Chapter 8: Over the High Pass Into Imladris

The cool dawn came slower than Jodis would have liked, unable to find rest again after Bjorni had interrupted her sleep. She laid on her back and watched the sky turn from inky blue-grey to lilac, contemplating the shapes in the clouds as they moved across the skies. She kept her mind on where she was going, to Rivendell, the home of Lord Elrond Peredhel. She'd heard her family talk about his home many times, though Thorin's probably wasn't the most kind. Her father on the other hand had spoken of it fondly, remembering the fair people and grand houses, though he did complain the food wasn't as hearty as he'd prefer.

"But, then again," he'd lovingly look at Tauriel in these moments, "I suppose it helps keep those Elvish beauties keep their lovely trim figures." She'd look at her husband affectionately, and if they were close enough, give him a peck on the cheek. Jodis loved seeing these moments between her parents, though she realized from a young age she looked different in how her body was shaped from her mother.

"Mamil, will I ever look like you?"

She was only 30 when she asked, by the standard of both her heritages still a child, comparable to a human teenager. Her mother had paused in braiding Jodis's hair and met her imploring gaze in the mirror. "What do you mean, Jo? Mell nín, did someone say- "

"No, mamil, it's just… Everyone says you're so beautiful, and I'm so big- "

Tauriel turned Jodis to face her and spoke with a stern affection that only mother's can somehow achieve. "Listen to me, Jodis. You are beautiful. You are the best of me and the best of your father. True, you look different, but my darling girl, when I see you… You are so strong, My Jo, so much more than I am." She turned her back to the mirror and pointed for her to look. "You see these arms? These arms are made carry the hopes and well-being of her people." Tauriel held her daughter's arms outstretched, and tickled under her forearms, making Jodis smile and giggle. "And these eyes? These eyes are made to see where to lead people to safety, to comfort, and to see justice carried through." She leaned down to put her face next to Jodis's in the mirror. "You are beautiful, Mell nín, and will bring not only the people here in Erebor to greater places, but to bring peace between both of your people."

Jodis felt better as she replayed the memory, and smiled softly to herself as the sky became streaked with bright yellow as the sun peeked over the dense foliage they'd left behind in Mirkwood. Hearing her companions beginning to stir, Jodis sat up and stretched her stiff muscles languidly, a little groan escaping her at the tension releasing from her shoulders and wrists.

After a quick breakfast of dried fruits and bread (which was, of course, shared surreptitiously with her mare), they mounted up and managed to safely cross the river. The twins had been right, the river was much calmer and less swollen than it had been the day before, and the crossing took almost no time at all. The pace was quicker, knowing they needed to make up time from the various delays, especially knowing they were going to cross at the high pass. There'd been heavy debate between her dwarrow guards about whether it might be safer to go through the gap of Rohan or even go through Moria, but with a bit of careful flattery from Jodis, the pass had been settled as the best route.

Elrohir rode ahead with Soora and Elladan, checking the road for mudslides. By the swelling of the river, it was clear the rains had been further than just Mirkwood, and there were white peaks on the mountains that made the company a little nervous of icy slopes. After a couple hours, the three that had ridden ahead came back to confirm their fears, the icy slopes meant they'd need to go on foot once they were nearing the pass itself.

The journey up the mountains was quickly paced, both to make up time and not to linger in the goblin-infested mountains longer than necessary. Fortunately, they made it to the pass without incident, dismounting to lead the horses and ponies through the tricky frozen route. Elrohir and Soora took the lead, while Bjorni and Radi stuck close to Jodis, Zelphar just behind them. They'd been making good time up to this point but had to slow down for Jodis. Her steps were slower, leaning on Radi and Bjorni for support. There had been some conversation of Jodis continuing to ride her mare through the pass, but Jodis had put her foot down. If it was too dangerous for the rest to ride, then it was too dangerous for her.

The slow pace of their travel made it so they were just past halfway through the pass when night fell, and fortunately there was an empty cave where they could take some sort of shelter for the night. Though small and cramped, they could pack in tightly with the horses and ponies to get some rest. Zelphar insisted on checking her ankle, which she allowed somewhat begrudgingly. The appendage was certainly in pain, and she didn't really want to allow him to jostle and twist it, even gently, but recognized that he would be better able to assess if she was only making it worse.

Again, Elrohir and Elladan took first watch, and Jodis took the opportunity to catch up on much needed rest. Though the rock was rough and unforgiving, her sleep was blessedly dreamless, and helped make up for the lack of rest the night before.

"Azbadu men." Jodis awoke to Radi gently shaking her shoulder, his voice hushed and urgent. She blearily opened her eyes and felt his finger press on her mouth to shush her before she could speak. "We have to go, quietly." She saw the others were either up or rousing themselves and looked questioningly at Radi. He removed his hand and nodded towards the entrance to their shelter.

"Wargs. Heard them baying for an hour, they're getting closer. They rode out to keep them off our tail, but we need to move." Looking around, she noticed the elves of her guard were missing, and realized who 'they' were. Her heart dropped, knowing the danger they were in, and moved as quickly as she could, leaning on Radi for support as her mare was saddled. "Are we safe to ride?"

"We don't have a choice, Azbadu men. We need to go." Bjorni nodded in agreement with Beini's statement, lingering behind in the cave as the others mounted their ponies. Jodis remembered the mishap and that they were two ponies short. "Radi, Bjorni, what will you do? I can only fit one of you with me." A dark look flew around the faces of her dwarrow guards, and Jodis understood.

They were staying behind.

"Tan menu selek lanun naman, Khazad."

"And you, Azbadu men." Bjoni didn't speak, but nodded quietly, confirming Radi's sentiment. Jodis hesitated, thinking of insisting one or the other come with her, but at that moment she heard a loud howl and the clanging of metal on metal. With a final look at Radi and Bjorni, she followed Beini and Klarak into the narrow pass with the third dwarrow, Naugladur, following behind. They pushed the ponies and mare going as fast as they safely could in the tricky switchbacks on the path. Fortunately, the rising sun and warmer night had melted some of the ice, making the pass safer for them to cross on their mounts. For a while, it seemed as though the baying was getting closer, and Jodis was afraid. Not for herself, but for her traveling companions, having grown up listening to stories of the fearsome Wargs and their riders, and how close Thorin's company had come to being defeated by them on their quest to retake Erebor.

She focused on the road ahead, fighting to not imagine the fight that was surely raging behind her, not to imagine Elladan in the jaws of one of the beasts, Zelphar bleeding from a deep gash in his chest, or Radi and Bjorni cornered in that little cave. No, the best thing she could do for them was focus on the road ahead and keep moving. Dwalin had worked with her extensively on fighting from the ground, but her work on horseback was lacking. There were rarely people her size she could practice with.

So, they fled, making for the other side of the pass and Rivendell as fast as they could.

They were nearing the end of the pass by the time they heard the others riding up behind them. The sounds of screaming horses and howling, snarling Wargs had long died off, and she had feared the worst. Irrational, perhaps, as likely the Wargs would have sounded their continued pursuit, but still. She was running for her life, and powerless to help the people she was responsible for. It could, she supposed, be argued that they were responsible for her, not the other way around, but in the end, while they were her guards, they were only on this journey because of her. To her, that made them her responsibility.

Rounding a bend behind them first came Zelphar, riding with a bloodied Radi. Then Olithir with Elrohir, Soora with Bjorni, and finally Elladan. Radi was clearly injured, Zelphar holding him upright, and from the blood in his hair and beard, he'd suffered a head injury, and a bad one. Bjorni had a few cuts visible on his arms, and the rest had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing to suggest they were dangerously injured. Once they were all grouped back together, the dwarrow of her guard spoke quickly in rough Khuzdul, and from what Jodis could gather, the elves had beaten back most of the Wargs, but two had broken loose with their riders and Radi had been thrown against a wall in the skirmish. Bjorni managed to get the better of them and force them off the steep incline, but Radi's fate was uncertain. Zelphar had done what he could to stop the bleeding, but he'd need help to tend to the concussion.

Jodis felt a lump of guilt in her throat threatening to choke her, but she swallowed it down, knowing that in truth it wasn't her fault. Still, the feeling persisted as they picked up the pace down the mountainside, seeing Rivendell growing in the distance. Her heart thudded in her chest, threatening to break through her ribs and fly back home as the enormity of what she'd agreed to struck her. This was it. This was Imlardis, home of Elrond Peredhel, her home for the next several years. He felt the weight of the sword at her side and remembered her father's face from the gates of Erebor.

"Promise me I won't lose you forever. I can't bear to lose you too."

"I'll come back to you. I promise."

The closer they came to the outskirts of Rivendell, the more anxiety Jodis felt. And when one of the twins, she couldn't say who, blew into a horn announcing her arrival, she felt she'd rather face the Wargs they'd left behind than Elrond Peredhel. If his sons were anything to go by, he would be a gracious host and a good mentor, but the trepidations persisted. Would she be able to meet the high standards he was bound to have for her? Would she look ridiculous in the elvish fashions? Would he be disappointed in her Sindarin?

She shook her head, returning her attention to the road, guessing they'd be arriving in Rivendell before dusk settled on the valley.

"Aranel Jodis, mae l'ovannen."

Elrond was waiting on the edge of the city, waiting for her to dismount with a warm and watchful gaze. She swallowed her anxiety, turning to face him with Naugladur holding her for support on her weak ankle. She dipped into as much of a curtsey as she could manage as she replied "Le suilon, hîr Elrond Peredhel." Coming back up, she saw a soft smile spread across his face in approval.

"Welcome to Rivendell. We expected you sooner, but I imagine that's a story for after you've rested."

"Thank you for the warm reception, you are a kind host. If you please, one of my dwarrow guards was badly injured on our journey, and is in need of more care than we could provide on the road. May we speak with a healer?"

Elrond's gaze flicked to Elrohir and Elladan, then on to Zelphar, still astride his horse holding Radi upright with Beini and Bjorni lingered nearby, speaking in Khuzdul to keep him awake as they had been for most of the remaining journey to Rivendell. "Of course, our physicians will attend him." With a nod to a brunette elvish man standing behind him, Zelphar and Radi were led off, and Beini followed close behind after a nod from Jodis. The rest climbed down from their mounts, allowing them to be led away by another of Elrond's attendants.

"If you'll allow me, Aranel." Elrond walked to her side, and offered her his arm so she might lean on him instead as he led the way to his home. Jodis smiled and accepted his arm, though Naugladur remained close by her side, as did Bjorni, ready in case she should stumble. Despite his lean frame, Elrond's arm was solid beneath her grasp, and he helped support her with seemingly very little trouble. "Le fael, hîr nin."

She was determined to show she knew some Sindarin, though she'd read somewhere that the dialect the elves of Mirkwood spoke was different from that in Rivendell, a bit less refined by some standards. Elrond's soft smile returned and he nodded. "I'll take a look at that ankle at my home. I take it your journey was not as smooth as we'd hoped?"

"No, we encountered some trouble near the edge of Mirkwood, and again on the High Pass." Elladan had come up to Elrond's side, Elrohir close behind. "The spiders in Mirkwood laid a trap for us, and there were Wargs that caught our scent in the mountains. It was the spiders that injured Aranel Jodis, and the Wargs that injured her dwarf- "

"Radi." Her voice was quiet when she said his name, betraying her concern for him. "His name is Radi." Though Elrond hearn it, he didn't comment, and Elladan continued to fill in what had happened on their travels, Jodis taking the opportunity to taking in the delicate beauty of the city, all sloping archways and gracefully swaying trees, with the clear open skies above them, it seemed to her like something out of an impossible fairy tale.

Erebor's stone halls and sharply angled columns were beautiful, but they reflected the people who lived there. Hard, solid, sharp, and strong. Here, it was almost like the stones and wood were carved to reflect the way the breeze rustled through a tree, or water moved around a rock in the middle of a stream. It was strong but still maintained a level of grace and elegance that seemed impossible. As she limped along the road, she hardly noticed that the conversation between Elrond and his sons had slowed, watching her take in Rivendell with awe and admiration in her eyes. Even her dwarrow were looking at their surroundings with guarded appreciation, none of them having been to Rivendell, or any of the Elven strongholds for that matter.

They reached Elrond's grand house in good time, and Jodis saw a beautiful elven woman at the door, who she guessed was Arwen, the third child of Elrond. She lifted her lilac skirts and padded lightly down the steps from the impressive home, she seemed full of eagerness and excitement, rushing to embrace Elladan and Elrohir. "Iston i nîf gîn, Elrohir!" There was a gentle breathiness to her voice that even her excitement couldn't mask, and her laugh was like the gentle peeling of bells on a breeze. Standing next to her, Jodis felt short and bulky, but swallowed down the insecurity under Elrond's watchful eye.

"Aranel Jodis, this is my daughter, Arwen Undomniel."

Arwen stepped back from her brothers, and bowed her head as she gracefully dipped into a curtsey. "I am glad to meet you, Aranel."

Jodis returned the gesture with as much poise as she could manage. "And I you, Hiril Arwen." The woman's smile faded for a moment seeing her struggle to dip and realized quickly that Jodis was injured. Arwen looked from her father to Jodis and back, then nodded in response to something. "We should get you inside. I'd like to look at that ankle, if you'll allow me." Elrond's voice broke the tension that threatened to build, and Jodis nodded, allowing him to lead her up the steps.

Once inside, Elrohir and Elladan peeled off with Arwen, Elrond sending her dwarrow with them to get food and take a chance to rest. So it was just Elrond and Jodis going to the room that had been made ready for her. It was beautifully furnished with an alabaster colored wood, plush cushions, and muted shades of blue, grey, and lilac, with a window overlooking the gardens on the property. He sat her on the bench in front of the window, and carefully removed her boot and the tight bandages.

"Zelphar did well to bandage this, but you'll need to keep off of it for a few days. I can give you a poultice with some herbs for the pain, but anything more would be unnecessary." Elrond's touch didn't ignite the same response in Jodis, which was at once comforting and disconcerting. She nodded thoughtfully, and moved to stand back up, but her host's firm hand on her shoulder made her stay in place. "As I said, keep weight off it."

Jodis smiled sheepishly, and relaxed back into the seat. He nodded approvingly and set her foot up on a cushion before rising back to his full height. "I'll send up something for you to eat and an attendant to help you change. We'll talk again after you've rested." As he walked towards the door, Jodis shifted in her seat, and a quiet sigh escaped her. She had a feeling like feathers tickling her mind, and Elrond paused in the doorway. "I'll also send your dwarrow to you, with your word and theirs that you won't stress your injury." Jodis grinned and the feathery feeling retreated from her mind. "You have mine, theirs I can't guarantee." She didn't see the smile that ghosted over his face as he nodded and clicked the door shut behind him.

The next two days seemed to drag by, Jodis having kept to her word and (mostly) keeping off her bad foot, either sitting by the window with her foot elevated or in bed, again, with her foot elevated. The dwarves of her guard were by her side as often as they could be, taking shifts between her bedside and Radi's. They gave her regular updates, that he was comfortable and awake, and still feisty as ever. Elrond came to see her as well, giving her the promised poultice, which did help with the swelling and discomfort she'd been experiencing. He also brought her a few books, stories of the Valar and histories of the Elves from the first and second age.

"You'll start with these, they should help with your Sindarian and fill in the gaps in your knowledge of our history. When you're healed, we'll move on to physical training."

"Physical training?"

He smiled not unkindly, but there was a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. "Your curtsey, for one. From what my sons have told me, your riding and swordsmanship could use some work as well." Jodis bristled for a moment when he mentioned her swordplay, and that feathery feeling came back into her mind again. "I mean no offense, just that you need more… Help in those areas." Jodis nodded, nestling back against the cushions on the window seat, and picked up one of the books Elrond had brought her.

"My daughter is helping in selecting your new clothes, but in the meantime there are some you can borrow from what was left by a human lady who lived here some years ago."

He began padding lightly across the floor, and Jodis watched from her perch, observing how he moved. His steps were even and measured, seeming almost to glide more than walk as he paced the floor, his long brown hair barely moving as he moved his head to look from her to the wall ahead of him. Though his hands were clasped behind his back, his posture was still straight, shoulders back and proud. The delicate silver circlet on his brow glittered gently, standing out brightly against his brown hair.

As she watched, her own posture changed to match, rolling her shoulders back to keep her from slouching. "Your lessons in etiquette will be overseen by Erestor, my kinsman and head of household. He is better able to teach the finer points of such things than I am." There was a twinkle of amusement in his eye, as though laughing inwardly at some private joke. "I will oversee your lessons in Sindarin myself. You seem to have a grasp on the basics, but your inflections and accent need attention."

"I see."

"Do you have any gifts of foresight or knowledge of magic?" He stopped pacing and met her gaze with even parts of caution and warning. Jodis shook her head, looking back down to her book. "I inherited no such gifts, hîr nin, that I know of. To my understanding, I would have shown signs of it by now, no?"

The feather brushed again through her mind, swiftly, and Elrond nodded. "Most likely, yes. But you are still young by our standards, so they may just have not yet shown themselves. For now, we'll proceed without that instruction." His pacing resumed mind returning to easier conversation. "Once your company of dwarvish guards leaves, I ask that you speak Sindarin as exclusively as you can, I need to evaluate how fluent you are…"

He remained for some time afterwards, running through more parts of her education and who'd be overseeing what, and Jodis felt that bubble of anxiety swell again in her chest. She so wanted to do well, but her fear of letting down her mother's memory and her people was momentarily getting the best of her. Her distress must have shown on her face, for as it threatened to overtake her, Elrond stopped pacing and moved to her side, perching on the edge of the cushioned bench and softly placing a hand over hers, drawing her out of her darker thoughts.

"Aranel, I know what I am saying can seem overwhelming. There is much you must learn, and little time to teach you. I can tell you from what I received from Thranduil and my sons' reports, you have great potential, and I believe you will take to the lessons and life here quite well. I have every faith in you, or else you would not be here."

Jodis saw the sincerity in his expression, and was comforted, smiling and thanking him quietly. "Your faith in me means a great deal, hîr nin."

When the time came for her company from Erebor to leave, her heart was heavy with sorrow. With them went her last connection to home and she wished they could stay longer. But part of the terms of her stay were that she keep none of her father's people around her, and she'd agreed to it by accepting the invitation. With Radi strong enough to ride, there was no reason for them to extend their time in Rivendell, and she'd overheard them grumbling more than once that they were eager to go home.

She had insisted on seeing them off, at least to the gates where Elrond had greeted them, and refused to be talked out of it. So Elladan had helped her to walk there, her foot already much improved, and she spoke to each of them in quiet Khuzdul, wishing them a swift and safe journey home, bidding Bjorni to give a letter to the King, detailing their journey, that she was well looked after, and that Elrond was a gracious host. She had also written her hopes that her father was well, and not taking her departure too hard. When she came to Radi, Jodis wrapped her arms around him in a firm hug, and bid him pass that along to Dwalin, with her thanks for sending a dedicated kinsman to keep her safe. Radi turned beet red, and nodded hastily, uncomfortable with the sudden display of affection.

Having said her goodbyes and thanks, the dwarves saluted her and turned towards the pass. Jodis stood and watched them go until they were no more than specks on the mountainside before asking Elladan to help her back to her room. The walk back was quiet, Jodis lost in thought and somehow simultaneously acutely aware of where her arm looped through his, how tall he stood, and how strong his arm was under hers. The dream she'd had of him flashed back through her mind, and a light blush burned her cheeks.

"Are you alright, Aranel?" Jodis almost didn't catch what he'd said, having asked him to switch to Sindarin when they spoke. He spoke quickly, more so that she was used to, but still managed to catch what he was saying. "Yes, I'm…" she struggled for a moment to find the word, "Well?"

Elladan corrected her emphasis, and she nodded. "I'm well, just…" She gave up after a moment and switched back to common "Just overwhelmed. The last few days have been a lot to take in." He nodded and helped her say it again in Sindarin, patiently correcting her pronunciation before responding. "I can only imagine what you're going through, Jodis. I hope if there is something I can do to help you feel more at home here, you won't hesitate to ask."

Jodis paused, working through what he'd said, and nodded, her smile growing as she realized what he'd offered. They'd reached her door by the time she muddled through it, and she didn't have time or energy to put together a correct response. Her expression betrayed her frustration, and when she attempted to release his arm to open her door, she was paused by his hand over hers. She looked back at where he held her hand, and felt the blush creep back up her cheeks.

He saw her blush, and turned himself to face her, moving slowly to not startle her. "Aranel, have I said something wrong?" She tipped her head up to face him, swallowing her embarrassment at his closeness and the images it produces. "No, no, not at all. I'm just…" She couldn't find the right word, getting lost in his stormy grey eyes. "I'm just… Um…" She looked away, shaking herself out of the haze filling her mind.

Emboldened by the heat he'd seen in her gaze when their eyes locked, He reached up and pulled her chin back to face him. "Jodis, if there's something wrong, please, tell me."

"Tell me…"

Startled, her blood ran cold as she looked into his eyes again. He couldn't possibly have known the effect those words had on her, but he'd allowed a glimmer of something like hope to show in his light eyes. "I…" Her voice died in her throat, and she let her shoulders drop, searching his expression and gaze for some sign, some indication that this was a cruel trick. She only saw sincerity and a spark in those stormy eyes, and as she realized what the spark meant, electricity sprang from where he held her chin throughout her body. With a gasp, she took a step back from him, and this time he didn't fight her, letting her put distance between them.

"There's nothing wrong, hîr nin. I just need to rest." The spell between them may have been broken by her sudden return to formality, but the tension still lingered, stifling the air between them. "If you'll excuse me." She walked towards the door, and Elladan did not move to stop her or get in her way, his expression carefully polite and cool. "Of course. Rest well, Aranel." He bowed his head, a gesture Jodis returned before clicking the door closed. She waited until she was confident he'd walked away before moving to the window and sinking into the cushions, crossing her feet so the injured one was elevated as she leaned against the open window frame. Her mind raced with this interaction, dissecting every moment of it for how she could have misunderstood it.

She'd had flirtations before, even a stolen kiss and odd heavy petting session, so the feeling of desire wasn't unknown to her. She knew the sensations coursing through her, but the intensity of them scared her. To make matters worse, it seemed like the feelings were reciprocated. Well, worse was maybe too strong a word. More complicated was probably closer to accurate. Jodis was only there as a guest, to learn from Lord Elrond, to immerse herself in their culture to better serve as an ambassador for her great-uncle and father, once he assumed the throne.

She had not travelled so far from the Lonely Mountain to strike up a romance with the son of her host. In the first place, it wouldn't be appropriate to start anything that she knew could only be temporary. There was no telling how long her life would be, she may have only the average 250 years of her father's kin, she could have the vast millenia of the elves to look forward to, or, most likely, something in between. And even then, she would return to Erebor when Elrond released her to do so, to tend to her people.

Then in the second place, she was one of Durin's folk, daughter of the crown prince of Erebor, and in line for the throne. There was no scenario where she could return engaged to an Elf Lord, no matter how congenial and respectful. Her people had accepted Tauriel because Thorin had given his blessing, though it was begrudgingly, knowing Kili would just run away with her if he didn't. So the stories of romance and how she'd saved his life not once but twice had helped the Khazad allow her the title she'd assumed, but there were always whispers of Tauriel having actually enchanted Kili into loving her, trying to take Erebor over time away from the dwarves. When Jodis was born, and grew to be taller than the dwarves, with pointed ears and no beard, the rumors became more bold, claiming she wasn't Kili's at all.

Jodis had never believed it, of course, but she was probably expected to marry and have children with one of her father's kin, not her mother's.

So, no, the intensity of her feelings for Elladan were a dead end, so she resolved to squash them down and ignore them until they dissipated. As she nodded to herself, the feeling of feathers tickling her mind came again, and she could swear she heard a "hmm" as the feeling receded. She made a note to ask about it, as it had only started since her arrival in Rivendell. Looking down at the gardens, she saw a dark-haired figure with their back turned moving through the small flowering hedge maze, moving with an unhurried air away from her window.

"Interesting."

A/N: Well, another chapter down! Looks like I've been bit hard by the writing bug, here's hoping I don't get that nasty case of writer's block again. :P

I know I said it last chapter, but truly, I am thrilled to be writing this story again, and the next chapter or two may be a little dry, but bear with me. I promise, it's going to pick up again, just have patience. :)

Translations:

Mell nín (E) - My Beloved

Tan menu selek lanun naman, Khazad (K) - May your forge fires burn bright, Dwarves.

Aranel Jodis, mae l'ovannen. (E) - Princess Jodis, well met. (Formal)

Le suilon, hîr Elrond Peredhel (E) - I greet you, Lord Elrond Peredhel (Formal)

Le fael, hîr nin (E) - You are generous, My lord (A more formal "thank you")

Iston i nîf gîn, Elrohir! (E) - I know your face, Elrohir! (Familiar greeting)

Hiril (E) - Lady