AN: Italics mean the words are spoken in a different language or a telepathic conversation.
"Mithrandir, why does Thorin hate me?" Valaira questioned quietly. Gandalf and herself had been in the rear of the company.
"You know as well as I why he is stubborn towards you." He answered back.
"Have I done anything to cause him harm? Am I not helping him to try to reclaim his home? Do I not deserve to be treated as an equal? Yet he treats me like I am the enemy."
"Harm to his pride perhaps. Give it time, he'll come around. Dwarves are not as forgiving as Elves."
She scoffed. "Who said Elves were forgiving?"
Valaira was becoming fed up with his constant attitude towards her. Even Bilbo was starting to be on his good side after the stunt with the cave trolls. Kili had asked her about her bow. But Thorin had cut him off, telling him not to converse with the elf, in Khuzdul of course.
Kili gave her an apologetic glance and listened to his Uncle for the time being.
Fortunately, they were almost upon their destination.
"The Valley of Imladris. In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name."
"Rivendell." Bilbo said, amazed. It was truly a sight to behold.
Former home of Valaira's sister, Celebrian. She had married the half-elf, Elrond ages ago. She gave birth to two boys Elladan and Elrohir, and one girl, Arwen Undómiel. Valaira had visited them often. But then Celebrian was captured by Orcs who tortured and poisoned her. She was rescued by her two sons and healed by her husband. Unfortunately, the experience had left a scar on her mind and she decided to leave for the Grey Havens. Valaira missed her sister dearly.
"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea."
"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin grumbled at Gandalf.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself."
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us."
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. 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."
The dwarves were becoming more and more apprehensive the closer they got to the entrance of Rivendell.
"Mithrandir." An elf greeted Gandalf. Valaira had never seen him before.
"Ah, Lindir!"
"Stay sharp." Thorin whispered. Valaira rolled her eyes.
"We heard you had crossed into the Valley." Lindir commented.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond."
"My lord Elrond is not here."
"Not here? Where is he?"
A familiar horn sounded. Speak of the devil.
Lindir spotted Valaira and they exchanged the traditional elvish greeting of their hand over their heart.
"My Lady."
"Ready weapons! Hold ranks!" The dwarves moved to a tight circle, weapons at the ready. Valaira stood with Gandalf.
"Gandalf." Elrond greeted.
"Lord Elrond. My friend! Where have you been?"
"We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass."
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near."
"Ah, that may have been us."
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met." Thorin for once did not grumble.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."
"Indeed; he made no mention of you," Thorin said rudely.
Elrond chose to ignore the tone of Thorin's words and turned to Valaira, bowed his head but she went to him with open arms.
"Valaira? It is more of a surprise to see you here than the Dwarves. You have not visited in far too long." She always liked her brother-in-law.
"I know, for that I am sorry." She apologized.
"Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests."
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?"
"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." And wine. Valaira wanted wine.
"Ah well, in that case, lead on."
"Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner."
"Well, you never are."
Elrond, for some reason, had made Valaira sit at the table with himself, Gandalf and Thorin. She could not remember the last time she was this uncomfortable eating. She finished off her first glass of wine and poured another.
"Try it. Just a mouthful." Dori told Ori.
She stabbed at the salad in front of her. She was focusing on her food, but she could tell Thorin was watching her. And for once he wasn't angry. Just highly unamused.
"I don't like green food," Ori complained.
"Where's the meat?" The unmistakable voice of Dwalin complained.
"Have they got any chips?" Ori questioned.
Most likely not, but there was wine. Lots of wine. Lovely, delicious elvish wine. Oh look, her glass was empty. The bottle in front of her was suffering the same fate. She spun around from her table to ask Kili to pass the bottle in front of him. She emptied the remains of that bottle into her glass. Thorin probably thought she was an alcoholic. Which was probably true. When it came to wine, especially elvish wine, she could not control herself. But she tried to keep this secret to herself.
"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." Elrond was examining the weapons that were found in the troll horde.
"And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age. In fact, Valairas mother-"
More wine. She excused herself from the table and went off in search of the wine cellar.
It was a good thing things like wine cellars didn't move. Because Valaira would have been very upset if this one had and because she was feeling just a bit light-headed. It was also a good thing that no one guarded the wine cellar from souls such as herself.
It wasn't long before she was shooed out by someone who was bringing more out to the dinner party. Valaira took the bottle almost empty bottle she was drinking with, along with a full one hidden on her person. She then headed for a suitable spot to drink and wallow in her thoughts. This happened to be sitting on a ledge overlooking the waterfall and close enough to where she would later be able to listen to the dwarves roasting more food over a fire.
Lindir had disturbed her to say that Gandalf requested her presence. Something about a map.
She waved him off, telling him she was busy.
A wave of immense displeasure appeared out of nowhere. Oh, look. King high and mighty decides to come out and bother her.
'I can hear your thoughts you know.'He sighed.
'Go away.' Even her thoughts were slurred. She took a swig of her last bottle. Which was almost empty. Sadness.
'Your mother has arrived.' She paused, bottle at her lips. Uh oh.
'And Saruman.' She chugged the remaining wine and placed the empty bottle at her side.
'Thanks for warning me.'
'I will not have my little bird drunk." Her wine bottle was now filled with water, water that was probably laced with something to clear her head.
"Drink it before the council." She didn't but brought it with her just in case.
She heard a disgruntled sigh.
It made her laugh.
/
Valaira was watching the dwarves below, while she made her way over to the others.
"Bombur!" Bofur flung a sausage in Bomber's direction, he caught it and the extra weight caused his seat to collapse.
Of course, this caused the dwarves to erupt in laughter.
She heard Gandalf and Elrond arguing amongst themselves. Bilbo wandered over to see what they were speaking of. Valaira also sensed Thorin sneak up.
"Of course, I was going to tell you. I was waiting for the right chance. I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing."
"Do you? That dragon has slept for sixty years. What would happen if your plan should fail? If you wake the beast"
"What if we succeed? If the dwarves take back the mountain our defenses in the east will be strengthened."
"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf."
"It is also dangerous to do nothing. The throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright. What is it you fear?"
"Have you forgotten? A string of madness runs deeply within that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear that Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Gandalf, these decisions to not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of middle earth."
She spun her body to jump off from her perch, whoa… still light-headed.
Her head was spinning very fast. Luckily for her, Thorin had his arms out and steadied her.
Otherwise, she would have none too gracefully fallen on her face.
"Can't hold your wine?" He half-whispered.
"I can drink you under the table any day." She took a gulp of her bottle. Yes, Manwe definitely put something in it.
Thorin raised an eyebrow. She was still drinking?
"Water." She explained.
"Who do you agree with then?" He asked.
"Hmmm?"
"The elf or the wizard?"
"The dragon needs to be dealt with. There are far more important things that will be happening soon, and that dragon cannot be able to fall into the hands of the enemy."
"The dead body of Smaug is the only reason you came with us then?"
"No of course not. Everyone deserves to have a home. Yours was stolen from you. Many lives were lost that day, families separated… I am here to help you fight for your home."
"You do not care for the gold then?"
"Gold? Not all treasure is silver and gold, Thorin. I have no interest in it, nor will I ever. But I do worry for you. You say now that you want to reclaim Erebor for your people. But once your eyes gaze upon the treasure, I fear that the same mind sickness that consumed your grandfather will do the same to you."
Thorin made no reply. Her fears were plaguing him as well.
"Well, I best be off. My mother is summoning me." Valaira heard her mother's voice echo in her ears.
"Will you be leaving with us?"
"Gandalf and I will meet with you in the mountains." And with that, she left
/
"With or without our help, these dwarves will march on the mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels that he's answerable to anyone. Nor for that matter am I."
"It is not me you must answer to."
"Lady Galadriel."
"Mithrandir. It has been a long time."
"Age may have changed me, but not so the Lady of Lorien."
"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you."
"He didn't. I did."
"Saruman." He was one person Valaira didn't like. Never did, never would.
"You've been busy of late, my friend."
"Tell me, Gandalf, did you think these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed?"
At this point, Valaira joined the council. She ignored Sauron and slid into her mother's welcoming embrace.
"Unnoticed? No, I'm simply doing what I feel to be right."
"The dragon has long been on your mind."
"This is true, my lady. Smaug owes allegiance to no one. But if he should side with the enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect."
"What enemy? Gandalf, the enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength."
"Gandalf, for four hundred years, we have lived in peace. A hard-won, watchful peace."
"Are we? Are we at peace? Trolls have come down from the mountains. They are raiding villages, destroying farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road."
"Hardly a prelude to war."
"Always you must meddle, looking for trouble where none exists."
"Let him speak."
"There is something at work beyond the evil of Smaug. Something far more powerful. We can remain blind, but it will not be ignoring us, that I can promise you. A sickness lies over the Greenwood. The woodsmen who live there now call it 'Mirkwood'. And they say..."
"Well, don't stop now. Tell us about the woodsmen say."
"They speak of a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur, a sorcerer who can summon the dead."
"That's absurd. No such power exists in the world. This...Necromancer is nothing more than a mortal man. A conjurer dabbling in black magic."
"And so I thought too. But, Radagast has seen-"
"Radagast? Do not speak to me about Radagast the Brown. He is a foolish fellow."
"Well, he's odd, I grant you. He lives a solitary life."
"It's not that. It's his excessive consumption of mushrooms. They've addled his brain and yellowed his teeth. I warned him, it is unbefitting of the Istari to be wander in the woods..."
Valaira scoffed loudly. "I can only think of one person who is unfitting if the Istari." She gave him a pointed look. The purpose of the Istari was to protect the people of Middle-Earth. And this one in front of her was openly turning a blind eye to Orcs attacking the innocent.
"You carry something. It came to you from Radagast. He found it in Dol Guldur."
"Yes."
"Show me."
"…or I'd think I was talking to myself…"
"What is that?"
"A relic of Mordor."
"A Morgul blade."
"Made for the Witch-king of Angmar, and buried with him. When Angmar fell, men of the North took his body and all that he possessed and sealed it within the High-Fells of Rhudaur. Deep within the rock they buried them, in a tomb so dark it would never come to light."
"This is not possible. A powerful spells lies upon those tombs; they cannot be opened."
"What proof do we have this weapon came from Angmar's grave?"
"I can think of one way where we could prove it." Stabbing Sarumon and see if he turned into a wraith. Her lips turned to a smug smirk as the thought made her laugh.
After a moment of silence from all of them…
"I have none."
"Because there is none. Let us examine what we know. A single Orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen. A dagger from a bygone age has been found. And a human sorcerer, who calls himself the Necromancer, has taken up residence in a ruined fortress. It's not so very much, after all. The question of this dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I'm not convinced, Gandalf; I do not feel I can condone such a quest. If they'd come to me, I might have spared them this disappointment. I do not pretend to understand your reasons for raising their hopes…"
Saruman had no idea what he was talking about. There was plenty of evidence, he was just too blind to see it.
"What Gandalf says is true. The enemy, Sauron has returned."
"You have no proof."
"Indeed I do. A dark presence grows in Dol Guldur. If you do not believe me, go look for yourself."
"That is no proof. Whenever you are around, I feel a dark presence."
"Pardon me?"
"How do we know you are not the one to blame for this? With the power you possess, you could be behind it."
Her eye twitched at the stupidity coming out of his mouth.
"You are correct. I could be behind it. But if I did, I know a certain group of people who would do anything in their power to stop me. But, I have no reason to. Why would I want to breed orcs, when killing them is so much more satisfying? Why would I need to? I need no army. I do not crave power. I already have it. You do not know or understand the power I posses." She was not one to brag…except when Saruman was around. Couldn't help but rub it in. He was one who craved power.
Her hand hovered above the Morgul blade. Felt the magic, felt the darkness that was embedded in it then pulled it out.
"Tell me Saruman," she started as an inky black solid smoke substance evaporated from the steel. "What does this remind you of?"
They all watched the black smoke try to escape the shield Valaira had placed around it.
And then Manwe's ethereal light projected from each and every one of Valairas pores. His voice came out of her mouth.
"Saruman, you're sight is clouded. Blinding you to the evidence before you. She and Gandalf are correct. Darkness and evil are spreading once again. Dol Guldur is where it is most concentrated. Sauron is regaining his power. His strength is growing, and the Orcs are serving his will. Do not be foolish enough to ignore my warning." His light and presence then left. So did the effects the wine had been having on her. She scowled at that.
His presence shut Saruman up.
"Your father wishes for you to come home," Galadriel spoke to her daughter's mind.
"He misses you."
"Tell him to stop making me feel guilty for not visiting."
"He still misses you."
"I promise to come home after I have finished my business with the dwarves." She sighed.
" I will tell him that."
"You both will follow them?"
"Yes."
"Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?"
"I don't know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage."
"Valaira?"
She nodded towards the smoke.
What to do with that?
Her hand hovered over it once more. She used her own magic to separate evil from the energy. The smokey substance lightened through several lighter shades of gray until it was a pure white. The white she directed towards the ring on her right hand. What was left was a shiny black liquid. The magic that could turn one into a ringwraith.
'Destroy it.'
"You know, I would not have minded if you gave it to Saruman. Take him down a level. He needs to get over himself."
"Do not concern yourself with him, little bird. He was dealt with."
"Oh? Really? Details?"
"Nothing of your concern," Her excitement was short-lived. "There is someone who wishes to speak with you."
"Valaira, my old friend. How are you?"
"Aulë?" She knew that raspy voice anywhere. "Why have you not spoken to me in so long?"
"Experimenting."
"Oh? What have you made now?"
"I am not finished. I just wanted to thank you for helping the dwarves."
"You do not need to thank me."
"I believe I do. You have no ties to them. Others who did pledge alliances with them, did not help them. Even some of their own kind do not aid them. But you do. I created them. They have flaws that make it hard for other races to like them."
"Everyone has flaws."
"The elf. I want her dead." The darkness grumbled.
"Yes, my Lord."
"Take this." Darkness spun and wove itself into a weapon.
"Use it only for her."
"Thank you my lord. The elf will be slain."
"Azog. Do not underestimate her."
Thoughts? Review!