Chapter Twenty-Two

The Quest Continues

~~Hetti's POV~~

I had no idea where Bilbo and Elania were. I wasn't worried though, this place was completely safe. I was sitting away from the other dwarves, they were nearby making a lot of noise, but I kept to myself.

I heard a noise to my right and saw that elf that greeted Gandalf, when we had first arrived here, but I just couldn't remember his name. I watch him as he seemed to glide down the stairs. He was wearing a long silver robe and he had caught me staring at him.

I quickly averted my gaze, watching Bofur throw something into Bombur's mouth.

"You do not appear to be a dwarf my Lady."

I turn my head and saw the very same elf that only moments ago I was watching.

"Though you are tiny."

I frowned at him, tiny indeed!

"I didn't mean to upset your feelings. It's just that your friends over there are very noisy, while you on the other hand are very quiet."

"Comes with living in The Shire!" I point out, noticing his puzzled look "I'm not a dwarf, I'm a human being. For most of my life, I have lived with Bilbo and Elaina."

"The hobbit!" I nodded. "He seems at peace here."

I smile at that and turn my head, catching the solemn look on Kili's face. I gave him a quizzical look but he turns around. He did not look happy.

'What was that about?' I thought to myself.

A laugh caused me to turn my attention to the source and I saw Loki walking up to me and my new acquaintance.

'Were you reading my thoughts again?' I mentally asked him, seeing his smile broaden.

'Would I do something like that?'

I gave him a knowing look before returning my attention back on this elf.

"Bilbo has always been fascinated with elves," I smile, thinking back to the time Bilbo would spend hours reading about elves and their ways "Being here, is like a dream come true here for him."

I think that if Bilbo had the choice, he would stay here indefinitely. Changing the subject, the elf asked,

"And what is my Lady's name?"

"Hetti Baggins and yourself?"

"Lindir." he bowed and smiled at me.

'What is it with bowing at everyone? Surely a handshake would suffice!' I thought to myself, ignoring Loki's bemused look.

Lindir watched Loki then at me.

"I think I'll leave you two alone."

"Oh you don't have to leave on our account!" I replied to him.

"I must, I have things to attend to," smiled Lindir "It was nice meeting you Miss Hetti, Loki."

With that Lindir walked of.

"I thought he'd never leave!" exclaimed Loki, also watching the retreating form of Lindir.

I gave him a look of disgust who only laughed.

"Are you always so rude to others?"

I watch him through narrowed eyes as he sits opposite me watching the dwarves enjoy themselves.

"Not all elves are nice and kind Hetti, there are some that would kill without a second thought!"

"But the elves around here seem alright!"

"Just keep an open mind," remarked Loki "I wouldn't trust any elf!"

We watch one another and I somehow knew he spoke the truth. There was something in his blue/green eyes that reflected pain.

"Loki-," I began but he interrupted me.

"What do you remember, before arriving in Middle-earth?"

I was stunned, what made him say that?

"Life in the foster home," I whispered, Loki nodded "Um, playing with other children in the street, going to school, normal kid activities, why do you want to know?"

Loki lent nearer to me.

"You remember everything and yet Elaina can not!"

I frowned not understanding.

"I'm sorry, you lost me. What do you mean Elaina can't remember?"

Loki then explained to me how Elaina could remember her time since coming to Middle-earth but before all that, she could not remember her time in the foster home.

"It sounds like she is blocking out her past, somehow!" I finally say after thinking things through.

"Or someone erased her past!" points out Loki.

I was shocked.

"Who would that sort of thing?"

"That I can not say, but whatever the reason, Elaina has noticed memory lapses. She knows something is not right!" Loki was watching me intently now "How long did you know each, before living with Bilbo?"

I had to think for a few seconds.

"Well, I had lived there since a baby but Elaina arrived when she was four years of age. Mother Jane introduced us both."

"You didn't see the person who brought her?" I shook my head. "The mystery deepens!"

I slowly nod my head, agreeing with Loki. To not know your past, must be very frustrating. I only hoped that Elaina would somehow be prepared if her memories did come back. Before coming to the foster home, something big must have happened for Elaina to block our her own memories in a regressed sate and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I wake up with an arm around my waist. I turn slighly and watch Thorin who is sound asleep. Even in sleep, he is very handsome. I had this urge to reach out to him. Not sure on how to go about this, I gently guided my hand and caressed his left cheek. I saw him stir and I hesitated. I was not used to this affection from the opposite sex.

I saw him relax again and I lightly stroked his cheek. I used my fingers to trace his cheek and felt my heart beat faster. I gently lowerd my hand towards his beard and was fascinated on how it felt on my fingertips.

~~Thorin's POV~~

I woke up when I felt someone stroke my cheek. I slyly opened one eye and say my angel stop what she was doing. I tried to relax again and hoped she would continue touching me.

She did!

Elaina very gently stroked my cheek again and I could feel her trace my cheekbone with her fingers. She surprised me further by stroking my beard. I slowly opened my eyes and watched her in awe as she tenderly continued to stroke my beard.

She had no idea that I loved her touching my beard as it sent messages to my heart. I knew I couldn't stay still for long. I startled her by placing my free hand on hers and gently kissed her palm.

Our eyes locked as I gently kissed her fingers, one by one, before kissing her palm again. I gently pulled her to me and kissed her slowly, showing her that I loved her with every fibre. As the kiss deepens, I felt Elaina's hand play with my hair, making me growl in approval.

Feeling Elaina stroke my hair, made me realise that I could never let her go. I broke the kiss and sat up and went round my neck, touching the key that Gandalf had given me. Without saying a word, I unclasped the chain and took it of.

Our eyes lock again and I edge closer and placed the chain round Elaina's neck, before sliding the key in front, under her clothes.

"What are you doing Thorin? I couldn't possibly have this. This key is very important to your quest."

Placing my forehead on hers, I held her tightly and whispered.

"You are important to me Elaina, I trust you completely to look after my grandfather's key."

"But-,"

I stopped her speaking by kissing her gently on her lips again.

"I trust you Elaina," I brush my lips against hers "There is another reason I wish to discuss with you though!"

Elaina arched her eyebrow at me causing me to smirk.

"I want others to know that you belong to me and no one else," I paused and gently ran my hands through Elaina's chestnut hair, notiching her look back at me shyly which nearly rendered me speechless "I-I-I wish to braid your hair, if I may!"

I watched her as she gently touched my own braid.

"Braiding hair has some sort of meaning to it, doesn't it?" she asked me.

"Aye, the braid I want to put in your hair will tell others that you are not available, that you have found the one."

"I beg your pardon?"

I smile down at her.

"I already told you that you are my one," I whispered to her "you are the love of my life. With my braid in your hair, it will tell everyone that you and I are connected with each other. Now do you understand?"

"I think so, yes!" Elaina replied.

I gently kissed her forehead and cupped her face.

"May I braid your hair Elaina?"

"Of course you may." she replied softly.

I was bursting with happiness as I gently kiss the corner of her mouth.

"Have you got a comb?" I whispered against her mouth.

"Um, I'm not to sure, I think I have a brush in my bag, wherever that is."

I arch my body around and look at the floor, finding her bag by the bed. I quickly retrieve her bag and handed it over to her.

"Thank you."

I watch her delve into her bag taking out her clothes, sketchbook and many paints and other items that are important to her.

"I wouldn't let Ori get a hold of these paints here, my angel."

"Oh and why is that?" Elaina asked me while still looking for her brush.

"Because he too can draw and would want to use them."

"I had no idea," mused Elaina "Ha, found it."

She handed me her brush and I waited patiently as she put her clothes back in her bag.

"Ori can borrow my paints Thorin, I don't mind borrowing art equipment to fellow artists."

I just smile as I go behind her and brush her hair. I then sectioned her hair in three parts before weaving her hair slowly, working through her hair to become a braid. I heard her sigh and I could tell she liked her hair being touched, showing me her affection for me.

When I got to the end, I held the end of the braid with my left hand while I fitted the Durin's silver clasp around her braid using my right hand, sloting it in place.

"All done." I say, quietly in her right ear, grabbing her sketchbook.

"Thorin, the drawings in that aren't that great in there," exclaimed Elaina trying to reclaim her book "There just my doodles."

"Doodles, what are doodles?"

Elaina tried with all her might to get her 'doodles book' out of my grasp. I was to quick and got up and walked to the other side of the room, opening it up.

"A doodle is a drawing that I absentmindly draw, more like scribble," I heard Elaina say "I just randomly draw things that are in my head."

"These aren't doodles Elaina." I reply quietly, flicking through her drawings.

"I know, there rubbish aren't they?"

"No, for from it, these drawings are magnificent."

I meant that too, as I look through her drawings, I saw her talent through this book. There were pictures of her home in The Shire, Gandalf the Grey, leaning on his staff, my kin round the table at Master Baggins house, Hetti munching on an apple with a smiling Master Baggins alongside her. There was one of Loki and I was very surprised to see myself in one too.

~~Elaina's POV~~

I did like showing my finished drawings to people who showed an interest in them, but the drawings in my sketchbook were really rough drawings that were mainly rushed. Some of them wasn't any good.

I had been watching Thorin look through my drawings and I know he would soon spot his drawing I did. I avert my eyes on the floor, feeling very embarrassed.

"When did you draw this one?" he asked me softly.

I glance up and saw Thorin show me the drawing I drew of him.

"I drew that back in Bag End, after we spoke to one another on the bench. The way you looked that night, had stayed in my mind so, I drew you, I remember you looked lost in thought!"

"Elaina." whispered Thorin.

"Hmm!"

"I meant what I said," Thorin came close to me "These are not doodles, these drawings are very realistic and beautiful."

Thorin gently pulls me to him.

"You have real talent, my angel."

I didn't answer, I was a little surprised that Thorin liked my drawings and of course it showed on my face. Thorin smiled down at me before kissing me passionately.

o0o

~~Thorin's POV~~

I heard a gentle tap on the door and I was careful not to wake Elaina as I went towards the door. There stood Gandalf and he looked troubled.

"Wake everyone up and leave straight away," whispered Gandalf "I shall meet with you later, I have a Council meeting I need to attend to."

I took on board what Gandalf said, Gandalf was really acting strangely.

"What has happened?" I asked him.

"I fear Lord Elrond could try and stop you and your kin reclaim your home for the time being. His already very suspicious since seeing that map."

"Which was your own doing!" I hissed at Gandalf.

"Now is not the time for arguments Thorin. Wake everyone up and make haste. I'll meet you at the mountain!"

Before I could say anything, Gandalf quickly walked off. Sighing, I gently shut the door behind me and walked towards my men. Nearly everyone was fast asleep all except Loki. Loki got up and walked towards me.

"Help me wake them up, we're leaving shortly!"

"That is a relief, this place is to quiet for my taste!" smirked Loki, walking towards Bilbo.

I was actually surprised to see Loki do what I asked. I bent down and shook Dwalin up.

"Get everyone up, we are leaving!"

I knew this was going to take a while.

~~Elaina's POV~~

I had heard the gentle tap on the door but didn't pay much attention to what was being said. I gingerly opened one brown eye and saw Thorin leave me. Sighing I tried to get back to sleep.

Again I had heard the door opening but I did not open my eyes this time.

"Wake up my angel, we are leaving shortly." said Thorin, who gently traced my face with his fingers.

I open my eyes and saw Thorin mere inches from my face.

"I don't know if you heard but Gandalf has informed me that Lord Elrond could try and stop us from leaving. I think Gandalf is going to make sure that Elrond is with him for a while, so that we can leave without being detected."

Despite myself, I chuckle at what he just told me. Thorin looks at me curiously.

"Sorry, it's just all very sureal!" I reply, composing myself once more.

"It was Gandalf's idea." replied Thorin.

"You mean, Gandalf is not coming?"

"He said he will meet up with us later as he has to be at a Council with Elrond. Whether that is true, I do not know!" admitted Thorin.

An image of Saruman and Lady Galadriel came in my mind then.

'That explains why they are here.' I thought to myself.

"Are you alright Elaina?" asked Thorin looking concerned.

"Yes I'm alright...Best get dressed then." I reply.

o0o

Holding onto my belongings I walked alongside Bilbo and Loki. I did not like leaving this place without saying goodbye to everyone, it felt wrong. Hetti was walking with Dwalin and Bombur. It was still early morning and we were sneaking our way out of Rivendell.

"Be on your guard, we're about to step over the edge of the wild. Balin, you know these paths. Lead on!" said Thorin.

"Aye!" replied Balin.

Thorin had stopped working and watched everyone pass him. Bilbo to had stopped walking and turned and faced Rivendell once more. I watch him and saw his expression. I could tell he had really enjoyed his stay here. I walked over to him and placed my arm on his shoulder.

"You will come back here Bilbo. Of that I am certain!" I whispered to him, he smiled at me.

"You really think so?"

I smiled and gently squeezed his shoulder and just nod my head.

"Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up!" I heard Thorin say and frowned at Thorin, for breaking Bilbo's longing look at Rivendell.

Slowly, Bilbo turned around, patting my hand as I gently let go of him. For a second I watched Bilbo walk past Thorin heading towards Hetti. Sighing, I too began walking again, going in step with Loki once more.

"That was a sweet thing you said to Master Baggins, Elaina." whispered Thorin, joining Loki and I as we continue leaving Rivendell.

"Well, it's the truth. He will come back here again. One day!"

"Vision?"

"No, gut feeling!"

I felt his hand go in mine, holding it in place, as we silently walked away from Rivendell. I had hoped to have spoken to Lord Elrond about my ancestors and my memory lapses. When I first saw him, I knew he had a lot of wisdom within him. Maybe one day, I too would come back here. I prayed for that to be true.