Ellendil

Master of The Shire

She had no idea why she was in this cupboard. The brief encounter with this dark haired dwarf had left her seriously confused apparently and with a longing to sort out her thoughts. A runestone and a promise she had visioned had saved his life, yet she felt that her actions had come from something more. Despite his ridiculous name, she had decided she liked this foolish dwarf and in fact his company. They brought warmth to her heart, and a desire to join them in their quest, whatever it may be. This dark haired dwarf, she could tell in his blood that he was from the line of Durin, Thorins nephew she suspected...Damn it to the fires of mordor! Thorin! Had she even paid any attention? She thought back to the feast and combed through images of Thorin Oakenshield seated by Lord Elrond, inspecting blades of value. She was meant to be watching him. She tried to focus on what he was thinking about, something her gift allowed her to do most of the time, she was working on it. Ellendil saw a map. The map! She hadn't even noticed the forsaken map. She had an idea what this map led to but she didn't know enough from her 'gift' about why she had the immense realisation it was the very reason they were here in Rivendell. They needed Lord Elrond's help, but why?
Elle had stood there cursing herself for not paying attention to anything, for too long a time in her little cupboard before she heard almost silent footsteps pass her door. They could belong to only one. The hobbit. Finally. She hadn't seen him at the feast and suspected he was exploring the elven kingdom while the others feasted as well as they could on their pitiful salads. She waited to feel for his presence to pass and then she opened the door quietly, meaning to follow him. *CLASH*. A rake brush fell out of the cupboard and clattered onto the floor. DAMN IT TO MORDOR. Elle cursed loudly in her head. Why on earth had the gift of grace not been bestowed on her? She decided to answer herself. 'Because I am a half wit and never watch where I put my bloody feet.' Elle quietly scolded. She never knew elves in Rivendell used rakes. Did they rake? The image of the most elegant creatures in middle earth raking away weeds made her grin despite her frustration. She'd lived here for who knows how many years and never had she seen an elf rake in her whole life. Bloody typical. She stopped scolding herself when she heard soft retreating footsteps and instead looked up in front of her.
There was a bend in the bridge up ahead that disappeared down a long corridor, and around the corner of this bend was where young master baggins of bag end poked his head around and looked at her.
'Uh...hello there, is everything alright you've seemed to have dropped your rake.' The small halfling said carefully.
'It appears that I have, Master Baggins. How very well spotted of you.' Ellendil answers, with a smile already starting to form on her lips.
'My name, th-that's my name, how do you know it?' Bilbo said inquisitively. This was the perfect moment, she could use her favourite line. Oh how Elle loved this line. 'I know many things.' She says in her best mysterious tone. She decided to change her eyes for fun (as they did depending on the circumstance) to a vibrant purple and the hobbit stumbled back into full view and stared bewildered at her. 'Your eyes, they change. Wait...you're Ellendil. The seeing eye of Rivendell aren't you?' Said Bilbo Baggins as he neared her cautiously. So Gandalf had told him of her, probably told him of her so called 'greatness'. Damn, she wasn't completely coming off as great right now. 'That would be me yes, and I have dropped my trusty rake and that's most heartbreaking.' Elle paused 'But enough of that! I am terribly interested in you Master of the Shire. I believe you have been up to more than dropping rakes, have you not?' Ellendil continued slowly and deliberate, an eyebrow raised. The hobbit just looked flustered and went to speak but then ended up shaking his head. She smiled warmly at him. He'd been up to that much? 'Come, walk with me.' She said softly and walked over and placed a hand on the young hobbits shoulder and steered him round the bend in the bridge, and into the light of the open corridor beyond.
The hobbit told Elle all about the journey and the companies quest. Not because he trusted Elle, she had realised but because he trusted the word of Gandalf that she would not try and stop the quest, but instead was necessary to it's success. That wizard wasn't flattering her, he had a job for her. Something to help him figure out she guessed, but what? The key to Erebor had passed from Thrain to Gandalf and now to Thorin, who had decided after long years to travel across middle earth to take back what belonged to his people. This was no easy task, especially for no more than 13 dwarves, a wizard and a hobbit. A great red dragon had sent the dwarves from their mountain dwelling and killed many with dragon fire to get his prize which was of course the mountains of gold the dwarves had mined from Erebor's rock for many years. This dragon would not give up his plunder, not even to the rightful heir himself. This fire breather had the fiercest desire for the mined gold than any Elle knew of, for the gold sickness clung strongly onto those who possessed it. The company knew that they could not reclaim Erebor all on their own, and would need their dwarf kin to aid there quest. So in detail there quest was to in fact steal the kings jewel, the arkenstone, from beneath the great smaug in order to unite the race. The arkenstone was discovered in Thror's rain (Thorins grandfather) and he had taken it as a sign that his right to rule was supreme. He had demanded that all pay homage to this stone found at the heart of the mountain and many had swore oaths to it's name. Thorin lay his hope on those oaths. Ellendil listened intently to the hobbits account and her thoughts kicked up a storm in her mind. She had to talk to Gandalf and soon. There would be unspeakable consequences to this quest if the party was not careful and if Thorin Oakenshield was not prepared for what this quest would demand from them. She'd find Gandalf, he'd know what to do. For now though, she wanted to share this moment with the halfling.
'Ah here we are,' Ellendil chirped as they neared the memorial of Isildur. The hobbit had been looking for this tower Elle had known, and she had a distant knowing of why yet it remained hidden to her for now. She waited at the arched door as the hobbit wandered around the large open room, in awe of its contents. The room was lit in a deep blue light as the sun gave up lingering above the valley walls and started to descend. A soft breeze touched the blue tinged stone faces of the walls. Time passed and a calm lay over Rivendell. 'The broken blade.' The young master baggins announced as he stared along the gleaming edge of one of the shards atop the table on which it was placed. Bilbo put the blade back into the hands of the stone carved high elven queen and stepped down from the stairs that led up to the blades podium and turned to face an intricate painting of the battle between Isildur and The Dark Lord Sauron. A visual account of the events that took place over 2,000 years before his time. The hobbit proceeded to draw a finger along the painting. Bilbo traced the blade in Isildurs hand and across The Lord Saurons fingers, where they lingered for a moment over The Ring of Power that was shown burning gold and red on the finger of the enemy. Elle took in a sharp breath.
He lingered too long. Elle had woke from restless sleep thinking of the one ring and this hobbit and times soon to come. This one ring had such terrible power, to massacre races and bring all to brutally serve the Dark Lord. Elle had never truly believed that this evil had been lost. It would not do to be lost, it had to be banished from this world, unable to bring the destruction it was longing to bring. She now understood why Gandalf had told Bilbo of her, the shadows had been growing in his mind also and questions needed answering. Answers she did not have. The two were linked some how, the young hobbit of the shire and the ring of terrible power. The growing numbers of orcs and enemy raids were making these peaceful times lest restful and something had to be done. She was lost in her thoughts for some time before she brought herself back to the situation.
'We best be getting back Master Baggins, those dwarf companions of yours need some hobbit supervision if you ask me.' Elle said kindly to the hobbit who looked as though he could have stayed there forever. 'Yes, yes we should. Thank you for showing me this place.'the little master answered as he smiled up at her, trying to hide his disappointment at having to leave. The young halfling fell in behind Ellendil at a slow stroll as they both went back the way they had came, in search for the dwarf companions of the halfling. They talked and laughed their way down stairs and along bridges until they came across the party.
They stopped at the top of a staircase leading down to the place where the dwarves had apparently chosen to set up a fire. Elle could smell burning meat and hear the hearty laughter of the company and had a sudden longing to join them. She shook off the feeling and focused on the urgency of the need to talk to Gandalf.
'Till next time, My Lady.' Says Bilbo as he stared up at Elle. 'I best go down and see them to bed.' He chuckled as he motioned down the steps. The dwarves fire cast swirling shadows on the floor at the foot of the stairs as though they were dancing merrily. 'It was great bumping into you, Master Baggins. Despite the manner of you finding me.' Elle answered with a laugh. 'Call me Bilbo.' The young halfling called behind him as he descended the steps. Elle smiled after her new found friend. Elle decided she had found something special in this little hobbit, something worth protecting. She took a moment to take in the dwarves festivities and then cursed herself. Gandalf.