The Northern Mountains

~Eighteen~

...i gave you Sirius too early, I apologise...
...he'll be in the next chapter...

eighteen rewrite

Elrond and Saruman had left the pavilion to attempt to stop the dwarves and Hartlyn couldn't stop herself from snickering. If her King was with them, then they definitely wouldn't be caught by the elves.

The Mistress turned her watchful eyes to Galadriel and Gandalf as they rose from their seats. She tilted her head when they moved over to one of the wide open walls that showed the perfect setting of Rivendell as the sun slowly set.

"You will follow them," the she elf stated, her eyes set on the horizon.

Harltyn stood to join them just when the Grey Istari simply replied with a 'yes.'

The white blonde looked to her, then back to him "You are right to help Thorin Oakenshield. But I fear this quest has set in motion... forces we do not yet understand. The riddle of the Morgul Blade must be answered. Something moves in the shadows unseen, hidden from our sight. It will not show itself. Not yet. But every day it grows in strength. You must be careful."

"You're asking Gandalf to be careful?"

Galadriel chuckled delicately at her new friend's words, turning to her, "After all these years I've never learned any different."

The redhead grinned at her before they glanced back at the wizard, who had enough humour to jokingly look offended.

Silence took hold of them for a few moments, bar the quiet singing of songbirds and the gentle rustles of trees in the wind when Galadriel pursed her lips, "Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?"

Curious as well, Hartlyn watched him.

"I do not know. Saruman believes that it is only great power... that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found it is the small things... everyday deeds of ordinary folk... that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love," he chuckled before smiling contemplatively, "Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I'm afraid... and he gives me courage."     

Taking hold of both of the wizard's hands, the she elf kept his gaze with a serene expression on her beautiful face, "Do not be afraid, Mithrandir. You are not alone."

:3

Leaving his Queen behind was probably one of the hardest things he'd done in his long life. The only consolation he had was that he knew he'd see her soon, Jon believing that Hartlyn would follow as soon as she could. He surprised himself by not getting lost on the way back to the room given to him and quickly dressed in his travel clothes.

Then, Jon wandered down several other halls, on the way stealing a green apple from the tray of fruit with a wink at the blushing she elf walking past, following the sound of the brash dwarves packing their things.

The Northern King really didn't know how the elves didn't hear them in the first place, but when he leant against the doorway of the room they were given use of and took a large bite out of the crisp apple, they all froze. He almost snickered at the wide eyed hobbit who looked like a child being caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"I see you're planning on leaving once more."

Thorin straightened up with a wary glare in his eyes before Dwalin demanded, "Are you going to stop us?"