I dined in the great hall that night with the questing party on a nearby table. They kept mostly to themselves during the meal, whispering into their neighbours ears and casting glances all over the great hall. Of course when I bothered to make the effort I could listen to their twittering with ease. In general their consisted of the she-elf this scary that and the odd comment of how can we travel with a demonic she-elf such as her?! The last comment did make me feel a little better. This sort of behaviour made the other elves and various traders who were also of our company quite uneasy. It didn't help when an elf would complain of their earthen smell (which I actually found to be familiar and soothing). All in all in made for a very tense dining experience which even saw a few casualties in people retiring early due to 'indigestion'. Eventually the dwarves seemed to have had enough of socialising with our like and retired to their rooms, though they didn't leave without asking where the kitchen was and grabbing a full picker of ale to take with them.
"That should soothe them'' Elrond said quietly. It took me a moment to realised that he too was paying particular attention to the odd little group. Something seems to be wrong with my senses today. '' Ho Ho Ho that will most definitely soothe their pride my lord Elrond, but I'm afraid that you will wake up with a dent in your pantry'' Gandalf chortled out as he smoked his pipeweed.
From that point all seemed to have calmed and even the twins seemed eager to find their beds. Elrond paused as we began to empty from the hall, lingering behind with Elladan and Elrohir who gave curt nods and then raced on past us to speak to a few of the guards and vanished into the crowd.
"Hmm. I shall walk ahead should lord Elrond need me.'' Gandalf said in his low gravelly voice. ''Perhaps I shall see the damage done to the kitchen by those dwarves, hohoho'' and he too strode outside.
Elrond instructed me to follow him as he would be preoccupied with business between him and Gandalf later. Anxiety again gripped and turned the base of my stomach whilst I followed Elrond to his room in silence. This time I was sure that the results was going to be unfavourable based solely on my actions today, and my heart sank as I thought of him telling me that he no longer had faith that I could carry out this task for him. By the time we had reached his room dark thoughts were swallowing my mind. '' I suppose you think that I am going to penalise you?'' His face remained smooth and unravaged by time or emotion. All elves possessed the blessing of some foresight that could be mistaken for clairvoyance, it was instead an overly keen intuition that allowed them to predict some things far quicker than mortals. So far I had not been able to access this part in my mind and so Elrond's next action did quite literally take my breath away.
''Well you are wrong, in fact I am very pleased that these dwarves will be wary of trampling you as they do most others'' As he talked he moved to a draw in his desk and removed a simple box. But from this box he withdrew an incredible work of art. '' this belonged to your mother. She asked that I give this to you when the ti email was right'' he held a delicate metal chain that could easily be mistaken for string. And hanging in fixed place we're two beautiful drops of star light made crystal. But the most wondrous part of the necklace was a spiral of Elven steel which was sharpened around the edges and intricately carved with Elven writing that read: wander this world and embrace it's mortal beauty.
Of course this inscription was puzzling to me embrace it's mortal beauty? But then again most of that which pertained to my mother was an enigma from who she was to something as simple as her name. According to Elrond I was left to him by a bear who carried me in his jaws, and from that day I became his charge. What little I did know was that she was an elf and she left me for a reason unclear to all. My father was a different story. (But I wasn't about to ruin a lovely moment by dragging up old feelings)
"Oh Elrond, i just don't know what to say except thank you'' I hugged him tightly and he gently smoothed my hair placing a kiss on my crown. ''I shall treasure it as precious starlight''
''Wait Daenal '' he stopped me from turning to leave. '' That is the gift from your mother and I hope you will accept this from me'' brushing the hair behind my ear and leaning in he stabbed the top of my ear with a needle. I yelped quietly, the pain was more surprising than severe, but once he had removed the thing my hand shot up to explore my ear for the damage. When I pulled my hand away there was no blood and I realised that the needle must have been heated in a nearby candle, cauterising the wound itself made. I looked to Elrond who with calm eyes simply hand me a small carved box. I couldn't open it. No matter how I pulled it or felt for gaps I could find none in the fist sized box. After a minute or two Elrond must have had his fill of sadistic play and took the box from me.
'' It is a puzzle box my child'' As though it was a most obvious thing'' I will show you '' a stroke here, a knock there and two twists and the parcel opened to reveal it's contents. Upon a plush velvet interior sat a small piece of curved metal making a cuff. It showed the carvings of the elvish that were plentiful in Imladris intricately worked around star gems like rivers around islands, holding the artists signature on the underside; it read Elrond half-elven. A small sort hiccup sound escaped my lips. And Elrond just smiled resplendent with the moonlight beaming through his windows casting him in an ethereal glow. It was the highest honour to receive such a gift from an elf, usually reserved for family.''Oh my lord, I ...''
''This is my gift for you'' he reached into the box taking the cuff and fastened it permanently to my ear'' of course this box is of the twins mind, may you carry both on your journey and know that we are with you''
I felt a swelling in my chest which threatened to burst into tears or a scream or something equally silly. I would only be gone for three days at most and yet everyone was acting as though I was leaving for good. Elrond then placed my mother's necklace inside of the puzzle box and handed it to me. He then pulled me into his strong embrace and squeezed me '' I have faith in you my daughter''
After that I returned to my room to find a pocketed sash to place my new box in and hold it close. I was filled with anticipation for the next day, I had said my goodbyes to a few close friends. Elladan and Elrohir had gone to Mirkwood on Elrond's command for some business leaving a short note in my quarters which plainly said 'safe travels' . It really seemed empty in my room with necessities packed, Elrond busy with an unexpected high council meeting and no chance of the twins barging in to play. I was fed up so I decided to walk off my energy.
Walking the paths of Imladris over its forever running streams was as always calming. In the early morning before dawn broke not many wandered the stone corridors instead they all slept peacefully in the safety of the hidden valley's magic. But tonight was not completely still; earlier I had heard all the racket that came from the dwarves so I consciously avoided the guest rooms though I did pass the solitary hobbit Mr Baggins who was also enjoying his time in the great sanctuary of the elves.
You will have to learn to suffer them as Mr Baggins has for this journey. He is indeed a brave hobbit. But that thorin seems to be the most stubborn and prejudice of the lot. In this grumbley state of mind I walked past the falls and looked to them sky as it bloomed in the dawn for some comfort- instead I saw dwarves. They were running up the valley wall towards the hidden entrance. I thought to alert the guards or run back for my pack, but with a rising anger that pushed me toward bull headed actions I ran. I ran faster and faster, eyes set on my moronic prey. I already have a damn headache.