Happy New Year everyone! This was one of my favorite chapters to write. Finally some romance! I hope you all enjoy!

Forgive me if the elvish is off. I honestly can't remember what translator and dictionary I used for it.

Chapter 8- The Mage and her Minstrel

It didn't take long for the dwarves to find the end of the pathway. All of them slowed down a bit as they all walked out onto a ledge where a small waterfall trickled down... but they didn't stop because the pathway ended, they stopped to observe what was down in the valley below. Bilbo came out and found that he was lacking in words for the sight. Istril followed him and when her eyes beheld the sight, a beautiful smile broke out onto her lips.

"The Valley of Imladris," Gandalf announced to everyone, though Istril did not need it. "In the common tongue, it is known by another name," the Wizard said as he stepped forward to take the lead.

"Rivendell," Bilbo breathed, the ghost of a smile on his face. He'd never thought he'd see such a sight. Istril looked down at him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You're going to love this place, Bilbo," she whispered to him. He looked up at her.

"I never imagined I would get to see it," he admitted.

"Here lies the Last Homely House, East of the Sea," Gandalf smiled. The moment was interrupted, however, by Thorin.

"This was your plan all along," he hissed to the Wizard, "to seek refuge with our enemy!"

"You will find no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield!" Gandalf scolded. "The only ill will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Neither Bilbo nor Istril could argue with that.

"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing?" Thorin shook his head. "They will try to stop us."

"Of course they will, but we have questions that need to be answered," Gandalf reminded. Thorin sighed and looked down. He knew the Wizard had a point but he didn't have to like it. Istril glanced at them, but then turned back to look at Rivendell. Her heart was fluttering and her stomach was twisting in excitement, for there was another reason as to why she was happy to be back here but Gandalf's voice broke her from her thoughts. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact, and respect, and no small degree of charm," he stood up a little straighter and looked over at Istril. "Which is why you will leave the talking to my apprentice and I." With those last words, Gandalf stepped up to the head of the group with Istril following him.

They made their way down the side of the mountain and finally stepped onto the stone of the bridge that led them to the entrance. Istril felt a peaceful feeling settle over her body, but she pulled her hood further over her head and kept her head down as they crossed slowly. She gazed at the rushing water below them and slowly glanced up. She saw Gandalf raise a brow.

"Don't," she told him, "I am... rather embarrassed at my state," she admitted.

"Istril no one is going to judge you here. You know that," he told her gently. "You are battle worn and travel weary, which is not an uncommon look for you. And you wear it rather well if I do say so myself," He winked at her. Istril bit her lip but followed on. They stopped before the stairs and spread out a bit. She watched all of them. The dwarves were silent and judgmental, but Bilbo was silent and admiring. It made her smile. They were waiting to be granted entrance in.

"I told you you'd like it," she whispered to Bilbo who was close to her. Bilbo looked up at her and smiled.

"I do... But why do you wear your hood?" He asked curiously.

"Mithrandir!" A smooth male voice called. Istril felt her voice catch in her throat. She drew a quick breath and kept her back turned on the two. Gandalf smiled.

"Ah! Lindir!" He glanced over at Istril, seeing how rigid she was and flashing a quick amused smile at Bilbo. He looked confused at that, but turned back to Istril.

"Istrl... Are you feeling alright?" He asked.

"Fine..." She breathed. She heard Lindir speaking to Gandalf in elvish and her heart raced a bit.

Lindir greeted the wizard welcomingly, but his dark eyes trailed to someone else. He saw she was hooded and cloaked and had her back to them. A fond smile pulled at his lips and he took a step down to go towards her but was stopped by Gandalf.

"My dear apprentice..." The Wizard called softly. Istril bit her lip, then slowly turned around but she kept her head down.

"Yes, Gandalf," she said obediently, standing beside him. Lindir watched her intently. She glanced to the side when she heard Thorin mutter a 'stay sharp' to Dwalin.

"Mankoi uma lle lanna lle doltelme?" (Why do you wear your hood?) Lindir spoke to her and she felt her heart jump in her chest.

"Yes... Why?" Gandalf inquired. Bilbo was still silently watching the whole scene, completely absorbed in whatever was happening.

"It has been far too long since I last looked upon your face," Lindir took another step down. Istril took a deep breath, then reached up and slowly pulled her hood back, revealing herself to him. Her braids were unkempt and tangled as always, there was dirt on her fair face... But it did nothing to hide the blush that was on her cheeks as her eyes were locked with his. None of this bothered him in the least. She was earthen and wild and he wouldn't have it any other way. Lindir smiled, a look about him that Gandalf knew was only reserved for her, and something that Bilbo was seeing and realizing. "Istril..." Lindir said her name like a sigh of warm summer wind, as if he hadn't seen her in an age. It made her blush even more, but a smile appeared on her lips as well and she never broke her gaze from him.

"Lindir..." There was a warmth and longing behind her voice that Bilbo had never heard. Istril bowed her head to him and Bilbo smiled softly as he watched all of this play out. There were a lot of things he was witnessing first hand on this journey, love now being one of them.

"We must speak with lord Elrond," Gandalf said gently, not really wanting to ruin the moment but knowing they had much business to take care of. Lindir's eyes drifted back to him.

"My Lord Elrond is not here," he said regrettably.

"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked, but his question was answered by the sound of a horn in the distance. He smiled a bit and gave a nod, then turned around to face the incoming elf lord and his soldiers. Lindir and Istril spared one last glance at each other, before they turned their attentions as well. Thorin and the dwarves, however, were immediately on the defense.

"Close ranks!" Thorin shouted. Bofur stepped up and grabbed Bilbo, pulling him into the safety of the group as Lord Elrond galloped in followed by his bannermen and soldiers. They rode in circles around the dwarves, making them press even further into a group. Gandalf and Istril looked a bit distressed, not wanting further unrest to happen. They'd already had to deal with angry dwarves and were hoping to keep tensions down as best they could. Finally the horses came to a stop as Lord Elrond did. He smiled at the two.

"Gandalf! Istril!" He greeted warmly. The Wizard and his apprentice smiled and crossed their hands over their hearts.

"Lord Elrond, mellon nin," Gandalf said for them. He went on to ask, in elvish, where he'd been. Istril heard him answer they'd hunted a pack of orcs that had come up from the south and had slain a great number near the hidden passage. Her eyes drifted over to carefully watch the dwarves. Lord Elrond dismounted and approached the two. He stepped forward and hugged Gandalf, who returned it. He then drew back and looked down at the elf mage. She bowed her head briefly, but Elrond also pulled her into a gentle hug as well. It made her smile.

"Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders," he mused, holding up an orc sword. He stepped over and handed it off to Lindir, who took it with a nod. "Something or someone has drawn them near," Elrond rose a brow at them.

"Ah. That may have been us," Gandalf held his hand out to present the company. The dwarves had finally relaxed, if only a little, but Thorin stepped up to the elf lord.

"Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain," Elrond said.

"I do not believe we have met." The dwarf stood before the elf, his head held high.

"You have your grandfather's bearing," Elrond elaborated. "I knew Thror when he was King Under the Mountain."

"Indeed? He made no mention of you," Thorin had a bit of a bite to his words. Elrond simply looked at him, but then began to speak in elvish to them. His expression was calm and Istril panicked a bit, but also realized he might have been doing that for his own amusement. It was confirmed when Gandalf smiled.

"What is he sayin?" Gloin suddenly growled. "Does he offer us insult?!" At that, the other dwarves yelled in agreement.

"He is offering you food and shelter," Istril said with a gentle smile. Gandalf gave a nod in confirmation, looking amused as ever. All of the dwarves turned and moved into a huddle. They muttered amongst each other for a moment, then Gloin turned back to them.

"Well... In that case, lead on." The dwarves prepared themselves and grabbed their gear to follow the others further into the Last Homely House. Elrond looked over at Lindir.

"Show them where they will be staying and then we shall have dinner."

"Of course my lord," Lindir bowed his head as Lord Elrond walked past him up the stairs. Bilbo stepped up beside Istril and watched her and Lindir make eyes at each other before he turned to lead them up the stairs.

"You know you lied to me earlier. You didn't have to," Bilbo told her. Istril blinked and looked down at him.

"I lied to you? About what?" She furrowed her brow. Bilbo just kept the victorious smile on his lips.

"You said you were fine. You are not fine, you are in love, Istril," Bilbo finally looked up at her. She blushed and her eyes were a bit wide. She only looked up at Gandalf for help, but no help came from him. He smiled with that twinkle in his eyes.

"Hobbits are remarkably clever," he looked down at Bilbo and flashed a wink at him. Istril let out a slow breath and tried to calm her blushing down.

"I... Yes," she said softly. "Yes, I am," she smiled and looked down at Bilbo. "Too smart for your own good, you know that?" Bilbo seemed to straighten up with pride but he shook his head.

"No. I simply observed. Anyone who looks at you two and says it isn't love? Well he's either blind or a right git in my opinion," he glanced back up at her with a warm smile.

"You constantly surprise me. I could kiss you again, you know," and when she said that, Lindir glanced back at the two of them. Istril blinked but Bilbo came to the rescue.

"I know, but I believe there is someone else who needs it more than me," the hobbit patted her arm gently. Istril bit her lip and laughed softly. Oh she was glad to be back and she was going to heed that advice.

I just love Lindir so much.

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