10.
The Hidden Valley

The path they followed was narrow, and it didn't take Aninth very long to figure out why Dwalin hadn't been able to see where it lead. Not only was it a tight squeeze, but the ever so slight weave obscured the end of the path from sight until you were almost completely through.

Her hand was warm and slightly sticky where she held it on her side. The clothes on her shoulder were in much the same condition, only they were not stained with her blood, but that of Ryvniss. Aninth only hoped that the path would soon end and they would arrive at their destination, not only so the pain would end, but so they could both have their wounds patched up.

Soon enough, the path did open up, widening to a small cliff face they all piled onto, staring in astonishment at the sight that was now before them.

Almost carved into the mountainside, almost hidden completely, was what Aninth knew to be an Elven city. And not just any, but that of Rivendell. She had dreamed of coming to this place, of accidentally spotting it from overhead and dropping down to say hello to the Elves, of possibly learning some information about her kin, about the kind of information her father had come here for.

Something thrummed through her veins, the pain fading slightly. It felt... well, it felt almost like magic flowing through her veins. Foreign magic, strange. Nothing like what she was used to. But magical and enchanting all the same.

"The Valley of Imladris," Gandalf said behind them. "In the common tongue, it's known by another name."

"Rivendell," Bilbo said softly.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ygritte said from somewhere behind Aninth.

"Truly," Bilbo replied.

"Here lies the Last Homely House East of the Sea," Gandalf continued.

Thorin turned and approached Gandalf as Aninth tore her eyes away from Rivendell and towards them. "This was your plan all along," he accused, "to seek refuge with our enemy."

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

"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing?" Thorin questioned, "they will try to stop us."

"Of course they will," Gandalf answered easily, "but we have questions that need to be answered."

Aninth swallowed, shifting her hand and tightening it around her wound. "Besides, I have a wound that needs to be treated. And as much as I have confidence in your ability to bandage a wound on a person, I do very much doubt your ability to bandage the wound on my companion. But the Elves here knew my father and his companion, so they will be able to help us."

"Yes," Gandalf agreed, "and 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."

With Thorin's consent, the Company ventured further down the path towards Rivendell. Pain grew in Aninth's jaw from how she had it clenched because of the pain from her wound. But the pain didn't distract from the amazing architecture of Rivendell.

Statues were intricately carved, platforms, bridges, walls and roofs were carved with care. Detail in every inch, nothing was spared from the intricacy of the buildings. The mountains and the foliage were blended seamlessly with the buildings as if they had been built together.

But it seemed that the Dwarves did not share her appreciation. As the crossed a bridge to a round platform before some stairs, all she could see on the faces of those around her (barring only a few) was disdain.

At the top of the stairs, an Elf appeared with dark hair and flowing robes. "Mithrandir," he greeted and Gandalf turned to see him.

"Ah, Lindir," Gandalf greeted in return. They both extended an arm to each other in some kind of Elvish greeting she vaguely remembered her father showing her before one of his trips to Rivendell.

"Stay sharp," Thorin whispered from nearby.

As Gandalf and Lindir approached each other, the Elf talked in his native tongue. As much as her father had tried to teach her Elvish, Aninth had never had a grasp on it. After her father's passing, she had spent several days desperately trying to learn it to no avail.

"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf told Lindir.

"My Lord Elrond is not here," Lindir replied.

"Not here?" Gandalf questioned, "where is he?"

A horn sounded behind them, the same as the one from the field. The same horn that had belonged to the people who had killed the Orcs that were after them.

Behind them, the sounds of horses could be heard. Everyone whipped around and Thorin shouted for them all to close ranks in Dwarvish before repeating the command in English. Aninth was pushed and jostled into the middle of the nest of Dwarves along with Bilbo. Ygritte made no move to follow, clearly not feeling the same fear or hostility in the face of Elves.

Every single Dwarf around her had his weapon drawn and at the ready, fully prepared to start swinging if need be. The Elves on horseback came onto the small platform they were on and started circling them, which Aninth could see was not helping the hostility of the Dwarves at all.

"Gandalf," another dark-haired Elf greeted the Wizard.

"Lord Elrond," Gandalf greeted in return.

They continued their conversation in Elvish as Elrond dismounted from his horse. A little bit of hostility drained from the Company, but they still kept their weapons up, most likely feeling blocked in and caged by the Elves surrounding them.

"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders," Elrond told Gandalf in English, holding an Orcish sword in one hand before passing it off to Lindir. "Something or someone has drawn them near."

"Ah, that may have been us," Gandalf answered, gesturing to the crowded Company.

Thorin stepped forward, his axe held close in hand. Aninth followed slowly after him, hoping to be able to speak to Elrond herself. He knew her father, and he would definitely know how to help her and Ryvniss.

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

"I do not believe we have met," Thorin replied.

"You have your grandfather's bearing," Elrond told him, "I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain."

"Indeed?" Thorin questioned, "he made no mention of you."

Elrond took a moment to study Thorin's face. Then he did something that Aninth would not have deemed wise. With a critical look on his face, he replied to Thorin in Elvish.

"What is he saying?" Gloin asked, sounding offended, "does he offer us insult?"

"No, Master Gloin," Gandalf said, calming the Dwarvish outrage before it could begin, "he's offering you food."

Immediately, everyone stepped back and began whispering among themselves, debating on what they should do about this offering. On one hand, Aninth was able to gather, they did not like being offered anything by Elves. On the other hand though, what they were offering was a free meal.

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

"Before we go anywhere," Aninth spoke up, stepping forward and looking up at Elrond, "my companion and I require some further assistance if you would be willing to provide it."

First, she pulled her hand from her side, to reveal the blood that had soaked onto her palm and fingers. Then she put her hand back over her wound, and unwound Ryvniss from around her neck, displaying the bleeding wound on his side.

"Amlunoss," Elrond greeted her in Elvish, to which Aninth responded with a bow of her head.

"I am Aninth, Protector of Creatures, Champion of Dragons, Destroyer of Men, Last of the Dragonkin and daughter of Anhro and Alio," she greeted him.

Elrond bowed his head in return, "I knew Alio, your father. I would be honoured to help you and your companion." He turned to Lindir, who stood behind him and gave a nod of his head. "Lindir will lead your way."

"Thank you," she said, and followed after the Elf, seeing Ygritte's concerned expression and sending her a reassuring smile as she passed.

an. so, the word that Elrond calls Aninth, Amlunoss, is my very bad take on the Elvish word for Dragonkin. I googled the words for both dragon and kin (Amlug and noss respectively) and smushed them together. If you have a better suggestion, I will gratefully take it!