The Hobbit: An Unexpected Discovery

Chapter twelve: Moon Runes

Fae, having changed into a pure white dress, like that of her mothers arrived in the dining hall.

"Sorry I'm late, I wanted to change." She said to the stunned dwarf prince whose jaw was on the floor.

"You look...um..." he stuttered. Elrond sighed.

"It's nice of you to join us sister." He said indicating the seat next to him. She gratefully sat down and began to eat the food placed in front of her. Meanwhile, Elrond was examining the swords Gandalf and Thorin had found in the trolls' hoard.

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." he says handing Thorin's sword back to him who accepts it with a nod. Elrond then examined Gandalf's sword.

"And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age..." the elven lord said. "How did you come by these?"

"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road, shortly before we were ambushed by orcs." Fae said.

"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Elrond asked, turning his attention to his sister, who in turn looked at Thorin who shook his head subtly. Fae just shrugged and carried on eating dinner.

"Our business is no concern of elves." Thorin said.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map." Fae shouted, angered by his stubbornness

"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets." The young prince said not looking at her.

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond." Gandalf said, having placed a hand on Fae's shoulders in order to stop her from saying something she would regret. Thorin thought quietly for a few seconds, with everyone looking at him. He began to hand the map to Elrond, but Balin tried to stop him.

"Thorin, no!" Thorin just brushed Balin aside and handed Elrond the map. Elrond looked at it curiously.

"Erebor." he finally said. "What is your interest in this map?" Thorin was about to speak, but Fae interrupted him.

"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artefact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" she asked innocently. Elrond walked away from the group, looking at the map. As the moonlight hit the map, an image of recognition hit his face

"Cirth Ithil." He whispered.

"Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss." Fae said in awe, staring over his shoulder.

"Well in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written." He replied

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked gruffly, earning a glare from Fae. Elrond nodded and lead them all to an open area outside, on the side of a cliff, with waterfalls all around. The moon was behind some clouds. They walked toward a large crystalline table.

"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight." Elrond said as Fae gave Thorin a smug look at the 'you were meant to come to Rivendell' part. As they looked up, the clouds covering the moon floated away, and rays of moonlight hit the crystalline table, causing light to flow through the map which had been laid there. Ancient runes became visible on the map, and Elrond translated them out loud.

"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked

"It is the start of the dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together." Fae said

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin muttered to Balin and Fae.

"We still have time." Fae said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Time? For what?" the hobbit piped up again, causing Thorin to emit a low growl in his direction.

"To find the entrance. We must be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened." Balin explained calmly.

"So, this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain." Elrond said, finally understanding.

"What of it?" Thorin snapped

"There are some who would not deem it wise." He said, starting to become angry. Thorin took back the map gruffly.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf asked.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." Elrond said, giving Fae a pointed glance as he walked away.