The Eyes of Emerald

Chapter 8

The next day the dwarves gathered in the dining hall for a meal. Normally they'd be full of joy to eat, but elves had a...UNIQUE...diet. Far different than one of a dwarf. There was no meat at all, and almost all the food was vegetable green. But Fili couldn't eat. his mind was too focused on Dawn to think of his appetite, no matter how much his stomach rumbled. He first thought of her face when the Orc stabbed her. And then he thought about the other day when he visited her. He could have done something.

"Fili, you really should eat. Even if the food is complete crap," Kili said. The last part he murmured though. But Fili stayed silent.

"Look, I'm worried about Dawn too. But I heard she's in much better condition. We can see her soon." Fili nodded with a smile and stared at his wineglass. Just as he was about to sip from it, Kili ferociously tapped on his shoulder.

"What?" Fili said.

"Look." Fili turned to the hallway Kili was pointing at, and his jaw dropped.

Out from the hallway came Elladan, who was escorting Dawn. She was able to walk. As she got into more light, she was wearing something new. It was a long velvet red dress with a golden sash on the waist. She also had a thin golden circlet with her long brunette hair placed loosely in a braid. Fili stood and slowly walked towards her. Was this really her? Then Elladan left Dawn and sat with his father. As Fili came face to face with her, she smiled brightly, and her eyes sparkled.

"Hello, Fili." she softly said. Without warning, Fili tightly hugged Dawn to see if she was truly there, and sure enough she was.

"I thought I lost you." He felt like he was going to cry, but he didnt. When he let go of his grasp, he looked at her. She looked beautiful.

"I assure you I am found," she replied. Fili then talked of his concern.

"Are you sure you're alright."

"Yes. The elves took care of me. It's just a scar now." Dawn then looked over to Bilbo, who was in a straight face of amazment. He walked over fast and was face to face with the girl.

"You're alright! Oh thank goodness you're alright." The hobbit then hugged Dawn tightly. Dawn smiled and hugged back. She was happy to see the hobbit all happy once more. When the hug ended, she saw some tears swelling in his eyes. Gently she placed her hand on his cheek and wiped away his falling tears.

"There's no need for tears, Master Baggins. I am here, and you are here. We're all here together, and that's all that matters to me." Bilbo then smiled brightly. Truly everyone was happy to see her again.

After a while, Fili walked with Dawn through the gardens of Rivendell, and they talked about their thoughts during parts of their adventure as they walked through the beauty of the garden. They then sat down on a stone bench.

"I'm glad your ok, Dawn," Fili said with a smile.

"I'm glad as well." Dawn then looked up and saw the stars. There may have been a million of them, each one brighter than the other. She smiled brightly at them.

"How many do you think there are?" She whispered to Fili.

"The stars are beyond measure. I'll lose count," he complained. But they soon found themselves both laughing. It seemed the garden glowed with the light of the stars. It looked beautiful. But all Fili looked at was Dawn smiling at the stars.

"See that star?" Dawn asked pointing at the sky. Fili looked up and tried to find the star. It was brighter than all of them.

"What is it?" Fili asked.

"That's Naomi. One of the brightest stars." Fili looked at the star, and then at Dawn.

"Well, none of them can compete with the light of Dawn. While they glow only one color, you can glow a million." Fili then took her hand. Her cheeks blushed a rosy red, and she smiled. She felt like she was floating lightly when he touched her hand.

"Come on. We better go back inside. Thorin, Balin and Bilbo would be back by now." Dawn nodded and followed Fili to an area the dwarves were staying in. It was like camping indoors. But before they got inside, Fili took Dawns hand.

"I had a pleasant night with you my lady," he said in a goofy fashion. He then lightly kissed it. Because of the goofy behavior, Dawn couldn't tell whether it was a joke or not. But deep down inside she hoped it wasn't. There, waiting for them, was Kili with a pile of something in his hands.

"Dawn. The elves repaired your clothes, and gave you a belt. They said it was a gift." Kili then handed her the pile.

Dawns old green dress was all stitched up and clean. It came also with a new leather girdle. The belt came with two sheaths to hold her daggers. Quite convenient. Her cloak was washed and there were no longer signs of Orc blood.

"What did Thorin say?" Fili asked.

"We are leaving tomorrow. We need to get to the mountain before Durins Day," stated Balin. Everyone then began to get ready to sleep. Astime past, Dawn felt cold in the breeze. Just then, she felt something cover her. As she opened her eyes, she saw Fili placing his blanket over her. She quickly closed her eyes as she saw Fili come closer to her.

Thinking she was asleep, Fili placed his hand on the side of her head and pushed aside some of the hair.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered. He then lightly kissed her forhead. All Dawn could feel was like she was floating once more. But she remained still and then eventually fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Fili layers on his back an thought of the first taunt Kili threw at him this adventure.

"She's quite beautiful, isn't she."

Was she beautiful. Yes. Yes she was. As every day past he became more attracted to her. Every day he seemed even more nervous then the last to talk to her. And even though he has only kissed her forehead, he felt alive doing it. So all night, he thought of her.

The next day Dawn woke up and gathered her belongings. She had changed into her clothes and then went to join the others. As they began to leave, Bilbo stayed still and looked at the land. Dawn placed her hand oh his shoulder.

"You better keep up. I want to talk with you along the way." Bilbo looked at the girl, then back at Rivendell, then back again.

"Ok," he said. They then continued to hike up the rocky hills. They now had a deadline. And they had to get there before it, or they would never complete their quest.