It wasn't until the sun had fallen behind the valleys cresting walls that the mysterious party arrived. Luckily for them Elrond's foresight of sending the twins as greeting was said to be a divine salvation to these oafish dwarves who had managed to stir a hornet's nest of orcs from the dark place of middle earth and had been hunted by their savage wargs. Elrond had always said that even the lowest of beasts contain the light of Eru, but it was hard to see light within the foul agents of Mordor. I wanted to meet with them on their arrival but they were retired almost immediately to rest from their already arduous journey from the shire; whispers ran around the great house of battles with trolls though I could confirm nothing (I was definitely going to ask since no one had seen them this far south before). For now I made myself content by preparing for the trip ahead, in a constant state of anticipation for the imminent feeling of release.

A knock rapped upon my chamber door and being consumed by the menial tasks of packing I had let my guard down responding with a distracted "come in!" Expecting the twins to burst in and bounce off the walls teasing me like a pair of naughty kittens. but a distracted mind can be dangerous even if only in ones home; I hadn't discerned the subtle differences that should have been obvious to me. The heavier shortened sound of foot steps that came from a small stride. The hard and uneven hammering of the knock. And the earthy smell like burning winter air. All these would have allowed me at least a few moments of composure before my guests entered.

Silence was in hung in the air. I waited for the elf to say something (I assumed it would be the twins) but still nothing was said. In a move I eventually remembered to regret I turned to the door placing a hand on my hip to show my dislike to whatever new game they were playing.

There in the doorway stood two dwarves and a startled hobbit.

The dwarves expression was that of shock (of a pleasant sort) whilst the hobbit began to look around wildly at anything but me and retreat from my room into the corridor. The annoying detail of this stagnant atmosphere wasn't that the dwarves were staring with a blank gaping look of a milked cow, it was that they weren't looking at my face. Their eyes were lower or eye height actually for a dwarf. The honey blonde dwarf eventually looked away smacking the dark haired one's head in the same movement. I just stood there as they stood fidgeting uneasily, wondering what had flustered them so; then it dawned. As a breeze came in behind the three I didn't need to look down to know that I only wore my hunting undergarments as I had not yet chosen the set of gear to wear for the journey. I looked over to my bed and saw the two leather outfits laid out neatly beside each other now mocking me. I felt the flush creep over my whole body as my anger began to peak.

'' GET OUT'' I roared in a most unbecoming guttural and quite unnecessarily loud voice. They did as I said at once slamming the door hard and keeping hold of the handle as I heard their meaty hands stem the vibrations.

A quick succession of thoughts ran through my head: How could they. How was I supposed to travel with them now. These- these moronic meat heads. What will I do? I can't expect them to take me seriously now, especially not after such an outburst. All these thoughts flooded my mind as I binded and dressed myself combat ready. I will no doubt have to explain my anger to Elrond, lest he think I can't do this or worse that I have been dealt a great offence. And surely enough as I had finished buckling my sword belt Elladan and Elrohir burst into the room simultaneously pinning the dwarves to the door and my floor. The hobbit meanwhile had his dagger out and looked very pained as to what he should do. Racing up behind the twins was Elrond accompanied by the old wizard Gandalf. Beating his feet against the stone as he came up the rear was another dwarf clad in leather and fur wielding Orcrist blocking the hobbit from sight. He was a sturdy looking dwarf taller than the first two, most likely because of his maturity. At this moment his body was visibly coiled waiting to direct his strike, with piercing blue eyes taking in each small drama of the scene till they landed on me. Where they remained. His strategy was obvious; take me as hostage to save his kin and expend little energy in subduing the weakest opponent. Smart. But offensive, more so than that which the peeping toms had caused.

"Elladan and Elrohir stop what you are doing, release these dwarves.'' It was Elrond who made first attempt to diffuse the situation. '' there has been some confusion'' added Gandalf gruffly.

"We all heard Daenal's cry'' spoke Elladan pressing his blade against the blonde dwarf who lay expertly pinned on the floor.

''They have done something, offended Daenal and must seek her forgiveness"

"Not quiver outside her door like children" said Elrohir followed up by Elladan again. The hobbit was now more boldly standing behind this new dwarf who had now shifted closer readying to leap over Elladan to get to me. It seemed that this encounter would not end pleasantly. now in the distance I heard the light cymbaled ring of the guards feet as they marched down distant corridors coming to their Lords aid and threatening to ignite a small battle

No. I wouldn't let this be the result of Elrond's first show of faith in me. As I was now comfortably clothed without any risk of further bruising my ego I decided I would step up. No matter how embarrassing the truth.

"Gandalf the grey is right my lord, my brothers" at this the tension eased though only slightly as the room remembered my presence. Yet the blue eyed dwarf with his nest of dark tangles kept vigilant eyes on my swordhand.

Gandalf merely quirked his brow as Elrond said "go on my dear"

"I'm afraid that in my eagerness to prepare I forgot myself and bid these three-'' pointing to the distraught trio "enter my chambers but I - I had not yet fully clothed myself" the blush of chagrin flared on my cheeks and it seemed to ease everyone, swords lowering as they calmed.

"Yes. Yes." Called the dark haired dwarf still against the door but had been allowed to slide down to his feet.

"We only came in because she allowed; we were going to ask her to join us as the el- Lord Elrond had asked us, no more" the blonde said slowly,his arms were in a raised and submissive manner in front of Elladan.

"its the truth lord" squeaked the hobbit looking to the large dwarf and Gandalf.

"Well you can trust it is the truth if even Bilbo will speak to it" he smiled now as if it had all been some play."as I said a simple misunderstanding"

Elrond nodded satisfied. "Now release them" and the twins did so helping the dwarves to right themselves and even chuckling. That last bit was bad for me.

''So you mean''

''That is to say''

''You roared for embarrassments sake'' the last was spoken in unison as they smirked and moved toward me. They then began to jostle and poke me teasing about my bashful tendencies getting the better of me. I took it as punishment, since it could have been worse.

"Perhaps this elf needs to learn to control herself" the brooding dwarf finally spit out. It earned him some notably scornful looks from most in the room apart from the retreating dwarves. Actually I expected a similar reprimand from Elrond but it was his to give not this man's. Bilbo stepped forward to speak to him, but it seemed he looked more to Gandalf as the one who would be listening to him.

''Actually Thorin um, she wasn't entirely unreasonable in her response. Killi and Filli were um transfixed for a time before she ordered us to leave. So she may have been justified?" I think I probably looked a little smug as I looked into Thorin Oakenshield's (for I knew of only one Thorin that Elrond might suffer) eyes. He harrumphed and then kicked his kin "apologise for your transgressions against this lady'' and the two crept forward to bow and speak what we're sincere apologies before turning to follow their uncle with Bilbo beings dragged along as he was probably getting used to. Then the rest left my room with small chuckles echoing in the corridor as they left this meet with and explain to the guards that all was a mere misunderstanding. The chuckles then multiplied into more whispered ones.

Dwarves. I thought. No doubt more trouble will come from their company.