A/n: italicized speech= another language

"Our business is no concern of elves."

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map."

"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets."

"You just got the map; how can you be so protective of it?"

"Aurora." Elrond spoke up to silence me. I bit my lip as I watched Balin pace behind Thorin. Bilbo stood next to me as he silently watched. "Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond." Thorin thought for a few moments, before reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out the map. He began to hand the map to Elrond when Balin tried to stop him. "Thorin, no!" Thorin brushed Balin aside and handed Elrond the map.

The Elf king studied the map before gazing back at us. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Thorin began to speak when Gandalf interrupted him. "It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"

Elrond walked towards the light of the moon shining in the window to study the map more. "Moon Runes."

"'Moon Runes'?" Gandalf echoed, the dwarves and Bilbo looking to him for explanation "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." Elrond explained to everyone. My eyes widened at hearing the complexity of moon runes. I had never seen moon runes in person before and I might not if these moon runes could not be read. "Can you read them?" I asked, saying the question everyone was thinking.

Elrond nodded and led us to the hidden area on the side of the cliff of Rivendell. We stood before a crystalline table where Elrond placed the map on. "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, Thorin Oakinshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight."

We glanced up at the moon, its rays striking the table and making the crystalline table glow revealing the moon runes on the map. "'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'" Elrond translated. Bilbo looked to me for clarification. "'Durin's Day'?" he echoed. "It's the start of the dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together." I explained to him as I crossed my arms. Thorin shook his head, "this is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."

"We still have time." Balin told him.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asked Balin. Balin gazed at us. "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." Thorin nodded to his comrade. "So, this is your purpose?" Elrond mused "to enter the mountain."

Thorin stared at Elrond. "What of it?" he asked defensively. "There are some who would not deem it wise." Thorin gruffly took the map from Elrond.

"What do you mean?" Gandalf asked. Elrond turned to Gandalf, "you are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle Earth." Elrond motioned for me to follow him as he walked away from the group.

Once he and I were out of earshot the ruler of Rivendell spoke, "I do not think it is wise for you to stay with them Aurora." I shook my head as we descended the steps. "I'm not a child, Elrond. I can protect myself." I answered.

Elrond glanced down at me before placing his hands behind his back. "That is not why I tell you this, my dear. You belong here in your home. You could create a life here." He told me. I turned down a hallway and walked towards the balcony and propped my arms up on the railing. "A life with Lindir?" I sarcastically asked.

He said nothing as we stared at the city below us. "I don't belong here. I don't belong anywhere. I cannot go back to Gondor and I cannot stay here. I need to have a purpose in life and somehow, I believe my purpose is tied to Thorin Oakinshield. With all due respect, you cannot make me stay." I told him as I stared off. I saw out of the corner of my eye, Elrond lightly chuckle. "Good. I needed to know how serious you were, you must know that the White Council will not approve of this. Even if you go, they will not agree." Elrond said as I nodded.

"And what of the halfling?" Elrond asked in Elvish. I turned to face him, making sure to glance down the hallway to see if we were alone. "I believe he is quite remarkable. I believe he has the skills to help him, but the homesickness to hinder him. He often speaks of home."

I dropped my head; my eyes couldn't look up at Elrond. He had to have known I was homesick as well, bringing up that I should stay in Rivendell. I always missed Rivendell anytime I left, but it still wasn't home to me. It was the only place I remember growing up in, but it just wasn't home. I was an outsider to the elves. I had always been. Learning the language of the elves so I could understand them when they made fun of me for being human. Learning how they dressed and did their hair and makeup, so I wasn't bullied as a child. Learning Black Speech of the Orcs to feel "cool". Even though I never told Elrond, he always knew. Anytime I came back to Rivendell, he always made sure I was taken care of, that no one dare bully me. He was even trying to protect me from the dwarves. Dressing me up and even telling me I should stay, just to protect me from them.

I felt a tear fall down my face as I turned away from Elrond. I couldn't look at him. So, I left him and descended the steps, going anywhere I could get to so I could be alone. I found a patio area near the dwarves' quarters and sat down on one of the benches and cried. I had bottled everything up for so long that I could not hold it in anymore. Below me the sounds of the laughter of the dwarves filled the air. I sniffed and rubbed away a few tears as I stared up at the stars. Hearing soft footsteps, I rubbed a few tears away and stood up. It was Bilbo. He softly smiled at me, turned to glance up at the stars then gazed back at me. "Are you alright?" he asked. Before I could answer we heard Gandalf and Elrond talking.

"-Of course, I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance. And really, I think you can trust that I know what I am doing." Gandalf was saying as they walked on a path below us towards a pavilion at the top of the hill across from us. "Do you? What happens if you cause more problems? Destroying the East?" Elrond countered, placing his hand behind his back.

"What if we succeed? If the dwarves take back the Mountain, our defenses in the east will be strengthened." Gandalf argued. I furrowed my brows at Gandalf's argument. 'Defenses in the east will be strengthened'? Was Middle Earth preparing for battle? "It is a dangerous move, Gandalf."

"It is also dangerous to do nothing. Oh, come, the throne of Erebor's wealth is Thorin's birthright. What is it you fear?"

I stood up and watched them walk along the path, noticing Bilbo glance behind him. I looked behind Bilbo and saw Thorin standing silently behind him, listening to the conversation below us as well.

"Have you forgotten?" the two stopped walking, "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 Oakinshield will not also fall? I will not have Aurora near that sickness. Gandalf these decisions do not rest on us alone. It is not up to you or to me to redraw the map of Middle Earth." They walked away, their conversation out of our earshot. I turned back to see Thorin descending the steps with an anger in his pace.

A/n: So, I think I should explain the relationship between Elrond and Aurora. Aurora's backstory is going to be explained later in the story but I'm tossing out breadcrumbs to see if you can guess who she is. Elrond is extremely protective of Aurora like he is with Arwen. Aurora was bullied when she a child by some of the elf maidens for not being an elf. So, because of that he became very protective of her and doesn't want her to have to deal with same thing again now with the Dwarves of Erebor.

When he tries to get her to stay, he's only doing it out of love. She has been through a lot and doesn't want her to get hurt again. So, like all parents, Elrond wants to shield her from it. But if you haven't figured it out by now, Aurora is a very independent woman who doesn't take no for an answer.

Also, Lindir and Aurora have a complex relationship as well, it was hinted at but will also be further explained in upcoming chapters. And I'm going off the extended version of the movie for quotes and scenes so if you are confused by any scenes, most likely it is from the extended version of the movie (which is amazing).

Averymadison1 x