Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my OC and any quotes from the movie do not belong to me.

Author Note: A big thank you for all the new followers of my story! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Riddles

Thorin, already biased in his distaste for elves had to restrain himself, closing and unclenching his fists, How dare he?Lord Elrond had advised that anyone that would go on such a journey was foolish. With a huff, Thorin excused himself, not wanting to make a scene in front of the wizard and elven lord. Balin and Bilbo quickly shuffled after him, both worried about what would they be faced with next. However, after they left and were out of earshot, Gandalf pulled his old friend aside and spoke in a hushed voice.

"There is another passage that needs to be brought to light." The elven lord furrowed his brow.

"And what passage is this? Why wait for our guest to leave?" Lord Elrond guided Gandalf to his desk, gestured him to sit, as he did.

"I had to wait...this passage I fear is not meant for them to hear...it tells of the Durin line." Lord Elrond looked puzzled, "That is all I can decipher from what little runes I know."

"How did you come by this Mithrandir?" Lord Elrond shifted in his chair as Gandalf rose from his, walking over to the balcony, looking up at the moon. Slowly he turned facing Lord Elrond, an uneasy expression crossing his face.

"You must have no doubt in what I'm about to say...the human woman, Phera is not of this realm. She appeared one night at Master Baggin's home, her body marked with ancient runes of the dwarves. And it was her that had the knowledge of this passage." Lord Elrond, put his hand to his chin in deep thought. It was indeed intriguing how a normal mortal human came by the knowledge of runes and more so of an ancient prophecy. Even more curious was that Gandalf had claimed she was not of middle earth.

"We shall inquire her on the 'morrow. For now she rests." He finally said, the wizard nodding in agreement.

"How are you feeling?" Phera stretched out her arms wincing, her arms was healing nicely, however her body ached and she had a hell of a headache.

"Well, Bilbo to be honest a bit sore and stir crazy, but for the most part I think I'll be okay." The hobbit smiled at her, pouring another cup of tea for her and himself. "How is everyone else? Haven't seen them all day." He shrugged.

"Not a clue. Last I heard they went for a bath...other than that no, now that you mention it, where could they be?" He tapped his large feet on the cool stone floor, fidgeting with the fringe of the chair. "Somehow I don't think its a good thing." Twitching his nose he crossed his arms.

"You know, you might be right...its too quiet!" Phera giggled into her tea cup as she took a sip. "This is pretty damn good. What's your secret Bilbo? I would love to have this at my cafe." Bilbo blushed.

"Oh its nothing special at all...just regular camomile tea with a bit of honey." Taking a sip of his own, he sank deeper into the large armchair. "That's right you own a cafe, what's it called?"

"Cafe' Mint."

"Mint, why Mint?" Phera smiled at his question, looking down at her own reflection in the tea cup.

"Well at first I just liked the name, had a nice ring to it you know...then it became my signature." Looking back at his puzzled expression, she continued, "Signature as in what my cafe is known for. When I was at culinary school that happened to be my favorite herb, so after I graduated and decided to open up my own cafe' I made a series of mint inspired drinks and pastries for the grand opening."

"I take it, they were well received?"

"Yeah they were...especially since it was around the holidays. People just love pepper minty things when winter rolls around..." There was a long since shared between the two.

"You miss it...your cafe." Bilbo played with the ring of his tea cup, he was not sure it that was the appropriate thing to say, but he wanted to sympathise with her in some way. "Sorry, I didn't mean-" he sputtered out, noticing the silence and how she deflated at the statement. "Well of course you do, miss it...Oh I'm sorry, that came out wrong." He paused and sighed, "I miss it too...my home."

"Do you think we'll ever get back?" The poor hobbit fiddled with his fingers, unsure of how to answer. He felt horrible for even bringing the subject up. After a long silence, Bilbo set his tea on the side and walked to the side of Phera's bed, taking her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I can't promise anything, but I think...no I know we will. It-it will be a long while yes. However, I do believe we can find a way to get you home." He smiled up at her and patted her shoulder. Phera whispered a 'thank you' to the kind hobbit and inwardly scolded herself for speaking of such dark thoughts. If Bilbo Baggins could sum up the courage to march on, then so could she.

A sharp knock echoed through the room, startling the two.

"Come in!" she called as fixed her posture. Bilbo too adjusted his position, setting their tea cups on a nearby table and standing at the foot of the bed.

"Sorry to bother, but we wish to speak alone with the lady." Gandalf apologised walking in with Lord Elrond, who bowed his head slightly towards Phera, offering her a soft smile. The wizard then turned to the hobbit. "Bilbo, could I ask that you guard the door while we talk with Phera?" The hobbit cocked his head to the side, a bit confused as to why but knowing Gandalf he had his reasons. So, without a question he agreed to watch the door.

"Alright." Giving a quick greeting to Lord Elrond, Bilbo headed towards the door.

"No one is allowed in until I say." He called after Bilbo, "Not a soul now." He replied with a meek nod and gently closed the doors behind him, silently hoping no one would come, especially a certain stubborn dwarf.

"Now, my dear Phera remember that passage you wrote down when we first met?" He inquired pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill from the bed's end table.

"Yes, I haven't told anyone about it like you asked." She answered.

"Well, this is Lord Elrond, our gracious host. He has offered his knowledge to decipher the runes." Gandalf gestured towards the dark haired elf lord. Phera starred long as his face, feeling as if she had seen him before. Not in the healing room, but much more before that.

"Thank you for patching me up, I'm sorry I haven't been able to thank you sooner. My name is Phera Moore." She beamed up at him and offered her hand to shake his. The elven lord mirrored her gesture and grasped her hand lightly in his.

"You are quite welcome Miss Moore. I'm glad you're healing well." He pulled back to retrieve the parchment and quill from the wizard and handed them to Phera. "Now, may I ask that you write down the passage Mithrandir spoke of."

"Mithrandir?" She said slowly, trying not to butcher the name too much.

"Ah, that is one of my many names." Gandalf spoke up. "There are many more but that is a tale for later."

Phera nodded and began writing out the rune passage. Lord Elrond watched her, amazed at her artistic accuracy as she drew out each rune. As he read over Phera's shoulder he smirked, the passage indeed mentioned the line of Durin. However, it not only spoke of their fate but of Phera also. The elven lord thought back to the healing halls, having seen many of her rune tattoos. Giving a knowing glance at Gandalf, his friend knew they had much to discuss later.

"That's about it I guess. Do you know what it all says or means?" She held up the parchment to Lord Elrond, he took and held it to the light streaming in from the windows.

"Yes and no." With a short pause he continued on, "Directly translated it reads, Only with the soul of the moon, shall the Line of Durin be reborn. Without is pure glow the Line of Durin shall fall into distant memory. "

"The Line of Durin? You mean Fili, Kili and Thorin?"

"It appears so, yes." Gandalf took a seat next to the bed, clearly deep in thought.

"And what about this 'soul of the moon'? Some sort of riddle?" Phera took back the piece of parchment and scanned the runes, even though she could not read it, maybe the symbols themselves held a hint.

"I'm afraid that I do not know." the wizard let out a loud sigh, "However, yes we do have quite the riddle..." Both sat in silence as they examined the runes.

"I would not be too sure of that Mithrandir." Lord Elrond arched a brow towards the woman, as she gazed back at him, confused by his shift in language. "It burns yes?" Phera was startled by Lord Elrond's sudden question. She lightly touched just below her collarbone, gasping at the heat it was emitting. Phera had forgotten about the rune burned into flesh. "Come let us see it." pulling back the collar of the night gown, Phera revealed the now charcoal grey rune.

"It's hot." Phera touched it with her fingertips tracing the outline of the rune, it was significantly warmer that the skin around it, which remained at body temperature.

"I believe the spell is starting to fade…along with her light." Lord Elrond put his hand on her head feeling the coursing energy bounce within her. "I'm sorry but If you will excuse us my lady." Before Phera could interject he spoke again, "Do not worry if I stumble upon something I shall not keep it a secret from you. Now rest." Gandalf quickly jumped from his seat and followed Lord Elrond to the door, startling the hobbit as they walked by. Phera let out a huff and crossed her arms over her chest, now she was even more confused. The bloody passage only added more to the riddle which was now her life. As an added bonus Gandalf and Lord Elrond did not even bother to tell her anything about the magic rune on her chest.

"So what did they want?" Bilbo came in looking a bit frazzled as he kept looking back at the door to Phera on the bed.

"Just to ask how I was doing and among other things. Are you alright?" Phera noticed Bilbo's distraught state.

"Oh...Uh it's nothing. It was-uh a bee, yes a bee kept buzzing around my head outside. It was dreadfully annoying." He quickly answered, he did not want to bother her with nonsense seeing as she already looked troubled. He can wait...

Author Note: I promise the next chapter will have dwarves in it! I just love Phera and Bilbo moments. Hes such a lovely hobbit isn't he?