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Chapter Ten: Talks and Cooking!
Amara's POV
I woke from my sleep and sat up in my bed, I looked out to the beautiful scenery as it showed that it was still early in the morning. I got out of bed and quickly dressed in a simple outfit: A white long sleeve dress with a corset belt and black slipper shoes. Then I did my hair up into a soft braided updo style before looking at my reflection in the vanity mirror, with one final spin I turned and left my room and began to walk through the hallways of Rivendell.
I made my way to the gardens, in the beautifully designed halls that seemed to be one with nature itself, until I ran into... Thorin.
"Thorin..." I stared at him in mild surprise as I had not expected him to seek me out so soon after our meeting with Aule and Yavanna, he stood before me in his normal regal coat and furs with Orcrist at his hip, staring at me intently before speaking.
"Can we talk privately?" He asked sternly but I could detect the hesitation in his voice, looking around and spotting an empty gazebo overlooking the cliffs I turned back to Thorin.
"Of course, follow me." I said as I then lead him through the hallways and to the gazebo I had seen, as we stood in the center of the gazebo, I lifted my hand and with a one swift wave of my hand I cast a spell. "Isolation Barrier!" With that, barrier walls filled the opening between each pillar, inclosing the two of us within and ensuring that we had privacy from the outside world.
I turned to Thorin as I then asked in a clear tone. "I assume this is all about last night's meeting with Aule and Yavanna?"
Thorin turned to me and from the expression on his face, it was evident that he was not expecting for me to actually know about his 'dream'. "So that wasn't a dream?" He asked in a hushed tone.
"No, that really happened." I said as I pulled out a table, chairs and a few items of light food and drinks. I motioned for Thorin to sit as I followed suit. "And everything they told you about me was true as well. I really am here to change things for you and your nephews." I told him as I offered him a beverage, he took up on a cup of tea which realy shocked me but then again I only knew of the big things about from the books and movies and not the little things as Tolkien and Peter Jackson didn't seemed to care about those. Not that I blamed them for that.
Thorin continued to look hesitant at me, I tried my best to not seem fazed by it even though his stare was sending cold chills down my spine and not in a bad way.
"What do you want to know?" I asked.
Thorin took a sip of his tea and the looked up at me, before asking in a stern tone of voice that one would use to calm pre-adolesent kids. "Those images of that world, that is where you are from?" He asked.
I sighed as I nodded. "Yes." Thorin then began asking many questions about my world, I tried to answer them as best as I could even though I was ignorant of a lot of things. When He asked questions that I couldn't answer on my own, I pulled out my IPad tablet and looked it up. Thorin was astounded by it and I then began teaching him how it worked in my world and that, thanks to Aule and Yavanna, I could still use it whenever I wanted to.
I showed Thorin all kinds of videos and articles from my world and explained them all to him, I even pointed out a few things from my world that I believed would benefit Erebor once it was reclaimed. Thorin was fascinated by the idea of cable-carts, fridge/ice boxes and other such things.
I then confessed to how I recieved my powers, where the idea of my powers came from and all the things I could do so far with them. "So you see, I didn't get my powers until after I was sent here to Middle-Earth. And that was only because the offered me three boons each." I explained, we sat in the gazebo continuing to talk.
Bilbo's POV
The morning was so relaxing as I knew the company and I were safe in the land of the elves, I remembered all of the stories that my mother told me about her own encounters with the elves back in her youth when she went on her own adventures. I was walking through the many areas of Rivendell, taking in the beautiful and peaceful sights.
At one point I came upon a statue alter with a broken sword laid upon it, but then the sight of the painting caught my attention before I then walked close to get a better look. It was a painting of a battle between a man holding a glowing but broken sword, just like the one on the alter, and a tall dark armoured being with for some reason seemed to send a cold chill down my spine as I examined the hand of the figure a bit further. Noticing the golden ring on his finger that he held in the air above him.
I soon turned away from the painting and continued on my exploration of Rivendell, walking over bridges while listening to the sound of the bird and in that moment I felt the most content and safe since leaving the Shire. Though I had Amara with me, I still missed my home in Bag-End. I missed my home. I remembered Amara telling me she would make sure I returned home safely, and I knew Amara well enough to know that she never makes a promise that she can't keep.
Soon anough I came across a balcony that overlooked a portion of the valley that I had not explored, and after a brief talk with Lord Elrond I looked out onto the valley I spotted Amara and Thorin sitting in a gazebo together. They seemed to be talking with one another happily, and not being one to disturb a conversation I made my way down to the training grounds where I ran into Fili and Kili sparring.
Amara's POV
Thorin and I parted ways around noon as I then made my way to the kitchens, where I was met on the way by Lindir carrying a tray with some tea and cookies.
He noticed me and bowed his head as he greeted me politely. "Lady Amara, good afternoon."
"Hi Lindir, what are you up to?" I greeted him back while looking at the tray.
"I'm just fetching some tea for Mithrandir and Lord Elrond, and you?" Lindir asked.
"I'm just on my way to cook up some lunch for the dwarves, if you could wait for a bit I could make something for both Gandalf and Lord Elrond too." I offered as I was planning on making some sweets to go with the dwarves lunch, Bilbo especially loves the sweets that I make over the last two years as did many of the other Shire-folks.
Lindir looked at me for a moment with a thoughtful look before responding. "I will ask if they are willing."
"I'll be in the kitchen, cooking up a storm." I said but then I saw Lindir make a confused expression when I said 'cooking up a storm', I guess that wasn't a known saying here in Rivendell or even in all of Middle-Earth. "That means - nevermind." I chuckled before Lindir then bowed his head and then made his way, I continued down the hallways until I came to the kitchen doors.
I knocked on the door before opening it and peeked in to see many elves. "Hello?" I said as a red-haired elf male, whom I was guessing was the head chef in the kitchen, stepped forward.
"Can we help you, my lady?" He asked.
"Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I borrow your kitchen? So I can cook something for the dwarves that they will like, and don't worry I'll clean up after I'm done. Promise." I explained to him, he looked at me in hesitation for a moment before turning to look over at the rest of the kitchen staff, who in turn look at him with calm demeanors before giving a shrug of their shoulders to indicate that they had no problem with my request.
I also knew that they were not fond of the dwarves because of the long feud between the two races was still running strong in most.
The red-haired elf then turned back to me and bowed his head. "I do not see any harm in it." He said in a calm manner.
"Thank you... uh..." I said but then realising that we had skipped the introductions to each other.
"I am Lúrëon, my lady. Head chef to the House of Lord Elrond." He introduced himeslf with a bow, I was right he was the head chef.
"Pleasure to make you aquintance, Lúrëon. I am Amara Harvelle." I said with a bow of my own before shooting the most charming smile I had at my disposal. "Thank you for allowing me to use your kitchen." I then turned to an empty counter by the window where I could enjoy the beautiful view while working, I then began to think of what I should feed so many hardy males.
'Let's see, both the dwarves and Bilbo have hardy appetite. So I think I'll make: Croquettes and maybe some hamberger steaks for the main course.' I thought as I pulled out an apron out of my item box and put it on. 'But what sweets should I make for dessert?' I began to think of the many types of sweets I learned to cook back home. Then the ideas for desserts came to me.
'I know! I'll make some Purin! (Japanese Custard Pudding) As well as some custard cream puffs and Chocolate Mousse.' I thought as I then summoned a fridge out from my item box and then opened it to revealled all kinds of ingredients waiting to be used. 'Ok, I'll start off with the sweets since they have to remain cold.' I began pulling out all the ingrediants for the sweets and then got to work, I could feel the intense gazes of the kitchen staff on my back but I continued to ignored them as I cooked.
Once I was done with the sweets, I cast a replication spell to multiply the number of them before storing the ones for Gandalf, Lord Elrond, Bilbo and the dwarves into the fridge. After which, I then pulled out all the ingredients for the main course. Once I had all the ingredients out and ready from prepping, I turned to see the kitchen staff looking curiously at the extra sweets that I had just made.
I looked up at the staff and smiled before motioning to the sweets. "If any of you are curious, help yourselves. There's plenty of extras." I said before turning back to the counter and began to cook the main meal, I listened to the kitchen staff take the sweets and began to talk amoung themselves on how delicious they were.
Several minutes later, as I was halfway through cooking, the sound of Lindir's voice reached my ears. I turned to see Lindir standing near the door, as our eyes met he then walked over to me. I smiled as I greeted him. "Hey Lindir, what did Lord Elrond say?"
"He and Mithrandir are interested in what you wish to offer."
"Just wait a few more minues and I'll have it ready for you to take to them." I said as I turned to the fridge and pulled out two of the three types of sweets before placing them on a tray, I placed a stasis spell on the food to keep it fresh.
"It's ready." I said as I held the tray to Lindir. "Take these to Lord Elrond and Gandalf, please Lindir." Lindir then took the tray from me and then asked.
"What are these dishes?"
"This one is called Purin." I explained as pointed to the Purin then to the cream puffs. "This one is called a custard cream puff." Then I pointed to the chocolate mousse. "And this final dish is called chocolate mousse."
Lindir then bowed his head before saying. "I will ensure my lord recieves these."
"Thanks." I smiled as I then returned to cooking, after a solid 45 minutes all the food was done and I then plated them all on serving trays before casting yet another replication spell then stored most of them and the fridge in my item box. 'All done! Now to go serve this all to the dwarves.' I thought as I then wiped the sweat off my brow and then turned to the staff and bowed my head.
"Thank you again for allowing me to use your kitchen. Please help yourselves to these." I said as I motioned to the remaining croquettes and hangerer steaks, I then snapped my fingers and every inch of my cooking area and all the utensils I used were cleaned and put in their rightful place before I took my leave of the kitchen.
I smiled as I heard the staff began to help themselves to the food, once I was out of earshot I made my way to the training area where I knew everyone was training. As I reached my destination, I saw Dwalin sparring with Thorin while all the others were watching both matches and placing bets.
I smiled as I then called out: "Hey fellas, it's time for lunch!" I then summoned up a long table and then the trays of croquettes and hamgerer steaks before placing them on the table, the dwarves then made their way to the table and sat down before helping themselves to the food. Mains and then later sweets.