Hello Everyone,
Thank you for the reviews of the last chapter! I was able to write a little bit this week, so here is the next one! On the shorter side, but with some sweet moments and portents of the future (if you've seen/read LOTR) :) We're getting close to end of this "book" and I should be ready to seamlessly move on to the next part (after Kili is coronated...it will just be called something different). A few more chapters tho~~ enjoy! {{Hugs}}
Chp 67
Tauriel and Kili finished their breakfasts and shared a sweet kiss before being whisked away for their respective tasks. They said their goodbyes to Bilbo. So with Dwalin away for awhile on some task, Bombur ever present in the kitchens, Dori overseeing the last minute decorations, Ori getting his quills and Books of Law ready to consult from away and in the Gallery of Kings where the Coronation will take place, and the rest of the dwarves of the Company working on tasks, or otherwise preparing to attend the ceremony, Bilbo found himself alone, save for the many dwarves running about getting things prepared.
He took a deep breath and hoped he could make it out to the Elven encampment and meet them before they headed inside. He quickened his pace, but he found it difficult to navigate through the large Gallery, which, by now, had had every bit of treasure removed, but was filled with bustling dwarves moving about to and fro, for their appointed tasks. It was hard to believe this immense room was filled with an innumerable amount of gold coins, jewels and other treasure...not to mention an evil, cunning and humongous fire breathing dragon, not that long ago. Today it appeared as an immense Hall, nicely tidied up, but somewhat sparsely decorated. Bilbo looked up at the columns and the ceilings and thought to himself, at least the damage caused by Smaug flailing about seems to have been repaired, and he shuddered to think about the huge cave in that would have happened, had they not done that, and thought in wonderment at the skills of dwarven builders.
He was just reaching the Galley now, and just as Lady Dis said, the King's chair and two others were sat upon a richly carved dais at the front of this large Hall. He saw the rows of angled chairs, and the ones on the left did seem finer and with cushions of more soft and delicate materials than the chairs of the angled ones on the right. Bilbo was passing the rows of benches now. There were two columns of them and he walked down the middle. He tried counting as he walked, but gave up after he had counted over forty rows.
He was finally nearing the entrance to the Mountain and could see the sun was shining and he guessed it to be mid morning and he smiled, because he realized he would reach there in plenty of time. There were quite a few Dwarven guards stationed at the entrance, and even more placed at a series of tables just inside of the entrance. He recognized Dwalin, Nori and Twain each stationed at different tables and guessed they were there to check everyone's credentials before they were allowed to enter the Mountain. He waved to Dwalin and Dwalin gave his usual grumpy nod as he figured he knew Bilbo was headed out to speak with the wizard and the elves at their encampment.
Bilbo was outside now and breathed deep the warm Spring air and enjoyed the feel of the sunshine on his face. Smiling broadly, he was forced to walk the length of the bridge that went over the moapractically up against the edge, as the throng of men and dwarves that were waiting to the enter the Mountain was huge and he seemed to be the only one who was exiting, rather than entering. He passed Lord Bard and his family and entourage and gave a cheery wave. He hoped they would be given favorable treatment and could enter the Mountain and find the way to their seats swiftly. The rest he did not recognize, but most seemed to be humans or dwarves, dressed in their respective finery, or dress battle gear, all caught up in their own thoughts or conversations.
He finally made it to the end of the bridge and there was little mistaking the large elf encampment off in the distance. Just like their homes, of which Bilbo had visited two now in his lifetime; the elves tents were airy and let light shone through from the various openings in the silky, delicate and light colored fabrics they were made of. As he approached, he sought out the ones that had seemed to be the most heavily guarded. As usual with elves, as he walked about they towered above him and were dressed in silvery battle gear, or rich robes of the finest materials and they paid him little mind.
He saw a few larger tents with guards stationed at each corner and headed for those. As he got closer he could see a tall figure wearing a pointed hat and recognized Gandalf quickly from the staff he held in one hand and the pipe he held in the other. Gandalf too saw Bilbo as he came closer and raised his pipe in friendship, "My dear Master Hobbit...you look very respectable on this fine day!" he said as he hailed the Halfling. Bilbo looked at Gandalf and thought of something nice to reply with, "Hello Gandalf," ...err... "Your robes look freshly pressed on this nice and sunny Spring morning." Gandalf looked down and slightly sputtered on his pipe smoke, "Ahh well...yes, yes...thank you for saying! The elves took them last night and were able to clean them, after their fashion, and provided me with a bathing tent, where I was able to freshen up. It seems like I rarely get a chance to do that much lately." He broke off for a moment, as in thought, but quickly regained where he left off..."So...yes, yes...I do feel much better."
Gandalf continued, "So, dearest friend...I'm assuming you were able to rest last night and and have a fine meal already today?" Bilbo chuckled, "Yes of course! That is one thing I would say that Dwarves could rival Hobbits with, and that is food!" He patted his stomach and said to Gandalf, "Yes, I daresay...with all this fine fare I have been enjoying this past month or so, the Dwarves have finally paid back their hospitality of one night's stay, in my home!" Bilbo and Gandalf both had an immense laugh after that statement. After a few moments of slapping each other on the back, Gandalf was finally able to get out, "And so...how goes the preparations inside the Mountain on this day?" As they walked among the encampment, Bilbo explained how beautiful the royal couple looked in their finery, all the dwarves scampering about in their duties and the long line of denizens waiting to the enter."
He also felt a bit sheepish but finally worked up the courage to ask Gandalf if he could meet Lord Celeborn from Lothlorien and Lord Cirdan from the Grey Havens. Gandalf smiled and told him that after they had all enjoyed their morning fare, the Lords returned to their respective tents to dress and prepare to enter Erebor for the Coronation. Bilbo looked a little downcast, but perked up when Gandalf told him they would all be walking to the Mountain together, along with about one hundred of the finest elven guard for escort. So instead, Gandalf walked Bilbo back to the modest tent they had given him and they both enjoyed the rest of the morning chatting and enjoying some fine pipeweed.
As it was getting closer to mid afternoon, a guard came up to the seated pair and spoke a bit of elvish. Gandalf indicated they were ready to join the party heading to the Mountain, so they both rose from their chairs and started to make their way to the Mountain. They didn't get far before they came upon a solemn procession of a line of elves. It appeared the elven guard were at the front of the line, and many in the back. As Bilbo and Gandalf joined the procession they saw the elven lords in the middle walking along slowly with their kin. Bilbo was in awe. They seemed so majestic and ethereal here in the noonday sun where they seemed to have an inner glow, even away from their homeland and just walking out in the open. Now Bilbo finally realized why they truly were the children of Illuvatar, as they seemed gods walking amongst mortal men and other creatures of Middle Earth.
As they got closer to the group of elves, Lord Elrond saw the wizard and his little Halfing friend to which he hailed, "Mellonins," putting his hand to his breast. "It is good to see you again Master Halfling. I am glad to see you well and unscathed after the horrible events of late. It looks like your stay with the dwarves here has suited you, for you have a rosy glow on your cheek and certainly are more stout of body, since I last saw you." Bilbo for his part did his best curtesy to the Lord, and then hurried to catch up as the procession continued their walk. "Why thank you for saying, Lord Elrond. It is good to see you again, and your kin. I wanted to thank you again for your impeccable hospitality while I was in Rivendell, I much think, I would love to see it again some day!" Bilbo said brightly. Lord Elrond replied, "Of course Master Halfling, may you and your kin always find a home there." Bilbo sniffled and got out his handkie, which was freshly pressed and laundered, and blew his nose. Elrond and Gandalf smiled at each other.
Bilbo looked up at Gandalf as they walked and kind of twitched his head the elves way. Gandalf stuttered, "Oh...Lord Elrond, might you introduce our Halfling friend to your kin that had traveled such a long way?" Elrond looked down at the Hobbit and said, "Of course Mellonin." He looked backward and saw Thranduil and his entourage about twenty elves back, but had heard about the Halfling's dealings in Mirkwood. He smirked and looked ahead and saw Lord Cirdan a little ways ahead and Lord Celeborn towards the front of the line. He indicated to pick up their pace a little so as to catch up with them. When they neared Lord Cirdan, Elrond spoke a bit of elvish and he turned his head slowly and then looked down at the Halfling. He slowed his pace a little and put his hand on his breast and inclined his head. As Bilbo looked up he saw a beautiful face of a more slightly carven features, than their kin. His skin too, seemed different from the elves he had seen before, more color in it, but still seemed to radiate that same glow and power that Bilbo had felt when he had met the more ancient elves, such as Lord Elrond. He curtsied and continued walking as he talked, "I am very pleased to meet you, Lord of the Grey Havens." Cirdan looked down at Bilbo and had a pleasing smile on his lips, "And you, as well, Master Halfling. I've had the pleasure of meeting your great ancestor, Bullroarer Took, and he was brave and fearless leader, very much like an elf. Of course, due to our proximity to your Shire realm, my kin and I have had dealings with Halflings on many an occasion and I am finally glad to meet you. Mithrandir has told me a great deal about your travels, we must chat more." And so they did, but as they got closer to the Mountain. Gandalf indicated he wanted to introduce Bilbo to Lord Celeborn and they took their leave.
They quickened their pace, and when they made it to practically the front of the line of elves, Gandalf again spoke some elvish and Lord Celeborn looked down at the Halfling. This time, the aura of light coming from the ancient elven Lord was practically blinding for Bilbo. He shielded his eyes and when he looked up into the cherubic face, it was hard to imagine that this was one of the oldest creatures in Middle Earth. Bilbo had long learned the history of elves, through his own readings, and the prodding of Gandalf during their adventure, on cold nights sitting by the fire. As Lord Celeborn looked at Bilbo and placed his hand on his breast, Bilbo could almost feel like the Lord could read into his thoughts, just as well as he had said them aloud. It was a slightly disquieting feeling, but the Lord looked down with a smile on his face, and began to speak in a melodic, lilting tone, "Master Halfling. It is good to finally meet you. Mithrandir here has informed me of your bravery and fortitude on such a difficult quest. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. Meeting a dragon and coming through unscathed is something not many creatures in Middle Earth can say." Bilbo was a little overwhelmed to think that was what he really had done, especially, when hearing those words from someone like Lord Celeborn, so he whipped out his handkerchief again. "Thank you...thank you, very much for saying so, my'Lord," he said as he blew his nose. Lord Celeborn continued, "I would very much be interested in hearing the full tale of your adventures someday." Bilbo was a little in awe, "Why...yes, yes of course, my'Lord. I wonder when one day we will have the chance to?" Lord Celeborn smiled and said slowly, "Oh...I do not believe this will be our last meeting, Master Halfling." Gandalf smiled because he knew the ancient elves possessed the gift of foresight and was overjoyed that he knew his friend would live to see that day.
They were finally approaching the entrance to the Mountain and as many of the men and dwarves had already been let in, the line of elves were able to continue their slow march. Nori and Twain were still at the entrance, overseeing ones that were entering. Gandalf was first in line, then Bilbo, then Lord Celeborn's entourage, and on. Gandalf nodded and said Hello to Nori and Bilbo introduced the wizard to Twain. Obviously, there was no need for checking the elves credentials, and even if they should have, Twain and Nori were too in awe to do much, looking at the slow procession of these tall, finely dressed creatures who seemed to radiate a power and a glow from within. Bilbo volunteered to show them to their seats.
The elves were one of the last ones to enter the Gallery and a hush came over the crowd of men, women and dwarves who were already in their seats as they watched this ethereal group slowly enter. Bilbo pointed out the seats on the left by the dais and the elven Lords all took their seats in the front row, and there were places for Gandalf and Bilbo too. The emissaries of each elven realm took their seats behind their Lords, but most elves, the ones who were dressed in battle gear, took their places standing in rank, by the wall. After a few moments, baritone horns began to sound, right at high noon and everyone stood and knew this was the start of the Coronation.