Ya'aburnee

Imladris

Liv walked near the middle of the group with Balin, walking in silence. She recognized this path, for it was the way she and Gandalf had left Rivendell when they had visited there for a time. The chasm was lit above by the sky, the stone reaching up towards the grassland above.

She came round the bend, smiling at the sight. She had missed this place. The feel of it was so heavenly. The elven dwellings had an atmosphere around them. If she thought back, the presence of Aulë had felt the same way, and she thought it was perhaps the closest a living mortal could come to feeling Valinor.

The dwarves however, were all scowling, feeling quite betrayed, Thorin most of all.

Bilbo's mouth dropped open in awe as he saw it, Liv turning and smiling slightly to Gandalf. "The valley of Imladris!" Gandalf announced to the company, smiling as well. "In the common tongue, it is known by another name."

"Rivendell." Bilbo breathed out. He had never dreamed he would ever see such a place.

"Here lies the last homely house east of the sea," Gandalf went on, moving to stand beside Thorin. The dwarves were all complaining to one another already, Balin having turned away from Liv to listen to Kili complaining. 

She heard movement behind her and turned, watching as Thorin strode back to Gandalf. "This was your plan all along." He accused, "To seek refuge with our enemy!"

Gandalf scowled. "You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. 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 asked. "They will try to stop us."

"Of course they will," Gandalf replied, "But we have questions that need to be answered." Thorin sighed, lowering his head, knowing that that was a point he could not argue. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact. And respect. And no small degree of charm." Gandalf straightened. "Which is why you will leave the talking to me."

Gandalf pushed ahead to the front of the group, Thorin watching him disbelievingly, before turning to Olivia. "Did you know?"

She sighed. "When we were on the run, he told me to lead you here if he was unable to." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either. She had always known that they would come here.

Thorin huffed out a sigh, walking past her to the front with Gandalf. She followed as well, standing near her mentor.

As they crossed one of the bridges into the city, Olivia walked over Gandalf's left shoulder, beside Thorin, looking out over the waterfalls and the intricate buildings. She hadn't wanted to leave this place, when she had visited here, but she knew that she must. It wasn't her destiny to stay in the hidden valley.

They reached a large stone circle through the entrance, Liv stepping forward with Gandalf as the rest of the group clumped together, all looking incredibly uncomfortable. "Mithrandir!" A voice greeted and she turned, recognizing Elrond's right hand man. 

"Lindir!" Gandalf greeted, drawing a hand from his chest in greeting as the elf did the same. Liv inclined her head slightly in a respectful greeting.

Lindir spoke in Elvish to Gandalf and Olivia caught a few of the words, 'we,' 'heard,' and 'valley,' but that was about it. She had been given a book to try and learn the language, but so far only knew a few common words and greetings and farewells (as well as how to apologize. Liv thought that was one of the most important things to learn in a new language).

"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf replied in the common tongue.

"My Lord Elrond is not here." Lindir caught the hint to speak in common.