I personally needed something lighthearted. I know some don't like trolling elves, but, come on, they are thousands of years old. They must do something to keep themselves entertained.

"Lord Elrond, I hate to intrude, but I wondered if I may ask a favor?"

"What do you need, Master Fili?"

"I hoped that I might have a letter sent to my mother. I wish to notify her of Kili and that we have parted ways with our uncle, albeit temporarily."

"That can be arranged. You will find what you need on the desk over there. Write your letter and I shall send it out with the morning patrol. They are due to meet with some Rangers. They will see to it that the letter is delivered."

"Thank you."

Fili walked over and took a seat at the desk. He didn't even know where to begin. How much should he tell his mother? How much was safe to discuss in a letter? It could fall into the hands of anyone. He resolved to keep it as vague as possible.

Amad,

I hardly know what to say, so much has happened. As we neared the Misty Mountains, we were chased down by orcs. Kili was gravely injured while providing cover for the rest of us to get away. He is currently recovering at Rivendell, which is where I am writing this letter from. The nature of Kili's wounds mean that he will have a long recovery. They say he will not be travel ready for another six weeks. I am sure you can imagine how well Thorin took that. We decided that it would be better for the company to carry on without Kili and I, for I will not leave my brother behind. As soon as he is ready, he and I shall continue on. Do not fear for us. We have made friends with some of the elves here and a few have decided to travel with us. They are a good sort, and have already received permission from Thorin to do so. We have learned that not all elves are like Thranduil and his ilk. He is not a favorite here. I know that I am being vague, but it is simply not safe to tell you more. It is likely that we will be on our way before you receive this, and I shall not wait for a response. We love you Amad.

Your beloved firstborn,

Fili

Fili prepared it to be sent and handed it to Elrond with his thanks. After a brief check in with his brother, he made his way to one of the many gardens decorating the Hidden Valley. Fili was dwarrow to his core, yet he could not deny the beauty before him. As a dwarf, he was accustomed to things being loud and lively. Solitude was a luxury one did not always receive. He decided he would enjoy it for now, though he had no doubt that it would wear on him soon. A little further in, he found a bench and decided to sit for a while. Not for the first time, he thought on what was, what could have been, and what was to come. He was so deep in his thoughts, that he did not notice he was no longer alone.

"Heavy are your thoughts, Son of Durin," said a feminine voice.

Fili looked up to see a beautiful elf lady. "My Lady?"

"Forgive my intrusion, Master Dwarf. I see that there is much on your mind, and that I understand. So much hangs in the balance. It is not cowardly to wonder if it will all be worth it in the end, or if there could have been another way."

"I beg your pardon, my Lady, but who are you? How could you possibly know what is on my mind?"

"I am called Galadriel, Lady of Lorien." She smiled. "I believe your people refer to me as the elf witch or enchantress."

Fili felt as though the air was sucked out of his lungs. He had heard of her, of course. She was a favorite character in the stories of warnings parents told their dwarflings. It was said she could read the mind of any being. She walked the forests of Lothlorien, seeking to enthrall any who came too near her borders to do her bidding. It was also said that she could look into the future.

The Lady laughed. In his mind, Fili heard a voice. 'Yes, Master Fili, I can see into the thoughts of others, but I could not control you even if I wanted to. I can see many futures. Some change and others remain as I have seen. Nothing is certain until it comes to pass.' She then spoke aloud, "Fate has smiled upon you. Your brothers' injured state has changed your path."

"How could my brother being injured, be a good thing? He almost died!"

Galadriel stared long at Fili. He no longer sat, but stood before her. "Your mother would have been most grieved by the eventual outcome."

The young dwarrow let that seep into his mind. His mother would have been grieved. He or his brother, perhaps both, would have likely met with an untimely end. That was a lot to take in.

"I offer not answers, but encouragement. There is hope for your family and your people. Trust your mind and your heart. Your circumstances have never been a hindrance to you, but have helped shape you into the dwarrow you are today. Through them, you have developed a compassion not often seen. You are fiercely loyal, a gifted warrior, and humble. You have the makings to be a great king."

Fili once more found himself without words. What does one say to such information? He cleared his throat and said, "I thank you, my Lady, for your words. Though you have intended to encourage, I admit I find myself quite a bit intimidated."

His own words shocked him. A dwarf never admitted a weakness in front of an elf!

"It would be a thing to worry over if you were not at least a little wary. Walk with me. I shall tell you of Moria and your father, Durin."

Fili obliged her. She shared many things as they walked; the greatness that had been Khazad-dum, stories of warriors whose names were long forgotten by his people, and shared what she remembered from her encounters with his forbearer.

"You remind me of him. It is in your carriage and speech. His blood is strong in you."

"I will take that as a great compliment, my Lady."

By this point, they found themselves outside his brothers' room. They heard laughter coming from within.

Galadriel looked at Fili with a smirk before relaxing her face into an unreadable expression. "I think I want to see this," thought Fili. He motioned for her to proceed him into the room. As they entered the room, Fili saw the elven twins sitting on the end of his brother's bed, animated in their telling of a story about one of Lord Elrond's advisors. Glorfindel nodded to the Lady before turning to the twins with a look of absolute glee.

"I am sure Erestor did not find it so amusing."

The ellon startled and turned. "Mother of our Mother,"

"We did not realize you were in our home,"

"Had we known,"

"We would have greeted you."

"I had business with your Adar and the white counsel."

"Will you be staying with us long?"

"I was thinking I would linger here a few weeks. I understand that you will be headed east in that time, and since it has been long since we have traveled together, I thought I might join you."

They both paled. "You want to travel with us?"

Kili, confused, looked to Fili. He noticed that his brother's lips were twitching. A glance at Glorfindel further proved that something was going on. Deciding not to dwell on it too long, he turned his attention back to the Lady and the twins.

"Yes. Do you not think you would be adequate escorts?"

"No, I mean, yes, we would,"

"But you wouldn't want to travel with us."

"And, pray, why not?"

"Well, uh, you see…"

This went on for the next few minutes, each stumbling over their words and coming up with weak, unintelligible excuses as to why their grandmother would not want to join them. They were finally interrupted by another elf entering the room.

"We are ready to depart on your order, my Lady."

"Thank you, Haldir. I shall join you soon."

The twins' mouths dropped. The Lady smiled at them and turned to Glorfindel. "I am sure Erestor would enjoy hearing of this encounter."

"I shall see that he does, my Lady."

She approached her grandsons and kissed their cheeks, speaking to them in Sindarin. Next, she turned to Kili. "I wish you well, son of Durin. May your recovery be swift and your journey easy."

"Thank you, my Lady." Kili didn't know what to make of this beautiful elf. He would ask Fili about her, as he did, after all, enter with her.

"Master Fili, I enjoyed our walk. I hope to meet you again."

"A pleasure. I pray your journey brings you safely home."

Before she reached the door, she turned to the last remaining being. "Glorfindel, do not fear should your heart be taken." She then left, closing the door behind her.

"I wish she would not be so vague with her words," moaned Glorfindel.

Fili and Kili looked at the elves and allowed their laughter to spill over. "Your faces!"

"As though you would be happy to have one of your female relatives go along with you on an adventure," cried Elladan.

"Of course not," said Fili "We would be horrified. That doesn't distract from the looks of alarm that graced your faces."

"It was like she told you she broke your favorite bow," added Kili.

"I guess we know where you got your humor from."

"Lord Glorfindel, what did she mean by what she told you? 'Do not fear should your heart be taken'?" asked Kili.

"Time will tell," the elf lord answered.

"You're as revealing as she is. By the way, who exactly was she?"

One or two more chapters in Rivendell, and we're off!