QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Aragorn: I know he was actually ten when all this was going on, but in the movies, Thranduil sent Legolas to find Strider, meaning he was old enough to be a ranger. I know we were all like "What?" but I decided to run with it. I have Aragorn as being ten years older in this story making him twenty rather than ten which he would have been during the Hobbit. In this story I am combining the movies and the books into one so I am taking some liberties with the timelines compared to a second story I am just writing for myself right now where I strictly follow the books.

Aredhel: Yes, she is the elleth from the First Age.

Elrond: Of course he knows who Adaira is, but he doesn't seem like the sort of person to call her out on her BS. With that said, he knows who her mother is, but isn't sure of her father. I'm guessing you can figure out who he thinks her father is and hint, it isn't Frerin.


The next morning when I awoke, to what sounded like the entire company yelling outside of my door. I sat upright in bed, pinching the bridge of my nose, not able to even think. I heard someone trying to quiet the rabble and I popped out of bed, still dressed as I was for dinner the night before and I put a hand on the door ready to pull it open.

"Keep it down, yah bastards, the lass is still trying to sleep!" Dwalin whisper shouted as I pulled open the door, everyone falling silent and Dwalin fuming at them.

"Trying and failing, Master Dwalin," I assured the dwarf who looked ready to wring some necks. "May I inquire as to why you are being louder than elephants right outside my door?" I asked and Kili, ever the voice of idiocy decided to act as spokes person for the group.

"What's an elephant?" Kili asked me and Fili and I groaned as I rubbed at my temples. Now I was the one to feel Thorin's headache from the previous morning.

"Kili, I only just woke up," I told my cousin as I waved my hands and gestured for them to move out of my way. I walked towards the balcony, the others trailing after me. Thorin looked up when I entered and poured a cup of something for me which he handed me as soon as I sat down next to him. I smelled the same mixture as I had made for him the morning before and downed it gratefully.

"I would ask how your morning has been, but I can already see for myself," Thorin grumbled beside me and I groaned and hid my face into his arm as Kili continued to bug Fili about elephants.

"They won't shut up," I grumbled myself and Thorin chuckled as I pulled my face from his arm.

"Tell me about it," Thorin told me quietly and I couldn't help but chuckle myself. Bombur began to hand out breakfast which was the same as the day before save for the face that we had cheese.

"Hungry lass?" Bombur asked me as I got up and grabbed a plate for Thorin too.

"I could eat something," I told him, and he slipped an extra sausage on my plate with a wink.

"How can you eat all that green stuff?" Kili asked me as I sat next to Thorin and handed him his plate. I turned my attention to Kili and shrugged.

"It tasted worse than dirt," Fili agreed, grimacing in disgust.

"Well, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Bit plain, but there are lots of people that eat only green stuff as you called it, at least where I grew up," I told my cousins and the company made various disgusted faces at my words. "One thing that we shouldn't do is insult our host's table," I said, pointing my fork at Ori and Kili. "I've never had plain lettuce myself. Usually if I decide to eat a salad it is because I think I am getting to fat and I want to try dieting and even then, I eat it covered in dressing. Maybe I can make some," I said, muttering the last part to myself as the dwarves protested my words.

"You are beautiful the way you are mizimith," Thorin told me firmly to the agreement of the others and I smiled at him and the others.

"Thank you," I told him, slightly embarrassed and we all continued to eat. As I chewed on a bit of sausage, I remembered that it came from our store of food. "Can we afford to dip into out food supplies?" I asked Thorin who stopped and smiled at me.

"While I am proud of you thinking like a leader, leave me to worry about the food. Just enjoy it for now," Thorin assured me and I went back to eating. "What's your game plan while we're here?" I asked him quietly and he leaned in closer towards me.

"I plan to meet with the elf lord and Gandalf this morning and discuss our needs. While we are here, use your time wisely. Once we leave from here, our road will be infinitely more dangerous as we begin to cross the Misty Mountains. Train as much as you can," Thorin informed me and I nodded, seeing and opening to discuss the offer Strider had made yesterday to me.

"I was extended an invitation for us to make use of the training hall," I told him quickly in a low voice and Thorin set his plate down and turned to me.

"By whom?" He asked me gruffly and I bit my lip, worrying it between my teeth.

"Yesterday...after the whole fountain incident...," I began and Thorin raised a hand to stop me, his eyebrow creeping further towards his hairline.

"What incident?" Thorin asked me and I caught the looks of the others. Right...no one had mentioned it because Thorin might castrate them.

"Oh, um, it was nothing really. That isn't the point, I met a ranger. Lord Elrond is his adoptive father. He extended the invitation to us," I explained quickly and Thorin grunted before going back to his food. "I think we all could use a chance to let off some steam, what do you think?" I pushed and Thorin sighed deeply.

"I think fraternizing with those tree shaggers and their kin is beyond us. Nî ikrit fund," Thorin grumbled and I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"We have to play nice adad kurdu, like it or not we are guests of Lord Elrond's house. I don't think calling them tree…, I said, glossing over the last word as Thorin shot me a look. "…is the way to go about things. It is unadvisable for us to insult our host. Rather than seeing it as fraternizing with the enemy, it could be seen as us simply taking advantage of Lord Elrond's kindness," I told Thorin and he frowned before grunting once more.

"I don't like it, but we cannot stay idle either. If Oin thinks you are ready, you and your cousins may go and train," Thorin told me and I smiled brightly before leaning in and kissing his cheek. He surprised me by bumping foreheads with me. Seeing that the matter was done, I decided to lighten the mood back up.

"Hey Bilbo?" I asked and the Hobbit turned to me, pointing to himself in confusion. "You know what I love…?" I asked him as just like I wanted, everyone was hanging on my words. "a nice…fromage," I said, and Bilbo nodded as we both turned to look at the cheese as some of the dwarves coughed and blushed and Fili hold a hand over Kili's mouth.

"Mmmm, yes. It's very nice. I enjoy a good fromage from time to time too," Bilbo told me with a straight face, and everyone looked like they were slightly dying, trying to hold back. Thorin pinching the bridge of his nose as I mentioned the word again, no doubt thinking I was about to start another round of repeating the foreign swear word over and over again.

"Now this fromage, sort of moist," I said as I reached forward and cut a bit of cheese off of the wheel that had been pilfered from the kitchens. I held the chuck up and took a bite as I made eye contact directly with Kili who was squirming in his seat. "Moist fromage," I said and Ori suddenly gasped as he caught on.

"It's cheddar I think," Bilbo told me, and I nodded in agreement, popping the rest in my mouth.

"Fromage Dwalin?" I asked, being a little shit and he turned several shades of red and looked down at his plate. "Really, no fromage? Does anyone want fromage?" I asked the dwarves around me before cutting a bit of cheese off and held it up. The tension broke when Bofur was the second one to catch on, bursting out in laughter. As the rest of the dwarves caught on, they joined him, but Dwalin was still a little red about the cheeks as I caught his eye once more.

"Bless me lass! You had us all thinking…!" Bofur got out before succumbing for laughter again.

"I know. Well, that was a lovely breakfast," I complemented Bombur, standing and handing him back my empty plate with a grin.

Once Oin was done eating I approached him and asked him if he could take a look at my injuries and determine if I was ready to start training again. We went to my room and he inspected every inch of the skin on my back, humming here and there before he stepped back and told me I could put my shirt back on.

"You're healing nicely lass. As long as you don't overdo it, yeh should be fine," Oin told me and I smiled back at him.

"Thank you," I told the older dwarf who smiled at me before packing up his things and leaving. Now that I had a quiet moment to think, I was filled with determination, the fire within me burning in my gut. My mission was to find out if Dwalin truly felt something for me. I wasn't going to approach him unless I had confirmation first.

When I cast my eyes around my sunlight room, I noticed that there was a dress draped over the chair in front of the dressing table which hadn't been there before breakfast. It must have been dropped off when I was gone. I walked over to it, my hands trailing over the soft velvet skirts. The skirt was a dark green and the bodice was made of meadow green silk, carefully embroidered with pink flowers and trailing vines. It was the nicest dress I had ever seen before and I was surprised that it was for me.

There was also a folded set of clothes on the chair, leggings of doe colored cotton and a tunic of dark blue, most likely to replace the clothes which I had lost. I stripped out of my blue dress and put on the leggings and tunic which fit me perfectly. I sat and unbound my hair before combing through it, fixing all of my braids.

My fingers lingered on my new wooden bead and I smiled before pulling the top layer of my hair back and tied it up to keep the hair from falling in my face. I slid my feet into my boots and took one last deep breath before I left, picking up my bow and dagger along the way, and returned to the company to find Fili and Kili. I was met with a rather eager group of dwarves however, Oin's report to Thorin no doubt being overheard.

"Heard that you knew a place where we could train," Gloin said, ax already in hand and I nodded vigorously.

"Yeah. I don't know exactly where we are going, but there is a place that was offered up" I told them and Dwalin who was at the front of the group cracked his knuckles.

"Lead the way," He told me, and I nodded before I led the way, ready to do something rather than sitting about and waiting for something to happen.


"We'll, he's whipped," Nori commented to the other dwarves as they followed after Adaira, Dwalin carrying her bow for her so it "wouldn't hurt her back".

"What?" Kili asked the thief in confusion, taking a look between Dwalin and Adaira who were walking a few paces ahead of them.

"Dwalin's got the moon eyes for your cousin," Bofur told Kili, leaning in towards the prince and waggling his eyebrows while batting his eyes.

"He can't be, he's…Dwalin," Fili told them with confusion and Nori and Bofur laughed at his words.

"Aye lad, that he is," Balin told Fili and Kili with a knowing look and the princes shared a look with one another both looking grim.

"Thorin's not going to like this," They said in unison, the two princes shaking their heads as the frowned deeply.


I led the dwarves through Rivendell, the leader of the pack this time around. I asked the first elf I saw where the training hall was, and they begrudgingly told me. I was voted the voice of the group, the others hanging back as I spoke to the elf and I rolled my eyes before following the directions I was given. I heard the sounds of battle before we reached the training yard, so I knew I was headed in the right place. Two dark-haired, identical elves were sparing in the yard, their blades whipping so fast that they were almost a blur. Strider was practicing his archery, but when we approached them, they stopped.

"What do we have here?" One of the dark-haired elves asked as the dwarves behind me crossed their arms over their chests.

"Mellon!" Strider said as he saw me and he approached us, bowing slightly to me. I heard Dwalin growl behind me and I smiled.

"Thought we might take you up on your offer. If it still stands?" I asked Strider and he nodded and gestured with his hand.

"Of course," Strider said as the dark-haired elves stepped forward.

"Gi nathlam hì, hiril vuin," The dark-haired elves said in unison, bowing their heads to me. The others bristled behind me, obviously feeling insulted by the elves use of a language they didn't know.

"Ù- bedin edhellen," I said, remembering the one phrase my father taught me in the Elvish language of Sindarin and both elves laughed slightly.

"For someone who does not speak Elvish, your Sindarin is quite good, my lady," The elf on the left told me before he bowed to me. "I am Elladan," He introduced himself before his brother on the right bowed also.

"And I am Elrohir," The second elf introduced himself as he rose. "Estel told us that he had met a female dwarf, but we very much doubted him," Elrohir said and I winced as the dwarves behind me tightened their grips on their weapons.

"The term is darrowdam. Estel?" I corrected them before asking my question.

"But another name of mine, my lady," Strider informed me and he nodded before shooting a look at the twins. "As my cousins have said, you are welcome here. Please," Strider told us, and the dwarves shouldered past the elves and Strider, only Dwalin remaining behind, standing behind me.

"Come on lass," He said gruffly, and I looked back at him before nodding.

"Thank you," I told Strider before letting Dwalin lead me to the others.I accepted my bow and quiver back from Dwalin and then Kili and I went to stand before the targets to work on our bow skills, Kili continuing my training. The twins stood nearby, watching as Strider joined us. Fili and Dwalin were sparing, Dwalin practically crushing him with his blows and Fili tapped out quickly, the others taking him. I had a feeling I knew what he was so ready to pound them into the ground. Two elves and a ranger.

Elrohir and Elladan started trying to throw in pointers, which turned into a who has the bigger penis competition, not literally, but by their actions as they tried to one up each other. I threw a look over my shoulder at Strider as Kili and the twins fought over the proper technique, the elves surprised to even find a dwarven archer amongst the group as it wasn't a usual weapon for a dwarf. Strider shrugged apologetically and I headed over to where Fili was sparing with Gloin.

"Perfect timing," Fili told me as he feinted to the side and managed to get around Gloin. "Dead," He said and Gloin swore, huffing and puffing. "Want to give it a go?" Fili asked me, holding one of his swords out by the hilt.

"Might as well," I told him, dropping my bow and quiver and taking the sword from him.

"Best to teach her hand to hand first," Dwalin said behind me then and I turned to find him wiping his face on his shirt which was clinging to him, soaked in sweated. "If someone were to sneak up on yah, yah might not have time to get to yer dagger like yeh did," Dwalin said and Fili nodded in agreement.

"He's right there," Fili told me, and I nodded and handed him back his sword.

"Let's give it a go," I told Dwalin and he nodded before walking away from me. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the ground and turned back, swinging his arms back and forth in front of him as he loosened his muscles. "Yeh won't have time to loosen up if it is a real fight but try to stay loose. Yeh don't want to hurt yerself," Dwalin told me and I nodded in understanding and rolled my shoulders to try and get some of the tension out of them.

"Now, if I come at yeh, there's certain things yeh can do. Go for the eyes, the throat, or the stones," Dwalin told me as he stepped up to me, so we were only inches apart. "Scratch at the eyes or jab yer fingers in them. You can also jab here," Dwalin told me, pointing out each location before pointing to the Adam's apple. "A knee to the stones works too. It can take down any man giving yeh time to get to yer weapon," Dwalin told me before smirking as a few of the others chuckling. I noticed that everyone was watching us and some of the others seemed to be betting on something. "Don't think I have to tell you where to find those," Dwalin told me and I smirked back at him.

"Still in the same place as usual I reckon," I told him and he chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest.

"Aye, I reckon that as well," He said before he grabbed me, spinning me around so that he was behind me and his arm was around my throat. "If they grab yeh, tuck your chin in and…," Dwlain said before I tucked my chin in and elbowed him in the ribs, he groaned and then I pushed myself upwards, arching my back and headbutting him.

He grunted and I quickly leaned down, forcing him to move with me and I grabbed his leg and pulled it forward. His leg moved slightly a fraction and he went off balance, his leg falling out from under him and he fell on his back. I twisted around, still holding him by the leg, but he side swiped me with his free leg and I fell onto my back beside him. He didn't waste any time and he rolled over on top of me. He grinned slightly and I grinned back at me. Obviously, his size and muscle were a match for me, but I was agile and quick. I couldn't maneuver my legs as he was pinning them and my arms down, but dwarves had thick skulls.

I headbutted Dwalin who grunted on the first blow, but Dwalin was used to pain, I need to do more than that. Which is why I headbutted him a second time, aiming for his nose. I was grateful when I smashed him in the nose just right that it would send shooting pain up through his nose. He loosened his grip just enough that I was able to get my leg free and I slipped it around Dwalin's hip. He put an arm around my neck, holding me down as the dwarves wolf whistled at us. I was able to get my other foot free when he rolled over onto his side to hold the top half of me down, without realizing I had more strength in my legs.

I grunted against Dwalin's hold and I breathed out a long breath before tilting myself back, throwing my legs up over my head. I got one leg up and locked around Dwalin's neck, the knee on my other leg pressing into the small of his back. I used it as leverage and kicked downwards, and Dwalin was rolled over me and down so that our positions were reversed. Dwalin breathed heavily as I fell on top of him, my heart racing as I gasped for breath. Dwalin let out a laugh and his chest rumbled as I rose and fell on his chest with every breath he took.

"Nicely done lass," Dwalin told me before he rolled out from under me and helped me to my feet. "I thank yeh for not using yer teeth. Bit nasty," Dwalin told me before he gestured up at his right ear where part of it was missing, the skin mottled. "Got that from an orc," Dwalin told me as I grimaced. "Yer adad taught yeh then?" Dwalin asked me and I nodded as money exchanged hands.

"He made sure I could protect myself. It's been years since I've spared anyone," I admitted and Dwalin chuckled again.

"Not bad lass. Could use some more practice, but not bad," Dwalin told me, clapping me on the shoulder before he walked away, picking up his shirt and wiping his face again. He joined his brother at the side of the ring, Dwalin shooting him a look as Balin smiled at him. When Dwalin had been staring down at me there had been a look in his eyes, something that I would almost call fondness. As I walked towards Fili and Kili, Nori caught my eye and waggled his eyebrows at me.

I remembered something he had told me back when Thorin and Dwalin had spared with one another. Nori had told me that khazad like to parade around in front of darrowdams to show off their battle scars and muscles. Of course, Dwalin could have just done it because his shirt was clinging to him with sweat, but I had caught him flexing his muscles, especially when he was… on top of me. I frowned slightly as I tried to figure it all out and when I turned back from watching Dwalin, Kili and Fili were grinning at me.

"That was amazing," Kili gushed as he handed me back my bow and quiver. "You actually managed to get one up on Mister Dwalin," Kili said and I chuckled slightly at that.

"I don't know about that. I'm a bit out of practice," I told him honestly and Fili shook his head.

"You used your size to your advantage though. Amad can do the same. Your adad actually was the one to train with her more. Amad told us that," Fili informed me, and I made an "ah" sound in understanding.

"What I lack in arm strength I make up in leg strength," I told him with a shrug as I swung my quiver onto my back and then put my bow over my back as well.

"That's apparent," Nori said behind me then and I jumped with a "gah" sound as he snuck up on me. I turned around and he waggled his eyebrows at me again. "So, I have a new lesson for you," Nori told me in a low voice, and I raised an eyebrow at him. "Think you can manage to get your hands on Thorin's pipe?" Nori asked me and I hummed as Fili and Kili frowned behind me.

"Possibly," I told the thief and he smirked.

"What's this?" Fili asked us and I sighed and turned back to him.

"Nori has been teaching me slight of hand. I thought it best to learn just in case," I admitted and Fili nod before humming.

"Idad won't like it," He told me, and I nodded in agreement.

"Which is why I haven't mentioned it," I told him before turning back to Nori, Kili laughing in mirth.

"Is there a time limit?" I asked Nori who hummed and stroked his beard.

"Two days," He finally said, and I nodded in agreement.

"I'll see if I can manage it," I told him, and he grinned at me before patting me on my uninjured arm.

"I'll be waiting," He told me before he walked back over to Bofur who had been watching us. He winked at me and I smiled back before turning back to Fili and Kili.

"This is brilliant," Kili told me, grinning widely and I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"Not a word," I reminded him, and he made a gesture of shutting his mouth and I snorted again. "Well, I would like to wash up and preferably not in a fountain," I told them, and a deep blush rose on their cheeks, tinging them a bright pink.

"Thank you for not telling Idad," Kili told me as Fili rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"He already is grumpy because we're here, I didn't need him castrating all of you too," I told them and Fili and Kili winced, their hands covering themselves just a little bit before Fili shook his head.

"We didn't think you would see us. We only wanted the Elves to see," Fili told me as he and Kili began escorting me back towards our quarters, the others shouting to us that they would catch up with us.

"Yeah well, that didn't exactly work out for you, did it?" I asked them with a raised eyebrow and they both shook their heads, turning pink again. I had them stop at the Halls of Healing for me and I popped inside, looking for Aredhel. I happened to run into Lord Elrond though who was checking on some of his people.

"Mae g'ovannen," Lord Elrond greeted me with a bow of his head. "Do your injuries pain you?" He asked me as I curtsied slightly in respect.

"No, thank you. I was looking for Aredhel," I informed Lord Elrond who smiled slightly back at me.

"Aredhel is not here today," Lord Elrond informed me, and I nodded in understanding. "Perhaps I can help you in her stead," He added, and I hummed slightly.

"I only was looking for a place to bathe," I told him, and he nodded, a slight smile on his face.

"Perhaps we have a fountain that would be to your liking," He told me, and I was the one who blushed then.

"I apologize for my kin. I think perhaps they have learnt their lesson to respect your home," I apologized, and Lord Elrond held up his hand, smiling at me.

"I only jest my lady," He assured me, and I sighed in relief. "Allow me to escort you," He told me, and I nodded in agreement. He strode beside me as we left and Fili and Kili looked slightly unhappy as we joined them outside. Lord Elrond remained silent as he escorted us the bathing halls. We stopped in front of them and Lord Elrond bowed his head to me once more. "Please feel free to make use of these halls whilst you are here," He told me, and I bowed my head back in respect.

"Thank you," I told him, and he smiled slightly down at me.

"How did you find the dress Aredhel crafted for you?" Lord Elrond asked me, and I frowned in confusion.

"Aredhel made them?" I asked Lord Elrond in surprise and he nodded at me. "The blue dress yes, the green was your mother's," He informed me, and I shook my head quickly to hide my surprised reaction.

"My mother's? You must be mistaken my lord. My mother has never visited Rivendell," I lied, trying to keep my cover, but Lord Elrond only smiled wider at me.

"You look just like your mother, Alayla," Lord Elrond informed me, his smile never faltering as he called my bluff and he sighed deeply then. "I would recognize her daughter anywhere. The last time I saw her, she arrived here in Rivendell, malnourished and greatly injured. She stayed her for quite some time until she was well enough to leave. I wish I could tell you that I knew where she went, but sadly, I have heard no more word of her whereabouts," Lord Elrond told me sounding both fond and sad. "It was I who named her Elf-friend. She acted as our ambassador with Nordinbad, but no word has come from Nordinbad since the fall of the Lonely Mountain," Lord Elrond said, and I frowned deeply. "You and your kin are most welcome here," He told me, and I nodded, before he bowed to me and left us.

"So much for trying to hide your identity," Fili said behind me then and I turned around, Fili and Kili looking grim. "Idad won't be happy about this," He added, and I nodded in agreement.

"It was bound to happen if he knew my mother," I told them and they both nodded, sharing a look with one another, not looking happy. "Let's just get cleaned up and head back to the others," I told them before I headed into the bathing hall.

There were two sides, one for women on the right and one for men on the left. I assured my cousins that I didn't need a guard and I headed into the bathing hall which provided towels as well as all the oils and soaps I would need. Several women were bathing in the communal bath which was far larger than the bath in the Halls of Healing. I felt self-conscious as the stopped their conversations, staring at me before they began whispering to one another.

I just sighed and stripped out of my sweaty clothes and quickly stepped down into the bath, sitting on one of the steps. While I could swim, I didn't want to get in too deep. Dwarves were still heavier than most races and thus, we sunk like stone. I chose a lovely lavender oil and soap that reminded me of home, and I washed up happily, playing special attention to my hair. I ignored the other women and as soon as I was finished, I pulled myself of the hot water, not wanting to spend a moment more with them.

It wasn't hard to miss the differences between the races. The elves were hairless save for their heads, eyebrows, and eye lashes, whereas I had hairy legs and arms and other places. I also was short with wide hips and large breast while the elves were practically flat chested, willowy, and slim. I felt like a troll next to them and as soon as I toweled myself off, I hurriedly dressed back in my clothes, not caring that they were sweaty. I stomped out, toweling my hair and was grateful to find that Fili and Kili were fresh face and waiting for me.

As soon as we got back to our quarters I slipped into my room and laid down on my bed, not caring that I felt gross in these clothes. I only allowed myself a few minutes to consider the differences before I kicked myself and reminded myself that I was a darrowdam and thus would look different than the elves.

I stripped myself out of my clothes and left them folded on the end of the bed as I rebound my breast with fresh lengths of cloth and then slipped into the silk shift that would go under my dress. I sat in front of the dressing table, taking out all my braids and I decided to work on my hair later as I began trying to put the new dress on myself. I had just started on the laces when a knock sounded on the door.

"Mizimith?" Thorin asked from the other side and I crossed over to it, opening it only a bit. "I thought perhaps you might need help with your hair," Thorin said and I nodded and opened the door a bit wider so he could come in.

"I actually need help with these laces too," I admitted as he entered my room and I gestured to the laces at the back of the dress. He grunted and motioned for me to turn around before he made quick work of them.

"Are they too tight?" He asked me gruffly and I shook my head.

"No, thank you," I said, and he had me sit on the bed as he took out his comb. He sat behind me and brushed through my hair, humming lowly the tune of our shared grief for the loss of Erebor.

"Fili told me that the elf knows of your linage," Thorin commented as he brushed out some tangles.

"He knew my mother," I agreed quietly, and he grumbled slightly at that. "He doesn't know about adad though," I added as Thorin worked and he grumbled once more.

"No doubt he suspects however. Perhapse not the truth, but no doubt he knows you are of Durin's line," Thorin told me and I nodded before Thorin steadied my head. "Once he learns of our quest, he will attempt to stop us," Thorin said in a sour voice and I sighed heavily.

"He most likely will, but he might know how to read the map," I told him and Thorin grunted at that. "We can't hope to find the hidden door without knowing where to look. Dwarf doors are invisible while closed and ugmil 'adad wasn't exactly forthcoming about where it was located," I told him, broaching the subject which I knew that we needed to talk about while we had a minute alone.

"The map is the legacy of our people. I will not show it to the likes of this Elf, lord or no," Thorin told me with anger in his voice and I turned around to look at him.

"Then our quest may well be over before it could truly start. Adad kurdu, think about it. If we make it all the way to the mountain, what then? We could search for an entire lifetime and not find the hidden door. And if Smaug still lives, not one of us would dare to try and go through the front gates. I don't know about you but showing Lord Elrond the map may be our only choice," I told Thorin truthfully and a muscle popped in his jaw as he ground his teeth together.

"We can figure out a way to find the hidden door ourselves. The map is mine to protect," Thorin told me through gritted teeth.

"Just, think about it for a moment," I told Thorin firmly, getting his attention before I spoke. "You can protect the map and never reclaim Erebor or we can ask nicely for Lord Elrond to take a quick look at it and tell us where to find the hidden door," I told him, holding up a hand and stopping him as he tried to interrupt me. "Please, just hear me out, idad," I told him, and he nodded, not looking pleased.

"It's ultimately your choice, but I think traveling for half a year all the way across Middle Earth, only to arrive in the winter with no shelter and no way into the mountain, wouldn't exactly be in our favor. We have to do things we don't want to do in life. If this quest fails it would only prove to all the dwarven lords who spoke out against you and failed to lend you their aid that this quest was always meant to fail. You'd be proving them right. Then they would be able to question your judgement as a leader," I told him, and his anger softened as he blew out a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I don't want to see that happen, idad. We have a chance to reclaim Erebor. I'll back you in whatever you decide, but please, give it careful consideration. We know that Lord Elrond knew my mother and even named her Elf-friend. If I asked him to look at the map, it wouldn't be coming from you. It would be a favor for a friend's daughter, not coming from a king," I told him, and he lowered his hand looking at me.

"Frerin would be proud of you. You speak wisely even if I don't like it. You'll make a fine queen one day," Thorin told me gruffly and I smiled at him as he shook his head. "I cannot go back to Ered Luin, in defeat. This quest must not fail," Thorin told me firmly and I nodded in agreement. "No, I do not like it, but we will reclaim Erebor for our people," Thorin told me before placing a hand on my good shoulder. "You shall ask the elf to look at the map, but no more than that," He told me firmly and I nodded once more.

"Tonight," I told him, and he nodded in agreement. "We need to get back on the road as soon as possible. Every day we lose pushes our arrival further into winter, barring no other delays," I told him and Thorin hummed before gesturing me to turn back around so that he could finish my hair. He braided it more intricately in one long braid with several smaller braids crisscrossing through it in geometric patterns. My warrior braid and family braid hanging freely near my face. Their hair of my family braid was getting longer but I decided to leave it for now.

We ate dinner once more in the dining hall with Lord Elrond who was joined by his sons, Strider's so-called cousins. They made jests; the tension so high during dinner that you could practically cut into it with a butter knife. I approached the topic with Lord Elrond, telling him that I had found a map in the troll horde and if he had a spare moment, might he look at he. He agreed and after dinner we followed him to a long hall that looked to act as a study of sorts. Gandalf, Bilbo and Balin were with as I I took out the map which Thorin had given me.

"Our business is no concern of elves," Balin cut in as I pulled out the map, standing near Thorin's right side.

"For goodness sake, Adaria, show him the map," Gandalf directed me, and I raised a hand to quite Balin's fears.

"I only want to know what it is and what it says, Balin," I assured the dwarf, giving him a pointed look and he seemed to catch on while Gandalf looked only more exasperated.

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall, Thorin Oakenshield. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond, Adaria," Gandalf gripped, and I sighed deeply.

"Everyone just take a deep breath," I told them holding up my hands placatingly. "Relax," I told them and Thorin huffed out a deep breath ass Bilbo frowned at us in confusion. I handed the map out to Lord Elrond, but Balin tried to stop me.

"Adaria, no!" He shouted and I held up a hand to him, stepping past him and Thorin before handing Lord Elrond the map. He inspected it closely, his eyes only widening slightly.

"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Lord Elrond asked me with a raised eyebrow. As I went to remind him, uh lie to him, that I had found it in the troll horde Gandalf interrupted me.

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandald asked Lord Elrond who nodded before he walked away a little bit from us, looking at the map. As the light from the waning moon coming from out on the balcony hit the map, Lord Elrond seemed to realize something.

"Cirth Ithil," He said quietly, and I frowned, not knowing what they were.

"Moon runes," Gandalf translated for us before nodding, seemingly pleased. "Of course. An easy thing to miss."

"Well in this case, that 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," Lord Elrond informed us and I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked Lord Elrond surprising me and Lord Elrond hummed slightly before he led us all to an open area outside, on the side of a cliff, with waterfalls all around. The moon was behind some clouds and we walked toward a large crystalline table.

"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Lady Adaria; the same moon shines upon us in one week's time," Lord Elrond informed us before he folded up the map and handed it back to me. "You and your kin are welcome to stay here in Imladris until the map can be read," Lord Elrond told me, and I bowed my head to him.

"My thanks. Might we use your forges whilst we are here to fix our weapons before we make our leave of your halls?" I inquired, doing my best to sound proper.

"You may make use of all areas of my house, so long as you and your kin treat them with respect," Lord Elrond answered me after a moment, and I nodded in understanding.

"I will let my kin know of this. Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Elrond," I told the elf with a curtsy, finally getting the hang of it and he bowed his head in return before we left, leaving the wizard with Lord Elrond.

"Well, that went well," Bilbo pipped up from beside me as Thorin frowned deeply, Balin in a tizzy.

"How could you let Adaira show him the map Thorin? It is the legacy of our people," Balin hurriedly said as he walked beside my uncle.

"Adaria pointed out to me that if our quest were to fail because we cannot find the hidden door, the dwarven lords could possibly question my judgement," Thorin told Balin in a low voice as we returned to the others.

"The lass may have a good point Thorin, but the elf cannot be trusted," Balin said and I decided to intervene.

"My mother trusted him," I interjected and Balin fell silent. "She was named Elf-Friend by Lord Elrond which I why I asked him to look at the map, not Thorin. The more we bicker amongst ourselves and look as if we are hiding something is only bound to raise his suspicions. We will go with the story that we found it in the troll horde and only have academic interest in it," I told the older dwarf who sighed deeply as Thorin looked at me with pride in his eyes.

"It could work, I'll give you that lass," Balin finally said after a few moments of silence.

"We'll make it work, but we all need to be on the same page," I agreed, and he finally nodded. Thorin patted my good arm before leaning down and bumping foreheads with me. I smiled, glad that I had done something right that could help the quest.

The dwarves were having a party when we returned to the Company. I slapped a hand over my face as I saw that they were roasting sausages over a fire made by burning the Elvish furniture which looked to have come from my room or had been pilfered from somewhere else. Bofur, seeing that Bombur was sitting on a bench and eating a large bowl of food, looked at his sausage which he had just taken off of a skewer thoughtfully.

"Bombur!" Bofur called as we stopped in the entrance way to the balcony.

As Bombur looked up, Bofur threw him the sausage and Bombur caught it in his mouth. The weight of the sausage was just too much for the bench, and the bench broke; Bombur, shrieking as he fell to the floor, along with all his food. The dwarves laugh uproariously, Thorin even joining in, Balin chuckling until I elbowed them both in the ribs. I strode forward to cheers from the other, Bofur readying more sausages.

"Ye've come back in time, we were just about to get the party started," Bofur informed me as I counted to ten and took a few deep breaths.

"What did the elf say?" Dwalin asked Thorin as he got up and came over to us.

"The map cannot be read for another week. We are in luck. The secrets are written in moon runes. The elf can read them, but not until the next crescent moon," Thorin informed him, speaking louder so that the entire Company could here. "Adaira asked if we could make use of their forges and the elf agreed," Thorin told them, and many looked pleased by this news.

"If…," I said, catching everyone's attention. "…we treat his halls with respect," I told them all before gesturing to their furniture fire. "This is not respect," I pointed out and Bofur only shrugged, still roasting his sausages.

"Can't be helped now," He told me after I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why do I feel like there is something I don't know?" Thorin asked Dwalin with a raised eyebrow and a slightly scary look.

"Sorry, I'm throwing you all under the bus," I told the Company, Bofur and Nori pleading for me to stop, as I turned to Thorin. "They, including Fili and Kili, had the bright idea of bathing in one of the fountains. A fountain that is for Varda. Lord Elrond saw it…I saw it. I'd like to wipe the images from my mind," I admitted and Thorin looked thunderous.

"My nâthuê kurdu saw you all naked?" Thorin asked in anger and some winced at his tone and also the first use of him calling me the daughter of his heart in public for the first time. "And you two," He said, rounding on Fili and Kili, Kili squeaking and shooting me pleading looks. "You are old enough now to know how you have to behave. How can we show we are not savages if you act as such?" Thorin thundered and Dwalin shrugged looking unbothered.

"We thought it would be a laugh. None of us meant for the lass to see," Dwalin told him and Thorin wiped a hand down his face and let out a long steaming breath, the look he shot Dwalin the worst of them all.

"This does not happen again," Thorin told the Company who vigorously nodded. "And you two are on guard duty until we leave here," Thorin told Fili and Kili who nodded, looking relieved that that was their only punishment. Thorin stomped off and Bilbo hurried after him. I let him go, knowing that he only needed a moment.

Everyone shot me slightly dirty looks for having outed them to Thorin, but the grudge didn't hold for long as Bofur patted the spot beside him and had me sit down. He handed me a sausage and I bit into it, the juice streaming down my face. I wiped my face on the back of my hand as the merriment continued. Thorin and Bilbo returned before long and Thorin sat in the back corner which was now his spot. Bofur, egged on by the others, got up and started stomping his feet to a familiar tune.

"There's an…," Bofur began in a low baritone drawing out the words. "… inn, there's an inn, there's a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill," Bofur sang as the Dwarves began stopping their feet to the tune and clapping their hands together, Bombur betting on the bottom of his empty bowl.

"And there they brew a beer so brown, that the Man in the Moon himself came down, one night to drink his fill!" Bofur sang with the others joining in and Bofur looked at me expectantly as he sang.

"Oh…," I sang before he could, lowering my voice to cheers from the others. "The ostler has a tipsy cat that plays a five-stringed fiddle; and up and down he runs his bow, now squeaking high," I sang in a high soprano before lowering my voice to a near baritone, "now purring low. Now sawing in the middle!" I sang before Bilbo stood up and decided to join in as the dwarves got their fiddles out along with other instruments and began playing the jig.

"The landlord keeps a little dog, that is mighty fond of jokes; When there's good cheer among the guests," Bilbo sang to a loud cheer from all of us, Bofur whistling loudly. "He cocks an ear at all the jests, and laughs until he chokes," Bilbo finished to applause.

"They also keep a hornéd cow as proud as any queen; But music turns her head like ale, And makes her wave her tufted tail and dance upon the green," Nori jumped in next, his voice more of an alto, as we kept the rhythm, making a new song that was all our own.

"And O! the rows of silver dishes, and the store of silver spoons! For Sunday there's a special pair, and these they polish up with care on Saturday afternoons!" Bilbo jumped back in as I smiled, the merriment something I had come to enjoy in my life.

"The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail; a dish and a spoon on the table danced, the cow in the garden madly pranced, and the little dog chased his tail," Bofur sang, making up the next verses before Ori seemed to come up with something.

"The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair; and there he dozed and dreamed of ale, till in the sky the stars were pale, and dawn was in the air," Ori sang in a tenor and Nori and Bofur thumped him on the back as Ori blushed like a peach.

"Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat: 'The white horses of the Moon, they neigh and champ their silver bits; but their master's been and drowned his wits, and the Sun'll be rising soon!'" I sang when I noticed that no one had anything else. Bofur laughed and pointed at me before gesturing for us all to join him on the next verse.

"So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead: he squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, while the landlord shook the Man in the Moon: 'It's after three!' he said," We sang, thinking that was the end, but Bilbo had another verse already ready.

"They rolled the Man slowly up the hill and bundled him into the Moon, while his horses galloped up in rear, and the cow came capering like a deer, and a dish ran up with the spoon," Bilbo sang and the other looked around to see who had the next first. They all grinned as the pointed to me and I shook my head, not having anything.

"Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle; the dog began to roar, the cow and the horses stood on their heads; the guests all bounded from their beds and danced upon the floor," Dwalin sang then, his voice rumbling as he sawed at his fiddle faster to the delight of the others. We locked eyes on each other, and I smiled widely, slightly surprised when his lip quirked up slightly.

"With a ping and a pong, the fiddle-strings broke! the cow jumped over the Moon, and the little dog laughed to see such fun, and the Saturday dish went off at a run with the silver Sunday spoon," Ori sang as Dwalin looked away from me, ruining the moment.

"The round Moon rolled behind the hill as the Sun raised up her head. She hardly believed her fiery eyes; For though it was day, to her surprise they all went back to bed!" I finished coming up with a line finally and the fiddles stopped, and there was a great cheer and I was thumped on the shoulder a few times before Dwalin called for them to knock it off.

"Adaira," Kili said as it had all settled down and we went back to eating and lazing about as the moon rose higher in the sky. "Could you sing another song like your one about the tin soldier?" Kili asked me and I frowned and shook my head.

"It's late. You really don't want to hear me sing," I told him and Bofur heard and gasped before putting a hand over his heart.

"Ye don't deem us worthy of a voice like yours?" Bofur asked me with a grin on his face.

"It's…no one wants to hear me sing," I told him, and the dwarves voiced their protest at that and voicing their opposition to my statement. "I…one song," I relented and there were a few cheers for me. "I looked over at Thorin who was listening and met his gaze. "Adad kurdu?" I asked and he nodded, telling me he was listening. "Can you play your harp for me. And Kili…would you play you fiddle for it?" I asked and both men agreed. I sat up, wrapping my arms around my knees which I bent up to my chest as I sat, gazing into the glowing embers of the fire, the light from the flams dancing on my face.

"When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary," I began to sing in a low voice and Kili and Thorin caught onto the tune easily enough and began playing to accompany my voice. "When troubles come, and my heart burdened be. Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me," I sang my voice steadily rising as I looked at Thorin, Fili, and Kili and smiled at them fondly.

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains. You raise me up to walk on stormy seas. I am strong when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up to more than I can be," I sang to my uncle and cousins before turning and looking at the Company as I sang the next repeating verse.

"There is no life - no life without its hunger, each restless heart beats so imperfectly, but when you come and I am filled with wonder, sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity," I sang as I looked at Dwalin, meeting his gaze as I sang. "You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains, you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas, I am strong, when I am on your shoulders, You raise me up to more than I can be. You raise me up… to more than I can… be," I sang to Dwalin and just as my voice started to fade away, he rose from his seat and walked off. I looked to Balin and he shook his head at me sadly, not know what just happened either.

I was sure that I had my answer now. Dwalin, didn't love me or care for me and I was certainly not his One. He made it very clear to me that everyone was wrong. I hugged my knees to my chest, sitting between Fili and Kili and only answering questions when I was spoken to. Dwalin hadn't returned by the time Thorin told us to call it a night.

Kili escorted me back to my room and I entered, lighting a candle and taking off everything except for my shift. I plopped down on the bed as I felt my eyes well up with tears. When my face hit the pillow, something soft caressed my face and I turned and rolled to the side off of whatever it was to find a bouquet of poppies the petals the same color as my hair. I wiped my eyes, smiling and then I put a hand over my mouth as I laughed. I had my answer, but what about mine. Did I love him and was he my One?

Khuzdul-

Nî ikrit fund -Never trust an Elf

Adad kurdu- Father of my heart

Amad-Mother

Idad-Uncle

Mizimith- Little jewel

Ugmil 'adad- Gradfather

Sindarin-

Mellon- My friend

Gi nathlam hì, hiril vuin- You are welcome here, my lady.

Ù- bedin edhellen- I don't speak Elvish

Mae g'ovannen- Well met