I'm sorry it took me a long time to update but I wasn't very happy with this chapter and kept rewriting it. I hope you all like this chapter, and thank you again to all those new followers and favourites!
"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy," Thorin accused. He strode over to Gandalf and stood before him with his arms crossed over his chest. He, like most of the other dwarves looked annoyed at the prospect of entering Rivendell.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself," was Gandalf's calm reply.
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us," Thorin quickly retorted.
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me," Gandalf replied.
Eliza couldn't see which way this conversation was going but all she wanted to do was to go to the down to the valley whether the dwarves were going or not.
"If Thorin still refuses Gandalf, will you still go down to Rivendell?" she whispered to Bilbo.
Eliza knew what his answer would be when the hobbit cast a look of longing towards Rivendell over his shoulder. Turning back round he whispered back, "I don't think any of us have a choice, we will all be going to Rivendell no matter what Thorin says."
"Fine we will do it your way," Thorin reluctantly said. Gandalf appeared pleased with himself as he started to lead the way down the narrow pathway. Eliza was the first one to follow, falling into place behind the wizard with Bilbo close behind.
Eliza became uneasy as the company continued to make their way down to the valley. The pathway was cut away at one side, creating a huge drop to the ground far below. She soon became occupied on not falling off the side of rocky slope.
It took longer than Eliza anticipated to reach the safe ground, they then walked over an even narrower bridge with a larger distance to the glistening water below.
Eliza wasn't usually afraid of heights, but that was when there was some sort of support to make sure there was absolutely no way she could topple off the edge. This bridge had no railings whatsoever unless they were invisible, but that was very unlikely. Whoever built this place definitely didn't have had any safety precautions in mind.
Once they finally reached Rivendell, Eliza looked about in wonder. She had never seen a place this beautiful, the sandy coloured bricks appeared to glow along with the two statues of elves.
The dwarves glanced about them cautiously, as if waiting from someone to jump out and strike them. She was almost tempted to jump out and scare frightened looking Ori.
Gandalf stopped in front of her abruptly nearly causing her to walk into his back. Eliza stopped next Bilbo, who was looking at everything in awe.
Amid her gazing of the architecture, Eliza caught sight of a tall person slowly and gracefully gliding down a flight of stairs. As he came closer, she noticed how like the buildings, this person also looked pretty.
Even though she could tell he was a male, he just looked so…pretty, it was the only word she could describe him with. He had smooth, pale skin, and high cheekbones with long, dark brown hair that hung gracefully over his shoulders. Everything about him looked perfect, with nothing out of place.
"He's so pretty!" she gushed. It wasn't until she heard a snort close behind her did she realise that Dwalin and Thorin had heard her. She could practically feel her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Mithrandir," addressed the dark haired Elf.
"Ah, Lindir!" Gandalf greeted. Gandalf approached the Lindir and talked quietly so that none of the company could hear.
Moments later a blast of a horn could be heard causing Eliza to jump, she swung around to see a dozen or so elves on their horses gallop towards them with no intention on slowing down.
"Hold Ranks," she heard Thorin yell. She didn't realise that she was in the middle of a circle of dwarves, until Ori stepped on her foot. Hard.
The dwarves all had their weapons drawn, some with axes and others with swords. Kili had his bow aimed at the galloping riders.
"Are they going to stop?" she asked to no one in particular. If they didn't they would all be trampled, well everyone except Gandalf and that elf called Lindir.
Fortunately, and Eliza meant fortunately, the riders slowed their mounts to a trot, circling the company, and eventually slowing to a stop. These horses towered over Eliza making her feel even shorter than she had already assumed.
"Gandalf," one of the elves addressed. Eliza assumed him to be the leader for he wore a circlet on his dark brown hair.
"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" Gandalf greeted in some language Eliza couldn't understand. It wasn't like any of the languages from her world.
"What the hell is he saying?" she hissed to Dwalin. Only to receive a grunt in response, signalling that he and the rest of the dwarves couldn't make out what was being said either.
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui," Lord Elrond replied. He dismounted his black mount and gave Gandalf a small hug in welcome.
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near," Elrond said, thankfully in proper English. He then held up a crudely made sword Eliza had seen in many of the orcs's hands.
"Ah, that may have been us," Gandalf replied casually. It was then when Thorin decided to make himself known by taking a step forward. With one glance from Lord Elrond, the Elf Lord managed to recognise him for he said, "Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met," Thorin bluntly replied. He had his arms crossed over his chest in a defensive stance and Eliza could tell that he was attempting to make himself taller.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain," The Elf Lord replied.
Eliza was trying her best to see over the back of Dwalin and Kili, which in fact wasn't turning out to be very successful. Thankfully both Elrond and Gandalf were a good bit taller than all of the dwarves so Eliza still managed to see their shoulders and heads. She was also very hungry and tired, but mainly hungry and all this formalities wasn't helping her empty stomach.
"Indeed; he made no mention of you," Thorin said, his voice full of disdain. Eliza's mouth slacked open in shock, now Thorin was just being plain rude.
"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered to herself. Eliza had to do something or else she would be sleeping on tree roots again tonight. There was no way that was going to happen unless she could help it.
"Um, excuse me, Lord Elrond," she spoke up walking past the rest of the company to stand slightly in front of Thorin. "Me and my…friends have been traveling from the Shire and we would very gladly appreciate it if we could stay here in Rivendell for a few days. If that would be alright of course," she addressed to Elrond. She could practically feel the glares on her back.
Lord Elrond gave her a long look before addressing the Elves around him, "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."
Eliza wasn't sure if that was his way of saying welcome, or ordering the riders to chase them out of the valley. She for one was hoping for the former.
"What is he saying? Does he offer the lass insult?" Gloin's booming voice asked angrily. All the dwarves held up there weapons threateningly, each ready to strike if necessary. Eliza was a tad flattered for their protectiveness, but them threatening the elves wasn't helping matters either.
Lord Elrond had an amused smile on his face at the company's reaction. Gandalf was the one to answer for he said exasperatedly, "No, master Gloin, he's offering you food."
The dwarves all huddled together and discussed on what to do. Bilbo had already made a decision because he quickly walked over and stood beside Gandalf without any of the dwarves noticing.
"What should we do?" asked Bofur.
"I don't trust them, they will poison the food or something," Gloin said.
"Yes, that sounds like something they would do," agreed Dori.
"How would you know Dori? Have you eaten with elves before?" Nori asked.
"No!" Dori indignantly.
"Guys, this is food we are talking about," said Eliza.
"I don't trust them, food or not," Dwalin objected.
"You can't be serious?!" Eliza groaned. Here was a bunch of dwarves about to decide to not accept the food on offer. Food was the only thing Eliza learned that dwarves liked better than showing off their weapons and boasting about how many scars they had.
"I think we should accept," Kili added. Receiving many icy glares he quickly added, "Anything's better than having to eat stew again."
"Oi!" said Bombur's offended voice.
"He's right you know, we shouldn't use up all of our supplies," Fill agreed.
"Then I believe we might as well accept," Gloin sighed. Turning back to Lord Elrond he said, "Ah well, in that case, lead on."
"Awesome!" Eliza exclaimed. The company gave her a confused looked at her antics, she just gave them a small shrug in return.
I wanted to change some things in this chapter but I decided to wait until at least next chapter before I did anything. I know that in the movie the company doesn't stay in Rivendell for very long but I'm planning on lengthening their stay and having at least three chapters on the company's stay in Rivendell. A lot of things are going to happen in the next few chapters.
As always please follow, favourite and review. I love knowing on what you think whether good or bad.