A/N: Hello! I wish to apologize for updating late. I had a massive case of writer's block. Anyway, for the delay, I will post chapter 11 tomorrow or the next day. This is a bit short. Sorry!

In defense of Glorfindel being in this story, it was an accepted fanon (according to my sis) that after he and Elrond met, he joined him in Rivendell. So, it seemed logical that he's here. Idklol.

Guys, if you have time, please read Dragon's Heart [Thorin/OC where the girl is a dragonborn]. Thank you!

Please share your opinions/questions/complaints through reviews/PM.

Chapter 10

"What do you mean she's gone?!" Kili shouted angrily. "How can she be gone?!"

He couldn't believe that she left with no goodbye, no word, nothing. And here he was, early in the morning, waiting for her, hoping to cheer her up, hoping that her troubles were gone by now and they could spend the day together before their departure.

"I am sorry, master dwarf." The elf apologized coolly. "All that I know is that my Lady Oriel packed her belongings, along with her wolf, and left in the dead of night."

"Do not be angry with her. She truly did know nothing of the matter." Glorfindel said as he approached them. He dismissed the elf with a wave of hand and turned to the dwarf. "You are one of her dwarrow friends, are you not? You were here yesterday when she 'rampaged' and I have spoken to you, yet I haven't gotten your name."

"Kili. And you are Glorfindel, correct?"

"Yes." He smiled. Looking at him, Kili wondered if he truly was a He because he looked like a She. They all somehow looked the same to him from time to time. "I suggest that you stop looking for Oriel. She is already gone."

"Where has she gone? I don't think she would go without telling—"

"You?" Glorfindel finished. "She did not tell anyone of us, why would you think she would tell you?"

"Unlike you, I would never hurt her." Kili's jaw tightened at his implication—that he and Fili were but mere passersby in Rivendell, that she didn't really care about them, that they were nothing to her. It hurt to think of Oriel that way. She wasn't like that. Or was she?

"Do not take it to heart, young Kili. Oriel is unpredictable perhaps these are reasons why she hadn't told you or anyone else. However, I think she did meet one of you before she left."

"Who?"

"Her old friends, I suppose." Glorfindel shrugged.

"Thank you." Kili nodded and turned away.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"To find Balin."

"No." Glorfindel shook his head. "You are coming with me. There is something I wish to give you."

Kili followed the elf with great reluctance. They walked through the halls, turning left and right, then another right until they reached a stairway, dark and small, leading down. The only light inside was that of the entrance and the exit below.

As both of them reached the bottom, Kili's eyes took a moment to adjust to the blaring brightness. The sound of rushing water filled his ears. They were outside. Before them was a small bridge leading to trees and bushes. He wondered what this place was and why they were here.

Seeming to have heard his thoughts, Glorfindel spoke. "This is Oriel's garden. This place is not familiar to most elves here, only to me, Lord Elrond, and her. She spends most of her time here, tending to her plants and flowers, creating vials of medicines and tonics. All because she wanted to be a healer so she could help others."

Kili nodded silently and smiled. It seemed typical of her, being kind and thoughtful of others.

Kili was led into the garden and he was captivated by it—flowers of all colors bloomed, the greenest of soft grass covered the earth, and everywhere plants grew. A pleasant fragrance of rosemary and vanilla sifted through the air, filling Kili's mind with memories of his mam's kitchen. On the far side of her garden, there was a small veranda, which seemed to fit right in the garden as leaves covered the roof and the flowering vines crept around its columns.

Inside, there was a divan—where he assumed Oriel rested, a desk full of vials, papers, books and small potted plants—much like her desk in her room. There were also mortar and pestels, crocks of various sizes, wooden bowls, and a steel pot for boiling, it seemed.

Kili turned to the elf. "Why did you bring me here?"

Glorfindel approached the desk and picked up a leathern flask. Much to Kili's surprise, the elf took his hand and placed the flask on his palm. "This is Miruvor, the Cordial of Imladris. It renews one's vigor and strength. Drink it in small amounts for a sip will suffice. This is not a common drink, young Kili. This is a rare elven liqueur that only a few know to make. Use it well in your journey."

"Why would you give this to me if it's that uncommon? You don't even like our kin."

"I do not. But Oriel does. She made that miruvor for you and your friends."

"For us?"

"You must hold a place in heart, young Kili." Glorfindel knew Oriel was kind, but always her kindness to others was limited. To give Miruvor to a dwarf she had known for a fortnight…it was unlikely of her. Perhaps she has grown attached or it could be her fierce loyalty to her kin. But Glorfindel knew better that those things played little part in her decision. He knew that something was between him and Oriel, something that they may not have yet realized. Perhaps the young dwarf in front of him would play a part in his plans.

"I give you and Oriel my deepest thanks for this."

Glorfindel's smile faded away and his expression grew serious. "I have a favor to ask you."

Later that day, Kili stood in front of Balin's door, not sure if asking him her whereabouts would do him good. He didn't even understand why he was frantic about her departure. It wasn't as if she was a friend he had known for long, but surely she was a friend that he cared about as much as he cared about his old friends.

"Laddie?" It was Balin, standing behind him. "Do you need an'thing?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

Balin led Kili into their room and as they sat down, the elder dwarf asked. "What do you need, laddie?"

"Oriel's gone." Kili said, testing to see Balin's reaction. "And she came to you, didn't she?"

"Aye, she did."

Kili anxiously bombarded him with questions. "What did she want? Did she tell you where she was going? Why did she leave? Has it got to do with the elf-lord? Where—"

"I cannot tell you. I have promised her my silence." Balin shook his head.

Kili fell silent. He felt angry that even Balin would not tell him. He felt angry that he couldn't do anything for her yesterday. He felt angry that she was gone. He stood up and stormed out of the room, leaving Balin alone and crestfallen. Balin wished to tell him what he knew, seeing the gloom in the young prince's face. Thinking about it, he had a bad feeling about her departure. Their conversation yesterday was grim and her plans were vague.

FLASHBACK

There were sharp, loud knocks on his door that startled Balin. It was only after dinner and all the others were in the courtyard except for him. As he opened the door, he saw Oriel—not Oriel of the present, not the one that they met again here in Rivendell, but the one they had met years ago, the daunting dwarrow-maid that had almost killed them.

"O-Oriel?"

"Is this a bad time?" She asked, her voice flat and emotionless.

"Not really." He smiled, but she gave no response. "Come on in, then."

She entered the room quickly and sat in one of the chairs. "I heard you were leaving the day after tomorrow."

"Aye. The elves have been great hosts to our company." He sat down across her and folded his hands on his lap. "I doubt that is why you came here, Oriel. How may I be of service?"

Oriel tossed a small trinket to him. His eyes widened at the sight of it. It was a dwarven ring made of gold and silver. It was not a surprise that she possessed one. It was the precious stone and the emblem on it that had stunned Balin to silence.

"Tell me, Balin, which dwarven family possess this ring. This is my purpose here."

"Where did you find this?"

"It is my mother's when she was a maiden." Oriel explained. "I heard that my father and she exchanged their house rings as they exchanged vows."

"This is no ordinary stone. This is a red emerald found only in Moria, and is worn only by the House of Fardin and the House of Geroin."

"And which of the two does this belong?" She asked impatiently. "And tell me where they are now."

"The House of Fardin bears this symbol—the braided iron t'was called before. They came to Erebor and some to the Iron Hills. Radin, the current head of the house resides in the Iron Hills, but his younger brother, Haldin stays in the Blue Mountains, aiding Dis in Thorin's absence."

Balin eyed the girl in front of him. She truly was not an ordinary dwarrowmaid. She belonged to the House of Fardin, one of the noble houses of Durin. It suddenly made sense, that night when they first met her. The raven-dark hair as Aria, the current lady of the House of Fardin, and the unwavering gaze and the regal look. It was the same. This would be a surprise to the House and even Thorin if he ever finds out.

"I see. Thank you, Balin." Oriel said as she stood. "You have been very helpful."

He handed the ring back to her. "You plan on visiting them?"

"They would not know me and they might turn me away. Years have passed, but still they deserve to know what happened to her." She pocketed the ring and sighed. "Farewell then, my friend. I wish you a safe journey."

"You are leaving."

Oriel smiled slightly. "Yes. I am going hunting."

A/N: Where did Oriel go and what did she mean? Why did she leave Rivendell? Will their paths cross again? What is Glorfindel's plan? Find out in the next chapters!