11 | More Than 10k Steps

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Location: Imladris, Middle Earth

Time: June 2941 T.A

When night arrived, Illyria knew that the White Council was commencing. She did all her best to stay far from the creepy eyes of Saruman, keeping herself occupied as she prepared her pack which Miriel mended and headed down to Nala to prepare her for the journey soon.

(Which wasn't hard; she just needed to stray as far from the really large anomaly that began walking about in the valley. His very guarded mind that had too many layers almost made her shudder. She didn't want to know what he has hidden in his head, whether it was graphic or just weird.)

Miriel had to the best elleth on Middle Earth, providing her most of her womanly belongings as well as bringing her new travel clothes which fitted her. She tried to thank the elven woman as much as she could, crafting her a little star chart of the sky back on Earth as a gift. (She thought that Miriel seemed like an elf who would respect Zodiac signs and all, well according with all the girls she's seen when scrolling for six hours through her TikTok For you page.) [1]

Note: do not tell anyone that she spent six hours in that app.

Not that she didn't know who else spent their entire time there. Darcy once spent four hours educating her and Uncle Wong about the whole world of Vine – endless compilations videos until Uncle Wong finally cracked up a laugh. [2]

To her shock, the elven woman almost burst into tears.

From happiness? She wasn't sure.

Reason why it was happiness, perhaps relief that she was finally gone? Possible.

Though by how word began to flow around that Elemmírë of Gondolin had returned from the dead began to go around the house, it might because Miriel was happy to be gifted by her. Illyria was sure. Elves were still mysterious to her, no matter if she was one before.

You know what the opposite of elves was: the dwarves.

If she described the Company with one word, it was not subtle. Hah, subtle her arse.

They were literally making a racket with their packs as they snuck from where they camped and towards the side exit of the house. The elves had to be either fast asleep with earplugs in their ears or really cannot be asked to tell anyone that they were sneaking out in the night.

"You're not coming?" Bilbo asked, dismay beginning to form in his eyes.

Illyria sadly shook her and revealed to him. "No, I'll be going with Gandalf after the meeting." She pointed at the sword strapped on his belt, "I trust that you know how to use that now?"

"Sting," Bilbo said proudly, twitching his lips to a smile. "That's its name."

She proudly smiled at him, honoured to have known someone like him over the course of two months. If the dwarves weren't here, Illyria would tear up and possibly hug the air out of the hobbit for just now. Only two months took for her to notice how much Bilbo changed. Before she had arrived here, Illyria knew that the various dangers which the Company encountered were what brought Bilbo to grow as a person. Though now, she realised that even staying here in Imladris brought some changes.

He was more open to the dwarves, despite some still unsure of their hobbit burglar, but it didn't stop him from always drifting towards the dwarven king. Illyria wasn't oblivious, she, Kili and Fili (and even Ori sometimes) did their own meddling to get the two to spend more time with each other. Whether it was Thorin teaching Bilbo to wield a sword or just the two discussing the Shire, Illyria always found them somehow bringing some joy around here.

Crouching down, she smirked at the hobbit and said, "Well Bilbo Baggins, I hope you use Sting well." Illyria spoke, "I'll see you in a couple of weeks alright?"

She surprised her friend with a hug, his body relaxing with hers as he encased his arms over her shoulders. She was going to miss her hobbit friend, even it would only be a couple of weeks.

Bilbo stood back, grinning back at her. "See you soon, Illyria Ettelëa." He slung his pack on his shoulder and turned to the door ahead. As for her, she stood there to watch the Company leave, her eyes somehow finding the leader's with narrowed eyes. Thorin did not trust her for staying, but their decision in distracting the elves was the most possible way for them to leave without alarming the White Council.

Illyria just hoped Gandalf did his own half of the plan.

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Never have she'd seen an elf speed-walk as gracefully as Lindir. (If the mothers back on Earth see him, they would be livid. Especially the Karens: with their jealousy because an elf can walk faster heading towards to see the manager than them as well as looking fabulous.) [3]

Speaking of the manager, that was where Lindir was going to as she found him walking past her towards the courtyard in the North wing. As soon as he was a few feet away from her, Illyria decided to follow the poor elf up to ease the situation that was going to happen.

As he got up to the front entrance, he looked over to the Lord of Imladris and said, "The Dwarves, they're gone."

Illyria arrived right a second later, standing behind the elf as she panned about and sighed in relief internally. Saruman somehow left early, probably to go back to Isengard and plan his little schemes with his Palantir and what not. Good for him, because that meant that she didn't have to reveal herself to him.

But that didn't mean she was off the hook as Lindir exited the courtyard and found herself standing exposed with the other three people left in the room.

Galadriel each gave the two side-glances and thought, 'You knew, the both of you?'

Whilst Gandalf had the most unbelievable innocent expression, Illyria nudged her eyes to the grey wizard and replied, 'It was Gandalf's idea, not mine.'

The Lady of Light thinned her lips. 'Elrond would not be pleased.' Her eyes focused on Illyria and added, 'You understand that friend.'

'Yes, it's obvious when he's giving me that look.' Illyria wryly responded back and glanced at the half-elven lord who looked like he was reconsidering his life choices.

Gandalf chuckled and added in the conversation, 'He gives that look to you, quite a lot before.'

'I can understand why,' That was when she turned to Elrond, who scowled at the trio.

"Are you three done?" He questioned, loud enough which caused her to laugh internally and hear the other two chuckled along. Seemed like this was something she used to do, and Elrond was just re-introduced to his least favourite pastime.

To her surprise, he was scowling.

The Lord of Imladris was feeling left out.

That made her grin even more, folding her arms over her chest and retorted, "Oh, don't be mad. Not all of us have healer's hands like you."

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Elrond wasn't the only one irritated at her for joining Gandalf's little quest.

The morning after the meeting, she had just placed her armour back underneath her robes until Glorfindel just strode in like he owned the place. She was a little hurt by that. No, actually annoyed considering he was her brother and he had truly little respect for her personal space.

It was also a little hypocritical of her after snooping about Elrond's office. But that was beside the point.

As she tightened her belt and sheathed her daggers in them, she heard Glorfindel ask her sternly, "Why are you joining Gandalf?"

Illyria looked up to him and saw his hardened face at her. He did not look pleased with all after hearing she was going. "If this is some weird brotherly way to say that you're afraid for me then I'm not used to it." She said wryly before adding: "Also, I have a contract to fulfil and I need to protect Bilbo at all costs."

She picked up her pack and slung the straps over her shoulders, before taking her staff in her right hand.

Glorfindel exasperated, "From a dragon!"

"Yes! From the dragon." Illyria faced him and saw his reaction, narrowing her eyes. Her finger pointed at him as she said, "Oi, don't shake your head at me. I only knew you were my brother for just a couple of days so don't try that act."

She guessed this was their first sibling fight if you counted them having a staring contest whilst a tall blond-ginger elf blocked the doorway.

In the end, Glorfindel's face relaxed into worry as he exhaled, "I am just worried, sister. I just found you, and you're to leave again?"

Illyria replied blankly, "I left you before. It's the same thing." When she saw him grow more pained at her response, she immediately backtracked and sighed in frustration. "Look, I had a life before. I am still Illyria Strange, and nothing can change from that. I can take care of myself."

And it was true. Even if he was Elemmírë's brother, she couldn't be pulled so easily. Yes, she felt guilty for even snapping back, but Glorfindel had to know that she wasn't her.

"I know." He spoke lowly, confessing to her. "I am just afraid."

Suddenly, she did what she did best.

She wrapped her arms around his torso, surprising him with an incoming hug. A second later, his body relaxed – his own arms encasing her into a hug. Illyria and Glorfindel stood in the room for perhaps twenty seconds, feeling as if she was remembering his embrace in her past life. Was she close to him before? Were they like this?

Illyria stepped back, adjusting her pack and clothes. Her eyes darted back to him as she gave an assuring smile. "I will return. I promise you."

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She found perhaps half of the household staff waiting in the front entrance of the house, with her confusion as to why they were up in the early hours. Though from how their eyes never left her as she passed them down the steps towards Gandalf and Nala, it would seem they all knew her now as the ancient elven woman.

Illyria wanted to ask questions, why they looked up to her with honour and pride. In fairness, it irked her immensely as the weight on her shoulders began to return. She had arrived in Rivendell weeks ago as just Illyria Strange, the sorceress from Earth.

Three weeks later she was Elemmírë of Gondolin as well.

Only three weeks. Beat's her dad's record for becoming Sorcerer Supreme in less than ten years. And definitely beats her three years of getting through university.

She did her best to keep her eyes forward, strapping her pack on Nala's saddle whilst she muttered to herself. Once she was done, she took a moment to assure Nala of the attention before finding herself locking eyes at the very host that took her in.

Illyria looked to Elrond with a wry smile. "I am surprised you're not forcing me to stay," She spoke.

Replying back, Elrond murmured back, "I really could. But I know you wish to go."

She stared longingly at him, trying to figure out what was going in his head. Elrond hid his disappointment well, remaining as solemn as possible around the rest of the elves. They have not really spoken much after the waterfall which left Illyria mixed with regret after trying to understand the elf.

And now she was doing what he opposed to.

Illyria stated, "You are mad at me." She inhaled through her nose and assured him, "Elrond, I'm not going to leave any time soon." She did her best to give a small smile of encouragement.

"I know." He responded with a melancholy expression that almost brought her heart skipping a beat again.

Illyria nodded before looking around before hiking her body up onto Nala's back. Her eyes tried to search for the prodding voice in her head before discovering her up at the top of the steps.

'Until we meet again, Illyria Strange.' Galadriel thought to her.

With a curt nod, Illyria brought her focus back to Gandalf to which he trotted forward with his horse towards the bridge.

And so, her journey continued.

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"You will let her go? So willingly?" Glorfindel asked beside him.

They watched both her and the Ithron begin their journey from the front of the house, their horses crossing the narrow bridge and up towards the valley cliffs and exiting towards the wilderness. It would be a two-to-three-week journey to the Misty Mountains, excluding the week of trekking up the range before coming towards its peak. If they were fast enough, and surely from Mithrandir's haste response, they could possibly arrive to catch up with Thorin Oakenshield's company in less than three weeks.

However, it was not the journey that Elrond worried about. He knew that Illyria Strange's time in Imladris was bound to end, but he had not hoped of it to be so soon. There were so many things he had yet to speak to her about, not only the memories which he wished to speak of her.

Illyria's reasoning still echoed in his head, her voice and character so much like Elemmírë but still felt foreign and unique to his own.

It was there at the top of the valley which Elrond began to realise what he had been doing. No matter how much he tried to see her as Elemmírë, Elrond would never fully find the elf he once knew in Illyria Strange. It was a battle in his mind, trying to resolve his own desire to see Elemmírë again whilst trying to be rational and practical.

That was why when she left now, Elrond felt the regret grow.

Elrond admitted, "She is not the one I had in my arms when she passed away. She is her own person, and her own fate resides with her."

Glorfindel answered back, "And she is my sister." He continued, "I am surprised, Elrond, that you would easily let her go with some dwarves."

He understood what Glorfindel was implying, knowing both well that they have yet encountered Illyria in the fullest of her powers. He said, "And yet she was able to conjure magic so easily. Unlike her own magic."

The blonde elf frowned, "Her magic was dangerous." Glorfindel questioned him, glancing at him. "What if she cannot control it on her own?"

Whilst the staff returned to their activities, Elrond and Glorfindel clambered up to the house once more.

He sighed, "I know." Elrond paused in his steps and looked over to him. "That's why we made sure to have them follow her."

"Oakenshield will not like that," Glorfindel spoke.

Elrond internally smirked as he calmly responded, "She is not under orders of the dwarf king." Though his lips thinned as the thought brought him to worry. "I am only afraid of how she will tackle Thranduil."

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Illyria Strange forgot how much she fucking hated travelling.

Having Nala was alright anyways, a good companion to have when you're travelling with a wizard, though after a few days it does get a bit boring after talking to a horse about astrophysics. She would be pretty impressed if, after all her conversation with the equestrian animal, that Nala would now understand string theory or quantum field theory. All the theories. [4] [5]

Don't get her started with Gandalf the Grey. She realised now why he was called the wandering wizard by most of the population because all he did was smoke, travel and talk to her about the oddest things that usually cut off every moment he told her that they needed to start travelling again. You could not have a decent conversation with this guy no matter if you were talking about the weather or knitted scarves.

Heck, Illyria would pick the talking tree over Gandalf. Ent or Groot, whoever.

But despite the annoying bits, the time she had with the wizard did bring her to a better understanding of the Maia. She learnt the reasons why he was sent to Middle Earth and what he formerly once did back in Valinor. He spoke with such passion and respect to Nienna, the Vala who chose him to go to Middle Earth all those ages ago when the world needed angels like him. [6]

Because that was what he truly was, according to Tolkien himself. Gandalf was here for the free peoples of Middle Earth and to make sure things are moving and flowing. His tales of travelling from the far east of Gondor to the West near the Grey Haven's awed her. How he used to help those who truly needed a little whack from his staff to find the right direction. [7]

Illyria respected that, and it almost reminded her of somewhat of the Sorcerers of the Mystic Arts. In most of the twenty years of her life, the core belief she was told was that the Sorcerers protected the different realities and worlds. Always in the shadows.

However, as she began to remember some bits of Elemmírë: it seemed to be far the opposite. Elemmírë seemed to be someone that shone in the spotlight, someone who brought attention to a room.

Yeah, not her sort of thing.

Speaking of spotlights, one thing she didn't find pleasing was what was coming up. They have just arrived at the foot of the Misty Mountains – edging closer to join up with the Company. They had ridden hard and fast (that's what Gandalf said) to try and gain to them. Though, since most of the road was littered with orcs and unwanted creatures, they were slowed down.

These were moments she wished her sling-ring came to use, as she slumped off Nala's back and sadly gave the horse a tight hug. Illyria didn't want to bring her to pass the Misty Mountains, knowing how dangerous it was for an animal like her. Instead, she wished luck to her equestrian friend for the final time and watched her trot away along with Gandalf's horse.

Illyria was not crying; it was the onions that mysteriously appeared in her hand.

So, they climbed. Higher and higher than anything she would imagine. The Misty Mountains seemed to be taller than what Mount Everest and the Himalayas once did. She couldn't deny it was beautiful though, in a sort of wintery haunting way that caused her to stop and stare down below to where Imladris used to be.

She hoped that the twins would forgive her. Illyria wanted to say goodbye to Elladan and Elrohir, but time was of the essence.

Gandalf was also pissed that Thorin didn't listen to him to stay put at the foot of the mountain. And once Illyria and Gandalf knew where they accidentally fell to, they both internally sighed.

Great. Time to go to Goblin Town.

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Illyria prepared herself, her own staff materialising from her pocket dimension as she repositioned the pack on her bag. She would have to fight with extra baggage on her back.

Just as they met the back doors of Goblin Town, Gandalf ordered her to hold onto his staff and prepare herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling herself flow through some tight corridor. If this were Gandalf's own way of teleportation, it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.

Better than what Apparation was in Harry Potter. Illyria used to cringe in discomfort when she watched the characters gets sucked into a tight tube like a tube. Talk about Poiseuille Law. [8] [9]

As the light dissipated, she found herself letting out her breath. She then realised where she and Gandalf landed.

Surrounded by goblins.

Along with the largest and fattest goblin ever.

He kind of looked like a mouldy marshmallow if Illyria thought hard enough.

Gandalf distracted the goblins whilst he roared for the dwarves to take arms. This gave her enough time to blast a light ray around them, giving the Company some time to pick up their weapons and begin slashing a path out of this place. Illyria took her staff and brought upon her blades, swiping any creature that crawled at her as she followed Gandalf through the rickety bridges of this place.

There were goblins everywhere! She was slashing her staff from her head and towards her feet. If she wasn't running for her life, she would consider her own mind for even going now.

Dwarves. Mountain. Dragon. Yes.

Illyria stopped to a halt as Gandalf stood in front of her and the rest of the Company, grunting at the impact of someone's sword dig against her back. And from the curses going through his head, it must have been Dwalin. In front of them, the Goblin King stopped them from going through, a cackle shaking the wooden platform.

That cackled turned into a sharp gasp, as his gut and throat spilt with blood from Glamdring's blade.

She gaped in shock before saying, "I preferred David Bowie thanks." [10]

To her side, she realised from the blonde braids, Fili answering back. "Enough commentary, Lyria." He questioned her, "Can you portal us?"

Just as it did so, she felt the platform faltered and creak. She eyed the roped which suspended them and felt her heart drop. When her eyes turned to the dead Goblin King, she swore internally as he swayed towards them before falling in a large thud.

She shouted, "That's not how my magic works, Fili!" She shoved her staff into the dwarf's hands as she felt the ropes snap and the sense of weight in her feat disappeared. "Now hold tight!"

The dwarves screamed as they fell down the large chasm of the hollowed mountain. Illyria shifted her feet into a better position, raising her hands as she formed a pattern. And with all her might, she channelled most of the energy from the other parallel dimensions and reformed the platform below their feet.

As they hit the ground, Illyria tripped and fell, landing on a soft surface with a grunt. All the Company grunted, though not as painful as they imagined it to be as they stared at the landing.

Kili patted the white surface, unsure if he was seeing it truly. "Woah, pillows."

All eyes turned to her. Illyria gave them all back a look and shrugged before proudly grinning to herself. Heck yeah. She had always wanted to try that spell.

"Get up!" Gandalf urged them. Fili returned her staff back into her hand, a nod of thanks between the two before they aided the rest off the massive pillow and hurried down towards the opening.

Yeah, she wasn't going to Goblin Town anytime soon.

They stopped running just several metres from the small pathway cut into the mountain, the entire Company taking each a deep breath as they adjusted their packs. Gandalf – being the scout guide he was born to be – counted each other before frowning at the conclusion.

Whilst for Illyria, she suddenly froze when she realised why.

Fuck, where's Bilbo?

And then she realised when in the story she was and still ran up to them with a panicky tone.

She looked around the Company, with no hobbit insight. "Where's Bilbo?" She demanded at him, "Thorin, where is he?"

What she did not expect was the dwarven king to lash back at her with uttermost fury.

His tone spoke of more than anger, however, as he spat out: "He left! Abandoned us." Thorin then changed his voice and glared up at her and asked, "Even so, why are you here? I would have thought you have stayed with the elves."

Illyria threw her free hand and pointed at her chest and shouted, "Because I'm here to make sure Bilbo doesn't die! And you bloody left him to rot in that place with that son of weasel-"

"No, I'm right here."

All heads turned to the voice, and Illyria could help but sob in relief before rushing towards the hobbit. She didn't care. Illyria gave sobbed over his shoulder as she hugged the hobbit.

"Oh, Bilbo!" Illyria cried mixed with the laughter of disbelief. "Don't you ever pull a stunt like that you hear me?"

Bilbo looked up to her before turning towards the Company. How proud Illyria was to watch him speak to Thorin so confidently, speaking how he chose to come with them on the quest not because of his own benefit but for them. Bilbo Baggins, the compassionate and sassy hobbit: spoke his heart out to them that she could see Thorin's angry façade crack slightly.

She wanted to be happy and proud, though the moment her adrenaline relaxed: she felt her head almost throb in pain. It was whispering in her head, voices hissing at her as she stared at Bilbo's pocket.

Okay, maybe she did forget one bit.

Well, a really big part of the story.

Though before she wanted to speak to Bilbo about what he found (and probably had to have a riddle battle with) in the mountains, Illyria spun her head behind to hear a howl.

Thorin spoke, "Into the fire."

The grey wizard continued, "And out of the frying pan. Run. Run!"

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This was the part of the movie in which both Darcy and Illyria had to pause because everything that happened here was the most infuriating thing to watch for them.

No offence to Peter Jackson's directing and his company's scriptwriting (she had to give praise for having to make six movies out of this world), but Illyria had to ask why this had to exist in this world.

There she was, following Gandalf and the Company down the face of the mountain, dodging trees as she stayed at the far back to keep the dwarves ahead. The entire day had been running and she was ready to collapse.

She can't exactly take a break when an orc and warg pack was upon their butts.

They arrived at the cliff edge and Illyria had to bite her tongue from screaming at Gandalf for guiding them to a dead end. Great! They're so dead now! She turned around at the sound of the wargs closing in, tossing her pack up at the tree before putting her staff and blades in front of her.

She gave the dwarves some time to climb the trees, creating a large Eldritch shield as the arrows flew at them. The arrows disintegrating at the impact of her shield before she swiped her blade through the air and sent a wave of light at them.

The wargs were torn off their feet, orcs falling off their backs as she brought another wave of light at them. She could sense herself draining, her heart coming to burst if she didn't stop.

As closest warg was thrown off its feet, Illyria placed her own natural magic back and chose to bring herself up the trees.

There was fire. Everywhere. Her body was shaking in both adrenaline in horror as the realisation brought her to a standstill. They were surrounded, and all they could do was wait.

'Come on...come on...' Illyria thought and sent another mental cry to Gandalf. 'How long will they hear your word!' Her eyes went over to the wizard as he watched the moth fly off into the skies and he gave a lingering look of worry.

Oh, they were really screwed.

Not only they were trapped, but Illyria also now dreaded who was before them.

Sitting on the back of a warg was a large white orc. 

Azog the Defiler.

She knew what was to come and she screamed all she could, trying to prevent the dwarf king to approach the orc! Thorin FRICKING Oakenshield just had to bring his hero complex and restore his honour and whatnot!

He grasped the oak bark in his left whilst he drew Orcrist in front of him. Meanwhile, Azog spoke back in Black Speech (which she assumed it was by how much it made her spine shiver at the words) before drawing his own sword...hand. Sword-hand?

Nevermind, all Illyria could do was try not to facepalm at Thorin as he charged upon the large orc. To her horror, she watched Azog slice him down in a single swipe grinning from ear to ear as he approached the fallen dwarf king.

She pleaded towards him, trying to find his mind with all the fire blazing around her. Though to no effort, Thorin didn't respond as he laid on the ground passed out.

Azog's warg approached Thorin's body, ready to attack him until Illyria's breath hitched.

Tossing himself into the fray, Bilbo Baggins shoved the warg out of the way – impaling Sting into the warg's throat as it wailed in pain. He then ran up to Thorin, his sword out and ready with a practice stance as Azog laughed and walked over to them.

She knew what was going to happen. The eagles would be here for them any second. But with the dwarves almost falling off the tree and Thorin and Bilbo in danger – she did the most stupid thing.

"Illyria!"

Summoning a portal, she jumped into the portal and landed right in front of Azog. With the strength left in her, she brought her hand out and produced a blast of light – blinding the orc.

"Thorin! Bilbo! Get him out of here!" She shouted at them, clutching her staff as she prepared for Azog's blow.

And the orc was not happy after what she did.

Her staff slammed against his sword, his strength overpowering as she was thrown back at the impact. She brought another blow, her arms growing weaker as he pushed her closer to the edge of the cliff.

The next blow brought her to utter shock.

As his sword parried with her staff, Illyria stared as sparks of golden light flew out of the staff. The wood began to crack. Once Azog pushed in the last second, Illyria let go of her staff and stumbled back.

The sound of wood clattering into the ground.

There sat on the ground was the remnants of her magical staff.

Broken right in half.

Illyria said dangerously low, "Oh you son of a bitch..." Anger began to soar up her chest. "You're going to pay for that, asshole!"

Before she knew it, Illyria took the last bit of energy and let out a blast of light over Azog's eyes and summoned a dagger – flinging it towards his eye. The orc cried in agony, flying back as she ran towards him and grabbed the two pieces of her staff. A screech echoed in her ears as she jogged over to the edge and saw the silhouette of a bird take her into its claws.

Illyria wasn't sure what happened then, passing out as soon as she felt her body land on something warm.

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She woke up abruptly as soon as she heard someone howl in glee. Illyria blinked her eyes awake and weakly brought herself up to her knees and sharply inhaled. Illyria didn't mind tall heights but being on the back of a giant eagle was an entirely different matter.

It was beautiful in honesty, despite her heart sinking as she held her broken staff in her hands. Illyria swallowed the bile that rose to her throat, searching for any other face in the group of eagles in the air. To her left, she saw Kili and Fili enjoying their time in the air whilst in the right, she spotted both Bilbo and Thorin and her heart thumped against her ribs. She hoped that they were safe.

They arrived at what seemed to be a large nest atop a large singular rock cliff. The eagle which she was honoured to speak to through their minds brought her down gently, reminding herself to bow at the eagle before stepping back to hobble over to the rest of the Company.

Thorin had not woken up and all she could do was watch Gandalf try and revive him. The wizard approached the dwarf king, kneeling to whisper words before the spell became to effect.

God, if Thorin didn't wake up: she was going to wake him herself just to kill the bastard for being stupid.

There was an exchange of words, especially between Bilbo and Thorin as he finally opened up to her hobbit friend. All she could do was observe tiredly on the sidelines until the very dwarf brought himself in front of her.

"And you," Thorin sternly looked up to her.

"What about me?" Illyria folded her hands as she questioned, "You still want to kick me out?"

And to her surprise, the dwarf's expression relaxed. "Perhaps it is the right time to apologise." Thorin Oakenshield bowed his head at her. "I thank you for saving us, Illyria Strange."

There was a moment in which she had to think to herself what just occurred. It had taken almost three months which Thorin Oakenshield and his stubborn sexist ass finally respected her. Two of those months of constant vigilance from him, wary of the sorceress who followed them in this quest.

Now, he had finally accepted her.

Illyria gulped back the emotions, smiling down at the dwarf king before bowing. "Thank you, Thorin. For giving me another chance."

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[1] - Zodiac Signs: Term to describe the circle of 12 divisions of the celestial longitude that is centred upon the sun; they share the names from star signs.
[2] - Vine: Was an American Social networking video service where videos were six seconds long.
[3] - Karen: It's not a name, it's a lifestyle.
[4] - String Theory: A theoretical framework in which point-like particles are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings and are described as how they propagate through space and interact with each other.
[5] - Quantum Field Theory: Combination of classical field theory, special relativity and quantum mechanics.
[6] - Nienna: One of the Eight greatest Valar, acquainted with grief and sorrow but also pity and courage.
[7] - The Grey Havens: An elven settlement in the West of Middle Earth where many of the elves sail from to the Undying Lands.
[8] - Apparation: A form of travel in the Harry Potter universe. You get your license after taking an exam once you pass 17.
[9] - Poiseuille Law: In fluid dynamics, it gives the pressure drop in an incompressible and Newtonian fluid in laminar flow flowing through a long cylindrical pipe of a constant cross-section.
[10] - David Bowie: An English singer-songwriter who was in the movie Labyrinth which he starred as Jareth the Goblin King.

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A/N: Apologies for the long wait. I haven't had time to really get through editing and posting lately. Also just found out this is ranked as top 20 in elves for some reason? Huh...good soup I guess. 

And so Illyria Strange continues her journey and more problems happen. A bit of a bittersweet ending to that but definitely be something for her to get through in the next coming chapters.

Thank you so much again and have a lovely day/evening :)

Edited: 15/09/2021