Chapter II: The Game is Set, the Pieces are Moving

A/N: I'm really happy with the reaction to the story. Translations for the elvish will be at the end of the chapter. Thanks go to Blondiezhere for her help. Here's chapter 2! SSD

Recognizable characters and lines belong to Peter Jackson and/or Professor Tolkien

Blondiezhere has two excellent stories: The Journey of Hearts and it's sequel A Change of Fortune. They are very good and well worth a read!

"No. Absolutely not. It was bad enough when you talked me into bringing a Hobbit along. Now you want me to allow an *ELF* along on the Quest? You go too far, Gandalf."

Ever since dinner had ended (things had wrapped up shortly after Lightbringer was drawn), Gandalf had been arguing with Thorinas soon as they got to where the Company was staying.

"The stubbornness of dwarves never ceases to amaze me. The likelihood that the Company will have to travel through Mirkwood is all but certain. Someone who can speak the language and knows the customs would be useful," Gandalf countered.

"You can do that, can you not?" Thorin argued back.

"I can, but in the instance that I am not around, Ashara would prove most useful. She is also quite skilled with a blade, given that she's had the time to practice." Gandalf had sat down and pulled out his pipe.

"How old is she," Thorin snarked.

Gandalf narrowed his eyes at the dwarf king, "Even you know better than to ask a lady's age. Go to the main sparring area in the morning. You'll see what she can do with a blade."

As Thorin stalked off to talk with his nephews, Gandalf hoped that Elrond was having better luck than he was.

"With all due respect, grandfather, have you gone mad? It is common knowledge that Ud Raan hates elves!"

Elrond was rubbing his temples. Ashara had not been pleased with the suggestion about going along on the Quest.

"Are the dwarves the problem, indyeldë?"

"Not all of them, just one," she growled, leaning back in the chair. She didn't need to say which dwarf was the one she had a problem with.

"Did you two run into each other before dinner," Elrond asked.

"Yes. Apparently I nearly shot him during that skirmish with those warg riders as he slid into the entrance to the Hidden Pass." Ashara was looking over Lightbringer again. Elrond saw an opening to possibly reason with his granddaughter. He explained again, "Orcrist and Lightbringer, as I said earlier, are partner swords. They work best when their wielders are close to each other while being used. So it would make sense for you to go along on the Quest."

"I am not keen on going, and I'm pretty sure Oakenshield does not want me around either," Ashara argued.

"Gandalf is attempting to reason with him on the matter."

"Eru help Gandalf with that," Ashara grinned a bit.

Before Elrond could reply, Ashara noticed her father enter the library.

When he came level with the table she said, "Thank Arda you're here. You need to convince haru that he is mad!"

Ashara swept from the room, Lightbringer in her hands.

"What did I miss, ada?"

"Elladan, it is a very long story."

Ashara had been unable to rest at all that night. She had too many things on her mind as she looked over her new sword.

How in Arda did I come to be chosen by a blade out of legend?

She needed to spar. And it just so happened that her favorite opponent was in Rivendell at the moment. Aedric had just come off a patrol from near the Shire. When she'd talked to him yesterday before dinner, they'd agreed to a sparring match.

"Nice seeing you again, Princess. Hope you haven't gotten soft," the dark haired ranger drawled.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ashara grinned as she picked up the practice sword.

While they were still warming up, the ranger asked, "Were my eyes deceiving me or did I see dwarves here?"

"Your eyes are working just fine. Gandalf brought them," she replied as she ducked Aedric's swing. Warming up was over.

No more words were spoken as the speed of the blades picked up.

During a short break, Aedric murmured, "We're being watched."

"I know. He's been watching for a fair bit," Ashara replied as she took a sip of water.

"Naugrim a lihlican..." Aedric snickered a bit. Dwarves were not known for their stealth.

"Acca anwa," she replied before calling out in the common tongue, "You are more than welcome to join us. No need to skulk in the shadows."

Thorin had decided to take Gandalf up on seeing what the she-elf could do with a sword.

She was sparring with a human. Given that they were in Rivendell, it was likely the man was a Dunedain Ranger.

Her fighting style relied on speed and being light on her feet. Which she had no shortage of.

She also appeared to be accustomed to her opponent, bantering easily with him.

He'd been so focused on watching the match, Thorin started at the she-elf calling out to him.

"So how did I do?"

"You should be of some use. You are better with a sword then you are with a bow," Thorin replied.

"It wasn't like I was aiming for you on purpose. I was aiming for the warg," Ashara replied before saying, "I'm actually not that bad a shot."

"I wonder how you would do against an opponent you are not used to fighting against," Thorin wondered.

"Are you volunteering yourself," Ashara had a toothy grin on her face.

"Gandalf wants you along on the Quest. Who better than me to test you?" Thorin had a similarly toothy grin.

Aedric slowly backed out of the line of fire. Occasionally Ashara and her brother would get like this, just to test each other. It was best to get out of the way.

"Are you open to using live steel, or would you prefer practice weapons," Ashara asked. Aedric could tell that she wanted to use live steel.

"Live steel is fine."

What happened next was something that surprised all three present. When the two went for their new swords, neither would draw no matter how hard they tugged.

"Looks like the swords are back to being difficult. Good thing we have other weapons here," Ashara growled as she picked up her regular hand and a half sword. Thorin also drew the dwarven sword he had on him.

Aedric asked "Are you two sure its' a good idea that you're using sharp weapons?" He was ignored by both parties as they got into position.

I need to get to Elrond. Someone needs to needs to stop this from getting completely out of hand!

This should be fun, Ashara thought with a smirk.

There was no warm up, as Thorin took the initiative and attacked first.

Faster than expected.

Like before, there was little talking as swords either hit each other or sliced through the air. Time seemed to not matter.

"I'm impressed. You're doing better than I thought," Thorin said as he blocked the she-elf's sword.

"Getting tired yet, Master dwarf? I can go all day," Ashara snarked.

The response was several hard blows that she could barely block.

"Dwarves are known for their stamina, I can go just as long as you, if not longer," her opponent snarled back.

Aedric had been running since he heard the first clang of blade on blade. The fight needed to be stopped before any serious damage was done.

Thankfully Gandalf, Elladan, and Elrond were out and about. They were quite easy to find.

"What is it that is going on Aedric," Elladan asked before continuing, "I thought you were sparring with Ashara?"

"I was, sir. Then she got distracted by another opponent."

The ranger told the others the really short version of the story.

Elladan pinched the bridge of his nose. Both Ashara and Erudan could be exasperating. And he was particularly thankful that both of them were not involved.

Bilbo was enjoying the peace and quiet of Rivendell and unlike many of the dwarves, he had taken to exploring the grounds which included the beautiful gardens.

However, he found that it was very easy to get lost.

He was startled by the sounds of swords hitting each other viciously and what were likely curses in one of the elven languages and the language of the dwarves.

Thorin it seemed was busy fighting an elf. Bilbo could not tell who the elf was, save for the fact that he or she had dark hair. The swords got louder as did the comments. He heard the word "savar" come from the elf. It was far from complimentary, that was for sure!

Just as Bilbo was about call out, he saw that the swords glow red hot as if they'd been heated from within.

The elf opened her (hopefully Bilbo was right on that) mouth about to snarl, before an older elf who was standing next to Elrond, "Don't even think about using that fell tongue, Ashara. I should have never let Gandalf teach it to you!"

"I think the two of you need to cool off," Gandalf murmured.

With one final set of dirty looks exchanged, the female elf and Thorin left the sparring area. There was a good bit of damage to it.

Ashara knew that she was get chastised for fighting with the dwarf king. And likely might get into some trouble for nearly using the Black Speech.

After bathing and cleaning her weapons, Ashara went to the library. At the moment, she wanted the peace and quiet that room would bring.

She'd been in there for quite a while when a familiar voice said, "You let your temper get the best of you iel."

"I know ada. I don't think I have ever caused so much destruction in the training ring," Ashara commented as she put her feet up on the table.

"Feet off the table," her father commented before continuing with, "Your grandfather is going to have to repair that training ring after what you two put it through. What were you two saying while you were fighting?"

"I'm not going to repeat what I said and I don't know what that savar was saying in that babble that dwarves speak, but judging by his tone, it was definitely negative!" Ashara caressed the hilt of Lightbringer on her hip.

"Why weren't you two using your new swords," her father asked.

"That's a strange thing. Lightbringer and Orcrist wouldn't draw. So we had to use the other blades we brought with us. Any ideas as to why they wouldn't draw?"

"I've heard of them both, but I have never heard of them refusing to draw once they've been drawn by their chosen wielders," was the reply from her father.

"You two meant each other harm. Lightbringer and Orcrist will not fight each other in that situation," Elrond said as he entered the library.

"Them turning out to be partner swords makes them almost more trouble than they are worth," Ashara growled before getting up and bobbing a small bow of respect to her father and grandfather.

Elladan was looking at his father who had a book in front of him on a table showing the two near identical swords.

He asked, "Father, is there anything that Ashara should know about those blades?"

"There is nothing she needs to know at the present time, Elladan."

The following day was far more quiet. Bilbo found himself wandering about Rivendell again.

Last night had been rather interesting with Gandalf chastising Thorin over the incident in the training ring. He hadn't been acting very kingly at that time.

"Are you lost, Master Baggins," a voice startled him out of his thoughts.

He turned around and saw the female elf from yesterday leaning against a doorway.

"A little bit," Bilbo replied sheepishly.

"I would like to apologize for yesterday. I wasn't exactly at my best. I am Ashara, daughter of Elladan," she said with a slight bow.

"How did you know I was there yesterday near the sparring ring," Bilbo asked.

"I saw you as I left, are you looking for anywhere specific?"

"No, but thank you. I was just taking things in before we eventually leave. Gandalf mentioned that you would be coming along," Bilbo said, while remembering Thorin's arguing with the wizard the day prior.

"What Mithrandir wants, he usually gets," the elf replied with an eye roll.

Bilbo noticed a chess board set up on a nearby table. He hadn't played since before leaving the Shire. Nodding towards it, he asked, "Would you like to play, Ashara?"

"I do play. I would love to play a game or two with you. Even though I am not that good. I usually lose. The chess games I play with my brother are a bit more interesting."

The two sat themselves down, Ashara having the black pieces, Bilbo with the white pieces.

When the game had been going on for some time, Bilbo said, "You're not as bad as you said you were."

"I usually play against my father and grandfather. And I get trounced every time," Ashara replied as she took a knight.

"Perhaps you have learned from those defeats," Bilbo said as he moved his castle.

Balin had been looking for Bilbo, just to make sure he wasn't lost.

He found the hobbit playing chess in the garden with the she-elf who'd been chosen (Balin had no idea how that worked) by Lightbringer. At the moment, she looked friendly.

Her skill with a sword had already been tested by Thorin who had grudgingly said she could more than handle herself in a fight.

The she-elf was coming along whether Thorin liked it or not. Balin was looking forward to seeing the potential fireworks that would go off.

Ashara was having one last walk around Rivendell. She would be leaving the Valley for a long time and did not know when she would return.

She had also left a letter for her younger brother Erudan. He was out on a patrol with a squad Dunedain rangers and would not get back for over a month.

Only the Valar knew where she'd be in a month.

Hopefully out of the Misty Mountains without hassle, she thought to herself.

"Really I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing," Gandalf was arguing with someone.

"Do you? That dragon has slept for 60 years! What will happen if your plan should fail and you awaken the beast," her grandfather countered.

"But if the dwarves retake the mountain, our defenses in the east will be strengthened!"

"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf." Ashara agreed with her grandfather.

"It is also dangerous to do nothing. Look, the Throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright, what is it you fear?"

Ashara then saw that she was not the only person listening in on the conversation, with Bilbo and Thorin also being well within earshot.

"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind, his father succumbed to the same sickness. CAn you swear that Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?"

At her grandfather's words, Ashara flicked a glance towards the dwarf king.

His face was a ghostly pale.

Perhaps there is something Oakenshield fears more than death. He fears losing his mind, Ashara thought as she found herself agreeing with the fact that losing one's mind was a fate worse than death.

A few moments later, Ashara went off to get her belongings for the quest. Unless she was very much mistaken, the other two members of the White Council had arrived.

The dwarves would likely be leaving shortly as to prevent Saruman from stopping them.

"So does anyone think that the she-elf is going to show up," Bofur asked, with a sidelong glance at Thorin.

"20 gold pieces says she won't," Dwalin muttered.

Most of the others agreed, and added their own bets to the growing pot.

"I say she does show up. 25 gold pieces," Kili added.

"Same bet for me, Bofur," Fili replied.

"I'm with Fili and Kili. What about you Bilbo? Do you think the she-elf is going to show up," Bofur asked, turning towards the hobbit.

Bilbo replied with a grin on his face, "Oh, I think Ashara will show up. I'll bet my chores that when she shows up she will also sass Thorin!"

Fili, Kili, and Bofur all sniggered at that remark.

No sooner had all that finished, a voice called out, sass clear in her tone, "Surprised to see me, your Grace?"

Bilbo turned around and saw that Ashara had indeed shown up. She was wearing lightweight metal armor. Though from what little Bilbo had about elves, it was likely a lot stronger than it looked. The hood of her black cloak was down at the moment.

The weapons she had on her were two swords (including that sword Lightbringer), three daggers (that Bilbo could see, he strongly suspected that she was carrying more than that), and a shortbow with a quiver of arrows across her back.

Thorin looked over her weapons impassively before saying, "Do try to keep up."

After a few more final check overs, the Company left Rivendell.

"My Lord Elrond, the dwarves. They're gone."

Gandalf looked up at Lindir's statement with a small grin.

"They'll be long gone before we can catch them," Elrond commented.

Saruman argued with Elrond for a bit before Galadriel said, "More than one famous sword crossed into the Valley."

"What do you mean my lady," Saruman asked.

Gandalf exchanged a glace with Galadriel before saying, "While we were at the troll horde, elven made swords from the First Age were found."

"Which ones were they Gandalf," the White Wizard asked.

"One of them was Glamdring. I have taken it for my own use," Gandalf replied. He was reluctant to discuss the other two in front of Saruman, who he suspected would react poorly.

"Two more than Glamdring were found," Galadriel had a small smile of her own on her face.

"I was getting to the other two my lady. The other two were Orcrist... And Lightbringer."

Silence reigned a few minutes before Saruman asked, "Have they chosen their wielders?"

Elrond took a deep breath before saying, "Lightbringer chose my granddaughter Ashara. Orcrist on the other hand, chose Thorin Oakenshield."

A/N 2: Surprisingly, this chapter turned out to be longer than the first one. What do you guys think that Ashara (and by extension Thorin) don't need to know about their swords just yet, according to Elrond? Can't wait to hear what you all think! SSD

Translations:

ada: father

haru: grandfather

indyeldë: granddaughter

savar: jackal

Naugrim a lihlican...: Dwarves and sneaking around...

Acca anwa: Too true.

Casting choices:

Aedric: Ioan Gruffud when he was playing Lancelot in King Arthur

Elladan: Tom Ellis when he was in Merlin