Magnolia was genuinely surprised she had managed to stay awake as long as she had, but she could feel the utter exhaustion from earlier returning, and she laid down in her bedroll, sleep claiming her quickly. Fili laid himself beside his hobbit-lass, and wrapped his arm possessively around her middle, before following her into sleep.

Author's note part II: I decided to split Rivendell into two chapters, because this chapter was so dialogue heavy and the next one will be too, I thought it would get a bit unwieldy. The next chapter will finish up Rivendell, and I don't think it will be very long, but dwarvish and hobbitish courtship customs will be explained. After that, things are going to get dark. Thought I'd warn everyone now. One more chapter of fluff, basically, then things start getting thrown at the Company.