NOTE: Hey guys been a long time lol. For those of you new to the story, basically I'm trying to create a love interest for Thorin. Frankly the hobbit lacks a little romance haha. For those who have already read this story I thank you for your continued patience. I know it's been a long haul. As you can see I have restructured the story a little bit to make longer chapters. There is a new one at the end. REMEMBER: any and all reviews are greatly appreciated.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY J.R. TOLKEIN
It would be simplest to say that the dwarves' first meeting with the elves was awkward and slightly hostile. When Lord Elrond initially met the dwarves he was with a large company on horseback. In a moment of panic, Thorin shoved Bilbo into the center of the company and placed Nola in his arms once again. Once the elf lord had dismounted his horse, Elrond and Thorin were very cool towards one another.
"Welcome Thorin son of Thrain." Elrond greeted. "You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thrór when he ruled under the mountain."
"He made no mention of you." Thorin said bluntly.
Making an honest effort to be a good host Lord Elrond gave the order for food to be served, but the request was said in elvish tongue. The dwarves had no idea of what was going on around them.
"What is he saying?" Gloin demanded. "Does he offer us insult?"
"No master Gloin he's offering you food." Gandalf replied.
After the dwarves consulted among themselves and after a moment Gloin said: "in that case lead on!"
"Wait!" Thorin spoke up. He took Nola quickly from Bilbo. "Can you help her?"
As Lord Elrond looked over the small dwarf lying unconscious, the corners of his lips sank into a frown.
"Lindir." Elrond said sharply.
An elf with long brown hair stepped forward, bowing his head and reaching out to take Nola in his arms. Thorin moved away from him, clutching her to his chest.
"Thorin if you want their help you have to trust Lord Elrond." Gandalf scolded.
Eying Lindir, Thorin slowly handed over Nola's limp body. She looked almost grey she was so pale. Thorin's gaze followed the pair as they left the courtyard.
"She's in good hands" Lord Elrond assured.
…
The dwarves were taken to a dining hall, where they proceeded to turn their nose at the abundance of vegetables and soft music. Between Dwalin digging through his bowl and Oin shoving a napkin into his hearing aid, the company made for 'entertaining' guests.
Thorin couldn't stop fidgeting. The elves insisted he join everyone else for dinner when he tried to find out where Nola had been taken. Seeing his distress, Lord Elrond made an attempt to distract him.
"Have you found anything of interest during you travels." He asked.
"We did find some interesting artefacts that have already come in use." Gandalf replied lifting his sword.
"May I?" Lord Elrond said looking toward Thorin.
Immediately inspecting the blade once Thorin passed it over, Elrond announced: "This is Orcrist, the goblin cleaver. A famous blade forged by the high elves of the west. May it serve you well."
Thorin accepted it with a nod quickly before Elrond turned his attention to Gandalf's sword.
"And this is Glamdring, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the first age..." Elrond thought for a moment. "How did you come by these?"
"We found them in a troll hoard on the great east road." Gandalf told him. "Shortly before we were ambushed by Orks."
"And what were you doing on the great east road." Elrond asked suspiciously.
…
"Durin's beard, I feel like someone smacked me in the head with a war hammer."
Nola slowly awoke in a very groggy state. Having no idea where she was she cast a panicked look around the room. The first thing that came into her line of sight was a very tall elf standing beside her bed, wrapping her thigh in bandages.
"You've awoken finally."
One more glance around the room and Nola was able to deduce that it was just after dusk. Also, based the architecture of the room and the pointed ears of her medic, she made a very educated guess that she was in some elf village.
"Where am I?" She asked politely.
"My apologies, welcome to Rivendell. My name is Lindir and I serve the house of Lord Elrond."
"That's nice..." Nola said through gritted teeth as he tightened the bandage.
"Your companions are dinning at the moment but I am sure they will visit you later." He reassured.
"Companions?" She asked blankly.
"The company of Thorin Okenshield." He said. After seeing the blank expression on her face he added: "Thirteen dwarves, a wizard and a very small person I believe to be a hobbit."
Nola looked down at her hands silently.
"Do you not know anyone in the company?" Lindir asked concerned.
"I know Thorin very well." She said quickly. "But I haven't seen him for a long time, a really long time..."
"Well I'm sure you have much to discuss." Lindir began to gather his supplies and turn to leave the room.
"I'm going to go find them." Nola said suddenly, trying to get up. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through her torso. She fell back against her pillow.
"I wouldn't do that..." Lindir taunted. "You in no shape to get up just yet."
With that he left the room. Nola stuck her tongue out at him as soon as his back was turned.
"Well, no point in stressing about it." She thought to herself. "I'll just wait until someone shows up..."
That lasted for about two seconds before, she was out of bed looking for something to replace the nightgown she was wearing. She made a face at the dress lying on a bench at the end of the bed that was left for her. She desperately searched for a shirt and trousers, but had to resort to the purple gown.
After she'd slipped it on, she moved over to the mirror realizing that it was worse than she thought. It fit her perfectly with silver flowers and beading sown into the skirt to give her some length. The lace sleeves added a touch of elegance that she hopped never to dawn again. What she wouldn't give for a pair of paints.
She left the chamber silent as a mouse, carefully shutting the door behind her. Moving down the hall quickly, she didn't get very far before realizing that she had no clue where she was going. Luckily she heard raised voices down the hall.
"For goodness sake Thorin show him the map!"
She rushed over to the door just in time to hear: "It's the legacy of my people and mine to protect, as are its secrets."
Thorin was in a chamber arguing with an old man dressed in grey and another elf.
"These guys are everywhere..." She mumbled.
"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves." Gandalf said exasperated. "You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond!"
She watched as Thorin held out his hand. Balin then stepped into view, and tried to grab his hand.
"Thorin no!"
Pushing past him, Thorin placed the map into Elrond's waiting hand.
"Erebor…" Elrond said to himself. "What is your interest in this map?"
The older man rushed in before Thorin could reply: "It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"
Everyone held their breath as Elrond inspected the map. Suddenly coming seeing something in the map that they all missed.
"Moon runes!"
"Of course!" The gray man realized. "An easy thing to miss..."
"Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written." Elrond explained.
"Can you read them?" Thorin asked hopefully.
Nola followed the four through a tunnel leading out to a ledge on the side of a mountain. She still was unsure of what exactly was going on.
"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. Fate is with you, Thorin Okenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight."
Lord Elrond stepped forward and placed the map on a giant crystal. Nola watched in awe as the moonlight shown through and lit the whole thing from within. Silver writing appeared on the map.
"Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks... and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day… will shine upon the keyhole." Elrond finished with the translation.
"Durin's Day?" Came a small voice from a little person whom Nola hadn't even realized was present.
"What kind of blockhead doesn't even know Durin's day?" She thought to herself.
"It is the start of the Dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together." Gandalf explained.
She'd finally found out his name on their way down.
"This is ill news." Thorin said to Balin. "Summer is passing. Durin's day will soon be upon us."
"There is still time." Balin reassured him.
"Time for what." The hobbit asked mirroring Nola's thoughts.
"We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened." Balin finished.
Nola tried to overcome her shock. "They're going to try and reclaim Erebor…"
"So this is you purpose?" Elrond spoke. "To enter the mountain?"
"What of it?" Thorin asked annoyed.
"There are some who would not deem it wise…" Elrond warned.
"Hell ya! Why would anyone want to risk going up against Smaug!" It took all of Nola's restraint not to give herself away.
"Who do you mean?" Gandalf asked.
"You are not the only guardian to watch over middle earth." Elrond replied give him a pointed look.
With that, they all turned to head back into the city. Nola spun on her heel and ran back as quickly as she could without hurting herself too much. She was exactly sure how much of that she was supposed to hear and she wasn't going to wait and find out. She'd made it halfway back to her room before she heard her name being called out behind her.