YAY! Chapter 11 is finally up and I am so very please that it turned out so nice. I hope all you fans, readers, and critics will enjoy this and, just so you know, all updates and info on the stories are on Thanks for your reviews everyone (especially Dreaming N Watercolors and LorienRangerElf).
"Bilbo! Bilbo, come quick. It's an elf, come to see us!" Frodo shouted into the dark room of his uncle. "Quick, uncle, he say's he can't stay long." Then the small hobbit slammed the door and raced back to the kitchen were he had left the strange guest.
Apparently, the elf had taken Frodo at his word and made himself more then at just someone's home. He had really and truly made it his home, for the time being anyway. Frodo didn't care but drew up a stool and stared quite blatantly at Rhov who merely chuckled and continued shoveling huge forkfuls of seed cake down his gullet.
"Mr. Rhov…" Frodo began but Rhov choked on a spoonful of soup and Frodo had to thump him on the back until he recovered. When Rhov had downed several cups of strong tea, he finally choked out, "Mister is not part of my name, Frodo Baggins, and if you don't want me to die of strangulation never say such a thing again. Hoo…"
"I'm awfully sorry sir, but it's the first time I've ever seen an elf. Are they all dark-skinned?"
"No, Frodo, Rhov is a very special elf." Bilbo said cheerfully as he entered the kitchen. "By the way, Rhov, have you seen Gandalf at all?"
"I'm afraid I haven't but I'll tell you if I do." Rhov replied as he started polishing off a large salad. "Do you know? I think Balin was correct when he said you laid the finest table in the Shire."
"Oh it's true, sir." Frodo exclaimed proudly. Both elf and hobbit stared at the young one for several seconds until they were interrupted by a loud knock. "Oh!" Frodo squeaked and he raced off for the front door.
"I believe a wizard has arrived, Bilbo. Be glad you're too old to go on any adventures." Rhov sniggered.
"BILBO!" Frodo screamed from the entranceway. "IT'S DWARVES!"
"Oh dear, I suppose I'll have to empty at least two larders in the next hour or so." Bilbo groaned as he and Rhov made their way through the comfortable tunnels to the screeching Frodo. "Pipe down Frodo, for heaven's sake!" Bilbo said to his young cousin. "Go and get some more cups and saucers for our guests." Frodo ran off in a huge flurry of excitement while greetings were made to old and newer friends.
"Oin! You look better than ever, my old friend. I am sorry that none of the others could make it." Bilbo exclaimed as he embraced Oin and shook the hands of the other dwarves. All of the dwarves knew Rhov quite well and greeted him happily, a strange thing to see in these days.
After introductions and all the niceties had been gotten through, everyone adjourned to the kitchen for a lovely second breakfast. Oin related all the news from Wilderland and both Bilbo and Rhov were saddened to hear of the death of Bard but were quite heartened to hear that the dwarves and men were getting along nicely. The elves, on the other hand, were still very testy and so there wasn't much communication between them and the Lonely Mountain.
"There have been some strange rumors coming to us these days." Oin said, his eyebrows jiggling up and down in his excitement.
"What sort of rumors, Oin, and stop that! You look like a goblin when you do that!"
"Alright, Rhov, but stop shouting."
"I wasn't shouting!"
"Are!"
"Not!"
"Are!"
"Stop acting like silly children, both of you! Now tell us what has been happening in Mirkwood, Oin, before I refuse you anymore seedcake!" Bilbo yelled over the argument. Both combatants quieted and muttered for a bit while Frodo and the other dwarves stared open mouthed at the two. "You're setting a bad example!" Bilbo hissed.
"Stupid dwarf."
"Arrogant elf."
"Good, now that apologies are out of the way, could you please continue!"
Oin sniffed and resumed his earlier conversation. "Anyway, the elves found a strange human girl in their woods about thirty years ago –that's how long it takes to get news from those confounded know-it-alls- and that she never grows old. All she can tell them is that she's from a different world and that her brother wanted her gone and sent her here but didn't mean too…"
Here Rhov interrupted as Oin was beginning to get a little confused, "Never mind the details about how she got there."
Oin nodded his agreement, "Yes, that would be a good idea. I can never remember just how it happened. From all I've heard she's terrorized the entire palace and surrounding woods, a feat only surpassed by you, Rhov, and the Elvenking has gone quite mad with aggravation. Apparently, Eladan of Rivendell has been there for quite some time and is smitten quite badly I'm afraid."
"Oh dear…" Rhov sighed, "I dare say they're having all the fun, Legolas and… what's her name?"
"Actually, she has two names: the name she brought with her and the name the elves have given her." Oin chuckled. "Kelly is the former, Mierien the latter."
"Annoying cat?" Bilbo questioned. "I didn't think that elves sunk all the way to name-calling!"
There were several ill-disguised snorts from the company and Oin continued, "Elrond has said that she would be safer in Rivendell then Mirkwood at the moment so they've decided to send her over with Eladan in a couple years. Knowing elves it'll probably be another two decades before that happens!"
"Most certainly." Bilbo replied and from there, they went on to discuss the rests of Middle-Earth and what was going on. At least to the best of their limited news sources. Frodo and the other dwarves listened carefully to everything their elders, rarely speaking considering they didn't know very much about the conversation.
"Have you heard from Lady Galadriel, Rhov?" Bilbo asked later that night when it was just the two of them; everyone else was in bed. Gandalf had arrived earlier with his cartful of fireworks, they'd spent all afternoon unloading it, and now Bilbo and Rhov could hear Gandalf's snores drowning out the rest.
Rhov shook his head and leaned back in his chair blowing smoke rings into the air. "No, I'm afraid I've lost contact with most everyone the last four years."
"Where have you been, friend?"
"Well, I parted from the Rangers for a while because I just wanted to get away from everyone for a while. Believe it or not, Elrohir and Aragorn can grind on ones nerves after a while." Bilbo grinned in reply but didn't say anything so Rhov continued; "I took the mountain roads through the Misty Mountains and traveled in the deep places of Mirkwood for a while and then got bored and traveled past the Gap of Rohan and then through the White Mountains to Gondor. I skipped Rohan, as I didn't feel like meeting men who are driven by their lust for horses until they become fanatics. You know I hate horses.
"Then after reaching Gondor, I traveled through Ithilien and found most of the inhabitants have fled closer to Minas Tirith. The darkness is returning to Mordor, Bilbo, and its presence could be felt even in Gondor. Something is afoot and I especially knew it when I arrived in Harad. I think that we will be seeing war not too long from now."
"Harad, Rhov! What possessed you to travel to Harad?"
"Like I said, a change of scene does no one any harm. Besides," Rhov shrugged unconcernedly, "my skin looks just like theirs. There was nothing to worry about, I was safe as a camel."
"A what?" Bilbo said excitedly pulling out paper and ink, "What did it look like?"
After that, Rhov described the people, animals, and strange customs of the Haradrim to Bilbo who was scribbling furiously. It was two in the morning when Rhov finished and Bilbo put his parchment and ink back in their respective places –which, in Bag End, could be anywhere but the stuffed shelves-.
"You know, Rhov. I've been thinking about something that concerns you and I would like your permission to put your name in my book."
"No thank you, my old friend. I did little or nothing and besides, the book would just not work if you put a Moriquend in. You would have to explain our history and us when you could be telling your readers about Mirkwood and the great palace of the Elvenking or describing Beorn and his animals or the great Battle. No, Bilbo, I'm not anyone important in the whole scheme of things. As a matter of fact, I'd rather you never mentioned me." Rhov said, smiling slightly.
Bilbo sighed and laid down his twentieth cup of tea. "If that is how you want it, then so be it. But Rhov, are you really sure about this?"
"More sure then many things, Bilbo. Think about it for a while and you will understand." Rhov stood up and stretched. "Goodnight, old friend. I will see you in the morning before I leave."
The hobbit scrambled off his seat and stood in front of the elf. "You are coming to my birthday party, Rhov! It will be the greatest party ever given in the Shire and I would hate for you to miss it."
"I'll watch from the side-lines, Bilbo. But if I showed up in the midst of all those stupid hobbits, you'd have a general panic and the party would be ruined." Rhov chuckled stuffing his pipe back into his cloak.
"Yes, I can see your point but promise me you'll be somewhere to watch the proceedings. I have a surprise all set out for those 'stupid' hobbits as you call them."
"Ah, I thought you would go through with that silly little plan of yours. Does Frodo know?" Rhov asked.
"He knows I'm going soon after the party but not when." Bilbo turned away and stared out a window into the night. "In all honesty, Rhov, I think if I asked him, he would go. Frodo thinks he wants to go see the wide world but his heart is truly planted in the Shire."
Rhov put a hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "Aye, I know the feeling. However, my traveling will soon be ended and I'll be going back to the Rangers. Elrohir pitched a fit on my way over here, said I should say hello to everyone first but I felt I needed to be here for your elventy-one.
"And don't worry about Frodo, Bilbo. Gandalf will keep two eyes on the lad and I will as much as I can." Rhov clapped Bilbo on the shoulder and turned toward the door. He never really liked sleeping indoor and hobbit holes were not something a tall elf should sleep in as it was. An elf taken with a fit of claustrophobia is not a pretty sight.
Three weeks later
"I have my suspicions on what that ring is that Bilbo had and I'm slightly worried about young Frodo. With that thing in his possession, who knows what might happen!"
"You speak in riddles, Gandalf. Tell me what you mean by a ring and why is it dangerous?"
"Dangerous! It is more dangerous and powerful then the rings of the elves, Aragorn. I believe that Bilbo has gotten possession of the Ring of Power! I always thought his story about it in the Misty Mountains was a little weak but I should have spotted it sooner! That is precisely why I have come to you, my old and trusted friend. I need you to help me hunt for the creature Gollum-…"
"Who?"
"I'll tell you the full story later but now I must have your promise that you will help me in this venture for this is important; the very future of Middle-Earth rests on what we decide right now and Gollum is a door that will unlock many mysteries."
"What is it that I am promising, Gandalf?"
"To help me hunt down the wretched creature and help me question it. I suppose the safest place to do that would be in Mirkwood, they are used to disgusting creatures like him."
"Will you tell me his story?"
"I'll only tell you of what little Bilbo has told me and that is one reason why we must find Gollum. I'm incredibly intrigued by him and, as I said already, it would answer many questions. Will you go?"
"Yes, Gandalf, I will. Halbarad will take my place here with the Rangers as he has many times before. Two days is all I need to prepare. By the way, have you heard from Rhov at all?"
"No, I'm afraid I haven't. He was in the Shire for Bilbo's birthday and then he disappeared that night; I personally think he accompanied Bilbo to Rivendell and is taking a detour back here. Don't worry about that hooligan."
"I don't but I would like to see him before I leave. Halbarad could use a second-in-command since Elrohir is going back to Rivendell for an undetermined amount of time and besides, the Dúnedain like and respect Rhov."
"Wait, isn't that him?"
"Ah yes, so it is. Shall we?"
"After you, Aragorn. By the way, did you know he's gone to Bree?"
"Oh no…"
"I believe we will be hearing a lot about Strider in the near future."
"He never liked my name but do you really think he will stoop to Strider?"
"Yes I do."
"Gandalf?"
"Yes?"
"Why can we never continue serious conversations when that stupid elf is around?"
"That's the mystery Rhov is that we will never know, my good friend. Shall we?"
Twenty Years Later – RivendellThe trees sang their light, sweet song in welcome to their long departed friend while the wind whistled happily through the canyon as its earthbound brother strode down an old, old path. The sound of falling water soon fell upon the sensitive pointed ears making their owner's mouth twitch in a small smile of satisfaction.
While Rhov claimed he loved nothing better then traveling and the open road, his heart always leapt in his chest when coming home to Rivendell and heard the familiar sounds that had greeted him so many years ago. Now he had come to see old friends and meet news ones and the excitement that had been building up inside of him for months was breaking through. Without another thought, he broke into a song he had heard in Harad, a cheerful melody that the gypsies sang to keep their spirits up on the dusty road. It was a strange melody and one that fitted Rhov's mood perfectly.
A strange sight greeted the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor, when he stepped onto one of the many balconies and saw a dancing, singing, brown-skinned elf skipping down the steep path to the entrance of Imladris. He heard a good-humored chuckle and turned around to see the rugged Ranger he'd spotted earlier on when he'd arrived. He too was watching the strange creature waltzing down the path with a smile pasted all over his tanned, craggy face.
"Do you know the elf?" Boromir asked.
"Aye, and he is in a good mood, a very good mood. Excuse me while I go beat his brains out for acting in such a manner in front of honored guests." Aragorn said then whipped around and raced through the halls to Legolas' room.
"Legolas! Rhov has arrived and I dare say he will be overjoyed to see you! Hurry!" He yelled through the open door.
Legolas jumped up from his chair by the window and flew thru Imladris to the courtyard where he was preceded by an ecstatic Elrohir and more tempered Eladan. Both were embracing the dark-elf whose face looked ready to split with the grin that was spread over his brown face.
"Look who has come to join us!" Elrohir roared and Legolas suddenly found himself gasping for breath as two long, brown arms wrapped themselves around him and a rib-cracking hug enveloped him.
"Legolas!" Rhov shouted down the respective elf's ear. "Laddie, what a pleasure it is to see your ugly mug once again!" He released the gasping wood-elf and swept past him to do the whole thing over again to Aragorn who had just appeared. "Strider!"
The courtyard seemed full of laughing, shouting men and elves as several of the Dúnedain –who had accompanied Rhov- entered and greeted their long-absent commander, Halbarad in the forefront.
It was in the midst of the back-clapping that a voice piped up through the deep male baritones. "Would it hurt you, Leggy, to introduce me to your friends or shall I stand here all day?"
Rhov turned and found himself staring down into the strangest eyes he had ever seen. They were dark blue around the edges, bright green in the middle, and orange in the center, strongly reminding him of a cat he had seen in the Harad Desert. "Ah, Mierien, the terror of Mirkwood."
"From all I've heard, I can't hold a candle to your exploits and believe me, I've done my best but it just hasn't worked." The girl, for girl it was, said with the sweetest of sweet smiles.
"Well, m'lady, it seems that we haven't been introduced properly." Rhov chuckled feeling perfectly unaffected by the strange child.
"You seem to know everything important about me but, what the heck…" she turned to Legolas, "Well, buster?"
Eladan smothered a laugh with a cough while Legolas blushed and turned to Rhov and the Rangers (all of whom were trying to jerk their jaws from the ground), "This is Mierien…" "Ahem!" "I mean, Kelly. She has been living with us in Mirkwood for quite some time and will now be residing in Imladris…" "Yes, something he's been waiting for with ill-concealed glee." "-under Lord Elrond's supervision." Legolas finished with a glare in the smiling Kelly's direction.
"Shall we go in?" Eladan asked and, without waiting for an answer, ushered everyone inside except for Rhov who was still grinning down at Kelly. "May I ask what a 'buster' is?" Rhov asked.
"It's a derogatory statement that I use with everyone except for complete strangers like yourself." She answered back with her sweet smile still spread across her face.
"I see… well, that's something that will have to be explained to me by Legolas." Rhov held up an arm, "Would you like to escort me to dinner?"
"O, of course good sir. Lead me to it!" the girl said, dropping the sweet smile for a cheeky grin that suited her perfectly as she slipped her long, olive-brown arm into his darker one. "Pardon me if I trip now and then, fifty years and I still haven't gotten used to these monstrosities called dresses."
Rhov leaned down and whispered in her ear, "And forgive me if I do not understand anything you say tonight. Women are not something I've gotten used to in all my long years. Shall we?"
The two misfits waltzed into the main door of the Last Homely House as the sun set in a blazing glory of red and gold, tinged with blue and green. One star winked at the small river trickling down the valley as birds flew to their nests and bees hurried to finish their work before their queen called them back. Night fell on Middle-Earth as it had done since the beginning and as it always will to the ending of the earth.