Chapter eight

The tunnel was actually a seam in the nearly impenetrable rocky hills that surrounded the Hidden Valley. Pounding away in anticipation, my heart gave a little leap as a trickle of water began to flow from the rock walls and collect in little rivets in the rocky ground. We didn't speak at all, surprisingly. Trudging on, the stone pressed in on either side of us, but the little path finally began to widen a little and sunlight shone from the narrow seam of the sky. Bombur was most pleased at the change. A breeze began to ruffle my hair and the path widened still. Little waterfalls spouted from high above us and threw a gentle, soothing mist over our tired faces. I licked the moisture from my lips and turned to the limping hobbit beside me.

"Not far now," I whispered to him,

"You know where we are going?" his eyes were wide.

I just gave him a secretive smile and wove ahead. I turned the corner first. There were gasps from behind me. We stood at the edge of a cliff with the Hidden Valley spread before us in all its splendour. The dwarves forgot to spit or curse at the elves as they stood spellbound. Even Thorin had nothing to say.

"The Valley of Imladris," I breathed.

"In common tongue, it is known by another name," Gandalf supplied.

Bilbo came up last and stood beside me, his mouth open and his face almost glowing in awe. "Rivendell," he sighed.

"The last homely house that lies east of the sea," Gandalf smiled.

Thorin left the gawping dwarves and turned to Gandalf. "This was your plan all along –to seek refuge with the enemy,"

"Don't be a stubborn fool, Thorin," I brushed past him, "You should have already realized that you cannot blame nor hate others for their kin's wrongs. Elrond and his folk did nothing to you,"

Gandalf added, "There are no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will in this valley is that which you bring with you,"

Thorin continued, "Do you think the elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us,"

"Of course they will," I shrugged. "We don't have to tell them everything,"

"Your loyalty seems very mobile," he snapped.

"I chose what is right." I shot back.

Gandalf cut in, "We have no choice. We have questions that need to be answered,"

Thorin finally looked down in disgruntled submission.

Gandalf followed me down the path. "If we are to be successful, this will have to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. This is why you will leave the talking to me," he huffed.

I raised my brows at him. He resolutely marched on, ignoring my look.

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We wound our way down the cliff until we reached paved paths that lead to a narrow bridge over the rushing waters of the Bruinen. The dwarves could walk in pairs, but the bridge was designed for riders to ride across single file. The twin statues of the elven warriors of legend rose up on either side of us, their long stone robes fluidly frozen in place as they stood at attention at the gates. Passing into a round courtyard, I glanced around with a sense of peace. I could not wait to eat elvish food and sleep in a feather bed and take a bath. Bilbo spun around slowly, a wistful look permeating his features. The dwarves paced awkwardly and uncomfortably from foot to foot.

"Mithrandir," A lightly timbered voice came from the stone stairs leading up to the great hall.

Gandalf turned, "Lindir!"

The tall, willowy elf put a hand to his heart and nodded to the wizard as he came down the steps. His long dark brown hair slipped smoothly over his deep purple robe. He had a nearly indiscernible arrogance in his physicality, but I felt Thorin stiffen beside me.

"We heard you had crossed into the valley," Lindir spoke.

My elvish was a little rusty, but I still understood. Speaking it however, would probably take a little time for me. The dwarves were uneasy since they did not understand.

Gandalf replied in Westron. "I must speak with Lord Elrond,"

Thorin relaxed a little.

"My Lord Elrond," Lindir switched to Westron flawlessly, but with a hint of annoyance, "is not here,"

"Not here? Where is he?"

Lindir's lips were in a slight, mocking smile.

Horns sounded. The same horns we had heard on the plains. Gandalf gave Lindir a cheeky smile and we all turned to the bridge. There were nine riders thundering over the bridge, but they did not slow as they neared. I leapt back towards Lindir.

"Du Bekar! Close ranks!" Thorin unsheathed his sword. To arms.

"Calm down!" I hurried over to him, trying to shout over the din of the dwarves drawing their weapons and getting into a bristly circle with Bilbo and Ori shoved in the center.

"Thorin –," I was cut off by the beats of hooves as the hunting party clattered about us.

The dwarves shoved me to the center of their circle. I stood there with my arms crossed, most of them barely coming up to my shoulders. The elves slowed down their horses.

"Gandalf!" Elrond smiled. Oh, that noble face. I had not seen it in, well, eight years I should think. Lindir looked like someone had stuck a lemon up is backside.

"Lord Elrond!" Gandalf exclaimed happily. "My friend. Where have you been?"

"We have been hunting a pack of orcs that came up from the south," Elrond swept his cloak to one side and dismounted gracefully. "We slew a number near the Hidden Pass," He gave Gandalf a light embrace. He held up an unfortunate orc's sword. "Still, it is strange for orcs to come so close to our borders –something or someone has drawn them near,"

"Hmm..." Gandalf winced. "That may have been us"

Thorin gripped his axe and strode up to Elrond. Though the height difference was apparent, Thorin's presence of physicality was still a match for the elven lord.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain,"

"I do not believe we have met,"

"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain,"

"Indeed, but he made no mention of you,"

Sweet Iluvatar. I wanted to pinch him.

"Dear guests, I would have you dine with me in my hall," Elrond replied in elvish, a slight glint of humour in his eyes but his face as serious as a man slighted.

The dwarves knew Thorin had made an unpleasant comment and they thought Elrond was voicing his disapproval.

"What is he saying?" Gloin shoved his way forward, "If he is offending us –," The dwarves started a clamour again.

"No, master Gloin," Gandalf cut them all off, "He is offering you food,"

The dwarves had the nerve to deliberate.

"Lord Elrond," I gave him a bow. His face lit in recognition. "I would not be adverse to supper at your table, if you will have me as a guest,"

He smiled warmly and gave me a nod.

The dwarves had also made up their mind. "Well in that case," Gloin shifted uncomfortably, "lead on."

Elrond gave them an amused glance and passed his sword to Lindir, who took it with reluctance. Lindir pursed his lips and handed it to an elvish groom who leading Elrond's horse away. He was still a vain singer who thought his art was Iluvatar's gift to the world. I grinned at him and he gave me sour look he had perfected over probably the last few thousand years.

I followed the grumbling dwarves up the stairs. Thorin turned at the top before entering the open corridor that led towards the main hall. His blue eyes found mine. I gave him a weak smile of reassurance. He blinked and disappeared from sight. I bit my lip.

A few elves had noticed the commotion and were whispering and watching on balconies and walkways above and below. Most faces I recognized and my nods were returned graciously.

"I did not know you had an affinity for the dwarvish race." Linder appeared on my left. "But again, you've never had a specific preference for bedfellows."

The twat had presumed that I tumbled from one bed to the next on my travels. "Still have not finished your lay about your secret muse?"

He inhaled sharply. "Inspiration takes time."

"Lack of it for a hundred years, I'd say."

"Who told you that?"

"I don't know. A friend maybe." I gave him a nudge, "A muse, perhaps,"

His face took on the look of a fish pulled out of water. Then his eyes widened as he looked to my right and he mumbled an excuse and fled.

"Tallis!"

I gave a yelp and threw my arms around Huredhiel. As I pulled back, we assessed one another for change. She looked no different.

"You need a bath and some clean clothes," she told me.

"Lindir knows?"

"That I am his muse?"

I nodded.

"Yes, I recited the opening line of his lay of Huredhiel when he was performing one day and asked me to sing something in my beautiful voice. Of course, I only had time to read the first line of the poetry that time I snuck into his rooms, but it was enough to make his ears turn pink and knock over his harp. He blamed it on bad fish."

"Has he given up?"

"I hardly think so, sometimes I get little lines of poetry from a secret admirer." She linked her arm through mine. "I'm taking you to the baths and I may still have some of your old gowns."

She pulled me off towards a corridor leading to the private quarters. I turned and looked up ahead to the shuffling dwarves. I felt bad leaving them, but they had Gandalf to settle them and my skin was itching for hot water already. "Thorin!" I called out. All the heads turned. "I am going to take a bath –so I will see you all at supper," I regretted my words. I had forgotten how to act around the elves. My voice and my words sounded very loud and unrefined.

He nodded. The other dwarves nodded. Ori gave a happy wave and Bilbo looked dazedly at me before Bofur herded him forward.

"Thorin?" Huredhiel looked over at me as we made our way to her rooms.

"What?" I replied defensively.

"I could hear that familiarity masking a lot of painful tension. You have a lot of explaining to do."

"Shut up."

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After a soaking, I washed up my travel-stained clothes and laid them out to dry. Huredhiel had laid out one of my old elven gowns for me. It was black velvet with deep red sleeves and golden embroidery at bodice and the hem. Soft leather slippers were left beside them. I slipped them on with a sigh. I spun around, relishing the feeling of air on my clean skin. I looked at the grimy black line left on the rim of the stone basin. Hopefully, the spring water would wash it away.

Grabbing my bag, I dragged it out into the hall. Where was Huredhiel? I needed to find the company.

"Tallis!" Huredhiel hurried up from behind.

"Where is the company?"

"In one of the lower guests' houses, I would assume. I'll walk you there,"

"You just really want to know how I ended up with thirteen dwarves and a hobbit, don't you?"

She didn't reply, but gave me a wide-eyed doe look of anticipation and grabbed my arm. I laughed and shoved her off of me.

"Well, after I left Rivendell –,"

"And me all on my own! Lady Arwen was sent off to Lorien and ada wouldn't let me go!"

I gave her a soothing pat on arm and continued, "I decided to start a courier business –an escorting of goods since I had so many connections everywhere. I started with just ferrying packages around the towns in Eriador, but soon, farmers wanted me to put together men and drivers to move wagons to Lindon. It was not too difficult and highway robbers were few and I seemed relatively alright at picking honest men for the armed escorts and the drivers. Paid well, I was never for want of much. I missed the excitement of learning to master new crafts, but I thought that perhaps I would even settle down in the north."

Huredhiel gasped, "Settle down, Tallis? That doesn't seem like you."

"I wasn't sure what I was thinking back then," I chuckled. "Anyway, fate seemed to have seen that fortune had too long graced me with her presence and decided that she was going to deal me some of her cards."

We left the shelter of the corridor and stepped out onto a long terrace that turned at the far end with a set of steps that lead to a lower terrace parallel to the one we were on. There were another three terraces spread below and finally leading into the largest one –the lower terrace gardens. The sun still shone, but night fell fast in valleys and already the light was unable to reach the lower gardens.

I went on, "I accidentally chose a driver who was actually in league with bandits and unfortunately, our train was ambushed on a stretch of rarely used road. The bandits killed a driver and knocked another out, but I told the three of the armed escorts to take the places of the two drivers and the third that had turned on us and to drive off as fast as they could for Lindon. The forth driver and his cart finally sped off after them as one of my men died defending him.

"I had three more men with me and now there were six bandits and two that lay dead, or out cold at any rate. So, we fought."

"You usually make the stories sound a little more exciting,"

"I know," I sighed. "I'm tired. I promise you I will tell you something a little more descriptive tomorrow. Well, I ended up with a gash in my side. Another armed escort had his throat cut, another had his leg broken and a chest wound and luckily one of them could still walk so I sent him off for help."

"The bandits?"

"All dead but the one who ran off."

"Did help come?"

"Oh, yes. I passed out from the blood loss not soon after the man went for help, but I woke up on a bed with stone all around and curious figures all around me."

"Ered Luin! You lucky –,"

"And Thorin, was there beside me with his hand on my wrist. Still groggy, I told him that his eyes were beautiful."

Huredhiel laughed.

"I thought I was dead –there was no harm in complimenting spirits of the dead or gods or whatever I thought the dwarves were. When my eyes and mind cleared, I realized that it was the dwarf I had sewn up three years ago when I strayed from the Autumn hunt! So I turned red when I realized that he was just feeling for a steady pulse and that everyone heard my comment about his eyes. He looked rightly bewildered and a little taken aback. He asked me if I remembered my name. And I nodded."

"How did you get there?"

"I supposed the dwarves were making their way back to Ered Luin after some smithing work in the villages and happened to take the road I was bleeding on. The man had not made it back with help yet and Thorin recognized me and told them to bring along. Apparently the man with the broken leg had died. I stayed until I healed and somehow persuaded Thorin to take me on in apprenticeship for the forging of swords."

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I supposed that my hobbling around and helping while healing had endeared me to most of the dwarves living in Ered Luin. They didn't seem to mind so much that I was human after a while. In the beginning they were quite suspicious, the men especially, but the women took to mothering me or befriending me. I found that gossip was one thing that spanned every race when it came to women. And was I ever good at digging up gossip. Other than helping the women, I watched Thorin and the other dwarvish men at their work, helping with carrying water or handing them tools. I itched to try the smithing myself, but I was afraid to begin. The things I had made in Belfalas were utilitarian and base, and the dwarvish blades, gold, silver, tools, and armour were beautiful in a way I was frightened of attempting. At any rate, when I was fully healed, I had also worked up the courage to ask Thorin to teach me.

"I am healed," I had said after edging into his forge.

"Consider my debt to you repaid," he had replied, wiping his hands on his blacksmith's apron.

That was not a good start. "I saved your life,"

"I saved yours,"

"I –I saved yours a little more, don't you think?"

He was speechless.

"I mean the man I sent would have eventually come back for me, but if I hadn't found you, Dwalin, like an idiot, would have let you bleed to death or sewn infection into you –," I stopped uncertainly.

He was still silent, mouth still slightly parted in surprise.

"Please, just please let me stay and learn. I will do anything. I'll wash your underclothes." Oh no, what in Arda was I saying?

"I –I can wash my own underclothes," he returned with difficulty.

"Of course," I squeaked, horrified, "–I just, please." I finished. "Sorry," and I bolted. I had never had that much difficulty speaking to anyone before. Dis, Thorin's sister had found me banging my head on the stone walls in my room.

"Did you ask him?" She put her hands on her hips.

"Yes," I mumbled.

"What did he say?"

"The only thing he said... said... was that –that he could wash his own underclothes!"

"What?!"

I told her what I had said. She laughed much longer than I had deemed necessary.

"Sit and stay. I'll go speak to him."

So I waited, my stomach churning.

She came back. "He wants to see you."

I hurried back to Thorin's forge. He had a look of puzzled amusement on his face, but it turned serious as he saw me.

"Here," he handed me a pair of tongs and a hammer. He also handed me a thin rod of plain iron.

I realized that it was a sort of test. Swallowing, I wracked my brain, trying to think of what to make. My hands were getting sweaty, but I still clamped the tongs on the iron and stuck it into the fire and watched it turn red then orange and then yellow. I brought it onto the anvil and struck it with an experimental tap. The second tap was harder. I let my hands take over –if I thought too hard, I was sure I would ruin it. I heated the iron thrice more and was able to shape it into a simple wall hook. It was a simple spiral design with a rounded tip and a flattened design of a flower bud where it would be attached to a wall. I stuck it into the bucket of water and handed it to Thorin who turned it over in his hands. I put down the tools and wiped my sweaty hands on my skirt.

"I could work with this," his face finally broke into a smile.

I returned it with gratitude. "Thank you,"

"We start to tomorrow," he fingered the little hook and put it on his workbench.

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Huredhiel and I found the guest house. The dwarves' packs were everywhere and there where wet towels everywhere.

"They took baths!" I exclaimed happily. But none of the dwarves or their weapons were here. At supper already, I supposed.

"I want to hear more after supper," Huredhiel prompted.

I nodded, but hoped she would forget. I didn't want to finish the story of my stay in Ered Luin. Happy endings depended on where the story was stopped. I liked choosing when that was.

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*oops -next scene you'll finally get height comparison for thorin and tallis -sorry about that