Hey guys! So I have finally released a new chapter! Hurray! I've been busy with life and haven't been writing as much as I would like, not to mention that I was having a hard time writing this one. But I promised a new chapter a few weeks ago and was feeling bad that I hadn't done it when I said I would so I finally kicked my ass into writing. Now this one isn't super long but I'm hoping it will satisfy you guys until the next one, which hopefully will come out sooner than this one. Anyhow enjoy! And thank you to everyone who reads my story and continues to support me in this project! ^_^


The odd couple walked through Rivendell in compatible silence, enjoying the lamplight and quiet of the night. Annora's eyes swept over everything as they walked, trying to soak in as much of the beauty around her as she could.

"Would you care to see the gardens?" the elf inquired.

He had been so quiet that Annora jolted in surprise at his voice. She felt her face flush slightly embarrassed by her own reaction to the elf's voice. "Yes that sounds lovely," she beamed up at him. The city itself was so beautiful she imagined the gardens surely would match in splendor. They followed a winding dirt trail, through the city and down the cliff side. The entire valley glowed with an ethereal light that the elven city gave off and Annora felt as if she were walking through a dream. She wondered to herself how something so beautiful could possibly exist is a world where the dragons of old left whole cities in fiery ruins; such beauty in a world that could be as dark as the ink that flowed across an artists parchment. Her mind wandered back to the Shire and realized that it too held a beauty of its own with its lush emerald fields, wildflowers scattered across the hills like the freckles on a hobbit child's face and the warm feeling that one felt walking among the small towns filled with cheerful people. It was different than Rivendell. The elf city was calm and serene in its peaceful existence, hidden away in its secret valley.

As they reached the gardens Annora couldn't hide the grin that spread across her small face. Even in the darkness of the night the gardens were full of life; small creatures scurried amongst the foliage feasting happily on the insects that dwelled underneath the flowered canopies. Lamps lit the mass gardens and Annora could see the critters dart around, completely ignoring her presence. She moved from the elf's side, intent on observing the nocturnal activities going on and moved through the garden joyfully.

Aranel chuckled quietly to himself as he observed the young woman's movements. The woman was in the presence of one of the most beautiful gardens in Middle Earth and she had barely spared a glance at the various plants and flowers that inhabited it, instead she was very intent on the scurrying creatures whom filled the night air with chirps and squawks. Aranel shook his head humorously, he found her to be even more of a mystery than before, unique and curious in her own way. When he had first seen her, she had been a small bundle of dirt, tangled and matted hair, and blood. If it were not for the warg that he had dispatched nearby the tree that she had taken shelter underneath, he would never have noticed her. He remembered the stillness of her body and the strong copper smell of blood, fresh blood. He was sure that the woman was dead, killed by the filth that himself and his comrades had tracked down and slayed. When he had placed a hand on her still shoulder, he was startled to feel her flinch under his touch, moaning out despite her unconscious state. He never expected there to be any strength left in the tiny woman yet she had thrashed and cried out against his hand, in a fever induced panic, awakening just long enough to attempt to scramble away from him. She had only made it a few feet before collapsing into unconsciousness once again. He knew she did not remember their first encounter; there had been no recognition in her eyes when she first awoke in Rivendell's sick room and she failed to mention it in the retelling of the happenstance with the warg.

Annora turned then, cheeks flushed a pretty pink, and her grey eyes alight with life found his own blue orbs. She smiled happily and walked to stop in front of him, rocking back on her heels and hands clasped behind her back.

"There are so many fascinating little creatures running around this place and the air drifts with such sweet smells. How you manage to keep your feet from finding their way here day after day is a great achievement," she huffed, slightly out of breath.

The elf took the moment to look at her, truly look at her. She was more than a mysterious enigma with an unknown heritage. He admired the rich brown of her hair, the color of the richest soil and how it waved and curled around her face. Her eyes stood out beautifully against the dark of her hair and soft paleness of her face; eyes that could entrance any man with a single glance. The trait that drew him to her the most was her smile, a small quirk at the edges of her full lips hinted to a secret that only she knew, and added to her curiousness. He barely noticed his feet moving, his arm reaching up to brush aside a strand of her dark hair from her face and the way his heart sped as he looked into her stormy eyes. In this moment there was only her, no garden, no Rivendell, only the two of them. Aranel gave her a small grin, "Annora I…"

"That's my cousin for you. For if there were critters of creatures of fascinating or adorable qualities, Annora could be standing in the presence of a beautiful goddess and never noticed her," laughed Bilbo from the dirt path that lead to the gardens, Thorin following in his wake.

Aranel stepped away from Annora hastily, allowing his arm to fall to his side like a dead weight and shot an irritated look at the hobbit and dwarf.

Bilbo just grinned back at the elf, completely unaware of his interruption of such an intimate moment and lopped down the rest of the path to sweep his cousin in a loving hug, lifting her just enough to spin her around like they were once again seven year olds.

Annora could not help but laugh at her cousin's antics and admitted to herself that she was relieved at his sudden appearance. She enjoyed Aranel's company but the closeness of his body and the feel of his hand brushing her cheek lightly as he moved away a lock of her hair, had filled her with nervousness and something else she couldn't quite place. It left her breathless and comfortable all at once.

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence this evening my lady, I shall leave you with your kin and companion," Aranel whispered with a bow and a gentle kiss to the back of Annora's hand. Without another word he had turned and was already walking up the dirt path that lead back into the heart of the white city of Rivendell.

Annora watched the elf depart with a thoughtful look on her face. Even the man's walk was elegant and complimented his appearance and personality perfectly she thought to herself, and with a smile turned back to Bilbo and a grumpy Thorin Oakenshield.


Thanks again for reading! Let me know what you thought of this one and I hope to get the next one out soon.