There and Back Again: A Girl's Tale

Chapter 8 Rivendell

Chapter 8 Rivendell

Elwen couldn't breathe. It was as if she'd suddenly been sucked into a vacuum. The influx of magic, it was too much. She could feel it under her skin, in her chest, in her soul. It was almost as if she were made of the stuff. She was on her hands and knees gasping for breath until she felt a warm presence at her side.

"It's okay," a deep voice murmured to her. "Take a deep breath. In and out...just like that."

Soon, the world came back into focus a little at a time. First the rocky ledge she had collapsed on, then the person next to her who was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"Do you want to stand?" Thorin asked.

Elwen nodded and let him help her off the ground. He kept an arm around her as they turned toward the rest of the company.

"What's happened to her, Gandalf?" Bilbo asked, voice full of concern. Gandalf smiled, but it was a tired smile that didn't quite meet his eyes.

"Elwen comes from a place completely devoid of magic," he explained rather sadly. "I imagine the magic of the elves feels a bit overwhelming to someone who has never felt even a sliver of its presence. She should be fine, but I think more light will be shed on the situation once we find our host."

Thorin scowled deeply. "This was your plan all along," he accused, "to seek refuge with our enemy."

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield," snapped Gandalf. "The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself."

Bilbo and Elwen exchanged glances. She mouthed "awkward," at the hobbit, who coughed to cover up a snicker.

"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing?" Thorin shot back. "They will try to stop us."

"Of course they will!" Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "But we have questions that need to be answered."

Thorin dipped his head in begrudging acknowledgment.

"If we are to be successful," Gandalf continued, "this will need to be handled with tact, and respect, and a no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me."

This time Elwen laughed out loud, which made her groan with pain as her ribs throbbed.

They started the hike from the ledge toward Rivendell. Thankfully it was a completely downward slope and Elwen managed the walk unassisted. She brushed aside Thorin and Kili's protests, insisting she'd caught her second wind and could make the descent just fine on her own.

The truth was, her ribs hurt like hell and she was exhausted to the point of collapse, but something inside would not allow her to walk into Rivendell under anything other than her own steam. It would be like Thorin arriving in Erebor on a stretcher, unable to hold his head high as he returned to the hall of his fathers.

But she couldn't tell the dwarves that, because that would mean Rivendell was the place she was possibly looking for, and that would mean...

"Elwen?"

She blinked, pulled out of her thoughts by Bilbo, who had come to stand beside her.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked, and the hobbit chuckled.

"I was asking if you felt better?" he asked, his eyes equal parts concern and curiosity. "Your reaction to the magic of this place was rather unexpected."

"I've never felt magic before," she replied simply. "At least none that I can remember..."

"Elwen," Bilbo halted, holding on to her elbow. They let the rest of the party get a few steps ahead of them before presuming a more leisurely pace. "Elwen, I just wanted to say that, though I know Thorin does not care for the elves, I don't think anyone else would hold it against you if you were to find out...well..."