Chapter Three

Upon arriving at the dining room, Legolas and Gimli were attacked by what appeared to Susan to be two barefoot children. When she looked again, she realized that they were adults - very short adults with hairy, sturdy-looking feet. Seated at the table along with Arwen and Aragorn were a stately-looking Elf and an elderly man in white robes. Aragorn and the elderly man laughed as the short men nearly bowled over Legolas with their enthusiastic greeting.

"Susan," called Arwen over the din, "may I introduce my father, Elrond? This is his home that we're staying in."

Susan dipped a neat curtsey to the stately Elf. "It's my pleasure to meet you, Lord Elrond. You have a very beautiful home."

"Thank you," replied Elrond, bowing his head graciously. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

"May I introduce Gandalf the White?" asked Aragorn. "Gandalf, this is Susan Pevensie. She's from another world."

"Is that so?" said Gandalf. "You'll have to tell me all about it. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you, sir," said Susan with a curtsey. She seated herself beside Gandalf. "What would you like to know?"

Susan's description of the typewriter was interrupted by a loud burst of laughter. The four roughhousers joined the table with little ceremony, prompting a frown from Elrond and indulgent smiles from Arwen and Gandalf.

"Our troublemakers," said Legolas fondly. "The perpetually startled one is Merry Brandybuck."

"An' th' pointy one is Pippin Took," said Gimli.

"I'm more in the habit of being kidnapped than stealing, though!" Pippin chimed in.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," said Susan, laughing softly. "I'm Susan Pevensie."

"Pevensie?" said Merry. "I've never heard that family name before."

"You would not have," said Elrohir. "She arrived yesterday from another world by going over the falls."

"That's amazing!" said Merry.

"Can we try?" asked Pippin. "Please?"

"'Tis no' as fun as ye'd think," said Gimli. "Mah faither did tha' in a wine barrel."

"And what a waste of wine that was," drawled Elladan.

"Gandalf, we must know," said Elrond. "Have you found anything that may help?"

Gandalf sighed, "I have a notion of what may aid Arwen, but I hope there might be something else."

"Arwen?" asked Susan. "What's wrong? What do you need help with?"

"Aragorn and I are having a baby," said Arwen. "However, all those with foresight have seen that this child shall be the death of me. We seek to prevent that."

"We asked all of the great midwives in the Shire," said Merry. "The main suggestions were 'eat lots of wholesome foods' and 'no heavy lifting'."

"Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to help too," said Pippin. The rest of the table looked at him disbelievingly. "What? I've got a big family!"

"Mus' be doin' somethin' riet," said Gimli.

"What did Lady Galadriel say?" asked Aragorn.

Elrond sighed. "She suggested that we look for a plant called the bloodfire plant. Apparently, it has powerful healing properties. Unfortunately, it is known to grow in the volcanic mountains along the northern border of Mordor."

"I was afraid you'd say that," said Gandalf.

"Is there something wrong with that?" asked Susan.

"Until three years ago," said Aragorn, "Mordor was the land of the Dark Lord Sauron. The War of the Ring brought his reign to an end, but no one crosses the border. It's still too soon."

"No' tae mention th' rumours o' the northeast border," added Gimli.

"You mean Morwen," said Elladan.

"Who's Morwen?" asked Pippin.

"Sauron's apprentice," said Legolas. "From before he was consumed by darkness. That's where she's imprisoned."

"An apprentice he treated as a daughter," said Elrohir. "Saruman's records of the time say that he called her his own child. But she was his student."

"And quite a tale that is, too," said Gandalf. "Would you be so kind as to share part of it with us, Lord Elrond? For our guest's benefit."

"Thousands of years ago," began Elrond, "a series of rings were made as a gesture of unity among the different races. The Elves got three, all of which are accounted for. The Dwarves' seven are accounted for as well, as are most of the nine for Men. The ruling Ring was destroyed three years ago. Centuries after the One Ring was forged, Sauron made another and gave it to his apprentice Morwen. It bound her to the place where she was given the ring. She cannot leave. Over time the ring twisted her. Morwen is as dangerous as Sauron, but limited by the power of the ring."

"He didn't give it to her," said Gandalf softly. "Sauron welded the ring to the flesh of her right hand."

"That's disgusting," said Susan. "How could he do that to someone he considers his daughter?"

"Sauron was once a good Maia," said Aragorn. "No one knows exactly why he went dark. But he committed atrocities from the darkness. Morwen's imprisonment is the least of them."

"So Morwen is the guardian of the bloodfire plant," said Arwen thoughtfully.

"Great," said Merry. "When do we leave?"

"You will not be going," said Elrond. "It is unfortunate, but there is something else I need you to do, if you are willing."

"Is it going back to the Shire?" asked Pippin. "Because neither of us want to do that."

"I need the two of you to go through Goblin country," said Elrond, "and deliver a message to a tribe of very Elf-hostile Dwarves. It is of vital importance."

"Well that sounds good to me," said Merry. "What d'you think, Pip?"

"We'll go," agreed Pippin. "Are you two coming with us?"

"For part of the way, yes," said Elrohir. "We have a message of our own to deliver. We have faith in you."

"And it is better for our health if we do not approach these Dwarves," said Elladan. "Just as it is likely better that you do not approach those we shall be meeting with. But it is time that Middle Earth was at peace."

"I cannot go either," said Aragorn regretfully. "I need to return to my people. The Council needs guidance, and a king cannot run around recklessly."

"I volunteer to go," said Legolas. "My current commitment is to my cousin Arwen."

"As do I," said Gimli.

"I shall accompany them," said Gandalf.

"I'll go as well," said Susan. "I've been in battles before. I can protect myself. Please let me help?"

"I see no reason why she should not," said Arwen. "Perhaps it will be good for us all that Susan go."

"I do not think-" began Legolas. Elrond interrupted.

"Susan Pevensie is meant to accompany you," the Lord of Rivendell informed him. "Galadriel, Celeborn and I have all been visited by a lion who has sent her to us. You will take her with you."

"Ye can shoot," said Gimli. "Anythin' else?"

"I can ride," said Susan. "I'm good at hiding and sneaking around people I don't want to encounter."

"Those are useful skills," said Elrond. He rose from the table. "I shall leave preparation for your quest to the four of you then. Good fortune attend you. Elladan and Merradoc, come with me to my study for your messages. Elrohir, help Peregrin to prepare for your mission."

"Yes Father," said the twins. They kissed their sister's cheeks and followed Elrond into the house with the Hobbits in tow.

"Shall we see what we can relieve the stores of?" Gandalf asked Gimli. "We'll leave those two to figure out any other supplies we might need on our journey."

"Dinnae be gettin' too caught up in flirtin', mind," said Gimli.

"I was not flirting," said Legolas crossly.

"Of course not," said Gandalf, amused. "I fear your teasing has made Legolas upset, Gimli. There will likely be plenty of opportunities for teasing in the near future." The Wizard and the Dwarf made their way into the house, headed for the stores. Legolas sighed.

"If you are going to accompany us," he informed Susan, "you will need to be able to use more than just the bow."

"And you're going to teach me, are you?" asked Susan, teasing a little.

"Yes," said Legolas with a pleasant little smile. "I am. Let us start."