I'm not 100% happy with this chapter. It just wouldn't flesh out for me. I pushed this chapter to get it out on time, the next one is doing great & the 4 after that are finished, but this one, I apologize for.

On another note: Thank you everyone for the positive reviews to the last chapter! I was really worried what everyone would think of it.

Chapter Nineteen

Time flew, it was strange that way, in seemed to drag out when you were waiting for something, but when you needed to do something, some how it always gets away from you.

After spending quite some time crying on Bifur's shoulder, she promised him that she would tell Bofur as soon as she got a chance to. Which is of course, about the time that she couldn't find the blasted dwarf anywhere. The only time that he was around was at meals; and she wasn't blurting it out then; and the one time she ran across the whole lot of them bathing and messing around in one of the many fountains. A fountain for crying out loud! In public! Naked!

Which of course, caused her to try and get away from the lot of them and hide in pure mortification, only to run into Lord Elrond and Lindor, who'd just seen the same sight she did. She wished the world would just swallow her whole.

Thankfully, it did give her a chance to have a nice cup of tea (that may have been laced with a healthy dose of elven spirits) with the Lord of the Land without anyone butting in. He was a kind soul, who recognized her as being Belladonna's daughter. He told her quite a few stories of her time there, and if anyone had been walking under their balcony, they may have been surprised by the laughter that was pulled from their Lord.

She had been disappointed to find out that his sons and Glorfindel were out hunting orcs and were not expected back for some time, so she would not have the chance to meet those that featured in many of the stories told. Though she welcomed the time that was given to her anyway. There was always the possibility he'd get to meet them on her return, if she passed that way again.

After the fiasco of viewing the map the first time, and finding out they had to spend nearly a week in Rivendell if they wanted to actually read the moon runes, Iris hadn't been sure she wanted to go view it a second time. Yet, when the invitation was given, she found that she couldn't say no. Between an academic curiosity, and an almost inexcusable need to find out what would happen this time when the two leaders where in the same room together. Oakenshield had been his normal abrasive self the first time, and she knew the Lord of Rivendell hadn't believed it was a purely cultural curiosity that they wanted it read.

Thankfully, he was willing to read it out in full, letting them know exactly what was on the map.

She was also willing to place a bet on the fact that he wished he hadn't the second Oakenshield opened his mouth again. Of course, it isn't polite to call your oh-so-idiotic leader in front of his enemy, so she had to bite her tongue as both the stupidest and smartest of their company started going on about how they only had so much time before they had to be at the door. If they didn't want anyone to know exactly what they were doing, this wasn't the way to go about it.

And from what she overheard Lord Elrond saying to Gandalf, there were going to be problems with them leaving because of this. When there is talk about other people watching over Middle Earth, and they not liking what was going to happen, she had a good feeling that they were going to have to leave before morning, and she was going to have to be a horrible guest.

As Iris made her way back to the pavilion that the company gathered in, she wondered how she was going to pass on this news. She knew speaking to Oakenshield wasn't going to be an option, since he barely spoke two words to her unless it was to let her know just how dissatisfied he was with her inclusion with the company. As for Balin, he was in conference with his king over which would be the safer paths, but would still get them to their destination in time.

As much as she could speak to her Uncle, many of the company seemed to dismiss what he said as much as her own words. He was brilliant, yet only his cousins and a select few ever really listened to what he had to say.

Ori'd be wonderful, if she could get him away from his brother for a few minutes. However, Dori really didn't like her and had even taken to hovering while they were in the library. As the official Scribe of the company, he'd be perfect to pass on the information, but if she couldn't get a word in edgewise, there wasn't much point in even trying.

Which brought her to their other brother, Nori, he'd be perfect. She knew he'd been insulted when she was hired as the 'burglar' of the group, but he treated her well most days. She actually had a feeling that he'd been listening in on her conversation with Bifur because he'd been a little nicer to her the past few days. Of course, he was also almost always close by, and nearly as silent as a Hobbit.

"You're thinking to hard lass," Nope, she wasn't going to admit to the yelp she gave, "Interesting meeting?"

"How on earth did you know I needed to speak with you?" She grabbed his elbow and pulled him onto a side path.

"Why lassie, I didn't know you felt this way!" He was laughing at her, "Might be a few who would be upset, not that I mind." Raising an eyebrow and a smirk.

Rolling her eyes and letting him go, "Don't you be getting any ideas now, your One may have a word or two to say about it."

"What ever do you mean?" He seemed to get a bit more serious.

Sighing, "I know the signs, I watched my Pa and his Heart for many years. And you're not as good at hiding it. Where he is, you are. What he knows, you know. And I don't know why the two of you hide it." Grumbling, "But this isn't the time for that, I need you to pass on information for me. You know they won't listen to me and we need to take care of it right away."

During the short time she spoke, explaining everything that happened in the meeting and directly afterwards, Nori listened closely, making plans.

"Lass, you know where the kitchens are yes," she nodded, "good, go swipe what dry goods you can and I'll go tell our reigning idiot;" grinning at her squawk, "you're not as quite as you think when mumbling; and you're getting a reprieve from telling your blind idiot. For now."

With that they both sprinted off in their respective directions, starting the mad rush for an escape.

She hated leaving in the early hours of the morning without saying farewell to their hosts. Looking back over the grand elven city one last time, wondering if she'll ever get to see it again.

Next chapter: Escape from Rivendell & Iris hates mountain climbing