Scarlet Drozd: Thank you. I should hope my readers see character development. A story where everyone is exactly the same at the end as they were in the beginning is boring and pointless.

booksfoodmusic-minion: This story would end very badly if things didn't get better. I enjoyed writing about Meldamiriel.

pink bunny: Thank you. I work really hard on these stories to make sure my readers like them and they meet the image and ideas that I was going for.

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Hobbit."

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Chapter 14: Arriving at Rivendell

The tension eased a bit between Thranduil and Sarah after that night. It hadn't disappeared completely, but it wasn't as thick as it was before.

Sarah didn't know where the courage to ask about her mother had come from. She normally wouldn't have been so bold. She attributed it to exhaustion from her magical working and the conversation she'd had with her friends just moments before. Whatever the cause, she didn't regret it.

Edana, Legolas, and Tauriel did back off a bit. They didn't interrupt so much when Thranduil tried to talk to Sarah, and they had agreed to leave her alone for at least five minutes when they stopped for the night. They still watched from the shadows, but at least they weren't acting like they were glued to her side.

Thranduil and Sarah didn't have any more very personal and open conversations, at least not while they were on the road. Whenever they did talk, the topics were more ordinary and casual. Sarah didn't mind. She was just glad that they were talking at all. She knew they still needed to have that talk, but she also still felt that it wasn't the right time or place yet.

Sarah and Edana had seen images of Rivendell in the movies and looked up pictures online, but nothing could have prepared them for the actual thing. They sat on their horses, jaws dropped, and just stared at it, admiring the beauty of this hidden paradise. Close up, it was even more beautiful.

They endured the introductions to Lord Elrond and his family while resisting the urge to run off and explore. When Thranduil sent them off to rest from the journey and settle in, they calmly walked away. But, as soon as they were out of the room, they grabbed each others' hands and sprinted away.

Repeating the same process they had gone through in Mirkwood, the girls spent their first few days in Rivendell just exploring. After the initial excitement had died down a bit, they went back to their usual routines. Arwen often joined them on their excursions, showing them her favorite places, shortcuts, and secret nooks. Elladan and Elrohir would join in during Sarah's training sessions with Tauriel and acted as extra teachers, though they did more showing off than actual teaching. Elrond joined Legolas during Sarah's study sessions, mostly because he was interested in seeing how her wild magic worked.

When Thranduil was not busy with anything else, he could be found close to Sarah. He stood on the sidelines while she was training and called out praise or things that could use improvement. He also joined her study sessions, giving advice and making suggestions. Thranduil had spent a lot of time with Meldamiriel when she was learning about her magic, so he actually knew quite a bit. Sarah progressed faster with his help.

Sarah, Edana, Legolas, and Tauriel, along with Elrond's three children, were all relaxing in the gardens one evening a few weeks after arriving. The conversation eventually turned to the king of Mirkwood.

"Things are definitely better than they were when I first learned he was my father," Sarah said, "but I can't shake the feeling that this is just the calm before the storm."

"His behavior has been rather odd lately," Legolas agreed. "He has acted more like a father to you in the last few weeks than he has to me in the last century."

"Well," Edana began, "now we know who his favorite child is."

Tauriel and Elrond's children laughed while Sarah rolled her eyes and Legolas glared at Edana, who tried and failed to keep a straight face. The laughter eventually died down.

"I have to admit," Elladan began, "even I am surprised by the way the king has been acting."

"Father is also concerned," Elrohir added. "He has told us that his conversations with the king as of late have been a bit troubling, though he will not tell us why."

"Perhaps because he knows that the two of you cannot keep your mouths shut," Arwen told her brothers, who put on innocent looks.

"Whatever he is planning," Legolas said, "it cannot be good. I know my father too well. He is not one to face problems head-on. He is more likely to run and hide in whatever ways he can think of that do not make him look like a coward." Looking around and meeting the eyes of everyone there, he added, "Do not tell my father I said that."

Everyone else tucked this little piece of information away for possible use as blackmail in the future.

"I just get the feeling that the longer we stay here the more likely he is to do something," Sarah said. "As beautiful as this place is, and as much as I love being here, I will be happy when we begin our journey back to Mirkwood."

The group from Mirkwood would be staying in Rivendell for only another week, so they did not have long to wait. To Sarah, however, every day between now and then was another day that Thranduil had at his disposal to carry out whatever he had planned. It was almost more scary than the thought of having a heart-to-heart conversation with him. She still didn't feel like it was the right time for that, but it seemed as if the right time would never come.

The twins, having felt that the conversation was becoming a bit too serious, switched it to a more cheerful topic. Sarah tried to have fun with the others, but it just wasn't working. The group continued to talk for another hour before separating for bed.

Sarah took the outdoor route to her room, walking through the gardens as much as she could before having to go back inside to reach her room. Along the way, she passed Lord Elrond's study. She heard voices and walked as quietly as she could in order not to disturb the conversation. She paused, however, when she recognized one of the voices as Thranduil's.

"It is for the best," the king said.

"The two of you have been getting along as far as I can see." That was Lord Elrond. "Very different from the stories I heard from Legolas."

"I only wish for us to part on good terms," Thranduil said. "She will not like this in the beginning, but she will soon see the wisdom in my decision."

Sarah wondered who her father was talking about. She had a suspicion, and she did not want to be right.

"You have not changed your mind then?" Lord Elrond asked.

"No," Thranduil answered. "Mirkwood is far too dangerous. Rivendell is protected in several ways. Sarah will be much safer living here."

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Dun dun DUN! What's gonna happen next? What's Sarah gonna do with this knowledge? Review and find out in the next chapter.