I felt like a child again. One who has run away into a magical land, away from the harsh realities of the world. I felt as if I could run down into the city and keep running forever, the nostalgia would keep me company and I would never have to leave. I can picture them, the elves, singing joyfully beyond the city walls. They wear flowing gold spun from the finest silks and play the most wonderful songs.
I feel as if Bilbo and I are the only two who feel like this. From the expressions on the other dwarves faces they don't seem to pleased to be here. I don't blame them in some way, they have had no alliance with the elves since Thranduil turned his back on them years ago.
Turning my head back I see that Thorin is voicing his opinion to Gandalf who waves it away insisting that the elves can answer the questions we have. I start down the rock-steps slowly, just so I can get a better view of everything. It all just seems so… pure and untainted. It seems as though a veil has been thrown over Rivendell so that nothing evil or malevolent may enter. It is comforting to know that while we're here, for however long we stay, we will be safe.
Gandalf strides past me and continues down towards Rivendell, the dwarves follow after him with their weapons still drawn. I wait for Bilbo and walk beside him. His eyes, like mine, are darting from building to building, from tree to tree. We descend into the city, elven voices rise up around us. But from where I do not know.
Their voices were like laughter, springing up and ringing deep in my ears. Their song echoed through the glades and over the rock side.
O! What are you seeking,
And where are you making?
The faggots are reeking,
The bannocks are baking!
O! tril-lil-lil-lolly
The valley is jolly,
Ha! Ha!
O! Where are you going
With beards all a-wagging?
No knowing, no knowing
What brings Mister Baggins
And Balin and Dwalin
Down into the valley
In June
Ha! Ha!
June? Is it really June already? It only seems like yesterday that we set out from Bag End, but in reality almost two months have passed. I used to be able to pride myself on my time keeping, but I suppose that being away from home and far off in the wild messes with the mind.
As we traipsed into the valley the elves came into view. They hid up in the trees, their voices mixing harmoniously. It brought a smile to my face, and to Bilbo's, the Dwarves still have stony faces. I'm sure that they would rather be out there with the Wargs and Orcs instead of being in the home of the 'enemy' as Thorin called them.
Soon enough a small stone bridge came into view. Gandalf crossed first, the rest of us following after him. I glanced down over the edge of the bridge, the water from the waterfall to its left cascaded in ribbons into the river at the bottom. The spray burst up at the bottom of the river, creating the most wonderful gurgling and bubbling sounds.
I step under a stone archway as I exit the bridge and I can't help but tilt my head up towards the buildings and let my eyes drink everything in. Despite the fact they aren't happy to be here the dwarves are doing the same, I spin trying to see everything but there I so much more that I can't see. There's so much history, so much beauty and mystery hidden in this once place that I am sure, no matter how long I stay here, I will never be able to see everything.
In front of us lie a great number of steps, all delicately carved from the stone. Atop them stands an elf. His appearance is so ethereal that I cannot pull my eyes away. As he descends the stone steps, his feet barely touch the stone, his every move so graceful that the robe he wears flows like water around his ankles.
"Mithrandir," He say's spreading his arms wide in a greeting. Behind me I can hear the dwarves muttering amongst one another as Gandalf greets the elf warmly. I only just catch the mention of the name 'Elrond' when a blazing horn, much like the one I heard back in the cavern sounds.
Immediately the dwarves swarm together. I'm grabbed and pulled backwards quickly, only just catching a glimpse of several horses galloping across the stone bridge. I tilt my head up, slightly panicked, as the horses surround us. Instantly, I wondered why the elves had commanded their steeds to surround us, surely they bare us no ill will. I turn, knocking into Bilbo who has also been pushed to the centre. I notice that although they are surrounding us, not one of the elves glance in our direction. They're dressed in battle armour, which makes me wonder if these are the elves that had attacked the Wargs outside of the cavern.
"Gandalf!" I turn again, seeing a lone rider astride a brown horse; he smiles at Gandalf and then begins to talk in a language that I don't understand. Gandalf replies quickly, also speaking in elven tongue. The dwarves are staring around begrudgingly, I don't think it helps the matter that they can't understand what Elrond and Gandalf are talking about. When Elrond turned to address us I was not the only one who found it slightly rude to speak in a language that none of us understood.
"What is he saying? Does he insult us?" That was a slightly brash thought, although it wasn't an impossible one. I don't suppose that Lord Elrond would insult is, especially as he knows very well that dwarves and elves do not get along. Then again, he could be insulting us for that reason.
"No, Master Gloin. He offers you food." Food. Just the mere thought makes my mouth water. All we had been living on is slim pickings of bacon and stew. To be quite honest, I was beginning to get sick of bacon. Anything that could be found in a salad would do me well at the moment.
The dwarves close in on each other, whispering. 'Food! I think we should,' 'I don't know…' 'I'm starving, why are we even conferring about this…' The whispering stops before I even get to ask why they were considering turning down a meal.
"Well, alright then, lead on." And then we followed.
I couldn't stop my eyes from darting around as we walked the elven halls. Tapestries and statues hung and stood by every corner, birds were chirping outside the windows and everywhere I looked elves glided through the corridors, their clothes flowing behind them like the great waterfall that rests on their doorstep. Soon we all emerge onto a balcony, a great table is laden with the greenest of foods. Goblets are already filled with ruby wine and an elf maiden plays a harp off on the edge of the balcony.
"Sit, and fill your stomachs." Elrond says. The dwarves, and I for that matter, don't have to be told twice. I sat, finding my place next to Bilbo, and loaded my plate with greens. I was content at munching on the crisp lettuce and ripe cherry tomatoes, but some of the dwarves must have thought this was merely an entrée.
Muttering filled the table as they concluded that they will not be getting any meat. I found it hard not to laugh at them, poor Ori just wanted some chips, and I half-heartedly agreed that some chips would be nice. Soon enough the noise of the harps and flutes began to get to the dwarves as well, Oin eventually stuffed his ear-trumpet with a handkerchief to rid himself of the noise. I found the harps and flutes slightly comforting, although the song they played seemed solemn it reminded me of Midsummers-eve back in the Shire. Flutes and other instruments would be played for us to dance and clap along to; some would even sing merry songs. A part of me missed those merry songs.
After we had finished our meal we were lead out onto another balcony where we would be staying. Thorin and Gandalf disappeared off with Lord Elrond and I concluded that Thorin, much to his distaste, would be questioned about his quest. We were told that we could wander about Rivendell if we liked, the dwarves wanted to stay together so they amused themselves on the balcony. I however, not only wanted to explore a bit, but I also wanted to get clean. The weeks without a bath meant that I was covered in dirt and grime. It would be lovely to get clean again.
As I passed along one of the corridors I noticed a beautiful elf woman leaving one of the rooms. I scurried to catch up with her, "Excuse me," I said, "I'm sorry to disturb you, but do you know of a place where I could get clean?"
The elf woman smiled and surveyed my dirtied appearance. "Of course, you are looking for the bath houses. I will show you the way."
"Thank you very much," I say, smiling back up at the elven woman. "My name is Rosa Baggins."
"Ah!" Said the woman, "You are one of the hobbits who is travelling with the company of dwarves. It is curious that two hobbits should travel with such… strange creatures. I am Caladhiel."
"It's very nice to meet you," I say. "They are quite strange, yes. But they are quite a merry bunch when you get to know them." We leave the building and begin to go down, further into the valley. Trees begin to rise up from the grass, encasing the path we walk on with sprinkled light.
"I must admit, I have never before laid eyes on a dwarf." Caladhiel says, as I turn my head towards the trees.
"Neither had I, until they…" I paused, holding my tongue. Surely if I said that they turned up on my doorstep then questions will be asked. "Crossed me and my brother on the road. It is really beautiful in the valley," I add, attempting to cover up my earlier pause.
Caladhiel smiles at my comment. "We pride ourselves in looking after the valley. It is the only place where no evil can enter. I suppose we live a rather sheltered life, considering all the dangers in the wild."
I laugh and the sound of bubbling water meets my ears. "You have no idea. Trolls!" I say, letting out a ragged cough-laugh. "I was nearly gobbled by a troll! Not to mention run down by Wargs and kept awake at night by a prowling Orc pack! But I am not used to the dangers of the world, it would seem like nothing to those who have to survive in the wild."
"Here we are!" Announced Caladhiel. She gestured to the wonderful springs that bubbled up from the ground and into shallow pools. "I will wait until you have finished bathing, that way you will not get lost trying to find your way back."
Caladhiel disappeared off into the trees and I hastily removed my clothes and sunk into one of the pools. I dunked my head under the water and scrapped the grime and dirt from my skin. By the time I had finished my skin was scrubbed raw, but I had never felt so clean in my entire life. I begin to climb out of the pool when I notice that my tattered and dirtied clothes are gone. In their place sits a towel and a blue folded dress. I hurry to dry myself and slip the fabric over my head. It feels strange to be wearing a dress after the past two months spent in male attire. Despite this I can say that I have never worn anything so beautiful.
"It fits!" I turn, fabric turning with me, towards Caladhiel who stands next to the path we took to the pools. "I am glad. Although, I did have to look through several children's dresses to find it."
"Thank you," I say. "It's lovely. But, where are my other clothes?"
"I've asked for them to be washed. There is no point in bathing then returning to dirty clothes." I open my mouth to thank her again, but she waves it away as if it is nothing. "Do you know how long you are staying?"
"I'm not sure…" I admit. "Although I suppose that the dwarves will want to leave as soon as possible." Caladhiel nodded in understanding.
"I understand," she say's as we walk away from the valley. "I wouldn't want to stay in my enemy's home either, even if it was by invitation. Although, I hope they know that they do not have any enemies within these walls."
"They seem to think it," I say, combing my hair with my fingers. "Sixty years. It seems such a long time to hold a grudge. But then again, dwarves can be stubborn."
"You would know," Caladhiel laughs. "Our people can be stubborn too; if we think we are right."
Caladhiel talked about her life in Rivendell as we headed back towards the balcony on which I would be staying. She wasn't born here, in fact she once lived in Mirkwood, or the Greenwood as it was once called, with the wood elves. Her father, who is friends with Lord Elrond, wanted her to move somewhere safe, away from the dangers of the forest. She said that Mirkwood was, and still is- she thinks-, a lovely place, full of wonders and many creatures. She loved her home, but now she has come to love Rivendell too.
When we arrived back at the hallway opposite the balcony Caladhiel informed me that my old clothes would be with me soon, bade me farewell and continued on her way. I headed down the corridor towards the balcony, the breeze bringing the smell of cooked bacon to my nose. I chuckled at the fact that the dwarves could not last without meat for one day.
I stepped out onto the balcony, noticing that Bilbo, Thorin and Gandalf were nowhere to be found. "You look revived, Lady Rosa." Said Bofur as he plated up some more bacon.
"Nothing a nice bath won't fix," I say. "I do hope my clothes are returned soon though, I'm not fond of dresses." The dwarves chuckled and I took my place next to them.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, and well on into the evening, the dwarves struck up merry tunes on their instruments. Those who no longer had their instruments sung or hummed in tune. I sat close to the edge of the balcony, the sound of the waterfall mixing with the hums of the dwarves and the soft songs of the elven folk below us. As the sun dropped lower into the sky and dipped behind the land that kept Rivendell hidden the song of the dwarves drew to a close. They now sat in a large circle, Balin was telling another tale, one that everybody wanted to listen to.
"Are you alright, Rosa?" I twist my head away from the glimmering sunset and look over at Kili who now sits opposite me, his back pressed up against the wall.
"Yes, of course." I say, letting my words drop away as a thought rushed into mind. "I- Thank you."
"For what?" He asked, turning his head towards the vast woodland in the valley.
"You know what I thank you for," I say. "I doubt I would have been able to keep up if you hadn't helped me along."
"It's what we do," Kili said, simply. "You and Bilbo, you're part of our company, and the company looks after one another." It was rather sweet, that one small comment. It made me feel, for a moment, that I hadn't really been out of place. In fact, we- Bilbo and I- had been part of the company all along; we've just never noticed it before. A small smile crept onto my face and I stood up from my place on the balcony.
"Where are you going?" Kili asked, also standing.
"I'm going to listen to this tale; I think you and Fili are in it, if I was listening correctly." We return to where the rest of the dwarves are sitting and listen to the rest of Balin's story- which happened to be quite amusing- apparently Fili and Kili were quite the terrors when they were young.
Sometime into the evening Thorin, Gandalf and Bilbo returned. Thorin looked to be rather angry, but that was probably due to the fact that Lord Elrond didn't approve of this quest, or at least that is what Bilbo told me. Soon after the return of Bilbo, Thorin and Gandalf, some of the dwarves settled down to sleep and I- being the only female in the company- was offered a room by one of the elves.
The room was rather luxurious, but I didn't take time to look around. I saw my clothes, now clean, placed upon my bed, so I moved them, and clambered beneath the sheets. It was the most comfortable place in Middle-Earth at this exact moment, and it didn't take me long to fall asleep.
Sleep, however, didn't last long that night.
I was awake when Bilbo quietly entered my room, dreams of Orcs and Wargs kept waking me throughout the short intervals of dozing. Bilbo obviously didn't notice the shadow sitting atop my bed; it was quite amusing to see him jump at my voice.
"Bilbo Baggins, what on earth are you doing?" I whispered, trying not to laugh as he squeaked in fright. He composed himself quickly and hurried over towards the bed.
"Come on, we have to leave." He said, hurriedly. "Thorin's making us leave; he's too suspicious of the elves."
"Right," I say as I scramble out from under the covers. "He couldn't have said this earlier, could he? Now I have to change. Go, and tell them I will be along in a moment." I say, pulling my trousers up under the elven dress.
Bilbo left quickly and I hurried to change before creeping from the hall and down the corridor to the balcony. The dwarves were all up and ready, and it seemed, by the scowl on Thorin's face, that they were all waiting for me. "Sorry, but if I was informed of this sudden leave earlier I would have been prepared." Thorin grunted and without so much as another word began walking down the steps and towards the great bridge, company in tow.
The dawn had not long broken as we climbed out of the valley. I glanced back at the shimmering valley, but only for a moment. Bilbo however took his time, I placed my hand on his shoulder, just as Thorin told us to hurry, and together we climbed out of the valley and towards the Misty Mountains.
Firstly I am so, so, so, so sorry that it has taken so long to update. I've had a massive case of writers block and loads of revision to do for my exams. Secondly, I am also going to apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I suppose this is a filler chapter. Thirdly, I want to thank everyone who has followed, favorited, reviewed and read this story. It means a lot to me.
Right. I'm going to get started on the next chapter now, and hopefully it will be up by next weekend. Once again, thank you for reading my story and I hope you like it so far :)