Chapter 9: Replacements

The castle in the mountain is lightened up in the dark night. Lights in all kinds of colors. It is definitely the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. We are walking on the path towards the great gate that leads into the castle, and we are surrounded by elves dancing around filled with happiness and joy. They all are dressed nicely - women in long elegant dresses that dance around them in the wind, and men with golden bracelets. All the men are dressed in white. The women are dressed in all kinds of colours and my blue dress fits perfectly in.
"I thought you said dinner?" I look upon Legolas with a blaming look.
"Dinner always comes with a ball, Jenna. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Well now I know" I send him a smile as we walk up the path towards the big gate. Suddenly a woman comes up to us. She is looking at Mahran.
"I'm sorry for the delay," she says without any kinds of facial expressions. "I came as fast as I could."
"That's allright Dhoniel, you're just in time!" Mahran says, friendly as he lifts up his elbow and she grabs it. "This is Jenna White. The one." He looks at me while presenting me. The woman - Dhoniel I guess, is too looking at me, now with a vague smile.
"It is an honor to meet you, Jenna White." She says, and I answer her with a tiny nod.
"I'll meet you later." Mahran says as he pulls Dhoniel out among the dancing people. They start dancing too, and that makes me look anxiously at Legolas.
"Please tell me I'm not going to do that tonight."
"No, we're going to see Elrond now. I don't think you'll have to dance tonight." I'm releaved and I feel much more safe now. I know Legolas is kind of the boring type of guy, but he is safe to be around.

Once again I walk through the big gate and into the hall. There is candles and flowers everywhere. It certainly is beautiful. A few seconds later Elrond enters the other end of the room. He is wearing a long white robe with silver patterns and a huge silver crown. He too looks amazing. He is walking towards us. I feel like I need to kneel or something.
"Don't bow. You're one of us. We're equal and free." Legolas whispers. Like he has read my mind. The two guards standing by the gate is now exiting the room, and Elrond grabs my hand as soon as he is close enough.
"Welcome Jenna. I am truly pleased to see you once again. And alive, in spite of what happened to you. Please accept this event as my apology." He says. Wow. A party as an apology. Accepted!
"Well, it wasn't really your fault but thanks anyway, it is amazing!" I say truthfully. Elrond softly gives my hand a squeeze. In that same moment I see a person walking in from the same door that Elrond came from. He is wearing a white cloak and a wizard-looking hat. He is old, and he has a face that tells me I am going to love him like a granddad or something. "This is Gandalf" Elrond continues. Gandalf grabs my hand as Elrond lets go of it, and he slightly bow in front of me as a gesture.
"Jenna White. Are you feeling well? I am pleased to meet you!" His voice is deep and hoarse, as an old man's voice should be. His long, white beard is vibrating as he talks.
"I..." Am I feeling well? "I am feeling better than ever." Yes I am. "This place is amazing. Though I still don't understand how I got here.." I say, thoughtfully.
"Rivendell is truly one of the most amazing places I've been myself. I hope it can replace parts of what you have lost." He means my home. This man makes me think a lot!
"Well. I didn't really have much where I came from. This here is replacing it very well." I say with a smile. We talk as we walk around outside the castle. We talk about all the amazing places Gandalf has been. He talks a lot about something called The Shire, were something called hobbits live. Short people. Shorter than dwarfs. He tells me that the like beer and food, and that he offen goes there just because they always make him smile. I really want to go there someday. It sounds weird. To think about this world and how much I want to see all of it. Instead of thinking about how much I miss my home. But to be honest with myself, I don't miss my home. I spent all my time drinking and gambling at home. This place has so much more. I feel at home when I'm here, surrounded by such amazing people. I never want to go back. Besides I have got unfinished business with the orcs, and I am gonna get my revenge some day.