Hey guys! My god I am so so so so sorry for the late update! Just been trying to recover from two weeks of having flu and then trying to get this chapter good enough to where I can upload it. I know this chapter is shorter than usual, but I hope you will still enjoy it.
Review responses;
Guest – Thank you, I'm sorry for the late update xx
eragon95159 – Don't worry, Thorin will soon see she's right about Azog.
Chapter 11
The next morning, Rose woke up to the sounds of birds chirping and distant laughter. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by the cream ceiling of Rivendell's healing room. Wincing as she sits up, she reaches for her right shoulder and holds it as she gets out of the bed and over to the open windows, the curtains billowing in the breeze.
She smiles. Apart from the Shire, Rivendell is the most beautiful place sha had ever seen. She loves the peace and tranquillity that can be found in the elven city. It's that she always comes back for, and for the good company of the elves.
"Ah, you are awake."
Rose jumps slightly at the familiar voice, not having heard him enter. Turning, she sees the elven lord standing at the door, a smile on his face.
"My Lord Elrond," Rose begins with a slight bow, wincing at the stretching of her wound. "I apologise for the sudden intrusion of our company."
He gives a gentle smile as he helps Rose back to the bed. "Not at all, my dear. When it comes to Gandalf, I am used to unexpected surprises."
Rose giggles as she allows Elrond to change the bandages on her shoulder.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Only for the night. The wound is not as bad as we first feared. I was able to get the blade out and thoroughly clean it out bed closing the wound. I don't know if the movement in your shoulder will be affected by this, but keep it clean and well rested for at least a week and you should be alright."
"That should go well with Thorin." the dam sighs.
The elf lord gives her uninjured shoulder a comforting squeeze before putting her right arm in a sling held against her chest. "You are free to return to your room to wash up for breakfast. Your sister and friends have been worried about you."
Rose smiles as she gets off the bed and thanks Elrond before leaving and going to her room.
After having a quick, but thorough, bath and struggling to dress and strap her arm again, Rose walks through the familiar halls of the elven city. She follows the sounds of the company, until she arrives on the veranda where tables are set up for breakfast. She smiles as she sees her brother and sister sitting with the dwarves.
Just as she thought, Ruby is the first to notice her, having been facing her at the time.
"ROSE!"
At her exclaim, she runs over and tackles into her sister, causing the older to grunt in pain but still wrap her good arm around her close.
"Oh, Rose, I was so worried about you!" Ruby sobs into her.
"I know. I'm sorry, Roo." Rose says before placing a kiss on her little sister's head.
After they pull away, Bilbo steps forward and hugs her, though with as much urgency as Rose, less painful.
"I'm so relieved you're alright, Rose." he says softly.
Rose smiles. "Believe me, so am I."
They pull away as the other dwarves walk over and express their relief, each gently hugging and patting her back. Soon enough, Thorin is standing in front of her. Rose stands as straight as she can, hiding the wince as she stretches the stitches a little. Thorin gives her a quick look over, as if assessing her physical and mental ability to continue with them.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore, but relatively well besides that. I know what you're thinking. You're worried I will slow you down when we leave, but I can assure you, I have had worse than this in the past and have pushed on. Lord Elrond has assured me that as long as I keep it rested for a week, it will be fine."
Again, Thorin gives her another look over, this time to see if she's being truthful or just saying it to stay. He decides to give her the benefit of the doubt.
He soon nods. "Very well. We'll be here for under two weeks, so you have time to heal and get your strength back."
Rose nods as she and Thorin join the others at the table. They all have a nice breakfast, Ruby's spirits now high as she has her older sister by her side once again.
Once they have eaten, they all – apart from Bilbo – make use of the elves training grounds. Rose sits besides Balin, her shoulder stopping her from doing some actual training, so she just watches while talking to the white haired dwarf.
They spend the morning and afternoon there, with Bilbo joining them after lunch. Rose gets a wooden sword and from the sidelines, shouts out some commands to a reluctant Bilbo. She might not be able to physically help him train, but this will have to do until she is ready to lift a sword again.
Over the next few days, the majority of their day is spent between training or wandering around the elven kingdom. Rose takes it upon herself to show Ruby, Fili and Kili around, showing them her favourite places to be. As they are walking ahead of their younger siblings, Rose and Fili take this chance to speak privately.
"Do you reckon we have failed in our watch?" Rose asks, a slight grin on her face.
Fili gives a little chuckle. "I believe we may have. Even though I'm happy, I do have to wonder if they are moving too fast."
"Hey, we're dwarves, when our One is presented to us, we sometimes know straight away."
"That is true. What about hobbits?"
"I will admit, hobbits do seem to drag it on a little too much. I remember my mother telling me that she didn't know father was the one for a few years, even though father knew when they first met. Luckily, he had the patience to wait. . .very unusual for a dwarf."
Fili chuckles again at this. "We are a little stubborn and have the patience of a grain of sand, don't we?"
Rose smiles. "Just a touch. I do have to know, would you oppose to them courting one another?"
He shakes his head. "Mahal, no. As long as Kili is happy and she treats him well, he can marry whomever he pleases. How about you? How do you feel about your baby sister courting someone?"
"I always knew this time would come for her. Although, I did imagine a nice hobbit boy for her, since there were no dwarrrows nearby. But, I am happy for her, she deserves to find love."
Fili looks over to her. "What about you? Surely you deserve love and happiness also."
Rose just gives a little smile and shakes her head slightly. "Nah. I'm too much of a wanderer for anyone to want to settle down with me. No, once this quest is over, I'll bring Bilbo back to the Shire and no doubt continue my life wandering. Ruby will be safe with Kili in Erebor, so I have no issue there."
He goes quiet for a moment. "You talk as if we've already won back the mountain."
"Don't you think we will?" Rose asks as she looks to him curiously.
Fili nods. "I've always believed we could do it, and I still do."
Rose smiles as she pats his arm. "Don't let go of that hope and belief, Fili. It will keep you going throughout this quest."
Fili doesn't say anything as the four of them continue their walk. He feels saddened that Rose doesn't feel as though she'd ever find love in her life. Admittedly, he had felt something for her ever since they first met. Whether it was admiration for her or an attraction, he did not know. But he hopes he can explore his feelings more and maybe he can help her to see that she can find love too.
Well, there we have it for that chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it! I'm hoping to have the next chapter up tomorrow *Fingers crossed* Please keep leaving your lovely reviews! xx
