There and Back Again: A Girl's Tale

Chapter 26 The Only Right

Chapter 26 The Only Right

Brynn. Your mother's name was Brynn.

The words echoed in Elwen's mind and she found herself whispering the name like a prayer as she cried. I had a mother, and her name was Brynn.

"It's a beautiful name, lass," Bofur said kindly.

"How can you be sure this Brynn is our Elwen's mother?" Fili asked, concerned. "I don't want to see her heartbroken over a misunderstanding."

"I'd say the resemblance is proof enough," Dwalin said dryly.

"I'm sure, Fili," Elwen said, wiping her face with her shirt. "I can't explain how I know, but I do."

Gloin muttered something about elven magic and the others nodded, not questioning her further. Only Kili looked at her as though he knew there was more to tell, but he stayed quiet. A look passed between Kili and Fili that told Elwen her assurances did nothing to dissuade their concern.

"I think we should talk," Bard said, giving the dwarves a pointed look. "Privately."

Elwen nodded and had begun to rise when Balin cleared his throat.

"I know how important this is to you, Elwen," said the old dwarf, sounding apologetic. "But before you and your...um...Bard step away, there is the matter of weapons to address."

"That cannot wait?" Bard asked, irritated. "I thought Elwen was your friend."

"She's more than our friend," Fili said defensively. "She's family."

Bard's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Time is an issue, Master Bard," Thorin said with a politeness that would have surprised Elwen had she not already recently had one of the biggest shocks of her life.

"It's okay," Elwen said. "They're right; time isn't on our side, and the weapons will be important for the next part of the journey. We can talk while they inspect what you have."

Elwen could tell the bargeman was hesitant. He gave her a long look before turning to Thorin and nodding curtly

"Wait here," he instructed, and left out the rear of the house.

As soon as he was out the door, the company gathered around her chair and began to murmur away from the children.

"I'm sorry, my love," Thorin said tenderly, brushing her still damp hair away from her face. "Tomorrow begins the last days of autumn." Elwen squeezed his fingers to let him know she wasn't upset. She was glad to have a moment to herself with Bard while the others were concerning themselves with weapons.

"Durin's Day falls morn after next. We must reach the mountain before then," Balin said.

"And if we do not?" Kili asked. "If we fail to find the hidden door before that time?"

"Then this quest has been for nothing," said Fili.

Bard's footsteps announced his approach, and the dwarves drew quiet once more. They gathered around a long table where he dropped a parcel in front of them. Thorin and Dwalin reached for the weapons, and Elwen barely repressed a groan. Oh boy.

"What is this?" Thorin demanded, all guise of politeness gone as he held some kind of club with four hooks on the end that Elwen wasn't exactly sure what the hell it was.

"Pike-hook," said Bard. "Made from an old harpoon."

"And this?" Kili asked, looking at some kind of square shaped mallet.