"The Valley of Imraldis. In the Common Tongue, it's known by a another name." Gandalf said.

"Rivendell." Bilbo said. Alrún smiled at her friend.

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf said. Alrùn looked out across the homes again. She remembered coming here once, when she was very young. Thorin glared up at the Wizard.

"This was your plan all along," Thorin accused. Gandalf glared down at the Dwarven King. "To seek refuge with our enemy." He hissed.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." Gandalf said. Alrùn had to bight back a chuckle as she saw Bilbo sneakily give Thorin a look that said, 'Gandalf isn't wrong.'

"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin argued. Gandalf nodded.

"Of course they will." He said. Alrùn placed her hand on her Lover's shoulder.

"Thorin, we have questions that need to be answered. As well as food and rest," she looked him in the eyes. "You will not deny your Company that, would you?" She asked. Thorin sighed in defeat and placed his hand on hers. Gandalf nodded to the soon-to-be-Queen.

"Alrún is quite right," he said. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me." Gandalf said. The Company walked across a bridge and entered Rivendell. A few elves were seen strolling about. Alrùn chuckled as Bilbo gazed in awe at the beauty of the place. The dwarves look uneasy. A dark-haired elf walked down a flight of stairs and greeted them.

"Mithrandir!" The elf called out. Gandalf turned and smiled.

"Ah, Lindir!" Gandalf said smiling. He walked up to Lindir. As Lindir and Gandalf greeted each other, the dwarves murmured amongst themselves in distrust. Thorin stepped in front of Alrùn protectively and leaned his head into Dwalin.

"Stay sharp." He whispered.

"*Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." Lindir said.

"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf said, cutting to the chase. Lindir shook his head.

"My Lord Elrond is not here." Lindir said. Gandalf's eyebrows met in confusion.

"Not here? Where is he?" He asked. As if on cue, the Elvish horns from earlier were heard again. The Company turned around and they saw a group of armed horsemen approaching along the bridge at a rapid rate.

"*Ifridî bekâr!" Thorin shouted. "Hold ranks!" The dwarves bunched up together, pushing Alrùn and Bilbo into the middle. They formed a tight circle with their weapons pointed outward. The mounted Elves arrived and rode in circles around the dwarves. Eventually, they stopped, and one elf, Lord Elrond, separated himself from the others.

"Gandalf!" Elrond shouted, smiling.

"Lord Elrond," Gandalf said, smiling back in greeting. Alrùn studied the Elf Lord's face. Something about him seemed vaguely familiar, though she could not place it. Gandalf bowed gracefully. "*Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" Gandalf asked in Elvish.

"*Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui." Elrond said, dismounting from his horse. He walked up to Gandalf and hugged him. Pulling away, he held up an Orc's sword, examining it. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders," he handed the sword to Lindir. "Something, or someone, has drawn them near." He said, looking at Gandalf. Gandalf chuckled apologetically.

"Ah, that may have been us." He said, gesturing to the Company behind him. Thorin, taking Alrún's hand, stepped forward. Elrond looked upon them with recognition.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain," his gaze then turned to Alrún. His eyes widened lightly, then a warm smile crossed the Elf Lord's face. "You have grown, Alrún, daughter of Aredhel." He said. Alrún's eyes widened lightly.

"H-how do you know my name and the name of my Mother, my Lord?" She asked tentatively. Elrond smiled.

"You Mother passed through Rivendell, seeking rest as well as food for herself and her child. You were just a baby when you came through, Alrún," He said. Seeing that she had more questions, he turned to the Company. "*Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin." Elrond said in Elvish. Gloin was the first one to speak up.

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?!" He shouted. The other dwarfs grew cautious and gripped their weapons. Alrún rolled her eyes and sighed, exasperated.

"No, Gloin, he is offering you food." She said. She stood next to Gandalf as the Dwarfs quickly discussed the matter among themselves. Mizim, who stood next to her Rider, shook her head and huffed at the Dwarfs behavior. They turned to look at the Elf Lord.

"Ah well, in that case, lead on." Gloin said.

Later on, the Dwarfs, and Bilbo were sitting around tables in the Elven court, eating the salad and wraps that were set in front of them. Dori was trying to get Ori to eat a leaf of lettuce.

"Try it. Just a mouthful." Dori said. Ori shook his head, glaring down at the leaf.

"I don't like green food." He complained. Dwalin looked through a bowl of greens.

"Where's the meat?" He asked. Oin held up a vegetable with his knife and looked at it in disgust. Kili met the eyes of an Elf Maiden who was playing a harp. He winked lightly at her and smiled. He caught Dwalin's glare.

"Can't say I fancy Elf maidens myself, too thin. They're all high cheek bones and creamy skin, not enough facial hair for me," he glanced at an Elf that passed by their table. "Although, that one's not bad." He said, looking up. Dwalin leaned forward.

"That's not an Elf Maid." He said. The Elf turned around and turned out to be male. Kili's smile fell and he looked at Dwalin, who winked and burst out laughing. Bofur, who was sitting next to Kili, laughed as well. Gandalf and Elrond walked up the steps to the dinning hall.

"Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf said. Elrond looked back at the Wizard.

"Well, you never are." They both laughed and arrived at the courtyard. Thorin and Alrùn followed. Alrùn lifted the hem of her dress

as she climbed the stairs. She had taken a refreshing bath and her hair washed, which was now pulled back into intricate braids. Alrùn sat next to Thorin at the dinning table with Elrond and Gandalf. Elrond looked at the swords that Gandalf, Thorin and Alrùn had gotten from the Troll Hoard.

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin," Elrond said, handing it back to Thorin after examining it. "May it serve you well." He said. Thorin, begrudgingly, nodded his head in thanks. Elrond then started to examine Alrùn's sword. "This is Alvegarde," he said. "It was also forged by the High Elves of the West. It was forged for the Queen of Gondolin. May it serve you well, Alrùn," he said. Alrùn nodded her head in thanks. Elrond then examined Gandalf's sword. "And this is Glamdring," Elrond said, pulling the sword a few inches out of its sheathe. "The Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age." Elrond said. Bilbo took his sword out of its sheath, looking at it, wondering if it had some grand name like Orcrist or Alvegarde.

"I wouldn't bother laddie," Balin, who was sitting next to Bilbo said. The Hobbit looked at the older Dwarf. "Swords are named for their great deeds they do in war." Balin said. Bilbo looked at Balin in slight confusion.

"What are you saying my sword hasn't seen battle?" He asked.

"I'm not actually sure it is a sword," Balin said. "More of a letter opener really." Balin said. Bilbo looked down at his so called, "letter opener".

"How did you come by these?" Elrond asked, handing Glamdring back to Gandalf.

"We found then on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by Orcs." Gandalf said. Elrond looked at the Wizard with suspicion.

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" He asked.

"Excuse me." Thorin said. He got up from his chair, walking over to an empty spot of the court yard. Alrùn smiled kindly at the Elf Lord.

"Thank you for dinner, Lord Elrond. It was very good." She said, excusing herself. She went and stood next to Thorin.

"Thirteen Dwarfs, a Half-Breed, and a Halfling. Strange traveling companions, Gandalf." Elrond commented.

"These are the decedents of the House of Durin," Gandalf said. "They are noble and decent folk," Gandalf said. Nori, who had been shaking pepper from a pepper shaker onto his food, snuck it into his jacket. "They're surprisingly cultured." Bombur stuffed his face with food. "They've got a deep love of the arts." Gandalf said. Nori turned to the Elf Maiden who was playing the harp.

"Change the tune why don't you? I feel like I'm at a funeral." He complained.

"Did somebody die?" Oin asked in worry.

"Alright lads there's only one thing for it," Bofur said. He climbed up onto the table, knocking things over as he did. Bofur held out his hand and began singing.

"There's an inn," Bofur started, dragging out the lyrics.

"There's an inn, there's 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. The ostler has a tipsy cat

That plays a five-stringed fiddle;

And up and down he saws his bow

Now squeaking high," Bofur pretended to play a fiddle. Alrùn smiled and clapped her hands along, laughing. Even Thorin tapped his feet along to the song.

"Now purring low. Now sawing in the middle

So the cat on the fiddle played a hey-diddle-diddle

A jig that would wake the dead ;He squeaked and he sawed and he quickened the tune,

While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon :"It's after three !", he said." Bofur ended his song. The Dwarfs laughed and tossed food up into the air. Kili threw food at poor Lindir, the food landing extremely close to his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night, Thorin, Balin, Alrùn, Bilbo, Gandalf and Elrond were standing in a hall in Rivendell.

"Our business is no concern of elves." Thorin said.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map." Gandalf argued. Elrond glanced at the King, looking at him in suspicion.

"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect," he glared at the Elf Lord. "As are its secrets." Thorin said. Alrùn sighed and placed her hand on Thorin's shoulder.

"Thorin, please. We stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle Earth who can read the map." She said. Gandalf nodded.

"Show it to Lord Elrond." Gandalf said. Thorin thought, then reached for the map from within his coat.

"Thorin no!" Balin tried to stop him. Alrùn placed her hand on Balin's shoulder.

"Balin, it's alright." She said as Thorin handed the Elf Lord the map. Elrond looked at it then up at the five before him.

"Erebor? What is your interest in this map?" Elrond asked. Thorin was about to speak but Gandalf beat him to it.

"It's mainly academic. As you know this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text," Gandalf said, glaring lightly at Thorin. Gandalf looked at the Elf Lord. "You still read Ancient Dwarfish, do you not?" He asked. Elrond walked a little ways away, looking at the map, studying it. As the moonlight hit the map, Elrond gasped in realization.

"Ahh, Cirth Ithil." Elrond said. Alrùn's eyes widened slightly.

"Moon Runes," She said in realization. Bilbo looked at the soon-to-be-Queen. She looked at the Hobbit. "An easy thing to miss." She said.

"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 said.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked hopefully. Elrond lead them to an open area outside on the side of a cliff with waterfalls surrounding it. There was 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," Elrond said. He laid the map down on the table. "It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield, Alrùn Eníredis. The same moon shines upon us tonight." He said. As they looked up, the clouds covering the moon floated away and rays of moonlight hit the table, causing light to flow through the map. Ancient Runes became visible. Thorin stared at the table in aw, as did Bilbo. "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 translated.

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, clearly confused. Alrùn looked at the Hobbit.

"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." She explained.

"This is ill news," Thorin said, causing them to look at him. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." He said.

"We still have time." Balin said. Bilbo looked at the older Dwarf.

"Time? For what?" He asked.

"To find the entrance," Balin said. "We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened." He said. Elrond looked at Thorin.

"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain." Elrond said. Thorin glared up at the Elf Lord.

"What of it?" He asked.

"There are some who would not deem it wise." Elrond warned, handing the map back to Thorin, who took back the map gruffly. Gandalf looked at Elrond.

"What do you mean?" He asked. Elrond looked at the Wizard.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-Earth," he said. Elrond then turned to Alrùn. "Lady Alrùn, if you would please come with me. There is someone who would like to meet with you." He said. Alrùn nodded and turned to leave with the Elf. She looked at Thorin and walked up to him. She leaned her head next to his ear.

"Thorin, if you are planning on leaving, please, don't leave without me." She whispered. She leaned away, looking at her Lover. Thorin nodded. Alrùn smiled and left with the Elf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen = We heard you had crossed into the Valley.

*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 Hidden Pass.

*Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin = Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was now late at night. Yazneg and his Warg Scouts stepped cautiously into the ruins of Weathertop, where many other Wargs and Orcs were gathered. A large, white Warg growled at Yazneg, its eyes glowing yellow in the pale moon light. Behind the White Warg was a tall, pale Orc, facing away. It is Azog, the Defiler. 

"*Khozdayin, Dorguz... zuranimid," Yazneg said timidly, lowering his head in respect. "*Khozdalfbred et doger kotel bader." Yazneg said.

"*Sha nargiz ob-hakhtil," Azog said. He turned and faced Yazneg. He walked down the steps. "*Nargiz khobdi Rani Khozdil, alith khobdi Dalfbreds proses." Azog said, stroking the White Warg's head. Yazneg looked up at the Pale Orc in fear. Azog's left arm, which Thorin Oakenshield had cut off long ago during the battle of Azanulbizar, had been replaced with a metal arm and claw.

"*Shugi golgai gelnakhanishim. Murganish dum, turim hag shad," Yazneg said. "*Zorzor go-kairaz obguraniz." He said. Azog approached Yazneg.

"*Ki go-kairag baganig," Azog said as he stroked Yazneg's head with his right hand, then grabed and lifted Yazneg by the throat with his metal left hand. With a roar, Azog threw him against the pillars to the side. The other Wargs attacked Yazneg, killing him and eating him. Yazneg's fellow Rider quaked in fear at the sight, however, the White Warg and Azog were unfazed. "*Khozd-shrakhun ud Dalfbred gud sha kilyash-zag," Azog said, turning and walking back up the steps. "*Zidgar obod tung nash ru khobdud!" Azog shouted. The rest of he Orcs leapt onto their Wargs and ran off from Weathertop to do Azog's will.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Khozdayin, Dorguz... zuranimid = The Dwarves, Master... we lost them.

* Khozdalfbred et doger kotel bader = The Half-Breed has gotten stronger. //I completely made this line up.//

* Sha nargiz ob-hakhtil = I don't want excuses.

* Nargiz khobdi Rani Khozdil, alith khobdi Dalfbreds proses = I want the head of the Dwarf King and the Half-Breed's powers. //I completely made the last line up.//

* Shugi golgai gelnakhanishim. Murganish dum, turim hag shad = Ambushed by Elf filth we were. We were outnumbered, there was nothing we could do.

* Zorzor go-kairaz obguraniz = I barley escaped with my life.

* Ki go-kairag baganig = Far better you had paid with it.

* Khozd-shrakhun ud Dalfbred gud sha kilyash-zag = The Dwarf-scum and half-Breed will show themselves soon.

* Zidgar obod tung nash ru khobdud! = Send out word, there is a price on their heads!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond lead Alrùn up a flight of stairs.

"Lord Elrond, who is this person who wants to meet me? Are they important?" She asked timidly. Elrond smiled down at the woman.

"She is very important." He said. Leading Alrùn into a pavilion, Alrùn saw a tall, beautiful, She-Elf standing framed against the moonlight. She slowly turned around. Alrùn gasped lightly in aw. The She-Elf smiled gently.

"Welcome, Alrùn, Daughter of Aredhel," the She-Elf said. Her voice was deep, yet sounded soft, like honey. "I am Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien. I have been waiting to meet you." Galadriel said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~