Over the next 2 days Rory went nearly crazy lying in bed. Either Elrond or
Aragorn checked on her twice a day, and other healers between times. By the
afternoon of the second day she was allowed up, but only to walk quietly in the
gardens or some other gentle activity.
As she walked, she noticed what appeared to be a group of children, talking and
laughing on one of the beautiful green lawns. She did not mean to disturb them,
but one of them noticed her, and called a greeting.
'Lady', called one of the group, whom she now realised were not children but some
kind of midgets, 'are you the woman who arrived mysteriously a few days ago?'
'Yes', Rory replied, 'I am'
'Oh, good, because I have a bet with my cousin here', the speaker indicated the person standing
next to him, 'that you are really an elf'.
Rory flicked her dark hair back over her ears, showing they were not pointed.
'Sorry to say', she replied, 'I am no more an elf than you. I'm just a common
boring mortal'.
The midgit's face fell, and the one next to him started laughing, 'See I told
you, Pip, just because she knows Elrond doesn't mean she has to be an elf.
Elrond knows lots of people'.
'Well, rub it in then!', the one apparently named Pip grumbled.
'No', said a third, much older than the others. 'Pay up, Pippin'.
'Not now Bilbo', he protested. 'It's all the leaf I have. I promise to make good
when we are all back home in the Shire'.
'My father always said pay your bets straight away, it keeps a friendships
strong. So go on, now is as good a time as any', the older one said.
'Very well, very well, I'm going to get it', and Pip left complaining loudly as he
walked.
The older midgit looked up at Rory, who was standing near them looking slightly
bewildered. 'Lady Rory', he said, we know who you are, but you do not know us.
And young Pip and Merry's bet has driven all our manners away. I am Bilbo
Baggins, this is my nephew Frodo Baggins, and his companions, Sam Gamgee, Merry
Brandybuck, and our poor loser is Pippin Took, or Pip'. As each name was spoken
the owner bowed in a really cute fashion, except of course for Pip, whose loud
complaints could still be heard.
Rory grinned and said 'Pleased to meet you all. Don't think me rude, but what
type of people are you? Some kind of midgets?'
'No Lady', replied Bilbo, who seemed to be speaking for the group, 'Nor Dwarves
either. We are Hobbits, and this how we all appear'.
'Never heard of Hobbits before', she said, 'but you seem harmless, and obviously
you wouldn't be here in Rivendell if you were evil or dangerous'. Then she asked
the question that been on the tip of tongue since seeing them. 'What are you
doing here? Passing through? Holidaying or something?'
'We can't tell you that yet', Frodo said. 'It will become clear over the next
couple of days I should think. But what are you doing here, Lady, and where did
you come from?'
'Frodo', Rory answered, 'I think that where I come from and my business here is
also not to be told of yet. I believe Elrond is having a meeting or council of some
kind tomorrow, and I am sure that all will become clear there'.
With that answer the Hobbits had to be satisfied. Then a loud bell rang,
'Great', exclaimed Merry, 'Dinner'! Then he turned to Rory, 'will you give us
the pleasure of your company at dinner, Lady Rory', he asked very formally.
'My pleasure', she replied. 'But none of you need to call me Lady, my name is
Rory, I'm just an ordinary person'.
'Very well then, Rory, said Bilbo, 'we had better hurry or the elves will eaten
all the food!'
With that comment the Hobbits and Rory left the gardens, and entered the huge
dining halls of Rivendell.