Vallen: *sleeping peacefully*

Kokonoa & Faela: There she is! *dumps a bucket of water on her head* Rise and shine!

Vallen: *sputtering awake* Ah! You! Where the hell have you two been? I've been waiting here for years!

Kokonoa: *pointing at Faela* Don't look at me.

Faela: Hey! Guest appearances are hard to schedule. It took forever just to get a certain elf to stop by. *shudders* Man, she's scary.

Kokonoa: *wincing* Yeah… try not make her mad. You'll regret it.

Vallen: Please, Glorfindel isn't that scary.

Kokonoa & Faela: *both grin maniacally and disappear*

Vallen: Guys? GUYS?!


Chapter 11

"Our business is no concern of Elves."

Vallen gave a small sigh. She thought Thorin would at least face this meeting somewhat calmly after they had talked the day away, but as soon as they had met with Elrond, and Gandalf kindly asked him to hand Lord Elrond their map, his whole body had visibly stiffened. His reply had come with a most vicious tone.

Gandalf reacted appropriately. "For goodness' sake, Thorin! Show him the map!"

They had gathered in the moonlit lobby along with Balin and Bilbo. She wasn't quite sure why Bilbo was involved, but appreciated his presence nonetheless, since hobbits made every serious situation less so. He seemed confused, but she could tell he was very attentive and absorbing information like a sponge, while moving so little that he could hardly be noticed. Balin, on the other hand, was pacing impatiently.

They had walked into him on the way to the meeting and he had made it very clear that he disapproved of this meeting and they should simply leave before anyone, most likely Gandalf, would give their quest away. Though she knew that this was most certainly what was going to happen, Vallen argued for the meeting. They had to get his questioning over sometime, and if Elrond decided to help them at all, any help should be welcome and would in some way make their quest easier, or at least clearer. Thorin had also notified Balin of Vallen's escape route, should the meeting go badly, and Balin seemed to consider this. Thorin had also echoed Vallen's words, they had to get this talk with the Elven Lord over with.

"It is a legacy of my people. It is mine to protect!" Thorin growled, glancing at Gandalf in warning, "As are its secrets."

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves!" said Gandalf, looking incredulously at Thorin and Balin, who appeared almost proud at this statement. "Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few on Middle Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond!" He looked to Vallen for help when Thorin wouldn't budge, and Lord Elrond followed his gaze.

She gave an impatient sigh. "Lord Elrond is not known for stealing or burning other people's legacies or giving away their secrets. If his extensive library and archives are any indication, he is known for preserving them. It won't hurt to let him at least look at it." When he gave no sign of handing it over and instead stopped his glaring at Elrond to stare at her, she simply raised her eyebrows and said, "We can stand here until the sun rises but I would welcome at least a little sleep."

The pressure on her disappeared as all eyes turned to Thorin, Balin's were warning, Bilbo's curious, Elrond's almost testing, and Gandalf and Vallen made sure to stare holes into his head, silently willing him to make up his mind. Finally, without taking his eyes off of Elrond, Thorin took out the map.

"Thorin, no." Balin warned, trying to stop him, but Thorin pushed him back gently with one arm, and slowly took a few steps forward. Hesitantly, he handed over the map and avoided his eyes when the Elf opened it.

"Erebor?" Thorin met his eyes again, almost nervously. Everyone shifted uncomfortably as Lord Elrond asked carefully, "What is your interest in this map?"

Think fast. Vallen thought, as both her and Thorin simultaneously opened their mouths to speak.

"It is mainly academic." Gandalf's quick thinking caught everyone off guard. Thorin and Vallen quickly did their best to look unsurprised. "As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden texts." The last word he spoke almost as a question, and Vallen could see that Elrond did not believe a word of it, but turned away to study it anyway. Gandalf used this moment to share a look with Thorin and Vallen. At least no more questions were asked. "You still read ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf inquired, trying to encourage the High Elf.

Elrond looked up at the moon, then turned and tilted the map a bit before muttering, "Cirth Ithil..."

"Moon runes! Of course." Gandalf translated, his face lighting up in understanding. When Bilbo looked at him confused, Gandalf added, "An easy thing to miss."

Vallen didn't understand. Was he pretending he hadn't known about them? She had noticed them the moment he first opened the map in the Shire. Moon runes were, in fact, quite easy to see, but almost impossible to read.

"In this case it 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." He turned to Thorin and Balin, who looked almost anxious.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked with some hope.

Elrond led them down the valley to a small cliff ledge surrounded by the waterfalls. A single pedestal made of what looked to be crystal stood at the end of it. Vallen eyed it with curiosity, wondering what its purpose was in such a remote place.

"These runes were written on a midsummer's eve, by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago." Elrond explained as he approached the pedestal and laid the map carefully on top of it. "It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight." He looked towards the sky, and everyone followed his gaze.

As if on cue, the clouds moved to reveal a bright crescent moon shining on them, most of all onto the crystal pedestal. It lit up as if charged by the moonlight, and all eyes were on the map as a set of glowing runes appeared. Elrond quickly traced his fingers over the newly unobscured markings, reading aloud. "'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.'"

Bilbo looked between Balin and Vallen, confused. "Durin's Day?"

Vallen shrugged, the term was unfamiliar to her as well. An important day for Thorin's ancestry perhaps, she guessed by the name. Gandalf came to her rescue. "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."

"This is ill news." Thorin said, clearly troubled. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."

Balin was at his side in a heartbeat. "There is still time."

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asked.

"To find the entrance. We'll have to be standing at exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."

"So, this is your purpose. To enter the mountain." Elrond cut in, casting disapproving looks to Balin and Thorin. Vallen gave a sigh and exchanged a glance with Thorin. So much for secrecy. Elrond turned to her, his eyes slightly narrowed. "A mountain currently inhabited by a dragon."

She did not want him to know why exactly she was on this quest, but she knew he was smart enough to be able to guess why she was coming along. Nonetheless she did her best to give him her best glare, willing him to not voice his questions.

"What of it?" Thorin asked, and she looked over to see he was glaring at the Elf with equal intensity.

Elrond thought for a moment, then handed the map back over to Thorin as he said in a low voice, "There are some who would not deem it wise."

"Who do you mean?" There was a hint of worry in Gandalf's voice. Vallen assumed that Elrond had not meant himself.

There was some warning in Elrond's tone. "You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle Earth." He turned and walked away, leaving Gandalf with a very troubled expression on his face. Bilbo looked to Vallen questioningly, and she put her hand on Gandalf's arm to catch his attention. He looked down at her with eyebrows raised and she simply said, "No one else has to know about this quest." Without a second thought, Gandalf nodded his agreement.

Vallen awoke the next morning with a dark sense of foreboding hanging over her. She got up and looked out of her window. All seemed calm, the sun was rising, the sky was clear except for a few wisps of clouds here and there, and several Elves could be seen going about their business in the valley below. She frowned thoughtfully. Something felt different to her.

She came across Gandalf as she wandered down the valley, and she was surprised to see how exhausted he looked. So exhausted was he, that when she walked right up to him to greet him, he started and took a moment to recover from the shock.

"I apologize for scaring you, Gandalf. Are you alright?" she asked him, a bit of worry in her tone.

"I am... fine, thank you." he said, trying to give a reassuring smile. Vallen wasn't fooled. He appeared... distant, she noticed, and a bit concerned. Something was clearly bothering him.

"These eyes may seem cold to you, Gandalf, but I do know how to care. You can tell me if something is wrong. I won't panic or burst into tears. I am tougher than I look."

He sighed and mumbled, "Well, not wrong, exactly, but...wandering Middle Earth for so many years makes one see a lot of things differently, and notice much more. What I've been noticing is signs that the peace we've had for quite a number of years now...may be ending." He said it so unconcerned, as if he were talking about the weather. She thought he wasn't entirely sure.

A small frown appeared on her face. "What do you mean? What makes you think that?" Before he could answer, she heard someone clearing their throat behind her, and they both turned to see Bilbo shifting uneasily and looking between the two, while stuttering, "G-good morning! Lord Elrond said you wanted to see me, Gandalf?" At Vallen's concerned expression, he quickly added, "I'm sorry if I was interrupting something, should I-"

"Not at all! Come Bilbo, I've something to discuss with you." A smile lit up Gandalf's face and he turned to Vallen. "Don't let what I've said worry you, my dear. I think it may be nothing that has struck fear in an old wizard's heart." He raised his eyebrows as he seemed to remember something. "Ah yes, Thorin would like to speak to you as soon as you are able. Best not keep him waiting." With that he turned and put a hand on Bilbo's shoulder, gently leading him away from her, and she was left alone, with a troubling feeling in her heart.

She turned and stalked toward where the Dwarves usually caused mayhem.

Gandalf's words troubled her. It took quite a bit of evidence for someone like him, a wizard most of all, to think that a decades long peace is ending. She'd been wandering Middle Earth for a while now too. But then, she'd mostly focused on trying to stay alive and hidden, and she hadn't paid much attention to signs and omens. She remembered what Radagast had told her and Gandalf about Dol Guldur.

What if it had something to do with...She shook her head. No, it can't be. She refused to think of it, if she started now she would not find a way out of that dark hole again. She sighed and shook her head again. It was paranoia, she told herself. That's all it was.

She looked up and stopped in her tracks. She was on the same path as the one where Glorfindel had come across her the other day, but this time he wasn't alone. There was a tall, Elven woman with long, flowing golden hair and pure white garments speaking to him. She thought back to when she and Thorin had mocked him, and briefly she wondered if this was another lady he was attempting to woo. He bowed to her and then turned and walked away. The Elven woman turned around, Vallen's heart almost stopped.

"Lady Galadriel!"

A smile lit up the Elven sorceress' face as she gazed serenely at Vallen. "Princess Nadia Vallen. It has been many years, dear child. I am pleased to see you again."

Vallen bowed instinctively. There were only a few individuals who Vallen felt were deserving of true respect, and Lady Galadriel was one of them.

Before she could straighten, a soft, long-fingered hand gently rested on her back, near the base of her neck. Vallen tensed, preparing for the inevitable onslaught of pain. None came.

A cool sensation spread across her back, and then the hand was gone. Vallen straightened up fully and frowned in puzzlement. Lady Galadriel stood tall above her, a serene and vaguely satisfied smile on her face. Vallen lightly rolled her shoulders, then immediately froze. There was no more pain.

"What…what did you…?" she sputtered, shocked. Lady Galadriel's smile widened ever so slightly.

"The last time we met, you fled before I had the chance to heal your wounds," she said softly. Her deep blue eyes grew sorrowful. "It saddens me that they have caused you so much pain."

She laid her hands again on Vallen's shoulders, who flinched automatically. The warmth and the gentle weight of her hands were a calming, steadying force. Vallen's throat felt thick, and her vision blurred with the unmistakable presence of tears. Her breath hitched with a small sob.

There was no more pain. No more burning. Her scars barely even twinged under the pressure of Lady Galadriel's hands.

"You… you healed them? They're gone?" Vallen stuttered, hardly believing her senses.

"Alas, the marks you bear will never fully vanish," she admitted, her voice low and sympathetic. "However, I have dismantled the curse that resided within your injuries. It was powerful entropy magic that caused your suffering; I felt its presence at the beginning. With it gone, I suspect you will feel more at ease than before."

A couple traitorous tears escaped Vallen's eyes before she could stop them. She took a trembling breath, overwhelmed by the Noldorin Lady's kindness. This was not the first time that Lady Galadriel had stunned her with her generosity, and she suspected that it would not be the last time.

"I-I don't know how to begin to thank you, my lady," said Vallen, her voice unsteady.

"Think nothing of it, melon," she replied with a twinkle in her deep blue eyes. "One good turn deserves another, and you have given me many over the centuries. Come, walk with me."

She pulled away and beckoned her to follow, and Vallen did, too overwhelmed to speak. Together, they strode down the brightly lit halls of Elrond's manor in silence. For several minutes, the only thing to interrupt that silence was the chirrups of nearby birds.

At the base of Vallen's skull, she began to feel a familiar pressure, like cool fingers gently tickling her scalp. It was faint sensation, far too small for any Human, Dwarf, Hobbit, or even most Elves to notice. But to Vallen, the touch was impossible to miss. She straightened suddenly and squared her jaw.

"See anything interesting, my lady?" Vallen inquired calmly, making no move to shield herself. This was not the first time that Lady Galadriel had sifted through her mind, and she had long ago grown used to this simple invasion.

She chuckled lightly. "When one delves into the mind of a dragon, interesting things are to be expected."

"Anything in particular catch your attention?" asked Vallen.

"The dragon, Smaug." Vallen sucked in a breath through clenched teeth.

"I don't want to talk about him," she replied flatly.

Lady Galadriel hummed. "And yet, it is the things we wish to speak of the least, that are the most important. If it comforts you, I only have one question."

Vallen sighed. She should have guessed that Lady Galadriel would push this topic. The ancient Noldorin Elf loved to poke and prod at Vallen's sensitive spots. Vallen knew that ultimately it was to her benefit, as Lady Galadriel only ever tried to help her, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

"Ask away, I guess."

"What is your true reason for hunting Smaug?"

Vallen sent her a quizzical look. "You don't know? Truly?"

The hallway led them to a balcony that overlooked Rivendell. The rising sun had set a golden glow over the entire valley, and the two of them stopped to admire the breathtaking view. Although it was a beautiful sight, Vallen had seen it many times over the centuries, and within seconds, her gaze returned to Lady Galadriel. It was very rare that she ever admitted to not knowing something.

After a few moments of peaceful silence, she replied, "It is always a challenge to read one's true motives when they insist on thinking in a language I never learned."

Vallen snorted. "My native tongue has never given you pause before."

"In the past, your thoughts were always interspersed with large portions of Sindarin, Rohirric, or Westron. All of which, I am fluent in." Lady Galadriel's eyes closed as she stood basking in the sunlight. "Dragonish is, unfortunately, alien, and your thoughts now consist entirely of that language."

That came as a surprise to Vallen, and her brows drew together as she concentrated. She knew that her mind had a tendency to hop from language to language, and sometimes it was a challenge to stop herself from blurting out Sindarin when she meant to speak in Westron. But, Dragonish? Ever since her exile, Vallen had attempted to cut herself off from her native language and culture as much as she possibly could. She would not have survived long otherwise.

The southern inhabitants of Middle Earth were hostile to Dragons, and the northern inhabitants were hostile specifically to her. Her people did not care for 'southern foolishness', and almost never paid attention to anything below Forodwaith, but Vallen was not naïve. Her people had many spies at their disposal, and Vallen knew they still searched for her. One slip in public, be it a Dragonish word or the flash of a slitted pupil, would draw their attention and had done so in the past. She had to admire the extensiveness of her people's human spy network. The last time she had encountered the network, it had truly been a thing to behold, as they had infiltrated nearly every human town and city on the continent.

Only the Elves and Dwarves remained immune to their spread, Hobbits too probably, and it was only because they were so insular.

As she focused inward, she realized that Lady Galadriel was right. Her thoughts naturally flowed in Dragonish, and she hadn't even noticed the change. It disturbed Vallen that her thoughts had slipped so much. She would have to be careful.

"I do not need to understand your language to sense your fear, child," said Lady Galadriel with curiosity. "Though, it seems unlike you to allow fear to drive you to violence."

Vallen eyed her carefully. Even without telepathy, Lady Galadriel was remarkably sharp, and she knew Vallen well.

"I owed Gandalf a favor," she said simply, for it was true. "He collected."

"It does not trouble you to end the life of one of your own?"

Vallen pursed her lips and sighed. "It would not be the first time, my lady."

"No, but that is not what I ask." Lady Galadriel opened her eyes and focused her steady, blue gaze on Vallen. "The death of another dragon holds great meaning to your people. You have told me this before."

"Are you trying to discourage me?" Vallen blurted out, growing impatient.

Lady Galadriel smiled, but it was a sad expression that did not meet her eyes. For one brief moment, a flicker of age old weariness crossed her face, and it occurred to Vallen again just how ancient the Elf Lady before her was.

"Discourage? No," she replied softly. "No, I doubt I could ever discourage you, even if I wanted to." She grew quiet again, but she continued to study Vallen closely. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "There will come a time, not too far from now, where you will be called to choose between your revenge and your honor. The choice you make will define not only yourself, but the future of all that remains of your kind. One choice will lift your people from their exile and into greatness, and the other shall spell their end, as well as your own. Much rests on your shoulders, little one."

Vallen blinked several times as she absorbed this rare fragment of prophecy. Her mind raced to comprehend the words fully. This was not the first time that either Elrond or Galadriel had shared pieces of the future with her, but never like this. Her choices had never had this much power before.

"I take it that Smaug's fate is a large factor in these possible futures?"

Lady Galadriel inclined her head. "It is."

"I, uh, don't suppose there's any chance you can tell me what the right choice is," said Vallen as she worried her lip between her teeth.

"No."

There was a beat of silence.

"Well," Vallen said simply, "shite."

"Do not be afraid of the choices you will face, Nadia Vallen," said Lady Galadriel, her voice low and soothing. "You will not be alone in them."

Vallen turned away as panic began to settle in her chest. The muscles in her jaw clenched as she willed her breathing to calm. Slow deep breaths, she told herself. It would not do to lose herself in public. She could always fall apart in her room later.

"I am always alone, my lady." Her voice was steady, but her emotions were anything but.

Lady Galadriel's hand gently cupped her chin and turned her face up to hers. In that moment, Vallen felt like a child staring up into the eyes of its mother for comfort and guidance. The height difference did little to disrupt the illusion.

"Not for long." Vallen wished she could believe her, wished she could believe her isolation would end. Could end. No. No, it could never end.

"How?" she pulled away slightly, brows furrowing. "If I am not hunted by my own people, I am hunted by him. That is not a burden I would wish to share with anyone, even an enemy! And now you tell me that I may very well condemn all of my kind. I just…" Vallen drew in a trembling breath. "I don't understand."

"You will."

"Hey, Vallen!"

The new voice startled Vallen so much that she jumped and swiftly whirled to locate the source. It was Kili. He swung his arm in an exaggerated wave from far down the hallway, a bright and exuberant smile on his face. Behind him trailed a pensive-looking Fili, and Ori, who had his nose inside a large, clearly Elvish, tome as he walked. At Kili's announcement, Ori glanced up and waved as well, albeit shyly.

Vallen sighed, and returned the gesture as she schooled her features into her usual unaffected mask. Kili all but skipped over to her with the other two not far behind.

"Good morning! We were just on our way to breakfast. Will you join us?" he asked cheerfully.

"I... suppose," she agreed hesitantly. She did not want to leave just yet, not when she had so many burning questions that had yet to be answered. Perhaps she could delay. Vallen turned and then swore vehemently in Sindarin. Lady Galadriel was gone.

"Is something wrong, Vallen?" Fili had caught up with his brother and was now eying her with concern, and just the slightest traces of suspicion. "Who were you speaking with a moment ago?"

Vallen ground her teeth in frustration at being abandoned. It was not the first time that Lady Galadriel had floated into her path to spill life-altering information, and then just as easily floated off without a word. That didn't mean she had to like it.

"A very old friend of mine. A shy one, at that," she answered finally with a huff. "I'm fine, Fili. Just annoyed. I'd be happy to join you all."

Kili beamed and pulled her along, chatting animatedly about all the strange and beautiful buildings and people he'd seen, with Fili and Ori interjecting every few minutes. As they ambled down the hall, Vallen only barely listened to the three of them. She smiled and chuckled when appropriate, but her mind was elsewhere, focused on Lady Galadriel's cryptic warning and the uncertain future that lay ahead.


A/N: Hehehehe… ahem. Queue more excuses for why we're so spectacularly late this time. Essentially, life has been chaotic and demanding lately, and good lord, Galadriel is so hard to write. Faela (me) probably rewrote her half about five times, agonizing over it, while Kokonoa patiently waited. Hopefully we'll do better next time.

Thank you so much for your reviews and your patience! We wouldn't be surprised if we lost a bunch of readers over that hiatus, but we're not going to give up on this story. Your reviews give us much needed encouragement to go faster, so thank you!

Also, we recommend you guys check out the latest King Arthur movie. The actress we based Vallen's looks off of, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, is in it, and we both felt like we were watching a human Vallen run around with magic. Critics be damned, it was a great movie.

Anyway, as always, please click the review button and send us your thoughts. We love hearing from you all, and we hope to update again soon!