Chapter 7
Rivendell
We walked through the passage. I stayed behind Fili, who was carrying Anna yet. I bit back my tears with worry. I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"She'll be alright." Thorin said. I smile and walked with Thorin. Stacia was walking with Balin and Dwalin. She kept looking back at me. We came out and I smiled at the sight of Rivendell. It was beautiful in person.
"The Valley of Imraldis. In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name." Gandalf said.
"Rivendell." Bilbo and I breathed. I wished Anna was awake to see it.
"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf said. Thorin turned on Gandalf.
"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin said.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Gandalf said.
"Do you think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin said.
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. And they can help Miss Walker with her injury that Miss Alexander is freaking out about. 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 said.
"Mommy. Come on." Stacia called. I walk with my daughter with the dwarves to Rivendell. We walk across the bridge. Some elves were strolling around. An elf came down the stairs.
"Mithrandir." Lindir said.
"Ah, Lindir." Gandalf said. The dwarves murmured and I picked up Stacia as the two talked in Elvish.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf said.
"My lord Elrond is not here." Lindir said.
"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked. Horns blew and the dwarves pushed Bilbo and me into the middle. Thorin stood in front of me.
"Ready weapons. Hold ranks!" Thorin said. I rolled my eyes as the elves surround us.
"Gandalf." Elrond said. Gandalf speaks in elvish and Elrond returns it as he got off his horse and hugs Gandalf.
"Starnge for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone, has drawn them near." Elrond said.
"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf said. Thorin stepped forward and Elrond looks at him.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond said.
"I do not believe we have met." Thorin said.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain." Elrond said.
"Indeed, he made no mention of you." Thorin said. Elrond talks in Elvish.
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asked.
"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." Gandalf said. The dwarves whispered among themselves.
"Ah well, in that case, lead on." Gloin said. Stacia giggled and Elrond noticed us. He motioned a elf maiden over and spoke in Elvish.
"Come. I will take you both to get bathed and get dress." The woman said. I recognized her. Arwen. I smile and nod. I followed Arwen to her room.
"I'm Mariah and this is my daughter Stacia." I said.
"I'm Arwen, daughter of Elrond. Least you'll have someone to talk to that is not a man." Arwen said. I smiled. Arwen pulled out a trunk. "Here's some clothes that will fit Stacia. Mariah. You look like you can fit in some of my dresses." Arwen said. I went through and looked at her dresses. A dark blue dress that would be off my shoulders with a white ribbon across my waist. The sleeves were long and the dress was velvet. I pulled it out.
"This is pretty." I said.
"It will look lovely on you." Arwen said. I was lead to the bath. Arwen left the room to help Stacia, who had problems deciding. I slid out of my clothes and slid into the water. I groaned feeling warm water finally. I slid in and relaxed. I bathed and got on. I slipped the dress over my head and it fit me perfectly. Stacia came from another bath in a purple dress. Arwen did one single braid in my hair with a jewel pinned to the side.
"You look beautiful, mommy." Stacia said.
"Thank you. You look pretty as well." I said. Arwen walked with us to the balcony where the dwarves were getting ready to sit.
"Oh, Mariah. You look lovely." Balin said. Dwalin smiled and nodded while the others agreed.
"Thank you." I said.
"Can I sit with Fili and Kili, mom?" Stacia asked.
"Yes." I said.
"You'll be sitting with my father, Gandalf, Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo." I said.
"How's Anna?" I ask.
"She'll be fine. She's in the healing room." Fili said. We all sit down. I sit down next to Arwen as we waited as the elves played their music. I heard Fili and Kili entertaining my daughter.
"Try it. Just a mouthful." Dori said. I turned my head.
"I don't like green food." Ori said.
"Where's the meat?" Dwalin said. I roll my eyes. Dwarves.
"Have they got any chips?" Ori asked. I heard Elrond and Gandalf's voices.
"Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf said. I turned and saw Thorin following them. He didn't see me yet. I blush and look down. Arwen noticed.
"Well, you never are." Elrond said, making them both laugh and join us at the table. Thorin sits next to me.
"Mariah?" Thorin asked.
"Don't recognize me?" I ask.
"No. You look beautiful." Thorin said. I blush and start eating the food. Thorin picks at it. Arwen and I make small talk, while Elrond examines Thorin and Gandalf's swords.
"This is Orcist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." Elrond said, handing the sword over to Thorin. Thorin took it and nodded. I smiled as I drank the water that I was provided with. Elrond took Gandalf's sword. "And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for Goblin wars of the First Age." I heard Balin and Bilbo talking. "How did you come across the?" Elrond asked.
"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were amabushed by orcs." Gandalf asked.
"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Elrond asked. Thorin looked pissed. I put a hand on his arm to calm him down. (AN: Doing the map reading in another chapter.) Thorin looked at me and smiled softly. The dwarves were complaining about the music and Bofur got up on the table to sing.
"Arwen. Can you take me to Anna?" I ask. Arwen and I stood and excused ourselves. We walked along the stones.
"How do you like this place?" Arwen asked.
"Its beautiful. I like it here." I said.
"Good. Here it is. I'll watch your daughter if you would like." Arwen said.
"That would be much appreciated." I said. I enter to find Anna awake. I sat on the bed.
"That's a pretty dress. Wish I could wear it." Anna said.
"How long before your out of bed?" I ask.
"A few days. Gandalf said we will leave when I feel ready." Anna said.
"Then you will get to wear one of these. Rest." I said, hearing Fili enter. I stood up and left the room. I walk around and sat on a bench overlooking the waterfall. I stayed there as night fell. I should be heading back, but I was lost in thought of memories of the past. I started to sing a song. (AN: Song is Holy Water by Big and Rich. It fits what happened to her.)
Somewhere there's a stolen halo
I use to watch her wear it well
Everything would shine whenever she would go
But looking at her now you'd never tell
Someone ran away with her innocence
A memory she can't get out of her head
I can only imagine what she's feeling
When she's praying
Kneeling at the edge of her bed
And she says take me away
then take me father
Surround me now
And hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water
I didn't notice that I wasn't alone. Thorin was standing there watching me, wondering why she would sing a very sad song.
She wants someone to call her angel
Someone to put the light back in her eyes
She's looking through the faces
And unfamiliar places
She needs someone to hear her when she cries.
And she says take me away
then take me father
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water
She just needs a little help
To wash away the pain she's felt
She wants to feel the healing hands
Of someone who understands
And she says take me away
then take me father
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me
And she says take me away
then take me father
Surround me now
And hold, hold, hold me like holy water
Holy water
I felt the tears sliding and look at my hands. I felt strong hands on my face, whipping the tears away. I look away.
"Mariah look at me." Thorin said. I look at him.
"Thorin." I said.
"Your hiding something from me. That song wouldn't have brought you to tears unless you had an experience. I know you don't want to talk about it, but you can trust me." Thorin said. I looked down at my hands. Thorin stood thinking I don't want to talk, but I grabbed his arm.
"Don't go. Your presence is smoothing." I said. Thorin sat down on the bench next to me.
"Tell me Mariah." Thorin said.
"The reason Stacia's father isn't in her life is because I was raped by her father." I said. Thorin's eyes widen.
AN: And I leave you hanging. I don't think any of you were expecting that. I'm full of surprises. Next chapter will be up tomorrow or maybe tonight yet.