The Beginning of Darkness [LotR] [COMPLETED]

Old and New Faces

After the Hobbits had stuffed themselves till bursting point, Mariliel led them through more hallways until they reached a courtyard. The courtyard was surrounded by tall trees with brightly coloured flowers on them and were swaying gently in the breeze. In the middle was a large stone fountain, the gentle splashing from the fountain filled the space as the Hobbits looked around them in awe. Frodo spied a familiar face sitting alone on a bench by the fountain,

“Bilbo!” cried Frodo happily as he rushed to his Uncles side

Bilbo looked up from the red covered book he was reading and smiled, “Frodo, it’s good to see you again my boy”

Mariliel picked up the book Bilbo had put aside and flipped to the first page,

“’There and Back Again: A Hobbit’s Tale by Bilbo Baggins’ You finally finished it.” She read aloud

“Yes” Bilbo sat back down on his bench and gazed into the distance, “I always wanted to wander the paths of Mirkwood, visit Laketown, see the Lonely Mountain again” he fixed his gaze on Mariliel, “Visit you, wherever your latest hideout was” he gave her a mischievous grin.

“Wait, you two know each other?” Frodo looked between the two of them

Bilbo chuckled, “That is a tale for another day dear Frodo”

Frodo looked to Mariliel for an explanation but she just shook her head and smiled, “Another time” she said, “I’ll leave you five to catch up”

Mariliel started walking down a corridor but paused to look back at the Hobbits. They all looked so happy and joyful, not a thought about the darkness and destruction that would come if the Ring was not destroyed. She wished she could share their innocence on the subject.

.::.::.::.

As she was walking in through the beautiful gardens of her childhood Mariliel overheard Gandalf and her Father talking. She paused beside a tree listening in,

“The Halfling’s strength is returning” that was her Father

“The wound will never fully heal, he’ll carry it for the rest of his life” replied Gandalf

Again her Father spoke, “He has done well to come so far carrying the Ring. He has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil”

“He should never have had to bear this burden” Gandalf muttered

Not wanting to hear anymore Mariliel walked back the way she came so as not to be discovered eavesdropping. She wandered back up to the main building, there was a loud clattering of hooves at the entrance. She turned towards the sound to see who had arrived.

There was a man with sandy coloured hair and beard and a large shield on his back. A small group of Dwarves all looking… dwarvish with their elegantly platted beards (if that was possible) And an Elf with white coloured hair and had a bow and quiver strapped to his back. They all dismounted and looked around them in awe (obviously their first time in Rivendell)

Mariliel then realised she was not alone, spinning around she saw that her Father was standing there also looking at the newcomers,

“There shall be a council tomorrow, I wish for you to attend” he said simply

Mariliel was surprised, her Father never let her listen in on his meetings, “Really?” she whispered

“Yes” he turned to walk away then added over his shoulder, “You would most likely find a way in anyway”

Mariliel smiled to herself as he walked away. Yes that was something she would do.