By the morning before mid-summer's eve, Amelia was doing her best to ready the company to depart from Rivendell without actually letting them know what she was doing. Which was more than a little difficult, and she was sure more than a few had caught on, but thankfully no one commented. They seemed eager to leave behind the city of elves, and Amelia had no doubt that Thorin had been planning to leave as soon as they could after the map reading anyway.
As the sun began to set the company became increasingly agitated, and Thorin had to reassure a good deal of the dwarves that allowing their sacred map into the hands of an elf wasn't nearly as bad an idea as it seemed. Amelia supposed his argument would have been a good deal more convincing if he looked certain of it.
As the sun finished arcing behind the trees and the pale moon of mid-summers eve first lit up the sky Thorin, Gandalf, Elrond, and Amelia met in a small room at the very upper reaches of Elrond's house that opened to the outside air. A podium stood at the opening of the cave like room, and the moon's rays were beginning to kiss its smooth stone surface.
"You are sure we can trust him?" Thorin hissed to Amelia.
Amelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes as they paused just inside the door. "I am. He will read the map and hand it back to you. No more, no less."
Thorin looked uncertain, but with a deep breath strode to where Gandalf and Elrond were conversing by the podium. If either elf or wizard had heard the words Thorin and Amelia had exchanged they didn't say.
Thorin withdrew the map from within his breast pocket, but hesitated before handing it over. Elrond's eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing. Beside him Gandalf gave a sigh of impatience.
Finally, Thorin moved his hand forward, a sour look upon his face. Elrond gently slid the map out of the dwarf king's hand, unrolling it and gazing down at the worn page.
Wordlessly he turned and padded toward the table at the mouth of the room, spreading it with pale fingers over the stone surface. Those assembled behind him waited in near breathless anticipation.
As the moon rose higher still the silver light touched upon the map. Runes appeared, glimmering blue-silver in the light. Elrond's dark eyes skimmed over the runes, and then he turned back to the others.
"There is one set of runes here," said Elrond, pointing to a series of lines scrawled out on the left side of the page, "That say, 'Five feet high the door and three may walk abreast.'" He paused. "I would assume this is the size of the door to the mountain which you seek."
Now Elrond pointed to a second set of runes that graced the center of the map. "These pertain to the location," he informed them. "It says, 'Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole.'"
"Is that all it says?" asked Thorin.
Elrond nodded and began to hand the map back. Before he could, Thorin yanked it roughly away and stepped backward.
"Thank you," he managed. Then he was gone, stalking from the room with a brooding expression upon his face.
Amelia and Gandalf sighed as one.
"I'm sorry for his behavior," said Amelia. "Thank you though, for your generosity in aiding us."
Elrond nodded, looking troubled. "Phoenix," he asked. "Are you certain it is wise, entering the mountain? The dragon Smaug lives there still, and would seek revenge on any who helped in the effort to retake Erebor."
Amelia nodded. "Only if our quest fails, and I can promise you that it won't."
Elrond's eyebrows rose. "How can you be so certain?"
Amelia floundered for a moment, trying to come up with an answer. Luckily for her, Gandalf was ready.
"My friend," he assured. "Regardless of our doubts, we cannot risk the mountain falling into the hands of the enemy."
"What enemy?" asked Elrond.
Gandalf sighed. "There are forces at hand that we have met before. That have returned against all odds."
Elrond blanched. "I know of what you speak. That is not possible."
Amelia edged away from the two, gazing out over Rivendell. A flicker of motion caught her eye, and she saw two figures on white horses tearing through the city. Both were clad in white, and from one Amelia could see locks of silver streaming, from the other a pale blonde.
Resisting the urge to curse, Amelia backed away.
"Lord Elrond," she called. "I believe your guests have arrived."
Elrond didn't react to the accusatory tone to her voice, peering over the city and nodding. "Aye, they have," he murmured.
"You summoned the council," Gandalf accused.
"I did."
Gandalf sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. After giving him a look of pity Elrond swept from the room, moving to welcome Saruman and the Lady Galadriel. As soon as he left the room Gandalf dropped his façade of shock and betrayal, though the unhappiness in his eyes remained.
"Get the company ready to leave," advised Gandalf. "Once I have the council distracted lead them from the city."
Amelia nodded. "We'll wait for you before the Misty Mountains."
Gandalf nodded, and the two hurried from the room. They encountered an extremely flustered Thorin, and nearly barreled into him.
"What is going on?" he demanded. "Elrond has just gone running off, and you two are clearly after him."
Gandalf sighed and took Thorin by the arm. The three returned to the room that had just been vacated, where they spoke in hushed tones.
"Elrond has summoned the White Council," Gandalf confessed. He waited a moment for Thorin's cussing to subside before continuing. "They will concern themselves with me before anything else."
"Hopefully they'll want to rest from their travels before they start in on you," interjected Amelia.
"I will draw them to the meeting room," Gandalf told Thorin. "While they are occupied you will leave Rivendell with the rest of the company. Wait for me before the Misty Mountains; I will meet you there."
Thorin scowled. "Are you certain we will be able to get out?" he asked. "We have not even readied for departure."
"I've already taken care of that," Amelia said. "I knew Elrond would summon the council and have readied our supplies. We have enough food and water to last us a while."
"Did anyone see you compiling these things?" asked Thorin.
"I took care to go unnoticed. I don't think anyone other than the company itself suspects anything."
Thorin looked ever so slightly relieved. "At least there is that. Let us hurry; I want to leave this place as soon as possible."
Amelia nodded, and together the three left the room. Gandalf split off quickly, moving to intercept the rest of the council before they could run into any of the company. Thorin and Amelia started toward where the company was gathered for the night, anxiously awaiting news of the map reading.
"You gather the company," Amelia told Thorin as they walked. "Meet me at the stables. I'll ready the horses."
Thorin nodded, and the two swept off in different directions.
Amelia was just nearing the exit to Elrond's house after several minutes of rushed hurrying through the place when she sensed someone approaching. Turning, Amelia had to resist a groan when she saw none other than the Lady Galadriel gliding up behind her.
"I had hoped I would find you," Galadriel said. Her voice was light and soft; it had the effect of calming Amelia. She resisted the power behind the intonation however, forcing her mind to stay alert.
"Lady Galadriel." Amelia bowed. "I am pleased to have met you."
Galadriel made a soft humming noise that told Amelia she knew better. Thankfully though the elf didn't outright contradict Amelia.
"I am sure you are wondering what the White Council is doing in Rivendell."
Amelia nodded, deciding to play dumb. Chances were Galadriel would see through it, but it was worth a try.
"Elrond called us as a result of the arrival of your company. I feel the council does not approve of the dwarves' attempt to retake the Lonely Mountain."
Amelia's eyebrows rose. "You disagree with the council?"
Galadriel took a moment to answer. "I visited the Lonely Mountain once," she told Amelia. "I have also seen Moria, before it was overrun. The halls of the dwarves are of unparalleled majesty to behold."
"High praise," acknowledged Amelia. "I am sure King Thorin would appreciate it."
Galadriel smiled. "I am sure. I hope to meet him; I shall be sure to mention it when I do. Long ago there was a friendship between the races of elf and dwarf, or at least a peace between tensions. I am sure you know this already; there is a hidden entrance to Moria that was forged in equal parts by elves and dwarves."
Amelia nodded, remembering. She decided not to mention the watcher that by now resided in the lake outside that door.
"The bondage of such friendship," continued Galadriel, "creates a certain mark of magic. One that can only be kindled by the most pure of passions."
"Love," Amelia guessed.
"Among others." Galadriel's blue eyes twinkled. "I felt that magic when last I visited the Misty Mountains. It is sleeping now, in the wake of so much despair, but I feel that when the time is right, it may again awaken."
Amelia slanted a wary look at the elf, but Galadriel only smiled.
"I will leave you now," Galadriel said. "I would enjoy a few moments rest before the council gathers, and I am sure you have things you need to see to." Again the elf's eyes twinkled knowingly, but before Amelia could respond she slipped around the corner.
Amelia groaned. One thing was for sure; Galadriel had guessed that the company was going to make a run for it. It didn't seem that she was going to stop them though. Amelia was glad for that.
What was with that cryptic speech about friendship and magic though? Amelia puzzled over it as she continued out the door, heading for the stables. She couldn't worry about it now. She had other concerns.
At the stables Amelia took the saddles and bridles she had set to the side and began readying the steeds. They were the shortest she had been able to find, and though they were surely too large for the company, they would nonetheless be faster than walking. Once they reached the mountains they would set the horses loose; they would be able to find their way home.
The only issue was that Gandalf would likely walk to meet them. Amelia knew that if they waited for him to join them they would end up following the timeline laid out by the books and movies once more. She had no intention of that; her goal was to move past the Misty Mountains without ever entering them. Hopefully Thorin would adhere to his stubborn side and refuse to wait for the wizard.
Amelia was just finishing with the bridles when the company joined her. Each had their fully stocked packs strapped to their backs, and were each fingering their weapons. Kili moved to Amelia's side and helped her with the last horse.
"This will be interesting," he said. "I've never been on a horse this large before."
Amelia laughed. "Sorry. I couldn't find any of a smaller size."
"They'll do just fine," assured Balin. "We're glad you were able to secure any for us."
Amelia nodded. "We need to wait a short while," she informed them. "The council hasn't yet gathered. Once Gandalf has them distracted we'll leave."
"How will we know when that is?" asked Gloin.
Amelia shot him a grin. "Don't worry. I have that covered."
The company seemed distrustful, but Amelia refused to answer their questions further. They took to bickering over who would take each horse, and once they had reached an agreement and tied down their packs they settled upon stacks up hay to wait.
By the time the sun again dawned several members of the company were asleep. Ori had his head on Dori's shoulder and Oin and Balin were napping to the side, both with weapons sitting ready on their laps. Bilbo was curled up in a pile of hay, his back pressing gently against Thorin's leg. If the dwarf minded he didn't make a fuss of it, which went unnoticed by no one.
Kili and Fili both took short naps as well, leaving Amelia to sit quietly beside Bifur. They did a bit of signing back and forth, but otherwise watched the sun rise together. When the princes woke a few hours later Fili moved to talk with Thorin, and Kili slipped to where Amelia sat by the door. As he did Bifur sent Amelia a wink and went to join Bombur and Bofur.
"What's that?" Kili asked.
Amelia folded up the slips of parchment she held in her hands and slipped them back into the bag on her waist.
"Nothing," she told Kili.
Kili clearly didn't believe her, but he sat beside her anyway, crossing his legs. "How much longer do you reckon it'll be until we can leave?" he asked.
Amelia bit her lip as she gazed at the rising sun. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "Hopefully soon."
They settled down to wait side by side, their arms barely brushing. Amelia for once made no effort to pull away; for some reason the feel of Kili's stiff jacket pressed against her arm, warm with his body heat, was comforting.
The sun had been ascending the sky for a few hours and the valley of Imladris was fully lit by the time a shadow passed by the door of the stables. A moment later Anwë appeared, a tentative smile on her lips.
"The council has gone into session," she told Amelia. "They've asked that none disturb them. Based on the few words I heard, I don't think they'll be emerging for some time."
Amelia nodded and stood. "Thank you, Anwë. Farewell, my friend."
Anwë reached out to grasp Amelia's arm in her own. "Farewell," she returned. "Good luck. Be safe."
Amelia nodded, but didn't make any promises. Instead she took her horse by the bridle and began leading him out. Thorin was just behind her.
"I'll go ahead of you," promised Anwë. "I'll do my best to ensure none attempt to stop you."
"Thank you," said Amelia.
Anwë smiled and disappeared. Amelia started forward, and as the company left the narrow aisle of the stables Thorin drew side by side with her.
Silently they made their way from Rivendell, and true to Anwë's word, no one tried to stop them. The gates of Rivendell stood open and unguarded, and it was a simple matter for the company to cross over the bridge.
On the slopes outside the city the company paused, struggling to mount their horses. With a small laugh Amelia went around to boost each into their saddles, though many refused to bow their pride enough to accept the aid. It was a group effort to hoist Bombur on top of his horse, leaving Amelia wondering if her back would ever recover.
Finally each dwarf and one hobbit was seated, looking not at all happy about the height of their steeds. Amelia swung herself with ease onto her own horse, then glanced back.
"Ready?" she called.
There were various sounds of readiness from the company, some articulating very clearly just how eager some of the dwarves were to leave behind the elves. Amelia sighed and gently clicked her reins, starting her horse forward.
"Are you coming, Master Baggins?"
Amelia glanced back to see Thorin pausing several feet back, his gaze fixed on Bilbo. The hobbit had paused his horse at the foot of the bridge, and was gazing back on Rivendell with a longing expression on his face.
"Huh? Oh, yes, yes." Bilbo started his horse forward, sending one last glance back at Rivendell.
He offered Thorin a small smile, and though Thorin didn't quite return it, his face did soften considerably. The rest of the company exchanged gleeful looks as Thorin hurriedly moved back to the front of the procession.