As Samara walked through the stone gate and looked around to see which way she was meant to go, Bilbo suddenly came running.
" Ah there you are!" He said. "Have you decided what to do yet?"
"To do what?" Samara asked confused.
"To meet Lord Elrond." Bilbo said. "You have to decide quickly, Thorin is really anxcious to leave." "Luckily the other dwarves all insist on staying for lunch, even Dwalin."
"Lunch?" Samara asked. "But that's impossible, I have already met Elrond and stayed with him for about an hour and a half."
Bilbo looked worried now. "I went to my room but decided to help you with your decision before packing my stuff." "I left you about ten minutes ago."
Now it was Samara's turn to look confused.
"Do you need to lay down?" Bilbo asked.
"No need master Baggins."
Elrond appeared through the stone gate as well.
"As I said, time works differently down there." The elf said as he gestured towards the stairs.
His dark eyes fell on the hobbit sternly. "This will remain between us."
Bilbo's cheeks flustered. "It…it most certainly will."
Elrond smiled and walked on.
"So, what did you decide?" Bilbo asked.
Samara looked at him and suddenly realized what she was doing.
"I'm staying." She said. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be!" "I'll be fine, honestly."
"Alone with thirteen dwarves and you'll be fine?" Samara laughed.
"Yes I will." Bilbo said laughing as well. "As annoying and rude as they can be, they are also loyal and brave and won't hesitate to come to the rescue if need be."
"Well well if I didn't know any better I'd say you've fallen for one of them." Samara teased.
Now the hobbit's face grew completely red.
"What…fall for one of them?!" He stuttered. "Are you mad?"
They started to walk back to the main house.
"So Lord Elrond is going to teach you how to be an Avatar?" Bilbo asked.
"Yes, I don't know when I can join the company again but I will be there to fight the dragon."
"That's good to know…"
"I will go pack my stuff now." Bilbo said. "Or Thorin will be cross for certain."
Samara sighed as she watched the hobbit walk into a corridor.
"Everything alright my dear?" Gandalf asked standing behind her suddenly.
"Yes…yes fine." She said quickly. "Gandalf can I ask you something?"
"Anything." Gandalf said.
"Can you watch over Bilbo?"
The wizard sighed. "I cannot guarantee anything, it is a very dangerous journey." "Besides, is that not the reason you have come along, to watch over your small friend?"
"I know, but I'll be…"
"Ah there you are Gandalf, my lord Elrond has requested your presence." An elf said as he came walking towards them.
"And for what may I ask?" Gandalf asked.
"The white council is here."
"Ah…I see."Gandalf growled. "The conference hall I presume?"
The elf nodded and then looked at Samara.
"He asked for you too my lady."
Samara swallowed. Gandalf gazed at her for a few seconds before extending an arm towards her.
"Than we must not let them wait."
"Thank you…uh.."
"Lindir my lady." The elf said with a small bow as he led them to their destination.
As they walked through the entrance Lindir spoke loudly.
"Gandalf the Grey and the Avatar my lord Elrond."
"Avatar?" Gandalf asked letting go of Samara in surprise.
Elrond shot Lindir a stern glare. The latter bowed ashamed and quickly left the room.
"Yes Gandalf, Samara is the current Avatar." Elrond said seeing no point in brining it subtly anymore. "Please sit."
There was a round table in the middle of the room. Gandalf sat down next to a beautiful elf with long blonde hair.
"My Lady." He bowed towards her.
She smiled and fixed her gaze upon Samara, who still stood by the entrance. Her eyes fled to Elrond who subtly motioned towards the empty seat next to him. She quickly sat down.
Her eyes scanned the table. Gandalf, the elven woman, a man looking like Gandalf but dressed all-in white whose black eyes stared at her. Then there was Elrond and herself.
"I believe a round of introduction is in order." Elrond said as he stood up.
"This is our new Avatar, Avatar Samara." He said as he lightly touched her shoulder.
Samara could feel a shiver run through her body by the touch.
"She has agreed to let me teach her how to control the elements."
"And will the Avatar be willingly to merge with Raava?" The old man dressed in white interrupted. His tone was not kind.
"It is rude to interrupt someone while they are speaking."
The words were out of her mouth before she knew it, but nonetheless Samara kept her eyes set on the two dark ones.
"It is indeed." The elven woman said. "Let Elrond finish, then you can ask your questions Saruman."
The man looked as if he could shoot fire out of his eyes any moment but remained silent.
"As I was saying…"Elrond continued. "She is willing to learn how to bend the elements." "This is the White Council, a group of…if I may say so myself…the most powerful and intellectual people in Middle Earth."
"Saruman the White is head of our council." Elrond said as he gestured towards the old man.
The wizard stood up and made a small bow. "An honor to serve you, my Avatar." He said.
"The lady of Lothlorien, Lady Galadriel."
The elven woman stood up, bowed deeper and said the same words.
"You already know Gandalf the Grey."
Gandalf stood and bowed. "An honor to serve you, my Avatar." When he sat down, he winked at Samara.
"And that leaves me, Elrond lord of Imladris."
Samara watched as Elrond bowed in front of her, staring directly into each others eyes.
"An honor to serve you, my Avatar."
A feeling of recognition overwhelmed Samara suddenly. Elrond seemed to notice and smiled at her as he sat down. Immediately Saruman stood up.
"May I ask if Avatar Samara has intentions to merge with Raava after finishing her lessons?" He asked.
"No decision has been made yet, but rest assured that you will be the first to know when I have." Samara said.
Galadriel smiled briefly.
"This is not the only reason that I have called you all here, although this was the main one." Elrond said as it fell silent again. "The company of Thorin Oakenshield is about to leave on a quest to reclaim Erebor."
"What?" Saruman asked. "Why?"
"He wishes to claim his right to the throne." Gandalf said.
"But why now?" Saruman asked.
"The dragon Smaug has not been seen for many years now, more eyes are upon the lonely mountain and more specificaly the treasure that lies beneath." Gandalf said.
"I do not think much good will come from this quest." Elrond said. "To stir a dragon, who knows what danger they might unleash upon Middle Earth."
"Smaug is a danger to Middle Earth." Gandalf said. "And even a much bigger threat should he choose to give his allegence to an old enemy."
"We are in a time of peace." Elrond said. "There is no threat of an old enemy, Sauron was defeated."
"But possibly not forever, he can return and it is of great importance that we elliminate Smaug before that happens." Gandalf said.
"Out of the question." Saruman said. "We will not risk disturbance of the peace based on nothing but your fears Gandalf." "As head of this council…"
"You shall ask the Avatar what she has to say." Galadriel said.
Sarumans eye twitched.
"Yes, my apologies." He said. "It has been so long since we had an Avatar amongst us."
He turned towards Samara, who moved in her seat nervously.
"What say you, Avatar Samara?" He asked with gritted teeth.
"Uhm…"
Everyone was looking at her and she could feel her cheeks grow red.
"The dwarves are set on their journey, I doubt anyone can stop them." She said.
Saruman huffed.
"I do understand your position of wishing to mantain the peace as it is now Saruman." Samara said raising her voice. "But it is our task to make sure that peace is protected, now but also in the future." "My decision is to defeat Smaug myself and let the dwarves take Erebor."
"Very well." Galadriel said. "That is how it shall be."
"I will inform Thorin that they can leave." Gandalf said.
"There is no need for that." Elrond said. "They have already left."
He gestured towards the entrance where Lindir had returned with a panicked look.
"I am sorry my lord, they wouldn't listen."
"Dwarves never do."
The council stood up and it was clear this gathering was over. Samara stayed in her seat.
Bilbo had already left, without saying goodbye. Even if she knew it was not his choice, it still hurt.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes shot up to meet with a kind and familiar face.
"Will you join me for lunch?" Elrond asked.
Samara had never said yes faster.