A/N: Another week, another chapter! Thank you so much for commenting! It means a lot to me! Life is a little crazy right now with Covid and a lot of things going on. If you're American, I hope you're handling the election stress well as one can do! Not much to say about this chapter, so let's just jump into it! I hope you guys don't think I'm moving too slowly, but please let me know!

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Intermission

I must have slept for what felt like a whole day. After all, it was difficult to tell time under a mountain and the longer time I spent in Erebor, the more I couldn't help but feel as though time didn't matter. Back home in London and in my world, I'd always been concerned with doing things in a timely manner. I loathed being late for work and cared perhaps too much about how my tardiness was perceived in my career. In hindsight, it was all because of my own anxieties of course and a way to deal with the frustration around me. Ever since arriving in Middle-Earth, I'd barely felt any of that and I accepted that things moved at a slower pace. I was content in my new daily life and I found little need for it to change. I looked forward to visiting Rivendell with Thranduil, Elrond, Maggie and Fili in the next few weeks. Elrond had spoken so much about it and in my mind, Rivendell seemed like a magical place.

Since we returned from Beorn, with Eira safe and sound, I'd barely seen Maggie or Thranduil. Elrond insisted on attending to my very minor wounds from the forest chase, but other than that I'd mainly spent time in my room catching up on much needed sleep. By the time I woke up, I actually felt well rested and I assumed if anything important were to happen, someone would knock on my door. It was rather lovely having a whole day to myself and being able to reflect on the events of the past few days and weeks.

Thranduil was of course on my mind, as always. I could no longer deny the fact that we seemed to have become much closer of late. There was the stargazing night during Yule week, the dancing at the ball, falling asleep in his arms in the woods and then the night at Beorn. My feelings were still conflicted and I wasn't sure what to make of anything. I did like Thranduil, that much I knew, but there were also a lot of insecurities whirling around in my head. Nothing could deny the fact that Thranduil had become an entirely different elf since I first met him. He was no longer the same abrasive, angry elvenking I had first met. Instead, he was kind, thoughtful, empathetic and genuinely cared for those around him. The fact that he chose to come along and save Eira truly showed how much he had changed and even I had to admit that I found it admirable.

I asked one of the kind dwarrowdam servants to have breakfast in my room. I didn't feel like being social just yet and I was sure the others would understand. After all, it had been an intense few days. I enjoyed a quiet and peaceful breakfast on my bed and allowed myself to take time inhaling the scents of hot tea. I don't know why it surprised me so much that breakfasts in Middle-Earth weren't too different from that at home. It varied between dwarves, elves and humans, but mostly it was the same. Dwarrow breakfasts were more hearty than that of elves which consisted mostly of fruits, lembas bread and tea.

After breakfast, I decided to explore the mountain, which I hadn't done much of since arriving. With Yuletide celebrations and everything else happening, it didn't leave me with much time alone. I didn't mind, because I enjoyed the company of everyone else, but if I was completely honest, I missed my own privacy a little. From the outside, it was impossible to gauge the sheer size of Erebor as a kingdom, while on the inside one was simply overwhelmed by the structure of the mountain. Its enormous halls were always filled with noise and there were so many chambers and rooms I couldn't even count. I knew I'd only seen a very small part of the kingdom and I was curious about what else was hidden in the various chambers of Erebor.

I covered my shoulders with a cloak, grabbed a lantern from my bedside table and left my room. My room was in one of the guest chambers, not far from the kitchen and so the corridors were always filled with the scent of Bombur's cooking, which gave it all a very homey feeling. I couldn't help but wonder what Rivendell was like, compared to Erebor. Other than obviously not being a mountain. I was also curious to find out if there was any kind of difference between the Mirkwood elves and the Rivendell ones. Elrond and Thranduil were in stark contrast to each other, yet they had remained friends for millenia.

I wasn't sure how long I'd wandered, but I suddenly found myself in a corridor I had yet to discover. There was only one room down there, guarded by two enormous iron gates, with dwarrow and elven (by the looks of it) letters on it. Carefully, I grabbed one of the heavy iron rings and pulled the door open. Out of all the things I knew existed in Middle-Earth and in Erebor, I had not expected a library. Inside, there were shelves upon shelves of books and rolled up parchments, some of them dustier than others. Just like everywhere in Erebor, there was a huge roaring fireplace towards the back of the library, bigger than any of the others I'd encountered so far. There were also tables and reading corners spread out, but the thing that fascinated me more than anything else, was the gigantic mural painted across the wall on the right hand side. It portrayed a tall man, or giant of sorts, swinging a hammer and beneath him were dwarves cowering before him. The scene took place in what I assumed was a mountain and I couldn't take my eyes off it.

"That is Aulë the Destroyer." came a familiar voice "He is our creator."

"Oh, Fili!" I gasped in surprise, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."

"Nonsense, no bother at all." Fili assured me, "Why don't you come and join me."

The blonde dwarf sat by a large table, with several books and manuscripts in front of him, as well as a tankard. Fili was always polite and proper whenever I'd interacted with him, but I could immediately tell he was more relaxed. His legs were up on the table, his cloak hanging on the chair behind him and he wore what I could only describe as more relaxed clothes than a king on duty. I sat down opposite him and felt a bit nervous, because other than when I asked him to send a letter to Legolas, we had never been alone together. Fili was kind though and I wasn't afraid of him.

"Who is Aulë?" I asked "I've never heard that name before."

"He is one of the Valar, the gods who created Middle-Earth." Fili explained "Aulë created dwarrows because he was impatient for the arising of the Children of Ilúvatar - elves and men - and wished for children of his own to love and instruct. It was a period known as the Sleep of Yavanna, when Middle-Earth was dark and silent and roamed by monsters."

"He doesn't look so kind on that mural."

Fili removed his legs from the table and leaned forward, with a glint of mischief in his eyes that I had never seen before. Maggie told me stories of how Fili and his brother Kili were when they were younger and I found it hard to believe that this was the same dwarf.

"Aulë made dwarves so that they would be strong, resistant and endure many hardships; but because he only knew a little of what the Children of Ilúvatar would look like, his own creations became different, shorter and more stunted. He created seven Dwarves, and was teaching them the language he had devised for them, which we call Khuzdul, but Aulë was not Ilúvatar who had the Flame Imperishable and his children were dumb, able to move and speak only if he wished so, and would remain motionless whenever Aule would think elsewhere."

"What happened?" I asked

"Well, Ilúvatar confronted him for his impatience. Aulë offered his creations to Ilúvatar and was ready to break them in repentance. But Ilúvatar accepted his offer and gave them life of their own, and the Dwarves started cowering and pleading for mercy despite Aulë's will."

My eyes widened with surprise and I quickly turned to the mural beside us. I realised the giant with the hammer in his hand must be Aulë and the cowering creatures before him were the early dwarves of Middle-Earth. Creation myths on Earth were just that; myths. There was no way to prove whether they were real or not and mostly they were believed to be works of fiction. In Middle-Earth, it seemed as though these creation stories actually happened and that these Valar - who I figured were essentially gods - had created this world. The same Valar who presumably sent me here.

"Ilúvatar confronted him for his impatience. Aulë offered his creations to Ilúvatar and was ready to break them in repentance. But Ilúvatar accepted his offer and gave them life of their own, and the Dwarves started cowering and pleading for mercy despite Aulë's will." Fili continued and I listened with great interest.

"However, the Fathers of the Dwarves had to wait until the Elves first arrived, and Aulë laid them to rest in various places in Middle-earth. The eldest of all, Durin, "lay alone" at Mount Gundabad in the north of the Misty Mountains. He later founded the line of the Longbeards, the Dwarves which were most friendly to the Elves and Men, mostly referred to as Durin's Folk. His city was Khazad-dûm. Two others were laid to rest in the Ered Luin or Blue Mountains, and they founded the lines of the Broadbeams and the Firebeards who later lived in Nogrod and Belegost. The other four Fathers of the Dwarves were laid to rest in two pairs in Rhûn; lands at least as far east of Mount Gundabad as it lay east of the Blue Mountains. They founded the lines of the Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, and Stonefoots. It was said that the Seven Fathers would be reincarnated after generations among their own for example was said to be reincarnated six more times."

"Do you believe that?" I asked "That they will reincarnate?"

Fili nodded. "Aye, it's a belief my people have carried with them for many thousands of years."

I fell silent for a few moments, pondering the story Fili had told me and felt more awestruck than before. Dwarrows were a complex peoples, with a rich history and a proud culture. They were loyal beyond anything I'd encountered and incredibly affectionate. I was grateful to have come here and no matter what happened in the future, I would always have this.

"What brings you down to this part of the mountain, then?" Fili asked, "A thirst for adventure?"

"I've had quite enough adventure for a while." I replied "To be honest, I was just curious and wanted to see what else was here. I didn't expect to find a library, though."

"Aye, it's quite magnificent and one of our great prides. People from all over Middle-Earth have come here to take part in our knowledge. Besides, this is one of the rare places where I get a bit of alone time." Fili confessed, "Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and daughter dearly. As well the rest of my family, but sometimes it is nice to have some space. Eira isn't allowed in here because well…"

"Because she's a child?"

"Aye, indeed. I do not think the old manuscripts on these shelves would survive her."

Both Fili and I laughed, realising it was more than true. Eira was a lovely child and full of energy, which I guessed she had inherited from her father. If she was anything like Fili had been as a young dwarf, then he and Maggie were in for a long journey.

"You really love being a father, don't you?" I said, it was more of a statement than a question. "I can see it in your eyes whenever you talk about Eira."

"Yes, I do." Fili admitted with a smile, "Ever since I raised Theo in Maggie's absences, I longed for children of my own and for a while, I thought that would never happen."

"Until Maggie came back, from our world?"

"She told you?"

I nodded. I didn't want anyone to think I was prying, but Maggie had shared her story with me, if anything because it made me feel less frightened and alone. I was away from my home and my world, but if I was suddenly pulled back to Earth, without figuring things out with Thranduil, I know for a fact that I would be sad.

"I can't imagine how hard it must have been to be without her." I said "For both you and Elrond."

"Aye, they were dark times. In those darkest of moments, I was convinced that I could not live without Maggie. You see, Millicent, dwarves only get one partner in a lifetime. We call them our One and Maggie is mine. Yes, I share her with Elrond, but without her life was empty." Fili told me, "But good things also came from that time. I learned that I loved parenthood and raising theo brought me an indescribable amount of joy. I also learned how to become a king. Elrond also became a very dear friend to me and without him, everything would have been a lot harder."

"Having someone by your side like that must have meant the whole world."

"I owe him a great debt."

I exhaled a sigh, wondering what Elrond's version of that time was. Had he also suffered with heartache such as Fili had? Maybe I could ask him about it next time we spoke, unless he found it too personal. Another question also whirled in my mind that I was perhaps a little too afraid to ask, but Fili had almost read my mind.

"Elves fall in love more than once." Fili explained "Not often, because they are immortal, but it does happen."

"You think he-"

"I think he is frightened of his own feelings, but perhaps he isn't the only one?"

I prided myself on being able to read others with ease, without considering that they might also be able to read me. Fili was right of course, I was afraid of my feelings. I still worried about betraying Jamie, who I had thought was the great love of my life. While I was lost in thought, Fili placed his hand on mine, with a kind and gentle smile tugging at his lips.

"There is no shame in moving on," he said "Just because you have loved once, it does not mean you are not allowed to find love again. Allow it time to grow. There is no rush."

"I just can't help but feel like everyone's got it all wrong and that I'm not the one who's supposed to redeem his heart. And if I am, why does that burden fall on me? How is it fair to pull me away from everything I've ever known without giving me a chance to think about it. Charlie was the love of my life and I thought I would share with him, and now suddenly I have feelings for...for….."

Before I knew, hot tears streamed down my face and I found myself sobbing. Fili came over to me and wrapped me in a comforting hug.

"It'll be fine, Gehyith." Fili whispered, "Do not concern yourself with the thoughts of others. Regardless of what a prophecy might say, your choice is the only thing that matters here. I believe Thranduil cares for you more than he is willing to admit at the moment, but if you are not ready to explore that, nobody will judge you."

"I just wish I understood why I'm the one who has to be some sort of 'chosen one'." I sobbed "I'm just a girl from London."

"You and Thranduil have both suffered great losses of love. Perhaps it is the Valar's will to show you that it can be found again, but whatever happens will be on your own terms."

Logically, I knew that Fili was right, but in that moment everything became incredibly overwhelming. Above all, I was homesick and I missed my life in London even with the war. The worst part of it all was that I had a horrible feeling I would never see home again.

To be continued….

There we go! A slightly longer and more emotional chapter, with some added lore about Middle-Earth which I love! I'd love to know what you guys thought about it! What will happen next? Leave a comment/review!