There were birds fluttering within my room, twittering and urging me to wake from my rest. Rising up I gave a smile, knowing that this would be the day. The day where my first steps in a long and difficult journey would begin, yet if all went well, I would reap rewards of memories and companionship as close as siblings that would last all the ages that I may face. This was the day that the dwarves would come. I had greatly anticipated this day for a long while and had already made the preparations, informing Elrond that he should expect guests in an unlikely form after returning from his patrol around the Hidden Pass. Having learned never to ask questions, Elrond accepted my cryptic message in good humour.
From the moment I woke I was almost trembling in excitement, preparing a place for our guests to rest where they could overlook the gardens as well as ensuring that we had enough ale, wine and even some meats to appease them with. Dressing myself into a gown of deep blue with silken sleeves I waited, wearing nothing upon my feet as I situated myself upon a seat which overlooked the bridge where I had arrived across many years ago. There I stayed until the afternoon where finally I watched a rather bedraggled company wander down the path from the rocks, sliding down onto the main road before approaching. Immediately I sat up a little straighter, knowing each and every one of them instantly from their distinctive appearances though my heart leaped upon seeing little Bilbo Baggins, one whom I already felt very particularly fond of. With them walked Mithrandir, otherwise known as Gandalf the Grey. I had heard many things of the grey wizard, however this would be my first time meeting him in the flesh.
With my acute senses I watched as Lindir greeted them and I pursed my lips slightly. Of all elves, Lindir was one whom I had never taken to as he did not seem to view me with any great favour. Perhaps he saw me as a childish nuisance and even though I had grown, still viewed me as such. In addition, I found he was rather pretentious and I did not like how he looked down upon the dwarves, Bilbo and even Mithrandir. It was not of any concern, however, as Elrond returned at that moment with a call of his horn, making my lips turn into a smile before I rose to my feet, standing to observe their interactions. I learned swiftly that the dwarves had no love of elves and were even highly suspicious of them. Thorin himself was sharp tongued and bordered upon rude as he spoke to my lord Elrond, making my heart wilt slightly in my chest in disappointment. Perhaps this may be more difficult than I first perceived, though my visions are never wrong. Thorin Oakenshield must learn to trust the aid of the elves and even Man if he was to succeed to the throne. As the company were invited to dinner I moved away, slowly walking and I noticed that Bilbo had seen me so I halted.
His eyes squinted, attempting to see me better so I smiled and inclined my head, my dark tresses falling in light curls down my back, twisting at the ends like wood shavings. Taking slow steps I walked from a distance along the company, keeping pace as Elrond led them inside and they were brought within, Bilbo's gaze remaining upon me until I disappeared behind the wall of one of the buildings and I remained out of sight, listening and observing carefully as Elrond instructed our new guests to be treated well.
Elrond went to change and Mithrandir kept in conversation with him as I drifted into the kitchens, assisting with the preparations and carried dishes up to the table, setting everything out before disappearing once more. I wanted to watch them a while longer before Elrond would summon me to meet with Mithrandir, uncertain of whether or not I would be recognised. I doubted it severely, Thorin himself was still very young himself when we first met and I had grown much since our first meeting. I was no longer a mere slip of a girl but a woman grown, though perhaps he may recall the odd elfling child that had flitted about his halls in chase of a bird. It is likely that he would not even recognise me as I am, so greatly had a changed but I maintained a hope that he might recall me, perhaps even with a little coaxing. All the same I waited until finally Lindir came, his disapproving expression evident. "Lord Elrond requests your presence at his table." He spoke coldly and I blinked at him, still not understanding his reasoning for disliking me so.
"My thanks, Lindir. I shall go immediately." I informed him as I rose up from my seat, walking with lengthy and slightly impatient steps with an untameable smile. I had long wished to meet a true wizard and Mithrandir was by far the most renowned, almost as much as Saruman the White though I heard that Mithrandir was far more favourable and humorous. As I entered the open aired hall I tilted my head, seeing the ruckus that the dwarves had created by throwing food about the place and they were singing their own songs, leaving the musicians in an affronted stupor. I could not help it, I laughed freely.
My voice carried and all heads turned towards me as the dwarf that stood upon the table finished his song, arms spread wide however as I walked forwards he blinked, surprised by the fact that I was laughing and even clapping my hands in appreciation for his merrymaking. Elrond quirked an eyebrow, making no comment as I approached the table, facing the dwarf who had squashed most of the food dishes under his large, bulking boots. "You have a marvellous voice, Master Dwarf, and your songs are wonderfully entertaining." I spoke, reaching out a hand with my palm facing upwards. "Do you dance at all?"
"Well miss, it isn't a real feast if there isn't any dancing now is there? Come on lads! Strike up the music!" With my smile broadening and all eyes upon us I saw several of the dwarves pull out curious instruments from within their travelling robes and as I turned my hand over for the dwarf Bofur to take, he hopped down and we stepped towards the open space so that we might share a dance with one another. Mithrandir also raised a curious eyebrow, watching me inquisitively as I swept aside my long sleeves, and faced Bofur, amused by his funny shaped hat.
He began to sing another song and immediately his companions joined in with their whistles, the clapping of plates against the table, drumming feet and jarring noises which I found uniquely pleasant though I knew others would disagree. Instantly I started to move, my graceful steps skipping lightly as I moved to reflect Bofur's movements, an impressed smirk coming to his expression as he sang and I laughed, twirling around him with my arms in the air before all at once the more light hearted dwarves were cheering and clapping, Bofur and I linking arms to dance around one another before we were once more exchanging complicated steps, my skirts lifted slightly to expose my feet as I tapped with my heels and toes, springing effortlessly to copy whatever patterns he challenged me with.
Lindir's disapproval sank to new levels however Mithrandir was laughing merrily, also clapping his hands along with the rhythm until all at once there was a final clash of sound and I halted with my hands pressed against Bofur's, our smiles matching one another's as he laughed openly, the others requesting another song and dance. My brightened features turned to Lord Elrond who gave a small indent of a smile before signalling me forwards so I curtseyed politely to Bofur in order to take my leave. "My thanks for your partnership in this dance, Master Dwarf, I hope we shall dance again one day."
"Aye miss, I'd dance with a lass as pretty as you any day of the week." He winked and I gave a soft laugh with a pleased blush at his compliment before then hurrying to Elrond's side, bowing my head and calming myself as he introduced me to Mithrandir.
"Gandalf, perhaps you have heard of my ward, Asta Eleniel. She has travelled far and stayed with us many years now under my care and tutelage." He introduced and I turned to the esteemed wizard, bowing my head low and curtseying slightly as I touched a hand to my heart.
"It is a great honour to meet you at last, Mithrandir."
"The privilege is all mine, my dear, for I have heard a great many things about you through whispers and conversation. All good things, all good things I can assure you. I hear that you possess a peculiar gift, one that you share with Lord Elrond himself." He mused, wise eyes crinkled with laughter lines and I smiled brightly to him, thinking just how kind and approachable he appeared, just as I had imagined him. "I look forward to getting to know you better."
"As do I, Mithrandir." I agreed with him as he held my hands in his and squeezed them gently. He offered me a seat which I accepted, a chair being brought for me and I sat between Elrond and Mithrandir which placed me almost directly opposite Thorin Oakenshield, so that when I lifted my face our eyes met instantly. He was frowning at me, searching my features as if trying to place them somewhere in his past so I smiled welcomingly, dipping my head as Elrond introduced us both. "You are welcome here, honourable king, I pray that your stay is a comfortable one." I said to him before sitting patiently and listening as the conversation continued.
After that I spoke very little, answering questions if they were directed my way until Mithrandir turned his attention to me and engaged me in full conversation, wanting to know of my life until I came to be here in Imladris so I said what I could in public, explaining how I had been rescued from an orc pack by the elves of Greenwood and I had been adopted into the royal family there. My voice remained low and out of hearing of the dwarf king, not wishing to anger him with memories of Thranduil and the broken alliance that they suffered.
All in all, I believed that the dinner went extraordinarily well, though I could sense that Lindir was not at all pleased with our guests. I left a little early, excusing myself to go to where the company had been invited to sleep and rest, bringing them a surplus of cushions and blankets to ensure they would all be warm and comfortable, also bringing the addition of meats and a flagon of ale for them to help themselves to. Just as I finished placing the blankets upon the table I turned, hearing them coming towards me as they left the hall, laughing and making their jokes, speaking often in Khuzdul to no doubt make their insults and voice their opinions of my people. I did not mind their fun, we each had our likes and dislikes. When they saw me standing at the centre of the large guestroom they had been offered with the supplies awaiting them outside, I bowed my head briefly. "Forgive the intrusion, however I know that meat is a preferable taste in comparison to elven cuisine to you all, so I have prepared some dishes that will better satisfy you." I announced as Thorin pushed his way to the front, his followers stepping aside quickly as he faced me.
"If such foods were already in the kitchen, why were they not brought up to the table?" He asked suspiciously however I only continued to smile, unaffected by the coldness in his gaze.
"Because I knew before Lord Elrond that you would be coming this day, so I made the necessary arrangements. Please, help yourself to everything, I hope it pleases you all." Turning my gaze towards the hobbit I stepped to the side, drawing his direct attention so that he knew that I was speaking to him. "Master Baggins, I have also had a bath prepared for you inside with fresh clothes for you to wear. If you like, I can have your things washed, dried and mended for the morning."
"Oh, um, thank you. Thank you very much, that would be deeply appreciated." He accepted with a deep look of relief on his expression, scurrying forwards as I lifted my hand and directed him inside where I promptly heard him go over to the bath and test the water, testing the warmth before giving a longing sigh. "Ah, just what I needed."
"Of course, should any of you also wish to bathe or for your clothes to be washed, I am at your service to comply. It is no trouble at all." I continued, looking to each of the dwarves in turn. Some had suspicious and untrusting expressions whilst other looked rather nervous, though the rest looked at me with humour and mischief such as Fili, Kili and Bofur.
"If it were your company I could have whilst bathing, I'd happily accept." Fili said cheekily with a wink as his brother nudged him in agreement. "What do they call you?"
"Asta. Asta Eleniel." I introduced myself, however when they began to return the gesture by giving me their own names I raised a gentle hand, staying their tongues as I smiled again. "There is no need for I already know who you all are. I shall return shortly for any clothes that you desire to be cleaned or mended, in the meantime please make yourselves at home." With a final bow of my head I walked forwards with a smooth gait, sliding along past them as they watched after me, mouths now agape and I could not help but smile.
As I walked away from them, however, a bird called out to me and I turned, the side of my face angled towards them and I lifted my hand to allow the bird to perch upon my fingers, whistling sweetly to me in greeting as I stroked the feathered breast. It was a thrush. It was almost comical, however when Thorin saw the type of bird that rested upon my finger his eyes widened, my smile tilted towards him as our eyes locked for a brief moment before I then turned away, the bird flying into the setting skies as I ran with laughter ringing outward, chiming like bells in the distance as I disappeared from their sight.