Elrond opened his eyes.
"And?"
He looked at the two figures in front of him. An old man in white robes stared at him with light frustration.
"Have you made contact?"
The elvenlords eyes fell on the second. A beautiful elfen woman with long almost golden hair. She looked back at him with more warmth.
"I have." Elrond said. "I believe she received my message."
The old man huffed.
"Speak of your troubles Saruman." The woman said.
"Apologies my lady Galadriel." Saruman said. "But to me this all seems pointless and a waste of our time."
"How so?" Elrond asked.
"There hasn't been a full realized Avatar since Khan." Saruman said. "Not one of the Avatars has dared to merge with Raava and none will come that do."
"We don't know that." Elrond said. "Every new reincarnated Avatar is a different person."
"Speak the truth to me Lord Elrond, has any of the Avatars that you brought to Rivendell even considered to merge?"
Elrond sighed. He thought back to the many faces he had seen sitting across from him, absolutely terrified by the mere idea of what the elf proposed to them.
"And I have not even mentioned all the Avatars who commited suicide before you found them." Saruman continued. "I understand that you have taken on the responsibility to keep watch over the spirit of Light Lord Elrond and we are very gratefull for it, but isn't this a lost cause?"
A silence fell. The wind blew softly, making the many wind chimes of Rivendell sing their song. Elrond was deep in thought, trying to find a way to say what he was feeling.
"She is different." He said.
Saruman threw his hands in the air and sighed dramatically.
"It is up to Lord Elrond to decide Saruman." Galadriel said. "He is the keeper of the Avatar, it is his choice."
The old man looked at Galadriel and then to the ground.
"So be it."
He turned around and walked away. Galadriel turned towards Elrond.
"It worries me that he is so very stong against a possible merge." He said.
"Indeed, perhaps he is frightened of another dark Avatar."
"That will not happen."
There was no doubt in the elvenlords voice. Galadriel smiled and stepped closer.
"There is a light in your eyes Elrond, I have not seen for a very long time."
The man did not know where to look as he felt his cheeks grow a bit warm. His mind went back to the few seconds he made contact with the girl, the new Avatar.
"You are right." She suddenly said in a more serious tone. "It is time for Raava to return to Middle Earth." "Dark times are approaching fast."
…
"Uh sorry…an adventure you say?" Samara asked.
"Yes, but he doesn't seem too happy about it." Gandalf the Grey said.
"Well that should be an understatement." "Bilbo Baggins and adventure, that just doesn't go together."
"And you are?"
"Oh sorry, I'm a friend of Bilbo, just visiting…actually he is expecting me so I'll just…go in." Samara said as she stepped through the small gate and walked towards the front door.
It opened on the slightest and Samara quickly stepped inside.
"Have a nice day!" She said before closing it.
"Is he gone?"
Samara looked around to find the house empty.
"He is leaving right now…where are you?"
Suddenly light brown curls appeared behind the couch.
"What are you doing there?" Samara asked.
"I didn't want him to see me." Bilbo Baggins said. "He was talking to me about taking me on an adventure…me of all people."
"What kind of adventure?"
"No idea!"
"Do you know him?"
"He knew my mother and occasionally comes when there's a party and bring fireworks."
The Hobbit stood up and walked towards his guest.
"You look awefull." He said staring at Samara's dirty clothes and face.
"Nice to see you too Bilbo."
He smiled at her and gave her a quick hug.
"Right, a bath it is." He said. "Take your time, put your clothes in the hallway and I'll get them washed while you relax."
Samara laughed. "I brought some fish with me for dinner."
"Excellent, I have just the wine that goes with it!"
The hobbit walked towards the kitchen with the bag Samara had just handed him. Samara looked around and sighed contently. A hobbit hole truly means comfort.