Chapter 61

"My Lord, and Lady," the dwarf bowed, handing us a piece of paper. "From a raven."

Looking up from what I was doing, I sighed. It had been several months since a raven had come bearing news. It had been the same for a long time, but this was new. I thanked the guard and took it as Thorin looked up from what he was doing. I opened it, and scanned it with my eyes.

"Lord Elrond is requesting council," I said quietly. "Three dwarves of our choosing, and he wants me there as well. Why, I do not know, he will not say."

Thorin hummed in his chest, and took the paper from me. He read it over for a moment, and nodded. He walked off, and I followed him quickly to see where he was off to. No words were spoken, but he had a servant go fetch Gloin. I was surprised with his choice, but then again Gloin was well educated and a loyal friend. Humming to myself, I looked over the piece of paper again when Thorin handed it back.

"You can leave whenever you feel ready," he said softly, turning to face me.

"Thane and Akira will stay here with you to further help protect the mountain. I can have Gloin relay any messages of what happens back if I need to stay longer," I offered quietly.

Thorin took my hands quietly, and laid our foreheads together. I closed my eyes tightly, not wanting to be parted from him. We had gone the last twenty years side by side, and now this was going to part us. Moving back, Thorin kissed me, drawing me into such a passionate embrace that I had a difficult time wanting to leave.

"You be safe," he rumbled. "I am needed here. I have all I need, and we have the protection. We've been preparing for several months now, and we can only continue that. I would go with you, you know I would."

"I know," I said quietly, touching his cheek. "This time, I will make sure I'll come back to you."

"Good girl," he smiled softly, reaching up to touch my cheek in return. "Protect yourself."

Pressing another kiss to his lips, I finally pulled myself away from him. With a sigh, I turned and began to leave the room, but ended up stopping at the door. Turning back, I looked back at Thorin. He looked up again hearing the pause in my footsteps, and his eyes softened.

"I love you," I murmured.

"And I you," he rumbled, his voice strong.

Satisfied, I walked off and went in search of Thane and Akira. Both of them were helping Fili with something, and it warmed my heart to see it. Going over to them, I was happy to see they all stopped and turned. Thane smiled at me, but the look soon faded when he saw the expression on my face.

"I am summoned to Rivendell for council," I sighed. "I want you both to stay here with your father. Evil is finally moving, and I need you both here."

"You will be careful?" Thane asked, looking at me seriously.

"I will be, and I will return. Gloin is being sent instead of the King, and who ever else he'd like to send," I replied quietly.

"When are you leaving?" Akira asked softly, coming forward.

"Right now," I answered. "I need to get there, and I'd like to know what is going on. I'm sure Gloin will leave within the day as well."

Both of my children, who were not children anymore looked at me for a moment. Thane was a little harder to read, but Akira obviously did not want me to leave. I reached for her, and hugged her tightly and gave her a kiss. Fili also hugged me tightly, before I turned to Thane.

"You haven't changed," I smiled, brushing some hair from his shoulder.

"Neither have you, still the over caring mother," he smiled, jesting.

"Of course," I chuckled and hugged him. "Take care of your sister and father. I will return as soon as I am able."

"I will."

Leaning back, I sighed and looked at the three of them. "I love you all," I said gently, and turned and walked off.

Going to my chambers, I took off my crown and put my hair in a fresh braid. I changed into something a little easier to travel in. Skirts and dresses were no place for what might need to be done. I was not going to be traveling long, and I didn't want to travel with Gloin. The message had been sent out in secret obviously, so I jumped from the balcony and transformed into an eagle. I flew high, and pressed forward.

I flew quickly, and I didn't stop if I could help it. I took the trip quickly, and soon, I was landing and entering Rivendell as human on the second day. I got there around noon, and by then I was starving. Lindir walked down the steps happily, and bowed when he saw me.

"I am not used to seeing you dressed like this," he mused.

"You haven't seen me in twenty years," I teased. "For all you know, I could have changed and started wearing leggings and pants."

He smiled at me. "It is good to see you, Arina."

"And you," I nodded, smiling back.

"Come, as always you arrive just in time for lunch."

Chuckling, I followed the elf through the halls and to where Lord Elrond was having lunch. I was greeted by his daughter Arwen, Aragorn, and Legolas. Lindir cleared his throat softly, making Elrond look over. He gave a closed mouth smile when he saw me, and I dipped my head.

"It is good to see you, Arina," he rumbled, standing up. "I trust there are others that will arrive?"

"We got your message," I nodded, walking over. "We'll be sending someone."

"Good. Why don't you join us for lunch?"

"Thank you, I am starving."

Walking past Arwen, I laid my hand on her shoulder. I had been seventy years since I last saw her. She patted my hand, and gave me a happy smile when I glanced down at her. I sat next to Legolas who gave me a smile as well.

"It's good to see you," I remarked, and he nodded. "And you, Aragorn."

"It is good to see you, Arina. You look wonderful."

"The years have been kind. Tough, but kind," I hummed. "I have a daughter, she is just shy of twenty years old," I smiled. "We lost Fili's wife a few months ago, but such is life."

I took a bite from the plate of food I was given and sighed. We had light conversation during the meal, and I had to wait until it was over. I couldn't just come out and ask why we had been summoned. Not yet. Once we finished, I poured myself a glass of wine, and took a drink. Turning around, I nearly dropped my glass when I laid eyes on a short and familiar face.

"Bilbo," I gasped.

"Arina!"

He had aged, and as I counted the years he was at least 110 years old. He didn't look a day over eighty. I blinked in shock, and set my glass down to go and hug him. I had to kneel of course, but he threw his arms around me with a chuckle.

"It is beyond amazing to see you here," I gushed, pulling back. "Why are you here?"

"I came here to see the elves," he smiled. "I grew tired of the Shire. I needed to go on an adventure, so I traveled here."

"You look wonderful," I smiled. "I will have to tell Thorin."

"He is doing well?" he asked, hopeful.

"He is as stubborn as the day you met him, but softer as time has passed. We have two children, who are not children anymore," I replied. "Fili and Kili are alive as well. Dwalin is still with us, as is most of the company. Erebor is flourishing."

"That is wonderful to hear!' he grinned.

Lord Elrond cleared his throat, so I sighed and had to bid the hobbit farewell for now. I followed the elf through the halls, and he put his hands behind his back. I followed him for a while, letting the silence hang around us.

"So, why did you summon a council?" I asked quietly. "Has evil truly taken the upper hand?"

"There is a reason Bilbo Baggins never aged," Elrond said quietly. "And now that reason is in Rivendell. His nephew, Frodo Baggins brought it here under careful instruction."

"So my assumptions were correct," I said softly. "It has been found."

"Yes, it has," he nodded. "And I've called council so that we may be rid of it. If we do not do something, we will all fall."

"How does Sauron know about hobbits?" I asked.

Elrond looked at me. "What has happened, to make you ask such a question?"

I hesitated for a moment. "We had a messenger come to the mountain a few months ago. It was at night, just after Sigrid had passed away in her sleep. He offered friendship if we told him about hobbits and found the thief who stole a ring. In return, we'd receive three of the Dwarf rings of power. If not, well one can only guess he'll try to bring war to the mountain."

Elrond sighed softy, and then began a tale. He spoke of a creature named Gollum. Gollum had once been a hobbit who had found the ring, and had guarded it for hundreds of years. He lost the ring during the Quest for Erebor, assuming that's when Bilbo found it. Gollum had been captured in Mordor and questioned and tortured until he uttered the name Baggins, and Shire. After that, Gollum had somehow managed to escape only to be captured by Aragorn for a short time."

"So now we don't know what's come of the creature?" I asked.

"No, he has disappeared again," Elrond sighed.

"Sauron knew Bilbo Baggins, maybe not Bilbo himself, but a hobbit helped reclaim Erebor, that's why we got the message," I growled. "Well, the mountain is not unprotected. Rumors are a dangerous thing in Middle Earth. Most think them true."

"Your children are well?"

"They are, and strong," I nodded. "Erebor will not fall so long as my family lives. So we are here to decide what to do..."

"Aye. Frodo is healing right now. Once the last of who we called on arrives, we will call on the meeting," Elrond nodded.

"The fate of us all rests on the destruction of this ring," I said quietly.

"Yes..."

The day of the meeting, Gandalf finally made an appearance. He looked a little worse off than usual, so when I had questioned him he sighed softly. The wizard sat down, and looked ahead of him, and told me what had happened to him.

"When I had realized he had betrayed us, I was not fast enough to get away," he rumbled. "But, I had finally received some help, and thus made the journey here."

"He had hidden it very well," I replied quietly, keeping my eyes down.

It made my blood boil to hear his story, but the old wizard smiled and shook his head. We left the privacy of the halls, and gathered with those who had arrived. Gloin arrived, bringing along his son Gimli. A good choice, even though Gimli had a strong dislike for elves. He had always been civil with Tauriel, but I knew the lad didn't like elves.

Boromir, son of Denethor arrived at the same time and I didn't like the look of the man. He was from Gondor, and I didn't like Gondor, not during the rule of the steward. I mainly stayed in the company of Lord Elrond or Legolas. Aragorn had also quickly become a favorite of mine. We had all spent the better part of the week speaking about our lives and what we had done.

At dinner the night before the council, I observed everyone there. Most I knew, but the men that were here I was not familiar with. Gondor was one place I had never been to before. I had heard rumors of Denethor, but none of them could be confirmed. I took a drink of my wine, and watched the interaction between everyone. Gloin handled himself well with the elves, even speaking to Legolas when spoken to. The alliance between the Greenwood and Erebor had done some good.

Gimli wouldn't even look at the elves. He was highly uncomfortable around them, that was obvious, but his nervous glances my way assured me he'd be on his best behavior. That alone made me smile, and I wasn't sure if I was grateful or proud. Sighing softly, I rose to my feet, and went to walk to the balcony when Boromir shifted, and caught my attention.

"Why do you linger in the shadows?" he mused. "Are you afraid to mingle with such a group?"

"Oh, I assure you I can be just as manly as anyone here," I snorted. "But I prefer to sit back and watch."

He narrowed his eyes, the cup of ale obviously moving a little in his hand. He had taken more than enough of the brew. I sighed at that, and I felt my eyebrow tick in annoyance. Boromir rose to his feet.

"Who are you? I've never seen you before, and certainly never heard of a woman such as yourself," he grunted.

"Oh, isn't that funny. A bunch of people meeting for the first time and you wonder why you haven't heard of me?" I asked, tilting my head pleasantly. "My name, is Arina."

"I've never heard that name," he rumbled lowly. "I don't like the way you hide, like a common harlot. Is that what you are?"

"That is the first time I've ever been called that," I smiled back at him. "But I can assure you, I'm not a whore. Keep up your insults, steward's son. You might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation."

"Oh really?"

"My Queen?" Gloin asked loudly, slowly rising to his feet.

At his words, everyone fell silent and their attention was turned toward us. I could see the embarrassment clearly in his eyes, but for the life of him Boromir didn't want to believe what he had just heard.

"Queen?"

"Arina, of Erebor," I replied.

"You…you are the Queen of the dwarves? You aren't…."

"I would hold your tongue before you embarrass yourself further lad," Gloin rumbled, walking over.

"How about we speak when tomorrow," Aragorn suddenly said, walking over. "All your questions will be answered then."

Boromir snorted, and glanced at me once more before he walked off and joined his men. He walked with the saunter of a spoiled royal, and I knew that was exactly what he was. I grunted lowly, and patted Gloin on the shoulder in my thanks. I noticed several others smiling, and hiding their chuckles as they continued their meal.

"Men are lousy drunks," I sighed.

"Aye," Aragorn agreed. "You seem to have some skill in handling them."

"I've been to plenty of places where that skill is needed," I laughed.

"You should see her handle the dwarves in the mountain," Gloin grinned. "I feel sorry for the blokes who get in her way, or Mahal forbid the King's."

Thank you for the positive feedback on the last two chapters! The reviews are so welcome, it made me so happy! I'm glad that many of you are happy that I'm not allowing them to be old and crippled in the LOTR lol. I have lots of plans, and it's going well. I'll be updating soon!

Anywho, you know what to do!