Chapter 18: Rivendell
The company continued following the pathway to wherever they were going. When they reached the exit, they looked upon a very surprising sight. Much to the disappointment of the Dwarves, and to the awe of the Hobbits, they had arrived at an Elven city. "The Valley of Imladris. In the common tongue, it is known by another name." Gandalf said. "Rivendell." Bilbo said. "It really is beautiful." Belinda said. "Here lies the last homely house, east of the sea." Gandalf said. Thorin stormed up to Gandalf. "This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." He said in anger. "You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Gandalf said. "He's right, Thorin." Tharia said. "You thing the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin said. "You think they would?" Varder asked. "No. Of course not. Would they?" Selindra asked. "Of course, they will. But we have questions that need to be answered." Gandalf said. Thorin sighed, knowing he was right…as usual. "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." Gandalf said.
The company started their way towards Rivendell. As they entered the city, Bilbo and Belinda took a moment to soak in the majesty of Elven civilization. Just then, an Elf name Lindir walked down to greet them. "Mithrandir. Selindra." He greeted. "Ah, Lindir." Gandalf said. "Stay alert." Thorin whispered. "We heard you had crossed into the Valley." Lindir said in Elvish. "We must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf said. "It's urgent." Selindra added. "My lord Elrond is not here." Lindir said. "Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked with a curious interest. Before Lindir could answer, a familiar horn blared from afar. "I think that answers that." Selindra said as everyone turned around to see the same party that was hunting the Orcs. But then, Gandalf and Selindra sensed tension within the Dwarves. Thorin shouted in Dwarvish. "Close ranks!" He ordered. The Dwarves circled up and pulled Bilbo and Belinda inside their circle, weapons ready. Tharia stood with Gandalf, Selindra and Varder, not wanting any of her brother's stubborn conflict issues with the Elves. The Elf party rode in on their horses and circled the snarling Dwarves.
"Gandalf. Selindra." The Elf leader, Lord Elrond, greeted. "Lord Elrond." Gandalf greeted back as Selindra did the same with a smile. "My friend! Where have you been?" He asked in Elvish. "We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass." Elrond replied in Elvish as he dismounted his horse, walked over to Gandalf and Selindra, and greeted them each with a hug. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near." He said in English, holding up an Orc sword before handing it to Lindir. "Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf said. Thorin stepped forth and Tharia moved beside him. "Welcome, Thorin and Tharia, son and daughter of Thrain." Elrond greeted. "I do not believe we have met." Thorin said. "You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain." Elrond said. "Indeed? He made no mention of you." Thorin said. Bilbo and Belinda watched to see what would happen next. Elrond said something in Elvish. Tharia smiled, as if she understood. "What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asked in anger, mistaking Elrond's words for something offensive. "No, Master Gloin. He's offering you-" Gandalf tried to say. "He offers us food." Tharia interrupted. The Dwarves talked among themselves for a moment before looking back at Elrond. "Well, in that case, lead on." Gloin said.
As the everyone prepared to move up the stairs, Thorin stopped Tharia for a moment. "How did you know what the Elf said? Since when do you understand Elvish tongue?" He asked, having been shocked by his sister's translation. Tharia thought about how to answer her brother. She turned to Elrond. "My Lord Elrond. Is Lady Arwen here?" She asked in Elvish, shocking Thorin and the Dwarves. Elrond smiled. "Arwen." He said, gesturing to one of the armored Elves. The Elf dismounted her horse and approached the company, taking off her helmet and revealing her beautiful face. This was Lady Arwen, Lord Elrond's only daughter. "Hello, Tharia." She greeted in Elvish. "It's been so long, my friend." Tharia replied in Elvish. The 2 hugged each other as they laughed. Thorin was even more shocked. "Yes, Thorin. I'm friends with Lady Arwen. I started visiting Rivendell after Smaug took the mountain. Unlike you, I chose to remain friends with the Elves. It was Arwen who taught me to speak Elvish." Tharia explained. "And I must say, my lessons have paid off." Arwen said, making Tharia giggle as they headed up the stairs.
Later, the Dwarves all sat together as the Elves served them dinner and played music. Though some of them were reluctant. "Try it. Just a mouthful." Dori said as Ori examined a piece of lettuce. "I don't like green food." Ori said. "Where's the meat?" Dwalin asked as he looked through the dishes. Oin growled at a shell. "Have they got any chips?" Ori asked. "Well, I'll say this. Elves have good taste in wine." Gwelin said, drinking from her glass. "Kind of you to invite us. Not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf said as he, Selindra, Varder, Thorin and Tharia walked up with Elrond and Arwen. "You never are." Elrond said. Kili was looking at the Elf girl playing a harp, who was looking back at him. He winked at her with a smile. But then he noticed that Dwalin, Bofur and Qili were eying him. "Can't say I fancy Elf maids myself. Too thin. They're all high cheekbones and creamy skin. Not enough facial hair for me." He said as another Elf passed by, playing a smaller harp. "Although…that one there's not bad." "That's not an Elf maid." Dwalin said. The Elf turned to reveal himself as a male. Kili looked back at Dwalin, who winked at him. The Dwarves laughed at Kili's unfortune. "That's funny." Kili said. Mori watched the Elf as he played his harp. "I guess we both have a respect for Elf taste, Gwelin. You like the wine, and I like the music." She whispered to Gwelin, who nodded in agreement. Oin, annoyed by the Elf playing a flute, stuffed a napkin into his trumpet to block out the sound.
Elrond examined the Elvish sword Thorin found in the Trolls' cave. "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 said, handing the sword back to Thorin, who nodded. Tharia handed Elrond her sword next. "This is Falnidar, the Storm-Slicer. This blade slew the Goblin Queen close to the start of the Second Age." He explained before handing it back to Tharia. He inspected Gandalf's sword next. "This is Glamdring, the Foehammer. Sword of the King of Gondulin." He said, handing it back to Gandalf. Lastly, Selindra handed Elrond her sword. "And this is Miliandar, the Lightbender. Sword of the Queen of Gondulin. These swords were made for the Goblin Wars of the First Age." He explained. Bilbo and Belinda examined their swords as they listened. "I wouldn't bother. Swords are named for the great deeds they do in war." Balin said. "What're you saying, our swords haven't seen battle?" Bilbo asked. "Not even one single fight?" Belinda asked. "I'm not exactly sure they are swords. More of a letter opener, really." Balin said regretfully.
"How did you come by these?" Elrond asked. "We found them in a Troll-hoard on the Great East Road. Shortly before we were ambushed by Orcs." Gandalf explained. "The same Orcs you slaughtered near the Hidden Pass." Selindra said. "And what were you doing on the Great East Road." Elrond asked. "Excuse me." Thorin said as he got up and left. Tharia watched her brother with worry. Arwen noticed the worried look in her eyes. "19 Dwarves, a young Ranger and 2 Halflings. Strange travelling companions, Gandalf." Elrond said, sipping his wine. "These are the descendants of the house of Durin. They're noble, decent folk." Gandalf explained as Nori hid a shaker in his vest, Bombur stuffed his face and Gwelin drunk her wine like no tomorrow. "And they're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts." "If you want to call it that." Selindra said as she overheard Nori, Oin and Bofur complain about the music. Just then, Bofur got on the table and started singing. Soon, the other Dwarves joined in. When it was over, they started throwing food around. Tharia was almost embarrassed and annoyed by her kin's ill-mannered attitudes.