A/N: Aaaaaand I'm back! I'm sorry about the infrequency of my updates. I've been really struggling with fatigue ever since I had Covid a while and it's a slow progress. I'm almost moving to an entirely different continent in a week so there's a lot on my mind. I'm here though and I'm back. I'm glad you guys are still enjoying this fic, though.

Without further ado, here is the next chapter!

Chapter Twelve

"So, uh, not to be rude or anything, but how is that you can see me? I thought the whole point of this was that nobody except Gandalf can see me?"

A playful smile tugged at Elrond's lips. Just like with most things in Middle-Earth, Ellie was struck by the feeling that the elf-lord in front of her was far older than he seemed. It was something about the depth of his eyes that gave Ellie the impression that she was in the presence of someone of great importance.

They were standing under an arched roof covered in climbing plants each fighting for a way around the elegantly carved symbols. Ellie assumed some of those symbols were in Elvish, although she couldn't even begin to explain why she thought that.

The thing that caught her the most off guard, was the afternoon sun high in the sky. It was summer and everything was alive. Birdsong was carried in the wind and somewhere in the distance, Ellie could hear the sound of a flute playing a gentle melody. A melody that was both foreign and familiar at the same time.

"I am privileged with abilities that others do not have." Elrond explained, "One of those abilities allows me to see you now."

Ellie's face fell.

For a moment she hoped that if Elrond could see her, it would mean that Thorin would be able to see her as well. She wanted so badly to let Thorin know that if she could choose, she would help him in person. Of course she understood why the Valar decided it was best if she remained invisible to everyone else, but it was not easy.

"However, there are some things I can do." Elrond continued, "If you will allow it, I will be able to help you interact with Thorin's company. However, it will only last for as long as the company remains in Rivendell. Once they leave the borders of this place, the spell will be broken."

"How long will the company stay here?" Ellie asked

"Two weeks. I expect they will arrive tomorrow. Until then, you are welcome to rest and explore this valley as much as you like. If there's anything you want, no matter how small, you need only ask."

Ellie had questions to ask, but there were some questions that she was unsure if someone even so powerful as Lord Elrond could answer.

That night, Ellie could not sleep.

She tried.

God knows she tried.

She wasn't sure if it was the fact that she was actually in physical form for the first time since this whole weird adventure had begun or if it was the thought of actually seeing Thorin tomorrow.

Their interactions had been so sporadic and so unpredictable that Ellie simply did not know how the dwarrow king would react. Would he be happy to see her? They had so much to talk about, but what if they had nothing to say?

Then there was the matter of the rest of the company. How would they react to her just being there? Surely, they would not doubt the words of Gandalf who had sent her on this quest, but there was so much more that Ellie just did not understand.

Yet, as she lay there restless on the soft elven mattress, all she could think about was how much she longed to actually spend time with Thorin.

In the same world and at the same time. Two weeks felt like it could be forever and it was so much more time than they had ever shared.

How could she possibly go back to just being a ghost?

Eventually, Ellie gave up on twisting and turning and decided that perhaps a breath of fresh air would clear her mind and help her relax.

After all, it was not every day that one found themself in an elven kingdom.

Her life had taken a turn she could not possibly have imagined and she wondered what her friends would say if they ever knew she was there. Ellie knew that to them, their life simply went on as if nothing had changed and that got her thinking about what perhaps might happen if she stayed in Middle-Earth.

Stayed with Thorin.

"Your thoughts stray far from the mind tonight, child."

The voice caught Ellie off-guard. She had been walking aimlessly through Rivendell until she reached the gardens below the houses. Overheard, the stars twinkled as if they were keenly aware of what was happening in the world below. As a child, Ellie had often wondered if perhaps the stars were guardians of those who lived on Earth and she had no idea how close to the truth she'd been.

A few meters ahead of her, on a bench overlooking the orchard, sat an elf. Of course it was an elf, but a part of Ellie still struggled to accept that particular reality. Something about this elf, however, was different. It was like the air about him was far more ancient than even Lord Elrond himself. Unlike Elrond, though, this elf had hair that cascaded to almost below his waist and the starlight revealed its perfectly golden shine. His eyes were bright green and his voice was soft yet he still spoke like someone who possessed a lot of wisdom.

"I couldn't sleep." Ellie explained, "So, yeah, lots on my mind, I guess."

"You have traveled far." said the blonde elf matter-of-factly, "It is not so strange your mind is weary and tired. Come and sit if you like, child. On nights when my mind will not settle, I find the company of starlight calming."

Normally, Ellie would have been a bit skeptical of just joining a stranger. However, she had a feeling that this elf was not like anyone she had ever met before and something about his voice and the way that he spoke about starlight filled her with a sense of peace. And so, Ellie accepted his invitation and sat down next to him.

"The stars here are different than those at home." said Ellie as she gazed up at the velvet blue blanket above them. "I don't know any of these stars."

"That constellation is called Valacirca." the elf explained, "It is also known to dwarves as "Durin's Crown", the seven stars that Durin saw in the Mirromere. I understand you've been told some dwarrow lore?"

At first, Ellie was taken a bit by surprise, but then if Lord Elrond already knew who she was why wouldn't the others? Or perhaps the elven king had simply told his friends who she was and why she was staying here. That wouldn't be so strange.

"A long time ago now." Ellie said, "Nothing about starlight, though. I didn't think dwarves spent much time above ground?"

"They never used to." the blonde elf explained, "Things changed after the dragon besieged Erebor. Durin's Folk were forced to find new ways of living and that meant getting used to looking up at the stars again. Elves are different that way, we were born from starlight and so we treasure it."

"I imagine that must have been hard."

Truthfully, Ellie struggled to imagine it at all. Being forced to flee from your home and having to take refuge amongst people who more often than not hate you simply for being different. Of course Thorin had rage in him; anyone put in his situation would.

"Tell me, aier." the blonde elf said. Ellie didn't recognise that last word. Did elves also have their own language? "Why do you feel such guilt over something of which you have no control?"

How did he know? Did all elves have magical abilities? A knot turned in Ellie's gut and she knew exactly what the blonde elf was talking about. She did feel guilty and now that she had time to sit and actually consider the quest Gandalf had bestowed upon her, all of those emotions washed over her like an unstoppable whirlwind.

What if she failed? Not just Gandalf or the Valar. What if she failed Thorin? She hadn't been there for him when he needed her the most and so why should he trust that she would truly be there for her now? She knew nothing about this world or its history besides what she had been and as far as the company was concerned, she was a stranger to them. A stranger who had caused more hurt than done anything good and yet she was there to somehow be helpful.

"I just don't understand why I was chosen for this." Ellie whispered, "There's nothing special about be me and half the time I don't know what I'm doing. I worry that Thorin is angry with me but that he doesn't want to say it. I don't even think I could blame him."

Ellie wasn't sure when she had started to cry, but the blonde elf carefully dried the tears from her face.

"God, look at me crying in front of someone I've only just met." Ellie chuckled embarrassed, "I don't even know your name."

At this, the blonde elf smiled.

"I am Glorfindel." he told her, "Do not worry, Eleanor. Your thoughts and fears will not come to pass. Thorin might be a dwarf scorned by the sorrow of dragon fire, but it is not with you his anger lies. Your time together will heal wounds. Now, would you like to hear some more about our constellations?"

Ellie nodded.

Yes, she rather would.