Elrond led Thorin, Gandalf and Saphira to where the other dwarves were seated. Saphira noticed the food that was available was mainly vegetables, cheeses and fruit. She shrugged, it was nice to have something different for a change. Along with the beautiful music the elves were playing even if the dwarves didn't enjoy it at all. She, Thorin and Gandalf sat at a table away from the company to talk and eat. Saphira eats silently as Elrond gives the names of the two swords they had found in the troll hoard.
"And what about Saphira's sword," Thorin said suddenly, looking at her. "Her sword is unlike any I've ever seen."
Saphira almost glared at him when she pulled her weapon from its sheath and showed it to Elrond. The elf just smiled and shook his head.
"That sword doesn't have a name in my book," He told the dwarf. "However I can tell it wasn't forged here in Middle Earth."
Thorin looked at Saphira suspiciously. "You're not from Middle Earth?"
Saphira rolled her eyes. "I was born here, but I have explored beyond the borders of Middle Earth too," She replied. "Remember I told you I had found the place where the ancient race of the dragons used to live."
"And that place isn't even in Middle Earth," Elrond states. "How did you come by these swords anyway?"
"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road," Gandalf replied between mouthfuls of food. "Shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."
"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Elrond asks curiously.
"Excuse me," Thorin said politely, standing out of his chair and walking away.
Saphira shrugs as she continued to eat.
"Thirteen dwarves and a halfling," Elrond observes looking over the dwarves and hobbit at the other table. "Strange travelling companions. Saphira is the only person who is not out of place here."
"Thanks," Saphira said. "I think…"
"These are the descendants of the house of Durin," Gandalf explained, gesturing towards the dwarves. "They're noble, decent folk and they're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts."
Saphira would love to agree with all of it, she found some of the basic description Gandalf had given about the dwarves was a little emphasized. Soon Nori starts complaining about the music and Bofur gets up to sing. No elf was impressed with the dwarves throwing food at each other and the elves themselves. Saphira rolled her eyes, at least Thorin stood out of the way just smiling and tapping his foot to the music.
Saphira was glad when it was all over. She and Bilbo helped the elves to clean up the mess the dwarves had made. The sun had disappeared as night set in. The dwarves were chatting among themselves when Gandalf, Balin, Bilbo and Saphira followed Thorin and Elrond to Elrond's chambers.
"I believe you have an issue with a map," Elrond said softly.
"Our business is no concern of elves!" Thorin snapped harshly.
Gandalf rolled his eyes. "For goodness sake Thorin show him the map."
"It is the legacy of my people," Thorin continued. "It is mine to protect, as are its secrets."
"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves!" Gandalf exclaimed. "Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of in Middle Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond!"
Elrond glanced at Thorin patiently. Saphira silently applause about the elf's patience when it comes to stubborn house guests. She smiled when Thorin finally gave in and walked towards Elrond, pulling the map from his pocket.
"Thorin no!" Balin exclaimed, trying to stop his friend.
Thorin hands Elrond the map who gently unfolds it. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" He asked curiously.
"It is mainly academic," Gandalf said before Thorin who was about to speak up. "As you know this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text."
Elrond turns slowly, glancing at the dwarves and Gandalf in an expression that said he didn't believe them. He walks over to the light as Gandalf glanced at Thorin who silently thanked the wizard.
"You still read ancient dwarvish do you not?" Gandalf asked curiously. Elrond looked at the map and spoke in elvish. "Moon runes, of course." He glanced at Bilbo who looked at the wizard curiously. "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 on which they were written," Elrond explains, looking over the map.
"Can you read them?" Thorin asks hopefully.
"Follow me," Elrond says, turning and walking away.
Saphira follows silently with the dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf through several corridors and down some stairs. The elf leads them to a pathway that overlooks the valley with a crystal, ice-like stone with three waterfalls falling from the cavern above.
"These runes were written on a midsummer's eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago," Elrond explains loudly. He places the map on what looked like a large ice block. "It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you Thorin Oakenshield, the same moon shines upon us tonight."
Saphira smiles as the clouds move away at the right moment and the light shines through the waterfalls onto the map, the runes glowing brightly. She gasps at the sight as Thorin was as surprised as she was.
"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole," Elrond reads out loud.
"Durin's day?" Bilbo looks to Balin.
"It is the start of the dwarves' new year when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together," Gandalf explains.
"This is ill news," Thorin says worryingly. "Summer is passing, Durin's Day will soon be upon us."
"We still have time," Balin reassures.
"Time for what?" Bilbo asks.
"To find the entrance," Balin explains. "We have to be standing in exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."
"So this is your purpose?" Elrond says softly, putting the pieces together. "To enter the mountain?"
"What of it?" Thorin grunts.
"There are some who would not deem it wise," Elrond explains with a concerned expression.
"What do you mean?" Gandalf asks.
"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle Earth," Elrond replies firmly, before walking away.
Gandalf followed Elrond quickly leaving Saphira with the dwarves and hobbit. They walked back up the path slowly.
"This changes things," Saphira sighed.
Thorin nodded. "Indeed, we can't be wasting anymore time," He agreed. "We should try to leave as soon as we can."
Balin nodded in agreement. Saphira couldn't go just yet. There was one more thing she had to do, well one more thing she had to get. The weapon that will bring peace to the land in the right hands.