The Last Othellan

Rivendell

 The next two days passed in a blur of landscapes. I focused on keeping the Hobbits going, and making sure Aragorn slept well enough to lead the group to Rivendell. It was a quiet walk, and all our thoughts were with Frodo. I wondered if he had been saved, hoped desperately that Arwen's father would have the skill to heal him. I kept my feelings to myself, however, not wanting to make the others anxious.

I had not set foot inside an elvish kingdom since Othella was still my home. I was nervous to see it, to be in the company of so many of my own kind after centuries of travelling. Furthermore, Rivendell was very different to Othella. It was a place filled with goodness and light, whereas Othella had been nothing but dark. 

We finally reached our destination at sunset. Rounding a corner, I felt my mouth fall open. Rivendell was bathed in winter evening sun. It was set on many different levels into the rock of the valley. The houses were made of stone and waterfalls were scattered among them, falling gracefully into the river, and endless stream of calm.

It was so different to Othella, so peaceful, beautiful. I felt safe here, a sensation I was not used to feeling. In Othella, safety was a luxury I was not acquainted with. I was jolted back to reality as Aragorn nudged me on the shoulder, smiling slightly. I smiled back, and we walked down the path into the valley.

"We will go to the house of Elrond" Aragorn announced to us all, treading the path as if he had done this hundreds of times before. I turned to look at the hobbits. All three of them looked transfixed, and swivelled their heads this way and that, taking in the beauty of Rivendell.

When we reached the house, Arwen rushed out of it, followed by an elf I had only ever heard about in tales. He had long brown hair, which coursed straight down his back. His robes were of deep red, and swept behind him as he walked. He had a proud, clever face.

"Lord Elrond" Aragorn greeted, bowing his head slightly. I did the same, suddenly feeling a little shy in the face of an elf lord. Lord Elrond smiled at the both of us, and I smiled nervously back.

"Arwen, escort the Lady Authiel inside. A soft bed awaits her", asked Lord Elrond, inclining his head a little as I was led away.

"Frodo?" I asked urgently as Arwen and I passed through the doors and turned down a long corridor.

"He is alive, and Ada thinks he will awake in the next few days" answered Arwen promptly, smiling across at me,

An immense relief filled me and, although I had no idea how tense I was, my shoulders relaxed immediately. I smiled back at Arwen, feeling completely at ease now I knew he was going to be okay. "I thought we would lose him".

"A matter of hours and that would have been the case" said Arwen, a small frown crossing her beautiful features "But fortunately my father is skilled, and Frodo is healing". We turned another corner, and Arwen paused before a handsome oak door.

"A hot bath awaits, and after you have finished there is someone here who has requested he speak with you" she told me, opening the door and walking into the room.

I walked in after her, and was once again hit with the tranquillity of the place. The room opened on one side to a balcony overlooking the gardens, which were green and filled with fountains. Even though it was October, the breeze blowing in was as warm as summer. The bed was large, and carved intricately out of oak with silky covers. Beside the entrance was a wardrobe, flowers and vines carved into it. On the dressing table was a wood-bordered looking glass, carved in the same pattern as the wardrobe. 

"Thank you Arwen, this is beautiful" I breathed, walking over to the door on the right side of the room to find a bathroom, complete with a steaming hot bath.