A/N: Here is the first of probably at least two chapters in Rivendell. Since there were some Elvish words and phrases in the movie I included them here. They will be in bold italics with the translation in parentheses following. I also looked through some Sindarin language sites to find a few words and phrases for Rhaella to use. Please let me know if I botch it horribly. I've also used the version of the dinner with the elves from the extended edition here; I love Bofur's song too much to leave it out. Big moment in this one...
Just4Me: No, not kingly at all and I was tempted to have Fili find him but decided I couldn't torture the poor guy like that lol.
As always, everything you know is Tolkien's or Peter Jackson's. Everything else is mine.
Rhaella followed behind the company as they made their way down into the valley and across a bridge into Rivendell. She kept a close eye on Bilbo as he was looking around in wonder, not paying much attention to where he was going, and she was afraid he might take a tumble right off the walkway. The buildings, made of white stone, seemed to glow in the late day sun. There was the constant, soothing sound of water from the many waterfalls that fell from the surrounding cliffs and the streams that flowed throughout the valley. It was certainly a sight to behold. She could still remember her awe when she was brought here as a small child. The dwarves, however, were not so enthralled; she could almost feel the tension radiating off of them as they came to a circular platform and Gandalf had them stop. A dark haired elf was moving down the stairs towards them.
"Mithrandir."
"Ah, Lindir!" Rhaella kept an eye on the whispering dwarves as the wizard and elf greeted each other.
"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." (We heard you had crossed into the Valley.)
"I must speak with Lord Elrond."
"My Lord Elrond is not here."
Gandalf seemed a bit surprised by this news. "Not here? Where is he?" Before the elf could answer horns were heard behind them. The company whipped around and could see a line of armed horsemen advancing towards them rapidly across the bridge.
"Ifridî bekâr! Hold ranks!" Thorin ordered them. Dori grabbed Bilbo and Dwalin grabbed Rhae, pulling them into the circle the dwarves had formed.
"This really isn't necessary," she grumbled unheard, rolling her eyes not only at the dwarves' reaction but at the behavior of the elves as they rode in circles around the small group. It was just like males, she thought to herself. Next they'd be comparing sword lengths. When they finally stopped she spotted Lord Elrond as he approached them.
"Gandalf," he said fondly.
"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" (My friend! Where have you been?)
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na lant Vedui." (We've been hunting a pack of orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass.) He dismounted and gave Gandalf a hug. "Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near." He handed an orc sword to Lindir, all the while watching the wizard for his reaction.
"Ah, that may have been us."
Thorin stepped forward and Rhaella sucked in a breath, hoping he wouldn't insult Lord Elrond.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain," the elf said respectfully.
"I do not believe we have met." Rhae frowned at the back of the dwarf's head.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."
"Indeed. He made no mention of you." It took all Rhae's self-control to keep from smacking Thorin upside his hard head for the condescension in his tone. Lord Elrond, however, merely ignored the insult, finally spotting the Ranger among the dwarves.
"Ah, Rhewil. Gi nathlam hí. (You are welcome here.) It has been too long since I last saw you." She stepped through the dwarf circle and bowed respectfully.
"Le suilon (I greet you) Lord Elrond." She could sense the bristling of a certain dwarf behind her and she again had to struggle not to hit him. "It has indeed been a few years since my last visit but I have been busy."
"I am sure. You are well? I was concerned when we came across a certain rider less horse and then found this buried in the head of a dead warg." He handed her the dagger she'd used while fleeing from the orc pack. She took it with a bow of her head, grateful to hear that Tálagor was safe.
"As well as can be expected. You brought my horse back?" He nodded and smiled at her, then returned his attention to the dwarves. "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."
"What is he saying?" Glóin growled. "Does he offer us insult?" Rhae figured at this point her eyes were going to roll right out of her head. She had had enough of hard-headed dwarves. She wanted to knock all their heads together. Before she could reply Gandalf broke in.
"No, Master Glóin. He's offering you food." Even the wizard sounded a bit exasperated. Lord Elrond merely looked slightly amused and she knew he had responded that way intentionally. She felt the beginnings of a headache. The dwarves conversed amongst themselves for a moment before nodding at the elf lord.
"Ah well, in that case, lead on."
Rhae simply shook her head; she would've laughed if she hadn't been so exhausted. At the top of the stairs an elf maid was waiting and Lord Elrond indicated that Rhae was to follow her. As she took a few steps in that direction she felt a strong hand grab her arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" She turned to Thorin with an exasperated sigh.
"To take a bath, in warm water, without worrying about dwarves peeping through tree leaves." His face flushed red and he could hear a few chuckles from his companions. It finally registered to him how exhausted the Ranger looked. Quite a bit of her hair had escaped its braid and some of it was even matted with the orc blood that was splattered across her. Exhaustion was clear on her face. She was looking at him with that hint of challenge back in her eyes.
"I don't want you separated from the company. It isn't safe."
"Master Oakenshield, though you do not like or trust the elves, I lived here for part of my training. There is nothing sinister hiding anywhere and nothing to fear here. It is quite safe. I am going to go get cleaned up before our hosts serve us a meal and I would highly suggest you do the same." With those words she yanked her arm from the dwarf's grip and marched off in the opposite direction, the poor elf maid hurrying to keep up.
"I see the years have not changed Rhewil," Lord Elrond said with a smile.
"Perhaps a little more stubborn," the wizard countered. Thorin scowled behind the two, not liking the familiar way in which they spoke of the Ranger. He did not like her being away from him - them - but as he had no idea how to find where she went there was nothing he could do about it. The idea of a good wash wasn't entirely displeasing to him either and so he followed the pale faced elf to the rooms that they were assigned in silence.
It felt marvelous to lower herself into the warm pool; Rhaella couldn't remember the last time she'd bathed in something other than a cool stream or been so clean. After ducking under the sparkling water she set to work scrubbing a few months worth of dirt, grime, and orc blood from her body and hair. A few times she thought she was going to scrub her skin off but eventually she was grime free. She rested her head on the edge of the bath and closed her eyes, letting her body relax in the warmth and security of her surroundings. She could feel the tension soaking out of her muscles after months of being constantly alert and on guard. Even before she'd joined this quest it had been quite a while since she had truly been able to relax. Such was the life of a Ranger. She took a deep, calming breath, inhaling the wonderful scent of lavender she loved so much. A thought of the dwarves trying to find soap to bathe with crossed her mind and she chuckled; it would be vastly amusing to encounter Dwalin or Thorin smelling like honey or flowers.
Before she could fall asleep she rose out of the water and grabbed a soft drying cloth from a table. She was a bit amazed at how long her hair had gotten; it fell almost to her waist. She would have to take care of that later; it would just get in her way. Once dry she began to survey the damage the last few months had done to her body. There were the few fresh cuts from the earlier fight with the orc pack but nothing too severe. Most of the smaller cuts from her tumble down the hill were close to being completely healed, though there were a couple on her back that were still red. Of all the bruises she'd received only the one where she'd bruised a few ribs was still noticeable. That one was healing but still an ugly shade of greenish purple. The gash above her ear was luckily covered by her hair and not in a spot that would get re-injured. As long as she didn't hit it on anything it would be okay. All in all she wasn't in too bad of shape considering what she'd been though.
Two elf maids entered the room to help her dress for dinner. Not one for finery she nevertheless knew what Lord Elrond expected and so submitted wordlessly to their ministration. They brushed out her hair and braided three thin plaits on each side of her head; two they looped up so they draped over each ear and the third remained hanging loose and framing her face. Once they were satisfied they helped her into a dark blue dress, high necked and with sleeves that hung to her knees. To finish her outfit they added a small silver circlet that rested on her forehead and a silver belt that sat below her waist. Rhaella stared at herself in the mirror for several moments, amazed at what she saw reflected in the glass. It had been a very long time since she'd worn anything but tunic and leggings or left her hair loose. She couldn't believe the difference it made.
"I suppose its acceptable to enjoy feeling like a female every now and then," she said out loud to no one in particular.
"You look lovely, Rhewil. Lord Elrond said they would be waiting for you on the upper terrace."
"Will all my friends be there?"
"Yes. Lord Elrond is having the meal in your honor."
"Did they happen to clean up beforehand?" she asked, a trifle worried they'd show up still filthy and smelly from their journey just to show the elves how little they cared for them.
"I do believe Mithrandir was able to convince them," the older of the two maids said with a slight smirk and Rhae let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank you. You both did a wonderful job with what you had to work with here."
She left the room and made her way to the meal, hoping that she would manage to make it without tripping over the long skirt on her dress. Her thoughts were on any number of disasters or offenses that could occur during this meal. Thinking about it almost made her turn around and return to her room; dinner alone would save her so much stress. She knew the company's feelings towards the elves, especially Thorin, and she hoped they wouldn't try to antagonize their hosts. Rhae shook her head at her own ridiculousness. Her presence might be the only thing that kept the company on decent behavior. The sound of laughter greeted her arrival. Pausing before walking out onto the terrace where the group was gathered she took a moment to look them over and prepare herself. Gandalf had seemingly worked some magic as they were all washed, their clothes having been cleaned as well. Most of the company were seated at a long table and appeared somewhat relaxed. She even noticed Kíli eyeing one of the elf maids and laughed to herself; his uncle would truly love that. Her own eyes, seemingly of their own volition, were drawn to where Thorin was seated at a separate table with Gandalf and Lord Elrond. His clothes were cleaned, the blue looking brilliant in the glow of the setting sun; belts, buckles, and beads were polished; his dark hair even seemed to still be damp from a wash as well. He truly was a magnificent sight and she felt her heart do a little jump at the sight of him though in the next instant she silently berated herself for the thought.
Thorin was not comfortable sitting at the table with the elf lord but as that was where a seat had been reserved for the Ranger he forced himself to endure it. He wasn't about to leave her with the elf and wizard. She had been absent from the company for a couple hours while they all washed up and he didn't like it. He didn't trust elves and knowing the Ranger was alone with them and he had no clue where she was worried him. While the warm bath he'd been able to take had felt good on his aching muscles, he had been unable to relax; he fully expected some trickery from their pointy eared hosts. And now he had to sit and listen to Elrond prattle on about nothing with Gandalf. He was tempted to go and join his men at the other table when a young elf appeared and whispered to Lord Elrond.
"Rhewil will be here in a few moments. I'm glad she's actually taken the time to appear appropriately attired for the meal," the elf told them with a smile.
"Yes, she has a penchant for ignoring all that and showing up dressed as if she's about to disappear into the wild," Gandalf chuckled in agreement.
"I've seen nothing wrong with what the Ranger wears," Thorin huffed. Seeing the puzzled look Lord Elrond was giving him and the knowing twinkle in the wizard's eye he tried to change the subject.
"Why does the Ranger have yet another name? I've heard you call her Rhewil several times. Does that name have some meaning or is it hiding something else about her?"
"No, Thorin Oakenshield, it is not hiding anything at all. All the Dunedain Rangers have a Sindarian name. They complete portions of their training here, as they have for generations. Some, though not Rhewil, are here quite some time if they are to receive training in the healing arts. She was not destined for that and so her training consisted mainly of archery and politics. To answer your other question, Rhewil means wild and untamed," Elrond explained. Thorin couldn't help but chuckle at the appropriateness of the name.
"Ah, here she is now. Rhaella, my dear, you look lovely," Gandalf said looking over the dwarf's shoulder and standing. Thorin did the same and turned around - and felt the earth shift under his feet. He'd always thought she was quite pretty, even for one from the race of Man, but now? She was truly beautiful. And - by Mahal! - she was wearing blue, Durin blue. The color of his house. At that moment he felt he'd never seen anyone more lovely. He eyed the braids in her hair, knowing these were merely decorative, and suddenly wished he had put them there. He had a sudden vision of brown eyes smiling up at him as clasped silver beads in braids he had put in her hair himself. That unexpected thought left him speechless as she approached and all he could do was bow his head slightly to acknowledge her. He saw her puzzled look but still couldn't pull his stubborn tongue off the roof of his mouth.
"Rhewil, na vedui, (at last)" Elrond said with an amused and knowing grin.
"Hîr vuin, (my lord)" Rhaella replied with a bow of her head. "Apologies for my tardiness."
"I would expect nothing else from you, Rhewil." Lord Elrond motioned to one of the elves standing to one side, signaling they would begin the meal. Thorin merely stared at the Ranger as they took their seats and food was placed on the tables. He wanted to say something but his brain seemed to have become addled and unable to form any coherent thoughts or words. She finally looked at him with her head tilted a bit to the side, curious as to his strange silence.
"Are you alright, Thorin?"
"Yes." Well, that was a start, he thought to himself.
"Have I grown a second nose or something?"
"No. You look...beautiful." The last word was spoken so softly she almost didn't hear him. Rhae stared at him with wide eyes, not expecting those words from his mouth.
"Thank you," she finally replied in a whisper and turned back to her plate, suffering her own moment of speechlessness.
Thorin wasn't the only one of the company to be struck by their Ranger's appearance.
"Rhae!" Nori exclaimed and she turned around to find him at the other table. "You look like a girl!"
"She is a girl," his older brother huffed.
"Thank you for noticing, Nori," she laughed. While most of them were simply amazed at the transformation Fíli felt his heart drop into his stomach. He didn't think anyone could compare to her simple beauty. He had seen his brother ogling the elf maids but they couldn't compare to Rhaella. Once again he fervently wished he could do something about his feelings for her but he had made his decision; he was her friend and would never cross his uncle. Thorin hadn't admitted to any feelings for her, of course, but it was clear as day on his face. Rhaella was a bit more guarded in her feelings but he had noticed her watching his uncle with that same look in her eyes more often as the weeks had passed. He sighed and then tried to shake himself out of his depressing thoughts and enjoy their - meal? He stared at the green things placed in front of him in dismay. Catching his brother's eye he grinned, knowing exactly what was going to happen to the vegetables on the plates.
Back at the head table, Lord Elrond was examining the sword Thorin had taken from the troll hoard. Rhae could tell he was tense as the elf turned the blade over in his hands.
She placed a hand on his arm, "Do not worry. He does not mean to keep it." Thorin looked at the Ranger in amazement as she tried to sooth away the worry he hadn't even voiced out loud. How had she known what was on his mind?
"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." He handed it back to the dwarf who took it with a slight nod. Placing it back in his lap he glanced at the Ranger who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow as if to say 'I told you so.'
"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." Elrond handed the long sword back to Gandalf. "How did you come by these?"
"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."
"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" No one answered. Thorin looked a bit perturbed and Rhae's face was a picture of indifference, revealing nothing. "Thirteen dwarves, a Halfling, and a Ranger; strange traveling companions, Gandalf."
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Thorin got up and left the table, ambling over to where the rest of his company were laughing. Rhae looked after him, quite puzzled by his behavior. She was accustomed to his moodiness but there had been something different this evening. He hadn't uttered a word to anyone at the table. She put it down to his displeasure at their current situation.
"These are the descendants of the House of Durin. They're noble, decent folk," the wizard tried to explain. Rhae merely sat back in her chair to see how Gandalf was going to try and spin this one. "They're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts." Of course in the next moment the dwarves showed just how cultured they actually were. Rhae was quite entertained.
"Change the tune, why don't you? I feel like I'm at a funeral!" Nori called to the elf maid playing the harp.
"Did someone die?" Oin asked rather loudly.
"Alright lads! There's only one thing for it!" Bofur exclaimed jumping onto the plinth next to the table. He hummed a note and then broke into song, the rest of the dwarves, and even Rhae, clapping and stomping along with the tune:
There is an inn, a merry old inn
beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon came down
one night to drink his fill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat
that plays a five-string fiddle;
And up and down he saws his bow
Now squeaking high, now squeaking low,
now sawing in the middle.
Kíli rose from his spot at the table and skipped over to where Rhae was sitting.
"Would you dance with me, Lady Rhae?" he asked with a deep bow.
She stood with a smile. "How could I refuse such a gallant request?" Taking his offered hand he pulled her to an open space near the tables and began twirling her around. His uncle watched him with an eagle eye to make sure Kíli didn't do anything inappropriate. Some of the dwarves still seated began tossing food at one another and she broke into laughter when she saw something barely miss Lindir's face, smashing into a statue behind him. As Kíli danced her around she even noticed Thorin to one side, a smile on his face and stomping his feet a bit to the beat. Bofur never missed a beat in his tune:
So the cat on the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead.
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
"It's after three!" he said.
Kíli gave Rhae a bow and she curtsied somewhat clumsily. Gandalf motioned to her and she returned to the table where the wizard waited with their host and Thorin.
"I expect you are tired from your journey," Elrond said, standing from his place. "Please, rest well tonight and I will speak with you as Mithrandir has requested tomorrow evening." Thorin frowned but wisely chose silence. He and Rhae bowed their heads to the elf and turned to begin herding the company from the terrace. Knowing the dwarves most likely wouldn't be able to find their way back to their quarters, Rhae motioned for them to follow her. Thorin followed close behind her, enjoying the way the moonlight played on her hair and skin. They were relieved to be away from the scrutiny of the elves and, no longer feeling they needed to be on their best behavior, their boisterous personalities quickly returned. Once inside their common room many of the dwarves began removing their outer jackets and jerkins and Rhae headed for the door.
"Are you leaving us?" Thorin appeared from the shadows beside her, his usual frown back on his face. He did not like her alone among the elves.
"As everyone is making themselves more comfortable I felt I would like to do the same. Do you have a problem with that?" She kept a rein on her temper though she was tired of being expected to remain in his sight constantly. She was a grown woman and a Ranger; she did not require a baby-sitter. "I was planning on returning as soon as I changed."
"Very well." He watched as she disappeared down the hall and was swallowed by the shadows. He sensed her frustration with him but he couldn't help it; he did not trust elves and, remembering Dwalin's words after her injury, he felt rather possessive of her. The change in her appearance that evening had stunned him and brought home the fact that other males would find her attractive and want to claim her for their own.
Why should that bother him? he mussed as he removed his outer jerkin. It wasn't as if he desired her for himself. However, as he settled down in front of the fire that Glóin had started, pulling out his pipe, the image of the Ranger in that blue dress rose before his eyes. She had looked breathtaking in the blue of his house; it suited her so well. He had a sudden vision of her by his side as he showed her around Erebor, still wearing that blue but her hair in more dwarven style braids and his bead in a braid by her face. He took a long draw on his pipe, trying to force that thought from his head but more crowded in. She was everything a dwarf would want in his partner - beautiful and kind, intelligent and witty, strong, determined, a very skilled fighter, and oh so sassy and full of fire. She was completely intriguing. As that wall she had around her where he was concerned had come down he had found he truly enjoyed her company and conversation. He still had no explanation for why the Ranger had so disliked him but he was relieved that seemed to have changed. He turned when the door opened but it was only Gandalf and he tried not to feel disappointed.
"She'll return, Thorin."
He looked at his friend in surprise. He hadn't heard Balin join him. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been sitting here brooding since she left and you looked frustrated when it was only the wizard entering a moment ago." The elderly dwarf watched his king struggle to say something. "You can admit it, laddie. It's plain as day."
"Admit what?"
"That you have feelings for Rhaella. You've put up a gallant fight a while now but I don't think this is a battle you've won - or should try to win."
"I am not attached to the Ranger."
"Thorin, I may be old but my eyes still work fine. I've seen the way you watch her, try to talk with her, how you bristle up whenever she's with your nephew. If I hadn't noticed it before, the way you walked in carrying her after her fall and the look on your face, would've told me then. Why do you want to keep denying it? What if she is your One?"
Thorin jerked in shock at that thought and stared at him at a loss for words. Everything Balin was saying, everything Dwalin had said in the past, all his whirling thoughts and feelings where the Ranger was concerned...it couldn't be, could it?
"This is an absurd discussion to be having right now. We have to remain focused on our goal, on our quest. I will not allow anything to cloud our resolve."
"Perhaps her presence may help with this quest. You can't avoid it forever, laddie. I know you warned Fíli off but you won't have that kind of authority over anyone else."
"I did not warn Fíli off. I simply told him that as the Heir to Erebor he had to be careful about forming attachments he might regret later. There was no other reason."
Balin looked at him with an expression Thorin remembered seeing as a dwarfling when he knew his elders didn't believe a word he was saying. "If you don't admit to yourself that she is your One and claim her you will lose her to someone else."
"How could she be my One? She's not of our race. She would never be accepted as Queen of Erebor."
Queen of Erebor! His words echoed in his head and he again saw her beside him in a dress of Durin blue.
"She has won over this group of supremely stubborn dwarves, most your kin. Don't think that won't carry weight with the rest of our people. We would be pleased to have her as our Queen." Balin watched him in silence for a few moments having come and said what he felt needed to be said. He had liked the Ranger from the start but as their journey had progressed he had started to see much more potential in her. She was a perfect fit for their solemn and moody king, not afraid to stand up to him. Perhaps she would even be able to bring back some of the playfulness he had lost after Smaug came. Thorin was again at a loss. Conflicting emotions were battling inside and he couldn't think clearly. His head said one thing, his heart was trying to say something else.
"I probably don't want to know what you used to start that fire," a female voice said with a laugh and he looked up in surprise. He hadn't heard her return but she was standing in front of the fire, a smile on her face and a couple large dishes in her hands, as she looked at Glóin. The red haired dwarf simply shrugged his shoulders with a grin. "I thought the lot of you might be hungry so I took the liberty of bringing you a snack." There were cheers of happiness when the company discovered she'd brought them food, real food.
"Oh thank you, lass! There was a powerful emptiness in my belly!" Bofur said as he picked up some sausages with glee.
"I figured as much." She sat down between him and Gandalf and watched as they enjoyed what she had purloined after changing her clothes.
"How did you manage it?" Ori asked as he stuffed his mouth.
"You forget I lived here during my training. There were many times I was just as hungry and swiped food from the kitchen."
"Did you live here for long?" The young dwarf had picked up his journal and quill and was poised to record her words.
"I don't recall how long it was but it was several years. There have been others that have stayed much longer than I did. They taught me archery and diplomatic skills. Once they felt I had learned what I needed I returned to the camps to take the next step in my training."
"Why is there such a close connection between the Rangers and the elves here?" She smiled at how the young scribe forgot his shyness when he wanted to get information.
"After the fall of the kingdom of Arnor it became a haven of sorts for the remnants of its people, the Rangers. Aranarth, the first Chieftain of the Dunedain, sent his son to be fostered and trained here and so it has been for each of our chieftains. They are well protected from those that seek to eliminate us. Lord Elrond is also a keeper of our history. Many of the heirlooms of the House of Isildur reside here, including the shards of Narsil. Without him most of our past would be long forgotten. He is the greatest protector of our line." Thorin was enjoying watching and listening to her. The blue dress was, of course, gone and she only wore her long tunic, leggings, and boots; it was strange to see her without her leather jerkin and bracers and all her weapons. She was so relaxed here and much more open with them.
"What is Narsil?" the Halfling asked from behind his pipe.
"The sword of Elendil. It shattered as he killed Sauron but his son, Isildur, took up part of it and cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. After Isildur was killed at the Battle of the Gladden Fields the pieces were brought here and here they will remain until the heir to Isildur takes it up."
"But didn't the bloodline die out leaving no heir?"
"No, Balin. The line did not die out. There is a direct heir but he is not yet old enough to take his place and reunite the kingdoms. So we, the Rangers, guard and protect, waiting for that time to come. I only hope that we can keep the darkness at bay until the kingdoms are united and strong enough to defeat it for good." Balin looked thoughtful for a bit. That was one of Rhaella's biggest fears: that they would not be able to hold out until the boy was old enough to take his rightful place as king. Gandalf took the lapse in conversation to bring up a touchy subject with Thorin - meeting with Lord Elrond. It went as well as Rhaella expected.
"I do not trust elves and will not seek their counsel."
"You have a map you can't read. Lord Elrond can help us."
"We do not require their help. They've never helped us in the past."
"The Rivendell elves are not the Mirkwood elves and Lord Elrond is not Thranduil. He is probably the only person in Middle Earth that can help us." Gandalf frowned at the dwarf across from him.
"I will not beg help of the elves. They will only seek to stop us."
"And just how do you suggest we locate that hidden door? Walk around the mountain in circles for years hoping to stumble across it? Or perhaps you think if you order it to open it will magically obey you?" Rhae finally spoke up, annoyed and not interested in hearing this argument again. "You are a fool to turn down help willingly given."
How dare she call him a fool? He glared at her but she met his eyes without flinching. There weren't many that could do that. "Elves never lifted a finger to help us, deeming us unworthy of their precious time. They would seek to take a share of the treasure of Erebor as payment for any assistance given now and I will not allow an elf to touch a single coin."
"Lord Elrond has no need for your gold and would expect nothing of the kind!" She was now glaring at him in return and the company tried to blend into the shadows, hoping to not catch the attention of either of them.
"They had their chance to help us and they refused and I will never forgive them for that." With those words, Rhaella lost the last hold on her temper.
"Don't talk to me about being unable to forgive a past wrong, you stubborn, arrogant, pig-headed dwarf! Don't think you are the only person in Middle Earth that has ever been wronged by another! I'm here, helping you, even after you sent my father to an early grave!" Furious she lashed out, saying more than she had ever intended to reveal. Everyone froze, mouths agape and looking between the two. The silence was deafening. Thorin felt his anger suddenly evaporate and he sat in shock, staring in confusion at the Ranger standing on the other side of the fire. The flames created shadows on her face, her eyes bright in fury, making her seem rather frightening, and for the first time he realized how formidable she could be. But her words! They repeated over and over in his head. He had no memory of ever arguing or fighting with any of the Dunedain and her accusation sent ice through his veins. His heart clinched in pain. She blamed him for her father's death.
Edited/updated February 2016