Thanks again for all the reviews up until now. I'm going on vacation soon and updating will take longer than you might expect, but it will be over before you know it. See you soon you guys!
By the way, I don't know much about Elvish, so bare with me here.
The treetops rush underneath me at great speed before giving way to an outstretched barren land as far as the eye can see. The warming wind that soon courses underneath my wings gives me lift and my height increases. My sharp eye spots Radagast ahead, followed by orcs riding wargs. He zigzags between hill and rock, trying to keep a distance between them, but it is working just barely.
Just as he seems to lose the race, something else catches the orcs' attention. Most back away from Radagast before following a different path. I can only guess that they found the company's whereabouts.
I watch Radagast disappear in the distance, only a few orcs still on his tail. Knowing he can handle himself against them, I follow the rest of the pack as they ride on to meet my companions. I need to stop them before they get there.
Grabbing an arrow, I string my bow, releasing it quickly. The arrow strikes an orc in the neck, throwing it off the warg is rides. This catches their attention, making them slow down for a bit as they search for the origin of the attack.
Tucking my wings, I dive on them. I kick another one off its ride, quickly driving a dagger that I held in my boot into the head of the warg as it goes to snap at me. Not stopping there as I don't wish to give them time to process what is happening; I rush upwards again and out of the reach of those tainted swords and axes.
Just as I string my bow once again, the sound of hooves on the earth reaches my ears and from the corner of my eye, I see riders fast approaching. I smile confidently as I shoot several arrows down at the enemy and watch them rush around in a panic as they look for every possible way to flee.
In the chaos they do not seem to notice the riders approaching, their armor shining harshly against the morning sun. Just seconds later they are overrun, leaving none of them alive, but for a few who were able to flee earlier on. I smile down at the men below as they halt, forming a tight line before looking up. One of them steps forward, his armor particularly impressive.
Softly touching down on the dry yellow grass, I bow deeply before the man. "Le suilon Lord Elrond.", I say respectfully in my lacking Elvish. "Mae g'ovannen lady Therith.", he slowly speaks, his voice deep and full of purpose. "What brings you to these parts?", he asks, making me stand straight.
"A journey does my lord.", I explain looking around carefully, ignoring the stares of the other elves. "Though I seem to have misplaced my company in the rush of battle.", I say, making him quirk a fine arched eyebrow. "Who is it you travel with my lady?", he asks, making me look back at him.
"Gandalf for starters.", I say, making him smile. I choose not to mention the rest of them just yet. "In that case I suggest you join us. He will make his appearance soon, I am sure.", he says knowingly. I'm sure of it that he's right and nod, showing that I will.
In another flurry of feathers, my fast wings retreat leaving my back bare once more. "I wish not to cause a scene.", I tell lord Elrond as he looks at me questioningly. "Very well. You can ride with my men.", he says and a rider steps forward, offing a hand to help be up. Once I'm seated behind the elf, Elrond calls to them all and the horses lurch forward as they ride home.
It is not long before we arrive in the grand valley of Imladris that is the location of the Last homely home. I gaze around, deciding that Rivendell is still one of the most magnificent places I have ever seen.
To my pleasant surprise, I see the company already gathered at the entrance and the dwarves quickly raise defenses at the groups of elves and I as we come riding directly towards them. I can see Gandalf look on annoyed at their behavior as the dwarves are encircled by horses and elves.
"Gandalf.", lord Elrond calls, acknowledging his old friend. "Mellon nîn. Mo evínedh?"(My friend. Where have you been?), Gandalf asks. "Farannem 'lamhoth I udul o charad. Nartho I noer, toltho I viruvor. Boe I annam vann a nethail vin." (We've been hunting a pack of orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the hidden pass.), Elrond explains. "That explains where you went.", I muse, having caught a little on what he said. They must have taken said pass.
"Therith?!", call a few of the company in surprise as all of us dismount the horses. I smile at them. "You did not think I had left you, did you? , I tease. Gandalf turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I am glad to see you in one piece still.", he smiles. "No orc will get me down so easily Gandalf. You must know this by now.", I tell him, making him chuckle. "I know, I know. But it still is a great relieve to me every time.", he says before looking up as Thorin steps forward.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain.", Elrond says kindly to the dwarf. "I do not believe we have met.", Thorin replies gruffly, making me purse my lips. I highly respect lord Elrond and to hear someone speak in such way…
Luckily for him, Elrond decides to ignore it. "You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain.", he states. "Indeed, he made no mention of you.", Thorin counters.
"Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin.", Elrond speaks in a very serious tone, making me look at him questioningly. "What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?", Gloin asks, ready to get into a fight. "No, master Gloin, he's offering you food.", Gandalf tells him amused, taking the dwarves aback. And after a mutter amongst themselves, Gloin steps forward again, "Ah well, in that case, lead on." I chuckle, following them. I'm sure lord Elrond used such a tone on purpose.
Before I can settle down though, I am whisked away to get some proper cleansing. Before I can register it myself, I find myself smelling of flowers and dressed in a nice light dress. I don't often dress like this; it makes me feel uncomfortable even.
I walk towards the hall where I will find the company, but run into lord Elrond on the way there. I bow to him and he offers his arm to guide me the rest of the way to the feast. On the way there, he speaks; "I find it surprising to see you are part of such a company.", he states, making me look up at him. "My lord?" "What I mean to say is that you are not known to me to travel with such a large company. Because of that, your being is still relatively unknown throughout these lands, as you once told me you preferred.", he says.
I mull over his words for a moment before replying; "You are right, I myself was quite surprised when I arrived after Gandalf's calling.", I confess. "They know not much about you yet I presume?", he questions. "No indeed. Though that will only be a matter of time I suppose.", I say, deep in thought.
"Does this worry you?", he asks knowingly. "Mmh. Not so much them as the enemy I suppose. There are so few of us left…I have trouble remembering the last time I came across one of my own kind.", I admit sadly. "It is true that it is better that the enemy knows about you as little as possible, but word travels fast and you should be prepared. Your kind has not been safe since the enemy took it upon themselves to overrun the mountains in past ages and was set on destroying all the sons and daughters of the sky.", Elrond says, bringing back memories of tales of old.
"In great number, your people was a great threat to the enemy. Sad though it is, you can somewhat rest assured that you are most likely no longer a priority to them. Their focus shifts. Sometimes it is men and other times elves or dwarven folk the enemy tries to wipe out.", he continues. I nod, knowing he is right. "Therith, do not hold yourself back because fear grips you. If you cannot be proud of who you are and not embrace those who will not harm you with that knowledge, than true happiness will not find you, for you are of free folk and should not be locked away in any matter or form."
I look ahead of me, but not seeing. An emotion gripping me at lord Elrond's words. He voiced my longings so precisely, it is painful. I just barely register arriving at the party.