Daughter of a King

Chapter 22: Moon Runes and Lullabies

(Arulla's POV)

I was woken up by a small knocking on my door,

"Yes?"

"Lord Elrond, Master Thorin, Master Balin, and Mithrandir request you join them in the Lord's study." Lindir spoke.

I nodded and opened the door.

"Have they been good? Or at least tolerating each other?" I ask Lindir. He just kept his head down and never spoke. That gave me the answer already.

So I bow my head and make my way to the study. It didn't take me long. When I got there everyone was already present and Bilbo too. I smiled and snuck up behind Thorin and laced my arm in his. He jumped back a moment but after seeing my face, he softened.

"Our business is no concern of Elves!" Thorin spat.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map!" Gandalf countered

"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets."

"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!"

I tugged on his arm and whispered softly, "You can trust him Father." He pondered for a few more moments and reached his hand into his tunic and pulled out the map.

"Thorin no!" Balin protested but Thorin pushed him away and slowly handed the map to Elrond. Elrond looked to Thorin and then back to me. When his gaze met mine his eyes saddened and then angered at the same time.

Nonetheless, he slowly opened the stiff piece of parchment and his eyes widened.

"Erebor?" Elrond questioned and looked up at me and then at Thorin, "What is your interest in this map?"

Thorin pushed forward to answer but Gandalf intervened, "It's mainly academic. As you know these certain artifacts contain hidden text." Gandalf turned his head to Thorin and he winked. Thorin sighed and a slight smirk played on his lips.

"You still read ancient dwarvish do you not?" Gandalf continued. Elrond examined the map delicately and held it slightly up to the peeking moonlight.

"Cirth Ithil." Elrond whispered.

"Moon runes? Of course." Gandalf sighed and turned his head to Bilbo who looked confused, "An easy thing to miss." I smiled to Bilbo and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, leaving my father's side. Elrond lifted his head,

"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"

"Can you read them?" I hear Thorin ask humbly. Elrond nodded slightly and turned away, leading us into an entrance to a secret waterfall. I only knew about it because I loved to escape here to be free of my worries and responsibilities. There is actually a little nitch in the edge side of the cliff that is large enough to accommodate two people.

I smile and run to the edge and drop down and swing myself into my secret hiding place. I hear Thorin call my name and I peek my head over the edge until he sighed and walked to the stone table, following Elrond.

Elrond spoke calmly this time, and I exhaled slightly.

"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."

I looked up quickly and when small clouds blow away, a beautiful crescent moon had shown bright and clear. I smiled and walked up to the crystal table of which the map was laid. And when I reached it, blue runes were appearing from the map. I stood wide eyed and amazed.