Natural || Dwalin x OC - A Hobbit Fanfiction

40 - Ending of the Azlâf stage

They stayed in Rivendell for a month, Estel had begged his mother to let him return to the Blue Mountains with his 'sister', and surprisingly, the woman actually agreed. He would get to stay until after the wedding, and Lindir (much to his horror) would be accompanying them back and stay to care for Estel.

Poor poor Lindir, he kept close to Rurín the last dew days pestering her about it all. Begging her to tell him that it was not going to be anywhere like it had been during their visit. She reassured him over and over again that Fíli and Kíli had duties with deliveries outside the mountain. He breathed in relief and the heartwarming friendship he formed with Orí continued through the aisles of the Library with Erestor helping the young Dam out.

Thorín had been quite okay with the agreement as a sign of goodwill and to give Rurín more time with the little boy. Fíli and Kíli were thrilled as they had grown a fondness for Estel. Soldís also liked having someone to play with. Which made it all easier for Rurín and Dwalín.

Before leaving Rivendell, Rurín went through several healing treatments done by Elrond on her hand until she only needed to use a brace and do therapy to gain strength back in her fingers and palm. She would be back to full health by June. Less than two months away. They were given carriages with supplies and wedding gifts from the elves, new packing horses, and an elvish escort to ensure they returned safely without any more trouble on the road.

Rurín knew that it also had to do with Estel's true name even if she and the elves were the only ones who knew the truth. She had made an oath that she would never disclose that information to anyone, not even her family. Estel needed to be kept safe, he had just turned Seven years old and did not need to be burdened by the knowledge he was Isildur's heir, the hidden rightful king of Gondor. So many people would see him dead for that fact alone.

"Are you sure you are good to ride?" Balín asked her kindly.

Rurín had been a bit dizzy the past few days, Elrond was worried she wasn't getting enough iron and had thrust a large bag of dried fruits and roasted pumpkin seeds into her hands and ordered her to eat more red meat. She had taken advantage of the leafy greens while in Rivendell since it was more bountiful here than in the mountains.

"I am fine," She insisted, waving Balín off.

"I would feel better if you rode in the carriage with the children," Elrond inputted. "You are half-dwarf and you need the iron from meat. Until you've built your strength back up, please ride in the carriage."

She sighed and climbed back off her saddle and got into the carriage with his help. "You are such a father," She teased.

"That's because I am, daughter." He rose his eyebrows at her making her chuckle.

Estel and Soldís sat on either side of her, all three of them waving fondly at the elves in goodbye. Estel's mother was blowing kisses to her son and he caught each one, stuffing them in his satchel and yelling "BYE, MOMMA! LOVE YOU! BYE ADA! BYE!"

The journey wasn't all that bad, the elves didn't stay away from the dwarves and the dwarves didn't say anything about it. After spending a month in their home, The Ur's, Fíli, Kíli, and Orí made friends with some of them, and Balín and Dorí got acquainted with some of the older Elves, mostly Lindir, and Glorfindel they learned a lot about cultural differences, correcting each other where they were wrong and Glorfindel recalled the old days when he was in Gondolin and telling Balín about the grinding ice that had Orí eating out of the palm of his hand with her hand moving rapidly across her journal's pages.

Thorín and Dwalín listened to the stories with interest while keeping a close eye on Rurín who was sleeping more than usual during the day and claiming it was because of boredom.