By the time the elf woman was already walking across the bridge leading up to the main entrance the dwarves had only made it halfway down the pathway trailing down the paved, grassy slope that around the middle had turned into an actual path instead of carrying on in form of an endless staircase. Despite of the hunger gnawing at the pit of her prominently empty stomach her however slowing her steps down as halted just at the entryway, simply gazing at the elven city as it opened in front of her from between the large statues rising at the both sides of the causeway. Same feeling of nostalgia if only a slight one creeping over her as she eyed at the grand, mostly white structures faithful to the traditional elven construction with its intricate turrets built on top of angular rooftops and vast archways and bridges connecting many a canopied passageways throughout the realm. The green of the forested elements blooming like in the heart of the warmest summer even in so late into autumn accentuating the buildings rising high above the plaza one arrived upon entering, but the view to the rest of the city was now mainly blocked by the grandest of all structures, which was the very center of Imladris. Edifice of great beauty that held many of Rivendell's activities of leisure in form of several libraries, dining-rooms, parlors and largest of all the gardens found within the valley…And of course the comfortable lodgings to all those paying a visit there, including the private quarters of the elven lord who governed over these lands.
The traveler could pick up a strong scent of flowers from the wind as her eyes lingered shortly at the distant, wooded cliffs looming at the background. Filtering the golden light that showered over the valley as repertory of varying birds singing in the surroundings trees filled the air, but despite of the mere bliss that was the elven realms, she wasn't left marveling over its grace all that much, for this wasn't her first visit…And on that note also this particular place not holding much of a special place in her heart, even if it felt fleeting ease upon arriving to a familiar place she did have some pleasant memories of…And in which she could now reside for a day or two to rest, as she was simply passing through. Regardless of the recollections of her previous made visits here now making her tie to this place appear much more meaningful as it was, not planning to stay.
The loud shuffle, which was more like a clamorous trudge to her trained ears thanks to all the hefty weaponry they were carrying, of the approaching dwarves could be then heard from behind her as the traveler went on her way. The company who now reached the last segment of the pathway now observing her to enter the city and cross the large courtyard spreading in front of the main hall rising on their right side, Kili narrowing his eyes as peered at her.
"What is her business here anyway?" he wondered. His doubtful tone reflecting the others' suspicion and curiosity over the she-elf that to none of their eyes seemed quite typical. Gandalf also casting her an acknowledging glance as she now began to ascend the stairs leading up to the main hall, until turned to lock gazes with the young dwarf.
"All travelers are welcome in Rivendell…Elves and Dwarves alike", he informed him. "I imagine she simply arrived in the same manner of business as we did…To have a place to rest for the night."
"I mean her mere presence. What was she doing at the hidden entrance to this place?" Kili replied, truly confused as to how had she ended up there at the same time as they had.
"And why did she help us?" his brother added.
"Did she truly need a reason to help?" Gandalf. "If so, it would do you good to try to imagine not all to require a reason to raise their weapons in aid of someone simply due to some gratuitous feud between two once close races."
"Still I get an odd feeling of her. I don't like it", Thorin cut in, earning now a bit incredulous look back form the wizard.
"She has helped you Thorin, twice. I rather think you have now come to owe her for her assistance, unneeded or not."
Thorin simply snorted at Gandalf's matter-of-fact remark, them along with the others now crossing the bridge themselves and walked over to the plaza. However as the dwarves ventured further within the courtyard Bilbo found himself stopping right below the statues, to let his awestruck eyes to scour their surroundings and drink in the unparalleled beauty that was Rivendell unlike he'd ever been able to imagine in his occasional hopes of one day seeing it with his own eyes…And now he was there. The dwarves however not anymore finding similar flair from the place as did the Hobbit, and they simply glanced about uncomfortably, where Bilbo's attention was lastly drawn to the majestic waterfalls cascading down the massive ramparts of stone far behind the farthest buildings at the outskirts of the realm.
The traveler nodded at the elf who now exited the main hall and met her at the middle landing of the stairs. After returning his greeting she drew her hand from her chest and at the sight of his curious expression stated her business, and at the mention of her name the elf man gave her a polite smile until instructed her to go inside. Him then departing as his intention to go greet the arrived band of dwarves, and as the traveler turned to look at them herself she discovered the majority of them to be scowling about their surroundings rather fretfully, until they all grew tense once the elf man arrived. Calling out to the wizard clearly to be heard above the murmur of the sullen Dwarves, and it then became clear this not to be either his first visit to these parts…But very much like herself as a being granted with many millennia of age and even more she figured there hardly to be a place in Middle-Earth that either he wouldn't have ventured to by then.
As she then turned she heard the wizard enquire the elf Lindir of the whereabouts of his lord, who hadn't arrived to greet them himself. But before the elf could explain the reason for Elrond's absence a blare of an elven horn sounded in the distance and the company turned around. To witness how a small, armed host of Rivendell elves rode towards the courtyard they were standing on, and just as the traveler removed her bag from her back and stepped into to the outer foyer of the main hall she couldn't stop herself from sighing as she spied the dwarves to group together from the corner of her eye. Just before entering her observing the rattled dwarves to raise their weapons once the elves surrounded them, in awe of finding actual members of Naugrim at their doorstep, until the lord of the valley himself rode forth. Calming the situation once he greeted Gandalf, enabling the dwarves to settle down after the fleeting scare of being attacked by the returned elves who'd previously aided them in their escape though the hidden entrance.
Although she couldn't remember the exact layout of the great hall or the number of different rooms it housed the traveler's feet still carried her through a familiar path across the many chambers and courtyards during her journey to the general dormitories. Unaccompanied, as despite of the elves greeting her after entry had offered to lead her to a spare guest room she had refused, for she knew her way within Elrond's house well enough…Greatly thanks to the times spent there as much more long-term guest as she'd at the time planned…But life, as abiding and unchanging as hers had been for the past centuries, still knew how to take even her by a surprise sometimes.
The traveler easily found her way to the same bedroom she'd previously used, and upon finding it unoccupied ventured in. Dropping her bag onto the intricately engraved bed until unfastened her knives and other minor weapons and abandoned them onto the writing desk sitting next to the hanging cupboard by the entrance. Lastly placing her principal weapon to lean against the wall until there was a knock coming from the door, the traveler seeing one of the she-elves she'd come across at the main hall and who served as a maid to enter, to inquire if she was in need of anything. Her simply requesting some hot water and a fresh change of clothes, after a swift description of the specific items she was shy of her handing the elleth a small purse filled with limited selection of pearls…Leftovers from the sample of treasure she'd traded a rare hunting knife for before her journey back…Intended as payment for her upkeep and whatnot until the she-elf went on her way, leaving the traveler to go through her little luggage to take out the other scarce items of spare clothing in need of mending and washing, until she crossed the room. Opening the twin doors leading up to a balcony and a view to the main garden, the traveler leaving the doors open as ambled to the railing and let her eyes wander about the joined patio that rounded the garden as well as the many other guest rooms lined up around it, except for the sole pathway that was located at the opposing side of the garden. And once her eyes had seen everything there was to take in the not much changed scenery consisting of the usual mix of well tended flowerbeds and stone carved benches, culminating to the small, rose adorned pavilion at the center, she descended down to the courtyard. Walking through the gazebo as directed her steps over to the stairs at the beginning of the pathway, taking her to the more secluded part of the great hall.
The running water and soft rustle of the vegetation created their own kind of sweet music as she went past the resident buildings. Observing everything from the surrounding architecture down to the fountains for birds to be covered in grapevines or some type of flowers yet to wither, as she kept on walking and knowingly crossed to the more private section of the main building that belonged solely for the lord and his family. Completed with its own wings for each occupant with equally exceptional joint lakeside garden at the most separate corner of the abode, which however was partly left concealed by the forest. The traveler however going down another flight of stairs without stopping, venturing even deeper towards the farthest area of Elrond's private dwelling where she remembered a small guesthouse to be located.
Rivendell in itself was much more elaborate and vast than many thought upon first coming there. The elven city easily seeming small but hid many winding passageways and areas separated by either other gardens or patches of untouched nature, until the settlement once more spread out farther into the mountain pass in form of new houses, numerous pavilions and lay-bys in additions to other more secluded buildings blended masterfully with the surrounding nature…Like the forges and the brewery, since as a thriving elven community Rivendell naturally provided to most of its needs within its borders, therefore with its complex milieu making it easy for those unfamiliar with its layout to get hopelessly lost…But not that many would mind losing their way in a magical place such as Imladris. The separate areas joined together by the labyrinth of several levels conforming the landscape so large that despite of the great population of elves living there, one often came across no one while traveling through the elven city and its manifold places. But still, if in possession of the impeccable sense of direction of elves, one would always find their way back without going utterly astray.
The traveler egressed from the yard of the guesthouse, echo of the juvenile laughter she remembered more clearly than many other things from the last time she'd trekked through these parts ringing in her ears, triggering another memory…One not as old and forgotten, but a recollection she'd visited throughout the years more often than she did many more significant ones, and led by it she passed the house until she found a new, smaller staircase. One that was clearly less used by the elves or anyone in general, and once she took the narrow forest path she walked under a pair of oldest of old lime trees. Only after a few steps her finding what she was looking for, kneeling in front of a statue that sat amongst the grass and flora that had been allowed to outgrow, even though there were signs of someone attending to the secluded gravesite at times once the traveler took note of the vase at the feet of the memorial with dried flowers in it…But it had been some time since they had paid the place a visit. The traveler letting out a sigh as she read the name engraved into the white marble plaque, getting lost to her thoughts as spent a moment thinking about the dead woman whose memory she'd come to commemorate. Still remembering her clearly, as it hadn't been even 30 years since she'd died…And yet she hadn't known her all that well to exactly explain why she had found herself here again.
"So you have come", someone spoke up. Suddenly, in Elvish, the traveler hearing faint rustling as whoever had discovered her now came to a halt by the stairs, and as she turned her eyes to their way she realized the comer to be lord Elrond. Still in his full armor, which indicated him to have not gone to his quarters but that he'd walked in on her purposefully…In evident search of her.
"And you have found me", the traveler observed, rising as Elrond placed his arms behind his back. His armor plates clinking due to the motion as he eyed at her, nothing in his demeanor giving evidence to a fact that just like her he didn't find anything to have changed in her. For lord Elrond naturally looked the same, not a single blemish or wrinkle on his face indicating to the slight increase to his age since the last they'd met.
"I figured I would…Since Lindir informed me you to have arrived with the dwarves and the first place I reckoned you to come is here. It has been a long time", Elrond continued. Watching the traveler to raise her eyebrows.
"Not with, simultaneously. I just happened upon them."
"And yet I was given the impression you to have fought with them outside the hidden pass…For one look at those Warg bodies and your presence could not be disclaimed", Elrond answered, now coming down the stairs and joined the traveler by the grave. Short pause ensuing as the traveler exchanged a corroborative gaze with the approaching elven lord due to his reference to her unique weapon with equally distinctive cut. Her soon breaking the silence first as Elrond came to stand beside her.
"Has it truly been so long? The last time I was here I had been absent for over a hundred years", the traveler mused, Elrond at first replying with a concurring nod until answered after a moment of thought.
"Still, here you are…Too late however as I am sorry to say there to be none but those already passed to receive you."
The traveler shifted her gaze back to the memorial in front of her until cast it down briefly, giving room to some melancholy until assumed a knowing expression.
"Like any place I go these days."
"And yet I welcome you. Feel free to stay as long as you wish…Although I suspect that shall not be long", Elrond told her, managing to crack the sudden staidness of the she-elf's mien once she broke into a small smile.
"I would be grateful for a meal and some peace and quiet…Then I will be on my way."
"Naturally. I trust you have settled?" Elrond inquired, although already knew the answer by her presence at the outskirts of his own abode, to where one could only venture through the guest dormitories, and in which she apparently had taken residence without none of the servants actually granting her a lodging instead of her claiming herself one. Once he next shot her a slight amused glance the traveler instead leveling an apologetic look at the elven lord as placed a hand on her chest, turning as bowed her head.
"Indeed I have. Forgive my rudeness."
"You can repay it by joining us for dinner…I know you not to enjoy a leisure chat over food and wine but I shall forgive your initiative should you attend to keep company to me and our other arrived guests", Elrond announced, the traveler bowing to him as a sign of consent and he smiled, granting her a nod, as the she-elf then cast him a quizzical look.
"How is your daughter?"
"Arwen is…well. She accompanied her brothers for a visit to Lothlórien some years ago and has stayed with her mother's kin ever since", Elrond responded. Although he didn't exactly sound concerned the things clearly left unsaid by him were still picked up by the traveler and she nodded in understanding...Being able to imagine the reasons for her such a long absence from Rivendell in regard to what the elven lord had just previously implied.
"Have you been well? You left here in search of a new temporal purpose, but even you didn't take longer to return this time still it makes me curious as to why you have come back so soon…Did you not find such on your latest travels?" Elrond asked, the she-elf peering over to him jovially as raised her dark brows slightly.
"So I am not welcome to your house unless I did?"
"Of course you are...It is just that usually when restless souls similar to you arrive here they come with an intent of finding that purpose...So perhaps you did come to discover your reason for being or remaining now that you seem to have had no other ulterior cause to come back to us?"
After but a fleeting moment of ponder the traveler's countenance turned back to stern as she quickly came to demur that idea, Elrond next not being quite able to read her limited emotions as she spoke. Truly sounding like a woman who wasn't any more aware of the state of herself as she'd been previously the elf man had questioned her about it with similar words. "No. I am as lost to my future as I was a thousand years ago…But this time my current visit was brought upon purely by chance."
Elrond was silent as then said nothing to this. Although didn't know this she-elf all that closely still enough familiar with the course of her mind to understand her in turn without a need for any further elaborating inquiries. Him then giving her an acknowledging nod as turned around, the traveler shifting her head to watch the elven lord leave, until he came to a short stop at the head of the stairs. Facing the traveler again once he spoke.
"Do know that even he could not stay, his thoughts of you still lingered…And the time he did, he did wait for your return with joy and devotion…One I recall him to have shown but to one other before you", Elrond told her. The traveler making a new, slight smile at that, meeting Elrond's gaze once he returned it.
"Then I am sorry to have missed him."
There was another pause as the she-elf turned to face the grave again, like before Elrond preparing to leave, until a certain question concerning the person they'd been discussing then popped into the she-elf's mind and she made it. Her voice now warmer due to some emotion the elven lord could then only assume as distinct attachment as she addressed him.
"Where is he now?"
"With his own people. I saw it best to send him back out to the world instead of having him spend the rest of his days here…waiting for your visit…And his past to catch up to him."
Although there once more had been something undisclosed in that sentence, with that lord Elrond finally set out. Heading for his private rooms as left the traveler back to her own musings, and after sparing one more thought for the absent man she hadn't quite frankly expected not to meet her next raising her palm to move away the climber plant that had grown around the woman shaped statue. Brushing away the rotten leaves and wiped the dirt and moss from the runes forming the deceased's name, until she then was back on her knees as she pressed her hand on the ground. Wowing her fingers into the wet grass, as she called for her sleeping power. The feel of instant warmth spreading in her hand as she watched the veins under her skin to catch fire, to glow red until morphed into the reddish fingertips making contact with the ground, until she then removed her palm and watched how a flower pushed out of the soil. To grow in number until the grave was graced by a cluster of fragile, budding blossoms. The traveler gazing at them, until lastly she cast her eyes onto the statue while rose to her feet as new memories took over her then. Bringing out a new sigh from her lips.
"Hope his wait wasn't as lorn as yours ever is, my lady."
"Try it. Just a mouthful."
"I don't like green food."
The she-elf claimed her brass cup and took a sip of her replenished wine. Listening to a few graceful chords of the lyre that dominated the music played at the outdoor dining room, until she directed a passing look at the dwarves sitting at a table of their own behind her. Each of them having a rather sullen look on their faces due to the served eatables that as customary for elves to consume left a lot to be desired to them…Most glaringly the lack of anything which wasn't of the earth and self grown.
"Where's the meat?" Dwalin questioned in outrage. The she-elf spying him to raise a fistful of greens consisting mostly of salad from his plate until leveled a dismayed look at his comrades at the evident shortage of game, utterly piqued by the dinner they'd been invited to.
"Have they got any chips?" Ori wondered, looking hopeful as peered across the table and his eyes scoured the bowls and trays covering the elongated table, however getting disappointed once he didn't locate the said passable treat while Òin stuck a fork into a piece of raw onion he found from amongst the vegetables on his plate, raising it to inspect it as if it was a foreign insect. The traveler shifting her attention back to her own plate until she next cast a fleeting look at Thorin who had been offered a seat at Elrond's table like she had, and who didn't display such open disdain over the served food, although clearly wasn't enjoying the little he was eating by the look of his overall very stern exterior. As silence descended and the elven instruments were once more the sole thing keeping the space lively, Gandalf's voice soon echoed from within the hallway leading inside the grand hall. The she-elf peering to the side to see the said wizard to finally arrive with lord Elrond himself.
"Kind of you to invite us…Even I'm not really dressed for dinner", Gandalf mused. Following Elrond as the elf man walked outside in his own elegant robes until turned to cast an amused look at the wizard.
"You never are."
The she-elf dropped her eyes in fleeting amusement as suavely rose from her seat, turning around to greet Elrond as he rose the few steps and was the first to join her ad Thorin at the table. The two elves greeting each other as it was customary while Gandalf shared a curt acknowledging nod with the elf woman, where Thorin also rose from his seat politely Elrond taking note of the pair's familiarity and gave them both a quizzical glance.
"You have met, Gandalf?"
"Crossed paths more like. Today and once before", the wizard answered as claimed himself a seat at the left side of the traveler who then sat back down. Elrond following their cue as tipped an understanding head, his eyes lastly rising to examine the she-elf from across the round table while a couple of servants arrived to serve him and Gandalf.
"Then introductions are hardly in need then."
"I am not opposed to it, although it would hardly serve a purpose since we will remain but passing acquaintances", the she-elf said. Exchanging a curt look with Gandalf and Elrond until her gaze settled onto Thorin, whose attention had been drawn to her at the sound of her remark. Her taking her cup from the table again as hold his grim gaze for a curt moment until shifted hers back to Gandalf, taking fleeting amusement from the dwarf's evident dismay when it came to her prominent height, which was notable even by elf standards. Forcing the dwarf to look up to her considerably, even while sitting. "However, I do know your reputation, Mithrandir, as anyone in Endor would. Yet alone your name."
"And I will not insist on yours if you wish not to give it", Gandalf answered good-humoredly, giving the she-elf a new thankful nod. "But I am grateful for your help. Today and all those months ago at Bree…We truly are in your debt for aiding us not only then but for granting your blade in assist of our escape from that pack of orcs, all of us…Aren't we Thorin?"
Both the she-elf's and Gandalf's eyes looked to the dwarf in unison, who however didn't reply. Him simply slightly scowling at Gandalf for involving him into the conversation he definitely didn't wish to be a part of, until focused on continuing his meal. This amusing the elf woman further as she observed the dwarf to try to pretend as if the wizard's words hadn't concerned him the slightest as she then spoke instead…Or that the food he was begrudgingly indulging in was at least a little enjoyable.
"Think nothing of it. My path led me to these parts anyway, despite of you."
Thorin did meet the she-elf's gaze, but just as she turned it elsewhere. For the dwarf to cast a somewhat contemplative look at her while she was finishing her wine, missing the way he gauged at her rather closely and lastly gave the odd scars on her forehead a thoughtful frown while she next resumed her eating. It not being clear did Gandalf's following words get through to her or not, for she appeared so absorbed to her own ponders that it could've been assumed her to not be listening.
"And fortunately it crossed with ours."
"Can't say I fancy elf maids myself. Too thin. They're all high cheekbones, and creamy skin. Not enough facial hair for me. Although, that one there's not too bad."
The traveler picked up the young dwarf's remark, even the last hushed part, as unbeknownst to Kili every elf within vicinity could despite of his effort to keep his words strictly between himself and his comrades sitting around him. Her tilting her neck just enough to then spot the maiden whom he'd spoken of, only to quirk her brows once she discovered the elf to be inescapably male once he walked past the dwarves' table a lute in his hands. Proving that clearly these dwarves weren't accustomed to be around her kin, although it could be argued not many of them either recognizing or rather caring to differentiate dwarf women from men, as rarely as they were seen. But despite of her assumptions the following snarky reply of Dwalin proved that at least he was more aware of things, the least of all difference in sex which should've been more glaringly obvious even to that young dwarf.
"That's not an elf maid."
A boisterous laughter broke out behind the traveler as the dwarves continued to tease the mortified Kili for his misconception, for which he however perhaps could not be fully be blamed, for elves were known to be fair…To a point that it could become difficult to differ men from women, but the traveler found such an argument ridiculous, and therefore was more astonished than amused over Kili's mistake. Not fathoming how could even a dwarf despite of having little to none interaction with her kind have such a misunderstanding. For such an impression could go as far as giving reason to claim her and lord Elrond to be so similar in appearance, to a point of it being challenging to determine which of them was in fact female. The traveler then letting out a slight scoff, of disbelief, as the elven flutes then distracted everyone from actual conversation and a moment was spent simply dining.
"Of which realm do you hail from? For the weapon that you wield…I must confess it fascinates me, for I have not seen the kind of it anywhere my travels have taken me, yet alone cannot imagine where such a weapon could've been made", Gandalf queried then, out of the blue, and also intrigued by the wizard's question also Thorin stopped eating to shift his attention back to the silent she-elf. The traveler meeting Gandalf's eyes until she dropped her down to her plate shortly, soon her hand stretching out to pour herself a third cup of wine as the wizard continued. Leaning to her way while his curious eyes peered at her from under his bushy eyebrows, revealing him to be, like any wizard, much insightful than he let show. "Wherever have you come in possession of it? It is an unique weapon, one of a kind I would assume, but definitely not of Elvish making…And you, my lady, do not seem like any other Silvan or Noldor elf."
"I'm afraid I have no answer to give you", the she-elf spoke, taking a large sip before she locked gazes with Gandalf. "For by asking such I had hoped for you to be able to tell me that, but it seems you are as clueless to the origin of my weapon as am I. And when it comes to me, I'm afraid I'm as unpertainable as is my weapon. Hence the reason we go so well together."
Gandalf looked amused by her sardonic answer, but his expression remained more contemplative as he replied, although couldn't fully conceal his disbelief...For Elves had relatively good memory for a race that could live through many lifespans. "So you do not know where you came by it?"
"No. Only that as long as I remember it has faithfully kept me company on my own travels. So imagine my wonder when such an uncanny weapon is the one that completes me, not a common Elvish blade…Yet alone yours."
"Yes. But I would imagine that is what makes you more interesting."
Elrond could be seen making a slight tilt of a head, perhaps of concur, where Thorin examined the she-elf. Now attentively, as very much like her also him to have been able to pick up the withheld words of Gandalf. The fact that he'd been intending to ask something else from her until for some reason had left such questions unsaid, but neither did she give indication to encourage such inquiries as she then made a small, enigmatic smile. To throw the wizard off, but also to make a point of his previous observation to be correct, in more ways than one. And that alone caused the dwarf to wonder about this elf woman, even more than her overall quirkiness did. For it was true that she gave an impression that left even Thorin to question from where could she have come from...Especially since she seemed to be able to do magic, which seemingly was the very thing that interested the wizard.
"I wonder…For that is simply a more polite word for peculiar", the she-elf stated, despite of her dismal delivery her own mien rather amused as she assessed the wizard from the corner of her eye, indeed seeing through him enough to know that Gandalf was least curious about her heritage and instead wanted to know about her specifically. Hence the somewhat personal tone in the current discussion that hadn't ventured to this topic had not the wizard downright began subtly interrogate her based on the questions that had pestered him the moment he'd been told her to have used abilities that he didn't know close to any elves to possess, except for a few notable exceptions.
"Perhaps it is…Forgive my curiosity", Gandalf spoke. Laughing at the traveler's response and returned her slight smile as his eyes also made a last glance at the scars on her face, until her focus went back to her meal.
"Not at all. I only lament that for someone with so many years spent on this earth I can offer so little to quench it."
"But speaking of one of a kind weapons…" Elrond cut in then, his own gaze to have shifted down to the sword Gandalf had brought with him, and without a word the wizard nodded to Thorin. Telling him to hand his sword over to the intrigued elf lord, who hadn't expressed such interest even in that brief instance the conversation had centered around the elf woman…Which only proved to the dwarf that the two of them must've known each other, just like Gandalf and Elrond did, hence her being seated to the Elven lord's table instead of with the rest of the company.
The traveler recognized the very craftsmanship that had caught Elrond's eye, and after receiving the weapon from Thorin the taken aback elf next turned the beautiful blade in his hands. Impressed by the graceful lines and feather-light but still durable built of the sword, kind of which he hadn't laid witness to in hundreds of years, for by the first glance he could tell it to be special. A product of the ancient time when the world was still young, made by his kin many millennia ago back when one of the greatest Elven kingdoms had still inhabited the earth before its downfall by Morgoth. So upon aware of the weapon's origin and therefore knowing exactly to whom this blade had once belonged to by a mere look of it, Elrond gave the renowned weapon one more careful look-over to once more take in its ancient beauty unlike any current Elven blades possessed. Him then spotting the hilt of the similar sword to peek from behind the wizard's chair, and one look directed at the old man then informed Elrond it to be of no coincidence that also this dwarf had happened to attend to this dinner while armed, as Gandalf had previously made a request of him to inspect the sword he himself had come in possession of on their way to his realm. Now knowing perfectly why.
"This is Orkrist. A Goblin Cleaver…A famous blade forged by the High Elves of the west…" Elrond informed, giving a name to the weapon as met Thorin's gaze. Returning the slightly outdrawn blade back into its sheath before handed the sword back, still not helping but admiring the skill that had gone into crafting such a magnificent weapon. "…My kin. May it serve you well."
The traveler observed the wizard to be eager to offer his own weapon to Elrond next who claimed is as enthusiastically, which appeared a bit different while compared to the second blade. Reminding more of the swords humans were fond of forging, which was confirmed when the elven lord now pulled the sword out of its own sheath to look upon it. Same admiration and marvel in his gaze as his eyes traveled over its less curvy and singular form, regardless still seeing the grace of Elvish workmanship in every detail, down to the very unique reflections of the sun that bounced off of the balanced blade.
"And this is Glamdring. The Foehammer, sword of the king of Gondolin", Elrond revealed. Causing the she-elf to raise an impressed eyebrow, until she cast a curious look at both the wizard and the dwarf. Wondering how on earth had they gotten they hands on a pair of such famed weapons which were known to have been lost eons ago, which seemingly puzzled Elrond as well, who still decided to put aside his questions in favor of elaborating his previous announcements. "These swords were made for the Goblin wars of the First Age, for High King Turgon, and are said to have been forged as a pair…To be wielded in battle as one and never apart, and like many Elven blades they glow a warning hue whenever such creature of darkness is nearby. They have seen many years of battle and slain many a foe, but after the fall of Gondolin nothing was known of them…Until to this day that you have brought them to me, reunited once more."
At the sound of his previous own words Elrond's expression finally turned from wondrous to honestly puzzled, him giving the blade back to Gandalf as the traveler also set her sights on him. Equally curious to know how these blades had found their way here now of all times.
"How did you come by these?"
"We found them in a troll-hoard on the Great East Road", Gandalf explained. The traveler narrowing her eyes at these confounding news, where Elrond simply rested his jaw on his knuckles in deep thought. In the end not either being able to imagine how could those creatures have come to possess these swords after their disappearance during those devastating years of calamity. Gandalf's tone turning then more grim as he continued, shedding more light to the circumstances that had led him and this company of dwarves to the hidden pass. "Shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."
"And what were you doing on the Great east Road?" Elrond questioned. Indeed to have not earned an explanation yet as to why Gandalf had brought these dwarves to his domain, and through the secret passage no less. The least alarming fact being that the pack of orcs hot on their trail had clearly been after them, hunting them. Gandalf to have intentionally led this company to his door, and it was about time the elf lord knew why exactly, even if this wizard's motives ever remained more ambiguous than met the eye. However his inquiry not sitting well with Thorin whose mien was suddenly shadowed by an emotion the she-elf couldn't quite interpret with that fleeting glance she cast his way as he abruptly rose from his seat, but which she assumed to be an indication of him rather keeping their reasons of arriving undisclosed. Which in itself also appeared suspicious to her, but although she also wished to know the reason why those orcs had abandoned their chase in favor of capturing him and his companions, this matter wasn't her business, and since this dwarf seemed this adamant of not divulging she returned her attention back to Elrond who locked gazes with Thorin. Receiving a stiff nod from him.
"Excuse me."
The she-elf peered after the dwarf as he excused himself and stalked off without a word, walking past the rest of the dining dwarves and opted to go stand at the edge of the outdoor dining room to gaze at the scenery, as Elrond picked up the paused conversation. In the end deciding not to importune despite of Thorin's behavior giving him much more reason to be doubtful, and instead looked upon the dwarves sitting together at the farther table. His eyes lastly settling onto the peculiar little fellow sitting amongst them his back turned to them, identifying him then to the traveler who naturally had seen his kind before, but so rarely that in this instance she wasn't able to associate the name with the exact race until she heard it.
"Thirteen Dwarves and a Halfling. Strange traveling companions, Gandalf", Elrond mused, taking a sip of his wine until met the wizard's gaze.
"These are the descendants of the house of Dúrin", Gandalf elaborated. The she-elf's full attention now shifting to him, for that was a name that she of course recognized, and hearing it now did take her aback a tad. However for it to surface during this discussion it also leading her to believe it to be of significance, if all of the members of this company came from that specific Dwarfish bloodline, and it also woke Elrond's interest. Him to have of course recognized Thorin the moment he'd seen him stand at the gates upon his arrival, but neither he could imagine what was the reason for this wizard to have apparently brought this many of Dúrin's survived descendants together. "They're noble, decent folk. And surprisingly cultured…With a deep love of the arts."
"You mean their preferred perception of such arts", the traveler remarked as locked brief gazes with the wizard. Inclining her head as emptied her cup. "I've met a few, and not many I'd say hold a very grand appreciation for crafts other than their own."
"Change the tune, why don't you? I feel like I'm in a funeral", one of the dwarves groaned then. So loudly his complaint cut off Gandalf before he could reply, and the she-elf took amusement from the wizard's stunned expression as the dwarf's comment completely went against what he'd just said, instead proving her just made point. Especially when one of his companions who'd long since stuffed his hearing trumpet with a napkin to be spared from listening to the endless cadence of the harps chimed in, indeed proving them not to have as much care for courtesy as Gandalf clearly tried to have their host believe…At least while depended on the hospitality of the elves.
"Did somebody die?"
"Alright lads, there's only one thing for it!"Bofur then remarked joyously. Ending all chatter and playing of the instruments as the loud scrape of his pushed back chair and the clinking of cutlery drew the attention of the elves and the wizard alike, everyone watching on addled as the dwarf hopped onto the table. And soon, another case in point to the traveler's previous notion Bofur's deep voice rang out in the befallen, nonplussed silence, initiating a song much favored during Dwarf gatherings, but which perhaps even intentionally was meant to shaken the elves who were then left to listen to his unrefined singing in utter dismay. Soon joined in by the others.
"There's an inn,
there's an inn,
a merry old inn,
beneath a grey old hill,
and there they brew a beer so brown,
that the Man On The Moon himself came down
one night to drink his fill…"
The elves looked on in joined confusion as the dwarves now all joined in, banging the table in rhythm of Bofur's words and sent more forks and knives flying to the ground as their mood rapidly turned merry. The singing dwarf spurring his companions to soon begin stomp with their feet as he proceeded to prance on the table, tipping over bowls and trays and spreading food everywhere as he performed, Elrond's aid in particular following in quickly surfacing outrage as a sudden bread roll flew across the air. Shooting past the traveler and landing between Elrond and Gandalf, the wizard looking perturbed instead as he glanced at their host perhaps even in a mortified manner until resumed eating. The she-elf peering over her shoulder at the dwarves who proceeded to turn up their merrymaking by laying waste to what remained of their served meal, starting to toss the eatables around the closer Bofur's song neared its peak, however hardly surprised by such boorish behavior which to other present elves appeared merely impudent the traveler simply ignored the clamorous company indeed making most of their host's generosity. As the singing intensified the she-elf followed Thorin's earlier cue by standing, finished with her meal, silently thanking lord Elrond for his invitation with a swift bow until left.
Gandalf gasped as another bread roll darted right by his head whereas the traveler walked on, passing the carousing dwarves, only to halt as just as Bofur's song came to a vocal, hollering end equally revelrous Fili raised his cup high in the air. The wine it contained splashing everywhere, and despite of the food that was tossed about at the crescendo of the song, what caused the she-elf to shift her attention to the young dwarf was the wine as most of it splattered all over her newly acquired tunic. The boisterous laughter of the dwarves and the silent horror of the elves both soon coming to a stop as the she-elf gave her red stained clothes a jaded look until her eyes instantly moved over to Fili, the young dwarf not noticing her vexed stare had it not been his comrades who first took note of her standing behind him and went silent themselves, gesturing towards the she-elf towering over him. Fili giving the others baffled looks until finally turned once he saw his brother to tell him to look behind him, only to have to hold himself back from flinching once he discovered the traveler so close to him, but as he raised his head to gaze at her he realized the reason for this newly shift in his comrades' mood.
The other dwarves exchanged awkward glances as Fili took notice of the she-elf's drenched attire and was made aware of his blame in the stains in her clothing once she cast one peeved look at his now empty cup, suddenly far more embarrassed than he usually would've been Fili clearing his throat as he next decidedly refrained from facing the elf woman where she still stared at him. Fili not admitting it, but her way of looking down at him in silence in fact intimidated him when he then tried to compose himself. Ignoring the glaring difference in their height as strove to lock apologetic gazes with the elf woman, but she next instead fazed him by claiming another goblet from their table, bringing it over to hover right above him. Her eyes narrowing slightly although she said nothing, now tipping the cup from side to side slowly, threatening to spill the wine on him. Her returning Fili's gaze for a moment, stunning him, until just before the wine indeed spilled over to his own clothes she brought the cup to her lips and emptied it. Only a couple of droplets dripping onto his jacket, until she lastly tossed the goblet in middle of the mess that had formed onto the table and removed her stolid eyes from the dwarf, excusing herself.
"I suggest you to watch your back, lad. That elf maid seemed most unhappy with you and I don't think she'll let you off like a lady would", Dwalin quipped from the other table. Naturally all of them to have seen a glimpse of to what she was capable of if made angry outside at the hidden pass, and therefore the incident even further amusing them once they behold Fili's embarrassed expression. However instead of laughing the dwarf in question coming close to roll his eyes as the others joined in on making fun of him, just like they'd made fun of his brother before…For he himself had seen the way the she-elf had looked at him, and although normally such a trivial thing wouldn't have mattered to him, this time he couldn't help but feel regretful...For frankly she'd had every right to glare at him.