*Thorin's POV*

"You stand before one of the few in middle earth who can read that map!" Gandalf exclaims pointing to the hidden map in my tunic. I only glare blankly back at the wizard as Balin paces nervously next to me and Bilbo remains silent. Truthfully I hate being in the secluded room facing down Gandalf and Lord Elrond, but I had no choice on the matter. I had been at the breaking point of going off and finding Enola, but if it had not been for the wizard calling me away I would have found her by now to see what was truly bothering her. Now, I have truly pressing matters to deal with.

"It is the legacy of my people and mine to protect as well as its secrets." I state calmly and cooly staring down the Elf.

Gandalf huffs breathlessly "Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. Lord Elrond is one of the few in middle earth who can read your map. Show it to Lord Elrond!"

Glancing from the wizard then setting my eyes back on the Elf he eyes me as if waiting for me to burst or concede. Slowly I reach into my cloak and pull out the map. Much to Balin's dismay, he tries to grasp at it "Thorin, no." but I brush him off extending the map to Elrond staring him down threateningly. Elrond gently reaches out to take the map and nods as if trying to reassure me but I can't help but feel the twist in my stomach as he opens the map.

"Erebor?" he states suspiciously " What is your interest in the lonely mountain?"

Before I can speak Gandalf interrupts "It's mainly academic. You still read ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"
As Elrond steps away studying the map Gandalf looks at me with the hint of a smirk and I can't help but return the favor with a nod for his discreetness. Elrond lifts up the map eying it from every angle. He whispers to himself "Kirth ethir."

"Moon runes." Gandalf says in realization "Of course. An easy thing to miss." he says with a cheeky smirk to Bilbo who seems a little lost. 

"In that case, if that is true the runes can only be read by the light of the moon of the same shape and season in which the day it was written." Elrond states turning back to me.

I step forward daring to ask "Can you read them?"

---

The rush of the falls spills over both sides of the cavern. The roof of the cave shimmers as I look past the backside of the waterfalls spilling over shielding any outside view to us except for the space between them where the moonlight reaches in. We step out onto the carved-out stone ledge to the opening of the night. From above the moon shines down brightly illuminating the stone table before us. 

"These runes were written on midsummer eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago." Elrond states laying the map flat on the stone table "It seems you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight."

Through the gaps and every single droplet of the falls, the moon's beams of light shine through hitting the table and map directly. Slowly but surely hidden text in the map begin to form, shimmer, and shine as the table itself illuminates. My eyes narrow as I step closer to the table until all of the hidden text is revealed to us all. I only look away for a moment to see Mr. Baggins staring wide-eyed at the sight as if he had never in his life seen such a thing. Personally, I have only seen something like this only once in my life, but I was a small boy and it was not as nearly as the theatrical as Elves tend to make things. 

Reading aloud Elrond speaks "Stand by the grey stone as the Thrush knocks. And the setting sun with the last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole."

I already feel the dread wash over me. It has been some time since the Dwarves kept up with such a day since the Dragon, but I myself could never forget. From across the way Bilbo questions "Durin's day?"

"It is the start of the Dwarves' new year. When the last moon of autumn and the first sign of winter appear in the sky together." Gandalf explains.

Turning my back I am dismayed "This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's day will soon be upon us."

"We still have time..." Balin assures stepping towards me.

Bilbo seems almost worried "Time? Time for what?"

"To find the entrance!" Balin remarks glancing to the halfling then back to me "We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then and only then can the door be opened." 

"So this is your purpose?" Elrond interjects as I sigh in aggravation "To enter the mountain?"

I turn glaring up at the Elf "What of it?" I growl.

Completely unthreatened and somewhat skeptical Elrond eyes me up almost sneering at my demeanor "There are some who would not deem it wise." and he hands the map back to me.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf questions as if he's afraid. 

Before Elrond leaves us he takes a side glance at the wizard "You are not the only guardian to stand overwatch of Middle Earth."

---

Shoving the map in my cloak I wander the walkways of Rivendell. Pacing and huffing I fume at the ill timeline and meddling of the Elf after the reading of the runes. We should be going now but I can not push the Company on now and no doubt the Elves are watching. Still, I wish to be nothing more but far from here. As I walk along I catch a glimpse of Bilbo. He moves stealthily as if he's sneaking around. I narrow my eyes watching him as he wonders to one of the given lodges for some of us to stay. Silently I follow a great deal behind him but keep my eyes on him. From just serval years away I watch as the door opens and Enola walks out to the terrace leaning against the railings as she looks off into the night. She seems to be in a better mood than before but in her eyes, I can still see her guilt and sadness. I should call out to her. Perhaps request to speak with her inside, but, maybe I think better of it to not say anything at all as the halfling seems to be making his way to her. Before I can decide what to do I hear the conversing of Gandalf and Elrond as does Bilbo. The halfling stops hidden on the far side of the steps unbeknownst to Enola as she seems to see and hear them as well. They walk the main paths along the bridge across the way and I slowly wonder but listen.

"Of course, I was going to tell you." Gandalf insists "I was just waiting for the right chance. I really think you can trust what I am doing."

"Do you?" Elrond questions as they stop "That dragon has slept on for 60 years. What would happen should your plan fail? If you wake that beast-"

"But if we succeed!" Gandalf interrupts "If the Dwarves take back the mountain our defenses in the east will be strengthened."

Elron speaks gravely "It is a dangerous move Gandalf."

Looking up I silently approach behind the halfling leaning against the stone steps hidden from Enola's sight but where I can see her in plain view. She seems perplexed as she listens to the wizard and Elf.

"It is also dangerous to do nothing!" Gandalf exclaims "To cut the throne of Erebor. It is Thorin's birthright, what do you fear?!" he exclaims. 

Bilbo turns as if he is finished hearing the conversation but when he does he stops as he sees me standing and listening behind him. I look at him as he looks back at me and he contemplates leaving or staying but the graveness and hush tone of Elrond's voice stops him.

"Have you forgotten a strain of madness runs deep in that family? His grandfather lost his mind and his father succumbed to the same sickness!"

My eyes widen at Elf's words and I slowly step out to hear him better but also to look up to Enola. Her relaxed demeanor has fallen as she stands upright in almost a distraught expression at Elrond's words.

"Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?" Elrond asks as I feel the twinge of a new fear stir within me. Slowly I turn away trying to escape his words but they mind their way into my mind and begin a scurry of paranoia. However, as I look back up at Enola I see the same concern and fear at his words but as she turns away it seems she has had enough of the conversation and flees back inside her lodge. 

Does she truly fear me now? Has she become afraid and wary of me just like so many others? I thought out of everyone I have known and come to know she could have been the only one to not look at or think of me so differently. 

Now as the disheartenment, sadness, and shame flood me I hear Elrond speak again.

"Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us and us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of middle earth."

The two begin to walk along again to their destination as Gandalf speaks as if he has tired of the conversation as well "With our without our help these Dwarves will march upon the mountain. They're determined to reclaim their homeland and I do not believe Thorin Oaksnheild thinks he is to be answerable to anyone. Nor do I for that matter." 

I don't physically smirk at the wizard's words, but I do feel a tad bit of support from him or at least respect. However, I can't shake the feeling and impact of Elrond's words. Do others, even the ones in my company, think of that often? If so, does Enola think it now as well? Or perhaps even the halfling. Who can know for certain? Even if they do, it is nothing that I haven't thought about or wondered about myself.