I am so sorry about the lack of updates. I know it sounds like I'm making excuses but my laptop has completely broken and I had writers block in this chapter. enjoy xx
The plain echoed with the shouts of the company, as they tried not to lose each-other through jutting outcrops of rock. Thorin tried to keep an eye out for everyone, pulling Ori away from a stray arrow, pushing Bifur against the rock so he wasn't noticed by their perusers and frantically looking around for his nephews. The last time he had seen the destructive duo was in Shaw, after they hastily gathered all necessary supplies from the Sirene and abandoned it. Gandalf had discovered that a price had been placed on their head by someone -he didn't disclose the identity though he clearly knew, Thorin could tell.
His sisters-sons had been dragged out of his sight when the tribes named Orcs and Wargs has attacked them, right at the outskirts of the town. He knew they were following, as he could occasionally hear Kili releasing arrows with deadly accuracy towards their assailants.
'Gandalf!' Thorin shouted 'Where are you leading us?'
The old man didn't answer.
Eventually the wheat fields lead faded into a craggy path, where their every footstep sounded back at them. The sky was a crevice in the rock. Yet the pathway was worn out and well treaded, so it must lead somewhere. Thorin suspected where it might be.
Earlier, in the main square of the Shaws, Gandalf had suggested they go to the Eldar for help. Specifically, Elrond's court in Rivendell. The idea still made his skin crawl. After Thorin refused, Gandalf had stormed off, muttering to himself of the stubbornness of pirates.
'KILI! FILI!' Thorin called over the heads of his companions for the two reckless brothers.
'Here!' Kili jumped up and down to get his uncle's attention.
'I'm here.' His heir said from beside him.
'Bifur? Bofur? Bombur?'
A chorus of three replied.
'Dori, Ori, Nori?'
'We're here.' Dori replied on behalf of the three brothers.
'Balin and Dwalin?'
'We're here, laddie'
'Gloin, Oin?'
'What?' Oin screeched back not having clearly understood what was going on due to his horrible hearing.
'We're all here. Dwalin, scout ahead on the path. Bifur, you make sure no-one follows us.'
The company cautiously moved foreward in the cave, Thorin glaring at the back of Gandalf's head.
Eventually, the walls started to recede, opening over...
'The valley of Imladris.' Gandalf spread out his arms in display 'Known in the common tongue as..'
'Rivendell.' Biblo interrupted, the wonder clear in his voice.
Thorin found himself growling at the old man. 'You tricked us.'
'You cannot reclaim Erebor unaided. Elrond is willing to help. You need his counsel.'
The pirates entered Rivendell with heavy hearts. Bilbo did not know the reason Thorin disliked the Eldar so, but he didn't dare to ask for fear of setting him off.
The city of Rivendell was walled from invaders, and inaccessible by sea, only by land or river. Its beautiful archways and graceful architecture reminded the cobbler of the books his mother had read to him as a child and the tales of the Eldar that he had heard of. In the stories they always appeared as heroic and brave and graceful. Bilbo wondered if it were true.
Their feet lead them to the central square, right at the steps of Elrond's palace. A young man was standing at the lowest one. He had long brown hair, pale skin and was dressed in an elegant robe. He introduced himself as Lindir.
'My apologies, but Lord Elrond has not returned yet.'
Thorin's face shaped into even more of a glare, something which Bilbo had thought impossible.
Hoofbeats echoed up the cobblestone path that lead to the square. Four riders, in armour and a flag with the banner of Rivendell on it galloped in surrounding the fifteen. The pirates all held up their weapons in defence. One of the riders unsaddled himself, talking in Quenya to the Gandalf. Bilbo knew enough to recognise the language of the Eldar lords, but he didn't understand a word.
"Speak in a tongue we all understand!" Gloin growled
Lord Elrond turned to the grumpy banker, and in kindly tones replied to him in Quenya.
"Do you offer us insult?!" Gloin raised his axe.
"He offers you food and shelter." Gandalf translated "The only ill will here is that which you bring yourselves."