We stayed at Rivendell for 14 days to rest and I was grateful to be given a room of my own. It was beautiful, with a plush bed and baths! Oh, the lovely baths. I had missed being clean. I could handle being dirty, but I loved being clean. The Dwarves and myself got some well needed rest, tho Thorin would never admit that he was thankful for Elrond's hospitality.

During that time Gandalf convinced me to let Lord Elrond see my sword and have a look at my stomach scar, "just in case," he said which I thought wasn't very comforting. I raised my shirt and Lord Elrond's eyebrows jumped at the jagged scar across my belly. He looked at me and gestured to it, "May I?"

I nodded and bit back a giggle as he rested his hand on the scar, which tickled. Then he started whispering something in Elvish and I felt magic gathering around us. It made me nervous but I stayed still until Lord Elrond took his hands away, looking very sad. He said softly, "I am sorry Ariana, but although the damage is healed, your womb is scarred. You will never be able to have children."

This didn't really come as a shock to me, I had never even thought of having children with the threat of Bruce hovering over me. I smiled at him gratefully, if a bit sadly, "It's alright. It was never an option before and just isn't one now. But thank you for checking. Is everything else alright with me?"

He took my hand with the busted knuckles that were healing nicely and finally nodded and said, "You are in good health and no further damage is done. May I have a look at your swords?"

I handed them over and he inspected them, saying, "These too were made in the First Age by the High Born elves but nothing is engraved upon them. You may name them if you like."

He handed them back and I gave a wicked grin, "How about Frick and Frack?"

The horrified and startled looks on both their faces made me laugh and I waved them off, "I'm just kidding! I think their fine without names." Elrond seemed relieved, and Gandalf just seemed amused. I bid them my thanks and excused myself, wanting to have a look around.

I walked around to see the sights. I listened to the singing elves and one song I could have sworn I had heard before, but in English. It was a tale of adventure and daring deeds. Shaking my head firmly I said to myself firmly, "Oh come on Ariana, your just missing her is all." I went back to my explorations. As I did I wondered about my companions. They still didn't quite like me. Tho some have started to at least warm up to me.

Fili and Kili weren't giving me the cold shoulder anymore, but weren't too friendly and Bombur wasn't stinting when he gave me food and now he. Bofur didn't ignore me anymore and directed some of his optimism and cheer towards me. Bifur sat next to me when I sketched and he whittled. Dori still wasn't sure if he liked me yet but Ori and Nori seemed to like me. I shared thief stories with Nori and Ori and I found the library together. He helped me find a book that I could read about the hero's and daring deeds. Dwalin seemed unsure what to think about me and Balin was kind but standoffish. They had been nice after I got them out of the thieves den, but then they returned to being distant. What Nori said seemed to be true, they resented me for being human.

Sighing heavily I stopped at a balcony and looked out over the valley, thinking of Thorin. Thorin was a puzzle, one that baffled me and had me pondering. I watched him and the others to try and find ways of at least soothing the fact that I was a part of the Company. Thorin just seemed grumpy and in a dark mood most of the time, but as I watched I began to realize why.

Listening to the Dwarves I realized that our esteemed leader had the weight of the lives of his people on his shoulders. And it was a heavy weight. He was driven to reclaim Erebor for his people and his past and fears of failing them haunted him. But even knowing this and wanting to help, he still showed his dislike of me with sneers, glares and rude remarks.

Only a couple days into our stay and I was no closer to figuring him out. Shaking my head I turned my attention to the sight in front of me, "He seriously needs to relax. Or get the stick out of his ass."

Smiling softly at the sight I heard footsteps and Elrond asked gently, "Not with your companions?"

I glanced at him and said innocently, "No, they won't miss me."

Looking back at the scenery Elrond asked, "Oh? Do they not wish to be in your company?"

I cracked a smile, if a sad one, "They don't think I should be on this journey. Why on earth would they seek my company?"

Elrond hummed a wise hum and said, "Because you are a woman?"

I nodded, what was the point in lying? Elrond snorted and I looked at him, almost hurt until he said, "We Elves have female warriors. And Dwarves do as well. I don't see why your any different."

I contemplated this and asked, "Maybe because I'm not a Dwarf?" Then I felt like I was stepping over the line as I asked, "Or even from Middle-earth?"

Elrond studied me with wise eyes as he said, "Then that is their own ignorance blinding them. I have heard you can hold your own against an enemy."

I felt better as I teased in a whisper, "Yes and I have heard to not seek the council of Elves because they will give you a yes and no answer."

He frowned but I continued to grin since I sense no anger from him and he finally grinned back. He set a hand gently on my shoulder, "You may stare here as long as you like, if that is what you wish." I was startled by this and showed it. He smiled softly and said, "Come, there is something you need to see."

He walked away and my curiosity, as usual, got the better of me. I followed Lord Elrond inside and he lead me to what he explained as his private study. I looked around curiously at all the old books, desks covered in papers and tables with stones and other object on them. I saw Lord Elrond go over to a statue next to a wall and it looked impossible but his hand disappeared behind it and pulled out a book bound in red leather. It was tied closed with a strip of leather and a piece of paper was tied tight to the back of the book.

I approached him, frowning because that book seemed very familiar. Lord Elrond faced me and said softly, "Ariana, you need to know something very important." I looked up at him and he was very serious and almost sad. He watched me carefully as he asked, "Is your mother's name Adrianna?"

I couldn't have been more stunned if he had sucker punched me in the gut. I asked, bristling in defense, "How do you know that? I haven't told anyone." Elrond caught my arm before I could move away and said firmly, but gently, "I met your mother 11 years ago. She came to me.. Ariana listen."

I was shaking, and had yanked my arm free. Backing up like he was a monster I hit a desk behind me, "No. She couldn't have. How would she...?" I felt the ground being swept out from underneath me and frantically trying to make sense of this. Elrond stepped towards me carefully, "She was born in Rohan, her mother was a mistress to the King of Rohan. She ran away from home after her father denied ever having her."

I looked up at him, surprised because this was one of the bed time stories my mother had told me. I said softly, "And she rode off into the night riding a steed as black as midnight to find her fortune." He smiled softly at me and nodded, "She, however had another secret. She was part of an ancient race whose name is long forgotten. But she had strange powers because of her heritage. She could travel worlds. And one day she left Middle-earth. Why I do not know, but about 11 years ago she came back to visit me. She gave me this book to give to her daughter when she turned 18 and asked me to take care of a little girl with red hair if she ever appeared at my door."

My brain was having a hell of a time processing this. My mother knew Lord Elrond? He knew her?And she was going to send me to him? Why?

He held out the book to me and I eyed it warily before slowly taking it. He went over to two chairs and waved me over. My legs felt like wooden stilts as I went over and didn't so much sit down as fell down. He sat next to me, but far enough away to give me some space. I slowly, as if it'd bite, unraveled the leather that bound the book close and took up the piece of paper first. In fact it was two pieces of paper, letters. They had my name on them, both in my mothers elegant writing and my fathers chicken scratch.

My hands shook so bad I almost couldn't unfold the letters. Then tears sprang to my eyes as I read my mothers elegant hand writing, "My dearest Ariana, if you are reading this, it must mean that you made it to Rivendell, and to Lord Elrond. It also means that your father and I are dead. My love, I am so sorry. I have been running for so long I thought that I would finally be safe here in this world. But I was terribly wrong. Bruce found me. Found us. I thought I could lure him away but I was a fool. I am so sorry sweet, but I need you to be strong. Your father and I taught you what we could, but you are still young. Don't give in to hatred. Don't lose hope. Lord Elrond will care for you and keep you safe. I love you more than light sweet heart. Love your mother Adrianna.

I refused to shed the tears that threatened to fall as I opened my fathers letter. I smiled slightly at his horrible handwriting but read it lovingly anyway, "My little firecracker, your mother and I love you so much. It breaks our hearts to part from you, but we would do anything to keep you safe. Even betray your trust. But never forget. We love you with all our hearts. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but the realization that something is more important than fear. And work on your left hook, you can hit like a hammer with your right but your left needs to be just as strong. I love you Ariana. From your father, Darian."

This time I did let the tears fall, just two before I squeezed my eyes shut and said, coughing slightly to clear my throat, "I'm sorry Lord Elrond. I guess things did not go as my mother and father had hoped."

I opened my eyes slowly as he asked softly, "What happened Ariana? Why couldn't your mother send you to me as she had hoped?"

That dark night flooded my mind and I murmured, "They died. I guess she had been running from Bruce longer than I thought. There was a storm, a really bad storm. He just...appeared at the door and then...killed them. I tried to run, but he caught me. Since then he told me that he was my step father and that my mother had run away with another man. That was why he punished me. Should have known that bastard was lying."

I ignored the horrified expression on his face and continued, "He's beat me to try and...get me to do something for him. He kept saying he wanted my power, but I never told him what that power was." I looked at him and explained softly, "I can sense the earth and talk to animals." Shrugging I gazed down sadly at the letters, " But I don't really know what he really wanted. Maybe he thought I could get him to Middle-earth...and one day I finally saw my chance and escaped from him. I've been running from him ever since, just like my mother."

Folding the letters carefully I ran my hand gently over the book I now recognized as my mother journal as Lord Elrond set his hand on my knee comfortingly, "It wasn't your fault Ariana. Adrianna may not have been able to get you here herself but you are here now. Safe and welcome to stay here as long as you like."

I looked at him, surprised again. Then I slowly smiled at the kind thought, "I thank you Lord Elrond. But... I'm continuing on with the Dwarves. I promised I'd help and I think we can accomplish the impossible." He snorted so unlike a king that I laughed. It was a hallow laugh, but a laugh none the less. Shaking my head I stood and said, "I appreciate you concern and help. I'm going to go and see what my mothers journal has to tell me."

Elrond stood and said solemnly, "You may stay here.." I shook my head, feeling a bit overwhelmed and needing some air, "Thank you, but I'd rather be outside." He nodded, understanding in his eyes as he showed me out and as soon as I was outside the building, I shoved the book into my tunic and headed straight for the stables.

The elves horses were majestic and beautiful, but that wasn't the only reason I went there. The roof was covered my an ancient oak tree and it's branches were a perfect hiding place. Easily slipping into the shadows I climbed the great tree until I was high enough no one could see me or hear me well. But I was keenly aware of the Elves sharp hearing so tried to keep quiet. Sitting with my back to the trunk on a branch big enough to hold me comfortably, I slowly took out the book. My hands shook as I turned to the first page and choked down a sob. It started with my mother writing about how excited she was to be having a baby. Hoping it was a daughter and then a scribbled list of names. I saw my fathers writing there at a few crossed out.

I let the tears silently fall as I continued reading. Through it, I read of my mothers fear at being found, but most of it was about my father and I and herself, being a family. On the last page was a date I recognized. It was a week before Bruce found us, and it wrote, "I sense the worst is not over but Ariana will be safe in Rivendell. I just hope she doesn't hate us for abandoning her. But I can not let that beast get a hold of my daughter. I will lay down my life for her, as her mother. I love her so very much. I hope she can forgive me."

That was the last entry and I heaved dryly, burying my face into my arms and sobbing silently. Everything had gone horribly wrong when Bruce found us, but the fact that my mother was going to try and keep me safe just made me want to cry harder. She had failed but it was a valiant attempt and I wished with all my heart that she knew I didn't hate her or my father. I never blamed them for the way things turned out. And I wasn't about to start now.

I sat there crying until all my tears were spent. Then I carefully folded the letters and put them in the book, binding it back up. Wiping my cheeks and nose on my sleeve I slipped down from the tree and nearly had a heart attack when I nearly landed on Gandalf. He looked very uncomfortable and sad, "Hello Ariana."

I asked him flat out, "Did you know? Who I was?"

He looked at me and sighed heavily, "I knew." He looked to be bracing himself for the storm. But it didn't come. I wasn't angry with him either. He had saved my life and I doubted I would have believed him if he had told me the truth without evidence. The evidence was in my hand and I now knew the truth. I rubbed my cheek and said softly, my throat dry from crying so much, "I'm not angry with you Gandalf."

He looked startled and I looked at him solemnly, "I wouldn't have believed you anyway without this." I waved the book in the air and asked softly, "Did you know my mother?"

Gandalf nodded, suddenly looking old, "I knew her. She was a fiery spirit much like yourself. Bruce wanted her for himself and she fled from him. He somehow followed her, I do not know how he did for he is no wizard. Nor did I know that he hunted her. I am so sorry Ariana, I should have seen..."

He didn't finish, because I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his lean frame. I murmured into his robe, "You couldn't have known. I know my mother was proud and probably thought she could handle him all by herself. It wasn't your fault Gandalf, any more than it was mine."

He slowly wrapped his arms around me and his beard tickled my forehead and I felt a sob escape my lips. His arms tightened when I almost pulled away and he said soothingly, "Go on, cry. You deserve a good cry. And I won't think less of you."

His kind tone and words broke the dam and I didn't care if we were seen. I clung to him tightly and sobbed my broken heart into his robes. I hadn't thought I had any more to cry, but I was wrong. A flood came out of my eyes and it seemed like forever before I finally could stop. This time when I pulled away Gandalf let me and held out a handkerchief. I chuckled weakly and blew my nose, "Thank you Gandalf."

He nodded and looked me over carefully. I nodded at the unspoken question, "I'm alright. But I think I'll go to bed early if that's alright."

Gandalf set his big hand on my head and said, "It's fine. I will be sure our companions don't worry for you. Go on."

I sent him a thankful look and then slipped back into the shadows, not wanting to be seen with my eyes puffy and red or the mess of my sleeves. I made it to my room without being seen and drew myself a bath. Setting the journal down carefully, I stripped and settled into the bath, baths always making things better. I closed my eyes and started to hum a tune my mother used to hum whenever we bathed together. It was a simple yet sweet lullaby that was a start to soothing my soul.

After the bath I slipped into some night clothes, curled up on the bed and opened the journal to read once more before falling asleep.

0o0

Gandalf hid his surprise when he joined the Dwarves for dinner and Ori piped that he hadn't seen Ariana that day. They had spent most of the day in the library yesterday and Ori found a book Ariana might like and was eager to show her.

Then the Dwarves began to wonder if any had seen her that day. They compared notes and Thorin scowled at them, but Gandaf saw the worried look in his eyes.

Gandalf soothed them, "She spent most of her day exploring and decided to go to bed early. She is fine."

This did sooth them and they went back to their rambunctious feast and Gandalf slipped out, hoping Elrond would join him for a drink.