Hope ↠ LOTR

VI. Snow

Athena was preparing to leave Rivendell, sliding her trusty dagger into her boot before standing and slinging the bow that Legolas had given her the night before over her shoulder, slipping on the accompanying quiver with her sword already nestled in its scabbard.

Her eyes glanced down at the red book that sat upon her bed, she had taken the time to finish it before getting herself ready. She reached out and picked it up before making her way to Bilbo's room and stepping inside, the sun beginning to rise and leak into the room.

"Did you finish it?" He asked her when seeing her step inside, smiling at her despite the tears that he had shed only a few hours ago when he had snapped at Frodo.

"I did. I think you've done a fantastic job," she responded, handing the book back to her friend who took it and placed it back on the table that he always kept it on.

"Good good!"

"Though I did notice something missing. You don't mention Legolas or Tauriel at all."

"Who?" He asked, turning to her confused.

"The two Elves from Mirkwood?" The confusion stayed on his face so she decided to try and remind him again. "The Elf that Kili fell in love with?"

"Kili fell in love with an Elf?" He asked, even more confused than he was before.

"You never officially spoke to them," Athena commented in realisation, the only time he had met them was in Dale and even then he hadn't been formally introduced to them.

"No, I don't believe I did. I would have liked to have met them though."

"If you aren't already aware, Legolas is here. You could meet him anytime you wanted."

"That sounds lovely, but I'm certain you're about to be late for them leaving."

"And you would be right."

"You'll be careful won't you? I don't want to lose any more of my friends," he asked her in a quiet voice, looking at her with worry in his eyes.

"Of course I will be," she responded, reaching out to take one of his hands in both of hers, "I'll be back before you know it, and the others too."

He smiled at her with a nod and patted the top of her hand with his only spare one. "Now go! Otherwise they might leave without you!" Bilbo shooed her away, waving his hands at her to usher her towards the door.

"Alright, alright, I'm leaving!" She exclaimed with a chuckle while she left the room, turning around to share one more smile with him before making her way towards the archway in Rivendell.

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She joined the members of the Fellowship at the archway, Frodo soon joining them and completing their group. The Elves of Rivendell gathered before them to send them away, Lord Elrond standing directly in front of them and saying his farewell to the group.

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on a quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," Gandalf spoke up from behind them all.

Frodo turned to face the rest of them, unable to coax a smile to form, and began to make his way out of Rivendell, the others following behind him in a line.

"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?"

"Left."

Athena smiled subtly to herself after overhearing the exchange between Frodo and Gandalf, walking behind the Grey Wizard and once again leaving her home behind to face the dangers of the world that lay outside.