Rivendell was perfect. It was more than anything Bella had ever dreamed or imagined. It was only made better by the fact she had found and accepted someone who loved her for who she was and wished to spend the rest of his life with her. Alright, so some could argue that they were in their early courtship, who knew if they would make it all the way to engagement? Not to mention making it to the marriage alter?

Yet, Fili always spoke with such confidence that they were meant for each other. And Bella couldn't deny that he was the first suitor who accepted her for who she was, not determined to force her into a mold.

After their courtship became official they wandered Rivendell together, usually accompanied by Bilbo or Kili acting as chaperone. But all three or four of them tended to have their attention drawn to the wonders surrounding them instead of their companions.

"What's that?" Bella wondered aloud as she, Fili, and Bilbo walked an open corridor.

A statue, whether man or woman was difficult to tell, for it was draped with a great, flowing cloak with braided hair. It held a shield in its hands and on the shield was draped a true cloth of silvery-blue silk. She hurried forward and stretched upward on tiptoe, trying to see what could be displayed on the cloth. But there was a dip in the shield, thus hiding its secret. "Oh!" She grabbed onto Fili's hands round her waist. "Would still appreciate a warning."

He merely chuckled as he held her steady. "Can you see now?"

"It's a shattered sword, about six pieces. Four small bits, the long tip, and a length of blade still attached to the hilt," she answered.

Fili set her down again. "Strange that they would keep a broken sword," he said.

"Or maybe not so strange," Bilbo murmured. "Bella, does this mural remind you of anything? One of the stories Gandalf told us perhaps?"

A soldier lay helpless on the ground as he held the remains of a shattered sword above him, a meager defense against the black, iron monster that was bearing down on him. A line of gold seemed to glow on the monster's sword hand.

"The Final Battle of the Last Alliance that brought about the defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron," she breathed. "Isildur's final desperate act, the act that both saved and possibly doomed all of Middle Earth."

"What do you mean?" Fili asked.

"Gandalf told us how even though Isildur defeated Sauron, he failed to destroy Sauron's ring, the Great Ring of Power," Bilbo answered. "The Ring went missing after Isildur's death. No one knows where it is now."

"Gandalf fears that if it is ever found, it will lead to the resurrection of Sauron, leading to another war," Bella said. "And unless someone is willing to destroy the Ring, Sauron will eventually be reunited with that Ring and will use it to destroy all of Middle Earth."

"When and how did you manage to convince Gandalf to share such a frightful tale?" Fili asked.

"We were in our early tweens," Bilbo answered. "We asked for a new secret of Rivendell upon the capture of a certain hat."

"We don't have to worry," Bella said. "The Ring has been missing for centuries if not millennia and is sure to remain so for many more. Gandalf was certain of it when he told us the story."

"Master Gandalf," Fili called softly.

The wizard turned. "Ah, good evening, Master Fili. What darkens your face?"

"We found the shards of Isildur's sword before the mural depicting the deciding moment in that long ago battle," Fili answered. He shuffled awkwardly. Part of him argued that he should trust the hobbits more, especially since he was courting one of them, but another part just wouldn't release the fear the tale had brought. "Bilbo and Bella told me what you told them about the Ring. They seemed confidant that any potential battle will happen beyond our lifetimes, that you were sure of it when you told them.

"If I am being irrational in this fear, just tell me. Are you as certain about the Ring being lost and Sauron being momentarily defeated as you were when you first told them this story?"

Gandalf closed his eyes as he drew a deep breath. He held it a moment before releasing it as he again opened his eyes. "You must not tell them this unless you deem it absolutely necessary," he said. "Though they are of age, as hobbits they are still innocent to several aspects of the world, especially of the black fear that Sauron can bring." He sighed again. "What Radagast shared with me, before the warg attack, causes me to wonder if perhaps Sauron is gaining strength in the fortress of Dol Guldur on the edge of the Woodland Realm."

"So the Ring may have been found?" Fili asked.

"I know not, only that Sauron does not have it," Gandalf answered. "You can imagine that we would know if he did."

Fili nodded, suppressing a shudder. "What can we expect if the Ring is found?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but know this, Master Fili." Gandalf gripped his shoulder, forcing him to meet the wizard's grey-blue eyes. "If ever you find it, do not listen to it. Do not heed its call."

Fili's mouth dropped open. "The Ring speaks?"

"The power of Sauron speaks," the wizard said. "The Ring will wish to return to its Master, it will do what it must to get to him. It will use you. Do not trust its words or promises, no matter how enticing or persuading they are. If you ever find it, do not put it on. Men fell because of it. I fear dwarves will be just as susceptible if not more so."

Fili bristled. "Is not the line of Durin stronger than the race of men?"

"And there is the reason your kind could stumble," Gandalf proclaimed. "The stubbornness, the pride of your race could become your downfall if you dared to claim the ring as your own."

Fili breathed deeply and slowly to calm his racing heart. "Then what must I do if I ever find it?"

Gandalf relaxed, a small smile crossing his face in some small relief. "If I am not immediately there, seal it away, hide it away, and send for me. If I cannot tell by sight if it is indeed the One Ring, I may very well insist that you keep it hidden and safe while I go and find any clear evidence that would mark it as the Ring of Power. However, if I find that it has already taken hold of you . . ."

"What Gandalf?" Fili asked. Fear spiked through him as he considered the possibility. If the Ring took hold of him, he could be considered an enemy of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth. "Would you kill me for the Ring? In order to make sure Sauron wouldn't gain it?"

"No, I would not," Gandalf said. "I would hate to bring more sorrow to Bilbo and Bella by doing that. What gave me pause was a debate within myself if I dared trust myself to hold the Ring in my possession for more than a moment. With the power and the allure it potentially possesses, I'd dare not. So, it may be that I would have you travel with me and the two of us search for answers together, for I currently know of no race of Middle Earth that can resist its call."

Fili drew a deep breath and then released it. "Do you know of any power that can withstand this form of darkness?"

"I'm not sure," Gandalf admitted. "Though I have suspicions of two likely weapons: love for the people surrounding you and hope that evil will be defeated, no matter how dark the night."

Fili nodded. "I shall remember these words, Gandalf."

Gandalf nodded back before sighing. "I never wished to place more of a burden on your young shoulders. This quest is more than enough. But perhaps," he half-smiled, "this may yet prove to turn the tide in our favor when the time comes.

"But for now." He smiled warmly. "Go, spend time with your family and your One. Love, live, and be joyous, for though war may loom within our lifetime, I doubt that it will fall upon us here."

Fili smiled despite the darkness he had learned of. "Thank you, Gandalf." He then did as the wizard suggested, making and allowing himself to forget about the concerns of wizards while they were yet nothing more than worries. For surely, there was no fear of them finding a Ring that had been lost by a human king for centuries.

Bella breathed deeply, enjoying the crisp evening air. Bilbo stood only a few feet away, hands behind his head, looking more content than he had in decades. It was one of the now rare moments where it was just the two of them enjoying the beauty of Rivendell. They had spent the vast majority of the afternoon wandering the numerous walkways and terraces.

"I believe I'd like to retire here," Bilbo said. "When I have reached a ripe old age and we've passed Bag End down to the next generation, this is where I will come to live out my golden years."

Bella hummed a little. "I couldn't imagine a better place," she agreed. "Although, I may end up having to ask Fili's opinion on the matter."

Bilbo chuckled. "You may be able to convince him to at least spend a season here annually. He and Kili seem a little more open to elves thanks to you."

"We'll see," she said. They stood in comfortable silence for a moment more, before Bella felt someone's eyes on them. She turned, just in time to see a bit of robe and dark hair whirl behind the cover of an arching pillar. Seeing that her brother hadn't noticed, she silently stepped over to investigate.

She peered round the other side of the pillar from where she had seen the evidence of the peeper. She quirked a smile when she saw the person in question looking back around the other side. From what she could immediately tell, the "spy" was a young male, possibly of the race of men since he didn't appear to possess the lithe elven build.

"You find hobbits fascinating?" she asked quietly.

He jumped, spinning round to face her on near silent feet. Pale grey eyes stared at her in shock as his mouth was open in a silent cry. His young face was framed by waves of dark brown hair that brushed his shoulders. He was indeed from the race of men despite the elvish robes he wore. "My apologies," he said quietly. "I never meant to intrude. I-I just never seen people from the Shire before, or dwarves for that matter."

"It's alright," Bella said with a smile. "Though you could have just come and introduced yourself without spying."

"Well, um, I might have been told not to meet with you or your companions," he said sheepishly.

"Don't worry," she said. "Your secret's safe with me. Bella Baggins at your service."

"Estel, Ward of Elrond at yours," he replied.

"Might I ask how you came to live in Rivendell?" Bella asked. "I was aware that Lord Elrond had two sons and a daughter, but I didn't hear word about you."

"It may be because my mother and I came when our lives were in danger," Estel answered. "I was only a couple years old at the time. Elrond is rather protective of me, especially concerning visitors passing through Imraldis."

"Ah," Bella said with a nod. "I can understand why he wouldn't mention a ward under his protection to thirteen dwarves and two hobbits who happened to be the intended quarry of a warg and orc pack."

"You were chased by orcs?" Estel asked, eyes sparking in wondered excitement.

"Not the most pleasant experience," Bella said. She shivered. She'd rather not recall the details of her first kill. "I really wouldn't wish it on anyone. Well," she amended, "there may be one or two I may wish it on if I was feeling especially disturbed by them and their bothersome airs."

"I overheard a couple of the dwarves talking about one of their hobbits killing a warg," Estel said. "Was that you?"

She sighed. "Yes, that was me. But I am still unnerved by the thought of it since it is my first known kill."

"'Known kill'?" Estel asked.

"I regularly take trips into Bree," she answered. "A few times either in town or on the road, I need to defend myself. I only wound my attackers, since it never sat right with me actually killing someone. But over the day or two after our arrival here, I had to admit to myself that some of the wounds I had given had the potential of being fatal, even if the victims didn't fall dead at my feet."

"So you don't consider your kill of the warg as a victory?" Estel asked.

"Not today," she answered. "Maybe one day I will, but the shock of seeing the orc's horrid eyes staring at me is still too fresh."

"Do you have any tales you can tell me about?"

She smiled a bit. "I have a few tales. Most humorous, a couple adventurous."

So for the remaining time Estel felt safe to stay, Bella shared bits and pieces of her journey to Rivendell. It wasn't until the young man slipped away into the halls of Imraldis that Bilbo stepped up to her elbow.

"You should tell stories more often," Bilbo said.

She laughed. "No, you're the storyteller of the two of us. I don't have that same flair that you have. We didn't disturb you did we?"

He shook his head. "I just didn't want the lad to consider himself in more trouble for talking to both of us within the same hour."

"Why do you think Lord Elrond has kept him secret from us and the Company?"

Bilbo shrugged. "Without knowing any of his family history, it is hard to say. Maybe the orcs occasionally try to reach the lad?"

Bella softly shook her head. "I suppose we'll never know."

"Mistress Baggins."

Bella turned to see Elrond standing behind her. "Good afternoon, my Lord," she said.

Elrond smiled. "Here is the present you commissioned for your friend." He held out a fine leather quiver tooled with simple vines and inlaid with pure white silver. At least two dozen arrows with brown fletchings rested alongside an unstrung bow. The bow was intricately carved with thin veins of the same silver as the quiver and tipped with silver caps.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

"And your archer will find them to be of the finest quality," Elrond said. "There are very few elven bows that are better."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond," she said.

"You are welcome," he said. "I shall see you later this evening with your companions."

Bella nodded, remembering that tonight they would be showing their host the map of the Lonely Mountain. She carefully carried her gift to the Company's common area. As had become the norm when not surrounded by their hosts, they were having a raucous time.

"Bella!" Bofur called. "I didn't realize that you were one for archery."

"These fine pieces aren't for me," she said. "They're for a good friend." She finally caught sight of Kili, sitting with Fili and Bilbo. She scurried forward, grinning excitedly. "Kili," she said.

Kili turned, smiling mischievously, only for his expression to drop in amazement at what she held.

Bella held her present out to him. "I felt that I couldn't allow you to be left out from among the four of us," she said. "I asked that Gondolin quality bow and arrows be made for you."

Kili slowly stood and took the quiver and its contents in reverent awe. He withdrew the bow, his eyes running the whole dwarven length of it. "Fili," he murmured.

Fili immediately stepped forward, taking and holding the quiver with great care.

The archer then strung the bow and drew the string back in a practice draw. His awe only grew. "There is power in this piece," he murmured. He ran a finger over the silver veins. "Mithril," he whispered. He let out a breathless, delighted laugh. "Fili, isn't this . . . ?"

"It's magnificent, brother," Fili said, smiling broadly. "You may even wish to have a closer look at a few of these arrows. Though I may suggest you sit down lest you fall."

Kili instantly returned to his seat as his brother returned the quiver to him. He withdrew a couple of the arrows. "Mithril heads," he breathed, "strengthened by mithril cores. I'd dare say these pieces are a touch finer than Gondolin craft, unless the elves of the First Age used mithril as well." He tore his eyes away from his gift to Bella. "Thank you," he breathed. "I have no idea how you managed, but thank you."

"You're welcome," she said. "I just wanted to be sure that one of my potential new family members wasn't left out."

Kili's awe widened into a grin. "Display arms," he said.

Bella unsheathed her two elvish blades as her brother and suitor did the same. The four sets of elvish weapons gleamed in the late afternoon sun, each beautiful in their smooth, flowing forms, even as they were deadly in their beauty.

"What's this all about?"

Bella and the rest turned to see that Thorin had just entered.

"Uncle," Kili cried. "Bella commissioned this for me." He rushed forward like a child eager to show his father some new toy. "Aren't they magnificent?"

Thorin ran a careful, trained hand over the weapon, assessing it much as Kili had, but he kept his own face a mask. "Aye," he said. "For elvish work it is very fine indeed." He then turned to Bella. "Are you certain you are unfamiliar with dwarven customs?"

Bella gave him a quizzical look. "I only asked they be made since Fili, Bilbo, and I had Gondolin quality blades and I didn't wish Kili to be left out."

"And yet you still manage to follow traditions," Thorin said, musing. He nodded to Fili. "Be sure that you don't lose this one. I doubt you'd find another like her."

As Thorin left again, Bella turned to Fili. "What dwarven custom have I stumbled into now?"

Fili grinned. "Oh, it just might be that if the dwarf maid is confident in the outcome of her courtship, she'll bestow a gift of great value to a member of her suitor's family, or even the entire family."

Bella could have sworn that even the very tips of her ears turned red. "Maybe you should all be warning me of such things before I blunder into them and risk some horrid faux pas," she half-scolded.

"You seem to be getting it right so far," Kili said with a grin.

"By some incredibly good luck," she countered.

"You know," Bilbo said, "we should probably warn them of some hobbit customs as well. Can't risk them falling on their proverbial faces."

"Alright," Fili said, as Kili rejoined them, "until you must join Uncle and Gandalf, we'll trade customs."

So Bella found herself comfortably wedged between Bilbo and Fili as the four of them shared different courtship and gift-giving customs. As the final hours before the all-important meeting passed, she couldn't imagine anything better.

Author's Note: How did you like the foreshadowing? Some is for within this story, while others are for about seventy to eighty years in the future. ;-) And Kili got his own special elvish weapons. And more dwarven courting customs.

I had fun with this chapter if I recall. I hadn't realized that the statue in the films was actually holding a shield instead of a regular tray until I took a good look for description purposes. And then I just thought it would be so fun to include Estel. Now I took some creative liberty with his age because in the book timeline he is only ten-years-old, but with the film timeline he is supposed to be twenty and exploring the wilds as a ranger. I decided to make him fifteen for a blending of book and film.

I figured that Fili would be the sort of person who would ask Gandalf about the Ring, just to make sure that his family and future family wouldn't be in danger.

Then just a lovely ending scene that is a bit of foreshadowing in its own way.

So thoughts about this chapter? Do you know what I am foreshadowing? Anything that left you scratching your heads? Anything that you think should be cause for worry? Let me know in a comment/review. Until next week.