*Author's note*

We've made a safe shelter in Rivendell (now I can't be the only person who wishes this place actually exists in real life, whether as a college or just a place to get away from the world). And here we find out a bit more about Hela's family traditions and holidays, especially Midsummer's Eve. Also a little song that some of you may know if you've seen the movie it's from.

I also wanna apologize for the delay in updating this story on here, I was trying to get this up on my tumblr first (plus my wifi was acting WACK that I could barely log on here for over a week) but now that I'm all caught up with the story, I can post up the chapters up here on Wattpad now so that all you readers on here can enjoy this story. 

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 For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I was able to wash myself up properly. Sure I've cleaned my face and arms but I haven't really kept up with cleaning my hair (always the one downside to going on these types of quests. Never really enough time to bathe yourself, especially being the only female in company).

But feeling the nice hot water against my skin, the smell of the bath oils, and the sensation of using the lavender scented shampoo to finally be rid of the grease smell that has been in my hair for the past few weeks since leaving Bag-End. A knock was heard at the door and I called out.

"Enter." Soon Arwen's handmaiden Nessa came in. She had beautiful long black hair that fell like gentle waves along the shoreline, deep blue eyes that were bluer than the ocean, and skin so pale it was like she was kissed by the moon.

"Pardon the intrusion my lady Hela, Lord Elrond extends his hand to yours inviting you to dinner along with the rest of your—company." She hesitated at the last statement.

"They can be rambunctious but they are loyal and have been kind to me. Thank you Nessa. Just leave my dress and tell Lord Elrond I accept his invitation." She bowed her head and placed the dress on the island vanity just across from the sinks. Just before she left I asked her. "Nessa," she turned to look at me. "Your lady Arwen wouldn't happen to be here, would she? Or perhaps her brothers?"

"I am afraid not. Lady Arwen and her brothers traveled to Lothlorien last month." Rats. Just when I thought I could have some female company whilst staying here. Not that I don't appreciate the She-elves here but they treat me just like they do Arwen and her family, like royals. All I wish to find here in Rivendell is friendship, not have any of the Elven servants treat me like royalty.

I bid her good afternoon after that and she gave me one last bow of her head before leaving the bathing room. Lothlorien huh? Hope she's doing okay, as well as her brothers and—Haldir. My thoughts went to the Marchwarden of the Golden Wood before I snapped myself out of my thoughts.

I rinsed out my hair before finally deciding to get out. I got out of the bath and walked over to grab one of the towels and dried myself off before getting one of mine, well I should say one of Arwen's, old dresses and put it on.

It was an emerald green dress with long sleeves and within the sleeves the color was silver, as was the open strip that came right down the middle of the dress. And white stitched rope-like patterns that came around the neckline, sleeves, around the hip and down on either side of the open strip where the silver material was visible.

Whenever I came to Rivendell, I also wore any shade of green because Elves were connected to Nature just like my sister Cersei. And wearing her colors with the very creatures who had the same connection as her with the earth around them, it made me feel more at home.

I sat before one of the grand long mirrors and brushed my hair with a silver brush. My hair now looked more tamed and proper like an Elf's rather than wild and unkept like some kind of animal. Not that I prided myself in my looks, I just never wish to look unkept before Lord Elrond and his people. They've done so much for me, the least I can always do is make myself presentable.

Once I was all cleaned up, I left the bathing hall and joined the others at the dining balcony. When I got there, I could already see some of the dwarves already sitting at the guest tables while the others (I'm assuming) are putting their stuff away in the nearest open wing they can find to settle in Rivendell.

"Durin's beard Hela, you are more fairer than all the jewels beneath the rock." Bofur said. I smiled at the dwarf and cupped the side of his face.

"Thank you Bofur. Your kind words always spark a light in my soul. I sure do wish there were more people like you in the world."

"Just trying to keep the spirits up lass. Even in the face of danger and death we all need some optimism in our lives." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Indeed." I agreed.

"I think we must've died and gone to Mahal's Hall because there is a heavenly being in our midst, don't you think so Kili?" I grinned at the voice that was just coming in.

"It would seem so indeed Fili. I never knew that such a radiant beauty could walk amongst us common folk." Kili teased with a wink at me and a wide smile came across his face.

"I bet you two rascals say that to all the female dwarves back home."

"Nay, not at all. What we say is honest and true Hela." Fili told me. I walked over to them and lightly bopped the young prince's on their noses as I told them.

"Well thank you for your kind words my fine gentlemen."

"So will you be sitting with us for dinner?" Kili asked.

"Lady Hela, my Lord Elrond has asked you to sit with him along with Mithrandir and Thorin Oakenshield." Lindir came in and said. I turned towards Lindir then turned back towards Fili and Kili to see them giving Lindir a glare. I touched their shoulders giving them a comforting squeeze.

"Of course Lindir." He then extended his arm out guiding me towards the family dinner table carved in stone and marble. I sat down right in front of the harp players as more of the dwarves came in right as the food was being brought out. However the dwarves were very much confused, angry or curious as to what it was they were being presented with.

"Try it, just a mouthful." Dori lectured his little brother Ori.

"I don't like green food." Ori whined as he held the piece of lettuce.

"Have you ever tried it?" I asked the young dwarf scholar. Ori turned to me and he muttered.

"No."

"Then how do you know you don't like it if you've never tried it?" I raised my brow at him.

"But it smells funny." Ori whined softly.

"Where's the meat?" Dwalin demanded softly after digging through his salad. I rolled my eyes at the dwarves. There is more than just meat to eat.

"Kind of you to invite us, I'm....not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf said as he, Thorin, and Lord Elrond came walking into the dining balcony.

"You never are." Teased Elrond as they walked up towards our table. Gandalf sat to my left while Thorin was to my right, and right across from me was Lord Elrond himself. The elvish dining band playing on their flutes, harps, and lutes made the atmosphere calm compared to eating out in the wild in silence or hearing the potential threats of orcs, goblins or any other foul creature.

"Gandalf has told me that you found some Elvish weapons during your journey, may I be permitted to see them?" Elrond said to us. Thorin and Gandalf presented their swords to the elf Lord, but it wasn't until I pulled out Aeglos that Elrond's eyes widened in familiarity. "Hela....."

"Yes Lord Elrond. You of all people would recognize this weapon more than anyone in the world." I held it out to one of the Elven escorts who then handed it to Lindir who passed it onto Lord Elrond.

"Aeglos. The spear of Gil-Galad. The spear that cut the heads of orcs in a blade of ice. Used throughout the first and second age. This very spear once wounded the Dark Lord himself."

"I believe you will find a sacred place to display this spear in honor of Gil-Galad." He stroked the wooden frame of the spear with such delicacy and care, but he turned to me with a soft smile.

"I believe I have. But it shall not be on a display." He handed the spear back to Lindir and nodded to him. Lindir then came back over to me and presented me with Aeglos. My heart stopped as my eyes widened and I turned to Lord Elrond.

"No. No I-I-I-I couldn't. I mustn't really. Gil-Galad was a true warrior, a King! And your dearest friend, I am not worthy to keep such a weapon. If anyone it would have to be Thena she—"

"Hela." He softly interrupted me. I ceased my rambling and he continued, "Gil-Galad was my most trusted friend that is true. I would not be the ruler I am today if not for his guidance and teachings. But he would not want his most prized weapon to be retired on a shelf collecting dust. He would want a warrior worthy of the skill to wield Aeglos. And while your sister Thena and Gil-Galad had a fondness for each other, both of them sadly perished that day. So he would trust it to her next of kin. You."

I turned to Lindir who still presented me with Aeglos. I slowly reached up and took it back in my hands. I turned to the Elven Lord and bowed my head in respect.

"Thank you, Lord Elrond. I promise to be a warrior worthy of this spear."

"You already have." He said with a soft smile. I smiled back at him and told one of the handmaidens to take Aeglos back to my room, while Elrond observed Thorin's newly found sword. "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 handed Thorin back Orcrist and gave a slight nod in gratitude for his blessing. Elrond then took Gandalf's sword and said as he lifted the sword slightly out of its sheath before saying, "And this is Glamdring. The Foehammer. Sword of the King of Gondolin." He put it back into its sheath as he explained to them how their swords were used during the Goblin wars of the First Age. "How did you come by these?" he asked.

"We found them in a troll-hoard on the Great East Road. Shortly before we were ambushed by orcs." Gandalf explained.

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Elrond asked Gandalf suspiciously.

"Excuse me." Thorin said before he got up and left the table to stand by his company. I took a sip of my wine before cutting my salad and tomatoes and took a bite.

"13 dwarves and a Halfling. Strange traveling companions Gandalf and Hela." I hummed as I held my finger up to swallow my food before I spoke. I dabbed my lips with a napkin and said to the Elven Lord.

"I had no idea about the dwarvish company. The Halfling I spent a good full day with after someone practically left me stranded there." I eyed at Gandalf. "But I don't regret it. In our travels I've grown—very fond of them. I only wish I gave dwarves a chance before, same with my brothers and sisters. Especially Ikaris, I could have easily changed his mind."

"Perhaps, but you do remember how stubborn your older brother was."

"Come to think of it. He's got the dwarves stubbornness." I laughed while Gandalf and Elrond softly chuckled.

"My Lord Elrond, 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." That they did, however I heard Nori snap at the she-elf playing the harp.

"Change the tune, why don't you? I feel like I'm at a funeral!" he complained as he rubbed his ear of the soft music.

"Did somebody die?" Oin asked worriedly.

"Alright lads, there's only one thing for it." Bofur said as he got up and stood on top of a lone wooden stool that stood in the middle of the balcony. It was then Bofur began to sing, he dragged out the first line in a vibrato which caused the elves to stop playing.

Then he picked up the song to which the dwarves all knew and they began to sing along with Bofur. Thorin was even mouthing the words and stomping lightly to the beat while the rest of the dwarves played on the tables and began tossing food about by the second verse.

*Bofur*

There's an....Inn.

There is an inn, there's a merry old inn

*Bofur and the dwarves*

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.

A roll was soon thrown between Elrond and Gandalf. While Gandalf sat there trying to play off the dwarves 'immature behavior' I couldn't help but bury my face into my hands embarrassed as I shook my head.

Oh Gods above you lot, it was one thing doing this at Bilbo's home but you stand before Lord Elrond and his people. Elves don't take kind to this kind of behavior at dinner. But they didn't seem to care, they continued throwing food at Bofur while he mimed out playing a fiddle and sung a high note before going into a deep bass note. The elves around us looking around puzzled or judgingly down at the dwarves childish behavior.

Oh

The ostler has a tipsy cat

that played a five-stringed fiddle;

And up and down he saws his bow,

Now squeaking high!

Now purring low......

Bofur did a little dance on top of his stool as another roll was thrown between Elrond and Gandalf, even I got a couple of biscuits thrown at me by Fili and Kili.

Now sawing in the middle.

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

a drink 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.

By the end of the song, the dwarves all cheered and laughed at Bofur's performance as he gave a great big bow from his stool. The dwarves now really making the place a mess with food now laying around the floor. I even saw Kili throw a piece of cake right at a beautiful Elven statue that stood right between Lindir and Lord Elrond (to be honest I think he was aiming for Lindir).

I turned to Lindir and mouthed to him.

'I am so sorry.' His slightly disgusted face turned to slight understanding as he nodded to me. I was just about to cease their behavior with Druig's power but Gandalf stopped me and shook his head.

After dinner I separated myself from the rest of the company to head towards the gardens. I needed this peace to myself, especially since I knew what today was. For we Celestials are aware of the seasons around us and know of the holidays and festivals celebrated all around Middle Earth, and today was Midsummer's Eve.

Every Midsummer's Eve, we Celestials would have a week long feast with each branch of the Celestial family bringing something to the table for all to eat and drink. And each night each Celestial would perform a special song or dance for the other Celestials to take part in.

The few things I remember from way back when was my little sister Sprite on her first Midsummer's Eve feast, she displayed a beautiful love story of Lúthien and Beren using her illusionary magic. Then there was also a night when Cersei made all the flowers and plants come to life and sang a beautiful song about themselves. And of course I could never forget Ikaris and the other Celestials of Light and their glorious light display show.

I can still remember seeing the lights dancing across the sky, almost even making the stars dance themselves. I took a deep breath as I looked up at the stars, picturing them dancing like they did that day as a lump came in my throat. I swallowed it with a hard gulp before I exhaled deeply and solemnly began to sing.

Many nights we've prayed

With no proof anyone could hear

In our hearts a hopeful song

We barely understood

Now we are not afraid

Although we know there's much to fear

We were moving mountains long before we knew we could

There can be miracles when you believe

Though hope is frail

It's hard to kill

Who knows what miracle you can achieve

When you believe somehow you will

You will when you believe

This song was of my own composition, a song that I came up with during the War of the Last Alliance. Our numbers were greatly deflating, Sauron's forces overpowering all of us with not only orcs and goblins but also Easterlings and Men who had already been corrupted. There was hardly any hope left, until I felt this song within me and I just began to sing it.

My sisters Sprite, Cersei and Thena would then join in at the song followed by the rest of my brothers and sisters. Soon enough Men, Elves and Dwarves all came together for that one night before the final day of the battle. And so when all hope was lost in battle, I would give this song to help give the people around me hope (including myself whenever I was swallowed too much by my grief). However just before I was about to sing the next part, a voice rang out.

"Is that a Celestial song?" I jumped and I turned to see that it was Bilbo. He jumped back startled but raised his hands up in surrender.

"Oh Bilbo, you startled me."

"I'm sorry Hela. I did not mean to startle you, I was just walking around to see more of this beautiful place when I came across your voice. Forgive me, I did not mean to eavesdrop."

"There's nothing to forgive young Hobbit. It just proves Gandalf was right about you being light on your feet. How much did you hear?"

"When you first started singing." He replied shyly, rubbing the back of his neck and his nose doing that little rolling twitch. I smiled and extended my hand to him. He came over to me and we crossed the bridge to a grand gazebo. We sat down on the silver bed and I told him.

"It's a song of my own composition. A song to sing to ease the hearts in despair and to give people hope."

"It's beautiful." He complimented with a soft smile. I brushed a strand of his curly hair aside from his forehead and thanked him. "I assume you must sing it a lot, for your family." My smile dropped and a slight surprised expression came across my face. He looked up at me and his face morphed into sudden worry that he had offended me. But I offered a smile and a soft chuckle.

"An observant hobbit. Seems you halflings are indeed full of surprises." A slight smile came across Bilbo's face as he relaxed. "I do sing this song quite a lot. Especially around Midsummer's Eve. Oh Bilbo just imagine; Lights dancing across the night sky you'd think you were seeing stars fall from the Heavens, fireworks booming in rainbows of colors, but instead of ordinary fireworks, they tell stories."

"Much like Gandalf's fireworks." He stated.

"Where do you think he got the idea?" I softly smirked at him. His jaw slightly dropped as he stared at me in awe. "A grand feast to feed all of Middle Earth itself, and music so beautiful and so heavenly, you'd think it was unworldly."

"That sounds—like a paradise."

"It was. And I'd give anything to see those days again. Yet I know I never will, for there can never be a Celestial Midsummer's Eve festival with just one Celestial. They only exist now only in my memory." I saw Bilbo's face turn sympathetic so I told him. "But there'll be plenty of more time to tell my sorrow-filled tale later. Get some sleep Bilbo, Rivendell is well protected by ancient magic, no orc would be brave enough to cross these borders."

"Goodnight Hela."

"Goodnight Bilbo, sweet dreams." I gave him a kiss to his forehead. Seeing him go red under the light of the crescent moon and he bid me goodnight again before skedaddling off. I giggled softly and looked back up at the stars and remained there for the rest of the night.