The Last Mage (Thorin Oakensheild love story)

Chapter 10

I made my way down the hallways toward the dining area. Soon I heard the chatter of the dwarves and stopped at the door with my hand on the handle. I was worried about what they would say to me, I mean I did just pass out a couple of hours ago from poison and barely made it out alive. I don't know why I was worried, I never cared what anybody thought before. Why do I now?

"Try it. Just a mouthful." I heard Dori say.

"I don't like green food," Ori replied. I was just going to walk in there like nothing happened. Don't worry, I told myself trying to calm my nerves down.

I stopped thinking and walked into the room. I watched as Dwalin picked at his food looking for any sign of meat, of course, he wouldn't find any.

"Have they got chips?"

"No, Ori, they don't have any chips," I said

That caused everyone to look at me. All of their eyes were wide. I scanned the room for a seat, the only one open was between Thorin and Balin.

Taking my seat I looked up to find all the dwarves and Bilbo still staring at me. "Are you going to watch me all day or are you going to eat your food?" I asked.

They looked at the food in disgust which made me laugh. "I'm glad you're ok," Thorin said quietly.

I looked at him with a small smirk on my face.

*Thorin's point of view* (ha you guys didn't see that coming did ya!)

"Yeah I am too," She said with a slight smirk on her face. I laughed a small laugh, but a laugh none the less. What was this woman doing to me? I never had these type feelings for anyone before.

To distract myself from her beauty I listened to the conversation between Gandalf and Elrond were having.

"This is the Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver. A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well." Elrond carefully handed it back to me. I took it a put it back in its sheath. He then looks at Gandalf's. "And this is Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, the sword of the king of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First age..." I tuned the rest out thinking about how being so close to getting to the mountain. I will finally get to be faced with the monster who stole my family and home from me.

*Evelyn's point of view

Me, Gandalf, Elrond, Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo were standing in a hall of Rivendell. "Our business is no concern of the elves," Thorin said angrily.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map," Gandalf says tiredly

"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 Lord Elrond." Gandalf demands.

I walk up to Thorin put a hand on his shoulder causing him to face me. I speak low enough where only he can hear me. "Thorin, you trust me correct?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with this situation?" he asks his voice as low as mine.

"If you trust me you will give the map to Elrond. Don't you want to know what it says on that map? It could help us with our journey."

"Fine" he mutters bitterly.

I step back with, what I know is a smirk of triumph.

Thorin hesitates for a moment then he begins to hand the map to Elrond, but Balin tries to stop him.

"Thorin, no!" he protests.

Thorin brushes it aside handing the map to Elrond. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?

Thorin goes to answer, but Gandalf intervenes. "It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometime contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Gandalf inquires.

Elrond walks away looking at the map carefully. Moonlight begins to hit the map. "Cirth Ithil" he breathes out.

"Moon runes," I translate for the three who wouldn't know.

"Of course, And easy thing to miss," Gandalf says.

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

"Can you read them?"Thorin questions.

Elrond leads us to an open area outside. There were waterfalls all around, the moon behind a cloud. He leads us to 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 Oakensheild, the same moon shines upon us tonight." Elrond says looking at the map.

The clouds move past the moon allowing the light to hit the table. Ancient runes begin to reveal themselves on the map.

"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." Elrond translated.

"Durin's Day?" Bilbo questions.

"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," I explain to him.

"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's day will soon be upon us." Thorin said. I could tell the anxiety was growing on him, whether he could reclaim his homeland in time or not.

"We still have time," Balin says.

"Time? For what?" Bilbo asks. 'He's a bit slow' I think to myself.

"To find the entrance," Balin says, stating what was pretty obvious. "We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."

"So this is your purpose, to enter the mountain," Elrond said realizing the truth to our need. He gives me a disapproving look. I just shrug in response to it.

"What of it?" Thorin said.

There are some who would not deem it wise."

Thorin roughly takes the map back.

"Who do you mean?" Gandalf asks.

"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth. You as well Evelyn." Elrond says before walking away.

"He makes a point Gandalf," I say as the others file away. "Oftentimes we do what the council does not approve of, Galadriel is often iffy to tell. Sometimes I wonder if she throws in changes only to mess with us."