Authoress Note: Welcome to Chapter 9 of Seven Wonders. Thank you to those who have left reviews. It does mean a lot to me that you guys are enjoying this story. I'm finally back to updating this story. I do apologize for taking so long to get back to this story. I know the last update was a bit late and this one is a little bit late as well. I'm fully healed up from my surgery on my left wrist. I'm glad that they fixed the problem of torn cartilage, but now I have bad news with my right wrist which has been hurting a lot lately. I injured it during a festival and then added insult to injury by hitting the dash in my vehicle when a deer decided to take the front end of my car off and we had no warning that it was there. Hopefully, I'll have some good news on my right wrist that it won't need surgery. But honestly, I have no idea if that is going to happen or not. I'll keep everyone posted on that. I hope that you guys are going to enjoy this next chapter. Without further ado chapter 9. ENJOY!

Chapter 9

Artemis stood with Gandalf, Lord Elrond, Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo in one of the many halls of Rivendell that led up to an area high up. She wrapped her arms around herself wondering if Thorin was really going to listen to what was being said. But with what she had seen from him so far, she already knew that there was no way that he would possibly listen to what anyone had to say. Perhaps including his dear friend Balin.

"Our business is no concern of elves," Thorin said gruffly looking up at the gray wizard. He couldn't believe that Gandalf was even thinking of asking for help from an elf.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map," Gandalf said, trying to smooth things over the best that he could. He didn't want to yell at Thorin because he knew that it could very much make matters worse if they weren't careful.

"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets."

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond."

Thorin stood there for a moment thinking quietly knowing that Gandalf was right about what he was saying. He could feel everyone's eyes boring into his very soul at that moment including the expressive eyes of Artemis who he was slowly beginning to understand. He took a breath and slowly began to hand the map over to Lord Elrond.

"Thorin, no!" Balin said, trying to stop his friend from making a mistake.

Thorin brushed Balin aside knowing that they needed answers. He handed the map to Lord Elrond hoping that this wouldn't end up biting him in the ass later.

Lord Elrond looked at it for a moment before looking at Thorin. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?"

Thorin was about to open his mouth, but Gandalf cut him off.

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf questioned somewhat hopeful.

Artemis bit her lip as she watched Lord Elrond walk away looking at the map.

Lord Elrond realized something when the moonlight hit the map. "Cirth Ithil."

"Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss."

"Well, in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written."

Thorin looked at Lord Elrond rather hopeful. "Can you read them?"

Lord Elrond led them all to an open area outside of the side of a cliff that had waterfalls surrounding it. The moon was hidden by the clouds as they walked towards a large crystal table. "These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight."

They looked up to the sky, and the clouds that covered the moon moved away allowing the moonlight to hit the table causing the light to flow through the map which was laid on the table. The dwarves and hobbit watched in awe as ancient runes became visible on the map.

"Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole." Lord Elrond said, translating what was written.

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, looking rather confused.

"It is the start of the dwarves' new year when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together," Gandalf explained to the sandy-haired hobbit.

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin said, shaking his head lightly, his hand brought up to his mouth.

"We still have time," Balin said, looking at his long-time friend.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asked, tilting his head to the side.

"To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened?"

"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain." Lord Elrond said, looking at them.

"What of it?" Thorin questioned turning his attention to the willowy man before them.

"There are some who would not deem it wise."

Thorin quickly took the map back gruffly.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf questioned looking at his long-time friend.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." Lord Elrond said leaving them.

Gandalf turned away thinking.

Artemis bit her lip softly as she picked up the hem of her skirt and slowly walked away. She knew that Gandalf was thinking deeply about what needed to be done. Her being here was throwing things for a loop and she didn't like it. Remembering her conversation with Gandalf from when she was in her home world. How was she supposed to help when there was no way that she would be able to do such a thing? It was dangerous no matter what she did and no one was the wiser not knowing that she didn't exist in this world. She could only hope that Gandalf was right, that she would be able to help the dwarves and help them from the disaster that was headed their way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is the end of Chapter 9. I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. I apologize for taking so long to get this chapter out. I hope that this chapter makes up for the long pause that I had between this chapter and the one that came before it. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I'll hopefully have the next chapter out soon. Until next time.