Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns all save for characters not in his works.

Time was standing still
The meeting is over
Their journey is on
Oh, they should have known
Not to play with the powers of Hell

~Mercyful Fate

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

T.A.2941

The next dawned bright and early, and Nuil found that when she woke she was in her bed instead of on the balcony. Warmth filled her, her mind drifting to Thorin who must have carried her to her room. Her shoulder ached less today, now only a dull numb ache that filled her with discomfort. And yet, despite her own afflictions all she could remember was the haunted look on Thorin's face.

He hid it well, to be sure. She hadn't quite thought she saw it, thinking that her eyes were playing tricks on her because of the pain. Yet Nuil could not shake the way he had looked at her, when they first saw each other. His trepidation as she silently beckoned him to her.

Something had been wrong, and she saw that he had tried to hid it from her. To keep her from worrying? Nuil rose from her bed, a wave of dizziness filling her, before she took a blue dress robe from the chair on the vanity and pulled it over her night gown.

The halls were empty as she made her way through them. Birdsong filled the still air. A sense of timelessness fell upon her. Nuil let the serenity fill her, lulling herself into a sense of safety as she came to a garden. From afar she could see a low bridge, hung over a small little stream that cut its way through the undergrowth. Flowers of many colors lined the stone paths, filling the air with a gentle scent.

So easy it was to find herself admiring the gardens, the sweeping archways with vines crawling up their pillars. The gurgle of water, and the hum of music from somewhere far away. Time stood still here, it filled you, and Nuil found that she would be sad to leave Rivendell.

There was no possible way that she could explore all of the house. Not in her state. Sweat had begun to bead on her brow. Nuil found a nearby bench and sank gratefully onto it, shutting her eyes as a tired sigh left her lips.

"You seem weary, Lady Nuil," a soft voice said. Nuil opened her eyes, aware that she had drifted to sleep while sitting on the bench. Before her stood a tall, and fair elf. His ebony hair hanging down past his shoulders as he gazed at her with eyes that spoke of his great age. Age that was not betrayed on his face. Yet unlike the elves she had met as a younger child, he seemed kind.

"Forgive me, Lord, but am at the disadvantage of not knowing your name," she said softly. He gave her a nod, gesturing to the space beside her.

"May I?"

"Of course," Nuil murmured, watching him as he sat beside her, his movements fluid and graceful. She turned her attention to the gardens.

"My name is Lord Elrond, and you Lady Nuil are traveling with a company of thirteen dwarves to the Lonely Mountain," he said quietly. Nuil chose to remain silent, knowing that if Lord Elrond knew of the purpose of their quest, Thorin would not be pleased. And although she feared the outcome of such a quest, she would keep the Company from Erebor. Not from their home.

"You are wise," Elrond went on when she did not speak. "Wise and fearful. But I did not come to force the answers I seek from you. I would not be so bold as to demand such a thing."

"Then you are also very wise, Lord," she said carefully.

Elrond glanced at her, noting that she did and would not look at him. "I would offer you a warning, Lady Nuil," he said. Nuil looked at him, a frown on her face. "I have seen that you meet a sad fate, should you continue on from here. Your wounds, if not healed, will cause you great pain."

"You speak in riddles, Lord. I have never been of quick wit to solve them."

"I would offer you the same offer I gave to Master Baggins then," Elrond said. "Should you wish it, you would be welcomed in Imladris, should you ever wish to stay."

Nuil blinked at the eld lord, surprise filling her. Never before had she been invited to remain in an elf home. Never before had any of the elves she met, tried to be as kind as Lord Elrond was being. Nor did they seem as wise. Perhaps Mirkwood elves were not the same as their kin in Rivendell.

It was the early hours of the morning when she was woken up to a voice calling her name. Yet in her wearied state Nuil could not bring herself to open her eyes until a warm hand curled around her shoulder and gave her a tentative shake.

"Aunnie?"

Nuil breathed in deeply, opening her eyes to be greeted by the slowly growing smile of Kili, his dark eyes shining down at her with a look that she attributed to relief. He stepped back as she lifted herself up, barely containing himself as he asked after her well being.

"Tired, Mahal! Settle down!" she laughed, clutching her shoulder that was wrapped tightly with bandages. She felt so much worse today. It throbbed painfully, as though she had laid on it while sleeping. It was now an ache that radiated from the wound and down her arm until it settled into her bones. Kili still smiled at her, but he stood still, clasping his hands behind his back.

"What brings you here so early, Kili?" Nuil asked, her gaze flitting to the balcony. The sun had yet to rise, yet it looked early.

"Thorin told me to come get you, we're leaving," Kili said, seriousness entering his voice. "He doesn't want the leaf-hoarder to stop us." His brows pulled together. Nuil huffed, pulling the covers back to swing her legs over the edge.

"Lord Elrond, Kili. He's not Thranduil. He's far more wise and intelligent."

"But he's an elf," Kili insisted as she rose to her feet. Nuil squeezed her eyes shut as the ground began to sway, opening them when she felt Kili grip her elbow. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Nuil glared at him, but it was short lived as her lips lifted slightly. "Tired. You try getting shot with an orc arrow." He pulled a face that made her laugh. "Now, help me to the washroom. I need to get dressed."

They were halfway across the room before Kili spoke again. "Thorin wasn't so sure you would be able to join us."

"Hm?"

"Fili convinced him to let me come get you," Kili said. Nuil frowned, her eyes lingering on the hem of her white nightgown. "But don't be angry! Thorin wants you to heal, but everyone agrees that you're part of the Company now."

"Am I?" A lightness settled in her chest. Had they changed their minds then? Kili nodded.

"Balin's even writing up a contract for you. They figured that since you nearly died, taking an arrow for uncle, that you were worthy." Nuil tried not to think about Lord Elrond's words from the day before as he spoke to her, the mention of death had brought back his words of 'sad fate' and 'great pain'. She shook the thoughts from her mind, turning her attention to Kili.

"Worthy, huh?" She smiled, and Kili shrugged his shoulders as she stepped through the washroom door. "I'll be out shortly." He nodded before Nuil shut the door. Once she did, Nuil slumped against the wall, gasping for breath as a cough passed her lips. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She was so terribly exhausted, from the short walk to this room. It boded ill for the road ahead. If she could not keep up, they might have to leave her behind.

But she was determined to go. It was possible. Yet it would be very difficult. Nuil took a deep breath, crossing the room as it spun to the table that held her belongings. Only now, a new green tunic and leather jerkin were added to her things. The old ones probably too ruined to even salvage. Loosening the string that held the neck of her nightgown on, she shivered as the thin material slid to the floor. Nuil stepped out of the garment and lifted her pants.

Nuil dressed with little problems until it came time to put on the tunic. Gritting her teeth, she lifted it over her head, pulling it down with a groan as her shoulder spasmed. Gasping, she gripped the table until her knuckles turned white. Breathing in deeply, she shuddered.

She could not appear weak to them. She had to ignore the pain.

There was a knock on the door. "Aunnie? Are you ready? We have to go." There was urgency in Kili's voice and Nuil sighed.

"Almost."

Nuil pulled on the leather jerkin, lacing up the front, before snatching the cloak and opening the door. Kili, who had been leaning against the wall outside, stood the moment the door swung wide and opened his mouth to talk. He paused however, when he saw her.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He gave her a worried and concerned look. "You're pale."

Nuil huffed, grabbing her belt and putting it on as she went to the door. Every step she took was as dizzying as the ones before, and it took all her concentration to not fall over. Kili hovered behind her, clenching his jaw as she shoved her knives into her boots and other well hidden places. He did not believe her reassurances and for once in his life, he thought his brother had been wrong to convince Thorin that she should come.

The two entered a small tree covered clearing on a path, just beyond the timeless buildings and at the base of the towering valley wall. A dirt path was cut up it's side, and the Company stood waiting at the base of the path. Their leader, Thorin, pacing as the two approached. Kili approached his uncle, not saying anything as he looked back at Nuil. Thorin frowned.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Nuil said when she was before them. She watched as Thorin placed a hand on Kili's shoulder before he approached her. Kili went to his brothers side, shaking his head slightly. Nuil narrowed her eyes. The little traitor. Firm hands wrapped around her arms and she turned her attention to Thorin as he gazed down at her.

"Are you sure you want to continue?" he asked, searching her hazel eyes. Although he was gentle with her, there was no trace of tenderness in him that morning. Nuil understood that he would not want to blatantly show their relationship to the others, and he had a duty to them. She could not be a distraction, until later. Nuil drew her brows together in a frown as his words, fisting her hand in the fur of his coat.

"I told you I would follow you," she murmured quietly, licking her lips. Thorin's eyes followed the movement, his grip on her tightening, as his eyes darkened.

"You are still healing-"

"I'm not helpless," she murmured. Nuil stepped closer to him, smirking slightly as he tensed. "If I cannot walk, I'll crawl. Not even the elves would be able to keep me here." She rose her hand to the collar of his coat. ghosting her fingers of his warm skin.

A low growl rose up from his throat. "Do not tempt me," he murmured.

"I will not," she replied, pressing her lips chastly to the side of his mouth. Thorin went rigid, much to her amusement. She pulled away as far as she could while still in his grip, drawing in a short breath as her shoulder twinged painfully. "I will stay my distance."

Thorin pressed his lips into a thin line, but Nuil could see the lightness in his eyes. He finally relaxed, pressing his lips to her brow and releasing her. Nuil smiled and went to move past him, but he caught her hand within his. She turned, gazing curiously at him. "Do not stray too far." The corners of his lips lifted and she nodded. She made her way to the rest of the Company.

Fili and Kili stood in the front, the younger giving her a curious look. "What were you both doing? I couldn't see anything past Thorin's fat head."

Fili reached out and smacked him on the back of the head.

"Ow!"

"If you didn't see, it's not worth talking about," Nuil murmured, casting a look over her shoulder to Thorin who had obviously heard. He seemed glad that they hadn't been seen.

"You're coming then?" Fili asked, already smiling.

"Yes," she breathed. When were they going to start? Standing here and talking the day away was not going to get them anywhere. Nuil gave the two a smile as she moved up the path, hoping to get the Company moving. She could feel their eyes on her, and she ignored them until Balin stepped in her path as she approached the front of the group.

"You need to sign a contract, lass," he said, setting a stern gaze on her. In one of his hands he held a folded piece of parchment.

Nuil looked back down the path at the others, gauging their reactions, and it seemed positive for the most part. Even Gloin, her most staunch opposer. Looking back she nodded to Balin, shifting her weight as he gave her the contract, and produced a small bottle of ink and quill from his pack. Reading quickly over the contents of the contract, more to appease Balin who had taken the time to write it, she made quick work of signing her name at the bottom, above the signatures of Thorin and Balin.

Balin took the contract back with a nod. "Welcome, Nuil, to the Company. You've earned it lass."

FINALLY, right? I can't seem to make this chapter as good as the last one, but I basically tore this chapter apart and smashed it with another chapter, deleted a bunch of crappy stuff, rewrote stuff, etc. It still ended up being shorter than I thought it would be. :[

Thank you to my lovely reviewers and followers!

I'd write more but I really messed up my arms and hands this week being all adventurous and climbing things that shouldn't be climbed when you are already injured(soccer practice) :P I'm not going to let pain stop me though.

Read and Review!

~filimeala