Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 9

Gandalf and Saruman sat at the table; Elrond and Galadriel started to walk around listening to the two of them. I stayed leaned up against a pillar, every now and then smiling to Galadriel. The dawn was slowly breaking.

"Tell me Gandalf, did you think these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed?"

"Unnoticed? No, I'm simply doing what I feel is right."

Galadriel glanced toward Gandalf.

"The dragon has long been on your mind."

"This is true, my lady. Smaug owes allegiance to no one. But if he should side with the enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect."

"What enemy? Gandalf, the enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength."

"Gandalf, for four hundred years, we have lived in peace. A hard-won, watchful peace."

I crossed my arms and spoke.

"Yet Orcs and Goblin have now awoken to attack the innocent, even trolls of leaving the northern hills. Villages are being and lives lost."

"Hardly a prelude to war."

Galadriel turned to all three of us.

"Let him speak."

I silenced myself as so did the others.

"There is something at work beyond the evil of Smaug. Something far more powerful. We can remain blind, but it will not be ignoring us, that I can promise you. A sickness lies over the Greenwood. the woodsmen..."

"Well, don't stop now. Tell us about the woodsmen say."

I opened my wings fully and glared at Saruman.

"They speak of a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur, a sorcerer who can summon the dead."

"That's absurd. No such power exists in the world. This...Necromancer is nothing more than a mortal man. A contour dabbling in black magic.

Gandalf brought up Radagast and soon arguments start to pass left and right. Soon Saruman's voice faded from my ear and I was able to hear Galadriel speak to me and Gandalf in our minds.

"You carry something. Radagast gave it to you."

"Yes, He found it in Dol Guldur."

"Show me."

Gandalf lifted the wrapped cloth from his lap and placed it on the table and it dropped with a loud dull thud causing silence.

"What is that?"

"A relic of Mordor."

Elrond who was reaching for it drew his hand back. He carefully reached for it again and opened it. He and Saruman stood back from shock.

"A Morgul blade."

Galadriel stepped forward.

"Made for the Witch-king of Angmar, and buried with him. When Angmar fell, men of the North took his body and all that he possessed and sealed it within the High-Fells of Rhudaur. Deep within the rock, they buried them."

Elrond seemed disturbed by Galadriel's words.

"This is not possible. A powerful spell lies upon those tomb's; they cannot be opened."

"Spells do not last forever, Elrond. Whether we wish it or not."

Saruman scoffed and turned to Gandalf

"What proof do we have this weapon came from Angmar's grave?"

"I have none."

Saruman stood and started to argue once more. However, his word failed to reach my ear when Galadriel once again spoke to Gandalf in her mind.

"They are leaving."

"Yes"

"You knew."

Gandalf nodded as Galadriel smiled slightly. I smirked as I folded my wings in hearing the sounds of steps. It was Lindir.

"My Lord Elrond; the dwarves, they've gone."

I looked out past the hills and could see the group leaving Rivendell, Bilbo was looking down the scenery and soon Thorin called for him to join the others. I smiled as I knew I would easily catch up to them.

I was about to leave Gandalf and Galadriel to themselves but Galadriel called for me.

"You will follow them?"

"Yes."

"You are both right to help Thorin Oakenshield. but I fear this quest has set in motion forces we do not yet understand. The riddle of the Morgul blade must be answered. Something moves in the shadows, unseen, hidden from our site. It will not show itself, not yet. But every day it grows in strength. You must be careful.

Gandalf nodded his head and we both turned but once more Galadriel stopped us.

"Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?

I turned to Gandalf who had a perplexed look on his face.

"I don't know. Saruman believes that it is the only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage."

Galadriel walked to Gandalf and took his old hands in hers. I knew she spoke to him in their minds but this time I did not intrude.

"You are not alone."

"If you should ever need my help, I will come."

Galadriel turned to me and smiled. I bowed my head and when I looked up she was gone. gandalf stood still and smiled to himself.

"Gandalf, where should I go."

"Go to them, I will meet up with you and the others, there is something I must see too."

I nodded my head and rushed to my room and gather my items. After I grabbed my weapon, I noticed the small bottle that Radagast had given me. I unfolded my wings and opened the lid to smell it. There was none but there was a terrible taste. The pain from my wings was gone in mere seconds but they were not healed just as Radagast said. I ran out to an opening and launched myself into the air. Gandalf mentioned the Misty Mountains, that's where I headed. Up ahead storm clouds brewed.

"Hold on."