Chapter 8 – The Journey Begins

Two days passed by uneventfully as the party journeyed north towards the end of the woods. Narla's heart felt lighter for she had not faced any difficulty as yet. They walked and climbed the landscape, but to Narla, this was not an unfamiliar deed for she used to go adventuring and camping with her aunt. After she had left the beauty and comfort of Mirkwood had she started missing her home in a parallel universe. Though she did not know what role her pendant played in this world, she did not give up hope that she may indeed return to her world. Since this world is currently true in existence to her, she believed that all magic or sort was possible. With that in mind, she journeyed in a lighter mood.

By the third night when they made camp, Narla had gotten to know Irthal and Mirgom quite well. Mirgom had told Narla a lot about traveling and the precautions one should take. Irthal was a bit more friendly to Narla now that she had agreed to bring the third gem back to Searia. However, she still disapproved that an inexperienced lass like her should take on such a dangerous quest. Legolas spoke little or none to her and the other proud elf spoke not to the humans. From Mirgom Narla found out that this Elf, named Calegris, was a warrior of their kingdom and well-known to be the best seeker. His only flaw was that he was too arrogant, at least to humans, and once too often his eyes would hold onto Gaildryn around Narla's waist as if by staring he could pull it to him. In fact, he paid little attention to the messengers save when they talked of the quest or direction of the journey, but most of the time, he would stand silently near Legolas and Mirgom. The male messenger rarely opened his mouth to anyone save Irthal. Narla had helped in gathering firewood from broken twigs and fallen leaves, for the elves did not allow any part of a living tree taken. Mirgom was a great cook, and as Narla supped her brew she noticed the other travelers had taken second helpings. Elves, it seemed, did not need much food to sustain. However, they needed a good amount of water for their activities. After dinner, when everyone prepared to rest with Calegris being the first watch, Legolas sat under a tree away from the others, deep in thought as he had been these few days.

"Tell me, Prince, is there something troubling you?" asked Irthal as she moved towards him.

"Nay," replied Legolas looking up. "I was wondering if we would pass the caves of Mithrin Erebor." 

"Why, that is the dwelling of dwarf-folk!" replied Irthal slightly surprised by the question. "We would well pass out of their sight if possible, for we would not wish for any trouble with the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. Does this matter trouble you?"

"Nay, Irthal of Sethorn, I have a good friend in the dwelling of Erebor whom I wish to ask to join our company to Searia."

"So that is the reason we have been traveling north all this while! Small matter it is, for we would need to journey north eventually. But which elf, may I ask, lives in the caves of Erebor?"

"He is no Elf, Irthal, but a Dwarf" answered Legolas, a small smile appearing on his face as he thought of his soon reunion with his stunted friend. "Gimli, son of Glòin, is his name and he would be a worthy companion to us in the perilous journey ahead."

Irthal raised her brown brows at the mention of a dwarf being the elven prince's friend. She had seen many queer things in this world, but a strange friendship such as this was definitely an eye opener. But she trusted Legolas' judgment and smiled,

"Well, we shall soon meet this friend of yours after tomorrow night. For now, rest well!"

Sure enough, Narla had felt that they were traveling closer towards Erebor as the lonely mountain rose higher and bigger as they drew near it. She was not surprised that Legolas would want Gimli to travel with them. After all, she had read the ending of the book. However, she noticed that Mirgom was surprised and slightly horrified at his prince's request. But he kept it to himself and went to sleep, if he was really sleeping. Calegris, too, seemed surprised at their Prince's request, for he made the slightest inclination of his head towards Legolas, as though doubting his judgment. But he too, did not speak, and turned to keep a look out at the surrounding woods. As the camp grew quiet, Narla noticed that the elves had their eyes open, but she had read that that was the way they slept. However, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable for she saw that the gaze of Legolas was directed to her, whether he was asleep or not she couldn't tell. Facing the other way, Narla cuddled in her blanket and dozed off into a dreamless sleep.

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Legolas was relieved that Irthal agreed to go to his friend's dwelling and his company. He would have enjoyed Gimli's company again. However, he had noticed that at the mention of his dwarf friend, Mirgom's look darkened. He felt a slight pang of guilt for not informing his childhood friend beforehand, for he had just thought of visiting Gimli in Erebor at the beginning of the journey. Calegris too had no idea that he had befriended a Dwarf, but he hoped that his race would one day live together with the others. He also noticed that Narla was not surprised at the mention of going to a dwarf dwelling. In fact, he felt that she knew he would have done that, but how he had no idea. So he stared at her as though he could discover who she was through his gaze, and for a few seconds their gaze locked on each other, before she locked herself back into a wall of mystery and turned.

Legolas had looked out for Narla these few days. He was in the lead with the man named Vortayn and Narla accompanied Mirgom behind, but more than often he glanced back to see if she had difficulty climbing a ridge or even getting weary. He found none of these. This foreign brunette traveled quite at ease as a matter of fact. She had even proved useful to the company by gathering firewood. Legolas willed himself a little rest before he pondered any longer, for he had no answers for all his questions about the mysterious member of their party.

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The next day they had arrived at the end of the woods and headed across the sloping base of the lonely mountain. Narla was anticipating to meet Gimli and the dwarf dwelling for she had not read about how female dwarves were like. She did not feel weary through the long day but she did wish she could be back in the fragrant washroom of Thranduil's abode. It had been four days since she had taken a bath and she wondered in disgust whether anyone of the fellowship cleaned themselves during their quest of the Ring. Apparently they did not.

By noon the next day the party had reached a path leading into the mountain. As they walked along the path Narla saw two large yet short shapes in front of them. They were dwarves, dressed in dark armor and each held a great shiny axe, which now lay crisscrossed in front of the party.

"Halt! Who wanders towards the dwelling of the Dwarves of Mithrin Erebor?" demanded one of the dwarves as he eyed the Elves suspiciously, almost loathingly.

The other dwarf moved his axe towards Legolas and seeing his master in danger, Mirgom raised his bow and was about to pull the string when Legolas quickly stopped him.

"We come in peace! I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil of the Elves of Mirkwood. We have come to see Gimli, son of Glòin."

As soon as Legolas spoke his name the dwarves looked at each other and put down their axes. Mirgom did the same for his bow, but he was still alert at any sign of danger. Calegris looked icily at the stunted beings in front of them but made no move. The dwarf who spoke previously bowed courteously to Legolas and said in a more friendly manner,

"Welcome, Prince Legolas, friend of Lord Gimli! Pardon our previous insolence. I am Tharik, one of the guardians of the Erebor Pass. We have heard a lot about you from Lord Gimli and you are most welcome to our dwelling. I would have escorted you to our city myself, but as a guardian I'm afraid I may not leave this place."

Legolas was grateful to Tharik for letting them pass with no trouble as he feared not all dwarves were elf-friends like Gimli. However, as they passed through the guards he saw that Mirgom and the two guards were still eyeing one another in an almost loathing manner and that grieved him.

Narla could the invisible daggers flying between the other two elves and the dwarves and she was not surprised. However, she was surprised that Gimli had told his people about Legolas and was even more surprised when they had reached the dwelling of the dwarves.

The city of the Dwarves of Erebor was huge and not as bad as elves described them to be. Many paths connecting one to another appeared from the many caves on the slope of the mountain and lamps hung on the walls lit every cave that made them seem to glow. The city had been busy with activities, but now all its dwellers turned their heads at their unusual guests. Narla was not surprised to see dwarves, for she had read their description from the book, but she was taken aback at the female dwarves. They reminded her of a shorter Irthal, strong but quite good-looking. Their features were not as rugged as the males and they could look friendly…if they smiled. They did not have fizzy hair like the males, instead, their dark hair were braided underneath their headgears. Leathery were their attire, and most of them wore breeches, but none wore armor.

It seemed that Tharik had sent word to the city and a Dwarf larger than the rest stood at the entrance of the main cave. He wore no armor and bore no weapon; indeed, he looked quite at ease at the sight of Elves. Narla smiled as she recognized Gimli, son of Glòin. And the dwarf noticed her. Gimli didn't know this human in strange garments, but she looked as though she knew him well. At last Legolas stood in front of him and took his attention,

"Is this how you treat a guest, Gimli, son of Glòin?" said Legolas mockingly. "With no words of welcome or gladness at the sight of such fair company at your door?"

Author's Notes: Well, I hope this chapter has progressed well. I'm not really touching into the love story yet, but there's bound to be more of it in the future chapters! Thanks for your reviews guys! I hope I won't disappoint you! And special thanks to Monica, I won't compare myself with other pros, I'll just do my best~ Till we meet again!