Chapter 3

As Ember entered the hobbit hole, she looked around at the warm, comfortable atmosphere. The home was decorated with care, and very well maintained. She heard her host close the door behind her as she removed her boots. "Well, my dear, let's get you settled. The guest room is this way," the hobbit said with a smile. She followed Bilbo down the hallway to a guest bedroom. She felt herself relax as Bilbo puttered around her, gathering towels and blankets. Mr. Baggins was a wonderful host, and she felt very at ease around him. She decided to wash up and soon found that he had filled a hot tub for her, with soaps that smelled faintly of honey. After thanking him for his kindness, she gently closed the door to the bathing room. She quickly removed her traveling garments and sank into the warm water, relishing the feeling of the water around her sore muscles. Although she was quite used to traveling, she had been residing at Rivendell for some time, and her muscles were stiff from the road trip with Gandalf. Her mind drifted as she thought back to the day he had made his request.

"She is not ready, Gandalf," Lord Elrond had intoned. Ember had snuck up quietly onto the balcony, slipping silently behind a great pillar. Her friend and tutor had arrived, and had not immediately come to see her, instead stopping to speak with her vakha, Lord Elrond. She intended to find out why.

"I know that her power has not emerged, but trust me when I say that this is the quest, the time, the moment that we have been waiting for since she came to us." Gandalf stared at the Elf before him. They both had raised Ember as if she were their own child, but Gandalf had always been called away on other matters. Ember had remained safe and hidden in Rivendell, and Lord Elrond was extremely attached to Ember. Indeed, she was such a bright light to all who knew her, and Gandalf had known it would take convincing to allow Elrond to let her go.

"She is still a child. I cannot allow her to go on such a quest." Elrond refused to add that his heart was troubled at the thought of losing her so soon. 25 years had not been long enough, but a drop of sand in an hourglass of eternity that was his life.

"You forget, mellonin, that if we use the man calendar, she is 25, of age. If we use the dwarven standard, she is 61, also of age."

"And if we use the elven calendar she is still an infant!" Elrond retorted, a rare flash of annoyance in his eyes. Gandalf strode closer to his friend, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You knew this day would come, mellonin," Gandalf said quietly, his voice full of understanding. "She is ready." Elrond smiled sadly.

"But I, it seems, am not," the Elf replied softly. Ember smiled at his heartfelt words. She knew that her vakha cared for her deeply, like a father, and she felt the same. But this was HER Gandalf, wanting to take HER on a REAL quest! She would not be denied, and she stepped into the light. They glanced at her entrance, each pausing to drink in her beauty.

"Herunin, please forgive me, but I thought I heard Istarnin's voice." She smiled at her guardian, and skipped lightly closer to him. She took his hand in her own as she gazed up at him adoringly. At that moment, Elrond knew he had lost. He could deny her nothing, for she was his a'mael harma, closer to him but for his own children. As he smiled down into her blue eyes, he nodded silently at Gandalf, who formally bowed at her. He then proceeded to tell her about the quest. A journey to the Lonely Mountain….reclaiming Erebor. Her dwarven blood hummed in excitement at the thought. She squeezed Elrond's hand, and accepted immediately. As Gandalf took his leave of them to retire to his room, Ember gazed out into the beauty of Rivendell. The love that she felt for the valley showed in her eyes as she memorized every detail before her. Elrond watched her carefully. Although she had been well trained, and he was confident in her abilities, she was still a young girl, and his heart ached at the thought of harm coming to her. She smiled softly, still gazing into the cool evening, but feeling his worry wash over her. He came and stood behind her, softly stroking her hair.

"A'mael harma, you must promise me that you will be safe. That you will…return." He stared into her eyes as she turned to face him. Her blue eyes studied his intently, and he felt a wave of peace wash over him. She hugged him close and whispered into his arms.

"Lasto nin, Herunin, gweston i de cherithon." He smiled softly. Once again, she had used her power to calm him, without even knowing she had done so. He kissed the top of her head, then moved silently from the balcony. Ember closed her eyes as a single tear fell. No matter what blood ran through her veins, this would always be her home.

That had been several weeks ago. She sighed in contentment and slowly rose from the now cool bath water. She quickly combed her damp hair and smiled at the sight of the dressing gown Bilbo had left her with the towels. It had been one of his mother's, and it fit quite well, although a little short, coming just to her knees. Ember was small, like her dwarven father, but slim and slender like her mother. She quickly exited the bathroom, and found Bilbo preparing to head to the market to purchase some food for supper. She declined to come, deciding to rest for the remainder of the day. The night, she knew, was going to be VERY entertaining. She laid her head down on the pillow, and was soon fast asleep.

Hours later, a soft knock on the guest room door failed to wake her, and Bilbo entered the room quietly. He stared in wonder at the beautiful child that lay in the bed, her hair flowing around her thick and soft. How this beautiful creature had managed to wrap him so securely around her little finger in the span of one afternoon, he did not know. But his only thought was to her comfort and happiness while in his home. He gently touched her shoulder and her eyes flickered open. At first wary with sleep, she smiled at her host as she sat up. She saw the sun setting through the small window, and blushed. "Have I slept the entire day away, Bilbo?" she asked sheepishly. He laughed, and patted her hand.

"Yes, my dear, but fear not, you have not missed supper. I was just about to start making it, would you care to help?" Ember clapped her hands in happiness. She loved to cook, and rarely got to do so, since the elven servants tended to get angry at her attempts to rob them of their jobs. Plus, she knew a little more about the coming evening than Bilbo, and she felt that she better help him prepare. She quickly searched her small pack for a clean pair of clothes, settling on a pair of soft black trousers and a pale blue tunic trimmed in gold. Running a brush through her long hair, she left it flowing down her back before she headed to the kitchen to find Bilbo. Soon the little hobbit home smelled of warm stew, fried fish and potatoes. Ember checked the fresh baked buns that were nearly done in the little oven and informed her host they needed only a few more minutes. Bilbo smiled and shook his head. Ember insisted on making WAY too much, in Bilbo's opinion, but he figured she needed to put a little meat on her bones, and well, he would never turn down seconds. Just as he began to set the table, a loud knock sounded at the door. Ember smothered a grin as Bilbo muttered, "Who could that be?" to himself and headed to the door. She giggled in excitement. This would be a night to remember.

Vakha - Guardian

A'mael harma - beloved treasure

Herunin - My Lord

Istarnin - my Wizard

Lasto nin, Herunin, gweston i de cherithon - Hear me, my Lord, I swear I will do it

Hope you like it! I own nothing but my character Ember.