Hey guys! How is everyone doing? I hope you are all well! We are back with Chapter 7! I hope you have all been enjoying the rewrite to this as much as I have writing it. I love hearing your thoughts, so please do me a favour and leave your reviews, I do love hearing from you.

Chapter 7

After reaching the Healing Halls, my good friend, Alassiel, had managed to take the arrowhead out, clean and close the wound before bandaging it up and put my left arm in a sling so that it remained elevated against my chest as the arrow had pierced some muscle and the arm would need to remain still to heal. She is currently working on my leg, which luckily missed anything major, when Elrond walks in.

I smile as I greet him. "Mellonnen. It is good to see you."

He smiles as he walks over. "As it is to see you. Although, this is not how I expected to see you."

I chuckle, letting out a groan as Alassiel digs around in my leg. "Me neither. At least they're not Morgul arrows this time."

He nods. "We can be thankful for that."

Alassiel finally pulls the tip out and begins to clean the wound.

"You have found Thorin again, I see."

I smile at him. "I have. Though, it was a surprise. Especially since Gandalf never told me who I was meeting."

Elrond chuckles. "Sounds like something he would do."

I rest my head back on the wall as the wound is finally closed and now being wrapped up.

"I do apologise for our sudden intrusion into Rivendell. And I further apologise for whatever happens with the dwarves."

He smiles. "Dwarves are a rowdy folk. I already know this."

I smile. "Oh. Did Vanya return at all? Along with some ponies?"

I breathe a sigh of relief as Elrond nods. "She did. Not long before we found the orcs. It was one of the reasons we went to go on patrol. We feared something had happened to you for her to come by alone."

I nod before I sit up, after thanking Alassiel. "I shall return to my room to freshen up."

"Alright. I will send Gilrean up to help you bathe and dress. Alassiel will no doubt have your head if you ruin her good work." Elron says with a grin.

"Yes I will." Alassiel voice pipes up as she's cleaning.

I laugh at this as I stand and pick up my pack. "Very well. Thank you."

I left the Healing Halls and walked through the corridors to my room, where I dropped my pack by the bed and walked into the bathroom to fill up the bath. This is something I definitely need. A nice hot bath. I take off the sling before carefully removing the rest of my clothing and get into the bath when it's ready. I let out a sigh as I sink into the water, hissing a little at my leg, but I relax back against the tub, keeping my arm against my chest, letting my aches wash away.

As I relax, my mind immediately goes to the chase and I think about what happened. I should not have froze like that. Not in the middle of a fight. But, just seeing that orc. . .Yazneg. . .brought to light some memories I like to keep buried deep down. He is one of the ones to torture me so many years ago. I turn my left arm, wincing as I do, and see the reminder I have of my imprisonment. The reminder of why I keep fighting. I did not survive three years of being a slave to orcs to just die by them. But then comes my next issue. . .Azog will know. . .he will know I am now with the dwarves. Not only will he come looking for Thorin, but he will also come for me, too.

Well, as long as I still have life within me, he will not be getting Thorin. I will kill him before he has the chance.

"Caladwen?"

I let out a gasp, the voice having surprised me.

"In here, Gilrean." I say as I sit up.

She immediately comes in and drops at the side of the bath next to me.

"Elrond told me what happened. Are you alright?"

I smile at her. "I am fine, do not worry. I have had worse."

She just sighs. "That is not the point. I worry for you out there. You know that."

I take her hand and squeeze it. "I know you do. I do not mean to make you worry."

She just smiles as she squeezes my hand back. "Not to worry. You are here. That is all that matters." she gets up and begins to gather some soap and bottles. "Estel will be happy you are home."

I smile as I think of the little boy I have known since birth. "How are his studies coming along?"

She sighs as she sits on a stool next to me and helps to clean me. "You know Estel. He is antsy when he is studying the books, but then get him outside to train. He's a completely different boy there."

I chuckle. "Just like his father. I remember Arathorn's time here. He hated when he was in class with Lindir or Erestor. But when it came to fighting, he would always be around either myself, the twins or Glorfindel."

She smiles. "I remember the stories."

As she finishes helping me with my body, she reaches up for my hair but I stop her.

"No, not my hair."

She looks to me in confusion. "Why not?"

"Because you cannot touch it." As she continues to look confused, I let out a sigh. "Could you go find the dwarves and bring the one called Thorin to me."

Her eyes go wide in shock and happiness. "You've finally found him?"

I smile. "I have."

She smiles as she stands and leaves the room, after passing me a spare towel to cover my body with. I smile as I wrap the towel around me before emptying the bath and then sit to wait for him to arrive, which he does not long after. Hearing his footsteps stop suddenly, I turn to see him standing in the doorway, just staring at me.

I chuckle. "Are you just going to stand there staring?"

He shakes his head slightly before walking over. "You asked for me?"

I grin. "Can you wash my hair for me? I have strict instructions to not move my arm too much."

He nods as he walks over, my body shivering as he fingers gently run along my shoulder.

"I need to apologise to you, amralime." I look to him at this. "You are right. We are partners. We are equal. I should not feel as though I have the right to order you around. But. . .I did not want anything else to happen to you. I was scared and I acted without thinking. I am sorry for that."

I smile at him, raising my good arm to place a gentle hand to his cheek. "I forgive you Thorin. I too owe you an apology. I should have listened and come to you straight away. I just wanted you all safe."

He smiles as he takes my hand in his, stroking it with his thumb as he sits on the stool.

"There was a time when this used to be easier. A time where we were both innocent of the world. Not having seen battle and the effects it can leave. It appears in the time past, we have both hardened from war."

I smile as I lean up and kiss him, allowing him to place a hand on my neck. We soon pull apart and rest our foreheads against each other.

"We can relearn everything we need to about each other. We have time."

He hums. "I would like that very much."

He gives me one more kiss before he pulls away and undoes my courting and engagement braids before washing my hair. I sigh as I lean back, enjoying the blissful feeling of his fingers running through my hair. Knowing this, he takes his time to go through it, removing every knot he can find and washing it a few times until it is thoroughly clean. He then helps me out of the bath, surprising me by lifting me out of the tub and into the bedroom where he sits me on my chair at my dressing table.

Wrapping my towel around myself, I look at him through my mirror. "You did not have to do that."

He just takes another towel and dries my hair. "I did not want you to strain your injuries too much."

I grin. "Or use it as an excuse to touch my skin?"

He just gives a knowing smile and a wink before brushing my hair.

I giggle at this. "I would if I could, Thorin. But, not only do we have dinner soon, but we are not even married."

He grins as he beings braiding my hair. "I know that. However, seeing you in front of me, in nothing but a towel, it is hard to keep my hands from you. Or anything else for that matter."

I give a fake horrified gasp as I place my free hand on my chest. "Thorin Oakenshield! You must not say that! Think of the scandal!"

He laughs as he finishes with my hair, putting his clips back into my courting and engagement braids before he wraps his arms around me, being careful of my should. He eyes me in the mirror.

"I would apologise for my thoughtless words. But, you know I am not sorry. You are so stunningly beautiful, that I cannot help myself. I would have you now if I could."

He then places a kiss on my bad shoulder before going to the other and kisses it, going higher each time until he reaches my neck and just lavishes it with kisses, licks and bites. I let out a low moan as I raise my good arm and tangle my fingers into his hair.

"Thorin. . ."

I feel his lips curl into a smile before I suddenly feel him tense. I immediately worry. Wondering what is wrong. He pulls away before I can even ask.

"What is that?"

Looking at him, I see him staring towards my chest. Looking down, I freeze as I see my left arm has turned slightly to reveal a small portion of the scar. As he reaches for it, I quickly pull it flush against my body before standing to get away.

"It is nothing." I say without looking at him.

"Caladwen, what was it?" he asks again, his tone firmer this time.

I shake my head as I look down, cursing my body as I feel it trembling. I hear approach me before feeling him gently tilt my up so I can look at him.

"Caladwen, can you please tell me what that was?"

I look to him for a moment. I knew this time would come. But, I did not know if I was ready to reveal all to him. . .ready to tell him that Azog still haunts him. However, he deserves to know the truth.

"Later. I promise. It is too long for me to go into now. We will be late."

"We can skip dinner."

I shake my head. "No. Lord Elrond is our host. It would be rude to skip when he has invited us to join him."

He looks to me for a moment before he sighs. "Alright. Tonight."

I nod before I go into my wardrobe to pull out a dark blue dress to wear. Thorin helps me to get dressed, me giggling slightly at the look on his face as he gets a quick flash of me naked as he helps me get the dress on. When I turn for him to tie the laces, I hear him take a sharp intake of breath. I don't say anything, knowing immediately he is seeing the many scars I received from the orcs. I shiver as I feel his fingers trace each one.

"Are these a part of what you have to tell me?"

"Yes." I say quietly.

I shiver again and sigh as I feel him press a kiss to each of them before tying the dress up. He then helps to put the sling on before we leave my room to join the others for dinner.

We walk arm in arm, meeting up with Elrond and Gandalf on the way.

"Caladwen, you are looking beautiful, this evening." Gandalf say.

I smile at him. "Thank you, Gandalf."

"How are your injuries?"

"Sore. But, they will heal. Not to worry."

He nods. "That is good."

The four of us continue our way together until we soon hear the dwarves.

"Kind of you to invite us. Unlike Caladwen here, I'm not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf says to Elrond.

Elrond just grins. "Well, you never are."

This causes Elrond, Gandalf and I to chuckle as we walk up the steps and go to the man made table. I smile and thank Thorin as he pulls my chair out for me, where I am sitting in between him and Elrond. I know he deliberately put me next to him so he would not have to. I don't mind that.

Before he sits, Thorin fills up a plate for me. Looking over what is served, as well as checking with the others, I am happy that the elves did in fact serve them meat and not just green and vegetables. I know Elrond can have a teasing side to him. Thankfully, he did not choose to antagonize the dwarves today. I thank Thorin as he puts my plate in front of me before doing his own.

As we begin to eat, I turn to Elrond. "My Lord, we had found some elven swords on our journey here. Would you mind taking a look at them."

He nods as he uses his napkin to wipe his mouth. "Of course. Who's shall I see first?"

I look to Thorin and after giving him a look, he takes out his sword and hands it over to Elrond, who takes it and looks over it, turning it this way and that a few times.

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well."

He hands Orcrist back to Thorin, who gratefully accepts it with a nod. I smile at him and he gives me a small one back as Elrond then examines Gandalf's sword.

"And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age. How did you come by these?"

"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?"

Thorin looks perturbed at this. "Excuse me."

I watch as he stands and walks over to the others.

"Thirteen dwarves, a halfling and our dear Caladwen here. hm. Strange travelling companions, Gandalf."

I look to him with a raised eyebrow. "I hope you are not insinuating something there, My Lord."

He just gives a tilt of his eyebrows as he drinks his wine. I can see a grin forming behind the goblet.

"These are the descendants of the House of Durin. They're noble, decent folk. And they're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts."

"Hmm. In some ways they have, Gandalf." I say as I sit back in my chair with my wine goblet. "You know as well as I how dwarves can get. You saw it at Bilbo's home."

He clears his throat nervously. "Yes, well, I am sure they won't try any of that here."

"They had better not, I tell you." I say as I take a sip from my goblet.

Just as I said that, the clanking of plates and bowls causes me to look up and I almost pale as I see Bofur standing on a pedestal and begins to sing.

"There is an inn, a merry old inn

beneath an old grey hill,

And there they brew a beer so brown

That the Man in the Moon himself came down

one night to drink his fill."

At about this point, I am horrified as the dwarves begin to throw their food around, even more so at seeing Thorin not doing anything to stop it. Seeming to encourage it as he's smiling and dancing a little on the spot. I put he head in my hands as I am powerless to stop it.

"The ostler has a tipsy cat

that plays a five-stringed fiddle;

And up and down he saws his bow

Now squeaking high, now purring low,

now sawing in the middle.

So the cat on the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,

a jig that would wake the dead:

He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,

While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:

'It's after three!' he said!"

The dwarves cheer when the song is over, continuing to throw food around. Kili throwing some bread, which thankfully for him, just misses my head and instead hits the statue next to Lindir.

"Sorry, Cal!" Kili says with a grin.

I just sigh, my head in my hand. "Are you all serious, right now?"

"Aww, come now, lass! We're just having a bit of fun!" Bofur says.

I stand at this point, being careful not to put weight on my bad leg. "Fun? The singing I do not mind, but it would have been nice to have given a warning to everyone here, and not interrupt those that are taking time out of their day to be here and play for us. But throwing all this food around? Food you have been graciously given, I might add. Doing what you did to Bilbo is one thing, but here?

"Lord Elrond did not have to invite us to stay. Did not have to feed and shelter us. We would still be out there at the mercy of the orcs, if Elrond and his troop had not come when they did, and this is how you thank them?" I turn my glare at Thorin this time, who giving me an unreadable stare. "As for you, as a King yourself, I would have thought you would have more manners than to not be disrespectful in another rulers home. Not only did you not stop what was happening, you encouraged it.

"I know you did not want to come here and you were practically forced to come here," I throw a glare to Gandalf at this point before turning back. "But, now that we are here, it would be decent of you to at least show some respect. If anyone behaved in a way you did not like in your own home, they would be thrown out. Lord Elrond has the right to do that to us right now, if he so chose. I suggest you all try to make amends to him by apologising for your actions, right now."

There's silence for a moment as everyone is still taking in what happened. However, Balin is the first one to stand, a look of shame on his face as he bows to Elrond.

"I deeply apologise for my actions, this evening, Lord Elrond."

Elrond gives a bow of his head. "Thank you, Master Balin."

I smile my thanks at Balin, patting his shoulder before turning to the others. I stop Bilbo as he moves to stand.

"It is okay, Bilbo. You have nothing to apologise for. I know you had nothing to do with this."

He nods as he sits back down. Turning my look to the other dwarves, I barely hear them mumbling an apology.

I scoff. "Is that the best you can do?"

Turning to Thorin, I stare him down, hoping he will hear me out and do the right thing; elves or not. He continues to look at me before he sighs, nods and walks over. Standing in front of our table, he bows at Elrond.

"I apologise for my actions, and those of my people tonight, Lord Elrond. I assure, it will not happen again."

Like with Balin, Elrond bows his head to Thorin. "Thank you, Thorin. The apology is greatly appreciated."

At seeing Thorin apologise, the other dwarves also do the same, begrudgingly I might add, but the apologised nonetheless, which Elrond accepted.

I smile. "Good. Now, I am assuming you have all finished eating? If you have, then you can clear up this mess."

The dwarves begin to complain, however, I hold up my hand. "You all made this mess, you will be the ones to clean it up. You would not like to clear up someone else's mess, so why should the elves here clean yours?"

The dwarves continue grumbling until Thorin steps in. "Do as she says."

That instantly gets them going as they begin cleaning up. I nod my thanks to Thorin before turning to Elrond.

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner tonight, My Lord. If you do not mind, I will retire early tonight."

He smiles. "Of course, Caladwen. Sleep well."

I smile and give a bow before I turn and leave without giving another look to the dwarves.

Well, Chapter 7 is done and dusted. Please leave me your reviews and stay tuned for the next chapter x

Translations;

Mellonnen – my friend

amralime – My love