It was the most beautiful place I had ever lain my eyes on.
The hidden valley of Imladris was like the first ray of light in a dark sky that made one shiver helplessly beneath it. Having it revealed from the end of a narrow walkway through a cave, I never thought such a sight would be before me.
Still out of breath from having to run for our lives, our group tarried at the edge of the cliff side, trying to gather their wits about them. As I rested off to the side of the ledge, I glanced around at the rest of the group to see how they were; apparently it was truly as close a call as I thought it felt like, the dwarves looking all too relieved but still a bit anxious. None of us quite knew what to do now that we were at the hidden home of the elves, though by the looks of it, some of them wished we were still back in the cave.
I honestly couldn't understand the dislike that brewed between the dwarves and elves, nor was I inclined to even try. I was far too busy being happy over the fact that we had actually survived an orc ambush and managed to find the Rivendell! The Rivendell! It was just such an exciting prospect of this journey, one that I hadn't even considered before when I left. Long have I loved the hidden valley of Imladris from the stories I read in books and long have I yearned to journey here if I were leave the Shire on my own.
Even considering the near death experience only minutes ago removed from reality, I couldn't help but still be appreciative of the fact that I was actually going to be staying at the Elven home in the company of elves! REAL elves! Well, would be staying here if Gandalf got his way but as he and Thorin were currently in a heavy debate on that subject, it was a little rocky on that front. Briefly, there was a part of my mind that wondered if Thorin would be ...in a way, stubborn enough to actually turn us around?
The thought of what was still back there in the cave beyond made me close my eyes at the memory of the orcs, their voices shouting across the wide open fields of grass and rock. Their cruel tones were something I would not easily forget, their foreign language igniting a whirlwind of cutting pain behind my ears that disoriented me.
No, I decided, not even Thorin would go back in the cave to brave the possible danger there. All of the group looked a little too comfortable sitting near the cliff edge and I poked my head from behind Dwalin's thick frame and caught the sight of the two brothers resting. I smiled at the sight of their mussed hair, close in conversation and laughing. I was glad that we all were safe.
When we finally did move from the ledge, the group was slow to maneuver down the narrow ledge, dwarven feet scuffing heavily against rock and dirt. Safely in the shadow of Dwalin's massive frame, I felt the adrenaline still rushing in my ears start to lessen and allow me to breathe more easily. We were safe, I told myself, even as I hovered close to Dwalin, who even in the chaos of the raid kept me close when I was within range of his protective eye.
Now that we were safe in the hidden valley, I allowed myself a chance to relax and look around, almost overwhelmed by the natural beauty that was all around us. Trees were so rich and beautiful, their leaves a vivid green that seemed to glisten in the sun's light. Even in the air, they smelled differently than the forests did in the wild, a scent almost like a fresh mint lightly hovering in the air.
The architecture of Rivendell was gorgeous as well, high structures that were so tall, elegantly curving in fine slopes that looked gentle but sturdy. We passed under such a structure, a mist from the river below rising to stick in my hair, fresh and cool and smelling just as pure as the trees. Everything in Rivendell smelled so good, like flowers and shea butter and honeyed milk.
I was still so enamored of the place that I didn't notice when all of us stopped to wait in the middle of a courtyard, everyone tossing their bags on the ground in an undignified heap. It took bumping into Bofur to realize that everyone was just waiting, unsure if he just let me bump into him to let me know that we weren't moving anymore or if he didn't see me. I mumbled an apology to him, still taking in the beauty that could be seen as far as the eye could when I heard a voice call out.
"Mithrandir!"
I closed my eyes because it was so beautiful...
When I turned around to face whoever was greeting Gandalf, I was treated to the sight of a very tall elf, every bit as beautiful and handsome as the texts made them out to be. He was standing so straight as he approached us down the steps, his grace so easily noticed. Long and dark, his brown hair was so utterly perfect that I actually glanced at Kili, who despite having a sort of similar hairstyle, carried twigs and the occasional bug within his shaggy locks.
"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen."
Oh, the differences of elvish voices and dwarves'...
I closed my eyes at the sound of his voice again, a euphoria washing over me and filling me with an ease that reached down into my very soul, my feet feeling as I were as light as air. Gandalf politely greeted him as Lindir, spoken in the same elvish tongue that I could not understand but oh, did it sound wonderful. As I stared at the two, I found myself betting on Lindir smelling just as good as Rivendell. I looked at his hair; I bet his hair smelled divine too...
My eyes fluttered shut as I listened to Lindir speak again, this time in Westron..
...what I wouldn't have given to smell his hair... just have him bend over and... smell his hair, yeah ...
The sound of a horn broke me from my reverie of heavenly bliss, shaking me in shock and making me look back from where it came. With the way my nose was tickling just on the verge of a sneeze, I should have known what was approaching but I was still surprised by the sight of a party of elves approaching us from the direction we had come from. All of them were on full sized horses, entirely too tall even from the distance they were currently at. Their hooves were like sharp claps against the stone of the bridge,their pace never slowing.
"Ifridî bekâr! Close ranks!"
Thorin's deep voice made me jump as he shouted to the group, the sensation of it gripping me hard across my arm and pulling me back. Before I could react to the Westron part of his command, I was being pulled back by Bofur and pushed back into the safety of the center of the group. I stumbled back, easily losing my balance with the force of the shove, stopping only when I bumped into the solid chest of Thorin and Kili's shoulder. Both of them were staring down the approaching party of elves and I couldn't quite understand why Thorin called everyone into such a defensive stance.
Gandalf had brought us here, after all, and why would he have led us knowingly into danger?
The dwarves defended their position well given the fact that we were currently being surrounded by a host of rather extremely tall elves on extremely giant horses, their weapons raised and doing their best to intimidate the presumed enemy. All around me, I felt crowded by the scent of sweat, musk and metal, the very definition of dirty dwarf smell, made all the more powerful by the press of Thorin at my back and Kili at my side.
Not even counting the dwarves who were already taller than I, the utter difference of height compared to me and even the shortest of the elves made the group the very picture of what helpless would look like in any tale. The group being so tense set me on edge, their almost panicked state at making sure the youngest and weakest of us were protected at all cost. Despite being a lover of elven culture and now apparently their brunette men, I felt my hand go for my own sword, worry creeping up my spine to match what was already present in the group.
"Gandalf!"
My body relaxed instantly against my own wishes, all thoughts of worry and paranoia over the elves and their towering forms rushing from my limbs like a wave crashing against a cliff side. The elf who spoke smiled at Gandalf, his own brunette locks looking not a bit out of place (even after riding a horse) and the light catching his purple armor most becomingly.
"Lord Elrond!"
The group around me were still tense, their weapons at the ready for whatever would come but at Gandalf's warm greeting and a polite bow, they relaxed, though only sightly. They lowered their weapons, sharing glances from Gandalf to Thorin before deciding to watch what transpired in front of them. Gandalf spoke easily with the Lord Elrond, his words in Elvish and very warm, looking to be happy to see the elf. Whatever apprehension he once had from the elves' initial approach, they were all but disappeared, relax by a look mirrored on my own face.
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui."
I felt that rush of euphoria again and sighed out deeply, watching as Elrond jumped off his horse and came closer to Gandalf to embrace him. Oh, how beautiful his voice was and I gripped Kili's arm to steady myself, which only drew his curious gaze away from the elf and wizard and down onto me. He looked at the elf Lord and then me, piecing together what he could before he leaned down, "What does it sound like?"
He whispered in my ear, relishing the soft flutter of breath he earned from my body when I shuddered against the touch of his voice stroking along where thigh met the curve of fleshy cheek. "Heavenly..." I could still feel the effects of Elrond's voice over my body, a lingering wave that did not leave entirely even once he stopped talking.
"Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders," I closed my eyes, wishing for Elrond to never stop speaking and forced myself to open my eyes again only because if I had my eyes closed, how could I look upon him more? He strolled with an easy grace passed Gandalf, looking at and showing the wizard what must have been an orc blade before passing it to Lindir, "Something, or someone, must have drawn them near..."
In my world surrounded by smelly dwarves who were at times crude, nothing else seemed to matter except for the sound of Elrond's heavenly voice, flowing over me steadily and throwing me into a sense of ease so unlike anything before it.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
I felt dizzy from his voice, even as I realized I almost couldn't take my eyes off of the dark haired elf. He was so handsome to me, so utterly fair and perfect with not a hair out of place, his eyes shining back with the light of the stars. "Bilbo?"
I mutely shook my head, willing Kili to stop talking just so that I wouldn't miss a word that Elrond would speak. I wanted him like I wanted Lindir; I wanted to see if he smelled just as divine as Lindir and I certainly wanted to bury my nose into that soft looking pool of dark hair.
"I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain."
Gandalf had such a blissful happy look on his face and how I could agree with him on that front. Oh, how I would count the ways for Elrond and Lindir, wishing I could bake for them and fatten them up a little so that they looked thoroughly at peace the way any Hobbit should. While it had not been my first time thinking as such, I found that my feet were nearly heavy enough to actually step towards Lindir and Elrond, ready to pull them down (for they were quite tall compared to I) and inhale deeply of the scents that clung to their skin.
I jumped a little in surprise, not because I indeed had taken a step forward, but because Kili's hands were over my ears, pressing down so that I could only hear a faint muffle of Elrond's voice as he spoke to Thorin. I looked over at the brunette dwarf, surprise written clearly on my face and a smile when I felt Kili's hands follow my head and stay pressed over my ears.
Now that the sounds of the Lord's voice were muffled, I could feel the ease he brought over me start to ebb slightly, my limbs once again starting to feel like they were my own. I was about to thank Kili but before I could even mouth the gesture to him, I noticed that from next to us Gloin seemed upset about something. Was he threatening Elrond? Something had clearly escalated from the time that Elrond spoke and Kili's hands covered my ears but whatever it was, Gandalf was quickly correcting the dwarf, merely informing them that Elrond would be offering us food.
I almost laughed at the change of attitude amongst the group, so tense and distrusting before, now practically shoving their way passed Elrond for the opportunity to raid the kitchens of another home. They hadn't even really paused either, Thorin himself quickly checking with Dwalin and nearly first in line to have a chance at whatever dinner the elves would be willing to serve us. It was only too obvious what would win the heart of a dwarf and it was that thought that made me muse that maybe hobbits and dwarves weren't so different?
After all, how different can two races be if our love of food was so great that we would risk potential danger for it? It sounded very hobbit-like to me, though only in the need for food since danger was not readily available in the Shire. I had good mind to believe that if one were to challenge a hobbit's right to food, we would be just as fierce as any dwarf, I reckon...
When we were led into Rivendell proper, the buildings surrounding and being surrounded by gardens, trees and all manner of flowers, Elrond left us in the care of Lindir, who (through muffled hearing) instructed that we would be able to stay for as long as we wanted and were guests of his most generous Lord Elrond. He showed us to a hallway where we would be staying in rooms that would require us to share, to which I was promptly volunteered by Fili to join him and Kili in their room.
We were then given instructions about dinner being shortly available and that we would be eating personally with Elrond as special guests. If we also wanted to, we would have the means to clean ourselves up and have an opportunity to have clean garments brought to us and for our dirty ones to be tended to. I was immensely grateful for such a courtesy, still being covered in dried troll snot as I was, and felt the need to personally thank Lindir for his hospitality. Unfortunately, I never got the chance as Kili prevented me from stepping anywhere near the elf or even exchanging any words with him. The younger of the brothers even kept his hands on my ears the entire time until he was sure Lindir was done and leaving. As soon as he dropped his hands, Lindir paused in his stroll and turned back to Gandalf, a polite nod and a quick word being said to him.
Kili turned back around just in time to watch me being overtaken yet again by the most enchanting voice, cursing out loud even as he tried to pull me into the room I would share with the brothers. I didn't want to leave the sight of the tall brunette, didn't want a moment where I couldn't see or possibly touch him. Even when Kili started to tug me inside the room again, I grabbed the door frame, so intent on keeping that sexy elf in front of me. I was saddened when I saw that Lindir seemed to be finished speaking with Gandalf, and with a heavy heart, I watched the most handsome creature Yavanna ever gifted before a Hobbit bow and walk away.
Once Lindir was out of sight, it was almost like he was out of mind and it felt like I was suddenly myself again, although with still a bit of a crush on the imposingly serious steward. The brothers ended up teasing me about what happened while we settled into our room, miming my voice with exaggerated pitch and gestures as if they were fainting, and I at a loss as to what even make of it. Elvish voices were amazing and I now knew why on more than occasion before my birth, my Mum traveled to Rivendell.
Almost as soon as we were finished unpacking our things, the brothers and I were instantly set upon by elven-maids, all of whom shared with their male counterparts the ability to wash me in a blissful state of mind. Eventually Kili and Fili just had to give up and allow me to fawn over the beautiful creatures, all of whom were very friendly and very appreciative of the affection I gave and compliments I bestowed upon them.
Besides being the objects of my affections, they were also at our service, giving us sets of clean clothing to change into for the evening while they cleaned our own. They even offered to help if we needed assistance in tying the garments correctly, bowing politely when we believed we would be fine and ushered them away.
Dinner was only too soon and none of us had the chance to really clean ourselves as thoroughly as we probably wanted. I myself barely had enough time to wash my face using a basin before Fili was helping me into elvish robes, signet rose of color and embroidered finely in gold, tying them up even as Kili helped with his. I watched as Kili buttoned his own robes, grimacing when Fili pulled too hard when trying to comb his hair. It was worth it to see Kili curse and bemoan his brother for something as simple as combing his hair, and I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the two.
When we went out into the hallway to join the other members of our company, I laughed openly at the sight of the bulky Dwalin and Thorin looking so thoroughly pissed over having to actually wear elven clothing. Once assured by the brothers that both of them looked gorgeous and having to comfort the same two brothers when they were smacked by Dwalin, we headed off to dinner.
Dinner was served in the main banquet hall, a table set for where Thorin, Gandalf and Elrond ate and another longer one set up for the rest of the company. I ended up sitting next to Balin on a rather comfortable pillow, delighting in how plush it was underneath me and even squirming just to test how soft it was. The table was laden with food fit for any Hobbit and therein, it seemed, lie the greatest problem. It truly was fit for a hobbit but for a dwarf seemed a far different matter. From one end to the other, there was nothing but healthy foods; salads that nearly burst from their bowls, breads so fresh that they crunched when bitten, vegetables, golden soups, and these little rolls wrapped in rice with an arrangement of vegetables stuffed inside.
While none of the dwarves looked particularly eager to dig in, I all too happily started, scooping great clumps of salad onto my plate, a whole roll of bread to myself, and a few of the strange rice rolls. It was during loading up my plate that I moved a bowl aside and saw just the most heavenly thing ever: mushrooms.
Mushrooms, my heart swooned...
Thorin, Gandalf and Elrond were coming into the room, all in a discussion about something. Though I hadn't been trying to listen for Elrond's voice, I caught the tail end of a chuckle and the wave crashed over me again. I nearly heaped a mountain of mushrooms on my plate, not even bothering to care if it made me look greedy or if it would make me look like a stuffed glutton by the end of the night.
We also had entertainment, I was surprised to discover, a beautiful arrangement of flute, harp, and lute played by three fair elves. The female elf's fingers were deft, striking chords so gracefully along the harp, creating the most lovely of arrangements only matched by the tune of the lute next to it. They both looked so at peace, which was more than I could say for Oin who looked more than put out by the flute player's proximity.
None of the dwarves seemed to enjoy the music, a fact that was quite sad given that it was lovely. For the time since leaving the Shire and the romp with the brothers, I was actually enjoying the idea of adventures. If such things really were a staple, of course.
I moaned in delight, the fork full of mushrooms nearly melting on my tongue in a dazzling mixture of a wine and buttery flavor. Oh, if I thought that Elrond and Lindir's voices were heavenly before, I was just waiting at the entrance of Heaven. No, this fork full was heaven. The next one was a choir of singing elves, all petting their own hair while they hovered near to let me smell them. The next bite was Yavanna, leaning over in what her grace surely was commenting on how lovely Elrond smelled.
I groaned in utter bliss, eating another bite and feeling my fingers clench on the table's edge.
"Miss Baggins, are you alright?"
I nodded mutely, taking another bite into my mouth and chewing slowly, relishing the taste slide over my tongue again. I moaned, unaware of the attention I was attracting with each bite of bliss that I groaned around. Each morsel disappeared behind teeth, forcing a moan and a squirm on my pillow. Oh, the taste was just superb, something only fit for the Valar.
I gripped the wood harder, a load moan ripped from me when I thought of Elrond and Lindir feeding me great spoonfuls of the decadent mushrooms. Oh how gorgeous they looked, sitting next to one another, splayed like they were themselves the very subjects poems spoke of when in terms of beauty. Their dark hair cascading over shoulders, their dark eyes raking down seductively over the offered plate of mushrooms.
I moaned around another mouthful, both from the taste and because I could see behind my eyes the very image of Lindir and Elrond offering each other a bite of the tiny things, their lips closing over ornate forks and commenting, Is it good, Miss Baggins ...?
"Oh, it is good," I mumbled, groaning against another bite, startling when my fork dropped before I could get the morsels of utter delight inside. I looked around in shock, confused and wondering what was happening, surprised to see that Kili's hand was now over my mouth and his eyes staring at me as if I were crazed.
My eyebrow raised in question at the emotion in his eyes, lust so blatant and cheeks so flushed, I almost couldn't pull away from the sight. From over his shoulder, Fili's look mirrored his perfectly, his tongue licking his lips when he saw me staring. A clearing of a throat caught my attention though and I turned my head only to have my heart race with panic and my stomach drop. Everyone at the table was staring at me, their faces a mix of horror, wonder, and flushed cheeks, even from the most steadfast of us. Even Balin and Gloin were looking at me as if I were some startling new creature, their cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
Everyone at the table was like that, well, all except for Ori whose ears and eyes were closed and sheltered by the hands of Dori, who sputtered and did his best to look everywhere but at me. If I were not horrified by my behavior before that moment, I was thoroughly done so as soon as I looked at the table where Elrond, Thorin, and Gandalf sat. Lindir looked at me, poised and proper as ever, though an eyebrow was raised in silent curiosity. Gandalf himself tried to hide his chuckling behind a table napkin, succeeding only a little and definitely not bothering to hide his murmured amusement over the nature of hobbits.
No, if that weren't enough, I had to come face to face with the scandalized looks from both Thorin and Elrond. Thorin looked at me in a kind of manner that said that he was not even sure what to do about my spectacle. His lip was curled with a sneer of distaste but his eyes were just bewildered, his cheeks flushed and almost looking as if he were undecided about whether or not to take me from the room and berate me or just shrug me off as a lost cause. Elrond himself was the more graceful of the two when it came to facial reactions, though how an elf could look graceful with his jaw dropped and his cheeks flushed, I would have no idea.
Even the music had stopped, players standing still with their fingers and mouths poised, unable to continue out of shock...
I averted my gaze and dropped my head into my hands, wishing so desperately for the ground to just swallow me up completely...
I was glad that the rest of the dinner went by uneventfully, and much to everyone else's relief, quietly from my end. Kili and Fili were teasing me about it, moaning under their breaths so that they could show me what I looked like. Every second they did so, I just wanted to curl up and die somewhere, my entire face so red that I was sure I would die from all the blood in my head.
"Miss Baggins," Thorin's voice shocked me out of my horror, a voice curling against the back of my neck. I looked up at him, his presence silencing the brothers next to me, and his gaze boring down at me with a masked expression. He really did know how to make a girl feel embarrassed, I lamented, even as I met his eyes and nodded silently in question. "I'd have a word with you later."
Oh, how I was going to get scolded for this fiasco, I knew...
I sighed, not wanting to die or be yelled at until I wished I would die, and nodded to him. I would at least resign to my fact about the entire matter.
As soon as Thorin was gone, the brothers just burst out in laughter at the look I must have been wearing on my face; it seemed with their esteemed leader gone as well, the group lightened up and joined in on the teasing. Though it was utterly embarrassing to have Dwalin reenact the face I had made, I couldn't stop myself from laughing at the display.
It seemed that even without mushrooms, this adventure could be a good thing, after all.