Kili and I met my parents in the gardens. My father kept a stern expression on his face when he saw Kili. My mother smile and greeted us both with a kiss on the cheek.
"Caladwen I do hope you will stay home a while." mother said.
I looked down and Kili squeezed my hand.
"No Naneth. We will be leaving early tomorrow morning."
Now my father walked forward.
"And where is it you go?" he asked.
I knew if I told him I was going to Erebor he would keep me from going. I looked down.
"I am sworn to secrecy." I said.
"Caladwen…."
I looked at Kili. He had a sad look in his eyes.
"I am your father!" Ada said.
"And I promised Thorin I would not speak of this quest to anyone. Goheno nin Adar." I said.
"Dwarves and their secrets." He muttered.
My hands balled into fists and I shook with anger.
"And what about we elves? We have secrets of our own! Yes you are my father, but I made a promise! I do not break my promises. If I am not mistaken you are the one who taught me that. I made a promise not only to Thorin but to my beloved Kili. Wherever he goes I go as well. And…..and I know Eruraviel would want me to keep an eye on Thorin as well!"
Thorin's POV
"…..I know Eruraviel would want me to keep an eye on Thorin as well!"
I stopped when I heard those words. I look over and walk towards the gardens.
"I raised Eruraviel with my brothers and she ran away when she found out. I had always feared she was dead, but she was with Thorin. He kept her safe, he loved her and cherished her! And she was the same with him! I know why Thorin is going to Erebor and I know there will be dangers along the way. I made a promise to my sister I would keep him safe and I intend to do so! So whether by your will or not Adar….I go with my husband and the other dwarves."
The strength behind Caladwen's voice surprised me. Her devotion to Kili was the strongest I had ever seen.
Elf and dwarf….and a bond stronger than any.
I smiled to myself and then walked away.
Kili's POV
I looked from Caladwen to her father. They were both just staring at each other. I took a deep breath.
"Caladwen tell him."
They both looked at me.
"Tell him of our quest." I said.
"But Thorin…."
"I am telling you to tell him. I will deal with Thorin. He is your father, he has a right to know." I told her.
She smiled at me and then nodded. We found a place to sit and Caladwen took a deep breath.
"We travel to Erebor to reclaim it. Thorin wants to take back his home…..and avenge Eruraviel." she said.
Her mother looked down sadly while her father shook his head.
"No daughter of mine will take part in such a dangerous quest. I forbid it."
Caladwen started to speak but I stopped her. I stood up and looked her father dead in the eye.
"She is going."
He stood up angrily.
"How dare you!"
I did not back down.
"Caladwen is my wife and I love her with everything I have in me! The last thing I want is for her to be hurt! And I will protect her until the end of my days! If you were to have Caladwen remain here in Rivendell I would stay with her."
"Even against the will of your kin?"
I nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. She chose to go with me and I respect her choice. We have faced trolls and orcs and have prevailed. Bilbo, Elgeraine and Caladwen saved us from all three trolls at risk of her life. I have seen her fight and she is strong. No foe would be any match for her!"
"You think a dragon could not kill her!? She is my last living child and I will not have her die for some dwarf kingdom long lost! Caladwen if you do go, I will inform every elven realm to stop you if they come across you! Even Legolas."
Caladwen gasped and looked down.
"Caladwen what is it?" I asked.
She was shaking.
"You would use Legolas against me?" she asked, her voice low.
"Of course I would! If it meant your life I would do anything!"
I turned to look at him.
"I understand your fear. She is the only daughter you have left. Do you not think I also fear for her life? She is my wife and my reason for living. I know you dislike my kind, and before Caladwen I was not over fond elves. I never hated the elves, and my dislike was not all my own. But when I met your daughter all those feelings flew out the window, so to speak. I loved her the second I saw her." I looked at Caladwen. "Her beautiful long hair, her fair face. But what I love most about her is what the eyes cannot see. I lover her heart, and her love for those around her. In the beginning my uncle was not frond of her. But Caladwen never stopped being kind to him. Even I was curious as to why she was so kind. She told me it was not the elven way to be cruel to those around you. You know of Thorin and his hatred for elves, and he has accepted Caladwen. Why can you not accept me?" I asked.
I looked back at him. He had a strange look in his eyes.
"Kili!?"
My brother and Elgeraine came running into the gardens. Fili went and knelt beside Caladwen.
"Are you well dear sister?" he asked.
She did not answer and Elgeraine walked to her. She put an arm around her shoulders.
"I understand she is your daughter, but she is also my wife. I may have your blessing but I know I do not have your trust." I said.
He did not seem to know how to respond. I turned to my beautiful wife and touched her face.
"No matter what happens I love you. Nothing anyone says or does will change that, I promise." I whispered.
"Amin mela lle Kili." She murmured.
Fili smiled at both of us and Elgeraine did as well. They both nodded and I looked back to Lord Thalion.
"She is as much a part of my family as she is yours. We all love her and respect her. My uncle feels happy when he sees her, do you know why? Because her eyes are Eruraviel's eyes. He sees Eruraviel when he looks into her eyes. And it lets him know that Eruraviel is still with him and watching over him. So if you make her stay, I will stay as well."
"And I!" Elgeraine said.
"I can go nowhere without my lass. I would remain as well." Fili said.
Caladwen's POV
I looked at my family. Fili and Elgeraine stood at my sides and Kili in front of me. They would have all remained here with me. Then an even bigger surprise came walking out.
"And my nephews…."
We all looked at Thorin.
"Would never be left behind, their mother would strangle me. Durin's day will come next year and the year after that. The happiness of my nephews and nieces are more important to me than the mountain." he said.
Tears welled in my eyes and I smiled at Thorin.
"Caladwen and Elgeraine are as much a part of my family as Fili and Kili. I would never allow anyone separate my family from each other. So if you try to force Caladwen to remain here…..you shall have go through me first."
I smiled more and then looked at my father. A saw a small smile came to his face.
"I must say I never though dwarves capable of loving this way. At least not for anything but gold and treasure, or their own kin. Once more I have been proven wrong by you. For someone as old and wise as I am, you are wiser it would seem. For such a young dwarf you seem to have a better knowledge of the world than I first believed. Seeing how you would remain in an elven city should she stay is something I have never seen a dwarf do." He looked at Thorin. "And you would be willing to fight a well seasoned warrior for their happiness. It is truly a selfless act. You have my respect Thorin Oakenshield." He looked at Kili again. "I will not make her stay against her will. I was wrong once again and I think you for proving me as such."
He walked forward and put his hand on Kili's shoulder.
"You have my trust Kili of Belegost. Take care of my daughter. All of you." he said.
Kili smiled and nodded. I kissed him hard and hugged Fili and Elgeraine. When I looked for Thorin he was already gone. I knew he needed time and I also knew where he would go. Kili lifted me into his arms and carried me away.
"I want to show you something I found." he said.
I smiled eagerly and he set me down. We walked hand in hand to the waterfall. I he led me around back to an ivy covered wall. At least it looked like a wall. He pulled back some of the foliage and revealed a hidden entrance.