Hey everyone. Late at night, but on time. Also this one will be a little shorter, but the next couple of chapters will make up for it I promise! Mostly action here today!
Tollandm, 0x0UnderDog0x0, and angel897 – Here is the next part for your reading pleasure.
TheRealMerlin(Guest) – Thank you for the kind words! I do love and admire Gandalf, but he really is a meddling wizard and sometimes he has to realize that not everyone is as forgiving as Bilbo.
QueefCream – Special hint just for you about the reveal. It will cause the rating to go up because I'm paranoid, but there are no sexy times yet. Send me your thoughts. ;)
Everyone please be sure to check out QueefCream's story: Lians' Contingency. She's starting up her second part and she has my permissions to use Imelkane and Tahna in her story as sort of an AU thingy! (I'm dealing with plagiarism stuff right now so bare with me as I do not have a proper frame of mind and want to make sure people have permission!).
A chorus of howls drifts from the tree line when the rest of the pack found their fallen brothers where we had slain them. Luckily for us there are patches of boulders along the open fields. It will be enough for now so long as Radagast can keep them off of our trail. With our troop now well aware of the orc's presence we are now very much a threat to them; and like the cowards they are, they wait just outside the tree line while more scouts are sent in. When we hear the hunting horn, signaling the chase of Radagast, and we start to move again.
We move as nimbly as a gaggle of dwarves can in this situation. Despite that, the pace is demanding, but not impossible. The hobbit is even managing to keep up as we move hurriedly from rock to rock. However, I curse and groan every time we leave the security of a boulder because I fear that those moments in the open will cause us to be spotted. Our company is fairly well camouflaged in the grassland's patchy environment. And even if we stop nothing running past would likely see us, but I still hate being so exposed.
I momentarily think that this is actually easier than if we had ponies. It is likely that when the ponies bolted, Wildwind would have herded the ponies to a more safe location. As is her place as a descendant of Mearas. I don't fret for long knowing that she is likely safe with the ponies, but I hope that I will see her again soon.
At first everything seems to be going well, despite my fears, and then I start to hear the wargs coming closer. Radagast is unintentionally leading the wargs towards us. When Thorin sees the Brown wizard he stops, bringing all of us to a jerky halt when he stops moving. Shortly behind him, we can see the mass of wargs and orcs chasing the old man.
"Stay together," says Gandalf as he turns around completely and starts running again in a new direction. The rest of the company follows his example. This area is even more exposed than the last and I find myself becoming agitated. I start to think that it might be best if I just hang back and kill the creatures. At least then I wouldn't have to waste what little energy I have on running.
I am able to keep up with the company and even find myself beside Thorin at some point. When we reach the end of a large jutting rock, Thorin stops suddenly. I follow his lead and Dori accidentally bumps into me, but I don't mind. It's when Ori sprints past me in hopes of continuing forward that I panic. Luckily, Thorin reacts faster than I do.
"Ori! No!" says Thorin as he grabs the back of Ori's tunic and yanks him back. Since Thorin isn't paying attention he ends up throwing the scribe my way. I have to catch him, which I do, much to his brother's appreciation. We only have time to exchange a quick nod because before we know it we are off again.
This time though it is Gandalf's signal that gets us moving again. Maybe he has managed to figure out Radagast's random patterns or he's leading us somewhere; I am not a huge fan of the latter, but I will take what I can get right now. We are finally getting some momentum when the wargs cut in front of us again. I curse all wizards from this day forth.
We take another slight reprieve from our pursuers behind a much lower stone than the previous have been. I hear the claws on the stone before the others notice over their heavy breathing. Dwarves aren't bad sprinters when the need arose, but they are not made to last for long. They have stamina in the forge not on the open plains. Quickly I sign for them all to be quiet lest they speak out and attract attention of the orc above. Thorin looks up and he can see the rider searching for us. He looks momentarily at me, but I can't come up with anything. If I had my bow I would take them out easily. So my eyes shift to Kili. If he can be quick, we may make it out of this undetected. As if reading my thoughts, he calmly looks back behind him at his nephew and nods to the bow in his hands before meeting his eyes.
I see Kili take an arrow from his quiver and breathe deeply, in hopes easing some of his tension. He moves away from the rock and takes aim. When the orc finally notices him it is too late and Kili's arrow is imbedded deep in the warg's shoulder joint. Despite the fall that the warg and rider endure, they both manage to get back up. Bombur and Gloin disarm the lone orc in time for Thorin and Bifur to come in for a fatal wounding to the head. I thought no one saw the warg trying to reach Balin with its jaws. So when I bring my sword down on its head I'm surprised when Dwalin also brings his war hammer down on the scavenger's neck. As the neck breaks, blood rushes out of the wound I had made and effectively sprays me. I glare up at him and gives me a brief apologetic look, but neither of us have the opportunity to comment.
A cacophony of loud, angry howls fill the air and it is now obvious that our attempt at stealth has failed. I chuckle a little at the irony. I had been worrying all this time that we were going to be caught out in the open, but we are discovered while we are hiding; just great. Now we really have to run…or at least try to run. Gandalf's statement about Gundabad wargs is certainly true and they would easily run us down. Even on ponies we would have barely stood a chance, but even then only some of us would make it. With every moment that passes I find myself more and more tempted to just stop and face the wargs head on.
However, as I see the dwarves becoming scattered among the rolling ridges looking for a way out. I decide to keep my focus on keeping them alive instead. The ridges work as a light camouflage, to prevent anyone on the other side from seeing us. But now it is only a matter of time.
"There they are," says Gloin as he points ahead of us.
"This way," says Gandalf as he navigates us in another direction. There is nothing in the horizon of the direction Gandalf has pointed us to, but as time progresses so to do the number of wargs. Hopefully we can squeeze past one of the smaller groups. With my magic it would be easy… It will most certainly come in handy seeing as how the everyone is starting to tire and it won't be long before they try to box us in.
What I don't realize is that we are already boxed in. At least not until Kili and the others start calling out that they could see wargs approaching from different locations. The dwarves fan out into a circular pattern on instinct.
"We're surrounded!" shouts Fili.
Kili starts drawing his arrows and firing at the wargs that got close enough to the group. The circular pattern holds around a large stone where we had last seen Gandalf. While most fall back slightly, Kili remains the farthest from the company so that he can stop more wargs and orcs from reaching the group.
It's an easy decision to stay beside Kili even though we are farther from the rest of the group. My protectiveness is rising and I realize just how much Kili and his brother have to make it through this journey regardless of success; I couldn't allow myself to think otherwise. I draw my new sword in hopes of protecting the young prince. I notice now that my blade is glowing a bright blue color, something that supposedly happens to elf blades when orcs or goblins are near. However, where the strange patches cover the blade it glows an orange color rather than blue. I'm really wishing I hadn't lost my temper the other night and thrown my bow; it would really come in handy right now.
"Hold your ground," yells Thorin as the pack starts closing in. A howl of victory begins to rise from the vile mass as they start trapping their prey.
"This way you fools," yells Gandalf. I only glance out of the corner of my eye at the wizard lurking between two rocks in the circle we created. In between shots I gently start tugging Kili back towards the others while still watching his back. However, our progress is slower than I would like.
"Come on," yells Thorin. "Quickly all of you!" The circle breaks and the dwarves take to the hidden shelter, which Gandalf has revealed among the rocks. Thorin guards the entrance in case the enemy tries to follow them into the cavern. Once realizing their prey is escaping a couple riderless wargs tried to do just that, but Thorin's quick and steady hand keep them from their goal.
Kili and I are almost back to the others when Thorin calls for us. Kili looks around to see that we are the last on the field. I take his bow and start pushing him towards the entrance as I jog backwards to keep up with him and his quiver of arrows. We are starting to run low and he has used all of the ones I have given him after I broke my bow.
When we reach the opening I force the bow back into Kili's hands and he disappears down the hole. Thorin tries to push me in after his nephew, but I also grab him, unwilling to leave him behind me even for a moment. We slide down into our second cave for today, this one at least smelling much more pleasant. At the bottom of the slope Thorin gives me an angry look clearly telling me that doesn't appreciate the gesture. We break eye contact when we hear a horn back up above us. The dwarves and I tense in fear of what is to come; I do not recognize that horn, but it isn't the orcs and not knowing terrifies me plenty. After a few heartbeats, all we can hear is the sound of the dying whimpers of wargs until an orc came tumbling down the entrance of the tunnel.
When it stops rolling I come to realize that there is an arrow in its neck and is more than likely dead. Though that didn't stop the wizard from giving it a testing jab with his staff. Thorin also sees the arrow and pulls it out in hopes of identifying our saviors from the arrow tip.
"Elves," says Thorin plainly though he tosses the arrow like it had burned him. He looks up at the wizard accusatorily and I just find myself thankful not to be on the receiving end of the stare. A hand on my shoulder throws me off momentarily and I turn my head around to see Fili who has his other hand wrapped around his younger brother.
"Thank you, Kalar. For keeping my brother safe. I didn't realize he was so far away," he says. "Kili may be a great archer, but he's not invincible. And he's reckless…"
"I'm right here you know," grumbles Kili. He is clearly not used to such hard running as he is panting to recover his breath; his face is pale from nearing hyperventilation. However, Kili is slowly working on making his breathes deeper. Looking at him I can't help, but feel pride at how he had handled himself out there. Despite being so young, he is a good shot and a good warrior. I know quite well that he is trying to prove himself to the members of this company, but he doesn't have to; at least, not to me.
"I do not think I did all the protecting. We make a decent team don't we, Kili?" I respond.
The smile on his face looks like it could split his face in two if it became much wider, but it is the only way he can smile and breathe at the same time. I find myself retuning his smile and sharing it with his brother. Soon all of us look like idiots just staring at each other, smiling. However, the moment is broken by Dwalin when he comes jogging back to our group; apparently he had gone to scout ahead without us noticing.
"I can't see where the path leads," he growls in frustration. "Do we follow it or no?"
"Follow it of course," says Bofur immediately. Bofur is very eager to be away from the orcs and elves, which is a feeling that is shared by the rest of the company. Because of this the others are quick to follow and blaze down the stone pathway. I fall in step behind Kili, who is at the back of the line. Thorin rushes past us, eager to be closer to the front and as he passes us he gives his nephews a brief touch on their shoulders. It puts another small smile on my face.
Gandalf mumbles something behind us, but we don't really pay attention. We move single file through the small canyon. While enough light streams from the opening at the top, it is too small for anything to attack us from above.
The crevasse we travel through is fairly narrow and appears to have been carved only by the elements. However, I notice something familiar in the weight of the air. Elvish magic…I pull my mask from my pack out of instinct and put it on my face in hopes of countering whatever is in the air. I am lucky that Kili had handed it back to me rather than storing it with my belongings in Wildwind's saddle. It gets stronger as we move forward, but nothing worthy of worrying yet. If elves wanted us gone their magic would have reflected that. I can only imagine what Thorin is going to say at the end of this.
Half an hour later we finally emerge from the rocks and are greeted, for some of us, with a beautiful sight. We have entered the Hidden Valley, Imladris, or Rivendell. The valley is beautiful in the summertime sun; many trees are orange and yellow as if giving away to an early Fall. The elvish architecture spills out over the valley stones and the waterfalls scattered throughout the valley made the magic in the air pulse as if to the beat of some unseen heart. The cliffs surrounding the small sanctuary are mostly white, giving the place a vague sense of purity.
"The Valley of Imladris," states Gandalf loudly. "In the common tongue it is known by another name…"
"Rivendell," breathes Bilbo. I look down and examine him and wondering how he could possibly know such a thing off the tip of his tongue. Hobbits are not exactly known for their knowledge of the world beyond the Shire.
"This is the Last Homely House east of the sea," says Gandalf.
Thorin turns and leans back in Gandalf's direction with his axe in hand. "This was your plan all along," Oh…he's not happy at all, "To seek refuge with our enemy."
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill will in this valley is that which you bring yourself," replies Gandalf.
"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing?" asks Thorin with venom dripping in his voice. "They will try to stop us."
"Of course they will, but we have questions that need to be answered," says Gandalf calmly.
'Of course they will!' I think. It's official; wizards are my most hated race in all of Arda. How stupid can he be? He is sending us straight into the arms of people that would hinder all of our progress... At first my ire is simmering at the stupidity of the wizard, but as I watch Thorin back down from the wizard's cool logic – it shoots sky high. The look on Thorin's face, as if he is some shamed child aggravates me in the worst way. He has done nothing wrong and his hatred for the elves is not unfounded. Thorin has proper reasoning to be mad – the wizard had tricked him! He had no right to make Thorin feel as though he is in the wrong!
"If we are to be successful this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me," finishes Gandalf as he starts down the stone pathway.
"Arrogant ass," I grumble under my breath. However, with my mask back in place none heard. As we begin our trek down the hillside I work the silencer out of my mask. Prying a layer open with my knife I slip the silencer out of my mask. I slip the multilayered piece of cloth into my tunic despite the struggle. After all, my chest plate is rather…crowded.
"Watcha put that on fer?" asks Nori with nervous laughter. "'fraid you're gonna scare the elf maids?"
"No. The mask has another purpose," I answer.
Thorin, who overhears the comment, turns and asks lowly, "And what is this purpose?"
"I took dark metal ore and had it forged in Lothlorien. I had magic placed upon it to repel all magic," I reply earnestly, "even the magic of elves."
"That'll come in handy," grunts Dwalin in approval.
"I trust nothing made by elves," adds Thorin. "For all we know that mask is cursed."
"I will remind you, my king," I add the moniker to ensure his attention, "That your elvish blade fared well in battle today." He grumbles something unintelligible, but doesn't spurn me outright. "Besides it is blood magic. My blood cooled the metal after it had been forged and therefore only affects me."
Thorin ignores me as he continues to trudge on ahead with the wizard. Balin, who has been worn down from all the sprinting we did earlier, fell in beside me as we walk down with Fili and Kili whispering in Khuzdul behind us.
"Where did you come up with the idea to make that, lad?" asks Balin.
"I came up with it after my last trip to the Greenwood," I say. Many faces turn to look at me and Thorin's muscles in his back tense, but no one says anything.
"Dwarves have not been to the Woodland Realm in quite some time. How long has it been since this last visit?"
"Little over a decade," I state softly. I would rather not talk about it.
"And how did it seem? The forest, I mean," he adds. He seems adamant about this though I can't imagine why.
"Personally, I would rather walk through the Black Gates of Mordor than go near that place again," I say.
The cheerful look on Balin's face disappears at my proclamation. I feel a little bad for giving him such news that would cause his face to fall, but it is far better to give him the truth; no matter how hard it is. The state of the Greenwood is deplorable at best and malignant tumor at worst. The Elvenking has little love for the people of Middle Earth outside his kingdom and because of this his kingdom suffers.
I had always thought elves were either strong, for learning to move on after their loved ones, or weak, when they began to fade. Even now I am stuck in between those thoughts at times, but I consider Thranduil a contender in both arenas. He is strong for continuing forward after the passing of the queen, but he is too weak to rule properly. His heart and soul lives on, encased in ice and removed from the world. I think of the stone hilt resting at my back when I think of the comparison; it is rather fitting.
The company falls into silence as we cross a stone bridge at the end of the path. The bridge leads to a large open dais, with each side of the entrance being guarded by stone elves. While everything here is a little too open for my taste, it is extremely beautiful. I look back and see the hobbit spinning in circles, trying to take everything in as he marvels the valley. I feel a smile pass over my face because of how endearing he looks.
"Mithrandir!"
I turn to look up at the caller to a see a dark haired elf dressed in dark robes with equally dark eyes as he greeted Gandalf. While he isn't intimidating, I have a hard time letting him leave my sight. I think my lack of sleep has made me paranoid, as I expect him to suddenly know everything about the quest.
"Ah! Lindir!" returns Gandalf as he approaches the elf.
From the corner of my eye I see Thorin whisper something to Dwalin and he watches the newcomer anxiously. I can't help feeling the same…
"Lastannemi athrannedhi Vruinen," says Lindir. I feel my body tense and when I do it causes the dwarves to follow my actions. I can feel Thorin's eyes on me, but I continue to keep an eye on the dark haired elf. How did he know Gandalf was in the valley? Galadriel, I could understand, but I have a feeling that the elves were given forewarning of the company's arrival here. Curse all wizards!
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," says Gandalf plainly.
"My Lord Elrond is not here," he replies equally as plain.
"Not here?" inquires Gandalf. "Where is he?"
At that moment, horns erupt to life behind us. It takes all I have not to draw my sword as I whip around to see a regiment of fully armed elves on horseback. Instead of my sword, I launch forward to grab Bilbo who is still in a daze and pull him back into the dwarves for protection. They had already begun to form a familiar circle so I easily step in between Fili and Balin in the circle.
"Ifridi bekar! Close ranks!" calls Thorin as he and Dwalin take up their positions in the circle. As the words are spoken the circle tightens, leaving no room for anyone to break through.
The horses enter the dais and start circling the company like vultures to prey. I stood in a somewhat crouched position, trying to coil myself in like a snake. If these elves thought they could intimidate me then they are sorely mistaken. After the third time they completed their circle around our group, I'm starting to get annoyed. Even when they came to a halt in a semi-circle behind us I'm still on edge. What a way to welcome guests.
"Gandalf!" says another dark haired elf nears the steps. This one in my opinion is hardly any different from the rest. The only superficial sign that there is a difference is the dark bronze armor he wears. It's more intricate than the rest.
"Lord Elrond," say Gandalf kindly. "Mellonen! Mo evinedh?"
The elf, I'm assuming is Lord Elrond, steps down off his horse and approaches the Grey Wizard.
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o cherad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui," says Elrond as he gives Gandalf a hug.
As he pulls away, Elrond goes to Lindir and hands him an orcish blade. "Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near."
"Ah! That may have been us," says Gandalf apologetically.
As if sensing that it is time for introductions, Thorin steps forward and so does Lord Elrond.
"Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain," he says.
"I do not believe we have met," says Thorin in a very clipped and borderline rude tone.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain," Elrond responds. While I may not know all there is to know about dwarves, it is obvious that Elrond has just crossed an invisible line by bringing up Thorin's grandfather.
"Indeed. He made no mention of you," Thorin responds in kind. I smirk a little behind the mask at Thorin's blatant rudeness. Lord Elrond's mood shifts, but not outwardly so; it's only in his eyes.
"Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annem vann a nethail vin," says Lord Elrond. While Thorin leans away, back into a more open position, it is clear that Elrond's switch to Sindarin irritates him.
"What is he sayin'? Does he offer us insult?" asks Gloin as angry cries rise up from the company. So that's Lord Elrond's game. Relying on the company's in ability to understand Sindarin. Unfortunately, for the elves I'm happy to translate. I open my mouth to speak, but I am beaten there by Gandalf.
"No, Master Gloin," he says in hopes of stopping a fight before it broke out. "He's offering you food."
Despite that it is obvious we aren't leaving Rivendell this day, the dwarves aren't going to let the elves think they are completely in charge and they turn into one another to "debate" about the food. After a quick moment they pull away.
"Ah. Well in that case…Lead on!" says Gloin rather enthusiastically. Apparently they are quite ready for some food, but I would much rather sleep.
Translations:
Lastannemi athrannedhi Vruinen - We heard you had crossed into the Valley.
Ifridi bekar! - Ready weapons!
Mellonen! Mo evinedh? - My friend! Where have you been?
Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o cherad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui - We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Last Bridge.
Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annem vann a nethail vin - Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.
Again sorry for the shortness, but the next few make up for it in goodness. I want you to start a countdown with me. I have…two chapters before the reveal and then the third one I post will be the reveal. I hope you will all be patient with me, but also excited!
Also brace yourselves as next time you will bear witness to my god awful Sindarin translations for conversations. If any reader is a Sindarin translator, please help me fix them. I can only do so much…Any way thank you for reading and sticking with me! I will be faster see you next Sunday!