The Draconic

Chapter 3

Azalea sat down at a table and realized that it was not, in fact, a meeting like she hoped for but a feast. "Gandalf, I thought you said we would be discussing the ring, not having a meal. There's no time to waste friend," she whispered to Gandalf who was seated next to her at the end of the long wooden table. The feast was not a normal supper, the room was filled with many guests, most likely here for the gathering that was supposed to be happening. Besides, the gathering participants were many local elves and entourage to the famous or more higher class participants. It was.. Too much socialisation for someone that had before this month been living in the forest. To say the least of Azaleas mood, she was displeased with Gandalf.

"Azalea if I were to have told you that it was a feast, filled with people, joyous-ness, conversations, and interactions. Would you have come? This is the only way for you to leave your sister or that room provided to you." azalea looked affronted at this accusation." Now please dear, at least speak with someone, there's some old and new faces here go and greet them" Gandalf told her, then he quickly took a piece of bread from the table " or at the very least don't look so cross at everyone you see" after this, he took some butter and started to spread it on the bread this was followed by it being bitten.

The draconic sighed at her elven plate that was adorned by silver carved leaves and vines twisting around it. After tracing the vines for a moment she sighed and looked around, seeing if she knew anyone here from other events or encounters. She saw Glorfindel, his face still as young as ever and hair still laced with gold, at the sight of him she remembered him when he was an emissary of the Valar, and the memory of the battle of Fornost. She smiled at him and he smiled back, then went back to speaking joyously with Lord Elrond. Her eyes scanned the table once again, she saw the Lady Arwen being gazed at by the young hobbit Frodo, 'must be the first time seeing her then' Azalea thought. Arwen was gorgeous she had to admit a perfect portrait of regalness and grace. Azalea too some food and put it on her plate and started to eat the feast. There were four hobbits in total she counted, astonishing since she believed they rarely left their villages. She had to remind herself that she had a past relative elope with a young hobbit girl. Her mother loved to tell her about her heritage, her mother loving the romance her ancestors offered, what with marrying all types of creatures from nymphs to fairies which made wonderful stories for a mother to tell her sleepy young dragon.

She many quests in fine clothing, only to be worn on special occasions like feasts such as these. Azalea saw the young hobbit that Gandalf had been caring for next to a Dwarf, she knew was a familiar face. She stood up quickly from her chair which made Gandalf look up and smile when he saw who she was walking towards. When she arrived at her destination, the dwarf was talking mostly to Frodo "..congratulate you on your recovery" "Glióin! how are you dear friend?" the girl looked down at the dwarf who was now startled for a small moment then quickly stood and embraced her in a hug "My dear lady, it's been too long since we 'last spoke" Glióin hastily said. Azalea found a seat next to her old friend. They spoke for a long time, about their past adventure to the mountain and how life has been since that time. She only stopped when she realized there was another person again " Hello, I don't think we've had the chance to acquaint ourselves to one another. I am called Azalea Icebringer and I am at your service. You are Frodo Baggins if I'm not mistaken. I joined your uncle on his adventure many years ago." she offered her hand to the young hobbit who was startled at being spoken to, who gently shook her hand. "Yes my Lady, Frodo Baggins at your service."

"It's very nice to meet you in person. I remember fondly of the letters I received from you uncle about you. You always seemed an adventurous young hobbit like old Bilbo. If you see him soon ask him why he stopped writing all of a sudden will you. Thank you" she said gently in her most graceful voice. "I will my Lady, do you by chance remember what it was like, on the adventure to the mountain I mean. Uncle rarely talks about it now days" he said hope in his eyes. "Yes i will, tell you everything i can remember if you want. I cant recount it all tonight my young hobbit, but it was.. Shall i say thrilling i hope someday you can go on adventure yourself" "Oh I have Lady Azalea, It was quite a journey to arrive here, If i do say" this led to the young hobbit and the draconic to recount briefly about their past adventures. Soon Glóin had to say something to about the adventures he had also. while Glóin had much to tell of events in the northern regions of Wilderland. He told us about how Grimbeorn the Old, son of Beorn, was now the lord of many sturdy men, and to their land between the mountains and Mirkwood, neither orc nor wolf dared to go. He went into details of this which enthralled the young hobbit and captivated the draconic about learning of the events that had happened after she left the region. "And what of your own people" Frodo asked "There is much to tell, good and bad,' said Glóin giving a knowing look to Azalea. He told the young hobbit about what happened to the dwarves that adventured with her and him, recounting tales of his own people and such "And what has become of Balin and Ori and Óin?' asked Frodo. A shadow passed over Glóin's face. "We do not know,' he answered. 'It is largely on account of Balin that I have come to ask the advice of those that dwell in Rivendell. But tonight let us speak of merrier things!" Glóin quickly talked about the work in his city and the peoples lives there. Towards the end of the conversation it landed on Bilbo. "I will come and see the, if ever I can,' said Frodo.'How surprised Bilbo would have been to see all the changes in the Desolation of Smaug!' Glóin looked at Frodo and smiled. 'You were very fond of Bilbo were you not?' he asked.

'Yes,' answered Frodo. 'I would rather see him than all the towers and palaces in the world.' it then dawned on Azalea that Bilbo has most likely passed, not a pleasing thought at all.

At length, the feast came to and end. Elrond and Arwen rose and went down the hall, and the company followed them in due order. The doors were thrown open, and they went across a wide passage and through other doors and came into a further hall. In it were no tables, but a brights fire was burning in a great hearth between the carven pillars upon either side. Azalea smiled the Hall of Fire. if only her sister wasn't asleep Zaria would be ecstatic now.

After the hall filled with the guests, Elrond stood from his chair he was resting in and stood by a figure in the dark. Azalea tilted her head slightly curious of who it was. 'Awake, little master!' Lord Elrond said, with a smile. he turned to Frodo and beckoned him over. 'Now, at last, the hour has come that you have wished for, Frodo, Here's is a friend that you have long missed.' he said. the dark figure raised its head and uncovered its face. "Bilibo!' cried Frodo the crowd that had made room for the young hobbit now cranked there necks to get a peak at what the fuss was about. "Hullo, Frodo my lad!" said Bilbo the rest of the words exchanged were drowned out by the swarm of elves trying to get a peak at the drama. She could only hear bits and phrases cried out in excitement by Frodo. after few moments she heard Lord Elrond's loud kingly laugh cut threw the hall.

The music picked up now and the crowd was separating into groups loud laughter and chatter emerged the hall of fire. Azalea found a corner and was drinking silently taking in the scene before her. there were many elves telling stories some using wild arm movements to express it. there were a small group of dwarfs, but hey we're the loudest in the room by far. the music players had crowed of every type of guest and person around, looking and cheering for them. it was all quite joyous and fun mood until it went silent. the music and singing seemed to falter, Azalea quickly looked at where Gandalf and Lord Elrond sat and saw a glint of gold being quickly hidden away by the hobbit in their company. they light and the music was surrounding her once again, but she walked with determination. Her gown was flouncing behind there was now dirt and dust on the end of it, from her running and walking threw the city. "What did you just do?" she harshly whispered when she reached the small group. "Nothing my dear friend," Gandalf said quickly eyeing at Frodo and Bilbo. "All right," the queen said her voice dripping in scepticism.

She stood by Frodo now, carefully watching him to make sure he did not make another ludicrous decision. After many minutes of watching Frodo and the crowd, Bilbo suddenly looked up. 'Ah, there you are, at last, Dúnadan!' he cried. 'Strider!' said Frodo. 'You seem to have a lot of names.'

'Well, Strider is one that I haven't heard before, anyway,' said Bilbo. 'What do you call him that for?'. 'They call me that in Bree,' said Strider laughing, 'and that is how I was introduced to him.'. She knew this voice, she heard it before a long time ago. Arathorn, no it couldn't be him, he was killed by orcs around 2933. Maybe she got his voice mixed up, yes that is it. Her thoughts went over Bilbo and Frodo's conversation only letting her re-enter the hall after a few short minutes.

'Well, my dear fellow,' said Bilbo, 'now you've heard the news, can't you spare me a moment? I want your help in something urgent. Elrond says this song of mine is to be finished before the end of the evening, and I am stuck. Let's go off into a corner and polish it up!" Strider smiled. 'Come then!' he said. 'Let me hear it!'. A few moments later Bilbo's song flooded the halls, faint at first but then the chanting started to pick up. Azalea headed to the exit of the hall of fire, the hoard of people lessening the farther away from the Herath. She exited the way she came and headed out into the night the moon gazing down lighting her way back to her offered room. She undressed slipping the silk dress onto the floor and headed to the bed nude. The sheets felt soft against her skin and made it easy to fall asleep.

Azalea was quite happy to recount old adventures and to speak with old and new friends that evening.