The company listened to the conflict from inside the crack. One of the orcs, shot by an arrow, fell into the cave. Vanadessë held Vanáezae's sword in front of her as a means of defense. But Vanáezae could see that the orc was already dead. Thorin plucked out the arrow and examined its make.

"Elves," he spat, throwing the arrow away in disgust.

Vanáezae and Vanadessë only rolled their eyes.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin called.

"Follow it, of course!" Bofur nodded.

"I think that would be wise," Gandalf muttered.

We followed the narrow path towards Rivindell. Gandalf, Vanadessë, and Vanáezae being the only ones to know where they were going. A couple of times they had to push Bombur through some smaller areas. After about an hour or so of following the narrow path, the company came to an overview. When Thorin saw what everyone else did, he looked disappointed.

"The Valley of Imladris. In the common younger it's known by another name," Gandalf said, walking up behind everyone.

"Rivindell," Bilbo breathed, in awe at the Valley's beauty.

"Here lies the last homely house East of the sea," Gandalf continued.

Thorin turned around and walked up to Gandalf, "This was your plan all along. To seek refuge with our enemy."

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield," Gandalf said, "The only ill will to be found in the Valley is that which you bring yourself."

"You think the elves, will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us. It is already bad enough that we have two amongst our group."

"Hey!" Vanadessë and Vanáezae barked. Thorin only ignored the two.

"Of course they will. But we have questioned that need to be answered," Gandalf said.

Thorin sighed and looked down. Gandalf took a breath, "The task I have in mind 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."

"Who has the charm?" Vanáezae silently asked Vanadessë.

Fili and Kili, who overheard her, snickered along with Vanadessë. Gandalf too heard her and smacked her on the head with his staff. Vanáezae winced and hurried to g wet some space between her and Gandalf.

The company followed the path down into Rivindell, eventually crossing a bridge over the waterfall. Everyone was looking around, Vanáezae and Vanadessë were just talking. That is, until they looked around like everyone else. Vanáezae turned and saw an elf in purple robes coming towards them. Vanadessë and Vanáezae instantly recognized him as Lindir.

"Mithrandir," He greeted, putting a hand on his chest.

Gandalf turned around, "Ah, Lindir."

"Stay sharp," Vanáezae heard Thorin whisper.

"Lastannem i Vruinen," Lindir said.

"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf said, getting straight to the point.

"My Lord Elrond is not here."

"Not here? Where is he?"

Horns sounded in the distance and everyone turned around. Elven riders could be seen coming up the path they used earlier, Vanáezae and Vanadessë stayed close to Gandalf.

"Close ranks!" Thorin shouted.

The dwarves went into a defensive position, which was a tight huddle. The Elvish riders circled the group until they came to a stop. One in particular rode forward. Vanáezae and Vanadessë recognised him.

"Gandalf," Lord Elrond said, sliding off his horse.

"Lord Elrond, mellonin," Gandalf said, raising a hand to his chest in greeting. Well, he actually kinda just put his hand out a little. "Moi vinedh?" Gandalf asked.

"Farannem lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagennem rim na lant i Vruinen," He said, hugging Gandalf. "Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone has drawn them near," Elrond continued, pulling out his sword and handing it to an elf.

"Ah that may have been us," Gandalf said, stepping aside, as did the two women among the group.

Thorin stepped forward, and some of the company creeped forward with him.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain," Elrond said.

"I do not believe we have met," Thorin said, looking Elrond in the eyes.

"You have your grandfather's bearing, and I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."

"Indeed. He made no mention of you."

Elrond stayed quiet a moment before speaking, this time in Elvish. "Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe annam vann a nethail vin."

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asked.

"No Gloin he's offering you food," Vanáezae snickered.

The dwarves muttered amongst themselves, seeming to contemplate the idea.

"Well, in that case lead on," Gloin said.

Lord Elrond had Lindir escort the dwarves to the dining room. Kili passed Vanáezae and accidentally bumped into her ribs, making her wince. She had forgotten about her side because of the chase. Being thrown into a tree sure did hurt more than she thought. As everyone followed Lindir, Vanadessë was the only one to stay with her. Lord Elrond walked over to Vanáezae. The pain in her side was increasing and she could tell he saw her wince.

"I believe you are Lilia?" He asked Vanáezae.

She nodded."Yes. But I go by Vanáezae."

"I have been wondering when you would come here," Elrond said, now turning to her friend. "And who is this?"

Vanadessë spoke up before Vanáezae could, "My name is Vanadessë Nenaranel. I'm a friend of Vanáezae's."

"Ah. So you are the one to accompany Vanáezae on the quest."

"Yes, but how did you know someone else was coming?" Questioned Vanadessë.

"More of that later. Vanáezae must be taken to the healers room," Elrond said, looking at Vanáezae's side.

She quietly thanked him, and he lead the two women to the healers room. She just hoped it wouldn't hurt.

**********

After her rib was patched up as best as the healers could do, Vanáezae was feeling better. Lord Elrond lead the women to the dining hall where the dwarves were.

"Try it. Just a mouthful," Dori said, encouraging his brother to eat the lettuce.

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

Vanadessë sat a few chairs away from Thorin, and Vanáezae sat across from Kili. Lord Elrond went to the top of the table and sat next to Gandalf.

"Where's the meat?" Dwalin growled, checking under a salad.

Vanáezae shared an amused look with Vanadessë. These dwarves obviously didn't know that elves didn't eat meat.

"Have they got any chips?" Ori asked.

Vanáezae picked up a couple of sliced tomatoes and munched on them. Well, at least there was food to eat. So why were they complaining? Vanáezae continued to eat the tomatoes.

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" She heard Elrond say.

Aww. She missed the part about Thorin and Gandalf's swords! Dang. All throughout dinner Vanáezae noticed that Vanadessë kept looking at Thorin. Nearing the end of dinner, Vanáezae excused herself and started to wander the halls. She eventually found herself in the gardens. It was nice there. She sat down near a tree and looked out at the night sky. The stars were out, and she could see so many of them.

"I'm bored," whined a voice above her.

Startled from her gazing, Vanáezae looked up and saw her friend hanging upside down off of one of the tree limbs.

"And?" Vanáezae asked.

"And I'm bored. Save me from this eternal death that is boredness," Vanadessë dramatically said, reaching out to her friend.

"We could listen in on what Gandalf and the gang are doing."

"But we've watched the movies."

"But we weren't in them, now were we?"

"Point taken. Let's go!"

Vanadessë back flipped off the branch and landed next to Vanáezae. She held out her hand and hauled Vanáezae to her feet. They started walking towards the place where the reading of the map was going to be. Now would be a good time to tease her.

"I saw you glancing at Thorin during dinner," Vanáezae accused.

Vanadessë blushed, "So?"

"I see you blushing! You can't deny it!"

"Okay fine. But what about you and Kili?"

Vanáezae stopped dead in her tracks. What?

"What about it?"

"I saw you, glancing at him."

What was she talking about? Vanáezae searched her brain for any memory of ever looking at Kili besides when they had talked. She found no trace and questioned her friend again.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't try to deny it. I saw you keep glancing at him."

"I deny it. I wasn't looking at him."

"Fine. But when you find out you actually do like him, I'm going say I told you so."

"You do that," Vanáezae said, now walking forward again.

"I almost forgot. How did Lord Elrond know I was coming?" Vanadessë asked.

"Tell you tomorrow," was Vanáezae's only reply.

They eventually made it to where the rest of the dwarves were. But sadly, too late. Thorin had already gotten back from the reading of the map.

"Get some sleep," he ordered. "We leave at dawn."

The group complied and set out their bed rolls. Vanáezae found hers and set it next to Vanadessë's. Compliments of Lord Elrond. He had also given Vanadessë a sword of her own so she didn't have to keep borrowing. It took Vanáezae a while to find sleep, but it eventually came. They had a ways to go, before this journey finally ended.

**********

Edited!