Aerlinniel POV

"Stay close to me, Bilbo." I say to him. I will protect this Hobbit, from whoever or whatever is coming.

We follow after Gandalf and the Dwarves. I listen for a heartbeat, I hear one but the heart is beating so fast I cannot recognize whether I know who it is or not.

"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" The person shouts.

I put my daggers away, "Radagast?" I whisper.

"It's Radagast the Brown. Well, what on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf asks him.

"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong." Radagast tells him.

"Yes?"

"Oh. Just give me a minute. Oh, I had a thought and now I've lost it. It- It was right there on the tip of my tongue. Oh! It's not a thought at all. It's a silly old stick insect." Radagast says.

I give a smile. I love Radagast. It has been so many years since the last time I've seen him. And I must say, it is good to see him again.

"Give me a moment to talk to Radagast privately. Aerlinniel, I would like for you to come with me." Gandalf says.

"Aerlinniel? I must say that name sounds familiar." I hear Radagast say.

I walk over to him, "Hello, Radagast. It is so good to see you again. I was so young the last time I saw you."

"Yes! I remember. You lived in a Hidden Kingdom in Fangorn. Gandalf took me there a few times before. I remember your sister, too. I am so sorry about what happened."

"Thank you." I say to him.

We then walk a little bit away from Bilbo and the Dwarves so we can speak privately.

"The Greenwood is sick. A darkness has fallen over it. Nothing grows anymore. At least, nothing good. The air is foul with decay. But worse are the webs." Radagast informs us.

"Webs? What do you mean?" Gandalf asks.

"Spiders, Gandalf. Giant ones. Some kind of spawn of Ungoliant, or I am not a Wizard. I followed their trail. They came from Dol Guldur."

"Huh? Dol Guldur? But the old fortress is abandoned." Gandalf says, shocked.

"No, Gandalf. 'Tis not. A dark power dwells in there such as I have never felt before. It is the shadow of an ancient horror. One that can summon the spirits of the dead. I saw him, Gandalf. From out of the darkness a Necromancer has come." Radagast tells us and gives a gasp, "Sorry."

"Try a little Old Toby. It'll help settle your nerves." Gandalf says, "And out."

I hear Radagast blow out a deep breath.

"Now, a Necromancer. Are you sure?" Gandalf asks him.

I listen as Radagast gives him something and Gandalf unwraps it.

"That is not from the world of the living."

I'm about to ask what it is, when I hear an animal howl.

"Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?" Bilbo asks. I know that it is definitely not a wolf.

"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf." Bofur answers him. I hear growling and pull out my bow.

I hear one come and then another one, but the Dwarves get them.

"Warg scouts. Which means an Orc pack is not far behind." Thorin says.

"Orc pack?" Bilbo questions.

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf asks Thorin.

"No one."

"Who did you tell?" Gandalf yells.

"No one, I swear."

"Gandalf, he's telling the truth stop telling at him." I do not like this angry side of Gandalf.

"What in Durin's name is going on?" Thorin asks, confused.

"You are being hunted." Gandalf tells him.

"We need to get out of here." Dwalin says.

I agree, we really should be getting out of here.

"We can't! We have no ponies. They bolted." Ori says, out of breath.

"I'll draw them off." Radagast says.

"These are Gundabad Wargs. They will outrun you." Ganflaf tells him. I, for one, don't want Radagast getting himself hurt or killed.

"These are Rhosgobel rabbits. I'd like to see them try."

"Alright, Radagast." Gandalf says and then shouts to us, "Let's get going then!"

"Please be careful, Radagast." I tell him.

"I will, Aerlinniel, I promise. It was nice to see you again, but you should get going." I give him a smile and run up next to Gandalf and continue running beside him.

We stop for a moment and then Gandalf whispers to me, "Careful, there are lots of rocks." Then shouts, "Come on." And we continue running.

I do my best to be careful of the rocks, but I stumble a few times.

"Stay together." Gandalf says. "All of you, comer on. Quick."

"Where are you leading us?" Thorin asks, but I don't understand why he cares. As long as we get away from the Wargs and Orcs, I don't really care where we go.

I then get pulled besides a rock. I hear a Warg growling and can tell its really close.

It falls and I can hear an Orc scream as the Dwarves attack it.

"Move! Run!" Gandalf yells.

"There they are!" One of the Dwarves yell.

"This way! Quickly!" Gandalf.

"Kili! Shoot them!" Thorin shout at Kili. I use the sound of Thorin's voice to listen for where I need to shoot.

I take out an arrow and start shooting at the Wargs and Orcs.

"We're surrounded!" Fili says.

"Where's Gandalf?" Someone asks.

I stop shooting and listen for his heartbeat. It's still there, but it's a little bit far away.

"Hold your ground." Says Thorin.

"This way, you fools!" Gandalf yells.

I run as fast as I can toward him.

"Aerlinniel, you have to slide down into the cave." Gandalf tells me and gives me a small push.

I slide down and then hear the Dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf come down after me. I hear a horn, it's an Elvish horn.

I hear fighting and something falls into the cave. By the smell, I can tell it's an Orc.

"Elves." Thorin says.

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

"Follow it, if course." Bofur answers.

"I think that would be wise." Gandalf says.

We walk down the pathway, I know its safe since it seems Gandalf intentionally brought us this way. I wonder where this leads?

"Gandalf. Where are we?" Bilbo asks him.

"You can feel it?" At first I am confused by Gandalf's question. Then I realize...I feel it to. I now know where we are going.

"Yes. It feels like... Well, like magic." Bilbo says, not sure exactly how to describe it.

"That's exactly what it is. A very powerful magic." Gandalf tells him.

"There's light ahead." I hear Gloin say.

I can tell we have exited the small pathway when I hear everyone still and I also hear the sound of water. No one says anything at first. It must be so beautiful, I only can hope to see it one day.

"The Valley if Imladris. In the common tongue, it's known by another name." Gandalf tells us.

"Rivendell." Bilbo says.

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

"This was your plan all along. To seek refuge with our enemy." Thorin says to Gandalf.

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

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

"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are too 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 says.

We continue walking until we reach the entrance. We wait until I hear a familiar heart beat approach us. I remember him from when Gandalf and I came here not to long ago. I am pretty sure him name is Lindir.

"Mithrandir." He says.

"Ah! Lindir." Gandalf exclaims.

Lindir speaks in Elvish, so only Gandalf and I know what he's saying.

Lindir says to Gandalf, "Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen. (We heard you had crossed into the Valley.)"

"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf demands.

"My Lord Elrond is not here."

"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asks.

Before Lindir can answer him. A horn blows. The same Elvish horn that I had heard before when the Orcs were chasing us. I hear the heart beats of Elves, Lord Elrond being one of them, coming towards us on horses.

Thorin shouts something in Dwarvish and then says, "Close ranks!" I roll my eyes.

The Elves surround us and Lord Elrond greets Gandalf. "Gandalf!"

"Lord Elrond. Mellon nîn! 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.)" He gets off his horse and walks over to Gandalf, then to me. "Nice to see you again, Aerlinniel." He tells me and gives me a hug. I return it, a bit shocked. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near."

"Ah. That may have been us." Gandalf tells him.

"Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain." Lord Elrond greets him.

"I do not believe we have met." Thorin says to him.

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

"Indeed? He made no mention of you."

"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.)" Lord Elrond instructs.

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

I give a smile, roll my eyes and say, "No, Master Gloin, he's offering you food."

The Dwarves all whisper to each other. And then Gloin says, "Well, in that case, lead on."

Lord Elrond leads us into Rivendell. The Dwarves are already eating and Gandalf and I are walking with Lord Elrond.

"Kind of you to invite us. Not really dressed for dinner." Gandalf says to him.

"Well, you never are." Lord Elrond says and I snicker. I hear Gandalf chuckle.

"Sorry that our conversation got cut short during your last visit, Aerlinniel." Lord Elrond apologies to me.

"It is alright, Lord Elrond. I only wanted to thank you for your help." I say to him as we sit down at a table.

Thorin and Gandalf show Lord Elrond the swords that they found at the Troll's cave.

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. A famous blade forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well. And this is Glamdring, the Foehammer. Sword of the King of Gondolin. These were made for Goblin Wars of the First age."

"I wouldn't bother laddie. Swords are named for the great deeds they do in war." I hear Balin say.

"What are you saying, my sword hasn't seen battle?" Bilbo asks.

"I'm not actually sure it is a sword. More of a letter opener, really." Answers Balin.

"How did you come by these?" Lord Elrond asks, and I turn back to listen to their conversation. I'm interested in hearing about what Gandalf is going to tell him.

"We found them in a Troll-hoard on the Great East Road shortly before we were ambushed by Orcs."

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

"Excuse me." Thorin says and walks away.

"Thirteen Dwarves and a Hafling. Hm. Strange traveling companions, Gandalf and Aerlinniel.

"These are the descendants of the house of Durin. They're noble, decent folk. And they're surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts." Gandalf says.

I hear some clanging and then Bofur starts to sing,

"There's an Inn, there's an Inn. There's a merry old Inn. Beneath an old gray hill.

And there they brew a beer so brown, the Man in the Moon himself came down one night to drink his fill.

Oh, the ostler had a tipsy cat that played a five-stringed fiddle.

And up and down he saws his bow now squeaking high, now purring low, now sawing in the middle.

So, the cat on the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a drink that'll wake the dead.

He squeaked and he sawed and he quickened the the the landlord shook the Man in the Moon 'It's after three!' He said."

~later that evening ~

Gandalf, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and I are with Lord Elrond.

"Our business is no concern of Elves." Thorin says, refusing to show Lord Elrond the map.

"For goodness sake, Thorin show him the map." Gandalf tells him, frustrated.

"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect, as are it's secrets."

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond." Gandalf says, once again getting angry with Thorin.

"Thorin, no." Balin says. Thorin must finally be giving the map to Lord Elrond.

"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Lord Elrond asks.

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read ancient Dwarvish, duo you not?" Gandalf tells him.

"Cirth Ithil. (Moon runes)" Lord Elrond says.

"Moon runes? Of course. An easy thing to miss"

"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." Lord Elrond informs us.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asks.

We follow Lord Elrond and he says to us, "These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight." I feel the light of the moon shine against my skin. The moon runes must have appeared because Lord Elrond begins reading, "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."

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asks.

"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." Answers Gandalf.

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin says.

"We still have time." Balin tells him.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asks.

"To find the entrance. We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened." Balin continues.

"So this is your purpose, to enter the mountain?" Lord Elrond questions.

"What of it?" Says Thorin.

"There are some who would not deem it wise." Lord Elrond tells him.

Gandalf asks, "What do you mean?"

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." Lord Elrond says to Gandalf and then walls off.

Bilbo POV

~the next day~

I am wandering around Rivendell, enjoying it's beauty. I really love it here, it is truly amazing. I go out on a balcony an just look out an enjoy the view.

"Not with your companions?" Someone asks and I turn to see Lord Elrond.

"Uh, no, I shan't be missed. The truth is that most of them doing think I should be on this journey." I tell him.

"Indeed? I've heard that Hobbits are very resilient."

I give a small chuckle, then realize he might be serious. "Really?"

He nods. "I've also heard they're fond of the comforts of home."

"I've heard that it's unwise to seek the council of Elves. That they will answer with yes and no." I whisper.

"You are very welcome to stay here, if that is your wish." Lots Elrond says to me, puts a hand on my shoulder and then walks off.

~~~

We have left Rivendell without Gandalf. I am walking besides Aerlinniel as we walk up a cliff.

"Be on your guard. We're about to step over the Edge of the Wild. Balin, you know these paths, lead on." Thorin says.

I look back towards Rivendell, I want to go back.

"Master Baggins. I suggest you keep up." Thorn tells me and I continue walking.

"Is everything alright, Bilbo?" Aerlinniel asks me.

"I am fine, I'm just going to miss Rivendell." I tell her, being honest.

"I know how you feel, I will miss Rivendell too. It is beautiful and safe. There is always a sadness upon leaving." She explains to me.

Aerlinniel POV

~skip them traveling ~

It is raining and storming and we are walking against the edge of a mountain. I am very scared, because I am blind and cannot see where I am going and Gandalf is not here to help me. I just hope I do not fall off the mountain.

"Hey! Hold on!" I hear Thorin shout.

I heart Bilbo yell and I reach out and find his jacket and pull him back.

"We must find shelter!" Thorin says to us.

"Look out!" Dwalin shouts. I have no idea what is going on.

I don't understand why Gandalf neeed me to come. I can't see! I could get killed. I hear rock crumble and the Dwarves and Bilbo scream. I hear the rocks falling and back up closer to the mountain.

"This is no thunderstorm. It's a thunder-battle! Look." Yells Balin. I would look if I could. I give a sigh, frustrated.

"Well, bless me. The legends are true. Giants! Stone-Giants!" Boful says, astonished.

Stone-Giants? What are Stone-Giants?

I hear more rocks being crumbled and falling.

"Take cover you fool!" Thorin shouts, although I have no clue who he's talking to, so I move even closer to the mountain.

"What's happening?"

"Grab my hand!"

I hear the rock cracking and I feel the mountain...moving? Is it falling apart or something? I do not know. But what I do know, is that I am really wishing Gandalf was here right now.

I feel next to me for Bilbo, and I grab onto him. Everything will be alright, I just have to keep telling myself that. I feel like I'm falling and land on some rock against the mountain. I hear the Dwarves grumble.

"Where's Bilbo? Where's the Hobbit?" Bofur asks.

Oh no, I let go of him. Please be alright.

"There!"

"Get him!" Thorin shouts. Bilbo must be hanging over the side of the cliff.

I feel so bad, I never should have let go of him. They eventually get him, and I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"I thought we lost our burglar."

"He's been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us." Thorin says and I so badly want to tell at him for saying such things, but I know now is not the best time for that.

"It looks safe enough." Dwalin says, they must have found a cave.

"Search to the back. Caves in the mountain are seldom unoccupied." Thorin tells him.

We ask get in and Dwalin says, "There's nothing here."

"Right, then. Let's get a fire started." Gloin says.

"No. No fires. Not in this place. Get some sleep. We start at first light." Thorin informs us.

"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan." Balin says to Thorin.

"Plans change. Bofur, take the first watch."

I lay down, I try to get some sleep but I can't. I listen as the Dwarves fall asleep one by one. Each of their heart beats getting slow and even when they do fall asleep.

I hear someone up and moving, it's Bilbo. I wonder what he's doing. I listen as he walks away, towards where the entrance of the cave is.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bofur asks.

"Back to Rivendell." Bilbo answers him.

"No, no, you can't turn back now, eh? You're part of the company. You're one of us." Bofur says. I'm glad that there is someone other than me who wants Bilbo here.

"I'm not, though, am I? Thorin said I should never have come and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins. I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door." Bilbo admits. He shouldn't be thinking that way. Why did Thorin have to go and say those things?

"You're homesick. I understand."

"No, you don't. You don't understand. None of you do. You're Dwarves. You're used to this life. To living on the road never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"No, you're right. We don't belong anywhere. I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do. What's that?" Bofur asks him.

"Hmm?"

I hear a weird noise and Thorin says, "Wake up! Wake up!"

The next thing I know, we are falling down to who knows where.

~~~~~~

Alright...super long chapter for you guys since I have not updated the past couple weeks. Sorry about that, I've just been so busy. I will update another chapter within the next couple of days! :)

Love you my elves from the realm of llamas,

~Ellethwen <3