When we arrived on the scene, Gandalf was right... trolls... They had everyone, some on a turning pike and others in bags on the floor. There were three trolls around them. Gandalf climbed on top of a rock nearby and raised his staff,
"The dawn will take you all." Gandalf called, I heard the trolls talking from behind the rock until Gandalf smacked his staff down on the rock and split it in two. I looked through as I could hear the trolls screaming and groaning, they quickly turned to stone because of the sunlight.
I moved over the rock and towards everyone, I sighed with relief seeing mostly everyone was okay. I got to Bilbo and untied his bag. I then moved over to all the others on the floor and knelt beside Thorin, he looked up at me for a moment and then away. He seemed embarrassed as I reached for the tie on the bag and untied him,
"There you go," I pulled it open and Thorin pulled himself out of the bag, I then helped Oin and Kili as they were tied up next to him. Thorin went over to speak to Gandalf as I stood up after helping the dwarves on the ground who then helped their friends on the turn pike.
"Thank you," Oin spoke to me, I smiled and nodded in return,
"Yes, thank you for releasing us." Kili added,
"It's okay, I'm sure you would have done the same for myself." I replied as Kili nodded, I pulled my platinum hair around my shoulder as I sat down on the ground and started to platt it. I decided to put it up since it seems like there were going to be more dangers like this in future. I then felt a hand rest on mine and Balin looked down at me,
"I could do that for you lass, if you wished." Balin smiled down at me, I was shocked by the idea,
"I... Um... Okay..." I agreed as Balin moved behind me and pulled my hair behind my shoulders gently,
"Normally in dwarven culture if a man does a woman's hair it's a sign of courting, but I have no wish to court you. Just want to make sure you are safe," Balin explained as I smiled,
"Thank you. I have had a few experiences where creatures and people have pulled my long hair." I nodded as I felt Balin continue the platt in my hair and then made a wrap around on the back of my head, he secured it and then stepped back. I stood from the rock and looked towards Balin, "Thank you again." I smiled,
"No problem, lass." Balin bowed, I looked to see the other dwarves routing through a nearby cave. I saw Gandalf walk out and give a blade to Bilbo as I walked back with Balin.
Thorin looked between us both and had to look back at me again with surprise seeing my hair tied up. Though we suddenly heard some noises coming from the forest and
"Something's coming!" Thorin called, we all moved around, and I pulled an arrow out of my quiver and held it loosely on my bow ready to pull if needed.
"Stay together! Hurry now. Arm yourselves." Gandalf called as we all moved around,
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" Suddenly a man dressed in brown came thundering through on a sled lead by... Rabbits? We all blinked in confusion and looked at the man who was similarly dressed to Gandalf but in brown and had bird... Poop in his hair.
"Radagast! Radagast the Brown. Ah. What on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf knew this man... As I thought for a second, I realised that this man was one of the other wizards that Gandalf talked about before.
"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong." Radagast spoke in a hurry, his facial expressions were like a mouse as he wiggled his nose and pulled his hands close to his face.
"Yes?" Gandalf looked at Radagast waiting for his explanation, but the brown wizard seemed to have lost thought his mouth opened, and then closed as he frowned in confusion. This brown wizard was a strange one, but I sensed he had a very good heart. Though Gandalf looked to be getting impatient as Radagast almost stomped his feet,
"Oh, just give me a minute. Um, oh, I had a thought, and now I've lost it. It was, it was right there, on the tip of my tongue." Radagast groaned, he curled is tongue as he opened his mouth to speak, "Oh, it's not a thought at all; it's a silly old..." Radagast spoke as Gandalf pulled an insect out of the other wizard's mouth, I blinked in surprise and looked to Bilbo who just shrugged, and we looked back at them both "-stick insect!" Radagast spoke.
Gandalf and Radagast moved away to have a private word with each other, I sat on the floor and looked at the rabbits, one of them looked up at me and sniffed the air as I smiled at it. They were bigger than normal rabbits but just as adorable.
"I don't like this..." Thorin whispered to Balin,
"You don't trust people very well, do you?" I asked, Thorin and Balin looked down at me as I looked straight at Thorin,
"And you trust people too easily." Thorin glared at me, I shrugged,
"I've been told I have a good judge of character within the first hour of meeting someone." I stood up and looked down at Thorin, "You may put on a front to be a cold dwarf, but you care about anyone who is loyal to you, you'd die for any one of these dwarves." I explained, Thorin's eyes were darting between my own as I wasn't looking away. I looked away towards Gandalf and Radagast.
Suddenly, a howl is heard in the distance, I looked away from Thorin and grabbed my bow holding my arm behind my head as I was prepared to pull an arrow.
"Was that a wolf? Are there-are there wolves out there?" Bilbo spoke worriedly, and he had every right to worry as that was no wolf.
"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf." Bofur spoke, in the distance I squinted and saw a Warg, it jumped into the centre of the group and looked towards me as it growled. Thorin slashed at the beast from the side killing the Warg with his new blade. Another Warg jumped down into the group, me an Kili shot at the beast weakening it though Dwalin gave it the final blow.
"Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind." Thorin called,
"Orc pack?" Bilbo spoke in shock he looked towards me as Gandalf ran towards Thorin,
"Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?" Gandalf asked,
"No one." Thorin looked towards Gandalf,
"Who did you tell?" Gandalf yelled accusingly,
"No one, I swear. What in Durin's name is going on?" Thorin defended himself, but he looked slightly scared,
"You are being hunted." Gandalf answered and we all looked around waiting for another Warg to appear,
"We have to get out of here." Dwalin spoke,
"We can't! We have no ponies; they bolted." Ori ran down the hill,
"I'll draw them off." Radagast spoke up, I looked at the man with surprise, he was either an idiot or he meant it...
"These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you." Gandalf explained,
"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try." Radagast explained, though he seemed even more serious than Gandalf.
"It's our only chance so far." I walked besides Gandalf, he nodded as Radagast soon moved off to try and draw the Orcs away.
"Come and get me! Ha ha!" Radagast called to the Orcs as he rode of, I peered around with Gandalf as he nodded,
"Come on!" Gandalf called as I waited for everyone else to run out first, I made sure no one lagged as I could see Radagast getting chased in the distance. I caught up with the others as we had to hide behind a rock from nearby Wargs,
"Stay together." Gandalf called,
"Move!" Thorin called as we all ran again towards another safe place to hide. Though as we got to the next rock Ori was too eager and was almost seen as Thorin pulled him back,
"Ori, no! Come back!" Thorin called.
We waited for another few seconds,
"Come on! Quick!" Gandalf ran forward towards a familiar place; I slowed down behind the group knowing where Gandalf was taking us.
"Where are you leading us?" Thorin yelled, Gandalf did not answer as we all took cover underneath an outcropping of a rock. I heard a Warg land on top as I leaned back and held my breath, I held my arm out as some of the dwarves almost fell forward by accident. I heard it sniffing the air. Seconds later I saw Kili step out and shoot the beast, the Warg and the Orc fell to the floor, their screams echoed through the plains as I gasped in shock.
"No..." I spoke quite loudly, Thorin looked at me, "They are going to have heard that." I looked between them all as we heard wolves howling to each other.
"Move. Run!" Gandalf yelled and led the way; I waited once more for all the dwarves to go first. Though within a few seconds we saw the Wargs and their Orc riders surrounding us.
"There they are!" Gloin called,
"This way! Quickly!" Gandalf thrown his arm forward, I looked to my left and right seeing the Wargs appearing either side of the company. We stopped at a clearing and looked around us,
"There's more coming!" Kili yelled,
"Kili! Raine! Shoot them!" Thorin yelled at us both. I pulled another arrow and aimed at an Orc in the distance, lowering slightly I released the arrow and it hit the Warg square in its eye.
"We're surrounded!" Fili yelled, Kili released an arrow and it hit another Warg, I drew my bow once more and fired again hitting another Warg to the ground.
"Where is Gandalf?" Kili called,
"He has abandoned us!" Dwalin growled, the Wargs and their Orc riders started to move in, and we all started stepping backwards,
"Hold your ground!" Thorin yelled. I pulled two arrows from my quiver and mounted both on my bow ready.
"This way, you fools!" Gandalf's voice was heard from behind me,
"Come on, move! Quickly, all of you! Go, go, go!" Thorin called to everyone, me and Kili were walking backwards hitting any Wargs that decided to get too close,
"Kili! Raine! Run!" Thorin called, I grabbed Kili and pulled him out of the way of an Orc jumping us as its blade almost hit him,
"Go!" I yelled and then shot the Orc at close range in the face, Kili had already started running in to the hole in the ground. Thorin pushed Kili down and then waited for me to jump in before he followed.
We waited down below but a loud horn was heard, I knew that sound from my youth... Elves... I could hear them combating the Orcs outside as one fell down the hole. An arrow stuck from its chest, I watched Thorin pull the arrow from the chest and examine it.
"Elves." Thorin snapped and threw the arrow down in disgust, I glared at him slightly as he was still not going to get over his hatred for them. Dwalin moved from the group seeing a pathway,
"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or not?" Dwalin asked,
"Follow it, of course!". Bofur agreed, wanting to get away from the fight,
"I think that would be wise." Gandalf nodded as everyone moved forward, I stood at the back as Bilbo looked at me,
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Bilbo spoke,
"Maybe..." I sighed as he walked forward, Gandalf looked at me and then followed behind the company.
We all made our way out of the crack in the wall and looked upon a beautiful city, my old home...
"The Valley of Imraldis. In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name." Gandalf spoke,
"Rivendell." Bilbo and myself spoke, I frowned slightly feeling incredibly guilty, my eyes cast down to the floor as I felt a hand land on my shoulder.
"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf spoke, it was his hand I felt on my shoulder, Thorin turned towards Gandalf as he glared,
"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin snapped,
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Gandalf explained as he removed his hand from my shoulder,
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin glared,
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me and the lady here." Gandalf explained as I looked up towards Rivendell.
We all headed across a bridge towards Rivendell, I walked behind Gandalf as everyone else was behind. As we arrived, I saw Lindir, he looked towards Gandalf as he greeted him at the stairs,
"Mithrandir." Lindir spoke,
"Ah, Lindir!" Gandalf smiled, Lindir looked towards me, and his jaw dropped slightly,
"Raine, amin arwen." Lindir spoke,
"Lindir, ta y' an coiasira." I bowed my head slightly, I could see Thorin looking at me in the corner of my eye, they probably doubted me a bit more now.
"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." Lindir spoke and looked between us,
"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf requested,
"My lord Elrond is not here." Lindir looked uncomfortable, I glared slightly, I knew when Lindir was being strange, many years of growing up with the elves and getting to know their hints and tricks helped me see through them.
"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked curiously.
I looked back as I heard the horn from earlier behind us, glancing to Lindir I saw him sigh, he was glad to not be alone with our strange company.
"Ifridî bekâr! Hold ranks!" Thorin called as the dwarves bunched up together in the centre and pointed their swords outwards, the horses and elves circled the dwarves for a few moments. Though they all stopped, and I saw one elf who I hadn't seen in a long time.
"Gandalf." Elrond's voice spoke gently as he sat on his horse, I turned away for a second and closed my eyes, Bilbo and Thorin notice my reluctance to look Elrond in the eye. I probably looked like a child trying to hide from their parent, which is exactly how I felt.
"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" Gandalf spoke,
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui." Elrond explained, I heard him dismount his horse and walked over to Gandalf, I heard the two embraces behind me, "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near." Elrond stopped as I sighed,
"Raine... Saesa umma il-nurta." Elrond spoke, I tensed up and turned to face Elrond who walked towards me showing open arms and a smile, "You have grown my child." Elrond wrapped his arms around me as I gasped with surprise, though my body relaxed in seconds and my arms landed on Elrond' back.
"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf spoke carrying on from what Elrond said before he saw me, Elrond kept his arm around my body as he turned towards the dwarves, Thorin stepped forward and glanced at me for a second, he didn't know how to react to me knowing the elves,
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond spoke proudly,
"I do not believe we have met." Thorin looked towards Elrond as he spoke,
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain." Elrond complimented Thorin,
"Indeed; he made no mention of you." Thorin insulted Elrond who paid no heed to his words,
"Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin." Elrond walked up the stairs as I smiled at his words, I felt a lot better after Elrond had accepted me back so easily.
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin yelled as I moved in front of them all glaring at the dwarves,
"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." I snapped at him as Gandalf was going to say something also. The dwarves whispered amongst themselves for a moment and Thorin had his eyes on myself,
"Ah well, in that case, lead on." Gloin spoke up as the dwarves finished their discussion.
We all made our way up the stairs as I ran up the stairs, I ran past Gandalf and Elrond as I heard I'm chuckle,
"Still a lively soul." Elrond spoke as I looked back at him,
"Of course." I grinned and then walked quickly through the halls of Rivendell, I wanted to find some of the elves I used to hang around with, Lindir was one of them but there were a few female elves who I used to spend time with also.
"My lady, do not run too far." Gandalf called, I looked back at them and sighed, I just wanted to see my old friends. I could see Balin and Thorin talking behind Elrond and Gandalf as they caught up,
"How long has it been Raine?" Elrond asked as I flinched slightly,
"Ninety-four years..." I replied, I heard a few of the dwarves behind me react after hearing me reveal my unlikely age.
"And how have those years been?" Elrond asked,
"Interesting, I have explored many lands and met many people, survived on my own for most of it." I smiled at Elrond who nodded.
"Your room is the same as it has been since you left. You may return and prepare for dinner later, I will show your friends somewhere to stay." Elrond spoke, I smiled at him and nodded. I looked towards the dwarves and waved goodbye as I ran down another corridor and towards my old room.
I pushed two doors open and walked inside my old room which overlooked the valley, walking to the balcony I sighed feeling relaxed and better in my mood. I turned around and looked around the room in which I stayed as a child, the bed was looking smaller than it used to, but that was because I had grown up. I saw an old friend walk through the door carrying a dress. She had long brown hair and smiled at me gently,
"Amin arwen," Gwendale spoke, I ran over to her and hugged the elf as she laughed gently, "Nice to see you too!" She smiled and returned the hug as I stepped back,
"I have missed you all." I spoke as Gwendale nodded,
"Elrond sent me to give this to you, he would like you to wear it for the dinner tonight." Gwendale handed me a dark blue dress with gold embellishment around the sleeves, neckline and bottom of the dress. "I will also do your hair." Gwendale placed the dress down as we moved to the table to get myself ready for the dinner.
It felt weird wearing a dress once again, I made my way down the hall, though I was a little late... But when I was younger, I was always late to dinner... My hair had been washed and was flowing down my back with a small tie at the back keeping the front hairline from my face.
I arrived at the dinner seeing most of the dwarves sat at two difference tables with a podium between them. I looked up and saw Elrond, Gandalf and Thorin sitting at a table off to the side with one more chair, most likely for myself.
I looked at the dwarves for a second and could see they we're all in shock to see me go from trousers and a shirt to a fancy dress. I walked up to the table where Gandalf, Elrond and Thorin were stood and moved by the remaining chair. Thorin stood up immediately as he saw me, his face showed shock as Elrond slowly stood and bowed as a servant elf pulled my chair out gently and I sat down. Thorin sat down with me, but his eyes never looked away until I made eye contact with him. The dwarf prince looked away quickly as I looked across the table to Elrond,
"I apologise-" I started
"You are always late, that I learnt from when you were young." Elrond smirked at me as I sighed with a smile, Elrond looked between Gandalf and Thorin as he asked for their blades.
Elrond first took Thorin's new blade, I watched him examine the blade as I started eating the food in front of me,
"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." Elrond handed the blade back to Thorin who nodded and accepted the blade. Placing it back in the sheath Thorin glanced at me as I smiled at him. Elrond then took Gandalf's new blade,
"And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age..." Elrond explained as he looked over the sword, they had found some mighty blades to wield, Elrond looked to me and smiled,
"I assume you still have your bow?" Elrond asked, I nodded,
"It's back in my room though, if I knew we were going to be having a show with them I would have brought it with me." I explained as Elrond smirked at me.
I ate my dinner as I heard the dwarves talking behind me, though as I finished, I stood up from the table,
"Please excuse me," I spoke, Elrond looked up at me and nodded as I moved from the table and between the tables where the dwarves are. I walked down the stairs and into the hallways. I was full of food and wanted to be alone for a short time to think. I was not used to being around people for so long, most of my life I had been travelling alone.
I sat in the gardens nearby from where the feast was being held, I smiled to myself as I heard the dwarves singing once more. I looked around the garden as it grew dark, though footsteps were heard nearby and I turned my head to the left to see Thorin appear from the hallway out onto the path nearby,
"Thorin." I stood up from the stone bench and looked towards him, Thorin stopped. And looked at me for a moment and then bowed his head slightly.
"I didn't mean to disturb you; I shall take my leave." Thorin bowed and turned to leave,
"No, please... I don't mind company." I smiled at Thorin who stood back up and looked at me. Thorin walked forward as I sat back down on the stone bench, and he sat facing the other way.
I closed my eyes as I felt a small breeze blow towards me,
"So you grew up here?" Thorin asked, I looked down to the ground and placed my hands on top of each other.
"Yes, from what I remember. After the age of eleven." I explained, "I don't remember anything before that age." I added,
"How come you are immortal? Are you half elf?" Thorin asked,
"No, Elrond told me that I am fully human. I am just blessed with the gift because of my past." I explained, "The only links I have to my past are a few songs and my jewellery." I added as I turned towards Thorin and moved my hands forward to show my bracelets. Thorin looked at them as he turned towards me and saw the golden bangle with the different colour stones embedded into them. Thorin then looked up and saw my necklace with the two stones. on there as well.
"They look like nothing I've ever seen before." Thorin grabbed my hands to look at the bracelets, I gasped as he pulled me forward slightly, his hands gently held my own. I could feel his coarse skin rubbing mine as his thumb traced over my bracelet. "What are these gems?" Thorin asked,
"I don't know... They are called Jewellery from Aulton. But I don't know anything about them." I sighed as Thorin let go of my hands, "I'm hoping my journey with you will help me learn more about my past." I looked to the ground.
"Do you not know anything at all?" Thorin looked at me, I shook my head with a heavy sigh,
"I briefly remember seeing another fair-haired man when I woke up first time, but I've not seen him since... Gandalf told me that there is another like myself in this land. But I don't know where this person is." I looked at Thorin who folded his arms.
It went quiet for a few moments, I was thinking of when I was young and how things were so easy back then, but now...
"You fought well today." Thorin spoke, I looked towards him and smirked,
"Do you trust me now?" I asked, Thorin looked back at me, and a small smirk appeared on his face.
"You have impressed me." Thorin spoke, as I chuckled,
"I've impressed you?" I questioned with a smug look on my face as Thorin turned away from me and nodded. "I was worried that me knowing the elves would have tarnished our relationship even more." I leaned back as Thorin looked at me. The wind blew gently as I frowned slightly. "I know a little bit of the dwarven language from a dwarf I met years ago. He was definitely a feisty dwarf." I chuckled and shook my head, "he actually told me about you and the story Balin told us a few days ago." I explained, Thorin looked over my face as I smiled at him.
I looked around the garden. Thinking to myself, I couldn't believe I was sitting here with Thorin just talking, the other day I wanted to kill him because of the way he was with Bilbo and how stubborn the man is... But he was growing on me... He was kinder on his own and more attentive.
"You've been by yourself a long time then?" Thorin asked, I nodded,
"I did travel a lot on my own, but I sometimes mixed with groups. If I needed to…" I explained, "Met some amazing people and some horrible ones over the years." I looked around, Thorin moved his leg over the bench as he looked at me. "I've never really felt like anywhere has been home… I just can't settle. I guess it's why I ran away." I frowned slightly and looked down,
"We've not had a home for many years now." Thorin spoke,
"You will soon." I smiled and looked at him, Thorin looked over my face for a moment and nodded, he seemed to appreciate my optimism in that moment. "tell me about your home. Tell me about Erebor." I looked at him, Thorin bowed his head with a slight smile and nodded,
"Fine, I'll tell you about Erebor and the life I lived there." Thorin spoke.
Most of the night we spent together talking about our lives and people we met. Thorin told me about the life he led after the attack on Erebor as well. It was a difficult one, but he got to where he was now.
But I have to say, Thorin has shown me a different side to him tonight. A side that I started to like.