This chap is about 3,700words. I'm so excited! We are getting closer and closer to the part with Mirkwood. Now, while I still remember, apologize if characters might feel a bit OOC (usually warn about this in ch1 in my stories, but this time it really slipped my mind)
Added speech:
`Black speech´
R&R! Enjoy!
Chapter 4:
Eventually the cave led to an opening and light shone brightly. She was glad she was the last one out and she smiled. It was beautiful! She had never seen it herself, only in books when she stayed in Lórien, but now she saw it.
"The Valley of Imladris," Gandalf announced. "In the common tongue it's known by another name."
"Rivendell," Bilbo said.
"Here lies the Last Homely House East of the Sea."
"This was your plan all along," Throin accused. "To seek refuge with our enemy."
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself," Gandalf said.
"I do not think he ever will warm up to elves," Calithilel said, meeting Gandalf's eyes.
"But there you are wrong. I do believe he sees you as a friend," he answered.
"No, he tolerates me, that is all, and yet I have not unleashed my earthly temper on him." She laughed.
"No, I do not think that would bode well," Gandalf agreed.
"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing?" Thorin then asked and took a moment to glare at the female elf in their company, who in turn glared back. "They will try to stop us," he then added.
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered." Gandalf paused. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact. And respect. And no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me and Calithilel."
"Thank you for thinking me full of charm, Gandalf," Calithilel said with a grin when they were walking side by side. "But I must say I am more likely to get angry soon."
The wizard looked upon her with surprise.
"I've never been here before. I remember a letter mother read from Lord Elrond. He wanted me to visit. He wanted more knowledge of me, I have no doubt he will hold me back here," she mused. "Do not get me wrong, I do not think him cruel or wrong. Had I had a softer personality I might have agreed long ago, but my human spirit remain."
"You are good with acting then." Gandalf raised his brows.
"Sometimes you have to be, so you can hide your real feelings," she muttered and slowed her pace so the dwarves and Bilbo could pass her. She pulled her cloak tighter around her and raised the hood.
After passing the bridge, an elf came to greet them. "Mithrandir," he greeted.
"Ah. Lindir," Gandalf greeted.
"Stay sharp," Thorin whispered.
"We heard you had crossed into the Valley," Lindir said.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf answered.
"My Lord Elrond is not here."
"Not here? Where is he?"
The horn sounded, and Calithilel knew it was the same one from earlier with the wargs and the orc pack. She moved quickly and ended up staying in the middle of the dwarves together with Bilbo and Sparkles when elves on horses came and surrounded them. Sparkles barked loudly twice, startling some of the horses. Shhh, she thought, feeling after the horses. Be calm, he is a friend. It seemed to help the souls and a small smile graced her lips.
"Gandalf."
Calithilel looked at the elf.
"Lord Elrond," Gandalf greeted. "My friend. Where have you been?"
"We've been hunting a pack of orcs that came up from the south." He jumped off his horse. "We slew a number near the Hidden Pass." He hugged Gandalf and Calithilel pressed her lips together. "Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near."
"That may have been us," Gandalf admitted.
Thorin stepped forward.
"Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain," Elrond said, addressing Thorin.
"I do not believe we have met," Thorin said and stared at the elf.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain."
"Indeed? He made no mention of you."
"And who is the cloaked one?" he asked, recognizing the elvish cloak. Calithilel reached up to her hood and let it fall. "Calithilel," he greeted and bowed.
"Lord Elrond," she answered with a small bow in return.
"You have such strange traveling companions," he mused.
"The choice in companions is my own," she answered icily. "I do not mind the dwarves. They are great." It seemed to make him quiet down, and for the dwarves to look at her with surprise.
"Now, now, Calithilel." Gandalf watched her warily.
After Elrond spoke again, Glóin could not hold it. "What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" He held his axe out.
"No, Master Glóin, he's offering you food," Gandalf answered.
"In front of dwarves, common is wise," Calithilel said lightly, seeing Elrond and Gandalf frown.
The dwarves stopped muttering between them. "Well, in that case, lead on," Glóin said.
Calithilel fell in step beside Thorin and he looked up at her. "What did you tell the elf, earlier?" he asked her.
A look of anger crossed her. "He did not seem to approve who I chose as my traveling companions. I did not agree with him. But know this Thorin. I do not speak elvish in front of you to insult you or try to hide anything. I do it to respect the elves."
Thorin snorted. "You seem to lack that respect."
"Oh, it's nothing too personal. The matter shall be solved soon enough."
"Calithilel! Lindir will lead you to my daughter so you may change," Elrond announced.
She stiffened. "I do not wear dresses," she said and stopped.
"Behave," Gandalf scolded as if she was a difficult child.
With rigid steps, she made her way to Lindir. "Take me to Arwen," she said and he nodded. "Sparkles, stay with Bilbo." The dog seemed lost as she walked away from him, but the puppy-look had gotten old and she knew he would be fine.
After a much-needed bath, Arwen presented to Calithilel three dresses. Though they did not entirely know each other, they had exchanged some few letters earlier in Calithilel's days. Instead she refused and said she would take dinner in her room, and after Arwen left, she snuck out to explore. Until she in her hurry bumped straight into two figures.
"My, my, what do we have here, dear brother?"
"Purple hair? I believe she is family."
"Our aunt, even if she's younger than us."
She looked up with narrowed eyes.
"Elladan…" the first one started.
"…and Elrohir…" the second continued.
"…at your service," they finished and grinned while bowing.
"Calithilel," she answered short.
The twins seemed confused. "Are you angry with us?" Elladan asked.
"Did we do something to offend you?" Elrohir followed.
She sighed and let herself not show any emotion. "No, I'm sorry. I was simply in a bad mood. It happens."
"Unusual to see an elleth wear a tunic around these parts instead of a dress," Elladan mused.
"Well, I prefer walking around like this. Force me into a dress and you will be sorry."
"Feisty," Elrohir chuckled.
"Your eyes deceive you," Calithilel said and then attempted to walk past them.
"Whatever do you mean?" they asked at the same time.
She sighed. "You are both full of mischief, are you not? Well, I do not want part of it, even if we are family." She attempted to walk away once more, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Where are you going?" Elladan asked.
"To find my dog, and the dwarves," she whispered and hurried down the nearest steps. She ended up in a garden, and had it not been that she saw Thorin and not another elf, she would have turned. "Thorin," she said surprised while sitting down on the grass.
"Calithilel, you did not come to dinner."
"I was not hungry." She smiled.
He walked towards her and towered over her so she had to look up on him. "The eyes that are more beautiful than any jewels. The eyes belonging to an elf I see as a friend. What will she do when we reach the mountain?" he asked.
Surprised at his words her eyes started to tear. "You see me as a friend?" Her voice shook.
He chuckled. "I might not show it very well, but you have proved to be valuable in our company, and the others like you too, even if you do not speak much. Gandalf can also be very convincing. At least I would like to work towards any sort of friendship."
"I tend to keep quiet when I do not know what to say. A human trait of mine is a strong shyness over people I do not truly know, and I tend to keep to myself. Do not mistake me. I can blow up, I have a temper, but most of the time I try to keep it at bay." She laughed with him this time. "Now, what will I do when we reach the mountain? Well, that depends on what happens, with Smaug and everything. But when you got your mountain back I will take my leave and travel back to my mother and resume my post as marchwarden."
"That does not sound like much of an adventure."
She smiled halfway this time. "No, I guess it doesn't, but I do not have another call. Yet I have to find my mate. I feel lost."
"Just because you do not have a partner? You know, you could stay in the mountain."
This time she really laughed. "Oh. Thorin. Are you sure you are alright? An elf living there? No, I do not think I will be very welcome, but thank you for the offer. No… I think I will stop by Radagast, maybe he can teach me some about the forest. Maybe I could help in healing it." She paused. "I thank you for kind words. I thought you only tolerated me, even the others of the company seem wary of me, well, except Fíli and Kíli." She laughed.
"If you look closer…"
"If I look closer I might end up staying in that mountain." It was meant half way as a joke, but the truth rung close to her heart. She truly meant it. For the dwarves brought up a form of normalcy that she longed for. In one way a more freely living style, while at the same time they protected what they cherished. She shook her head. No. She loved being an elf. She loved feeling so close to the nature. She loved being a marchwarden. She was a great warrior and not male. Male and female elves looked at her in the same way. She was not less. Yet she was not above them. It's hard to explain, even to myself, she thought and barely noticed Thorin move beside her.
Thorin arose. "I'll see you at the meeting with Lord Elrond."
"Thank you," she whispered, after his retreating form.
She sat thinking a while longer after he left. She remembered he and his nephews would die, but how could she prevent it? She could not stay in three places at once, but she knew she had to try and to have a plan before the time came.
"Our business is no concern of elves."
Calithilel was running late and heard Thorin's voice. She burst into the room where he, Balin, Bilbo, Gandalf and Elrond waited. "Sorry I'm late," she said a little winded.
"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map," Gandalf said, ignoring her.
"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect, as are its secrets."
"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond."
Thorin looked at Calithilel and she nodded once. He took out the map.
"Thorin, no," Balin said, trying to stop him.
Thorin handed over the map to Elrond, and Calithilel felt like she could breathe again. "Erebor," he said. "What is your interest in this map?"
"It's mainly academic," Gandalf hurried to say before anyone else could. "As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text." Gandalf gave the little group a look when Elrond turned and Calithilel shrugged. "You still read ancient dwarvish, do you not?" he then asked. Elrond spoke quietly, but she heard the elvish words, while Gandalf said, "Moon runes? Of course. An easy thing to miss."
"Well, in this case that is true," Elrond started. "Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written."
"Can you read them?" Thorin asked.
"May I take my leave?" Calithilel asked as a far-away bark made her aware that something was going on.
"Of course," Elrond answered and nodded once her way.
She curtsied in a hurry and then took off towards the barks who rang with pause. She started to sprint but came to a halt. "Mother?" she asked, surprise filling her.
Hello dear daughter.
She threw herself at her mother and she held tightly around her. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! And a bit surprised," she admitted.
Beware, daughter of mine. The White Council has been summoned, and you must stay behind while the dwarves continue on their quest.
What? she thought, shocked.
"You will travel later again, with Gandalf. Now, I must go."
"Of course," she whispered.
She watched her mother walk away and when out of sight she turned on her heels to return to her chamber, Sparkles running with her.
I cannot let you meet the goblins. A horrible fate will then befall you. Those words rang in her head when she awoke and confused she looked around.
But nothing too serious happens, I remember what happens! she protested in her head.
You did not belong in that story, Calithilel. I will not lose you!
Her mother's harsh and worried tone moved Calithilel to stand and she watched out the window in her room with care.
Further in the day when Gandalf was released from the council, and after a quick meal, the two of them hurried out of Rivendell to follow the dwarves, but still on foot. After agreeing where to meet up again – since Gandalf knew of her fate if she was to enter the mountain with the goblins – they split up. And she awaited the wizard, the hobbit and the dwarves for a while. She petted Sparkles frequently, trying to calm herself. She was armed with a new bow and quiver. Her daggers secured. But her sword was at hand.
She heard the noise before she saw them, and then Gandalf, followed by the dwarves that came running towards her.
"Five, six, seven, eight." She heard Gandalf count. "Bifur. Bofur. That's 10. Fíli, Kíli! That's 12. And Bombur. That makes 13."
"Where's Bilbo?" she asked, before Gandalf had time to say it.
"Where is our hobbit?" Gandalf asked towards the dwarves. "Where is our hobbit?!"
"Curse that halfling! Now he's lost?" Dwalin gritted out.
"I thought he was with Dori!" Glóin exclaimed.
"Don't blame me!" Dori answered.
"Well, where did you last see him?" Gandalf asked.
"I think I saw him slip away when they first collared us," Nori spoke up.
"And what happened, exactly?" Gandalf was not very happy. "Tell me!" he demanded.
"I'll tell you what happened," Thorin started. "Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it. He has thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door. We will not be seeing our hobbit again."
"Thorin," Calithilel growled, feeling her anger rise.
"He is long gone."
"Then I am going after him," Calithilel said and started to make her way towards the mountain.
"Calithilel!" Gandalf yelled.
"No. He isn't."
Bilbo's voice made her freeze, and the relief flowed through her. "Bilbo," she breathed.
"Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf said with a chuckle. "I've never been so glad to see anyone in my life."
"Bilbo. We'd given you up," Kíli admitted.
"Speak for yourselves," Calithilel muttered, and then the memories from her world flooded her again. She should not have worried.
"How on earth did you get past the goblins?" Fíli asked.
"How, indeed," Dwalin wondered.
Bilbo chuckled nervously, but only Gandalf and Calithilel picked it up.
"Well, what does it matter? He's back," Gandalf then said.
"It matters. I want to know. Why did you come back?" Thorin asked.
"Look, I know you doubt me. I know you always have. And you're right, I often think of Bag-End. I miss my books." Calithilel smiled. "And my armchair and my garden. See, that's where I belong. That's home. And that's why I came back. Because… you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can."
Bilbo's speech seemed to quiet them all, until the growls of wargs went through the trees.
"Out of the frying pan," Thorin whispered.
"And into the fire. Run. Run!" Gandaf led the company once more, while Calithilel remained in the back and sent Sparkles forward.
It did not take long before they caught up to them, and the company had to fight. Calithilel fired some arrows first, until the beasts were too close, then she reached for her daggers. But the cliff stopped them all.
"Up into the trees," Gandalf commanded. "All of you! Come on, climb! Bilbo, climb!"
Calithilel grabbed Sparkles and flung herself up with him. She climbed as far as she could and held her dog tightly. "It's alright," she whispered. "We'll be fine."
"Quickly!" Thorin yelled.
She briefly saw Bilbo trying to drag his sword out of a warg and her eyes widened.
"They're coming!" Thorin yelled.
Bilbo managed to get his sword out, and just in time too for him to climb up the tree. Calithilel held Sparkles firmly and jumped over to the tree Gandalf was in.
"Hang on!" she heard Bofur yell.
"Hold on, brothers!" Glóin yelled.
"Azog," she heard Thorin whisper. Calithilel watched with wide eyes the orc from the stories.
`Do you smell it?´ Azog spoke in black speech. `The scent of fear? I remember your father reeked of it, Thorin son of Thrain.´
"It cannot be," Thorin whispered.
`This one is mine,´ Azog said and pointed at Thorin. `Kill the others!´
Calithilel gritted her teeth while the wargs were under the trees, the dwarves, Bilbo, Gandalf and she occupied. She could not use or reach her bow while holding onto Sparkles.
`Drink their blood!´ Azog yelled.
"It's going!" Dwalin yelled while one tree started to fall.
She held on tightly to the tree when Gandalf threw the first pinecone with fire. Then he yelled, "Fíli!" And threw one to him so they could start spreading the fire. She could not help with Sparkles whimpering in her arms. Then the tree started falling and it was hanging over the cliff.
"I'm so sorry Sparkles," she whispered while holding on to one branch, while the other arm gripped Sparkles as tightly as possible.
"No!" she heard Gandalf.
"Mr. Gandalf!" Dori yelled, right before he started to fall. But Gandalf was quick with his staff and Dori got hold of it.
"Oh, no, Dori!" Ori yelled.
"Thorin, no!" Calithilel screamed when she saw him going to face Azog.
She felt herself slip, and all other sounds disappeared. Her wide-eyes stared up at Gandalf's horrified ones. A tear fell from her, shining in silver just as the moon. Then she fell.
She did not scream. She let her other arm around Sparkles and closed her eyes and waited to hit the ground. She seemed to fall for ages, but then she landed on something soft, though the air was knocked out of her. Above her she saw the eagles flying and she could only guess that she was on top of one too. She breathed out. "We're safe," she whispered.
Sparkles answered by licking her chin and she laughed, relived.
Eventually the eagle stopped and she sat up to see. She could climb down with her friend and she stood on top of the mountain. She let Sparkles free and she could feel he was relieved to be walking himself.
Dawarves were let down. Thorin the first, then Gandalf who ran over to him.
The wind changed and a warmer breeze took hold of Calithilel. She stared up. You made my fall much longer, she realized.
"I could not let you die now, could I?" Manwë's voice rung in her head.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"The halfling?" she heard Thorin ask.
"It's all right. Bilbo is here. He's quite safe," Gandalf assured him.
"You!"
Sparkles started to growl at Thorin when he faced Bilbo. "Shh, it's all right," she whispered to her friend. Her lips were pressed together in a thin line.
"What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us?" He stopped close to Bilbo. "I have never been so wrong in all my life."
While Thorin hugged Bilbo, Fíli came to stand beside Calithilel. "I almost thought we lost you."
She smiled at the dwarf. "Manwë could not let me die before the eagles came. Then my purpose would not be fulfilled for this adventure," she answered.
He stared at her with surprise.
"The wind helped me."
"…I'm not a hero or a warrior," she heard Bilbo say, and turned to look at him. "Not even a burglar." She giggled and he smiled her way.
She sat down while trying to think over how they all would get down, while the others looked towards Erebor. The talk about it, made her turn her head and she gasped. In the distance she saw the beauty through the dawn.
"A raven!" Óin exclaimed. "The birds are returning to the mountain."
"That, my dear Óin, is a thrush," Gandalf corrected.
"But we'll take it as a sign," Thorin said. "A good omen."
"You're right," Bilbo agreed. "I do believe the worst is behind us."
If it only was so, Calithilel thought with a grimace. She remembered about Beorn, and that would happen soon. Then they would have to go through Mirkwood, or Greenwood, where they would be captured. She certainly did not look forward to that.
Tell me what you think ;)
- Moonlight Starlove