The Sixth Istari - Part One

by Claret Tho

Narylfiel was raised by elves and was sent to travel with Gandalf as his student. Through this, she thinks she's already met everyone she ever needed to meet. But then she meets Bilbo Baggins and becomes part of the quest to retake Erebor. Her life will never be the same after this. There are no romantic pairs in this part. Cover art is done by me.

6. Chapter 5

Note – In this chapter, our Company gets to Rivendell. As Narylfiel had explained in earlier chapters, she is more comfortable speaking elvish and as she is amongst elves, this is the language she would be speaking unless she is around the dwarves out of respect for them. If you see text which is italic like this but in speech like 'this' then you can assume Narylfiel is speaking elvish to elves. Wherever I can find actual elvish that makes sense for what Narylfiel is saying I'll use it and I'm using the elvish in the scripts of the movie because it's there and available but I do not know elvish so this is going to have to be a compromise! Hope you enjoy!

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Off in the distance I could hear Radagast shouting taunts to the orcs as he pushed his sled pulled by his giant rabbits out into the open. I was stood with my hand on Bilbo's shoulder, ready to urge him forwards as soon as Gandalf deemed it safe enough.

My heart was hammering at the risk we were about to take. From the amount of noise, the orc pack and wargs were making there would be too many of them for us to fight off should it come to that and without Radagast's help we were sitting ducks.

Gandalf looked back at me briefly and I tightened my grip ever so slightly on Bilbo's shoulder.

'Come on' Gandalf said, before he took off out into the open at a run. The dwarves, nor Bilbo needed telling twice and all of us took off after Gandalf. I pushed Bilbo along, forcing him to run faster than he probably would've liked and in my other hand I gripped my staff tightly.

I didn't like this area between us and Imladris. It was far too open, and we could be spotted easily but we were so close and I knew patrols sometimes passed through here. I had to assume that the elves would have been aware of the closeness of the patrols and indeed, the orc pack had come far closer to Imladris than usual. Even if it was just to hunt us, the daring of them being here might draw the elves out to us.

Even if the orcs and indeed the dwarves didn't realise it, Elrond would have known trouble was close to his boarders. I gritted my teeth; I didn't like the idea of drawing the darkness so close to my childhood home.

I glanced up and spotted that Radagast had changed course and we were going to have to hide for a moment. Gandalf and Thorin were looking past the rocks we huddled behind, and I took a second to look down at Bilbo, who I hadn't let go of yet. He was puffing for breath, but he wasn't giving any signs that he couldn't continue. No doubt his fear was keeping him going.

'Move' Thorin commanded and the dwarves broke into sprint again.

'Stay together' Gandalf urged.

Bilbo faltered slightly then, an apparent break in his determination but I pushed him gently 'Keep going Bilbo' I urged 'We can't stop now, little hobbit'

Radagast swerved on his sled again, tricking a warg into knocking it's rider off it's back but Radagast's direction change forced us to hide again.

'Ori, no!' Thorin shouted suddenly, yanking Ori back by his jacked at the young dwarf almost bolted right out into the open.

Bilbo was gasping for breath and my heart was hammering in my chest still as I also panted, making my body draw more breath to fuel itself to run again. It was at that moment I felt a prickle on the back of my neck, and I tensed.

The timing was unfortunate, and it had distracted me long enough that Bilbo was now pulling me by my hand to make me run again. As we passed Thorin and Gandalf I heard him.

'Where are you leading us?'

The question was full of suspicion and I noted that Gandalf didn't answer. I glanced back to see him looking regretful that this course of action was bound to break Thorin's trust. I gritted my teeth but carried on, Thorin would be a fool if he didn't realise that at this point, we were desperate. We were drawing near an entrance to the valley I knew was more secret than crossing the ford. We were too high up and the orcs far too close to us to have any hope of dropping into the valley the usual route.

We had to take cover again behind another rocky outcropping and as I pressed my back to the rocks and hung onto Bilbo's shoulder, I felt it again. The prickle on the back of my neck. It was at that moment I heard it. The sound of a warg scenting the air and it had climbed onto the top of the rock.

I looked around at Gandalf, he didn't approve of big displays of magic but I realised that I might not have much choice but in a flurry of movement, which was Kili darting out far enough to raise his bow and get a shot on the warg.

'Wait' I tried to call quietly.

He took the shot as the warg pounced at the movement, but it wasn't enough to kill it or the orc which tumbled from the back of his mount. Dwalin swung his axe at the orc and Thorin, struck out with his sword to finish the Warg off. It was loud though, far too loud and on these flat plains with wargs close by it would carry too far.

'That was entirely too loud' I snarled

'What would you have us do?' Thorin snapped

I opened my mouth to retort but the loud howl cut me off and I felt the blood leave my face. I let go of Bilbo enough to move and peer around the rock enough to see the orc pack had stopped chasing Radagast and were now mobilising to chase us instead.

'Move! Run' Gandalf shouted, giving up any semblance of trying to hide in favour of urging us.

I only hesitated enough to allow Bilbo to move back to me but instead of grasping his shoulder again, I simply ran along. My eyes scanned for the rock that signified the entrance to Rivendell and I took enough notice to realise that Gandalf had dropped back, and I was now leading the Company. He must've known I had extensive knowledge of the area and was trusting me to guide us to safety. We were now in a more open area and we were being flanked by the wargs trying to cut us off.

'Follow me!' I urged.

The dwarves were starting to slow but my eyes were fixed on the landscape, scouting the rocks out. I ran towards the stack with Gandalf following me and I moved around the rocks and spotted the opening.

'Where are the wizards?' I heard Kili shout

'They've abandoned us!' Dwalin snarled.

I felt indignation rise in my chest at that and turned to shout back but Gandalf stepped back out into the open.

'This way you fools!' He shouted.

I moved back out into the open and shoved the dwarves who were closest and who I could get an immediate grip of down into the tunnel. Bilbo ran to me, a relieved look on his face.

'Naryl-'

'No time' I cut across him 'Get in'

He obediently nodded and slid into the tunnel and I turned back around. Thorin was running closer and he called over his shoulder.

'Kili! Run!'

Kili broke off from his shooting and turned his back to the wargs, who were now uncomfortably close and bolted for us. Thorin slid into the rock and I covered Kili by smacking away a warg with the end of my staff before the dwarf grabbed my robe as he ran past and dragged me down into the tunnel with him.

I could hear the rabble of wargs and orcs on the outside of the tunnel and as I pulled myself to my feet, I heard it. The sound of a horn from an Imladris patrol. I heaved a sign of relief, tucked my staff under one arm and bent to grip my knees.

That was until I was yanked away from the foot of the slope, almost off my feet and making my staff clatter to the floor as a dead orc fell down into the tunnel. I looked up in time to see it had been Thorin and Kili who had pulled me aside and Thorin descended upon the dead orc, yanking the arrow from it's neck to inspect it.

'Elves' He spat.

'I cannot see the end of the path' Dwalin called from further ahead 'Do we follow it or no?'

Bofur answered for me 'Follow it of course!'

'I think that would be wise' Gandalf murmured, more to me than anyone else as I bent to pick my staff back up 'Well done, Narylfiel'

This tunnel was narrow, if you could even call it a tunnel seeing as it opened in a valley in several areas. It was only just wide enough for us go one by one and Bilbo trundled along ahead of me, Gandalf behind me.

I was buzzing with excitement now. I normally returned to Imladris at least once a year but for the past two I hadn't returned at all. I was looking forward to seeing Elrond and the possibility of seeing Elladan and Elrohir was strong too. Arwen had travelled to Lórien some years ago and Aragorn wasn't due to visit Imladris as he normally did for another three or four months yet so there wasn't any chance of seeing them.

Still, as the tunnel opened out onto the valley and the sight of Imladris greeted me, I felt my face split into the largest smile that I had given for quite some time.

'The Valley of Imladris' I said, unable to keep my happiness from my voice 'Welcome, although you may know it by another name'

'Rivendell' I heard Bilbo murmur.

'Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea' Gandalf said, his voice was also pleased.

'This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy' Thorin spat.

I turned my gaze sharply on Thorin as he glared accusingly at Gandalf. Gandalf bristled.

'You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself' Gandalf snapped.

Thorin wasn't far behind with a retort 'You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us'

'Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. 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' Gandalf replied before moving through the dwarves to lead the way.

As we walked, I felt the need to try and calm the atmosphere 'Lord Elrond is the master of the house here. He is noble and as fair as the rest of his kin. He is as strong as a warrior, as wise as any wizard and is as respected as a King amongst his people here' I smiled to myself as I talked and when I glanced back, I noticed that begrudgingly, Thorin was paying attention but Bilbo was listening closely 'He enters many tales and songs but I would like to tell you about his home. His home is perfect, or as close to it as it could be. Whether you like food, sleep, work, resting, story-telling or singing or thinking, or perhaps a bit of everything, I defy anyone who cannot find content here. Evil things do not come into this valley, it's boarders are kept by the finest of elf guards and warriors. We will be safe here'

I stayed quiet after that and so did the rest of the Company. No one replied or asked any questions, everyone was clearly thinking on what I had said. I caught up with Gandalf to walk beside him and the old wizard turned to me.

'I will let you do the first greeting' Gandalf said 'You are after all coming home with guests'

I nodded and glanced back at the uneasy dwarves and looked back to Gandalf with a half-hearted grin.

We crossed the entrance bridge, the ford rushed strongly underneath, and I breathed the air in, the pine smell so familiar to me and bringing up all my sheer love for this place along with the familiarity. It was odd but I usually felt more homesick upon coming back than when I left, usually because I knew I would have to leave. However, my desire to break through some of the distrust for elves with these dwarves and show just how much I loved this place and how proud I was of hailing from here quelled my usual feelings.

As we gathered in the yard, I looked up the front steps and spotted a familiar figure and I smiled widely upon seeing the familiar face.

'Narylfiel' He greeted warmly.

'Lindair' I replied.

'Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen' He said, the look upon his face was one of concern. (We heard you had crossed into the Valley)

I could have slipped into elvish so easily but again, I didn't want the dwarves to distrust, so instead I kept my greeting elvish to be polite to Lindair but went back to common afterwards.

'Gwannas lû and. Where is Lord Elrond?' I asked (It has been too long)

Lindair wasn't stupid, he knew exactly what I was doing and so he replied in common 'My Lord Elrond isn't here'

'Not here? Where is he?' Gandalf cut in.

Lindair hesitated for just a moment until the horn from earlier interrupted. The patrol from was back and I grinned. Elrond had taken himself on a patrol, it wasn't a thing he did often, but it was something he did if he knew I was going to be visiting. That must have meant he had predicted our arrival, perhaps had known it wouldn't be easy and had ridden out himself to ensure safe enough passage.

The elven patrol crossed the bridge and to my dismay the dwarves bunched together and began to form ranks and they even dragged Bilbo into the centre as they formed a tight and defensive circle.

'Ifridî bekâr!' Thorin shouted 'Hold ranks!'

Gandalf and I exchanged a glance as the elves began to ride in a circle around the dwarves. It was then that I spotted Elrond and another smile broke my features.

'Gandalf' He greeted 'Narylfiel'

Gandalf bowed, his posture respectful and smart 'Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?' (My friend! Where have you been?)

Elrond got down from his horse and moved towards us, his steps sure and graceful, he carried an orc sword in his hand 'Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. 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 Hidden Pass)

His gaze passed over me, his sharp eyes assessing but when I smiled he seemed to take it as a sign that no one was hurt in the event. His features relaxed quickly at my silent reassurance.

'Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near' His tone was knowing as he spoke, turning his eyes back to Gandalf.

'Ah, that may have been us' Gandalf replied, his voice apologetic.

Elrond simply hummed his reply and then he looked back to me, the look of warmth in his eyes was clear. There was no need for formalities, and I rushed forwards to embrace him, his own arms were open and welcoming.

'Mae govannen, little Naryl' He greeted.

'Mae govannen, Elrond' I smiled into the ellon's chest.

Elrond ran a brief hand down the back of my braid before holding me at arm's length by my shoulders to look at me 'Long has it been since you were home and you have grown in the time away' His voice was kindly reproachful at the start of his sentence, no serious rebuttal was there 'We have missed you dearly'

'As I have missed you' I replied.

He gave a nod and then let go of me turning to the dwarves. Thorin had stepped forwards, knowing he should be the one to greet him. I couldn't read his face beyond the clear discomfort he was feeling but he did look slightly taken aback at the greeting he'd just witnessed between Elrond and I.

'Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain' Elrond greeted, his voice back to the formal tone, even if he still kept a hand on my shoulder.

Thorin looked surprised 'I do not believe we have met'

'You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain' Elrond replied.

'Indeed; he made no mention of you'

I scowled at Thorin then, annoyed at the clear insult but from Elrond's small squeeze of my shoulder, I stayed quiet. However my annoyance simply simmered.

Elrond gracefully ignored the barb and instead turned to the rest of the dwarves and Bilbo 'Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin' (Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests).

'What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?' Gloin asked, his voice suspicious and anxious.

Indeed, all the dwarves clutched their weapons anxiously. Bilbo however was looking up at Elrond with an awestruck look on his face. I sighed but it was Gandalf who spoke first.

'No, master Gloin, he's offering you food' His voice giving away his exasperation with them.

They muttered and whispered amongst themselves at this and then having seemingly reached an agreement they went quiet.

'Ah well, in that case, lead on' Gloin spoke, his voice markedly more friendly.

I turned with Elrond and walked beside him and as he excused himself to change, he turned back to me before he broke away.

'Your room is waiting, why don't you refresh yourself and change?' He asked.

It was in between a request and a suggestion. I knew what he wanted me to do and I smiled at him warmly.

'Of course. It's good to be home' I replied.

Elrond bent and pressed a brief kiss to my forehead. Balin and Bofur passed by as this exchange happened and I could see them trying to figure out why I was so familiar with the master of the house. I chuckled to myself, winked at them and then left for my room. I had intended to walk straight there despite my desire to look at the view in the valley. However, I spotted two familiar figures ahead of me and I broke into a sprint towards them, laughing as I went.

'Well now, if it isn't our little spark!' Elladan called as I ran to him.

'Elladan!'

I ran at the ellon crashing into him but he was ready for me, his arms wound around me tightly, lifting me off my feet briefly before he dumped me back down.

'Oh how I have missed you!' He backed away to look at me fully 'I do believe you have stopped aging'

'She has special blood in her veins'

I spun, excitedly 'Elrohir!'

I had no time to run at him, he was already there, pulling me from Elladan's grasp and into his own embrace.

'You need a bath though!' he teased.

'The road isn't clean, you know that' I shot back 'Will you be joining us for dinner?'

They both looked regretful.

'No, come to to see us afterwards though, we have much to catch up on' Elladan replied.

'No matter the time' Elrohir said, meaningfully.

I nodded eagerly 'Alright, I should hurry. I don't want to keep them waiting'

'Off you go' Elrohir said, his tone friendly.

With that I was gently pushed until I could go on my way. I was brimming with happiness at having seen them so soon.

My room was as I left it and I shut the door behind me and smiled to myself. My bed was made, and the room smelled of the clean sheets. There was the shelf in the corner where I kept interesting rocks I'd found; however I didn't have any to add this time.

A bath had been left out for me and a dress laid out on my bed. I peeled off my travelling clothes and stepped into the tub, warming the water a little more with my body whilst I soaked for a moment.

A warm bath was a luxury I'd taken for granted as a child but now I revelled in the feeling of the water softened with sweet smelling soaks and oils. It was always difficult to get out of the bath, the water never cooled for me but finally I had to heave myself out. I combed through my hair with my fingers, teasing out the tangles. The warmth from my fingers began to dry the water from the strands and I began to manipulate my hair so it would fall the way I wanted it to; neatly for once. I left it loose, there was rarely an occasion I could leave it free and I had always been particularly fond of my hair.

I finally dropped my towel and pulled on the dress that had been laid out for me. It was made of a soft silky white slip, trimmed with lace and a cream over dress, patterned in a filigree style that cinched in at the waist thanks to the laces down the front of the dress and it showed my shoulders and my collar bones. It was modest, it didn't even show cleavage but the tops of my shoulders was still more skin than I was used to showing these days.

I had to tighten the laces on the dress slightly to make it fit my waist properly but overall, I was pleased with my appearance in it. It was long sleeved but thankfully the traditional long trailing arms of elven formal clothes had been left out of this one and the sleeves fit comfortably. It was one of my favourite dresses that Arwen had gifted me with years ago.

I picked up the circlet that had also been left out on it's velvet cushion on my desk. A clear hint that Elrond wanted me to wear it to dinner. I was slightly more hesitant, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea in front of the dwarves as the delicate ornate gold circlet would indicate my slightly higher status amongst the elves, the nobility I'd been gifted with rather than born with. Deciding though, that it had been a long time since I'd been home and Elrond didn't often make his personal wishes known, especially when it came to what I chose to wear, I picked up the circlet and placed it onto my head, arranging my hair over it so it sat neatly on my brow.

The metal of the circlet was a fine pale gold, it often stood out among the elves usual mithril or silver jewellery. The jewel in the centre of the crown was a deep dark ruby. I stared at it; I also remembered the other jewel that I had been given to me as a teenager. My coming of age gift.

I opened the drawer in the desk and opened the small square box to reveal my necklace. It was almost a replica of Arwen's, although less ornate and the material also being gold and only one jewel set into it. The jewel was a simple dark red ruby that matched my circlet.

This piece of jewellery I wore even less. I considered it too precious to bear with me on the road and wearing it would indicate my unattached status. However, it was another gift that Elrond liked to see me wear but it had not been left out for me. It indicated that it was an optional addition to my outfit. Again though, I decided that I would show my gratitude to my father figure and I put the necklace on.

I truly considered myself lucky. I had been raised with all the love I could have ever wanted from Lord Elrond and his family. These material gifts paled in comparison to the treatment I'd received as a child.

Satisfied with my appearance and even feeling as though I looked pretty for once with my clean skin and shiny hair, I left my room and went to the outdoor dining area. The dwarves and Bilbo paused in their eating to stare at me as I passed. I smiled and nodded my head to them.

'Enjoy your dinner' I said cordially to them as I passed.

I went to Elrond's side to greet him before I sat down and his eyes glittered at me as I approached and he took my hand in both of his when I went to his side and he held it warmly.

'Narylfiel' He said gently 'You grow more beautiful by the years, young one. Welcome home'

'Thank you' I replied with a smile.

I bent and pressed a brief kiss to his cheek before taking my empty seat, left out between him and Gandalf. Gandalf bent towards me.

'He's right Narylfiel, you look lovely my dear'

I felt a small flush lift to my cheeks and finally I looked up at Thorin. He sat directly opposite to me and his expression was a mixture of both surprise and revelation.

'If I had known I was in the presence of nobility, Red Lady, I would have curtsied every time I met you' He said, his voice sounded gruff but I could see the lightness in his eyes. He was teasing me.

I smiled and cocked my head at him 'No you wouldn't, it's customary for dwarves to headbutt one another, and I don't think you could reach my forehead'

There was a small pause, and I worried for a brief moment that I'd gone too far before Thorin let out a loud laugh and raised his goblet to me.

'Well met, My Lady, well met' He conceded before taking a large gulp.

The conversation as we ate flowed slightly better than I thought it would, considering the way Thorin had greeted Elrond. Whilst he treated Elrond with caution, he did now treat him with respect. Thorin was a King after all, he had been raised to know when to apply good table and conversational manners.

'I believe' Elrond spoke after a while 'that you said you had some things you wanted to show me'

'Ah yes' Gandalf said 'Thorin would you show Elrond the blade you found?'

Thorin hesitated but drew a sword from under his chair. He handed the weapon to Elrond who eyed it curiously and he half drew the blade. He only inspected it for a moment before pulling it completely from it's sheath.

'This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well' Elrond smiled, re-sheathing the blade and handing the sword back to Thorin.

Thorin took the sword, understanding in his eyes that he'd been gifted the blade now and he gave a respectful nod to Elrond and his posture finally relaxed a small bit.

Gandalf handed his blade to Elrond and he inspected it in a similar manner.

'And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age' Elrond explained 'How did you come by these?'

'We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs' Gandalf replied

'And what were you doing on the Great East Road?' Elrond asked, his voice stern again.

When Gandalf didn't reply he turned his sharp gaze on me and I looked down to my food, pushing the items around my plate with my own frown. I had the feeling, I was in for a long conversation this evening.

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