Chapter 21: Inside Rivendell
The next morning in Rivendell, Arwen took Bilbo and Belinda on a tour through the city. She brought the curious Hobbits to a memorial where a statue held what appeared to be a broken sword. "These are the famed shards of Narsil. This sword once belonged to the king of Gondor until the blade was shattered during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves." She explained. She then turned their attention to a mural on the wall. "And here, this mural was dedicated to the Last Alliance, the day where Prince Isildur used his father's sword and destroyed our enemy, the Dark Lord Sauron." She explained. Bilbo noticed a gold object around Sauron's shadowy finger. "And what's that around his finger?" He asked. "That was his greatest weapon. The One Ring. With it, he would control all other rings within each race." Arwen explained. "What happened to it?" Belinda asked. "I'm not sure. Last thing that was ever heard of it, it was in the clutches of the gangly creature, Gollum, which whom I pray you never meet." Arwen said. But Bilbo barely listened. His attention was focused on the One Ring.
Later, Bilbo and Belinda left Arwen to explore more of Rivendell. They loved the fresh air, and how free and peaceful it was there. As they gazed out into the city, Elrond walked up to them. "Not with your companions?" He asked. "Oh, no. We shan't be missed." Bilbo assured. "Yes. The truth is that most of them don't think we should be on this journey." Belinda said. "Indeed. I've heard that Hobbits are quite resilient." Elrond said. "Really?" Bilbo asked in surprise. Elrond nodded. "I've also heard they're fond of the comforts of home." He said. "Well, we've heard that it's unwise to seek the Council of Elves for they will answer yes and no." Bilbo said. Elrond stared at them for a minute before grinning with humor. "You are both very welcome to stay here if that is your wish." He said before taking his leave.
Bilbo and Belinda thought about it as they continued their exploration. "Do you think we should stay? Leave the company and live with the Elves until we go back home?" Bilbo asked. "I'm not sure, Bilbo. I mean, it is nice here. And I do long to be back in the Shire. But can we really abandon Thorin, and Tharia, and the Dwarves in their moment of need?" Belinda asked. "I know what you mean. But maybe this adventure may not be the calling we really needed. Dealing with Orcs, Wargs and Dragons and all." Bilbo said. "Yeah, maybe you're right. While we have Took in our blood, we're still just Bagginses of Bag-End." Belinda said.
Meanwhile, Elrond and Lindir spoke about the well-being of the Dwarves. "The kitchen's under enormous strain, we are almost out of wine. How long do you thing they'll be with us?" Lindir asked in Elvish. "That has yet to be decided." Elrond said. Just then, they came across a disturbing sight. The Dwarves were splashing about in one of the city fountains.
Later that night, the Dwarves were preparing to settle in for the night. Bifur helped build a fire using any wood he could find before trying to cook vegetables. Bofur had cooked a little sausage. But after taking off the cooking fork, he gazed at Bombur, who was sitting on a table and looking through his dinner plate, getting an idea. "Bombur." He called as he tossed the sausage to Bombur. But as he caught it, the table's legs gave out, causing Bombur to fall on his back. The Dwarves laughed at the sight of him.
While the Dwarves were having their fun, Bilbo and Belinda walked up some steps. Just then, they heard Gandalf, Elrond and Selindra talking. "Of course, I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance and really, I think you can trust that we know what we're doing." Gandalf said. "Do you? That Dragon has slept for 60 years. What will happen if your plan should fail? If you wake the beast?" Elrond asked. "But if we succeed, if the Dwarves take back the mountain, our defenses in the East will be strengthened." Gandalf said. "It is a dangerous move, Gandalf." Elrond advised. Bilbo and Belinda looked back to see Thorin and Tharia standing behind them. "It is also dangerous to do nothing, Lord Elrond. The throne of Erebor is Thorin and Tharia's birthright. What is it you fear?" Selindra asked. "Have you both forgotten? A strain of madness flows through that family. Their grandfather lost their mind. Their father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Or even Tharia?" Elrond asked. Tharia looked at Thorin as he looked away. As much as he denied it, she feared that the madness has also began to sicken his mind. Bilbo and Belinda now had an understanding of the Dwarves as they continued to listen.
"Gandalf, Selindra, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-Earth." Elrond said. "With or without our help, these Dwarves will march on the mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin or Tharia Oakenshield feel that they are answerable to anyone. Nor, for the matter, am I." Gandalf said. "Nor I." Selindra said. "It is not me you must answer to." Elrond said. Gandalf and Selindra turned and saw their old Elf friend, Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien. "Lady Galadriel." Gandalf said. "Mithrandir. Young Selindra. It has been a long time." Galadriel greeted in Elvish. "Age may have changed me, but not so the Lady of Lorein." Gandalf said in Elvish. Galadriel smiled at her old friend's comment. "We had no idea Lord Elrond sent for you, my Lady." Selindra said. "He didn't. I did." A familiar voice said. Behind Gandalf, stood the head of the Wizard's Order, Saruman the White himself. Gandalf and Selindra bowed in greetings to their old friend. "Saruman." Gandalf greeted. "You've been busy of late, my friends." Saruman said.