Disclaimer: Oh Valar, I wish I owned even a fraction of Tolkien's creation, but alas I do not. Characters, setting, plot; it all belongs to J.R.R. or Peter Jackson. Except the quotes, which belong to their respective owners. And the title, which obviously belongs to Robert Frost.
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Singing was the first thing Bilbo heard, almost as soon as he had crossed the Ford of the Bruinen. He was surprised, for he did not think even elven voices could carry so far. But the soothing melody relaxed him, and welcomed him to the sanctuary. So caught up in it he was, that he did not noticed the grey-clad figures emerging from the trees around him.
So when a brown-hair elf, with silver eyes and a commander bearing, called out to him, it quite startled poor old Bilbo.
"Hail, and well met, friend!" Elladan called to the hobbit.
Bilbo gave off a yelp of shock and spun around to come face to face…or more correctly, face to waist, with the half-elven. "Oh dear me," Bilbo puffed, "you scared me, sir!"
"I am sorry, friend, for it was not my intention. But dear me, unless I am very much mistaken, you are one of the Periannath, am I correct?" At these words the tension seemed to drain from the other elves on guard, and a few melted back into the trees.
"Oh, yes, I am. Bilbo Baggins," Bilbo said, finally recovering himself. "At your service."
Elladan smiled. "Bilbo Baggins! Long has it been since you visited this valley. Be welcome! I am Elladan, son of Elrond. Come, it would be my pleasure to lead you to my father." The young elven-lord motioned down the path ahead with a wave.
"Well, thank you, my lord. That is most kind of you. I must admit, I've quite forgotten the way; it has been some while since I was last here, as you said. But, please forgive me, I see now you are kin to Elrond, but I did not realize he had any children. I don't think we've ever met."
Elladan shook his head, causing his brown locks to flow about his shoulders. "No, we have not. For when last you were here, my brother and I were visiting the Golden Wood of our grandmother. But it is a pleasure to meet the famous dragon-slayer, at long last!" The elves all enjoyed a hearty laugh at that, and Bilbo joined in.
"Oh nonsense, that was not my doing. I just tagged along on that journey."
"You are too modest, friend, for we have had the whole story from Gandalf himself. But come, no doubt you are tired from your long travels, and hungry as well, if I have heard correctly." Elladan began to walk down the path, slowing to a pace Bilbo could easily keep up with.
"Yes to both, my lord. And you have heard quite right." Food was beginning to sound quite appealing, Bilbo thought. It had been some hours since he had last eaten.
"Then we had best hurry, for I would not want you to starve!" Elladan cried and led the way to the Last Homely House.
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A few hours later, Bilbo, having bathed, dressed, eaten and otherwise refreshed himself, was shown the way to Elrond's study. Elladan had indented to lead Bilbo directly to his father on arrival, but Elrond had been in a meeting, and Bilbo had announced that he should at least wash himself before he was presented to the Lord of Rivendell. Elladan had laughed at that, assuring the hobbit that others in far worse states had met with his father, but Bilbo was not quite sure why it was so funny.
"Here you are, sir," the grey-clad guard who had shown him the way stopped in front of a half opened oak door. "My lord is expecting you," he said, and then abruptly disappeared down the hall.
Bilbo was not quite sure if he liked this elven characteristic. And, honestly, what sort of people always wore grey? How very dull and boring the Rivendell elves seemed; not at all like Bilbo remembered.
He knocked softly on the door and then poked his head inside when he received no answer. "Hello," he called. "Lord Elrond?"
"Yes," a pleasant voice drifted down from above him. Bilbo looked up to realize there was a balcony on the second floor, and that Elrond Half-elven was standing leaning against it, and smiling welcomingly down at his guest.
"Oh, Master Elrond, it's wonderful to see you again." For indeed, Bilbo admitted to himself, he had been looking forward to seeing the elf again. Elrond was always good for conversation of history or lore, and Bilbo hoped he would quite useful in assisting him in writing his book.
"And it is good to see you again, my dear hobbit. Though I must say, when Gandalf told me of your imminent arrival, I was a bit surprised. I had not imagined you would leave the comfort of your homelands again." As the lord spoke he had made his way down from the second floor, and now stood in front of Bilbo. "Will you sit and talk with me?" Elrond motioned towards a table across the room.
"Oh, yes! Why I'd love to, my lord."
Elrond glanced at him in amusement. "I am not your lord Bilbo, and you need not address me so formally. Elrond shall do fine."
"Oh, yes, of course, Elrond. It sounds a might shorter, doesn't it?" Bilbo managed to clamber up onto the chair without too much difficulty, but looked on in longing as Elrond settled himself gracefully into the seat opposite.
"Just a 'might'," Elrond agreed. "So, Bilbo, what may I ask brings you half way across Middle-earth. Surely it is not to visit me?" The elf's eyes were twinkling, and Bilbo joined him in a chuckle.
"Well, I must say, though visiting the valley is a pleasant distraction; it is not my main reason for having set out. I'm getting on in years, as you probably are aware, and before I'm unable, I wanted to go back – that is go east – and visit the places from my last adventure. And perhaps some new ones as well."
"Well, that sounds like an admirable goal, friend. Did you have any specific plans at all?"
"Well, no, not specifically, except that I'd like to leave as soon as possible. The real reason I came here, and please forgive me for being so forward Elrond, was that I can't possibly travel all the way to Mirkwood on my own. I'd be lost within a day, I'm sure!"
Imladris' lord had to agree with this. "But you are in luck, Bilbo. My sons, who you have now met, are leaving not a week hence to travel to King Thranduil's halls and visit with his son. I am sure they would happily take you along with them."
Bilbo's face lit up with wonder. "Oh, my lord, that would be just the thing. If you're certain they would not mind, I am sure they would be wonderful traveling companions indeed. Though I'm afraid I'll hold them up, for I can't travel as fast as an elf. But oh, this is wonderful!" He wished sorely to get up and dance in glee around the room, but thought it very improper in from of an elven lord, even one who he considered a friend.
"I shall inform them today, then. But do not fear about slowing them down, for I think the company would be good for them." He looked about ready to elaborate but a sharp rapping came from the door, which prevented him from continuing.
"My lord," another grey-clothed elf, a female Bilbo noted, paused a few steps into the study.
"Yes, Rilómë? Has something happened?"
"Yes, my lord. Lord Aragorn has returned from the wild, and is much in need of your help." Bilbo noticed Elrond's breathe catch at this statement, but in another heartbeat the half-elf had mastered himself.
"How serious?" Elrond was rising already, seemingly having forgotten Bilbo's presence.
"Elladan, who met him in the courtyard, says it is not life-threatening, but he bid you come quickly nonetheless."
Elrond gave a small sigh of relief upon hearing this, and suddenly seemed to notice Bilbo again. "My friend, please forgive me, but I must go. Rilómë, would you please show Bilbo the way back to his room? I will speak with you later!" He called, already rushing from the room.
Bilbo gave the messenger elf a queer look. "I don't mean to sound nosy, but is everything alright? Lord Elrond looked very worried." He allowed the elf to lead him from the study and down the hall.
"Lord Elrond's youngest son has returned from his travels, wounded as usual. Though, I am glad to report he has not done himself as much damage as usual."
Bilbo screwed up his face in confusion at this statement. Lord Elrond's youngest? But Bilbo had just met Elrohir, Elladan's younger twin; no one had ever said anything about more children. "How many children does Elrond have?" He found himself inquiring out loud, but too late he realized that the question was not entirely appropriate.
"He has three strictly speaking, Master Hobbit," the elf maiden said. "But he adopted Estel – forgive me – Aragorn some years ago. Ah, I believe this is your room?"
And indeed it was. "Oh, thank you my lady, for your help."
She bowed in silence and left him standing in the hallway: confused, alone, and just a little worried about Lord Elrond's mysterious young son.