Onya's heart sank, Rivendell had been the last place she had wanted to visit. She looked on, waiting for a good moment to speak what was on her mind, noticing Thorin and Gandalf having a rough exchange of words.

'…this is why you will leave the talking to me.' Gandalf said as he walked past Onya.

'Gandalf.' She said moving forward to where he and Thorin walked.

'Yes my dear?'

'I will wait in the mountains for you to finish your audience with the elves.' The company stopped, looking at the young maid with curiosity.

'You are with this company therefore you will follow us.' Gandalf said.

'No! I will not be welcome with the elves and nor do I wish to step over their threshold. I will hold here until you are ready to depart.' Onya said, placing down her pack and weapon.

'I will stay too, to protect the lady.' Killi said, putting down his bow.

'Onya, I have no wish to speak with these barbaric, dishonourable creatures, but I agree with Gandalf. You are part of our company therefore you will go with us, Killi pick up your bow. If they have any wish to see you off Onya, then we will leave with you I assure you.' Thorin placed a hand on her arm reassuringly ignoring the glances made by his nephews.

'Thorin please, I will not be welcome. I fear they will refuse to help you if I am present.' She pleaded with him.

'If you are not welcome, then we are not welcome. Please.' His voice went low so the others could not hear. 'We will face them down together.' His look was soft and honest; he had no intention of staying long. Nodding in agreement she picked up her weapon and pack and followed behind the king.

Raising her hood as they entered the court yard, she followed closely behind Thorin. He could feel the tension behind him, reaching his hand behind he took hers, shielded by his own cloak. A member of the elven court approached them she recognised him as Lindir, speaking in elvish to Gandalf. Just then a horn sounded, they looked to the east to see a band of elves on horses approaching.

'Close ranks!' Thorin shouted pulling Onya behind him; she pressed against his back her heart pounding. The elves circled them.

'Gandalf!' The high elf said, getting down from his horse.

'Lord Elrond.'

They spoke in elvish for a short time, Onya not releasing the grip she had on Thorin's hand, her hood hidden over her face.

'Strange they travel so close to our borders, something or someone must have drawn them here.' Lord Elrond said.

'That may have been us.' Gandalf said, as Thorin stepped forward releasing onya , she moved futher back by Killi.

'Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain.'

'I do not believe we have met.' Thorin replied.

'You have your grandfathers baring, I knew Thraw when he ruled under the mountain.'

'Indeed? He made no mention of you.' The other dwarves moved closer to Thorin.

Lord Elrond spoke something in elvish, the dwarves looked to each other.

'What is he saying, does he offer us insult!'Gloin said, raising his hammer.

'No Master Gloin he offers you food.' Gandalf said rolling his eyes. The dwarves spoke amongst themselves.

'AH well, In that case lead on.'

'Wait!' Lord Elrond said, looking to Onya. 'Who do we have hidden in your party?'

'That is no concern of yours!' Thorin said, going for his sword, moving protectively infront of Onya. She placed a hand on Thorins shoulder.

'It's okay my king.' She said removing the hood. 'My lord Elrond.'

'My lady Onya, we meet again after many moons.' His face clearly displeased. 'we will talk very soon.'

They followed the elf in silence, the questioning look on Thorin's face giving her a sickly feeling. Seated around a table, she watched the elves whisper to each other as the music played. Onya never touched her food; she shifted in her seat as Lord Elrond approached his gaze on her, his expresson unreadable. He explained to Thorin and Gandalf about the elven swords they had found.

'What were you doing on the great east road?' Lord Elrond said as they were interrupted by an elf running in.

'Onya! I…' He stood there his mouth open, but unable to find the words.

'Ah Legolas, maybe a talk with our guest is needed now.' Lord Elrond said rising. Onya stood, as did Thorin and Killi.

'This is an elf matter; your presence is not required or requested.' Legolas said his face stern.

'As leader of this company I have a right to be present.' Thorin said, looking to Onya. Who held her head low, her eyes full of sorrow. Lord Elrond or Onya didn't argue so Thorin followed them into the main hall.

'Be seated.'

'My lord Elrond I beg an audience with My lady Onya in private, we have matters to discuss.' Legolas said not looking from the woman in front of them.

'Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Gandalf and my king, they will know of my shame soon enough.' Onya said, tears stinging her eyes.

'As you wish.' Lord Elrond said standing. 'By the law of this land you should be bound and placed in a cell my child.'

Thorin went to move in front of her, a gesture which didn't go unnoticed by Legolas.

'I should, I will be I'm sure.' She answered.

'What is the childs crime?' Gandalf said, walking behind her towards Thorin.

'When her father lived, shortly before his death. He and I entered into an agreement. That his daughter would be wed to my son, bringing together two of the most powerful races on middle earth. This child, refused. She fled, until her father became ill with worry and fear. She hid within the confines of men, tending to the sick and elderly protected by their laws. Now she walks so freely and braisen into our lands.' Lord Elrond looked on, angry.

Thorin looked down at the floor, trying to take in what he had learned. Gandalf stepped forward.

'I have signed a contract with the dwarf king, which I am bound to fulfil. Upon completion of my quest, I will return and face the punishment which you have seen fit to put on me. I must be allowed to continue my lord.' She pleaded.

'You will stay and you will marry my son, which has been set in stone since you were 15. Legolas has waited for you patiently for long enough.'

'My Lord, I will return the child here. I must ask you to see the signs for yourself. She is needed on this journey; other things are unfolding as this journey begins. Let us talk privately.'

Gandalf and Lord Elrond walked away to discuss things. Thorin, refusing to look at Onya, walked away leaving Legolas and Onya alone.

'Why did you flee? We spent a long time together, we are a good match.' Legolas moved to her side, his honest and innocent face confused.

'Because I believed I should have been free to marry who I wanted, I did not love you. You were a brother to me, I'm sorry and I know you felt more but needed to be true to you and myself. When your father told me I would be imprisoned, I ran. I will run no more, I will do what was expected of me.' Onya looked out over the gardens of Rivendell, the waterfalls far off creating a rainbow effect. Something moving caught her eye. Thorin stood looking into the pond, his face thoughtful and distant. Legolas joined her on the balcony looking to where she was staring.

'So this is where you have placed your heart.'

'What?' She said in surprise. 'I am bound by a contract to aid his journey; I have grown very fond of them.'

'Them? Or one in particular?' Legolas took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. 'I will not share my Queen with a filthy dwarf.'

Thorin looked up, his stomach sinking. Seeing Onya, his Onya holding the hand of her husband to be. It made him feel sick. Looking away he went down to the other dwarves, they needed to leave.

'How dare you!' Onya said snatching her hand away. 'There is nothing filthy about them, they are proud and they look after each other like I have never seen in any other creature. You stand there and judge him, but he has a heart and a soul.'

'Him!' Legolas looked away. 'Of course it's him, the gold at the end of the journey means nothing of course. I have riches, far greater than that of a dwarf.'

'You think I follow him because of his gold? I follow him because I would die for him!' She stopped looking to the doorway where Filli and Bonbur stood, a look of surprise on their faces.

'M'lady, we need to speak with you.' Filli said, ignoring the glares from the elf.

'Of course.' She turned to the elf. 'Legolas, I am sorry. We will talk more soon.'

Following the two dwarves through the corridor, she wondered how much they had heard. As they entered the gardens, they exchanged glances. Thorin turned his face expressionless.

'We are leaving now; Gandalf will meet us in the mountains. You are released from your contract; you need take no part in the rest of our journey.'

'What if I want to continue with you? I want to see it through.' Her heart missed a beat, he hated her and she knew it.

'We leave now.' He picked up his weapons and they filed out from Rivendell.