AN: First of all, just because it may be a mary-sue, doesn't mean you have to flame it. I really don't understand people's need to belittle other people's work. These chapters were the FIRST fanfic I ever wrote. Two years ago. And I've read weirder things than an elf/hobbit relationship. Trust me. All I ask is that if you're going to flame something, read the whole work first rather than reading one chapter and saying the whole thing sucks. This is chapter 3/40+ Characters grow in that time.

Next time, think before you flame.

Chapter Three: Old Friends

Elrohir frowned. This was not a good idea. When she had departed, Ancalimë had charged him with Mélanyë's safety on the trip back to Rivendell, but now that seemed to be harder than he realized.

"You want to go with...the dwarves?" he asked. Mélanyë stood before the elf rather sheepishly looking like a young child asking a parent to be released from chores. He sighed. "What possible reason would you have to go tramping about the countryside with a group of strangers?"

"They're not strangers!" she stammered. "They're Mr. Bilbo's friends...and he asked me to come with him."

"Where would you be going?"

"The mountains."

"Mountains!" Elrohir exclaimed. Just then, Ferar, a young dwarf with a long red beard popped out of the trees to the elf's left.

"Now see here!" he said, sticking out his belly as he spoke. "We dwarves are fierce warriors, and more than enough protection for this young lass! Besides," he continued, "There's been little or no trouble from anything between here and the Lonely Mountain!"

"The Lonely Mountain!?" cried Elrohir. This was too much. "Do you have any idea how far that is, Mélanyë?"

"Yes I do!" she said, with a forcefulness that frightened her. "These fine dwarves are strong and brave, and Bilbo still has his blade," She stopped short. Had she really been shouting? She had never raised her voice in anything but song. Suddenly she felt altogether wretched for getting angry with Elrohir, who had been like a brother to her for as long as she could remember. He had always been looking out for her when her mother was away. Looking at him now, he seemed amused rather than upset.

"Very well, Mélanyë, you may go," he said, grinning. "I'm happy to see you have a spark of courage in you after all, little one." She looked to him in confusion. "Your mother asked me to keep you safe, but it seems that you are able to do so yourself. Perhaps it is the hobbit in you, for an elf of your age would never raise their voice to an elder for many years yet." Elrohir came and knelt in front of the smaller elf. "Perhaps you are now old enough to have your own adventures, Mélanyë." He looked over to the dwarf.

"You give me your word she will come back safe?"

"I would stake my honor on it!" Ferar said, beating his fist upon his breast. Elrohir sighed again.

"So be it, then." Dwarf and hobbit turned to leave, but Elrohir called out to her. "Mélanyë, wait a moment." She stopped and turned. He got up and, unhooking a small silver scabbard from his side, handed it to her. It was a dagger, wrought of shining steel with a white jewel set in the hilt. The blade was adorned with Tengwar script. "Take this, at least, so I will not worry."

Mélanyë ran back to where she and Bilbo had made camp. She found him close by, laughing with Dwalin by one of the ponies as the dwarves made ready to depart.

"Bilbo!" she cried as she pushed her way through the dwarves to her cousin. "Bilbo! Bilbo, I can go!"

"Why, that's wonderful, dear!" he greeted her with a hug as she ran up to him. "You'd best get yourself packed, the dwarves will be ready to leave by mid-morning!"

"So soon?" She had just assumed that they would be staying a few days before they left on their long journey.

"Of course!" said Dwalin, "The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll arrive! I have been away from home long, and would like to make the trip over the mountains soon." he looked at Bilbo. "I just hope it will not be as difficult as last time we tried that way!" He and Bilbo shared a hearty laugh.

"Yes, yes," Bilbo said after a moment, "what an adventure that was! If only we had Gandalf with us this time."

"Indeed," said Dwalin, "We could certainly use him on the trip over the mountains." Mélanyë took pause then. She hadn't thought of that. They have to cross the mountains! She looked east. The trees were tall and thick and the mountain peaks were hid from her, though she knew they were far into the distance.

"Well go on, dear," Bilbo said, "You must get packed or Dwalin here will leave without you!" Feeling the excitement flooding back to her, she nodded and dashed off to pack her things.

When she arrived she found Lindir waiting for her. He was sitting cross-legged on the grass, holding a small sword in his lap. He looked up as she came through the trees.

"There you are!" he said with what sounded like fOrced cheerfulness. He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.

"Lindir?" She came and sat in front of him. He was looking at the sword. It was shorter than most blades, and finely wrought. The handle was of polished onyx set with emeralds and amethyst stones. The blade itself was leaf shaped and it shone as he turned it in his hands. A scabbard of shining black wood set with tiny gems lay on the ground at his feet.

"I want you to take this, Mel," he said. She shook her head and began to protest.

"Lindir, no! This sword is like a friend to you...I could never take it!" He had made it himself, long before she was born. Laspis it was called, and the blade had a green hue in the sunlight, but seemed violet in the moonlight. He handed it to her.

"Take it," he said. "I'll feel better knowing that Laspis is looking out for you." She took the sword, and looked into his eyes. "Besides," he continued, "Your mother would never trust me again if she knew that I let her daughter go into the wild without a weapon!" They shared a laugh, but it did not ease the tension they both felt. They were silent for a few moments.

"Come with me," she said suddenly. "I'm sure Bilbo and the dwarves wouldn't mind, I'll-"

"Mélanyë!" He smiled at her, "This is your adventure, not mine!" He slid over beside her and hugged her. "You won't be gone for too long. You will probably have so much fun that you won't even miss me!" he said, grinning.

"But I will," she said. In her excitement, she hadn't considered that she would be leaving her friends behind. The journey sounded truly exciting to her, but she only now realized that meant leaving her best friend. "I wish you would come," she said sadly.

"I'm afraid I can't, Mel," he said. A smile crept over his face, "You know that Rivendell will fall apart without me." They laughed together, and he looked into her eyes. "That's better! Now hurry! The sun is climbing!" he pointed to the east, and sure enough, the sun began to peek over the treetops. Mélanyë leapt up from where she'd been sitting and began to pack her things. When she was done, she put on her grey cloak and strapped Laspis around her waist.

"It feels a bit funny," she told him. Lindir didn't respond right away. He was looking at her, his friend he'd known since she was an infant, standing in front of him wearing a sword.

"We'll get used to it." he said.