When Thorn saw the valley that led to Rivendell, he was not pleased. He glared at Gandalf.
Gandalf stood counting the dwarfs. The narrow passage through the cave had been slow going, but they had all made it safely. When he looked up he saw the disdain in Thorin's face.
"The Valley of Imladris, known in a more common tongue." Gandalf started and Bilbo finished.
"Rivendell."
"The Last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf continued.
"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin accused.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield, the only ill will found here is that which you bring on yourself." Gandalf countered.
"Do you think the elves will give our quest their blessings? They will try to stop us." Thorin stated.
"Of course they will, but we have questions that need to be answered." Gandalf stated. "Perhaps Adara will be of even more help, in these halls. She has high ranking friends among the elves."
Gandalf winked at Adara.
"Do you think Haldir is here, Gandalf?" Adara asked looking hopeful.
"He may be. Then again he may not be." Gandalf stated.
"Does he always talk in circles?" Kili asked her.
"Most of the time." Adara smiled.
"Now if we are to be successful, this will have to be handled with tact and respect, and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me." Gandalf stated and began to walk down toward the beautiful valley. The others followed slowly, only Bilbo and Adara seemed pleased to be so near to the elves.
"Who is this Haldir, to you?" Fili asked quietly.
"A father figure of sorts. He and three others found me when I was a small child." Adara explained.
"Oh, good." He stated and walked more proudly." Adara smiled, she loved the way he held himself, so in control and sure. Kili walked up to her and smiled.
"Fili cares for you, Lady Adara. I shall bow out, and hope I someday find a beauty of my own, such as you." Kili bowed and kissed her hand then moved back to walk next to Ori. Adara was amazed, she never saw such gallantry in Kili. Perhaps she had been wrong about him. None the less, she was pleased that he had no hard feelings. She walked a bit faster and was next to Fili, she touched her fingers to his hand that hung at his side. He looked over at her and smiled as he entwined his fingers through hers. They walked like this until they reached Rivendell. At the steps they were greeted by a tall handsome dark haired elf.
"We heard you had crossed into the valley." The elf spoken in elvish to Gandalf.
"I must speak to Lord Elrond." Gandalf stated.
"My Lord Elrond is not here." The elf changed to the common language.
"Not here?" Gandalf looked at the elf suspiciously. "Where is he?" Then elven horns could be heard coming from the bridge, announcing the return of riders. Thorin became defensive seeing the troop of mounted elves riding toward him. And had the dwarfs gather ranks to defend themselves, putting Bilbo and Adara in the middle. The elves circled the dwarfs. The lead horseman, when seeing Gandalf smiled and stopped.
"Gandalf." He stated.
"Lord Elrond, my friend." Gandalf stated in elvish. "Where have you been?"
"We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the south." Elrond answered, "We slew a number of them near the Hidden Passage." dismounting, he walked to Gandalf and embraced him.
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders." Elrond now spoke the common language. "Something or someone has drawn them near."
"That may have been us." Gandalf stated and waved his hand toward the company.
He walked forward and Thorin met him. "Welcome Thorin son of Thrain."
"I do not believe that we have met." Thorin stated.
"You have your Grandfather's baring, I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain." Elrond stated.
"Indeed, he made no mention of you." Thorin stated rudely.
Elrond answered with words in elvish and Gloin took offense. "What is he saying, is he offering us insult?"
"No Master Gloin, he is offering you food." Gandalf stated with a shake of the head. The dwarfs mumbled among themselves.
"Well in that case, lead on." Gloin stated. The Dwarfs followed and were seated at a long table and brought food. Several were not pleased by the mounds of vegetables. Fili and Adara sat and chatted to one another, while the others complained about the food.
Elrond led Gandalf and Thorin into a hall where they could discuss the map and prophecy.
As the dwarfs sat at the table elves played instruments and moved gracefully about. The dwarfs did not seem to enjoy it very much. Adara smiled when Oin stuffed a rag in his hearing tube to keep out the music. As the evening passed slowly, Fili became restless and soon stood, he held out his hand to Adara.
"My Lady, shall we take a stroll?" Fili asked and smiled at her, the look in his eyes was all it took. She put her hand in his and they walked away from the table, as the others joked about them bringing back a buck or wild boar. They walked quietly for some time. When they came to a sparkling pool with a weeping willow shadowing half of it. A bench sat under the willow. Fili led her to the bench and they sat. Fili leaned toward Adara slowly and kissed her lips softly. He pulled back, waiting for a slap, but instead he was rewarded by a loving smile.
"I think, I love you." Fili stated. "I wish to know how you feel about me."
"I love you more than the air I breath, but we don't know how things will turn out." Adara stated and stood, she walked to the edge of the pool. Fili walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest.
"I do not care if I was to not live pass tomorrow, I would still have you today." Fili stated. Adara turned in his arms and put her arms around his neck, their lips met and they shared a long passionate kiss. "I need to talk to Kili, he likes you. I don't want him to be angry with me."
"I don't think you need to worry. He told me that he was happy for you and I, he said he would not pursue me any farther. That your happiness was of far greater importance, than his pride." Adara stated and smiled at the man she loved.
"Kili never fails to amaze me." Fili stated looking back the way they had come with gratefulness.
He than stepped back and took a ring from his smallest finger and placed it on Adara's left ring finger. "A promise ring." Fili stated. "May I put a braid in your hair?"
"Yes, of course, but only at the front part, it would take too long to braid the length." Adara smiled. Fili quickly placed a intricate braid in her hair at her temple and strung a silver bead on it, then tied it off with a leather cord. Adara noticed that one of the beads from his mustache braids was missing. "It's my bead, I have claimed you." Fili stated with a smirk, then smiled lovingly. They embraced again and headed back to the others. Fili wanted to show off. Adara just smiled and held his hand as they walked. When they returned to the table, it was empty.
"The others in your company have moved to the veranda." A tall handsome male elf told them. He nodded his head to Fili and bowed to Adara.
Fili and Adara walked several paces down a splendid hall and soon heard the others laughing and joking. They entered the veranda and both grinned when they saw the meat that was before them.
"Gandalf has come through. We have real food now." Ori stated and looked embarrassed.
Fili and Adara joined them and began to drink wine and nibble on the meat. They said nothing of their walk. Soon enough though Kili stood and held up his wine goblet.
"To my brother Fili, and the woman he has chosen. A merry life to you both." Kili toasted and drank as the others joined in. They all then noticed the braid in Adara's hair and Fili's bead.
"Congradulations my boy." Balin stated, "She is a lovely catch." He smiled and winked at Adara.
After a couple of hours of laughter and merry making. Thorin, Gandalf and Elrond entered. Thorin sat and grabbed a haunch of meat and began to eat. Gandalf and Elrond stood, then Gandalf motioned to Adara. She stood and went to him. "Lady Adara, someone wishes to see you." Elrond stated.
"Of course. Just one minute." Adara stated and walked back to Fili. "I have to go for a bit, I will be back soon. I love you." She and Fili kissed, then she returned to Gandalf and Elrond.
"I see you have made your choice." Gandalf stated smiling.
"Yes, Fili is serious minded. He can be fun and jokes, but he knows when to be act mature." Adara stated.
"I would say you chose very wisely." Elrond smiled, then his smile became sad. Adara looked at him then to the ground. He had lost someone he loved.
"Come My little one. We have a surprise for you." Gandalf stated.
They stepped through a wide golden arch and there sat the Lady of Light, Galadriel, and standing behind her was Haldir." When he saw Adara he smiled brightly.
"You may go to her." Galadriel stated and smiled. Haldir walked quickly and gracefully to Adara and gave her a long embrace. "How have you been, Child of my Heart." He stated.
"I have been doing fine. How have you been, Father." Adara took his hands and pressed kisses to the backs of both. "I have so missed you." Adara looked up at him, he took away one of his hands and brushed a tear off of Adara's cheek.
"Lady Galadriel wishes to talk with you, I came with her and her escort. Mostly to see you though." He winked at Adara. "We must talk later, for now I must take watch, Orcs have been getting very bold lately. He bowed and walked away.
Adara turned and saw the Lady of Light waiting. Galadriel was patient, when Adara was ready
she would proceed with her visit.
"Lady Galadriel, it is so wonderful to see you again." Adara stated.
"Come child, we need to talk."
"Of course." Adara smiled and went to sit across from the Galadriel.
"I see you have grown much, especially your hair. As Gandalf has said. I am here to let you know that you are charmed my dear. Your hair even is charmed and has protective traits. When in battle you should wear it hanging down in back. A shield of sorts."
"Would it shield others?" Adara interrupted.
"Yes, if they were able to wear something made from your hair, yes it would shield them, some what. Not as much as you, being that it is natural to you." Galadrial tried to explain.
After several hours, Haldir came back and they walked about Rivendell, catching up on everything the other had missed. Then he took her to the veranda and bid her and the dwarfs farewell.
"Is everything alright." Fili asked, looking slightly worried.
"Yes, I was just told that I have charmed hair." Adara giggled. Fili smiled and pulled her down on his bedroll. Their bedroll, for he had laid them both together. Adara cuddled up against him and yawned shyly. Fili wrapped his arms around her and they were soon both asleep.
Several days passed in Rivendell, Adara went to see different elves now and again. But soon returned to Fili's side. On the last night she left, returning only moments later. Carrying several packages. Gandalf stared at her then his mouth opened in shock.
"Your hair! What have you done?" Gandalf asked in horror. Adara smiled and shook her collar length hair cut. Fili's braid untouched.
"I had Allawyn cut it." Adara stated. "Don't worry Gandalf, it grows back very fast."
"Allawyn, Allawyn is a weaver, not a barber." Gandalf stated.
"Yes, I know." Adara stated and smiled at the old wizard. She then took the packages and gave Fili the biggest, then the next sized one to Gandalf, the rest going to each of the dwarfs and Bilbo.
"Ori opened his and found a beautiful vest made of Adara's hair." He smiled and held it to his heart. Fili opened his and drew out a full shirt woven from her hair. The others had vests like Ori's, including Bilbo. Gandalf's was a cape. All put on the delicate garments, on top of their clothes. They fit perfectly.
"What are these for, Lady Adara." Ori asked.
"To protect you all from harm." She stated and smiled widely.