CHAPTER 9 | RIVENDELL

THE path they followed was narrow. So narrow that at one point, Ygritte had to bend down and walk with her torso curved. It was an uncomfortable position to be in, especially considering the dwarves walked slow, the hilts of their swords would ooccasionally scrape up against the hard wall on either side of them, which would hold them up for a moment before they'd continue on. She was getting annoyed by how many times it had happened. If this is how she felt, she could only imagine how her father must feel walking all bent and twisted.

In front of her was Aninth. She could see that the blond was still pressing a hand to her side, and whenever they were forced to pause, Aninth would press herself against the side of the narrow cave to take a short break and catch her breath. It was obvious the pain was still present. Ygritte hoped the cave would end soon so they could treat her properly. It would be a shame to lose her now.

Soon enough, the path did open up, widening to a small cliff face they all piled onto. Ygritte was correct in her prior assumptions as she smiled ahead at the all too familiar valley.

Almost carved into the mountainside, almost hidden completely, was the Elven city of Rivendell. Oh how it's been so long since Ygritte has been inside the walls of what has always been her second home.

She looked to her companions, and found many of them wearing expressions of astonishment, including ─ believe it or not ─ Thorin Oakenshield. However his astonishment quickly turned to anger.

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

"Rivendell," Bilbo said softly, eyes gazing fondly at the beautiful land.

Ygritte grinned. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Bilbo looked to her and nodded. "Truly," he replied.

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

Thorin turned and approached Gandalf, an anger raging like a fire dancing in his eyes. "This was your plan all along," he accused the wizard, "to seek refuge with our enemy."

Ygritte rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she turned to face them. Here we go, she thought.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield," Gandalf told him, "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 with ease, "but we have questions that need to be answered."

"Besides, I have a wound that needs to be treated," Aninth voiced from not that far away from where Ygritte stood. Ygritte glanced her way, finding the blond with her hand pressing even harder on her bleeding wound. Now that they were in daylight, Ygritte could see the blood staining her skin and the paleness of her face.

"And as much as I have confidence in your ability to bandage a wound on a person," Aninth continued, "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."

Ygritte's forehead creased. She wondered why Elrond never mentioned knowing Aninth or her kin before. Being so adventurous, she would think he would have told her something like that. It made her curious as to why he spared her the information.

"Yes," Gandalf agreed, nodding, "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 hesitant consent, the Company ventured further down the path towards Rivendell. As they neared, Ygritte began to marvel at the beauty of her second home that she hasn't been to in ages. Years, it seemed.

She missed the intricately carved statues, platforms, bridges, walls, roofs and collums that have all been carved with care. She missed the blooming flowers and their aromas, the small streams ─ even the hidden waterfall she discovered as a child that was located not far off into in the woods beyond the trenches of the Elven city. But, most of all, she missed the statue.

Her mother, who may not have been an Elf, but was cared by one since birth, lived within the walls of Rivendell. And when she died, the most gentle of hands had carved her beautiful figure so perfectly and placed her in one of the lushish gardens so that she may forever remain at home. Ygritte knew she would have to visit the place where her mother now lays in peace before she were to continue on with their journey.

As they crossed a bridge to a round platform before some stairs, where, at the top, an Elf appeared with dark hair and flowing robes. Ygritte turned at his arrival and offered up a smile, recognizing him immediately.

"Mithrandir," he greeted. Gandalf turned to see him.

"Ah, Lindir," he greeted in return. Gandalf moved passed his daughter and met him half way, where they both extended an arm to each other in an Elvish greeting.

"Stay sharp," Thorin whispered from nearby. Ygritte scoffed from his side, causing him to glare at her as she moved away from him.

Gandalf and Lindir spoke to one another in Elvish tongue tongue for many moments. Having learned the Elves native tongue at a young age, the Elves native tongue, Ygritte was able to keep up with their conversation.

After a few moments, Gandalf spoke with urgency." I must speak with Lord Elrond."

"My Lord Elrond is not here," Lindir replied. Ygritte furrowed her brows at this.

Strange, she thought, Elrond rarely ever leaves his home land.

"Not here?" Gandalf questioned, sounding just as confused as his daughter, "where is he?"

Suddenly, a horn sounded from 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.

Ygritte ─ and soon everybody else, too ─ turned at the the sounds of many hooves. Thorin shouted for them all to close ranks in Dwarvish before repeating the command in English. Ygritte remained in her place, not at all feeling fear towards the Elves. She knew that even if she were to do something that of a crime in their Elven eyes, that she would always be welcomed into Rivendell with open arms. Because of her, her mother, Melisandre.

Every single Dwarf around them 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 began circling them, which made Ygritte understand the hostility of her companions.

Out of the long presage, came the friendly face that Ygritte was relieved to see. She showed it with a smile in his direction.

"Gandalf," he said kindly.

"Lord Elrond," Gandalf greeted in return.

They continued their conversation in Elvish for a moment as Elrond dismounted from his horse. With this conversation, brought the sagging shoulders of the Company as they realized perhaps they weren't in danger. However, they did keep their weapons unsheathed and in their grasps, most likely feeling trapped in the swarm of Elves.

"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders," Elrond said to Gandalf, 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, and Aninth followed slowly after him, most likely hoping to speak with Elrond for herself.

"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 made Ygritte smirk in Thorin's direction, despite him not being able to even see it. 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 reassuringly, "he's offering you food."

Immediately, the Dwarves stepped back and began whispering among themselves, debating on what they should do about this offering by an Elf. Ygritte was somewhat amused by this. Surely they couldn't be so stubborn as to turn down a free meal. Even without them accepting, she herself would still go with Elrond. She was always grateful for his kindness.

Eventually, the dwarves stepped away from each other, Gloin speaking for the group of them. "Well, in that case, lead on."

"Before we go anywhere," Aninth voiced, stepping forward and looking up at Elrond, "my companion and I require some further assistance if you would be willing to provide it." She pulled her hand from her side, revealing to them, the wound that had stained her palm and fingers red. Then she put her hand back over her wound, and unwound Ryvniss from around her neck, displaying the bleeding wound on his side.

Ygritte's eyes widened as she recalled their previous conversation that had taken place inside the cave. We, Aninth had said to her, and now it made sense. She meant Ryvness. They were...connected?

"Amlunoss," Elrond greeted her. Aninth responded with a bow of her head.

"I am Aninth, Protector of Creature, Champion of Dragons, Destroyer of Men, Last of the Dragonkin and daughter of Anhro and Alio," greeted the injured blond.

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 he gave him nod. "Lindir will lead your way."

"Thank you," Aninth said, following after the Elf.

Ygritte sent her a concerning look as she passed by her, to which Aninth responded with one of reassurance.

As Aninth was lead away by Lindir to be treated, Elrond ordered for the remainder of them to be lead to the dining area by Johar, a nearby raven-haired Elf, who nodded respectfully toward his lord before motioning the Dwarves forward. This left only Gandalf and Ygritte, and as they stood on the platform, Elrond stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Ai, nessa Ygritte. Vanessë queluva ana hehtanë le," he greeted, causing her to smile.

"Le hannon," she replied with a sheepish expression painted on her youthful features.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they began to venture up the stairs. "We have missed your presence here. When your father visits, he is often alone. Tell me of your travels, young one."

Yrgitte grinned and jumped into sharing the details of her most recent adventures, which sparked amusement in Lord Elrond's eyes as he listened to her ramble. As he watched and listened to her speak, he couldn't help but compare her to her mother. It had been a few years since Ygritte last visited Rivendell, and it seemed the more she grew up, the more like her mother she became.

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All language translations will be an inline comment as done in this chapter.