The featured song in this chapter is called "Lionheart" by Of Monsters and Men. I love their music so much! Anyway, I don't own anything recognizable as Tolkien's works or characters. I only own Elva, Isil, and Aerin. Reviews are welcomed, and all flames shall be used to honour the dead. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Lionheart

Elva wandered down the halls until she found a secluded balcony that overlooked a great waterfall. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, allowing her mind to untangle itself. She sat on the edge of the balcony, tucked her feet under herself, and leaned on her arm. Elva didn't understand how that Dwarf continuously managed to worm his way past her defenses. What was it about him that forced her to open up as she did? Her fingers found their way to the pendant around her neck and she stroked it. She felt a stirring in her heart to sing once again, it was a feeling she had not known in a very long time. Elva sighed softly, for there was no way she could. Her voice would never return, especially if it depended on her learning the Valar's lesson. But perhaps she could find an alternative. Elva closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Then she opened her consciousness to her small area and let the song flow forth from her mind. And just as if she were able to sing with a full voice, her words echoed around the balcony and down into some of the empty Valley in a beautiful melody. And so she sang for the first time since her voice was lost.

"Taking over this town,

They should worry,

But these problems aside,

I think I taught you well.

That we won't run,

and we won't run,

and we won't run.

And in the winter night sky ships are sailing,

Looking down on these bright blue city lights.

And they won't wait,

and they won't wait,

and they won't wait.

We're here to stay,

we're here to stay,

we're here to stay.

Howling ghosts they reappear

In mountains that are stacked with fear

But you're a king and I'm a lionheart.

A lionheart.

His crown lit up the way as we moved slowly

Pass the wondering eyes of the ones that were left behind.

Though far away,

though far away,

though far away

We're still the same,

we're still the same,

we're still the same.

Howling ghosts they reappear

In mountains that are stacked with fear

But you're a king and I'm a lionheart.

And in the sea that's painted black,

Creatures lurk below the deck

But you're the king and I'm a lionheart.

And as the world comes to an end

I'll be here to hold your hand

'Cause you're my king and I'm your lionheart.

A lionheart.

Howling ghosts they reappear

In mountains that are stacked with fear

But you're a king and I'm a lionheart.

And in the sea that's painted black,

Creatures lurk below the deck

But you're the king and I'm a lionheart.

A lionheart."

Elva let her consciousness recede. She closed her eyes and a genuine smile played on her lips. It was a feeling that she had believed was lost to her forever. Suddenly she was aware of a presence behind her. She stood up and turned quickly, her eyes hard and her teeth bared ferally. One of the youngest Dwarves jumped in surprise and nearly fell over. He was the one that was always writing in his journal. Elva took a step back from him and let her gaze soften slightly. She glared at him curiously, wondering what he had been doing there, and for how long.

"Sorry." He mumbled. "I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't want to interrupt your singing."

His statement made Elva stare at him in shock. He had listened to her? She narrowed her eyes threateningly.

"It... it was really beautiful." He stuttered, looking at the ground. "But, I thought could couldn't speak or...?"

The young Dwarf trailed off uncertainly, his face reddening from embarrassment and shame. It appeared as though here were trembling in fright as well. Elva sighed at him. She knew he didn't mean any harm. He was one of the quietest of the group, preferring to write in his journal or simply sit and listen. Elva supposed Gandalf would want her to attempt to make nice with him too, especially seeing as he was there now. She crossed her arms over her chested and eyed him up and down. There really wasn't much to him and for some reason she felt the innate sense that he needed to be protected. Perhaps it was his appearance, or his mannerisms. But he had an innocent quality that reminded Elva of Isil when they were young. With another moment of hesitance, she opened her mind to his own.

"I cannot speak." Elva told him. "I must communicate with my thoughts if I wish to be heard."

"That's incredible!" The young Dwarf exclaimed with a childlike wonder.

"Well, I'm... glad you think so." She replied, more than a little surprised. "Most are frightened the first time I enter their minds. It is a very private business."

"Do you do this often, then?" He asked her.

"No." Elva shook her head. "It is very rare I speak to anyone in thought. But why have you sought me out?"

"Oh, right!" He nodded enthusiastically. "Mister Gandalf ordered me to find you to tell you that we shall be leaving before dawn. He is speaking with the Elf Lord -"

"Lord Elrond." Elva growled. "Elves have names too"

"Sorry." The Dwarf mumbled. "Mister Gandalf is in a meeting with Lord Elrond and a few others. He shall meet us in the mountains later. Thorin wants us all to get ready to leave before dawn."

"Thank you for telling me." Elva said, although she could not care less what Thorin wanted, and walked away. She paused and glanced back with a sigh. "What do you go by?"

"Ori." The young Dwarf smiled. "At your service!"

Elva blinked at him, shook her head, and left the balcony. She headed down the halls until she found her room. It was no different than how it had been when she slept there last, centuries before when she would often visit her brother. Elva walked forward to the window and ran her fingers along the windowsill and looked around her room. This would be the last time her feet would tread that floor. Elva glanced out of the window and noticed a glow coming from where the Dwarves were staying. With a sigh the wolf woman walked out of her room, closed the door for the last time, and went to find them. The group was making quite a racket, so they were not hard to find. Elva walked in just in time to hear Bofur call to the largest Dwarf, Bombur was his name, and throw a sausage at him. The table Bombur sat on cracked under his weight and he fell to the ground. The Dwarves laughed heartily at him and Bofur fell over in his mirth. Elva furrowed her brows and walked in.

"Ah, so Ori managed to find you then?" Bofur grinned, putting another sausage on his spit.

"I'm here, aren't I?" She quipped.

"Oh Aye." Bofur nodded agreeably. "Doesnae mean you were told to come, just that you did."

Elva pursed her lips at him and sat down next to him. She made sure to leave enough distance between her and everyone around her, though. Ori was in the corner scribbling in his journal. He glanced up at Elva, gave her a bright grin, and went back to his book. She shook her head in slight amusement at him. Her brother had been very much like Ori was when he was young. Bofur watched her carefully and she noticed his glance.

"May I help you?" She asked hotly.

"No." Bofur shook his head. "I was just thinking."

"That's rather a dangerous pastime for you." Elva deadpanned.

"Aye, that it is." The Dwarf laughed.

"Do I dare ask what you were thinking about?" The wolf woman questioned warily.

"I was just noticing your interactions with young Ori." Bofur answered her. "We all expected him to come back from finding you, white as a sheet and trembling. Instead he had a grin plastered on his face as though he accomplished a monumental feat. When we asked him what happened, he replied you asked to learn his name."

"And?" Elva prompted.

"Ori was probably the most frightened of you." Bofur elaborated. "It meant a lot to him that you wanted to know him."

"I really don't." Elva replied. "I would much rather be back in Fangorn in my quiet solitude again. You Dwarves are very noisy."

"Aye, we are." Bofur grinned. "But I don't believe you mean that. Not any more. It's impossible to return to how your life was before, now."

"It will always be impossible to return." She whispered.

"Of course." The Dwarf nodded. "But do you disappear into the wind and weep forever, or do you learn from the past and let it shape your growth into something more beautiful?"

Elva glanced at Bofur and he held his breath. She shot him an icy glare, then looked at the floor sullenly. Bofur sighed but didn't push the matter. For the rest of the night, Elva kept to herself. Every once in awhile she would watch the others' antics but never got involved. Thorin returned with Balin and Bilbo later on and ordered everyone to get a few hours of sleep. They were to be on their way before dawn. Elva looked at the moon quietly and leaned against a banister Bofur made his bedspread on the other side of the room and looked over at Elva. She curled close to herself, closed her eyes, and was asleep in moments. Bofur sneaked over and draped a spare cloak of his over her shoulders and went to sleep himself.

All too soon the dawn began to peek out from the mountains and everyone was roused from slumber. Elva sat up and glanced down when she felt the cloak slip off her shoulders. She glared at it as though it had done her a wrongdoing. Elva knew exactly who had done it. She picked it up and handed it back to Bofur, gave a curt nod, and returned to her side of the room. She sat on a tabletop to wait for the others to be ready. Once everything was packed the company set off. They made their way through Rivendell, careful not to be discovered by anyone. Thorin was about to lead them across the bridge where they could continue their journey but a great, tawny owl landed in the middle and blocked their path. A soft, blue light surrounded it and Aerin stood there instead. The company paused uncertainly. But Elva stepped forward.

"Let us pass, Aerin." She requested. "You know the Elves will not allow their quest to continue without blessing."

"I know, Elva." Her brother replied. "That is why I am here. Gandalf asked that I would give you my blessing. I understand the importance of this quest. And not just the importance it hold for young master Thorin."

The Dwarf prince glared at Aerin suspiciously.

"So continue on your quest." The owl man continued. "And take with you the blessings of the Valar. May you be successful in all you do."

He stepped forward and kissed his sister on the forehead. She closed her eyes and leaned into it slightly. Elva back up when he pulled away and gave him a nod.

"Thank you, my brother." She said. "And I know now."

"What have you come to know?" Aerin asked hopefully.

"It is true, even my love for you has been lost." Elva told him "But perhaps not all lost things must remain so for eternity."

"Perhaps so." Aerin smiled. He stepped to the side to let the Dwarves pass. "Be safe, Thorin and Company."

With that he gave a sweeping bow of respect, shifted back into a great owl, and flew back into the city. Elva watched him go, sadly. The rest of the company walked on ahead, and Bofur placed his hand on her shoulder to nudge her along. She glanced at him, a hardness still echoed in her eyes, and she walked along behind the group.

Old haunts often bring back memories. Both good and bad. And now Elva and the Dwarves, and our little Hobbit are on their way into the mountains. That'll end well.