Chapter 3: A Home
Rurìn quickly caught on that patrol duty was no walk in the fields. The Twins did try and make the job easier on her, especially after the whole 'You're a hidden princess that no one knows about but Ada would kill us if you even got a scratch. You've become a daughter to him and he is rather fond of his daughters, just ask Arwen' It was a conversation all with the eyes and none of the lip movements. She did not get to go on Patrol duty until the summer due to the fact Elrond wanted her to be better trained but mostly because she quite literally had a mental breakdown not even three days after being told she was a Daughter of Durin. She had the suspicion that Elrond knew it was coming and that's why he canceled her Patrol duty the day before. The Twins didn't mind, they weren't too confident in their teaching skills so Glorfindel stepped in when he came back from his patrol.
The golden hair ellon was extremely hard on her during her training, he was brutal and harsh and left her with so many bruises by the end it was a miracle she could even stand up. That is not to say that outside of the wicked early grave sessions he was becoming a dear friend and could be found hovering over her with sweet requests. Teragorn had told him all about her gooey chocolate cake, which has been dubbed brownies by the Rangers who came to rest before going back out.
But back to the present, Rurìn hated patrol. She did not like it at all and even killing Orcs left a bitter taste in her mouth for it. They were hideous creatures. They made her feel small and weak with their size and strength. She, however, found she could quite hold her own weight, and due to the fact she was small even by dwarven standards, she was fast. All of the Elven games of 'Catch the Rurìn' had paid off because those hulky beasts couldn't. She was speed, she was like lightning and her sword had hit so many groins that had them screeching on their knees they could not stand. They bled out through a place... that the Male Rangers and Ellons in her Orc hunting party couldn't look her in the eyes anymore. When they did, it was only briefly, Rurìn thought it was awesome. She had been declared the 'Eviratior' for her ranger name. The twins named her swords geldring and bowlering; two names Elrond did not find as amusing as Glorfindel did...
The elven blacksmith, Nàrdir put the names on her sword and chiseled in the dwarven runes for her with such excitement that he was always happy to examine the weapons that were all the talk of Rivendell when Rurìn's name was even remotely mentioned.
Rurìn was shy and quiet but she was enjoying the attention on her swords. She was now fond of her height, it no longer bothered her that she had to look up to meet the tall people's eyes. She was the sterilizing master, the quick nicker, the pecker cutter, and the owner of the blade that ensured orcs couldn't have children if they somehow managed to survive having their member hacked off.
Soon summer did too pass and fall was setting in, she had been in Rivendell for almost a year now. Speaking Sindarin with ease, ancient Khudzul wasn't nearly as hard as it was when she started, she could read the text just fine, though she struggled a bit at phrasing her meaning but at least she could understand perfectly when hearing it. Elrond managed to procure her some texts in the up-to-date language and he kindly asked her not to ask him how he manage to do it. Elladan mentioned something about a blow to pride and a smirking ma'm. Apparently, Lady Galadriel had her hand in it and Elrond had to endure whatever it was she said to him for it. Rurìn was touched that he did it for her and she would forever be grateful for all that he had done for her.
Rurìn had put off finding her brother and sister in the Blue Mountains for another year, her courage was not as bold as she was claimed to be. She was not brave to go trekking through Ered Lindon to look for the exiled king of Erebor holding their father's sigil when she was a beardless bastard child. She would have her head cut from her neck with nothing but thief, lies, and deceit slew at her and probably some very creative insults in Khudzul. No, she would wait until a message was returned to them.
It didn't happen until her third year in Rivendell when it did... A raven came mimicking the sound of a soft and coarse Darrowdam with the words 'I await your arrival '
The raven had a scroll of parchment with the most delicate scripture that would rival even Lindir's; Who had been miffed that a darrowdam who was supposed to be heavy-handed outshined his three-thousand-year-old self. The scroll was given to Rurìn the morning of yule, the raven oddly did not leave to return to the mountain, she had stayed by Rurìn the moment she met her gaze. She was given a beautiful perch in her bed chambers once Elrond realized the Raven had bonded to her. He said it was one of the most fascinating things about Dwarves and Ravens. His old friend Durín from long ago had also bonded with a Raven that lived just as long as he did, a forever faithful companion... Rurìn found comfort in the Raven, she began to call her Wàyenda the Quenya name for 'heart of the wind'
The Raven appeared to love the name and listening to her speak Quenya that Glorfindel refused to only speak to her in, forcing her to learn it. Wàyenda would nuzzle her beak to Rurìn's neck or peck lovingly at her braids and crow softly in her ear, ruffling her feathers, perched on her arm or shoulder, sometimes lounged in her lap for scratches. Glorfindel and Elladan were the only other two who Wàyenda allowed to hold her but would never say no to a caress from anyone willing to give her one.
The scroll that Wàyenda brought sat on Rurìn's desk for several weeks, untouched and still sealed. Rurìn was a coward and could not open it, scared of what may be written in it. She didn't think she could cope if it had horrid words. Though Wàyenda mimicked the Darrowdam who claimed to await her arrival, the letter could have something else entirely. She brought the scroll to the Twins and Elrond at breakfast, the day spring arrived. She had waited the winter out and now it was time. She had to get it over with. Wàyenda came with her for moral support, as usual, the raven could feel her ache and her distress and continuously cooed in her ear, rubbing her beak and her feathers under her chin, her wings swished around her head a bit as if she was trying to hug her in a way, blocking her a vision every single time she did so.
"Your pet... is blowing dust in my porridge," Elrohir said wistfully. Rurìn glared at him.
"She isn't my pet. She's--"
The twins interrupted her with a shrilly voice; "-- my child!"
Elrond shook his head at them, a slight smile on his face when Rurìn huffed, crossing her arms. He was used to their bantering, their teasing of her and her familiar. Wàyenda crowed before flapping her wings rapidly making more dust go into Elrohir's porridge. The Ellon frowned deeply at the Raven. "Aiyais, Wàyenda," Elrohir muttered. (Thank you \ Blessed thing in Quenya)
Wàyenda tilted her head and gave what would probably be a raspberry in Raven fashion. Rurìn scratched under her beak making her coo softly.
Elrond picked up the scroll from the table once they were finished eating. He gave her a pointed look and waited for her to give him her permission to open the scroll. She swallowed and nodded.
Elrond tore the Durín seal... His eyes scanned the letter but gave nothing away as to what was inside the letter. Rurìn felt like her hands could not sweat anymore, they trembled and she felt like she hadn't drank water in years as she shakily picked up her cup and drank it greedily. It was nerve-wracking. The entirety of it.
"Would you like me to read it? " Elrond asked, switching to Sindarin. They hardly ever spoke common. He only used Sindarin because the twins were present. Normally it was ancient Khudzul or Quenya, mostly Khudzul.
"Please," She whispered, taking more water to down it.
Elrond did not translate the letter, speaking clearly and softly in common as the letter was written.
"Kingly greetings to you Miss Rurìn daughter of Floris,
I have received a letter from your host, Lord Elrond with ill news bearing that you claim to be a relative of Durin Folk but had been lost to a village of man. He said you were not a full Dwarrowdam but a half-dam. It is very uncommon for Dwarrows to procreate with the Race of men. Forgive me if I do not entirely believe it. However, due to the dwindling of dwarrowdams of my race, I will give the benefit of awaiting proof of your heritage. One in three births are Dwarrowdams, we are in fact a dying race and my heart can not in good conscience dismiss your claim so easily.
My name is Dìs, I am the daughter of Thraìn, son of Thròr, the passed King under the mountain of Erebor. We reside in the Blue Mountains now after our ill fate to Smaug the terrible who stole our kingdom from us. Durin's Folk was forced to split and we were scattered for many many years. I am forced to believe that a scattered Dwarrow may have found refuge in a Village of Man despite how they treat most of us. I would like to believe he found comfort there, and you were the product of a better life without sorrow and grief.
I do not atone for the dealing of Elves, we are a race with much grief for Elves but I will at least admit to being grateful that the Elves of Rivendell have taken you in after your orphaned status. I have been told you traveled alone for quite some time. Through the wilds and the Misty Mountains unscathed until you were found by a few Rangers who then brought you to the Elves for rest. Since you are a supposed Durin Folk, I would ask for you to come to the Blue Mountains, to Thòrin's Halls, and ask to speak to me. If you are in fact a Half-dam, and you have the proof for it, I will grant you a home here in my brother's halls until you can provide for yourself. We care much for our kin, we are a loyal race and you will want for nothing.
Should you accept my request; bring this letter and my waxed sigil, show the guards at the gates and you will be escorted to me.
I await your arrival, most graciously and with a full heart,
Princess Dìs."
Elrond held the letter out to Rurìn. Her eyes were shining with tears. Had she known it was from her Sister... she wouldn't have waited so long to open it. The waxed seal was not Durin's sigil but another, by the name of Lì. It was a bow and a sword surrounded by four stars, a house of a well establish warrior, a king's guard as Elrond put it. The house of Lì was a good house apparently, and to be given the stars meant it belonged to Durin's folk, the Longbeards or Ironfoots.
Rurìn left the family chambers to sit in one of the many gardens with Wàyenda. She had been there for several hours, to ponder in silence. This was where Glorfindel found her. He did not speak to her, letting her sit in the silence, he just sat there with her and then took her hand, giving it a squeeze before bringing her closer so she could rest her head on his arm.
"Melenya," He began in Quenya. "You are sad... This is good news. You are being welcomed by your sister. Why do you shed such tears? " (My Friend)
She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve and sighed. "It may be fine for them if I were another's child, Glorfindel. However, as it may be, I am still the Bastard beardless daughter of a Dwarrow who ran from his duty to his people as the next King."
Glorfindel scoffed. "You are not a bastard beardless child. That is not the title I want you to name yourself as, Melenya. You are Rurìn, a kind and gentle, Half-dam who is a brave and a true friend, a warrior who has endured much more than battle. You had to grow faster and learn to get by in life that many would never understand. You are much more than you give yourself credit for. Do not say such cruel things about your faë, for it hurts my heart to hear it."
She let him take her hand again and kiss her knuckles. "You remind me of my sister, such a soul of pure heart and courage beneath a blanket of snow. Your nature is good, it is true and most beautiful to gaze upon. I only wish you would allow yourself to see how beautiful it is, the way you shine without trying. You are forever welcomed where I may be, and to show how much I care for you, Melenya... allow me to prove it? "
Glorfindel reached in his pocket and held out a small wooden box with a large golden celandine flower in the center of a bursting sun. His house sigil... she took the box with shakey hands and opened it to find a necklace carrying the sigil, two beads, and several little golden stars on hoops. He took the necklace out and spoke once more.
"Sister of the Golden Flower ," The necklace clasp popped open and he held it out to her. "Allow me to put it on you, Lady Rurìn of the house of the Golden Flower."
Rurìn pulled her hair to the side and let him clasp the necklace once more, speaking the phrase once more. He brushed her hair back down and patted her shoulder. "It will only come off if you speak the phrase. Wear it always and it will protect you. Should you not find a home with your siblings, you will always have a home with me, osellë." (Heart-Sister)
Rurìn threw her arms around Glorfindel and cried. He was like the brother she had always wanted and knowing he felt the same had made her extremely happy. Even if she could not find a home with her blood kin, at least she knew her heart kin, would always be there.
She straighten her shoulders after some time of drenching his robes in her tears, he wiped them away, kissed her brow, and helped her to her feet. "Shall I help you pack? " He asked.
"You shall."