The calender has turned to March. I hope you all enjoy this!

Chapter 2

I Know You

He took us to Rivendell. Lin was looking around with excitement.

"Gandalf."

My eyes went wide. I had not heard that voice in a long time. I turned and there was Lord Elrond. He saw me and his eyes widened.

"Caladhiel?" he asked.

I bowed my head respectfully. Lin looked confused.

"Lin ze xuyao yi shi jingyi." (Lin you need to show respect.)

She bowed her head and I smiled.

"My lord Elrond." I said.

"Where have you been?" He asked me.

Lin looked at me but I kept my eyes on the ground.

"I had to leave. It was the only way." I said softly.

"He came here many times." I looked up. "His heart is broken Caladhiel. He is not the same as he once was."

I put my hand over my mouth and Lin took my other hand.

"Mother?"

I looked at her.

"Lin go with Gandalf. I must speak with Lord Elrond."

She nodded and the wizard led her away. I closed my eyes.

"Is he still alive?" I asked slowly.

"If you can call it that."

I turned around very fast.

"O man pedich?" I asked alarmed.

"~His heart broke the day you left, or so he told me. He felt like a fool for what he did and said. He returned home and his father is very worried. For almost 100 years you have been gone. Arwen tells me he has grown cold and distant.~"

I sighed and tears came to my eyes.

"~I never should have left Middle-Earth. I know that. After the first 50 years I knew I should not have, but I had no way back. And even if I did how could I ever face him again?~" I said.

Elrond touched my shoulder and I looked at him.

"~He still loves you Caladhiel. He always has and always will. Arwen has told me this. I can see you shall meet him again in the coming months.~"

I bit my lip nervously.

"~Will he be furious with me? Will he…will he hate me?~"

"~No my dear of course not. He could never hate you.~"

I nodded and then went to find my daughter.

Gandalf had taken her to a group of dwarves. She was wearing a strange looking hat.

"Lin."

She immediately ran over to me.

"Mother look!"

I smiled and looked at the dwarves.

"Caladhiel at your service." I said.

Lin smiled and bowed.

"Lin at your service!"

I smiled and some of the dwarves chuckled. One of them was staring at me intently.

"I have seen you before. Many years ago." said he.

His voice was deep and commanding. He looked very important as well. He also looked very familiar to me as well.

"And who are you?" I asked.

"Thorin Oakenshield."

"Thorin? I knew a Thorin long ago, not personally but I knew him. He was the son of Thrain, son of Thror. I know not what happened to him, for I have been gone for many years."

He walked forward.

"I am he. The same one."

My eyes widened and I bowed respectfully. Lin did the same.

"My lord I am pleased to find you well."

"Now I remember you. You are one of Thranduil's!" he growled.

I sighed.

"I was."

I tried to turn away but he grabbed me.

"How dare you turn your back on me!"

Lin was the one who hit him. She was strong and he made a low grunt.

"Do not touch my mother!" she snarled.

"You insolent little girl!"

He took a step forward and I pushed her behind me.

"If you make another threatening move towards my little girl I will make certain you never do so again."

He nodded and stepped back.

"As I said I was one of Thranduil's guards. I left the Greenwood a hundred years ago. There were many reasons, one of which was the way my kin had started to think of yours. I never held any ill will for the dwarves of Erebor, I always considered them noble and master smiths. It was when…when….."

I could not continue and I looked away.

"You do not have to explain my dear. She left for her own personal reasons. And she is here to help." Gandalf said.

I snapped my head back and Thorin did not look too pleased.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked.

"They will need you Caladhiel." Gandalf said.

I looked at Lin and sighed.

"~Very well. But Lin will remain here.~"

"A wise choice." said the wizard.

"We leave within the hour." Thorin said.

I nodded and looked at Lin.

"Lin…..Wo xuyao ni liu zai zheli di difang shi anquan de." (Lin…..I need you to remain here where it is safe.)

"Bu! Wo xiang he ni yiqi qu!" (No! I want to go with you!)

"Zhe shizai tai weixianle." (It is far too dangerous!)

"Qing mama! Wo daying zuo ni shudo de yiqie!" (Please mother! I promise to do everything you say!) she pleaded.

I sighed, knowing full well she would follow if I made her stay. She could defend herself but she was only 15 years old. I sighed again and nodded.

"Fine, but you stay within my sight at all times and you listen to every word I say. Is that in any way unclear?"

She smiled.

"No mother. I understand."

I nodded.

"Wait, you are bringing the child with us?" came a rough voice.

I turned and looked at a bald dwarf.

"Yes, because if I do not she will follow us. I know my daughter." I said calmly.

"She is too young to fight or defend herself properly."

Lin glared and grabbed a knife from a blond dwarf. She threw it directly past his head and into the middle of a target. All the dwarves slowly looked at her. I smiled proudly and nodded.

"I am more than able to fight and defend myself." Lin said firmly.

The blond dwarf threw a knife into a further target. Then he handed her another knife.

"Try it again lass."

She smiled at him and took it. She threw it into the middle again and smiled.

"What does her father say on this matter?" asked an older dwarf.

Lin looked at me and I looked down sadly.

"I have no father." she answered.

"I am sorry I did not mean to…."

"There is nothing to apologize for master dwarf." I said quickly.

I looked at Lin.

"Lin let us go."

She nodded and came with me.