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10 - DIN'AN

CHAPTER 10 | DIN'AN

IT was true that Ygritte could talk for quite some time if the topic be of something she enjoyed with all her heart. So, needless to say, the adventurous young woman had spoken with Elrond about every single one of her adventures since her last visit to Rivendell. Elrond could care less about whether or not they spoke past supper╶ being in her presence always reminded him of the Lady Melisandre, whose remains lay at rest in her favorite garden in the Elven city. He finds himself visiting her intricately carved statue nearly every evening. She had always been more than just a dear friend to him.

Ygritte talked for so long that she hadn't even realize Elrond needed to be elsewhere until he regretfully announced his departure. He wished with all of his heart that he could proceed with hearing more of her adventures, but the thought of Aninth and Ryvniss and how their health is had popped into his mind once or twice.

She didn't mind of course, considering she was just as concerned for Aninth and her Dragon companion as he was. So with a warm smile, she left to travel the familiar halls of what will always be her home.

Ygritte visited her old room, where she went through her wardrobe to look at her mother's dresses. Despite her desire to wear trousers and a tunic, she hadn't the heart to give them away and had kept them for herself. She had lifted a sleeve to her nostrils and inhaled, a sweet smile curving her lips upwards when the flora of the Elven lands invaded her senses.

Afterwards, a kind Elven women had knocked thrice before entering her bed chambers to announce that supper was being laid out for her and the Company. She offered the woman╶ whom she recognized as Nala╶ a polite smile before gathering up both her swords from her bed and securing them to her waist.

Before she left, Ygritte took a moment to take in her room, for she was unsure how long they would be staying now that they have arrived. She looked to the walls, where three portraits had been hung and painted by her mothers hands a long time ago, when Ygritte didn't even have a name and was merely just a babe growing in her mother's womb. Then she looked to the wardrobe and, lastly, the balcony that overlooked a beautiful garden. Ygritte had spent many nights staring up at the stars and thinking of her mother.

When Nala had cleared her throat to gain her attention, Ygritte seemed to remember that she was standing right beside her. She had to reassure the Elf that she was alright before departing to the dining area. Nala had offered to escort her, but thought silly of herself afterwards╶ she knew that Ygritte remebered her way around Rivendell just as one knows their body.

When Ygritte arrived at the dining area, she found that two tables had been set up for them. The one that was clearly meant for the Dwarves, was small and had tiny stools around it, while as the one for herself was a regular size and would seat nearly a dozen people. Since no one else was present, Ygritte took it upon herself to pick whatever seat she wanted. So she chose to sit near the chair Lord Elrond always sat, for she had missed him dearly.

Perhaps during supper I may continue where we left off, she ethusiastically thought with a smile adorning her face. She then settled herself at the table and hung her swords up on the back of her chair.

It wasn't much time later when she heard the scuffle of boots against the pristine floors. Turning slightly, she found the Company╶ excluding her father and Aninth╶ were being escorted by an Elven handmaiden whom she did not recognize. She caught the gaze of Kili Durin for a short moment; the young Dwarf winked his eye before sitting down next to his brother at the smaller table. Ygritte smiled to herself and turned back to face ahead.

When an Elf maiden began to play a harmonizing tune in the background, plates with leafy green foods that consisted of Elven vegetables then began to get placed in front of each plate setting. Ygritte thanked the hand that blessed her with the healthy food before taking her fork and inhaling a small bit of the delicious greens.

"Try it. Just a mouthful," Dori insisted to Ori, who was utterly disgusted by the food they had been served.

"I don't like green food," Ori scowled.

Dwalin dug his large, dirty hand into a bowl of greens at the center of their table, causing Ygritte's nose to crinkle up in disgust. She wasn't quite sure when the last time he had washed his hands was, but she did know one thing for certain: She wouldn't be eating from that bowl.

"Where's the meat?" asked Dwalin.

Ygritte chuckled when Oin stabbed a vegetable with his knife to peer closer at it. His curious expression turned to one of disgust in seconds when he leaned forward to sniff it. "Have they got any chips?" The young Dwarf asked afterwards, causing her to chuckle some more, this time a bit louder to where they could hear her.

"Aye, and what is so funny over there, Lady Ygritte?" Fili piped up, glancing her way. Kili sat beside him, staring at her with a hint of a smile on his face.

Ygritte bit her lip to contain more laughter. "Just Ygritte," she corrected him. "And food is food, is it not? I can assure you that it's quite a satisfying meal. I grew up eating such suppers."

"No wonder you're so thin," muttered another.

Not long after, did more footsteps begin to approach the room. Again, Ygritte turned and this time she found Lord Elrond escorting her father, Thorin and Aninth, who, as per usual, had Ryvniss positioned on his shoulder. There was something different with Aninth, she noticed. Her hair had been gone in a beautiful fashion that included braided. It was a style Ygritte never would have a woman like Aninth would choose.

On another note, they both look well, Ygritte noted, smiling towards the group as they walked towards the table. They took their seats, with Gandalf sitting to Ygritte's left and Aninth on her right. Lord Elrond claimed his usual seat across from Ygritte at the table, while as Thorin sat to Aninth's right.

Before Ygritte could question Aninth on both her and Ryvniss' health, her father prompted, not so subtly, "Why don't you show Lord Elrond the weapons we found."

Ygritte smiled, Aninth chuckled in excitement and Thorin merely nodded his head as they each grabbed for their blades. Since Thorin was closest to Elrond, he handed his sword over first.

Elrond inspected it carefully, pulling the blade from its sheath. "This is Orcrist, the Goblin-Cleaver," Elrond explained, "a famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." He handed the sword back to Thorin who╶ to Ygritte's surprise╶ gave an appreciative nod.

Aninth handed hers over next. Elrond took it carefully over the table and pulled the blade from the sheath a small bit. "This is Dúathta, Shadow-Strike. It was wielded by an Elvish queen who was known to go unseen. It was also forged by the High Elves of the West. May it serve you well," he told her and passed back the sword. As Aninth took it, Ygritte couldn't help but think how the blade and its name perfectly suited the Dragon woman.

Ygritte was next. She handed over the small dagger that her father equipped her with outside of the Troll's cave. She watched Lord Elrond's eyes roam over the blade and after a moment, there was a flicker of realization across his face. He knew this blade well, it seemed.

"This is Din'an, Death. This sword belonged to a brave Elf who always fought valiantly. He killed many of his enemies with this sword before his own life was taken," Elrond explained, causing her to nod. She stared at the blade with admiration and vowed to be just as valiant as its former wielder.

Ygritte took the dagger back and hung it on the back of her chair with her sword of a much larger size.

"And that was your mother's," Elrond realized, catching sight of the sword that hung on the back of her chair.

"Yes, it was," Ygritte confirmed, nodding her head. Her muscles had tensed up when she could feel Aninth and a few Dwarves look to her.

"Your mother was an exceptional woman and I was honoured to have crafted that blade for her," Elrond explained, "I hope that it is serving you well."

At the mention of her mother, Ygritte found herself wanting to cry. When speaking of her in private, she always managed to keep herself well put together. But in public, with prying eyes staring at her face, her facade would crumble and the tears would rise.

She pushed the sting in her eyes away and remained strong in the moments that followed, refusing to break down infront of the Company. Some already doubted her strength because she was a woman╶ she wasn't going to allow them to completely lose faith in her strength by succumbing to something like tears.

With one glance to his daughter, Gandalf knew Melisandre had been mentioned at a time Ygritte did not appreciate. His dear wife has always been a sore subject. He made sure to only mention her around Ygritte when the time was right so as not upset her.

When several eyes began to stare at Ygritte with a thousand questions lodged in their throat, Gandalf decided to hand his sword over to Elrond. Ygritte sent him a grateful look, to which he nodded in response.

"And this is Glamdring," Elrond said, inspecting the blade, "the Foehammer. Sword of the King of Gondolin. These were made for the Goblin Wars of the First Age." Elrond turned the blade over in his hands before handing it back to the Wizard seated diagonal from him. "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," Gandalf explained, earning him a warning glare from Thorin. Ygritte had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the Dwarf, as it would simply be unpleasant table manor. She may have desires to dress in mans clothing, but her mother still taught her manners, which is something Thorin's mother appeared to brush off during his youth.

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Elrond inquired, his tone that of curiosity.

Gandalf floundered for a moment, trying to come up with an explanation that didn't give away the whole truth. He was saved from having to answer by Thorin pushing himself out of his seat. "Excuse me," he told them and left with his sword in hand.

Ygritte watched him go for a moment before shaking her head and turning back around. Before conversation could be picked up, Aninth's chair skidded across the floor. "Excuse me," she said, grabbing her sword and hurrying after Thorin, suprising many of them.

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