CHAPTER TEN-

Elrond sat in a high-backed chair behind an ornate desk that seemed to spring from the ground. "Please sit," the austere-looking ellon said, "Gandalf tells me that you are seeking answers to a hidden message on a map, and that you have found some objects inside the cave you discovered on your way here."

"That is true my lord. We had paused to rest in our search for where the trolls may have been sleeping and I decided to keep looking for the cavern," I continued, "While everyone searched the area for signs of what may have caused them to come down from the mountains, I pushed further into the chamber. I found a second room where I found the armor, weapons, and ring that I have here."

All three of them narrowed their eyes at me. "You should not have wandered off," Elrond beat Thorin to it, "You could have ended up dead!" Thorin's eyes widened considering that the wizard had stood up for me in the past. "Make sure that you do not go too far from the rest of the company in the future," Thorin added.

"Now," Elrond finally spoke again, "Let me see the objects you found. I would like to see them and determine their history." Thorin handed Elrond his sword and the elf lord's eyes grew as wide as saucers, "This is Orcrist! Orcrist is the 'Goblin Cleaver!' It has seen battle before and will again! Treat it well and it will treat you well."

Nodding, Gandalf pulled the hand-and-a-half sword he now carried from its scabbard. "You said that you found these things in that cavern you were in," he asked the wizard. "Yes. Why do you ask," the now curious Gandalf replied. "I ask because this is 'Glamdring,' the 'Foe Hammer,' and served the 'High King' of Gondolin;" he told the wizard.

The glow of the candles was growing dim as an elleth brought extra candelabras into the room. "Danke," Elrond shooed her out of the room. "Where did you learn to speak German," I demanded, "That is the language of my ancestors. Did my ancestor spend any time in Imladris!"

Elrond starting laughing, "So you truly ARE a descendant of my dear friend Wilhelm. Let me see the weapons." I couldn't do anything but hand him the sword, long bladed fighting knives, dagger, and ring.

"After Thror made the armor you wear," Elrond began, "Thranduil helped Celeborn and I forge your weapons. Wilhelm named the sword 'Die Volkshammer.' When I asked him what it meant, he told me that it means 'The People's Hammer.' Afterwards, he began to teach me his language.

The dagger is called, 'Seele Dieb.' The long knives have not yet been given names." "What about the ring," I blurted. "It is of no importance. It is just a ring," I could tell he was lying; but let it go.

I left the pair to study the map and returned to where the rest of the party had gathered. Knowing full well that we would be leaving later that night (or before dawn the next morning depending on how you look at it), I decided it best to get some shut eye. I would later be glad that I had gotten three or four hours of rest, because I would be kicked awake by Dwalin so that we could be on our way.