Hey peeps, we're back with Caladwen and Thorin. Just a thing to say that I appreciate all of your support for these stories, I love you all so much xx

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Time in Rivendell

The next day, I am told that we will be staying in Rivendell for the next couple of weeks. When I ask Thorin why, he tells me that he has a map with a hidden message in moon runes, which can only be read on the crescent moon of Midwinter's Eve. Once they have the information they need, we'll be leaving the next morning. I just nod as I begin planning out what supplies we will need in my head.

For the first couple of days, I don't spend as much time with the dwarves as I would like to, as I go around the gardens of Rivendell as I pick different herbs and plants we will need, as well as restocking on other medicinal supplies, food can be collected the day before we're due to depart.

Every time I return from my foraging, Oin is right there and together we separate and dry out the plants before we begin to make up different medicines we might need. I do enjoy spending this time with Oin, as I learn different techniques and medicine recipes from the dwarf.

Once that is all done, I begin to relax. I walk through the halls and soon find myself in the library. Running my fingers over the spines of the books, I soon pick one and go up the stairs to the bench I usually sit at, which is place right by the Shards of Narsil. Looking over the broken blade, I turn to the portrait of Sauron's demise by the hands of Isildur. As I look it over, I cannot help but think of little Estel – of Aragorn – and the difficult path that is ahead of him, the path that is still concealed from him. I would give anything for the day's where he could come into his own and live in peace, however, I do not believe that will be his fate unfortunately. Though, I will do anything I can to help him along, as I have since he was born. I turn and take my seat on the bench and begin reading.

Some minutes later, I look up from my book to see Bilbo walking up the stairs and looks to the shards before turning his gaze to the portrait. After a few moments of watching him, I finally make myself known since he didn't notice me.

"Intriguing, is it not?"

He jumps and whips around to see me sitting behind him, book in hand with my arm laid on the railing.

"Caladwen, you startled me." he says, a hand place on his chest.

I give a sheepish smile. "My apologies Bilbo, that was not my intent."

He shakes his head, a smile appearing as he lowers his hand. "No apologies needed, I suppose I was too on that." He turns back to the portrait.

I watch him again for a few moments.

"What do you know about the defeat of Sauron?"

He looks to me. "Admittedly, not much."

I pat next to me and he walks over to sit with me. I recall everything I had been taught by Lord Elrond, who had himself been at the battle of Sauron's defeat.

"It all began with the forging of the great rings. Three of which were given to the elves, seven to the dwarves lords and nine to men. However, in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron had forged in secret a new ring, a master ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One Ring to rule them all."

Looking to Bilbo, I see him look from me to the portrait again, more specifically to the gold band on Sauron's index finger.

"One by one, the free lands in Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor and on the slopes of Mount Doom they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near. But the power of the Ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the King, took up his father's sword and cut the ring from Sauron's hand, thus ending his reign of terror."

As I finish, I stand and walk over to where the Shards of Narsil lay, Bilbo standing with me.

"This is the blade that cut the ring?" he asks, to which I nod. "And the Ring?"

I look to him for a moment before looking to the portrait, my gaze landing on Isildur.

"Isildur had this one chance to destroy the ring, to cast it into Mount Doom and to end it all for good. But the hearts of men are easily corrupted. He took the Ring, kept it for his own. For many years he had it within his possession. Until one day, the Ring betrayed Isildur to his death. For thousands of years it has remained lost, and it is still to this day. If Isildur had destroyed the Ring when he should have, much would be different."

My mind wanders to Azog the Defiler and to those who has lost their lives because of him. If the Ring was destroyed, then Thror, Thrain, Frerin and many many more would still be alive now. I notice Bilbo looking between me and the portrait for a while before speaking up.

"You don't think he's truly gone, do you?"

I sigh as I pick up the book and walk down the stairs, Bilbo following. "I do not know. I'd like to think we are at peace from him, but in my heart, I don't ever think we will be truly at peace until the Ring is found and destroyed once and for all."

I put the book away before turning to Bilbo with a smile. "Let us not dwell and such things now. We've got enough to deal with at the moment with the quest."

He sighs as we turn to leave. "Yes, the quest."

I look to him as we leave. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. It's just. . .I don't know what I was thinking but doing this. I don't belong with the company, I'm nothing but a burden to you all."

As I look to him, my gaze softens in sympathy. It has to be hard for someone who is so unused to the struggles of life beyond his home, to be suddenly thrust into it.

"Don't be so quick to doubt yourself, Bilbo. Gandalf must have seen something in you that made him come to you that day. Even a hobbit such as yourself can make a difference."

He looks unsure as we stand on a balcony looking out over the garden. I place a hand on his shoulder.

"Come join us for training this afternoon. It's time I began your teachings. At least you'll be a little more prepared when we leave."

He hesitates for a few moments before nodding. I smile and leave, bowing my head to Elrond as he walks past to join Bilbo.

That afternoon, after lunch, Bilbo does indeed join us out in the training yard. I smile as I see Elladan, Elrohir and Estel already there, Estel holding a bow as Elrohir stands behind him, instructing him. They look over as we get closer and Estel smiles wide.

"Aunt Cal!"

He bounds over and tackles into my stomach, almost causing me to fall over, if it wasn't for Thorin keeping me upright. I smile as I wrap my own around the boy.

"Hello, tithen pen, not giving your teachers any trouble I hope?"

He shakes his head as he looks up at me. "Nuh-uh. Just practising with my bow. I've gotten better, do you want to see?"

I smile and nod, causing him to smile more as he runs over to the discarded bow. I watch as he picks it up, aims and fires. I smile even more as the arrow hits the third ring. Much better than before when it would just hit the edge.

"That's excellent, Estel! Here, try this."

I then step forward, moving his feet into a different stance and as he pulls up his bow to aim another arrow, I gently push on his back to straighten it and move his arms. When he fires this time, it hits the centre. He cheers as he hugs me, causing me to chuckle as I ruffle his hair.

"Give it some time, tithen pen, and you'll master it in no time."

He grins before he leaves with the twin elves, allowing us the training area.

"I would not have thought to look for a son of man in an elven city." Thorin says as he stands besides me, while the others prepare to train.

I just smile. "I suppose you wouldn't. He's been here since he was two years old. After his father died, he and his mother came to live here."

He looks to me as I speak with such fondness towards Arathorn.

"You knew his father?"

I nod. "I did. I knew his father since he was Estel's age. We fought through many dangers together. He became a very close friend, I was there when he married, when his son was born and I was there when he died."

I feel him take my hand in comfort. "I am sorry you went through such a loss."

I smile at him. "Don't be. He was a great man, I was honoured to have known him at all, let alone be his friend."

I kiss his cheek before turning to the others and calling Bilbo over for his first lesson. I see him pale slightly and visibly gulp before picking up his little sword and walking over. Taking pity on the halfling, I begin by teaching him the basics; how to stand, how to hold his sword and the different swings and jabs to use. After an hour of this, of repeated movements, I allow him to finish his lesson, to his relief I notice with a grin. As I am about to take a seat, Thorin stops me, placing his sword across me to halt my movement. I look to him with a raised brow at this. He just grins back at me.

"How about we see if we can break our tie?"

I grin back as I pull my twin blades from their sheathes. "I thought you'd never ask."

The other dwarves immediately back away to sit and watch. Thorin and I start by circling each other, as we do so, I notice our steps almost mimic those of our very first fight in Erebor. Though this time, I make sure not to be the one who charges in first, and grin when Thorin charges to me. I manage to dodge out of his way and smack his rear with the flat of my blade, causing most of the others to snigger and him to scowl as he turns back to me.

I just grin at his scowl. "You should know to not let me get your back."

"A mistake I won't be making again, I assure you."

He charges and we meet in the middle with a clang, sparks flying off our blades. We continue to swing, jab and dodge for a while longer. As I spin out of one of his blocks, I don't notice him nodding to someone. When we come into another block, I sense someone coming up behind me and swing my left blade out, only to hit another. Looking back, I see a grinning Fili standing there. Standing horizontally, I look between them both, a grin threatening to split my face, the memory of me standing between Thorin and Frerin coming to mind.

"My, my, this looks familiar."

Thorin is also grinning. "I could not help myself, I had to do it."

"What do you say, Aunt Cal? Think you can handle two dwarves?" Fili asks, a teasing glint in his eye.

I just grin at him. "My dear Fili, I have done it once, I can do it again."

I duck and swing out of their blocks, causing them to stagger slightly from the sudden movement and Fili to instantly go onto the defensive as I come at him, managing to knock him away before turning to Thorin as he comes for me. We continue to fight for sometime, neither of us letting the other in, before Thorin falters just slightly, but it's enough that I see it. Swinging my leg out, he grunts as he falls onto his back, his sword falling out of his grasp. As he reaches out for it, I straddle his chest, placing my knees on both his wrists to trap him before placing my blades across his throat in an X.

I grin down at him. "I believe, that breaks our tie, My King."

He grins back, a look of pride in his eyes as he glances behind me. "Not this time."

Frowning in confusion, I freeze as I suddenly feel the cold, sharp metal of a blade against the side of my neck.

"Always make sure you opponent is dead." I hear Fili's voice from behind.

I smile and then laugh as I pull my blades from Thorin. "Okay, okay. I yield."

The others cheers as I stand and help Thorin up when Fili's blade has gone. I smile as I place a hand on Fili's shoulder.

"Well done, Fili. I can tell Thorin and Dwalin have taught you well."

He grins back. "Yes, they have. I'm grateful for everything they've taught me."

Smiling, I pat his shoulder before we join the others.

The next few days go by in the same fashion. We train and then just sit and talk in between eating. After finding Gandalf, the wizard and I found some time to catch up with one another, and once I told him I'd be joining the quest, he was happy to hear it. I also manage to find some time to spend with Gilrean and Estel, Gilrean happy I am with Thorin once again.

Speaking of Thorin, the both of us also find some time for just ourselves, where we would just talk and relearn everything about one another. Most of the time it felt as though nothing had changed between us, although I did notice that there was a slight edge and hardness to Thorin that there wasn't before. I suppose being run out of your home and wandering the wilds for years can do that to a person, as well as losing almost all of your family in one day. The years had changed the both of us in many different ways, but nothing had changed our feelings for one another, which were as strong as the Lonely Mountain itself.

Soon enough, Midsummer's Eve came and Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond and I are standing on an open area outside, on the side of a cliff, with waterfalls all around. The moon is behind some clouds. They walk toward a large crystalline table. Elrond lays Thorin's map on the table as the clouds part and the moonlight hits the crystalline table, causing light to flow through the map which has been laid on the table. Ancient runes become visible on the map, glowing blue and Elrond translates them out loud.

"'Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole.'"

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asks in confusion.

"It is the start of the dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together." Gandalf explains to the Hobbit.

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin says worriedly.

"We still have time." I try to reassure him, placing my hand on his arm.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asks.

Balin answers the hobbit. "To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."

"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain." Elrond states, looking to Thorin.

"What of it?" Thorin asks, sounding irritated.

"There are some who would not deem it wise."

Thorin takes back the map gruffly.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf asks.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." Elrond walks away.

Thorin, Balin and Bilbo walk away, leaving Gandalf and I still on the cliff.

"The White Council?" I ask, noticing the slight look of worry on his face.

He nods. "I am afraid they may try to stop this."

I start to worry. I know Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel wouldn't stop us from leaving this city, stop us from completing our quest. However, I do know of one in the White Council that will try to stop us. Saruman, the White Wizard. I haven't had too many dealings with him, nor much contact, but the contact I have had with him was enough. I do not know what it is about the White Wizard that has me uneasy, but I find myself not being able to trust him as much as I do Gandalf, or even Radagast.

"What do we do?"

He stays quiet for a moment before standing close to me. "Warn Thorin. You need to leave before dawn."

"We? What about you?"

"I will stay behind and distract them. I will meet you in the Misty Mountains."

I nod before walking off to find the dwarves. I do so on their terrace, a little campfire to cook some meat, which I am not impressed has been built by using the elves furniture. I'll have to remember to leave some money behind to pay for damages.

As I look around, my ears pick up a creaking and I look in the direction of Bombur who is sitting on another bench, his plate filled high with food.

"Bombur." I hear Bofur call out.

The jovial dwarf throws a sausage he had just been cooking to Bombur, who catches it, and immediately, the bench he is sitting on breaks underneath him. I smile and shake my head as the dwarves laugh.

I walk over to Bombur. "That was cruel Bofur."

Bombur thanks me as I set him onto his feet again, with the help of a still laughing Dwalin.

Looking out of the corner of my eye, I see Thorin walking up some stairs. Following him up, I see him and Bilbo standing further up looking out at something. I also look and see Gandalf and Elrond talking.

"But if we succeed! If the dwarves take back the mountain, then our defenses in the east will be strengthened." Gandalf tries to convince father.

"It's a dangerous move, Gandalf."

"It is also dangerous to do nothing! The throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright! What is it you fear?"

"Have you forgotten, a strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?"

I look to Thorin to see him looking away, a look of anguish on his face.

There's a pause. "Gandalf, these decisions to not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-earth."

I watch as they leave. Looking to Thorin, I still see him looking away.

"Bilbo, could you leave us alone, please?" I ask the Hobbit.

He nods. "Of course." he walks back down.

Taaking Thorin's hand, lead him upstairs into the pavilion and we sit on one of the couches.

"Thorin, talk to me."

He doesn't say anything at first until he sighs. "Lord Elrond is right. You know there is a sickness that runs in my family. The Gold Sickness that claimed my grandfather. . .I am afraid Caladwen. . .afraid that I will weaken and also develop the same sickness that runs through my veins."

I take one of his hands into my own before gently making him look at me with the other. "I am not going to allow this to happen. You are strong, Thorin, you are one of the strongest people that I know. Your time will come. You will face the same evil as you grandfather once did, and you will defeat it. And I will be right there by your side, like I should have been a hundred and seventy one years ago." I reach up and place a hand on his cheek. "A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Thorin. Ú or le a ú or nin."

He doesn't say anything for a few moments. "What did you say?"

I smile at him. "That, I will tell you when we regain Erebor. When this is all over, you will know. But for now, there's something you should know."

I begin telling him everything Gandalf warned me of, and warn I say that we need to leave before dawn, he nods in agreement. That's when we return to the others and he let's Balin know what is happening while I retire to my room and sleep, anxious to start the day tomorrow.

Well, there it is, next chapter will see Caladwen leaving with the company. I just want to say that I'm not too sure if the next chapter will be up next week or later. I haven't got anything from now onwards pre written and things are going really hectic and stressful in real life, so I don't know if I'll have the energy to do anymore typing yet. We'll just have to see what happens. I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter, please keep your lovely reviews coming xx

Translations;

Tithen pen – Little one

A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Thorin. Ú or le a ú or nin. - The Shadow does not hold sway yet, Thorin. Not over you and not over me.