Previously

"I need to tell Thorin" Kili says going to stand, I grab his hand which is covered in my blood "Kili, I'm fine" I mumble out, I was feeling drowsy, I began to pull myself up with the help of the rocky wall behind me, I take a step forward slightly swaying

"Risa, are you okay" Kili asked grabbing my arm, "I'm perfectly fine" I mumble out before I fell forward onto Kili, my vision going black

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Kili
Catching Risa before she falls completely on the ground, I could feel the blood stick onto my hands. "I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin's voice broke the silence, as he emerged from an opening in the cave "Follow it, of course" Was Bofur's hurried reply as everyone began rushing to the opening

Scooping up Risa into bridal-style, carefully not moving her too much in case the wound opened up, "Kili, is something wrong with Risa" I looked up at the wizard in front of me staring down at Risa

"She was injured, by a Warg" I answer moving around to show Gandalf the wounds, he furrowed his eyebrows and began to assess the wounds "She needs those wounds medically attended to" He said in a low voice "We must hurry now" He said ushering me along

We began to follow the path, it was quite narrow and it wasn't helping with maneuvering Risa around through the small place. After a few minutes of the Company making our way through the crack the pathway came to an end, opening out into an open area; looking down there is a valley below us

"The Valley of Imraldis, in the common tongue, it's known by another name." Gandalf said from behind us, I continued to gaze out at this place it was amazing "Rivendell" Bilbo stated from behind me, of course and elvish place. Why had Gandalf led us here? Gazing down at Risa her face was beginning to grow paler

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf continued, I turn and walk over to him, we need to get Risa medical attention

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin's bitter voice to the elves, spoke to Gandalf "You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself."

"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin continued, I stood behind Thorin, Gandalf nodded towards me

"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. And Risa needs medical attention and fast. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm" Gandalf spoke back to Thorin, motioning to Risa in my arms

"Which is why you will leave the talking to me." Gandalf replied, walking away. Thorin spun around and faced me before looking down at Risa "How bad is it?" He asked, worry seeping into his voice, as he scanned Risa

"Pretty bad, Uncle she's fainted from blood loss we need to hurry" I spoke with urgency, he nodded his gaze still on Risa, "Here" I say softly to my Uncle, moving her into his arms. He instantly moved so she was comfortable, but also weary of her wound, he smiled down at her before yelling at the company to move quickly

۞۞۞۞۞

Thorin
Walking across the bridge into Rivendell, I clutch Risa closer to me as we neared the middle of the platform.

"Mithrandir" A dark-haired elf says, walking down the flight of stairs in front of us. "Ah, Lindir!" Gandalf says in a happy tone walking close to this Lindir, of course he knows this elf

"Stay sharp" I murmur to Dwalin, clutching Risa a bit tighter glancing down at her she was pale too pale, the elf Lindir spoke his foreign language of the elves, "I must speak with Lord Elrond." Came Gandalf's reply

"My lord Elrond is not here." Lindir replied, "Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked, confused

That's when an elvish horn blows, the same one from before. The company turns at the sound, the sound of hoof's reached our ears. A group of elves mounted on steeds came galloping along the bridge

"Ifridî bekâr!" I shout, "Close ranks" I continued, Dwalin moved me closer to the center, clutching Risa, I glance down to check on Risa she was still out, the sound of hooves became louder as they rode into the area

We were bunched up in a tight circle, weapons draw outwards, the elves began to ride circles around us, I glare at the elves, it was disorientating at how many of them there were

Eventually they stop, "Gandalf." One says to the wizard, Gandalf bows towards him. Who is this man that Gandalf would bow to? Someone one of importance maybe, maybe he can help Risa

"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" Gandalf says with a smile, bowing again "Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui" Elrond replies in elvish, I glare what are they talking about?

Elrond dismounts from his horse, then he and Gandalf hug. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders." Elrond says moving forward to the other elf Lindir handing him a filthy orc sword "Something, or someone, has drawn them near" Elrond finishes looking at Gandalf

"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf replies looking at us, I step forward with Dwalin following, I clutch Risa close

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond says with a smile, how does this elf know my name? "I do not believe we have met." I say

"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain." Was his answer, did he? My grandfather never talked of this elf "Indeed; He made no mention of you." I growl out

Elrond turns to us and begins to speak in Elvish. "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin" I glare, what is he saying to us

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin shouts, his voice growing dark, everyone around me starts to grow angry

Gandalf speaks exasperatedly "No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." I hear the dwarves around me talk, but I pay no heed my attention was on Risa she had become whiter than before

"Ah well, in that case, lead on." Came Gloin's reply, Elrond nodded and Gandalf led them away before turning to myself, "I see you have an injured one among your company, my healers will take care of her" I nodded roughly, I didn't want Risa out of my sights but if she was going to become well then I must let her go to the healers.

Two elves came and bowed their heads towards me before scooping Risa out of my arms and taking her away, I watch until they have disappeared from sight, "If you will follow me, Thorin, son of Thrain" Elrond's voice spoke

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Risa
I awoke to find myself laying in a bed, I scramble kicking off the sheets only to be grabbed and pushed back down "You need to stay still, or you may break the skin again" I soft voice spoke, I glanced up and saw an elf staring down at me, I glare at her

"What am I doing here?" I snarl, she doesn't look fazed by my hostility "Your company arrived here, you were injured with deep claw marks across your stomach, you had lost a lot of blood. But we were able to heal your wounds" She said with a small smile, I nodded taking this all in

"Where is my company now?" I ask, less hostile this time "They are at dinner at the moment" She spoke letting go off my arm, I nod and slowly lift myself up, looking down I noticed my shirt was missing,

"Your shirt has been cleaned and re-stitched" The elf murmured handing back my shirt that was in her hands, I nod in thank you before sliding it over myself and my bandages

I lift myself from the bed and slowly walk over to the chair where my weapons, coat and bag were, I put everything on before turning to the elf that was still there. "You wouldn't happen to know where dining hall would be?" I ask scratching the back of my neck, she smiled before nodding

۞۞

I walked in and the first thing I see are the dwarves all sitting around two different tables picking at their food, I leant against a pillar to the side "Risa!" I heard Kili shout, I look up to see him walking towards me with a large grin. I smile back at him before being scooped up in hug, before he places me back onto the ground

"Risa" I voice says from behind me, I turn around to see Thorin standing there with a his eyes narrowed; he walks over slowly, "Hey" I mumble

"Why didn't you say" He murmured, I sighed and began to play with my hands "Because you were busy looking after the company"

He sighed and placed a hand on my face, subconsciously I leant into his hand "Your apart of this company, not only that but you are most important to me" He whispered, his fingers playing with my hair

I look up at him and smile, "If I get hurt next time, I will tell you" I whisper, placing my own hand upon his cheek, as I did before he leans into my touch "I have missed you amrâlimê*" My heart fluttered at the old name

"As have I amrâlimê" I whisper, he smiles at me, he tilted his head and began to move down but Bofur's loud voice ruined the moment

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.

During the song, everyone was laughing cheerfully, while the elves looked on in disgust. I rolled my eyes at them, I ducked when a bread roll hit the pillar above Thorin and I, I looked around Thorin to see Kili laughing, I smile and pick up the bread roll on the floor and threw it at his head, to which it hit its target

I let out a chuckle, wincing at the strain in my stomach. "Are you alright" Thorin's worried voice asked, I nodded "It just hurts to laugh" I say with a smile looking back up at his beautiful blue eyes

۞۞

It is night; Gandalf, Elrond, Thorin, Balin, myself and Mr Baggins are all standing in a hall of Rivendell "Our business is no concern of elves." Thorin spat out the word elves from beside me, I sighed we had been at this for around an hour

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map" I say, I was tired and my stomach was beginning to strain, Thorin looked at me with bewilderment "It is the legacy of our people; It is mine to protect, as are its secrets" He grumbled out

"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 Middle­earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond." Gandalf ordered Throin

Thorin thinks quietly for a few seconds, with everyone looking at him. He begins to hand the map to Elrond, and Balin tries to stop him. "Thorin, no!" He says as he grabs his arm, Thorin easily brushes his hand off before, handing Elrond the map.

Elrond unfolds the map and scans it "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Elrond says with wide eyes at Throin

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text." Gandalf says, looking at Thorin. I smile I knew he wouldn't just give our quest away just like that "You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf continues follow Elrond as he walks away little bit, still looking at the map. He suddenly stopped and tilted it towards the moonlight

"Cirth Ithil." Elrond murmurs "Moon runes, of course, an easy thing to miss." Gandalf states, looking back at Mr Baggins, trying to make it seem like it was an easy mistake to make

"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." Elrond says folding up the map and turns back to us "Can you read them?" Thorin asks

"Follow me" He says, turning leading us all to an open area outside, it was on the side of a cliff. Waterfalls surrounded the area making it seem like a curtain, I glance up at the sky to see the moon hidden behind some clouds, we all stop around 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." Elrond says placing the map on the table

I look back up at the clouds to see them moving away and revealing the moon, the moonlight hits the table causing to shine a bright white; I peer over Thorin's shoulder to see the runes glowing a bright blue

"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." Elrond translates "Durin's Day?" Mr Baggins' questions

"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." Gandalf replies to the confused hobbit "This is ill news, summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin spoke gravely; I placed my hand on his shoulder in comfort

"We still have time." Balin says walking forward "Time? For what" Mr Baggins questioned clearly confused on what he was on about

"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." Balin says I nod my head; this could work "So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain." Elrond finally realizes what our quest is

I groan I do hope he was not going to stop us "What of it?" Thorin growls out to Elrond, turning to face the Elvin man "There are some who would not deem it wise" Elrond says, holding the map out to Thorin, Thorin grabs the map back gruffly and shoving it back into his coat

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf asked, actually confused for once "You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth" Lord Elrond reply's before he walked away, leaving Gandalf to think

۞۞

I began to pack up my bag along with more bandages in case the ones on me become too bloodied or tear. "We head out now" Thorin whispered ordered us, we all nodded and head out, back onto our quest

I feel a hand grab my elbow, I stop and look back "Are you sure, you are healed enough" Thorin asked, concern was clear in his eyes. "I am positive, Thorin" I whisper, placing a hand on his

We made our way out of Rivendell and up the rocky side path, "Be on your guard; we're about to step over the edge of the Wild, Balin you know these paths; lead on" Thorin's voice broke the silence, "Aye" Balin replied moving around Thorin to lead the Company

I look up to see Thorin had stopped and was staring at someone, following his gaze I see Mr Baggins staring back at Rivendell "Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up" Said staring at the Halfling, I rolled my eyes at his tone

Mr Baggins signed before continuing to walk, I stop and wait for the Halfling "It's beautiful, isn't it" I whisper to the hobbit, he look up at me with wide eyes before nodding, we then continued on our way to the Misty Mountains

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Translation
Ifridî bekâr!: 'Ready weapons!'

Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?: 'My friend! Where have you been?'

Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui: We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Last Bridge. Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.'

Amrâlimê: My love