Chapter Twenty
Deciphering The Map
~~Hetti's POV~~
As I head back to my room, I was thinking what Fili had said.
'My brother would be crushed if he knew you were thinking about leaving us!'
Why would Kili be crushed if I decide to stay here? I needed to clear my head, thanks to Bilbo and now Fili's advice, I was more confused than ever. I knew that if I stayed here, I would be safe but I would miss Bilbo and Elaina.
"Then continue traveling with us then!"
I spun around and saw Loki leaning on a pillar. He was watching me with a smile on his face.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand!" I finally manage to say.
Loki's smile broadens and he slowly approaches me, his smile slowly disappears when he spoke.
"For to long you have suffered through all the things you had witnessed as a child," my green eyes go wide "You saw everything that had happened in that home on Midgard."
"Misgard?" I exclaimed, burrowing my brows.
"Midgard means Earth!" replied Loki.
'Was Loki hiding when I told Bilbo my past!' I asked myself 'It was bad enough Fili was eavesdropping on my story.'
"Hetti," I looked up and saw Loki's grin again "I have known about your past for a little while now!"
"W-What do you mean?"
"Would you believe me if I told you?" Loki challenged me, with a twinkle in his blue/green eyes.
"It depends on the question." I retort, curious to know what he was on about.
"What if I told you I could read your mind?"
I watch Loki, not deciding if he was telling the truth or was making it up. I decided to humour him and see where my theories lie!
"Alright, if what you say is true, what am I thinking of right this second?"
Loki watches my face and again he smiles warmly at me.
"You are thinking about Bag End and the long walks you used to take," began Loki "Plus climbing up on trees grabbing-,"
"Okay, okay, you can read minds!" I cut in.
I was completly shocked and it showed.
'To hear every thought must be tedious!' I thought.
"It can have its advantages," chuckled Loki "Now please explain why you think you should stay in this dump!"
I was taken aback. Rivendell wasn't a dump, it was a beautiful place. A place I could get lost in.
"The place is alright, I am not overly fond of elves." Loki went on.
"Ah another Thorin then," I smirked "he seems to hate them too."
"Thorin has every reason too!" remarked Loki dryly "Will you now tell me what's bothering you?"
"I thought you already knew?"
"I do, but I would like a recap." replied Loki crossing his arms over his chest.
Now knowing full well that Loki could hear my thoughts, I begin by explaining my full past to him, the good, the bad and the strange! I only hoped he would not think me weak for feeling the way I was feeling at present. Until now, Loki and I had never really spoken before. So why now?
Strangely enough however, I find I like him as does Elaina. So maybe that was why I let my guard down around him.
o0o
~~Elaina's POV~~
I was hoping that Loki was alright. What he told me, must have triggered some painful memories for him.
"Elaina!" whispered Thorin.
I walk towards the broken sword, still thinking what Loki had said. Looking at the sword pieces, I realise this sword would be used once more.
"Elaina, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I reassured Thorin, still looking at the sword pieces "One day, this sword will be reforged!"
Thorin momentarily looks at the broken sword then returned his attention back on me.
"I'm sure the new owner will be happy to see that." said Thorin stepping closer.
"I don't think he knows himself, these sword pieces have been like this, for 3000 years!"
"Mahal help me!" exclaimed Thorin grabbing me, then wrapped his arms around my waist "Much as I like hearing about past relics, I would like to talk about eariler!"
"There's nothing to discuss." I reply.
"Gandalf should have kept his opinion to himself," frowned Thorin watching me intently "You were alright until he mentioned your-,"
"Power!" I finish for him.
We watch one another and I notiched that Thorin looked worried. Wait, Thorin doesn't seem the type to get worried.
"What's the matter?" I ask him "I didn't break a vase, running away from..everyone, did I?"
Thorin roars with laughter, confusing me even more! He then placed his forehead on mine.
"No," grinned Thorin "no vase was smashed. I have to see Lord Elrond in a little while and I was wondering, if you would come with me."
Well that explained the way he was acting.
"Of course I'll come wth you."
~~Thorin's POV~~
I smiled at Elaina and tightened my arms around her, then kissed her deeply.
"Are you sure you are alright?" I asked Elaina breaking our kiss.
She nodded her head and placed her right hand on my cheek.
"Honestly I'm alright."
"Loki didn't upset you, did he?"
Elaina shook her head and gently stroked my beard.
I knew Loki had wanted to say something to my angel and I was curious to know what his story was. I had noticed how close they were when I had arrived here and I didn't like that, one bit.
Elaina gave me an amused look and despite myself I smile back.
"You don't think much of Loki do you?" Elaina asked me with one eyebrow raised.
"No I don't," I admitted to her "There is something odd about him."
"No, his not odd Thorin. He is just misunderstood and should be given a chance!"
"You will not say anymore about him?" I ask her.
"It's not my place to say. Though there is something that is bothering me."
I watch her carefully, she was not looking at me but was staring at my beads in my hair.
"What is it?"
"The other night, I had a strange dream," she paused and took a deep breath before continuing "We were all up on several trees, there was fire around them and slowly I saw a white Warg with a pale looking Orc on top of it."
"Azog is dead Elaina."
The look she gave me however, made me question my own thoughts.
"I hope will all my heart that I am wrong on this matter Thorin but, that dream felt lifelike and it frightened me. The way he was watching you, it looked like he was about to come after you!"
"If he is alive, he will not get me Elaina," I whispered, kissing the corner of her mouth "If he does show his face, we will all kill that murderous scum."
"I think he is alive!" said Elaina, somberly.
"You really think that?"
Elaina nodded her head. I sighed, closing my eyes, as I had a feeling Elaina was speaking the truth and that angered me.
"All this time I thought Azog was dead and find out he has been alive all along." I paused trying to get my bearings.
Elaina must of sensed the tension for she gently cupped my cheek and beard causing my heart to pound. I open my eyes and watch her lovingly.
"I know you speak the truth Elaina," I continued "but that also means Gandalf knew as well. He himself, should have told me."
My breathing was increasing, but for another reason. The way Elaina was stroking my beard, was sending messages to my heart.
"He must have known all this time and yet, said nothing."
"Thorin, I think Gandalf was trying to protect you." replied Elaina.
"Protect me?" I spat which I regretted as Elaina finched in my embrace "Sorry my angel."
"I think Gandalf knew even then, that Azog was after you," began Elaina, still not meeting my eyes "Think about it, where did those Wargs come from and one of those Messengers?"
Elaina did have a point, we were ambushed and yet I also remember Elaina's power.
"They did come from nowhere." I agreed with my angel.
"Exactly and I don't think Gandalf's friend was being followed either. This had something to do with-,"
I stopped her talking, by crashing my lips onto hers. Elaina's continued stroking of my beard made me want to reach out to her. When I kissed her, I was letting her know of my true feelings for her. I could feel she felt the same, as we hungrily kissed one another. I could not get enough of her.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and I felt her hand run through my hair. After a long moment I reluctantly broke our kiss, breathing heavily, but my face was still close to Elaina's. Our foreheads were still touching.
"I love you." I breathed to her against her lips.
"Men lananubukhs menu," Elaina whispered back, touching my chest, as I closed my eyes at hearing her say my native tongue. "Did I say that wrong? I didn't accidentally swear at you did I?"
I open my eyes and I burst out laughing.
"No you said it correctly. You are a quick learner, my angel," I say softly to her brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Come," I add kissing her sweet mouth once more, "Let's have something to eat."
"Must I?"
"Elaina," I scorned her, "You promised!"
"Thorin, just be prepared if Azog is still alive!" whispered Elaina, changing the subject.
"I will Elaina, now let's get out of here."
I reluctantly let go of her but took her left hand and lead her back to the balcony.
o0o
~~Elaina's POV~~
It was now evening as Thorin and I walk back to where the others were. I sit next to Thorin. Opposite me were Loki and Hetti and I was very surprised to see Hetti having a conversation with Loki. I have never seen those two speak to one another before. Hetti was normally shy. It was good to see her interact with Loki though.
"Just what have you and Thorin been up too?" asked a grinning Kili, watching Thorin and I.
I saw Thorin glare at Kili but I calmly say,
"We've spend the remander of the day collecting daisys and other flowers and scattered them all over your bedroll Kili!"
"You did What!" cried out Kili, running of, making me and everyone else roar with laughter.
"That was mean!" laughed Fili.
"Naw! That wasn't mean. That was priceless." I grinned seeing Bilbo laugh even harder.
I never noticed Loki watch Thorin, who was watching me with a smile on his face.
"I wish they had chips!" remarked Ori.
I watch Lord Elrond and Gandalf walk up to us and sit down and I noticed Thorin stiffen and glare at Gandalf.
As my hand was already under the table, I gently place my hand over his and felt him stroke my hand, before entwining his fingers through mine.
"Elaina, I did not mean to upset you earlier." said Gandalf sitting next to Hetti.
"It's fine, I have to get used to this power inside me." I admitted.
"Keep doing what you have been doing Elania and you will soon get used to using your power." smiled Gandalf.
I watch Kili come back with a grin on his face, before sitting back down again, catching Hetti's amused gaze.
With my free hand, I took a fork and took plenty of salad onto my plate as I did promise Thorin I would eat something. Thorin who had been watching, placed a bread roll on my plate. I gave him a strange look, before tucking in.
As I broke of some of my roll, I watched a dark haired elf approach and whisper something in Lord Elrond's ear, before walking of again. I took a bite of my roll when Lord Elrond said,
"It is good to see you are alright Lady Elaina," smiled Lord Elrond "If you will all excuse me, I have to find the culprit who put fruit all over the bedroom floor. Someone has trodden the fruit on the tapseries."
I bite my cheek to stop myself laughing out loud.
"Who did that, do you know?" asked Gandalf.
"I have no idea." admitted Lord Elrond.
He got up, bowed at us and walked of. All eyes then went on Kili, who was busy flicking his salad on his plate.
"What a waste of fruit!" I remark making Thorin and Loki laugh.
Gandalf gets up and says,
"Someone who likes playing jokes. Very amusing, I don't think!"
Gandalf glares at Kili then walks of to wherever. We don't have the prove that Kili was responsible but he was the only one who had left us for a little while.
o0o
Thorin and I walk in a hall and I am surprised to see Gandalf, Bilbo, Balin and Loki here too. In the centre is Lord Elrond.
"Is there something you wish to show me?" asked Lord Elrond, looking at each of us
"Our business is no concern of elves." snapped Thorin.
"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map." scorned Gandalf.
"It is the legacy of my people, it is mine to protect, as are its secrets." replied Thorin, glaring at Lord Elrond.
"Thorin, could I have a quiet word with you?" I ask him, noticing Gandalf's small smile.
Thorin nods and we go to a corner.
"I'm not an elf and yet you told me your secret about your quest."
"That's different" whispered Thorin, watching me intently.
"Why's it different?"
"Because you are the love of my life Elaina." Thorin trails of when I gently touch his face.
"Trust in Lord Elrond as I do. He may be of help!"
"Elaina, your too trusting!" said Thorin.
"No, no I'm not!" I said sadly.
"Elaina." began Thorin noticing the change in me.
"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." snapped Gandalf.
Thorin was still watching me and and I could see he was thinking things through, then he walked towards Lord Elrond and hands the map over to him.
"Thorin, no!" cried out Balin.
Thorin brushes Balin aside and hands Lord Elrond the map, before walking back to me. Lord Elrond looks at it.
"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" asked Lord Elrond.
I can tell that Thorin wants to say something, but he is stopped by Gandalf who says,
"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"
Lord Elrond walks away, looking at the map. As he walks, the map hits the moonlight and I saw him raise his eyebrows as if he knew something.
"Cirth Ithil."
"Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss." replied Gandalf, winking at Bilbo.
"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." said Lord Elrond.
"Can you read them?" asked Thorin, sounding hopeful now.
We follow Lord Elrond to an open area outside, we are on the side of a cliff with many waterfalls all around. I glance up at the sky and saw that the moon was behind a cloud. I follow the others 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." said Lord Elrond.
I glance up again as do the others and clouds that were covering up the moon, float away. Rays of moonlight hits the table causing light to flow through the map, which has been laid out on the crystalline table. A strange patten becomes visible which I realise must be the moon runes. Lord Elrond reads these runes out loud.
"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?" asked Bilbo clearly confused and so was I truth be told.
"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." replied Gandalf.
"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." said Thorin.
"We still have time." remarked Balin.
"Time? For what?" asked Bilbo.
"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." replied Balin.
"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain!" observed Lord Elrond.
"What of it?" snapped Thorin.
I didn't like where this was going.
~~Thorin's POV~~
"There are some who would not deem it wise." said Lord Elrond.
I take back the map gruffly.
"This has nothing to do with you!" I spat.
Elaina clearly had had enough of this, and walked out of the room.
"Elaina!" I cried out, seeing her walk out. "Damm!" I add running after her.