Hey guys, we're back with another chapter! I just want to say that, I have a slight problem. This chapter will be the last of the previously typed up chapters, so I don't know if the next one will be up in time, I'm hoping for it to be, but I don't know just yet. So, for now, don't expect a chapter next week. If I get it out, brilliant, if not, I'm sorry you'll have to wait.

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MillersMoonPrincess – Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it so much xx

Chapter 10

That night after bathing, the company go to dinner, with still no word on Rose and if she's alright, Ruby joins Bilbo and the dwarves out on the terrace. Ruby sits in-between Fili and Kili and as the others tuck into their food – thankfully there's meat, she knew elves didn't eat meat much from Rose, but since her first visit, they always made sure they had meat on hand, just in case. - However, Ruby doesn't eat, too worried about her sister. Kili, sensing her worry, places a hand on hers

"She'll be alright, Ruby. She's in good hands here."

Ruby just gives him a smile, thankful for his attempt at making her feel better. She knows Rose is in good hands here. She always told her about the healing of elves and knew she'd be back to her normal self in no time, but it still didn't stop the worry.

As she looks up, she sees Lord Elrond entering with Gandalf and Thorin. Before she can even get up to ask him about her sister, the Lord walks over and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Rose is going to be just fine. We were able to get the arrowhead out and stitch the wound closed."

Ruby breathes a huge sigh of relief and looking across to Bilbo, she also sees him smiling in relief.

"When can we see her?" Ruby asks.

"She is resting for tonight, so it will have to be in the morning."

Ruby nods and thanks him, causing him to smile and nod his head to her before going to the other table with Gandalf and Thorin. Ruby turns back to her plate and begins to finally eat, now knowing that Rose is going to be alright. She smiles at Kili as he pats her shoulder.

"Told you she'd be alright."

Ruby nods. "Thank you."

Kili smiles at her before the pair continue with their meal, talking and laughing away with the others. Ruby looks up in time to see Oin stuffing his hearing trumpet with a napkin so he couldn't hear the music. She smiles in amusement at this.

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well."

He hands Orcrist back to Thorin, who accepts it with a nod. Elrond then examines Gandalf's sword.

"And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age. . ."

Elrond's voice fades out as Ruby's attention is drawn to Bilbo as he pulls out his sword and looks at it.

Balin notices. "I wouldn't bother, laddie. Swords are named for the great deeds they do in war."

"What are you saying, my sword hasn't seen battle?"

"I'm not actually sure it is a sword; more of a letter opener, really."

Ruby snorts in laughter, coughing to hide it as Bilbo shoots a glare her way and Balin winks at her, a twinkle in his eye.

"How did you come by these?" Elrond asks the pair.

"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?"

No one answers; Thorin looks perturbed.

"Excuse me." Thorin gets up and walks away, standing closer to the dwarves.

Elrond takes a sip of his wine as he looks over the group. "Thirteen dwarves, a halfling and two ladies. Hm. Strange travelling companions, Gandalf."

"These are the descendants of the House of Durin. They're noble, decent folk. And they're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts."

At that point, Nori decides to speak up as he glances at the elleth behind him playing the harp.

"Change the tune, why don't you? I feel like I'm at a funeral!"

"Did somebody die?!" Oin exclaims in confusion.

"Alright lads, there's only one thing for it!" Bofur suddenly jumps onto a plinth next to the table, and starts to sing;

"There is an inn, a merry old inn

beneath an old grey hill,

And there they brew a beer so brown

That the Man in the Moon himself came down

one night to drink his fill.

The ostler has a tipsy cat

that plays a five-stringed fiddle;

And up and down he saws his bow

Now squeaking high, now purring low,

now sawing in the middle.

So the cat on the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,

a jig that would wake the dead:

He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,

While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:

'It's after three!' he said!"

This then proceeded to the dwarves being in a food fight, food being flung from one end of the terrace to the other. Rose didn't know whether she wanted to be ashamed and appauld by their behaviour, or be amused and join in. But, knowing that these elves are friends of her sister, she opted to staying out of it, but still looking on in shamed amusement, sitting back in her seat, knowing she couldn't do anything to stop them. Although, she almost had to laugh at the look on poor Lindir's face as a bread roll hit the statue to the right of his face, missing him by inches.

Once the merriment had calmed and everyone had had their fill of dinner, they all returned to the terrace that was given to them to relax.

Even though she knew her sister is going to be alright, she can't help but still worry about her until she saw her for herself. But, she didn't want to disturb her rest, so she will wait until the morning to see her as Elrond suggested.

Later that night, Ruby was asked to join Gandalf and Bilbo as they left with Thorin and Balin to speak with Lord Elrond. She knew that Gandalf would have preferred Rose to be there since she was friends with Elrond, but she still went anyway, in hopes of maybe keeping things calm with Thorin.

"Our business is no concern of elves." Thorin growls out.

Gandalf sighs in agitation. "For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map."

"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets."

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond."

Thorin thinks quietly for a few seconds, with everyone looking at him. Glancing at Ruby, he knows her sister is friends with these elves, if Ruby can trust them with the health and welfare of her sister, then surely he can trust them just a little. At the little nod the young dam gives him, he begins to hand the map to Elrond, and Balin tries to stop him.

"Thorin, no!"

Thorin brushes Balin aside and hands Elrond the map. Elrond looks at it.

"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?"

Thorin is about to speak, but Gandalf interrupts him.

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text." As Gandalf and Thorin share a look behind Elrond's back, Thorin almost looks relived at the wizard's interruption. "You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"

Elrond walks a little bit away, looking at the map. As the moonlight hits the map, Elrond realizes something.

"Cirth Ithil."

Gandalf gives a look of recognition. "Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss."

"Well in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written."

"Can you read them?" Thorin asks.

Elrond nods. "I can, but not right now. These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. The same moon will shine upon us in two weeks time."

"So, we are to wait here for two weeks?" Ruby asks.

She knows Thorin will not be happy about this outcome, but she also knows that he will do it, hesitantly. They need a way into the mountain, and this map is their only way to do so.

"Unfortunately." Thorin grunts.

"In two week hence from now, you will have the answers you seek." Elrond says as he returns the map to Thorin. "You are, of course, welcomed to stay within our halls."

Thorin just nods his head as they all leave.

Once they return to the terrace and the others are informed about the plans, none of them are particularly happy about having to stay in Rivendell, but just knowing that they can take some time off and rest is enough to ease their ire of having to stay with elves. Rose is happy by this, as she knows that this will give Ruby time to heal her shoulder before they have to leave again. That night, as she lays besides Bilbo to sleep, she has a restless sleep, images of her sister being hurt over and over again haunting her dreams.

Well, there we have it. A bit shorter than usual, but I felt as though this was a good place to end it for now. I hope you all enjoyed it and stay tuned for the next chapter. . .whenever that will be. Please keep your lovely reviews coming xx