Authoress Note: Welcome to Chapter 4 of Exiled Princess. Thank you to those who have left reviews for this story. It does mean a lot to me that you guys are enjoying it. I hope that you guys will enjoy this next part since I've been working fairly hard on it. There are going to be a few chapters in Rivendell, but I don't want to overdo it with those chapters. Since I want to be able to add more. Hopefully, you all will enjoy this next chapter. Without further ado Chapter 4. ENJOY!

Chapter 4

Days seemed to slowly pass since the dwarves had come to Rivendell and Faelwen had been carefully watched by the twin sons of Elrond. It was rather irritating to her to know that the twin boys were watching her carefully to make sure that she didn't interact with the dwarves too much.

She sat in her room taking a soft breath as she read her book with her brows furrowed and her lips pursed together. It was a book that she had snuck out of Lord Elrond's library to read, but she was making sure that her little brother read it due to the nature of it being the history of where they had come from and what their line was. Her lower lip went in between her teeth as she read.

She blinked a few times as she heard a knock on the door. She slowly got up to her feet and slowly moved her black-clad form as she went to the door. She opened it slowly and saw Gandalf standing there. "Gandalf." She said softly, blinking a few times.

"Come."

She slowly left her room and followed the Gray Wizard into the hall where Lord Elrond, Balin, Thorin, and Bilbo were. She blinked a few times wondering what this was all about. Was it because she was needed now?

"Our business is no concern of elves," Thorin said letting out a huff.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map," Gandalf said letting out a breath and becoming rather frustrated with how the exiled King Under the Mountain was acting.

"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 thought quietly for a few seconds with everyone's eyes on him. He began to hand the map over to Elrond.

Balin's hand shot out in trying to stop him. "Thorin, no!"

Thorin brushed Balin aside and handed Elrond the map.

Lord Elrond's eyes slowly went down to the map.

Faelwen bit her lip softly as she watched Lord Elrond look at it.

"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Lord Elrond questioned as he looked up from the old map.

Thorin's mouth slowly opened to speak, but Gandalf interrupted him causing him to close his mouth in irritation.

"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, looking rather hopeful in hopes that he would still be able to read Ancient Dwarvish and give them the answers that they sought.

Lord Elrond walked away looking at the map. He realized something as the moonlight hit the map. "Cirth Ithil."

"Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss." Gandalf said rather pleased with the whole idea.

Faelwen bit her lip softly as she followed him and the others slowly.

Lord Elrond looked up at Gandalf and the others. He let out a breath and looked at the map again. "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."

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked, rather hopeful.

Lord Elrond led them all into an open area that was outside, on the side of the cliff with waterfalls around. The moon was hidden by some clouds.

They walked towards a large crystalline 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 seeing the clouds covering the moon float away and the rays of moonlight hit the crystalline table, causing light to flow up through the map which was now laid out. Ancient runes became visible on the map and Lord Elrond translated them.

"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."

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, his brows furrowed together in worry.

"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 young hobbit knowing he didn't know what it meant.

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin said, crossing his arms in thought. He didn't like the idea that it was taking so long to get the information that they needed.

"We still have time," Balin said, looking at his king.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo questioned looking at the older dwarf, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"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 as he moved away from the map and table.

"What of it?" Thorin questioned him.

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

Faelwen looked away knowing that it was dangerous what they were doing

Thorin took back the map gruffly, folding it up.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf questioned looking over at Lord Elrond.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." Lord Elrond said as he began to walk away.

Gandalf turned slowly, thinking deeply.

"Gandalf, you know whom he speaks," Faelwen said softly as she slowly turned on her heels taking a soft breath.

"Faelwen stay we still have much to speak of," Gandalf said as he looked at the young woman.

The young Dunedain let out a soft breath. "Gandalf you wish to speak to me of something important with Thorin Oakenshield. We mustn't do it here." She said softly crossing her arms as she looked at the old wizard.

"What is this about?" Thorin demanded, looking rather angered.

"You have a new member," Gandalf said as he looked at Thorin.

"We do not need another member of the company."

"She can handle herself well." Gandalf pointed out. "You trust me do you not?"

Faelwen cleared her throat softly.

"I am not going to trust anyone else…"

"Master Dwarf," Faelwen said softly, causing the gruff dwarf to look at her. "I am a ranger of the North or a Dunedain as you would call us. I can handle a sword well, along with a bow and arrow. I would be honored if you allowed me to join you and make our way across the land safely."

Thorin gripped his hands tightly at his sides in anger.

"I do not need any sort of payment for helping you."

"You only want to help with no kind of payment."

Faelwen nodded her head softly. "Yes."

Thorin looked at Balin before looking back at her. "I will not be blamed for your fate."

"Nor do I expect you to think that, Thorin Oakenshield." She turned on her heels. "I will see you soon."

Thorin let out a breath pinching the bridge of his nose.

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This is the end of Chapter 4. I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I'm going to try my best to write out future chapters. I think I might have an idea of who she'll be with, but I'm working my hardest with the chapters and trying to figure out who is the best fit for her. You guys can always tell me who you would like to see paired up with her. Reviews keep me going. I'll try to update you as soon as I can. Until next time.