Honestly sorry this is so late, I know that I'm starting to sound like a broken record but there was very little time for me to research and write this (I'm tempting fate writing this now since I have two 10-paged research papers due by the end of this week). I found out that two of my back-to-back classes were cancelled so I wrote this chapter as quickly as I could so I apologize for any grammar errors. Also we finally hit 100 reviews and over 15,000 views?! You guys are excellent and all deserve a pat on the back. Seriously, this story would not be as much fun to write if I didn't have your support. Thanks to ww1990ww, Ny'Kle, DecrepitSoul, SparksofBravery, AngelMousyMouse Rhettbutler(aka Victor), and Bur Bur for their reviews as well as those who read silently, follow, favorite and a hearty welcome to those new to the story.
Question Time:
Ww1990ww: I'm taking some artistic freedom with some of the little things so sorry if everything doesn't fit the canon of both universes. Also, please excuse my lack of pre-hobbit knowledge as I have not read The Simarillion nor anything else with the exception of LOTR.
To Victor: Yeah I told the dude off and now it's him trying to avoid me (its great to be honest). I will take that into knowledge but lets just say that while Refridís is generally open-minded she does hold on to certain aspects of the past. Durnehviir will not be making an appearance unfortunately since I think I'm already pushing the envelope with one Skyrim dragon and also because it took Odahviing a little over a week to fly from Tamriel to Middle-Earth (its just not productive if help comes one week late), sorry. Nothing from before the execution can really be said or explained since not even Refridís remembered or could find anything about. I can't say much else without giving away spoilers :)
To everyone else: I am so glad that you all enjoyed that last chapter despite it being filler-ish. We are definitely moving the plot on with this chapter though!
Hope you all enjoy!
Characters and Worlds belong to their respective owners (J.R.R. Tolkien and Bethesda). Skyrim OC Refridís belongs to me.
THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPDATED & EDITED!
The gentle padding of barefeet as it struggled to keep up with the long strides of booted ones echoed around the halls.
"Ada!" The young girl cried, "It's too far and you are going too fast! Can you please carry me?"
The Bosmer paused before looking down at the pouting child, "How else will you grow strong legs if you are carried everywhere? You know you will be too big to pick up soon!"
"Adad! Pleeeease?" The little elfling begged, tears spilling over on her face as she covered them with her hands, her voice hiccupping in distress.
The Bosmer sighed knowing that this was a battle that he would not win as he picked up the crying child, "Alright now, no more tears please? A pretty face like yours should have no reason to cry."
The girl sniffed wiping her face with the long sleeve of her dress before curling up against her father's chest, "Okay…"
Their walk was relatively quiet, the only sound being footsteps and the occasional greeting from her father when they passed others. They soon reached an open garden filled with different plants where many elves were spending their time, some reading, some talking, and some singing. As they walked further into the flowery scene, a voice like rain hitting crystal floated through the air.
The child immediately perked up and begin struggling, "Put me down!"
"Commanding little one you are," the Bosmer said as he gently lowered the elfling before holding her hand, "Come now, your Nana will be worrying about you."
They walked the twisting path until it ended in the middle of the garden, a small but highly decorated pavilion made of polished white stone at its center where three figures were speaking.
"Nana!" the child cried.
One of the figures turned towards the voice, a dark skinned female elf with white freckles on her face as if the very stars were trapped on her skin, her hair shimmering like starlight and eyes like emeralds of the deepest green.
A stray sunray hit Refridís directly on her closed eyes announcing that the morning had arrived and rousing her from her dream. Exhausted from last night's festivities with the dwarves, she was partially tempted to stay in the comfortable bed until she was needed. Sitting up with a groan, she stretched until her bones popped and blinked away the sleepiness that threatened to make her curl back up under the blankets and go back to sleep. The floor was cold when she set foot on it, making her shiver slightly as she made her way to the bathing room.
Once there, the Bosmer carefully unraveled the now soiled bandaged and frowned when there was no trace of any injury except for lightly colored scars that took the place of where she was bit.
"There is no way that herbs can heal an injury this quickly," Refridís thought, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach, "It must be the souls doing. Their effects are becoming more and more visible with each Thu'um. How long before I…? No, I mustn't think that way."
Refridís took off her nightgown, undid her ruined braids, and dipped herself into the baths, inhaling deeply the faint floral steam that floated in the room. Free from her bandages, she held her breath and ducked down into the water. A sense of calm filled her when the outside sounds were muted and the warmth cradled her form. The feeling of floating eased her mind of the troubling thoughts and allowed her to think of happier times, when things were not so complicated and she was ignorant of the curse's affect. The image of the beautiful elf from her dreams floated to the forefront, the gentle smile that was on her face when she caught sight of the child sending waves of warmth across her body.
She stayed under for as long as she dared before she broke the surface again, her daydream floating away with the rivulets of liquid running down her hair and scales.
Taking a new vial, one she found to smell of lavender, and poured a little into the water. She took her time to lather herself clean, both hands now being useable and her previous bath having been quick due to her tiredness. Afterwards, she spent a while just relaxing in the warm waters as the sun rose higher and higher, streams of light dancing in between the clouds of steam, before getting out and drying herself off.
When it was time to get dressed, Refridís was faced with a dilemma. The blue dress still sat folded and unworn on the chair next to the bed but with what was happening that evening she would prefer to be wearing something that would allow for easy movement in case something went wrong, and considering her luck it would. However, the red tunic and pants were stained with food and smelled of sweat from yesterday's events. Frowning in disgust, she slid into the gown and was pleasantly surprised when it fit her rather well compared to the nightgown she had worn for the last two nights and was loose enough for some flexibility. The neckline stopped just below her chin covering the entirety of her shoulders and chest making the scales impossible to be seen and the sleeves stopped at her wrist unlike the flowy ones that she had seen others wearing. It was midmorning by the time she left her room, hair dried, brushed, braided and her enchanted pouch and swords strapped to her belt.
She made her way to the training field and found several of the dwarves had already begun their day by sparring. She walked around the field's perimeter until she reached Ori, who was sitting on a bench, nose deep in the journal he carried around. She peaked over his shoulder and saw that he was drawing the buildings of Rivendell. Sitting down quietly next to the young dwarf, making sure not to distract him, she watched as he began drawing the details on an arch.
"That's slightly more rounded," she said softly to him, making the dwarf flinch when he realized his watcher, "sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Your art is beautiful. I was wondering, what were you doing when I was telling the story of my escape yesterday?"
Ori looked up shyly, "I'm recording all of the events of our travels so that maybe one day I can tell them to others. It would only make sense to write down your story since you are part of the company as well."
Refridís was surprised and touched at the fact that he thought of her as an official part of the company rather than an elf who was just along for the quest.
"I have something that might be of interest to you then," the Bosmer said with a smile as she pulled out her own journal, "In this I have the descriptions and observations of dragons and my homeland. I'm sure you will find it to be an enjoyable read."
Ori looked up at her with shock and it took a nod of affirmation from the wood elf before he took it from her with the gentlest touch she had ever seen from the dwarves so far, almost as if it were made of fragile glass that would shatter with the slightest movements.
"Thank you, I will be sure to treat it with care," the dwarf said as he began looking through the writings and illustrations.
"I don't doubt it. I'm sure that my journal is in excellent hands and will return undamaged," Refridís said as she got up, spotting Bilbo as he entered and wishing to get started on his training right away.
The Bosmer wanted to start teaching him how to avoid fire attacks but she was still recovering her magicka. Instead she decided to focus on his sword skills, making him do some exercises that he had learned the day before as warm ups and was pleased to see that even though he still had much to learn, he was slightly better than before. It was when they started on new moves that he once again fell back into his old awkward, sharp movements. An hour into the training and it seemed as if Bilbo had had enough.
"Stop, stop, stop. You are locking up your elbow, the movement will never be smooth if you continue like that," Refridís patiently corrected as she walked up to the hobbit in order to manually correct his posture again.
"What's the point of this? Its not like I will ever be a good swordsman. I doubt that I will even be a decent one!" Bilbo said in frustration as he slumped his shoulders.
Refridís kneeled down to his level, placed a hand on his head and gently spoke, "That is the root of all your problems. You lack confidence in your own abilities. Where is the hobbit that proudly spoke of his skills at Conkers?"
"Back home making afternoon tea rather than standing on Elvish training field," Bilbo said glumly.
The Bosmer let out a tired sigh before standing up and walking away.
"Wh-what? Where are you going?" the Halfling exclaimed as he chased after her, making several of the dwarves look up from their activities.
With a voice like frost, Refridís replied, "I do not help those who do not wish to help themselves. I am homesick as well my friend but I do not allow that to affect my abilities here. Talk to me about training once your confidence comes back from tea as trying to train you now is like trying to train a skeever not to bite."
Refridís found herself back in her room, her eyes shut as she quietly meditated away her agitation and listened to the birdsong that floated through the open window and the rustle of wind through the leaves. A soft knock on the door sounded out and she mumbled for them to come in.
The footfalls were too heavy to be that of an elf or of Bilbo so she waited quietly for which ever dwarf it was to come into view or to speak out so that she could recognize them.
"You weren't at lunch," she heard the voice who she immediately connected to Kíli speak out, "some of us were worried that you had stormed off to parts unknown."
Refridís let out a sigh and opened her eyes to look at him. He was dressed differently, in Elvish style clothing so she guessed that his traveling clothes had been taken to be washed. To be quiet honest he looked rather attractive in it though she preferred him in his usual Dwarven outfit.
"No. I prefer him in neither," she scolded herself mentally.
"Helloooo, Refridís? Are you there?" Kíli asked, waving his hands in front of her.
"What? Yes, yes sorry. Nice shirt by the way," the Bosmer teased.
Kíli huffed up his cheeks and crossed his arms, "Yes, well they took away our clothes and left us nothing but these flimsy garbs. You can guess what Thorin's reaction was when he found out. I see that they got you as well."
"Not my favorite kind of clothing I admit but I've had worse," she responded standing up and straightening the wrinkles that had formed from her position.
"Really? You look nice in it," Kíli said thoughtlessly before clapping a hand over his mouth and turning a slight red.
Refridís raised an eyebrow at him in surprise before she felt a mischievous thought cross her mind. She weighed the consequences and found her trick to be worth the price.
"Really…," she purred as she walked around him slowly, "you find a silly little wood elf like me attractive in this?"
"Th-That's not what I said!" the raven-haired archer said, muffled by his hands and face turning brighter.
"Oh? But it is what you meant, is it not?" she whispered behind him, right next to his ear making him yelp and jump away, "you know, I was thinking about a certain… event that happened yesterday morning."
"You were?" Kíli squeaked stepping backwards as Refridís approached him.
"Mm yes. Shame you ducked under the water so quickly," the Bosmer said as she backed him up against a wall and gave him a sultry smile while leaning towards his face, "Such a shame that my duty calls me."
Kíli was breathing panicked but had squeezed his eyes shut to prepare for what he was sure to be a kiss from the female elf in front of him and so was entirely surprised when she pulled away and started walking towards the exit.
"W-wait what?" Kíli sputtered, trying to regain control of his emotions that had spiraled out of control.
"I will see you tonight with the rest of the company! I'll be sure to bring the lute along as well since you all seemed to enjoy my songs," Refridís called back in a cheerful tone, acting as if absolutely nothing had happened between them.
Kíli was left by himself in the room trying to make sense of what had just happened. A barrage of emotions tumbled through his head. Embarrassment, anger, disappointment.
"Wait, disappointment? Its not like I wanted to kiss her anyways," Kíli thought to himself as he stormed out of the Bosmer's room, beet red and knowing full well that he was lying to himself.
He had wanted to kiss her. Wanted it so badly that he had forgotten that she was an elf. Forgotten that she was a dragon born in the form of an elf. Which brought him back to why he originally had come to her room in the first place. The dwarf wanted to learn more about her and what affected her. He was happy that she trusted him enough to let him know about her secrets but also shivered at the thought of how close he was to death on the plains. Most of all, he just wanted to help her.
He spotted the swish of a blue gown from around the corner and rushed to catch up with the elusive elf. She was walking down the hall humming a tune that he recognized to be from one of the songs from the other night.
"That was very rude of you, you know?" Kíli grumbled as he jogged up beside her.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Refridís said as she looked down at her companion with a cheeky grin.
Kíli playfully punched at her arm before realizing that it was the one the warg bit. He gave her a look of panic and was about to apologize profusely before Refridís began laughing.
"Relax," she said in between her mirth, "It's already healed up. One of the few perks of having dragons blood, very fast recovery."
"That's actually what I came to your room to talk to you about. Before… you know…" Kíli responded.
"I released my feminine charms on you?"
"Yes lets just call it that. Why did you do that anyways?" Kíli asked.
Refridís shrugged before saying, "It was an opportune moment, and I found it funny. I will answer what I can and what I feel like isn't too personal. What would you like to know?"
"You have a very strange sense of humor. Anyways how far do your dragon powers go? I know you can breathe fire but can you also fly? What caused you to get out of that state and are there certain instances where use of your power doesn't make you go there? How long-" Kíli rattled off before being interrupted.
"One question at a time dilfahliil!" Refridís said, "This is not a topic that I talk to others about very often for reasons you can guess. I can breathe fire but can also breathe ice, forcefully push others away, bend wills, and much more. I cannot fly as I do not have wings, a fact that Odahviing teases me about every now and then, but I do have other physical marks."
Kíli looked up at her in confusion, "Marks?"
Refridís rubbed her shoulder, "Yes, marks. Scales which spread with every Thu'um making me more draconic than mortal. And no, I have found no such instances were their use does not affect me. As for getting out of that state, Odahviing simply trapped me until I got out of it myself. When I was with my husband, it was him who would comfort me and help me fight it back while insuring I didn't hurt others," the Bosmer finished with a somber look as she readjusted the sleeve to cover the scales.
Kíli suddenly stopped which made Refridís look back in confusion.
"You have a husband?" Kíli asked.
"Had. Had a husband. He died of old age centuries ago. I would be too but my situation forces me to stay alive," Refridís answered.
Kíli gave her a questioning gaze, "I thought elves were naturally immortal?"
Refridís looked at him sharply, "What?"
"They are in Middle-Earth," Kíli continued to explain, "from what I've heard anyways."
The wood elf was quiet for a moment before fury began to burn in her eyes, "You mean to tell me that should we have been born here we wouldn't have been separated by death?"
"I'm not sure about that. I don't know specifics about elves but I know that they can die in battle. What I know is from what I've been told by others and you know that dwarves are not exactly the most unbiased of opinions when it comes to elves," Kíli said, stepping away slightly.
Refridís gave a growl walking up to the balcony that opened up to the air and gripped the railing so hard that her knuckles turned white and the stone began cracking. She glared towards the sky and spitefully whispered, "This is how you repay me for all I've done? I saved this damned world on more than one occasion but you could not even let me have my happiness. With all the power you Divines claim to have, you could not even spare one life when the ones here bask in it."
"Refridís?" Kíli asked with apprehension.
"I need to go," Refridís muttered as she turned away and began to stalk down the hall with a brisk pace that Kíli struggled to keep up with, "I need to prepare for a summoning that will allow us to read the message hidden in the map."
Kíli slowed down slightly, "Do you need help?"
The wood elf paused and turned towards him. Kíli saw that there were tears in her eyes and that she seemed to barely be holding back rage.
"Thank you for volunteering but no. This is something I need to do on my own." Refridís said, closing her eyes and swallowing thickly, trying to hold back the pain and anger.
Kíli walked up to Refridís and gently reached up to put his hand on her shoulder, "If you need to talk to somebody, I'm here. You don't have to hide things from me. I am your friend and I want to help you."
Refridís gave a shuddering sigh and nodded slightly, "Thank you. It's been many years since someone has offered to do so."
Kíli gave her a comforting smile, patting her shoulder slightly before stepping away, "It's not a problem. I will let you be on your way but we will be expecting you later tonight. Nori found a way to sneak into the kitchens so we are expecting to have a feast. The food that they serve here for meals isn't quite filling for a dwarf."
"And neither for this elf," Refridís said with a small laugh, having regained her composure enough to joke with the young archer, "not a big fan of greens since the Bosmer are mostly carnivorous. Make sure Bombur leaves a plate for me."
Kíli flashed her a grin before beginning to walk back the way they came, "Won't make any promises about that!"
Refridís shook her head in amusement and walked to the end of the hall where she asked a guard on duty where she could find Lord Elrond.
The pain that had settled in her heart when Faendal had died had in not disappeared, only dulled with time, but the knowledge that these elves were capable of being with their loved ones without worry of old age separating them made the grief come back almost as strong. But Kíli's words echoed in her mind and gave her comfort. It had indeed been a long time since someone had offered to help her personally as it was usually the other way round with the Bosmer helping those in need. It had been mostly her and Odahviing for a greater majority of years since their friends and allies had more important jobs to do in order to keep the peace in Skyrim between different races and creatures.
"Well if Kíli wishes to help me then I will do everything in my power to help him and the Company succeed," Refridís thought to herself as she knocked on Lord Elrond's quarters.
A muffled "come in" reached her and she entered. The room was incredibly spacious with many books and papers piled up on a desk that the elven lord was sitting at writing. He looked up when Refridís entered and set his quill down and moving the paper he was writing on aside.
"Hello Refridís, what brings you here?" Elrond asked as she sat down across from him.
Refridís stared at him for a while, trying to discern anything that might slip before asking "You are hiding something from me."
Immediately, a guarded expression took over his face before saying, "What do you mean?"
"I've had dreams since I've gotten here, not exactly clear but… fragments of what feel like memories," Refridís started, her face screwed in concentration as she tried to recall what she had remembered, "I… I think I was in Rivendell. There was a young girl and her father, definitely of Bosmeri descent… and Nords who spoke of carrying out Akatosh's will from visions the Bosmer was having. And then we were in a garden, you and Lindir were there and… and the most beautiful elf I ever saw. Her hair like starlight on a moonless night and eyes like a pool of leaves…" Refridís glanced up to see that Elrond had a sad look in his eyes, "You know who she is?"
The elf lord gave a sigh, his face seeming to age right before her until he looked up, "Yes I know her. She was a very dear friend of mine and the reason why those others were allowed to stay in Rivendell. The "Od Kendov" they called themselves, said that they were there to carry out a mission sent to them by their gods. I would have had them banished right at that moment had she not stepped out and convinced me that it would be for the betterment of all who lived in Middle-Earth.
"I cannot say anymore our of fear that it will do more harm than good but you are correct. They are memories… your memories," Elrond announced taking in the smaller elf's hands into his own, his voice taking a fatherly tone, "I do now know what caused you to loose them but I know that you being here is making them return. I can only hope that you find what you are looking for."
Refridís responded, "But… how can they be mine? I am a Bosmer from Valenwood. These memories are too old to be mine."
Elrond shook his head, " You may have Bosmer in you but you also have the blood of the children of Iluvatar in you veins."
Refridís was quiet, taking in this information before standing up, "Thank you for speaking to me. I… I have a lot to think about."
She quickly rushed out of the room leaving Elrond to stare after her form, "Oh Istilrina… if only you could see how much she has grown…"
The sun of the longest day of the year had began to set in the horizon and night was quickly approaching with the nearly full moon shining intermittently between the clouds. Everyone who was at the meeting when Elrond first read the map had arrived to an unrailed overhang with a crystal table that Refridís thought to be made of quartz or moonstone.
"Now what?" Thorin asked, looking expectantly at the quiet Bosmer.
"Now I summon who we need," Refridís responded, shaking her thoughts before kneeling to the floor and pulling out several ingredients she would need and an old relic, "I must warn you now that who I am summoning is normally perceived to be good by many people but to call them good or evil is against the very nature of their kind. Expect anything to happen since this is not the day in which their power is strongest. During the spell I must absolutely, under no circumstances, be distracted or else there could be unforeseen circumstances. There is a reason why I told you to bring your weapons with you."
"So what you are doing is very dangerous," Elrond clarified, the tone in his voice that made her want to do the ritual quickly in case he changed his mind.
"Very," Refridís said setting down the star-shaped relic in front of her and surrounding it with roses she had collected from the garden of her memories that she found, "if I open the summoning portal to the wrong place, I could be inviting an entire army by accident. Luckily you have me and not some half-brained cultist doing this."
Refridís pulled out her ebony dagger and sliced her hand with a hiss, dripping her blood on the rose petals before pulling out an object from her pack that made the others startled.
"Is… is that-" Bilbo whispered.
"A heart? Yes. Specifically the heart of a Dremora warrior from the Planes of Oblivion, the place where our ally makes their home," Refridís answered as she placed it above the center of the relic unbidden and stood up, "now I will need silence for the spell and ask you not to speak when they are here. The less they know of you and of Middle-Earth the better it will be for everyone for even a whisper of who you are could bring unnecessary trouble."
The Bosmer held a yellow rose in one hand and a black one in the other and began to speak softly in a language no one else had heard with her eyes closed. The star relic began to gleam slightly in the light as both the dying sun and the rising moon struck it at the same time, making it give off an eerie blue color that seemed to be collecting around the heart. Suddenly, the collection of light burst outwards, temporarily blinding those present but Refridís continued on with her chanting making the now large circle of light pulse.
However, those in her company knew something was terribly wrong when the gentle blue portal suddenly turned a crackling red and Refridís cried out in pain slightly. She turned towards them still muttering the incantation but with her eyes glanced at their weapons. Gandalf quickly ushered Bilbo into the protection of the cavern they went through in order to reach the balcony.
They pulled them out just in time to hear a deep, guttural voice call out, "I can smell your fear!"
Out of the portal jumped a black-skinned creature with red war paint on its face, curved horns, and armor that glowed a menacing red brandishing a greatsword of a similar make.
"TAKE IT DOWN OR KEEP IT BUSY!" Refridís yelled at them as she wrangled control with the unstable portal making it turn into a myriad of colors.
Thorin gave out a war cry as they began to fight with the Dremora that had managed to get through, slashing the creature with Orcrist. Due to it's thick armor, it did not go down as easily as expected but they had the advantage of numbers and the Dremora was immediately having a lot of trouble keeping up with the multiple skilled attacks that it was actually being pushed back towards the cliff's edge. It gave a snarl when it realized that there was no way it was going to win the fight and began to attack erratically, trying its best to bring down one of them before it could be brought down. The fighters were forced to take defensive maneuvers as the creature of Oblivion bared down upon them.
Fortunately, the frantic attempt was in vain as Elrond disarmed him, making the greatsword skitter over the edge, and Gandalf sliced its throat interrupting the scream of frustration. The Dremora dropped down to the floor with a solid thud and turned to ash.
The attention turned towards Refridís who seemed to be having trouble standing, legs shaking with effort as she called out her spell. There was a final blast of golden light before a creature of indescribable beauty stepped out of the portal.
Her hair was golden, a crown of roses sitting upon her brow and her bronze skin wrapped in fine cloth colored like the pale morning sky.
"Why do you summon me outside of Hogithum, Champion?" the beautiful creature asked.
"Oh, Azura," Refridís said breathless from exertion as she kneeled respectfully on one knee, "forgive me Prince of Dusk and Dawn, Mother of the Rose, Lady of Twilight and Queen of the Night Sky. I am in dire need of assistance and have summoned you to humbly call in a favor given to me when your Star was purified."
Azura was quiet for a moment before glancing with eyes like suns towards Thorin and the others who watched with guarded expressions, weapons ready in case things went wrong.
"Lower your arms, mortal weapons will not harm me," Azura ordered while she gestured for Refridís to stand, "Tell me, my Champion, who are these people and what can be so serious that I must be summoned."
Refridís swallowed slightly with nervousness, "I understand that you have great power over the moon and its phases. We are in desperate need of a crescent moon in order to read a message hidden within the map of my ally Thorin Oakenshield."
The Daedric Prince gave her a scornful look, laughing while saying, "I do have the power to give you what you seek but you must be joking if you believe that I will help the Dwemer. I am sorry my Champion, but this is not a favor that I will do."
Refridís looked towards the company who was behind her and saw that Thorin's face was filled with anger that they were being turned away once again because of his people's race but his eyes spoke of great sorrow. The Bosmer thought of him and the others, the disappointment and crestfallen looks they would give when they were informed that they could not return home. Of Kíli, who wished more than anything to see the halls of his forefathers.
"I will give you a soul," Refridís said, stopping the Prince's tittering laugh.
Azura looked at her like a mother would look at a child who had disappointed her, "You know I have no interest in mortal souls and even if I did, I could get one any time I wanted."
"You know what I mean," Refridís countered, giving Azura a pointed look, "an immortal soul for a crescent moon. That is enough to cover your dislike."
Azura gave her a thoughtful look, switching her gaze between the elf in front of her and those who accompanied her, seeming to weigh if it would be worth her intervention, "It will be done. But be warned that it is very temporary, ten minutes at the most. Such a large action needs a lot of power and could potentially do great harm if done for a long period of time."
"That will be more than enough time I believe, thank you for your graciousness," Refridís said, bowing to her but frowning when Azura held out her hand, "I am sorry for saying this but the action will be done before the payment. There have been one too many instances when I have been taken advantage of by a Daedra."
The beautiful prince gave a sigh before turning towards the night sky. She raised her hands up and spoke in the same language as Refridís had for her summoning. Shadow flowed from her hands, crawling towards the night sky and before their very eyes the moon started to quickly decline in fullness until it was a perfect crescent.
"And now for my payment," Azura said with a smile reaching out.
Refridís nodded and with her hand covered the space over her heart. The area seemed to glow and slowly the Bosmer pulled her hand away, strangled screams of pain escaping her mouth as she tried desperately to keep them in and blood dripping from her nose and mouth. Her legs buckled beneath her and she fell down to her knees, cradling in her hand an erratically moving ball of energy.
"I thank you for your patronage and cannot wait to do business with you again," Azura said as she took the ball and kissed Refridís gently on the forehead, healing her injuries before disappearing into the portal, snapping it shut behind her.
A moment of silence passed through them before Refridís wiped the blood away on the sleeve of the blue dress and stood up looking towards the rest of those there, asking, "Well? What are you waiting for? I don't think I will be able to do that again for a very long time so I suggest you do what you need to do before we run out of time. We can discuss what happened later."
Elrond nodded towards her and walked forward, laying down and unrolling the old parchment on to the crystalline table. As the rays of the now crescent moon hit the table, it shone with light that flowed through the map and ancient runes slowly became visible.
"Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last night of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole," Elrond said, reading the text out loud.
"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, having rejoined the company after the Dremora had first been dispatched.
Gandalf clarified, "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 to Balin, "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."
"Time? For what?" Bilbo asked, wondering what was the significance of the riddle.
Balin looked at Bilbo and then to Thorin, "To find the entrance. We have to be standing at the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."
"So this is your purpose?" Elrond asked, "To enter the Mountain?"
"You already guessed what our purpose was a long time ago," Refridís thought to herself.
"What of it?" Thorin asked, standing straight and daring the elf to try and stop them.
Elrond looked at both Thorin and Gandalf, "There are some who would not deem it wise."
Thorin gruffly snatched the map out of Elrond's hand and Gandalf asked, "Who do you mean?"
Elrond began to walk back towards the cave that connected to the main part of Rivendell, "You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-Earth."
The small part of the company that was present looked towards Gandalf with questioning gazes.
"I suggest that we make our way out of Rivendell," the Grey Wizard advised, "We have what we came for and they will most certainly try to stop our journey to Erebor. You need to move on tonight while I speak with Lord Elrond about some other issues."
"You will not join us?" Refridís questioned while placing Azura's Star back into her pack and burning away the roses with a tiny amount of magic that she managed to recover.
"If you leave today I will be able to catch up to you while you are crossing the Misty Mountains," Gandalf answered turning towards Thorin, "Wait for me on the other side."
Thorin nodded and it came into agreement that they would leave before the first light of dawn touched the sky the next morning.
Hope you all enjoyed that relatively packed chapter! I did a lot of research whenever I could to bring you a more accurate story and I hope that it shows. We will be once again following the storyline for the next couple of chapters and might be done with the first movie by the end of this year (hopefully, fingers crossed). Please tell me if character interaction is believable since I think I'm starting to get into stuff that's a little OOC (if so I will try to fix it ;) )
Thank you all for reading and leave a comment, review or question that will be answered to the best of my abilities next chapter~