Chapter Twenty-Five: An Obtuse Discovery.
After months of riding with only Gandalf for company Rebecca thought it was high time to start writing in the journal she was given. During her travels she noted all the important things she learnt and made. Here are a few extracts from it.
24 November 3016
We arrived in Rivendale in the early morning. After being welcomed by a elf called Lindir, he was known by Gandalf. He motioned for us to follow him allowing the servants to take both our horses, Sandolmedir put up a huge fuss, until once of the soldiers offered her an apple. The building we were led into was amazing. With it's sweeping archways, elegant carvings and fine terraces. Gandalf pointed out different spots that were his favourite, noting the plants and changes that had happened during his absence.
Meeting Lord Elrond was a calming experience, Gandalf mentioned he could see the future, but Elrond contradicted that statement saying that nothing was set in stone. While Gandalf and Elrond discussed some urgent matters I was not privy to, I was exploring the library. The amount of handwritten scrolls and tomes there were astounded me, the time it must have taken to complete all this history, tales and maps must have been in the centuries.
15 December 3016
I collapsed on my bed, exhausted with all the walking I had done, cursing Arwen's stubbornness and persuasion. Rivendale was a beautiful place, the waterfalls, forests and lakes took my breath away. But nothing could compare to the flora and fauna that we found during our travels. The plant Athelas interested me greatly, especially with it's healing properties, Arwen promised me that she would teach me all that she know in the art of healing.
During our picnic that I made specially in the kitchens for Arwen, she pointed out a plant that looked familiar, explaining that her people had no idea what it's use was and often planted it as an ornamental plant. I quickly told her that it was a plant and that it's purple fruit could be used in jams and are just as nice as small snacks, but to beware of the seeds that took up most of the berry.
The months in Rivendale were full of activities, from swordplay and politics, to gardening and riding. Crossing swords with Glorfidel was an experience I would remember for life. He showed me how to use my finer stature and longer blade to my advantage, though by the end of our lessons he recommended, in "jest", that I should stick to my dagger. The twins Elladan and Elrohir were very enthusiastic about teaching me archery when I first met them, yet it turned out they just wanted me to join their prankster ways. The twenty year-old me could not resist such daring activities, especially when it was found I could not shoot an arrow at a target from one meter away. Lord Elrond was exceptionally kind and welcoming to me, patiently teaching me how to speak elvish and the elven customs, all while explaining in further detail, the history of Middle Earth.
Gandalf and I left Rivendale three weeks later in high spirits, refreshed and prepared for the journey ahead. Gandalf had traded his common pony and cart, for a fine, flea-bitten grey stallion that Sandolmedir seemed to have a strong connection to, that is if you call trying to chase him away constantly, a connection.
We journeyed past Lothlórien, Gandalf mentioning that we would stop there on the way back. We continued till we reached Erebor, the Kingdom of the Dwarves. We were welcomed civilly, though I did notice a few of the older Dwarves scowled at Gandalf. Gandalf and Dain, King of the Dwarves, greeted each other alike to old friends and took me on a tour of the grand kingdom. I asked Gandalf why quite a few of the Dwarves were glaring at him, but it was Oin, a healer, who answered.
"Cause he brings adventures and trouble with him, that's why." He commented with a chuckle. We had a few lovely conversations after that, mainly swapping remedies and recipes. He noted down some of the Elvish ways of healing, saying that they still weren't in the good books with the elves, he in turn gave me some of his healing ointment and a few good recipes for camping.
It was in my room in Erebor that Gandalf actually started to talk to me about the conductor I needed.
"You need a certain type of material that resonates with your inner energy." He looked into my eyes as he said this, looking completely serious. In front of us were sticks of different types of wood. One was of Aspen, another of Oak, Ebony followed and Ivy finished.
"Am I meant to poke them or do they start doing backflips when I stare at them?" He gave a huff and picked the Oak one up, holding it out to me. I plucked it out of his hands but had no chance to do anything since he immediately snatched it back. We continued with the rest, even the ones that Gandalf had spare. A Cherry, Hawthorn, Willow, Poplar and Birch. All of them were unsatisfactory to the disgruntled wizard. Though I could not see how he could tell which one suited me better.
"You are a very difficult customer, Miss Larkspur. Maybe we should try a stone instead for the top of your staff." He then proceeded to pull out of his pockets ten small, little, round marbles of different coloured stone. I could only identify half, there was a crystal Quartz, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, and Amber. Gandalf noticing my confusion to the rest pointed them out as Aventurine, Onyx, Black Marble, Tanzanite and Jade. I repeated the pickup and put down routine from before, only to be stopped with I reached the Opal Marble. I noticed it was of the lesser quality Opals, with less vibrancy and more of a sheen to its surface. He gripped the Opal from my palm and put it aside, motioning for me to pick up the others, swiping the Onyx stone as soon as I motioned towards it.
"Hmmm, you have an affinity towards both Opal and Onyx stones, this makes things more difficult." I frowned in thought, looking at the stones sitting in his palm.
"Wha-?"
"It means we either need to find a combination of the two. Or, we meld them together using magical methods. Preferably the first option as other magics would interfere with your own." He stood up from his chair, groaning about how stiff his old bones were while shuffling out the door.
I rose up from the carpeted floor and set to work getting ready for bed, being already settled in my room. I found it to be nice and cosy with its carved walls, woollen bedspread and pillows. That night I fell asleep to the sounds of distant mining and the cracklings of embers in the fireplace.
The next day was filled with more tours, mostly of the mines. We strolled past gold extractions, waltzed through ruby collections and observed the many carpenters and steel workers, labour away. It was as we were marvelling the fruits of the Dwarves work that we stumbled across the first definite conductor ingredient. We were handling the different cuts of stone when I dropped an Obsidian pendant by accident because of the sparks that flew from it. It was lucky that Glóin grasped it in time before it hit the floor and shattered. When I looked to Gandalf for answers I saw that even he was shocked, his eyebrows and forehead had disappeared under his hat.
"Any knowledgeable advice?" I questioned sarcastically. He nodded.
"Of course, next time don't drop the valuable pendant over a few sparks." And with that he grumbled to himself as he stalked away with purpose. Dain, Glóin and I, looked at each other before continuing on my tour.
We left Erebor with Gandalf's business done and more questions than answers. Over the month spent there I learnt how to prepare quick, Dwarven remedies, how to carve different materials, though I must say I had an affinity towards wood rather than stone, and Oin insisted I learn how to recognise quality weaponry, just incase I was cheated.
We headed towards Lothlórien, the scenery change welcome after so long underground. We stopped off Mirkwood overnight due to it being convenient. The woods around the city were not nice at all yet I felt at peace in the damp air. We nearly lost the path a few times on our way, well that is Gandalf did, he could not see it when I could easily, as confusing as it was we decided that I should lead after the third time of Gandalf leading us away. Our meeting with the King was brief and civil, ending in the morning when we were gifted with extra supplies for our journey. It was a week in the saddle before we even saw a glimpse of the Golden Forest, even then we had three days to go before we reach civilisation.
A.N: This is my first authors note, well officially at least. I am sorry for the long wait, not that there is many waiting, kudos to those who put up with my irregularities. The problem is that school is being annoying by being there. And the fact that I'm out of ideas, usually these plots come at me in full force then leave me to fend for myself after a few months. I will try to get to the actual story A.S.A.P. If you have any ideas, comment or PM me!
See ya round.
Ninja