I realise chapter seven was shorter than usual, and I'm sorry. I can't tell length all that well from my tablet. Merci for the reviews! xx Despite the hunger gnawing at his inside, Nori didn't have the appetite to steal anything. The Eldar food was unfamiliar, and in his honest opinion looked unappetising. A plate of food was soon placed in front of him, and Nori was disappointed by the lack of meat present. To his right, Bilbo was ferociously downing his serving, and he could hear that Dori was trying to coax his baby brother to eat 'his greens' like the mother hen he was. All in all, Rivendell's grand halls were too much for Nori. He loved the smell of salt in the air and the wind in his face and the sound of the sails and only wood between him and the vastness of he ocean. It was beautiful here, he wasn't blind, but it was far too much inland. Dining with Lord Elrond had been a courtesy they had had to suffer. Later in the evening, the company snuck some food out of the kitchens to the garden in which they were spending yes night. Lord Elrond has offered them rooms to stay in, but they had declined, much to Bilbo's dismay. The entire place intrigued him, so he decided to let his feet do some exploring. There were several unlocked rooms to which Bilbo walked into. One caught his interest the most. It was a small courtyard, vines cascading down from the terrace above made the light more ethereal here. In the middle stood a statue of a woman, a cloak covering her face. What was most interesting though, was what she held in her hands. A marble platter, upon which lay a sword, or maybe better to say the remains of a sword. It was curious why Elrond would keep such a thing. It reminded Bilbo of a story his mother once told him, of a time long ago. Legend had it that once the bickering nations had been one. And they had fought against the dark armada of Sauron. The Dark Lord, as he was called, was eventually defeated. What remained from his reign were the chaotic tribes of Orcs, Goblins and Wargs. But all that is legend, Bilbo thought, looking at the broken blade once again. "Master Baggins," Gandalf was known for interrupting the cobblers thoughts. "I found this" he showed Bilbo a well crafted hunting knife "among the troll hoard. It seemed appropriate for you." "I- I, Gandalf, I have no idea how to use this" Bilbo stammered." I can't take it. thank you, but I can't" "You will need to defend yourself at some point in the near future, Bilbo. Its of Eldar make." With trembling hands, Bilbo accepted the gift. Thorin could read maps. He didn't need Elrond's help. He knew how to read his grandfathers chart, and he knew how to get to Erebor, and he knew where the door was. He didn't need help. He had been dragged into a meeting with Gandalf and the cobbler against his will. There wasn't anything new he would find out. Yet he was forced to stand there, jaw stubbornly set, and forced to listen to the high Eldar lord talk. "This door can only be opened once a year." That caught Thorin's attention. "On the last light of Durin's day, according to this chart." "Then we must reach The Lonely Island before that." Thorin did not realise he spoke aloud. Both Gandalf and Elrond turned and looked at him. He stared them down, then turning on one heel stormed out of the room. They wouldn't tell him what to do. After all he was King of Erebor, even if in exile. That night, Thorin tossed and turned relentlessly. He was used to the uncomfortable hammocks aboard the Sirene, this was a different kind of discomfort. He got up, and started walking around the garden. One thing that they didn't have in the mighty halls of Erebor was gardens such as these. He would never admit it, but Thorin admired them. The sound of footsteps made him stop in his tracks. "Why didn't you tell me your intent from the beginning, Gandalf?" the voice speaking belonged to Lord Elrond. "I feared you would attempt to discourage the pirates, and that would only result badly." "And why the cobbler?" "You could say, I am afraid, and Bilbo Baggins gives me courage." "I will still insist you do not continue on this folly. It will only result in them getting killed." "You know how stubborn they are. Try telling them not to." "I fear for Thorin Oakenshield. His grandfather and father were both victims to gold sickness. His mind may not be safe." At that sentence, Thorin realised he was not supposed to be eavesdropping to this particular conversation. He turned back to the campsite. Finding himself unable to sleep once again, Thorin realised the reason behind his insomnia was doubt. Bilbo Baggins was shaken awake the following morning. Dawn had just arrived, washing everything in a pale pink light. As Bilbo packed his sleeping roll, he reaslied he would miss the valley of Imladris. The company walked out of the city, and Bilbo kept glancing back over his shoulder.