Chapter 10: A Calm Before the Growing Storm

The evening was quickly coming upon us as we finally made it to the hidden entrance of Rivendell, we hadn't stopped once eating on the go and only taking a moment to drink some water. I saw elves posted around the entrance staring up at the buildings vaguely remembering them.

I saw one elf make his way down smiling kindly towards us all saying, "Welcome to Rivendell young hobbits, and Marina it is good to see you again, you've grown much since I saw you last."

"Lord Elrond?" I said remembering his face seeing him smile saying, "Indeed."

"Where is Frodo?" Sam asked worried as he put a hand up saying, "Frodo is alright, he is recovering but as soon as he wakes up you all will be the first to know."

We all sighed relieved as he smiled saying, "For now we will escort you all to someplace you can rest, you've had a long journey."

One by one the hobbits were given a room until it was just Elrond and I as we made our way up some stairs hearing him say, "This was your mother's old room, we've kept it just as it was before she left."

He opened the door seeing an unmade bed and books scattered around the room smiling lightly as he said, "I was very sad to hear of your mother's passing, she was like a daughter to me and was loved by many here."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond." I said looking at him feeling him place a gentle hand on my shoulder saying, "Of course, now get some rest."

Once the door closed I collapsed onto the bed too tired to do anything else regardless of my growling stomach and dirty clothes.


The next morning I woke up feeling more refreshed than ever getting a much-needed bath putting on some clean clothes that had been left for me. I walked out of the room given directions to where the hobbits were seeing they were all eating happily.

"Morning Marina." I heard them all say as I smiled lightly saying, "Morning."

I watched them dig into their food greedily as I ate slowly not wanting to overdo it despite how much my stomach grumbled angrily. Elrond walked in seeing us all assuring us that though he was still unconscious Frodo was healing and would hopefully awaken within the next few days.

"This place is incredible." Sam said looking around while Pippin said, "Yes but the food is rather odd and everyone is too tall."

"That's an awfully rude thing to say Pipsqueak." I said glancing over at him seeing his brows furrow replying, "You're short too."

I scoffed replying, "I'm still taller than you Pipsqueak."

"I could still grow." He said defensively while Merry pat his back saying, "Doubt that Pip."

I smirked drinking some water watching him cross his arms defeated saying softly, "Whatever."

"Would you both stop flirting." Sam said as we both looked at him quickly saying at the same time, "We are not!"

The table erupted in laughter as I grumbled crossing my arms now deciding the best thing to do was ignore them all.

"It appears I missed the fun." I heard behind me looking up to see Gandalf standing there with a kind smile on his face.

I jumped up from my chair hugging him tightly as he grunted against my sudden weight laughing as I said, "Uncle Gandalf I'm so happy to see you."

"I am also happy to see you my dear and safe, I see your party has grown since I sent you off, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took… I should have known." He said knowingly as Merry replied, "We happened to cross paths it wasn't our fault."

"None the less the more the merrier." He said smiling sitting down with us as they began talking about our adventure so far.

I saw the elf woman that took Frodo walk in smiling kindly towards all of us introducing herself as Arwen who was Elrond's daughter.

"You probably don't remember me Marina but I helped your mother bring you into this world." She said as I replied, "I remembered your name but not your face."

"You were still quite young when you left it is understandable." She said while I looked at them both saying, "Why did my mother take me away from this place?"

Elrond laughed replying, "Well when your mother lived here she ran off to join the adventure with the dwarves and I truly believe she wanted to make sure you didn't run off either, instead she wished to take you wherever she went."

I smiled lightly as Arwen offered to show the hobbits around Rivendell which they graciously agreed wanting to see this grand elven haven. I saw another elf come over to Elrond and whisper in his ear before walking off as I finished my food. I watched Elrond and Gandalf exchange a look making me raise my eyebrow curiously as their eyes met mine.

"Marina there is a guest waiting for you in your room." He said while I stared at him curiously excusing myself before I walked to my mother's room.

I opened the door looking towards the balcony seeing a short white-haired hobbit staring down at the garden below walking forward saying, "Master Baggins?"

He jumped slightly turning around seeing he had aged dramatically since I saw him last giving me a kind smile saying, "Hello Marina."

"You have aged." I said hearing him laugh saying, "Yes well as one should when they are as old as I am I imagine."

"What can I do for you, Master Baggins?" I asked kindly seeing him smile lightly replying, "I… I wanted to talk to you about your mother."