DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HOBBIT
The first sight of Rivendell took away all the nervous fluttering of Bilbo's nerves. While the places he had visited during his adventures never faded from his memory; Rivendell held a special place. All the others had somewhat lost their glamor and charm over the long years but Rivendell; Rivendell never lost any of that. It was kept as fresh and un-faded as he beheld it now. And when he took a deep breath of the woody smells drifting up from the Last Homely House he felt was if he had at long last come home. Frodo looked up at him.
"Is that Rivendell Uncle Bilbo?" he asked his voice held the same awe that Bilbo felt.
"Yes it is Frodo lad," Bilbo said looking down at the small hobbit sitting in front of him, "that is Imladris. The Last Homely House; where Lord Elrond and his kin lives."
"Indeed it is so," Gandalf said smiling down at them from his seat astride the magnificent steed Shadowfax, "And you Frodo Baggins will be one of the few hobbits that is privileged to be hosted by Lord Elrond."
Bilbo patted the side of the smaller Mearas that they were seated on. Bilbo usually had allergic reactions to horse hair. A very unpleasant fact he had to deal with when he had gone on first set of adventures. So when Gandalf had brought the Mearas to meet them Bilbo was adamant to not be seated on a living allergy trigger. It took Gandalf and Frodo a great deal of reasoning and even some threats. It finally went down to if Bilbo did get on the horse that he would be left behind to find his own way to Rivendell. And while Bilbo did not believe that they would leave him for a second; it was Frodo's pleading blue eyes and the soft; "Please Uncle Bilbo," that got Bilbo to climb onto the back of the copper coloured Mearas. Frodo had been happily placed to sit in front of Bilbo. Bilbo whipped out his handkerchief ready to begin sneezing over Frodo, but to his great surprise he did not have one sniffle.
Gandalf who was watching Bilbo's astonished face, had broken out into a merry laugh.
"Shadowfax and his kin are no mere horses Master Baggins," he said before speaking to Shadowfax and his kin. "Come my friend," Gandalf had said reaching to caresses the strong neck of Shadowfax, "Take us Rivendell as fast and as safely as you can. We have hobbits on the ride now so we shall have to take care of them."
Shadowfax had looked right at Bilbo and Frodo and Bilbo could see the wild wisdom that was in that horse. 'No' he had thought, 'Shadowfax and his kin were not ordinary horses at all.' Then with a whinny they were off. It was like riding the wind. Not unpleasant but certainly breathtaking. They had passed quickly over any and all kind of terrain. Hillocks, plains, rocky roads; they all meant nothing to the feet of the Mearas. Day and night had blurred together as if in a mist. They had stopped to eat every now and then but for once Bilbo did not care what he had to eat or to see what the land was like. Riding the Mearas was now his new adventure and he wanted to enjoy every minute of riding these living winds. Then without warning the adventure was over and another begun. They had arrived at Rivendell.
Gandalf took the lead down the slopes of the valley that led down into Rivendell. Bilbo kept his eyes fixed on elvin buildings that were growing closer with each step. Frodo on the other hand was turning aboutin his easy trying to drink in all the sights with his little eyes.
"Uncle Bilbo, he breathed, "I can't see everything." Bilbo understaood what he meant.
"You won't be able to Frodo," he said leaning to kiss the top of his younger cousin's head, "Even if you live here for hundred years of a thousand, you won't see all of it."
Frodo nodded and sat fidgeting with excitement as they crossed the small path that hung over a deep crevice and entered the broad courtyard of Rivendell. A tall slender man was waiting for them at the bottom a staircase that led from the city itself.
"Gandalf," he said in a deep melodic tone and opened his arm wide, "Welcome back my old friend. I see you have brought friends."
"Lord Elrond," Gandalf greeted with a bow after he had slipped off Shadowfax . He walked up and the two clasped each other by the arms and Biblo saw the looks of fondness that passed between them. Bilbo absently wondered how Gandalf and Elrond had met each other and how it was that they became friends. Then the elf's gaze turned to them.
"Greetings to you again Master Baggins," he smiled at them, "I see that your journey back was safe and you are well. I hope that you had a good trip."
As he spoke several elves glided down the stairs and came to help them down. Frodo was standing looking open mouthed up at the tall graceful figures. Bilbo caught small smiles on the faces of one or two elves as they took in Frodo's gaze.
"We did have a good trip, Master Elrond," Bilbo sound, "I thank you for the hospitality that you had shown to me in the past and as of now." Elrond smiled bigger at him and bowed his head to him.
"You are most welcome Master Bilbo," Elrond said, "We have food prepared for you. Gandalf what of your steeds?"
"They will take their leave," Gandalf said and he turned to bow to Shadowfax, "May your return be safe. I thank you and your kin for your services." Bilbo and Frodo also bowed to the Mearas that had carried them. With a snort Shadowfax and his kin turned and swift as a shadow they ran up the pass and disappeared.
"Now then," Gandalf said, "Let's get on to the eating shall we?" Elrond smiled again and led them up the stairs.
