Chapter 5: Hungry Like the Wolf
The company of the Elves were relaxed and merry as they prepared to mount their horses. The day was bright and fair, midday was closing in and there was no cloud as far as their sharp eyes could see to signal any late rain in the afternoon.
The only one who seemed at all restless was the young human man that walked amongst them like he was their own kin. He was already armed and mounted upon his horse and eagerly trotting towards the edge of the forest he and his company had sheltered in for the night.
"Estel! Stay your steed. Enjoy the last of the morning before the sun rises high" his lord commanded with a stern but affectionate call.
But Estel wasn't listening, his eyes were trained on the distant horizon and of the sounds of something howling.
His young face paled, as both dread and excitement filled him.
Wargs were out there somewhere. Probably with Orcs as they seldom travelled this far away from their territories on their own.
Of course, that made them even more dangerous to approach, even when one was fully armed and on horseback. But Estel had been raised by great elves and warriors, and he was certain that if he and his company rode forth to find the foul creatures he'd finally a chance to prove himself a worthy warrior to his lord and father.
But before action could be taken, there had to be a scout.
Good thing he was already on his horse…
"Estel! WAIT!"
Ariel's heart was leaping through her chest as she ran alongside the dwarves behind the large rocks. They had left the safe cover of the forest and were now hiding in the plains behind various large old rocks. All around them in the distance a pack of wolves mounted by indistinct dark humanoid creatures rushed past in a cacophony of snarls and howls.
"Come quickly" Gandalf hissed as he quickly darted out into the open space once more keeping himself almost doubled over in an attempt not to be seen from a distance.
The fourteen members of the company followed quickly, Ariel being led in the middle by Bilbo who had a small blade drawn before him that glowed blue that changed in intensity depending on the distance of the pursuing orcs.
She felt the Hobbit's hand grasping onto hers tighten considerably as the last of the pack ran off after Radagast's rabbit sled and off over the hills.
Thorin had commanded him to keep close beside Ariel as they ran, though now it seemed as if he needed the support more than she did, if his pale panic stricken face was anything to go by.
She gripped his hand tighter in return trying her best to convey whatever comfort she could even though she herself was gasping for breath. Her ribs were still aching terribly and with every dash she took, she became more and more exhausted as if she were running marathons one after another.
Despite all that she had some good feeling about this endeavour.
Radagast's steeds seemed to be giving the orc pack a run for their money and if they were careful enough they could make it out of there alive.
But even as the thought crossed her mind she tripped over her feet over a hidden patch of stone on the grassy ground behind a great boulder. She hissed in pain as she felt the skin on her hands literally peel off and felt something warm and slick coat the palm of her hand.
Thorin's eyes suddenly whipped around to her as she was tugged onto her feet by Bilbo, and he sighed heavily before drawing out his sword.
"Bind it now, and be quick." he growled much to Ariel's chagrin. However, she was distracted by Bilbo as he hastily wrapped his own handkerchief over the cut..
"That should hold" he muttered as the tiny hurried knot was put in place just as something thudded from atop of the boulder. All fifteen of them quickly made to flatten themselves by the side of the stone, Ariel making to crouch down, because of her height, her heart hammering in her chest.
Thorin quickly chanced a glance upwards.
A warg and its rider were currently pacing about on the flat top of the large rock, both sniffing the air and snarling maliciously.
They'd obviously smelt the blood from Ariel's small cut and had come to investigate.
Just a tiny smear of blood…that was all they needed…
Thorin's hand gripped at Orcrist tight as he silently nodded to Kili who stood beside him carefully readying his bow and arrow before quickly stepping into their attacker's line of sight.
He shot at the warg first which gave a loud roar and screech as it toppled over the side with its rider who rolled off it onto the grass to stand unsheathing a bloodied sharp scimitar.
Ariel felt whatever scream she had die in her throat at the sight of the orc.
Whatever she had read in Tolkien's book did no justice to the horrific sight that lay before her.
It was squat, broad and had dark sallow skin with a flat nose wide mouth and a pair of nasty orange-yellow slanted eyes. He bared his mouth in a snarl at them, exposing long fang like teeth as he charged waving the sword in his long arms in a frenzy. As he did, his smell of rotted flesh and filth wafted towards them, sullying the scent of the fresh grass and cool air around them.
Ariel cringed away, unable to watch as Bifur and Dwalin leapt in quickly, striking and hitting the foul creature with their axes and swords. The smell of blood filled her nose as it was hacked limb from limb, it's screeches of pain spluttering to an abrupt stop as his skull was bashed in with a heavy blow from a dwarf's hammer.
"Oh my…" Ariel clapped a hand over her mouth as she opened her eyes and saw the dwarves back away from the bloodied corpse on the ground.
"Aye…we know lass. It's not a pretty sight" Balin muttered as he glanced sidelong at both the faintly sick young girl and the stunned hobbit beside her.
Then came the howling once more in the distance.
Gandalf's face paled with panic though he did his best to keep himself calm as possible as he shouted.
"This way! GO!"
"Come on"
There was a tug and Ariel forced herself to gulp down the huge lump in her throat as she was all but dragged away from the dead orc.
Now they were running faster than they'd ever gone in their lives. Bilbo's thighs were burning like they were on fire as he hauled Ariel behind him by the hand over hills and rocks doing their best to keep up with the others who were all yelling out encouragements or updates on their attackers progress behind them.
Eventually they reached the foot of a hill where there was a small outcrop of rocks on top however there wasn't enough to completely hide them anymore.
"whoa!"
Ariel tripped, her hand detaching from Bilbo's as he reached the crest.
He looked back noticing the lack of weight behind him and he cried out in panic as the girl rolled down and away from his reach this time cutting herself along her cheek as her head hit and scraped hard against the ground.
Whether it was because of the overwhelming pain or the hit to her head Ariel did not know, all that she did know was that her vision was swimming before her eyes as she tried to scramble to her feet.
She saw a shadow loom over her from behind and she turned her head to see a great big riderless warg snarling down at her with its hackles raised.
She screamed in terror as the beast geared itself up to lunge down on her only for a large sword to come swinging in from nowhere as Fili leapt down from the hill. With three quick strikes he hacked at the beasts neck and sent it flying off to the side before turning back to Ariel.
She barely heard the words that left the dwarf's mouth as he and another pair of smaller hands that belonged to Bilbo quickly pulled her up under each arm and quickly dragged her up the hill just in time to see Thorin draw his new elvish blade from its sheath.
"Quick get behind us" he shouted at the three of them as he stepped forwards
"We're surrounded" a dwarf yelled from the side as he began to back away from the crest along with the others.
"Hold your ground!"
But even as Bilbo watched on with terror he could not see any way out. Wargs and orcs were all about them in a great ring that was getting smaller and smaller with each passing second.
This is it…I'm done for…
He gulped only to feel a hand on his shoulder.
"We're not through yet" Ariel gritted her teeth as she gingerly pointed her staff down to the ground which was covered in tall dry golden grass.
Well this may not be as fun as it was back then but it'll have to do
"Everybody get close" She rasped loudly as the green gem glowed and the beneath their feet began to writhe like cobras in front of a snake charmer before suddenly shooting up tall and fast.
But even as she concentrated she wheezed in pain as her side began to throb almost unbearably.
Come on Ariel it's just like what you did to the tomato…only this time make it taller than everyone…come on nice and easy…
She faintly heard Thorin cry out to Kili who was the dwarf furthest from the company and the most in danger of getting lost amongst the rapidly growing cover.
The young dwarf quickly backed away just as an orc aggravated by the lack of a visual fired of a dark arrow in frustration.
Then suddenly there was a cry.
"This way you fools!"
It was Gandalf who had suddenly appeared from beneath two of the rocks behind them before quickly ducking down behind them.
"Come on move!" Thorin bellowed and in a rush Ariel grabbed hold of Bilbo by the scruff of his jacket and threw him forwards towards the rocks.
"GO Bilbo!"
The hobbit quickly scrambled over the top of them before sliding down and following Gandalf's trail into a small hole in the ground that fell onto a narrow stone tunnel.
"Ariel!" he called back but Ariel was facing other issues…like the orc that had come up behind her brandishing a large knife.
She quickly dodged, having seen his shadow looming over her from behind only to fall through the tall grass.
Her heart throbbed as she was reminded of the golden wheat fields of her godmother's farm and how she and her brother and their friends used to run through it and play hide and seek.
Except this was far more dangerous than any childhood game.
She could hear many feet, orc and warg alike surrounding her, and could faintly see their shadows between the many blades of grass.
Horribly, she wondered if this was how ants felt before they got squashed dead.
And speaking of impending death…
There was a horrible snuffling sound and Ariel wheeled around just in time to see a pair of horrible yellow eyes peering at her through the mass of green, from a snarling wolfish mouth.
"Nice doggy…" she gulped holding her staff in front of her, though for all the good it did she felt she might as well be holding a toothpick as the riderless warg stalked towards her, hackles raised.
Its shoulders rolled…
It crouched low…
Its claws unsheathed…
A loud horn sounded…
Wait a horn?
Ariel blinked as the Warg in front of her hesitated, its ears pricking as the mighty hunting horn drew a long powerful note that rent the air.
Run…while it's distracted run!
Was the only thought that ran through Ariel's head. But as she quickly scrambled back, the rustling sound of her feet on the grass alerted the great canine who swiftly turned to snap and snarl at her.
She cried out, tripping over as it lunged for her ankles. It missed but was quick to pin her down, its snapping mouth instead chomping down hard onto her staff, as she held it up to shield her face.
She cried out in pain as one of the clawed paws suddenly slammed down on her injured ribs as it scrambled for purchase.
There was a resounding crack.
It took all she had not to vomit from the sheer pain as her side throbbed painfully, the force of her fall and the heavy weight of the great animal bearing down upon her, which continued to try to snap and snarl and chew through her staff which was now glowing very brightly.
Then suddenly a shadow appeared behind the warg, a tall one, with what appeared to be four legs and two heads.
The strange shape swiped at the monster, something silver and metal slicing straight through its thick neck. It didn't behead the creature but it did drive in half way, its blood splattering everywhere as it was tossed to the side by four kicking hooves.
Ariel gasped as the weight suddenly disappeared from on top of her, only to scream in terror as suddenly the four hooves thudded down…only to land a few feet next to her as the dark brown horse was settled by its rider.
"Whoa! Tálagor, steady, steady…" the voice of a man spoke as a hand patted the large equine's neck.
Ariel blinked, the bright afternoon light blinding her eyes as the man quickly jumped off his horse and strode towards her.
He was tall, lean, wearing dark but shining armour. His hair was dark and rugged, his face youthful, so youthful that Ariel was sure he was around her age.
She tried to sit up, gripping her staff tighter in her hand only to fall back as another wave of nauseating pain washed over her.
When she opened her eyes next, it was to see a pair of grey orbs staring back at her as a pair of large rough hands tilted her head side to side.
"My Lady. My lady can you hear me?" his voice was muffled to her ears.
"Wha…where am I? Gandalf?" she groaned. Her head was swimming, the ache in her side was not helping her as she tried to sit up.
"Please try not to move, you're gravely injured" the young man insisted as he quickly grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
There was the thudding of hooves all around and the two young humans looked up to see several people on horseback surrounding them on all sides.
All of them were wearing the same dark armour as the man, but Ariel could quickly see that they were not human. No humans could be as fair as they, nor did they have as pointed an ear or as tall or proud a frame.
"Estel!" a voice called, a man's fair, wise but also worried and commanding.
A jet-black horse trotted towards them as its rider quickly dismounted.
He was an elf like the others, but where they all were wearing helms, he wore a circlet of gold upon his helmless pale brow with dark hair and dark eyes that looked upon the young man beside her with grave concern as he spoke swiftly in the tongue of his people
"[What were you doing? Why did you not await the signal-who is this?]"
He looked down on Ariel completely bewildered.
"[I do not know my Lord Elrond-]"
Elrond…the Lord Elrond the Half-Elven?!
Ariel gaped as she watched the greeting unfold before her whilst in the back of her mind her mother's sweet mellow voice spoke softly and gently.
"He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer."
She was so astonished that she barely heard the rest of the sentence.
"[-But she was asking for someone named Gandalf]" the boy, Estel, sighed turning to address Ariel in common speech.
"What is your name?"
"A-Ariel…ow" She winced clutching at her side. "A-and I'm sorry but did he say you were Elrond?"
She looked at the dark-haired elf whose eyebrows rose. His face was mostly calm, but she could see the wariness in his eyes as he said:
"You seem familiar with my name, though I am not with yours. How did you come here, and how do you know Gandalf the Grey"
"Gandalf…he's my…I'm his…apprentice-ah! Sorry. We…we were travelling together with…ugh-crap!" she winced, biting down hard on her lip, trying to ignore the many murmurs and mutters of the other elvish hunters.
Oh god I'm actually speaking to Elrond himself! This is just insane.
"I see…" Lord Elrond frowned his eyes flickering down to the glowing staff by her side and then to her injured body. "May I?"
Ariel nodded as she let him inspect the wound, her free hand instead reaching out to grab Estel's free hand and grip it very tight as her side was gently prodded and examined.
"Broken" Elrond muttered softly as his fingers travelled up and down from the spot. "You will need urgent medical attention."
He turned to Estel, face grave.
"Well then Estel, seeing as you took it upon yourself to rescue her I will place her under your care until we get back home. [Badhrion help them]" he added and at once a tall elvish man with long light brown hair and bright blue eyes jumped down to help them.
Within a few painful minutes, Ariel was mounted upon Estel's sturdy steed, clutching onto the front of the saddle as the young man seated himself behind her, trapping her back against his front with his arms as he reached for the reins.
"Forgive me, milady" he whispered into her ear "but if I move back any further you'd fall off the horse"
"Quite frankly I don't really care at this point" Ariel gulped down hard as her side throbbed again. She sucked in a deep breath, gripping the saddle hard as the horse began to trot, behind the rest of the riders, slowly picking up to a brisk canter, just as the sky began to be stained a faint reddish-pink.
"This way you fools!"
Gandalf cried
"Come on move!" Thorin's bellow echoed all around them.
"Ariel come-whoa!" Bilbo cried out as the girl grabbed him by the scruff of his jacket and threw him forwards towards the rocks.
The hobbit quickly scrambled over the top of them before sliding down and following Gandalf's trail into a small hole in the ground that fell onto a narrow stone tunnel.
He quickly stood aside as Fili, Bifur and Bofur both nearly rolled down into them. Then came Oin, Gloin and Nori and Dori, followed by Ori, Balin and Dwalin who narrowly avoided getting squashed by a panicking Bombur who bounced a little on the stone floor as he landed.
"Kili! Ariel! Het here now!" Thorin bellowed as he stood atop of the stones waiting for his younger nephew to rush over towards him as he dodged arrows fired blindly from behind the tall grass.
As soon as he got close enough they both took a large leap down into the small chasm. They grinded to a halt on their feet quickly turning about with their weapons still drawn just in case they were followed down.
"Wait! The Lass is still up there!" Bofur cried out.
"WHAT?!" Thorin snapped, readying his sword as he prepared to leap back up the slope.
But even as he took a step upwards, a loud ringing horn blast sounded from high above them, loud and clear through their ears.
Bilbo's heart soared through his chest as he heard the clangs of weapons and the terrified screams of orcs as they ran hither and thither above their heads. One such figure itself toppled down the hole into their small hiding spot an arrow stuck straight through his forehead even as the dwarves made to round on it.
Thorin quickly leant down and tugged the arrowhead from the fowl creature and gave it a once over.
"Elves" he grunted angrily before tossing the weapon aside.
Elves…and if what I feel is right, she's still alive…Ariel Brooks you are a lucky one.
Gandalf sighed with relief a small smile gracing his mouth even as Dwalin made to cry out from a narrow stone pathway to their side.
"I cannot see where they pathway leads? Do we follow it or no?"
"Follow it, of course!" Bofur agreed readily as he quickly made to dash off after his friend, the others following suit quickly.
"I think that would be wise" Gandalf muttered with a small smirk towards a very angry Bilbo who spluttered:
"Keep going?! Our friend's trapped up there possibly hurt or worse and you want us to leave her behind and keep going?!"
"Yes Bilbo. I do." Gandalf nodded as he quickly hopped back up the slope to peer over the top of their hiding place. "Ah good, very good."
He turned back to Bilbo who was still glaring at him, along with a very worried Fili and Kili who were bringing up the rear, behind them Thorin held back, ears pricking as the wizard said calmly.
"The Elves have found her. She seems to be in one piece"
"Dead or alive?" Kili gulped, his young face now as pale as death warmed up as he glanced nervously to his equally worried brother.
"Of course she's alive" Gandalf narrowed his eyes grumpily at the Dwarf Princes "She may be young but she is not made of glass. Besides if she is injured the Elves will help her-"
"Because she is human?" Thorin sneered. "Should've known your apprentice would be an Elvish pet."
"Uncle" Fili scowled, only to be waved off as said uncle turned his back on all of them and stalked off.
"You should follow him. Ariel will be fine, I promise" Gandalf assured the hobbit and the youngest dwarves, steering the former forward with a gentle push of his hand.
Fili and Kili followed, the latter of them glaring daggers at their uncle's back.
"How could Uncle say something like that?" he muttered darkly. "Those wargs were about to kill her, she looked absolutely terrified-"
"I know brother. I know" Fili patted his brothers shoulder as they sidled single file through a thin crevice.
Meanwhile ahead of them Bilbo was looking up and about himself as if sensing something strange about them. Indeed, once they were a fair way in he looked back to Gandalf and asked.
"Uh…Gandalf…where are we?"
"You can feel it?"
"yes…it feels like…well like magic" Bilbo muttered.
"That's because it is" the wizard remarked with a twinkle in his eyes. "A very powerful magic"
"There's light ahead" Dwalin's voice echoed about them as the narrow passageway carried it to the back of the group who all made to hurry forwards with excitement.
When they all reached the end they found themselves on a shelf of rock with a small waterfall pouring over the side, spilling down fresh cold water with a light tinkling sound before dribbling down a set of shallow stairs.
Thorin's eyes widened and his whole body stiffened as he caught sight of what stood before him in the light of the late afternoon sun.
It was a valley, wide but recluse to all save by the path of one bridge that led to the valley's highest shelf of land was a great dwelling comprised of a series of buildings almost like a city, all designed in the same elegant sweeping arches and tall roofs, with vast pockets of green trees and vegetation blossoming all over. And yet throughout all of these designs were vast falls of water as the waterfalls behind the house fell and cascaded beneath the buildings, fuelling the large long river far below them over the edge of the cliff they now stood upon.
"The Valley of Imladris" Gandalf's voice was smug as he took in the dropping jaws of nearly all the companions in the company as they stared at the beautiful sight before them "In the common tongue it is known by another name"
"…Rivendell"
Ariel felt as if she'd stepped into a dream as she looked down the steep pathway down into the Valley of Rivendell.
Beautiful, warm, peaceful…safe…
It was almost exactly like how it had been drawn in the illustrations of the book she had been read to as a child. Only now the light of the early evening and the dropping sun bathed the whole elvish haven in rich golden orange light.
She inhaled deeply smiling softly to herself when the wholesome air filled her nose and lungs invigorating her right down to her very feet as Estel directed his horse down along the long winding path that led down to the long bridge over the river Bruinen.
The waters below roared with life, swift and strong but strangely enough the sound of it was not threatening at all. In fact, it only added to the utopian calmness and picturesqueness of the whole image.
Once or twice Estel had to grab Ariel's waist to stop her leaning too far over the edge and falling off as she admired the view as awe and wonderment overpowered any twinges of pain in her head or side.
Finally, they cantered over the bridge passing by two tall statues of Elven sentinels flanking the entrance to a large circular courtyard, their fair forms garbed in sleek armour and long cloaks with slender spears in their hands and long swords in their belts.
"Stand your ground!" a loud gruff call went up and at once the spell was broken.
Clutching the saddle tight, Ariel held on as Estel drew the horse in behind his company, who seemed to be circling around a group of very short people.
Oh thank heavens they're okay!
She sighed as she caught sight of the Dwarves faces and Bilbo's wide eyes. He was gazing up half torn between bewilderment and amazement as he looked up at the tall proud elves that circled them and their horses who nickered and whinnied a little as they were slowed down to a trot and then a walk.
"Gandalf" Elrond spoke as he rode his horse up close to the Wizard who'd been standing calmly alongside another dark haired elf by a set of stairs.
"Lord Elrond" Gandalf's smile widened as he stepped forwards to meet the elven lord as he dismounted from his steed.
Wow…Now I really am dreaming.
Ariel gaped as she watched the greeting unfold before her, not noticing Estel's arm around her uninjured side tighten ever so slightly.
"[my friend]" Gandalf spoke in his clear but gravely form of elvish as he looked upon Elrond's shining armour. "[Where have you been?]"
"[We have been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass]" then just as quick as thinking he switched abruptly to English "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near…"
At this Gandalf gave a rather guilty look towards his friend. "Ah yes that may have been us"
Elrond nodded once his face turning slightly grave as he pulled out from a small satchel attached to his horses saddle something long and golden.
Ariel gasped softly as the elven lord lifted his hand in which was clenched one meter long strands of golden grass that gently flowed in the soft winds about them.
"And then there is this. Strange how the grass of the plains could grow so fast and so tall even in the height of summer"
He glanced pointedly at Gandalf who tried to shrug nonchalantly though his eyes were glinting with worry.
"Well… it must be something in the soil…or the rain…"
"Or perhaps there is someone who imbued their magic into it?"
Elrond's keen eyes quickly fell upon Ariel who blushed a deep pink as Gandalf suddenly noticed her, his shoulders slumping as he sighed in relief
"Ariel?! My dear girl thank Eru you're alright."
"Ariel!"
"Lass!"
"Thank Mahal!" Some of the Dwarves all groaned as Ariel gave them a tiny wave of hello only to wince as her side ached again.
"hi guys-argh! Shit that smarts" she murmured under her breath, only for Estel to chuckle in her ear.
For a small looking maiden, she really had a mouth on her.
"So what Galdor said was true. You really do have a new apprentice?" Elrond quirked a brow at the Grey Wizard "When did she arrive?"
"About a month ago" Gandalf smiled glancing at. "The Elves of the havens found her on the beach by the sea and summoned me. Since she is new to this world I have been keeping her by my side as my apprentice"
"I see," Elrond once more turned his gaze upon the girl before him eyeing the bloody graze along the side of her cheek and frowned.
Ariel's flush deepened with embarrassment as his eyes quickly darted down to her right hand which was holding on tight to her left side as her other gripped her staff tightly in front of her like a lifeline.
"Though I think it is rather unfortunate that one so young should have to deal with such fowl creatures as Orcs so soon in life… and with such injuries. Lindir!"
He called back to the dark-haired elf by the steps, who stepped forwards at once.
"Help Estel take Lady Ariel to the healers at once"
"Yes milord" Lindir quickly nodded before striding up towards his new charges.
Quickly with his help, Estel was able to help Ariel clumsily dismount his horse, her legs giving way beneath her as she finally succumbed to her pain and fatigue.
Beside the hobbit, Fili and Kili both balked forwards to help, but Estel was swift to scoop her up in his arms and bear her away towards one of the buildings, following Lindir closely.
Goodness! She really must've been exhausted…
Bilbo bit his lip as he caught sight of her long red-brown hair swishing as her head lolled backwards over the young man's arm, her eyes shut and face peaceful.
As soon as they were out of sight, Elrond turned back to Gandalf with a stern face.
"It seems as though you are fortunate to have found your way here in one piece" he then turned to Thorin who turned from glaring at the point his injured comrade had just disappeared to look up at Elrond with narrowed eyes.
Elrond however did not seem perturbed nor insulted and stepped towards the dwarf with a smile.
"Welcome, Thorin son of Thrain"
"I do not believe we have met" Thorin replied in polite tones laced with distrust and wariness.
"You have your grandfather's bearing." Elrond explained patiently "I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain"
"Indeed? He made no mention of you"
At this Gandalf sighed heavily in exasperation.
But Elrond thankfully was a less petty and more tactful lord than most and he quickly spoke in his own tongue.
However, since none of the dwarves or Bilbo could understand it they were confused.
"What did he say?" Gloin growled angrily "Did he offer us insult?"
"No master Gloin" Gandalf called over the cries of outrage, rolling his eyes "He is offering you food."
At once all the yells stopped to be replaced by quick murmurs and small, slightly embarrassed nods.
"Well…" Gloin finally spoke, his gruff voice softer as he addressed their new host "In that case lead on"
"Another Istari appears and yet it is a time of peace" Elrond's voice was grave as he and Gandalf walked alone through a large courtyard surrounded by green flourishing trees.
"Peace?" Gandalf raised his bushy eyebrows "Trolls wandering far from the Ettenmoors and Orc packs raiding farther east than usual. Not to mention Radagast's warnings of a sickness in the greenwood."
"I will admit these are odd occurrences." Elrond nodded patiently "But they are still very much isolated incidents, and there is no solid proof that any of them are tied together"
"and that's exactly what I first thought" Gandalf frowned as he watched the sunlight sink lower and lower over the horizon. "but now that I have travelled with Ariel I feel as if maybe there might be something else lurking in the background. I may not be able to see it but I get the feeling that she can. Maybe that's why she was sent"
"That girl…" Elrond's face tensed "She has a powerful gift …"
"Indeed" Gandalf nodded quietly "though I fear that it sometimes might be a hard burden to bear."
At this Elrond's mouth twitched upwards in a small knowing smile.
"Every great power is a burden Gandalf. You of all people would know that. The real issue I think is, does she have the strength of will to not let that power consume her"
"I think she does" Gandalf said softly "because she has something worth fighting for."
"And what is that?"
"…Love"
There was a silence as both men, wizard and elf, strode down the length of the long bridge.
When the former spoke, his voice was quiet and measured.
"Your Estel has grown quite into the young man"
"Yes. He has" Elrond clipped "though I am afraid he has grown rather reckless over the past few months"
"He is only eighteen years old" Gandalf chuckled softly "honestly I would be more surprised if he wasn't reckless at this point in his life"
"He could've gotten himself killed today," Elrond snapped "I promised his mother I would keep him safe till the time came for him to know the truth-"
"And so you have, by training him to be a worthy fighter you will have kept him safe for years to come. As well as a great deal many others." Gandalf assured his friend gently "After all, had it not been for his boldness my apprentice might not be here"
"I think you mean, had it not been for his desire to save the maiden and save the day, she might not be here." Elrond raised an eyebrow, as the Wizard frowned warningly at him.
"Now-now Lord Elrond, you know perfectly well the rules of my order-"
"I jest old friend I jest" Elrond smirked "Do not worry. I do not think anything of that nature will come from their meeting. No. My gift of foresight tells me the girl's destiny lies with another, though she will be a great ally to Estel when his time comes to claim his birthright… and his kingdom. Especially considering what she is…"
"Indeed old friend. Indeed…"
When Ariel opened her eyes, it was to see a tall pale ceiling high above her head.
She blinked a couple of times.
Odd…this is not my bedroom…
She turned her head to the side, vaguely noticing that she was lying on a very soft bed and under warm blankets. Opposite her she saw a large window beautifully shaped in a semicircle that looked over a wide view of buildings in the foreground before dropping off to a green valley illuminated by a rising moon in the night sky.
It took her a couple more blinks before suddenly she gasped images flashing over here eyes.
The party at Bilbo's hobbit hole, the traveling on the road, meeting and fighting the trolls, the escape from the orc pack and…and…
"Oh my god!"
She clapped a hand to her forehead as a wide grin spread over her face.
I'm in Rivendell! In bloody, freaking Rivendell!
She laughed quietly to herself as she sat up in the bed and dashed over to the window.
From it she could now see the pavement two stories below her room window which was empty, but had the bright orange, yellow flickering light of a fire streaming onto it from the right.
Hmm…what is that?
She leaned over the edge carefully to see where the light was coming from. But her angle was too high and too far for her to get a peek. She did however hear the familiar sounds of loud laughter and delighted conversations.
"Oy Bombur catch!" a voice called out.
There was a small pause and then suddenly a loud crash, as if something wooden had just been smashed down by something heavy. Roars of laughter echoed about the air, merry and bright and full of life.
Without even pausing to think she dashed away from the window and out of the room door, only double taking to quickly snatch up her staff which was leaning against the wall beside her bed. Her bare feet barely made a noise over the smooth stones beneath them as she descended a long set of stairs, her red brown hair flying out behind her as the cool night air tickled her skin gently.
After a good two minutes, she reached the ground floor and turned right, to see a large archway shaped like two trees with entwining branches.
She walked over quietly her face still set in a smile which widened quickly as she finally reached the threshold and stepped out onto a large wide roofed porch. It was brightly lit by a small fire set in a small stone pit in the middle of several low tables that stood next to richly thick fur pelts. Each were laden with warm and soft silk cushions on which nine dwarves and one hobbit were lounging about calmly whilst Gandalf and Thorin each took a large comfortable wooden chair each. All of them were laughing and chortling at Bombur who was sitting upon a heap of broken wood that had once been a table, a plate full of food in one hand and a small sausage in another, looking stunned at how he got there.
It was he who spotted Ariel in the doorway when she gave a loud snort and with a cry he sprang to his feet…before promptly falling back down on his round behind and bouncing a little.
"Surprise!"
Everyone turned quickly as Ariel stepped onto the balcony her grin wider than a Cheshire cat.
"Miss Ariel!
"You're awake!"
"thank goodness!"
"Woah!" Ariel blushed in embarrassment as she was suddenly swarmed by several short dwarves who were all scrambling to usher her inside.
"Miss Ariel you must be exhausted. Come sit here" Nori said as he tried to lead her towards the left side of the balcony only for Oin to tug on her other hand.
"No sit on this side, its warmer"
"Don't listen to them lass" Bofur shook his head and pointed to the wall opposite the archway "Everyone knows the wall just there is the best spot-"
"Gentlemen, gentlemen give the poor girl a break. She has barely been up for more than two minutes" Gandalf chuckled as he stood up and gently detached Ariel from the several hands. Gently he led her by the shoulder and over to a large pelt on the floor beside his chair where little Bilbo was sitting cross-legged on his own, wrapped up in a warm blue blanket.
She quickly sat down beside him and smiled widely as she pulled on a red blanket to cover herself.
"Hello Bilbo. You're looking well rested"
"I-I am…but…" Bilbo stuttered blushing slightly as he stared down at his toes. "but…I'm just glad to see you're feeling better. You really had us worried"
"Oh don't you worry Mr Baggins." Ariel's eyes twinkled as she playfully nudged his cheek with her knuckle "It will take more than trolls or Orcs to take this girl down"
"That's the spirit lass" Dwalin chuckled along with the others.
But then Ariel gave a small grimace as she rubbed her side.
"Though I wish I could say the same for my ribs"
"Still hurting you lass?" Bofur asked sympathetically.
"just a tiny twinge here and there. Not nearly as much as when we first came here" Ariel grunted as she made to position herself to lean comfortably on a couple of cushions. "Whatever those healers did it really helped a lot"
"Well my dear, Elvish medicine is some of the best to be found in Middle Earth" Gandalf smiled as he leant back in his chair "especially when it is practiced by the high elves of Imladris. It was fortunate that we were able to get you help in time before you were damaged beyond repair"
"Indeed…" Ariel nodded as she leaned in on her hand propped up by an elbow. "though my legs still feel like jelly after that run"
"Same here lass" Balin nodded with a sigh "also that chase has left my boots completely worn out on the soles"
"Aye mine too" Nori nodded "and my knees"
"Wish I could say the same went for everyone else" Gloin muttered as at that precise moment two figures made to come up the balcony steps.
It was Fili and Kili and they were looking flushed as they jogged up towards the company dressed only in their pants and their cotton tunics of red and blue which were drenched in sweat.
"Told you I'd win that round" Kili puffed.
"You scoundrel you didn't win" Fili glowered at his brother "You started before I could even say go"
"Oh-ho!" Kili laughed "And who was it that tried to push me out of the way before that turn"
"Only because you pushed me first"
"When?"
"At the start"
"No I didn't!"
"Oh yes you did you big fat cheater"
"Cheater? I didn't cheat"
"Did too and you know it!"
"Did not"
"Did too"
"Did not"
"Did too"
"Did-"
"Fili! Kili enough. You both are in the same spot now so give it a rest" Thorin called out before the argument could escalate further. However when Ariel looked back she saw that even though his eyebrows were raised, his eyes were twinkling with fondness.
"You still cheated" Kili muttered under his breath but Thorin cleared his throat loudly and he and his brother both skulked off to join Bilbo.
When they caught sight of Ariel their faces split into wide smiles of surprise and delight.
"Ariel! You're awake?"
"When did you get up?" they laughed as they quickly made to sit beside her and Bilbo.
"Only five minutes ago" Ariel shrugged before asking "You two look like you've been having fun."
"They've been racing non-stop" Bilbo smirked from the sides. "all evening, up and down, up and down"
"Wow and after all that running we did earlier today too? What food have you been eating here?" Ariel sighed.
All of the talking and smiles around her faltered at once.
"What?" Ariel blinked.
"Ariel…" Gandalf spoke slowly and cautiously "How long do you think you've been asleep."
"Err…only a few hours. What is it now one o clock?" she shrugged.
Thorin sighed and leant forwards in his chair.
"Actually, it's only ten in the evening…and it's been two days since we came to Rivendell"
"Two days!" Ariel's eyes bulged wide.
"Yeah" Bofur nodded "You were out like a light after all that mayhem"
"And it took the elves almost an entire day to fix up your ribs and that head injury" Oin added. "In addition to your broken ribs, you had a severe concussion on the back of your head."
"Only it was hidden because of your hair" Gandalf pointed out with his staff "it was only found when the elf maids tried to wash out your hair and found blood in the water"
"Really?" Ariel's eyes widened as she ran her hand over the back of her head where sure enough a tiny lump was raised just behind her ear. "Wow… I didn't even notice"
"You were in pain already and in shock" Dwalin coughed gruffly. "Not to mention busy trying to outrun an orc pack."
"we didn't know whether you were alright till this early afternoon when that human boy came to tell us." Fili mumbled sounding slightly put out "and even then Gandalf and Lord Elrond wouldn't allow us to see you, until you yourself would awake"
"Well I'm awake now" Ariel nodded leaning back once more to rest on a cushion. "and you can all see that I'm fine. Bit battered like a fish but fine."
Though for how long will I remain fine is the even bigger question. After all…there is a dragon on the other end of our road…
They spent many hours talking late into the night. Drinking, sharing stories, mainly about the travels the older dwarfs had been on, many of them bickering over the smaller details like who won that drinking game or who won a bet.
Ariel often found herself laughing till her stomach was sore, that was until Dwalin began to recount a story about winning the nightly affections of a female barmaid.
"And so I said to her 'lass why don't you and I'-"
"Ahem Dwalin I don't think that subject matter would be very fitting to speak of in front of our younger friends" Gandalf steamrolled over the dwarf loudly giving a pointed look to Ariel who rolled her eyes.
"Gandalf I may be young but I'm not naive."
"Oh really?" Thorin snorted from his seat "Then how old are you?"
"Seventeen, going on eighteen" Ariel shrugged and Bilbo spluttered on his drink beside her, as did many other dwarves.
"Seventeen!" Fili finally choked looking with bewilderment at the girl beside him with wide eyes.
"Uh yeah" Ariel frowned confused by the shocked reactions. "Why how old are you?"
At this Kili's grin widened proudly, like a child
"I'm seventy-seven and Fili is eighty-two"
Ariel bit her lip as she made to calculate using her fingers
"hmm…right…seventy-seven and eighty-two by dwarf standards would equate to um…if the humans average life span is seventy…divide by …and then multiply…so…so if you two were humans you would be roughly in your mid to early twenties?"
There was a small silence as the dwarves stared at her.
Ariel pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"Wait don't tell me. Not many women in this land are learned in basic mathematics, are they?"
"Not unless they born into a higher caste " Balin exchanged a glance with Dwalin who just shrugged and shook his head.
Bilbo however tilted his head curiously as he took a sip of his mead beside him.
"Do many of the women of your home receive an education?"
"Yeah most do." Ariel gulped suddenly feeling awkward "I mean I attended school since I was six and have been doing so for the past twelve to thirteen years or so-"
"Twelve to thirteen years?!" Dori's eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets as were Bifur's who made to speak in rapid Khazdul.
"He's asking how girls in your world can afford to study whilst helping to keeping the home, and preparing to be courted and such" Bofur translated quickly though he gulped in trepidation of Ariel's answer.
But like before she only shrugged nonchalantly.
"We manage. I mean I can't speak for all the other girls my age but back home I coped with help my mom with her flower shop after school, and then help her cook dinner and clean my room-"
"And courting?" Kili asked slyly.
"Pff! Me courting? Do I honestly look like the kind of girl that would get courted by any guy?" Ariel rolled her eyes again and shook her head.
"Uh…Yes?" Nori glanced sidelong at his brothers and companions who all now eyed the girl before them who now looked rather baffled.
"Huh Really?"
"…Yes…"
Ariel now felt rather disconcerted as odd looks were thrown around the balcony amongst all the male population.
Eventually it was Bilbo who had the nerves to ask the next question that was obviously on everyone's mind.
"So…you've never been courted by anyone?"
"No…" Ariel gulped suddenly finding the ends of her blanket about her very interesting "I haven't…and besides…It's not like I'm attractive anyway"
Again there was another awkward silence.
"What I'm not just look at me!" Ariel snapped as she felt her temple throb with irritation. "I'm short for my age. I got a weird skin and hair colour, and I'm still waiting for certain normal body parts to arrive! Let me tell you puberty ain't fun when you're as flat as an ironing board and the other girls have jugs the size of…jugs!"
Suddenly everyone burst out laughing. Even Thorin and Gandalf were chuckling with amusement. But Dwalin was laughing hardest of all.
" HA! 'Jugs the size of jugs' HA-HA-HA-HA!"
"That cannot be true" Kili chortled and before Ariel could even respond he tugged her blanket away from her.
Ariel squeaked leaning back almost on top of Bilbo her hands flying up to her low neckline as the young dwarf looked down the front of her nightgown with a sly little 'innocent' pout.
"Hmm…not bad. A little small but nice shape, but I can't really tell much. I bet that human lad could tell us a bit more, considering how close he was to you-"
"KILI!" Fili shouted his blue eyes flashing however before he could even move Thorin stepped up behind him and grabbed deftly at Kili's ear and dragged him up to stand.
"OW! Uncle I was just teasing-I wasn't-OWW! Fee save me!"
"No Kee, you made your bed now you lie in it" Fili smirked smugly folding his arms as his brother yelled loudly.
"TRAITOR!"
Everyone guffawed as Thorin shook his head with exasperation and made to drag young yelping dwarf back into the privacy of the building.
"Hey where are you going?" Oin cried out having only half heard what was going on through his ear trumpet.
"To clean my nephew's mouth out with soap." Thorin snapped, turning to his nephew and hissing "Never in all my years-Since when did I or your mother ever teach you to talk to a lady like that?!"
Ariel gulped as she caught sight of the stormy expression on his face though she was quickly distracted by Bofur crying out:
"Oy Bilbo lad why don't you sing us that song you sang at the baths"
"What you want a bath song here?" Bilbo looked about nervously but even so he grinned.
"Yes you woolly footed bundle of song"
"Woolly footed?" Bilbo hiccupped with mock outrage "I'll show you woolly footed"
Ariel giggled with amusement as she faintly caught a whiff of the smell of alcohol from the hobbit's mouth as he sprang to his feet and darted up to where Bofur had erected a makeshift stage made from several of the low tables about them.
Drunk Bilbo Baggins now this should be very interesting!
But even as Bilbo stepped up his mouth opened wide and he began to sing in a surprisingly loud clear voice.
Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!
O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain,
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.
O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.
O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!
He was a surprisingly good singer and all his songs were happy and merry, like the one he sung now, his feet skipping along in a well-practiced, well known jig that was until the last word when he finished with a big stomp so hard that he tripped backwards into the dwarves behind him.
Ariel laughed loudly just as something warm wrapped about her shoulders. She turned to see Fili pulling away from her to settle her blanket about her shoulders.
"Thanks" she smiled gratefully.
"I'm sorry about my brother" he murmured as he caught her eye "he didn't mean to be so offensive he's just gets a bit careless when he's had a couple of drinks"
"He wasn't…offensive" Ariel bit her lip nervously "I was just…surprised that's all. I just hope Thorin doesn't grill him too badly"
"He'll be fine" Fili shook his head with an amused sigh. "Trust me, I've seen our uncle get mad and this is barely scraping slight irritation for him"
"Slight irritation are you serious?" Ariel quirked a brow and Fili chuckled his blue eyes twinkling.
"What can I say, he's a grumpy old dwarf"
"ha! Don't let him hear you say that or you'll be the next one being dragged out by your ear" Ariel giggled.
"Not yet I won't. Unlike my brother I know how to keep my mischief a secret" Fili smirked with a wink and Ariel giggled harder throwing her head back only to suddenly feel the world spin about her horribly as her head twinged.
"Whoa! Spinning! My world's spinning" she grunted as Fili grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
"This is why you should rest when you have concussion." the blonde dwarf tutted with a small frown as he slowly made to lean her back gently onto the pelt so that she reclined comfortably.
"Here just lie down for a while"
As he carefully took her head and deposited it to rest on a couple of the cushions.
"So, you and the human boy?" he smirked and Ariel scowled.
"Oh, for crying out loud I barely know the guy!"
"Really? You two were sitting quite close on that horse-" Dwalin grunted from his seat.
"Only because I nearly fell off it a couple of times" Ariel groaned, cursing her now blushing cheeks as Nori sniggered.
"Oh aye. Are you sure that was the only reason lass?"
"Yes, from what we saw of him he's quite a strapping young lad." Bofur raised his tankard of drink to his lips "what with that rugged handsome face, and those grey eyes."
"Well if you like the look of him so much why don't you go and court him?" Ariel snapped, cheeks flushing beetroot red as the other dwarves chuckled.
"Uh…because we don't swing that way lass-" Balin smirked into his tankard
"In what way? Towards humans or towards men?" Ariel snorted and was rewarded with a hearty guffaw.
"HA! Good one lass." Fili chuckled, and despite herself Ariel felt herself smile that was until Gloin gave her a cheeky wink.
"Don't worry lass, I'm sure he doesn't like us dwarves. Though he certainly had his eyes on you quite a fair bit-"
"Stupid old dwarves" Ariel groaned as she all but melted back into the pillows, cheeks aflame.
Gandalf chuckled softly from his seat, though if one were to look closer they'd see the slight anxious glint in his eyes as he beheld his apprentice.
Ariel Brooks may have been just a girl, but deep down he could sense so much potential for greatness. Yes…she would be a great woman in the future and a formidable sorceress…
Just as Estel would be a powerful king…
Nuldien just what are you planning?
And there we have it. Chapter 5 is up.
And finally i can get to some of the changes i wanted to in the plot. 10 points to anyone who can guess who Estel really is ;) (though it shouldn't really be that hard to figure out). Hope you guys had fun reading, the next chapters might take a little longer now seeing as i've got a fair few changes to make.
Anyways if you enjoyed then please review for more.
Adios everyone,
FuzzyBeta