(A/N I just really, really, really want to thank you all so much. I was so pleased when I saw this story has 41 reviews, 39 favs and 60 follows. You guys just made my day :3)
(A/N We made it to Ten Chapters! And btw, I watched BOTFA again and I felt like crying. I also have more ideas for this story! YAYYY!)
Chapter 10: Love of a Father
"I love her as though she were created of you and me."
-Lord Mansfield, Belle
POV: Bilbo
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Bilbo sighed and folded his arms, tapping his foot impatiently. Thorin was refusing to let Elrond see the map.
"Our business is no concern of Elves," he rumbled, giving Lord Elrond a glare. Bilbo started to tune out as Gandalf began arguing with Thorin, looking around the building. Night had fallen earlier, and now moonlight filtered through the openings of Elrond's house.
Movement in the hall caught his eye. The Hobbit turned around and spotted Eradrin appearing out of the entrance to a hall. As she came closer, she paused and squinted her eyes at the group, then began to march over.
Suddenly Gandalf's voice cut into his mind. "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!"
As Thorin hesitated, a new voice joined in the conversation. "Oh, come on, Thorin!" Bilbo coughed as the entire group started; clearly they hadn't seen her coming. "Just show him the map already!"
Thorin gave her a bewildered glance. "I thought you hated Elrond," he whispered. Bilbo was just able to pick it up.
"I'm not doing it for him, idiot," she muttered back, "It's for the Company. Now go on!"
The Dwarf raised one eyebrow, but walked towards Elrond. "Thorin, no!" Balin protested, but Thorin shrugged him off and passed the map to the Elf.
Elrond glanced over it, then asked slowly, "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?"
"Mainly academic," Gandalf responded immediately. " As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"
He backed away for a moment, then inclined his head as moonlight hit the paper. "Cirith Ithil."
"Moon runes!" Eradrin exclaimed. Bilbo flashed a look at her, surprised to see her eyes narrowed to two tiny silver-blue crescent moons fixed intently upon the map.
"Of course, an easy thing to miss," The Wizard chuckled.
"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."
"And can you read them?" Thorin demanded.
He seemed to be thinking, then with a decisive nod of his head, lead them out onto a stone-carven balcony on the side of a cliff. Waterfalls roared in every direction, and would have reflected moonlight if not for the clouds across the moon.
Elrond walked toward a crystalline table, spreading the map out. "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."
Bilbo glanced up at the moon, watching the last of the clouds drift away. As moonlight hit the table, light flowed through the map. Shining, blue runes appeared on the paper.
"Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks," Elrond began, "and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."
Eradrin shrugged. "Simple enough."
"Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, self-conscious; apparently he was the only one in the group who didn't know what it was.
"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," Eradrin answered.
"This is ill news," Thorin's eyebrows were furrowed. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."
"We still have time," Balin contradicted.
"Time? For what?"
"To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."
Eradrin face-palmed. "Why do secret doors have to be so complicated?"
Elrond glanced around the group. "So this is your purpose; to enter the mountain?"
"What of it?" Thorin snapped.
The Elf Lord passed him the map, which Thorin snatched gruffly. "There are some who would not deem it wise."
"What do you mean?" Gandalf frowned.
"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-Earth."
As Elrond began to walk away, he passed Eradrin. She sharply turned her back, arms folded, as he glanced away, gaze full of hurt.
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Elrond's POV
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Elrond narrowed his eyes at Thorin, who was exchanging a few words with Eradrin. He leaned over to Gandalf.
"Mithrandir, why would you ask her to join this... this group of dwarves on their quest?!"
The Wizard simply shrugged. "I just gave her a suggestion."
Elrond breathed out slowly. "What if that suggestion had claimed her life?!"
"She is stronger than she looks," Gandalf reasoned. "A formidable fighter, and a loyal companion in any situation. I highly doubt that she'll come close to dying."
"Gandalf, this is their quest and theirs alone. If she doesn't return, I will hold you fully responsible."
"Ah, so you're letting her leave now," he chuckled. Elrond felt his face heat up.
"This is serious. I worry for her."
Gandalf ran his fingers through his beard, eyes fixed intently upon Eradrin. "You love her, then."
Elrond was startled. He cocked his head, thinking through that phrase before answering. "Yes. I love her as if she was my own daughter."
"Good," Gandalf's mood suddenly changed, swiveling his head around to stare at Elrond. "She may want to hear that."
(A/N Guys, I honestly feel really sad for Elrond; what he has to deal with sometimes XD)
(A/N Also, sorry this update took soooo long to come out. I've been pretty busy. But hey, I'm going to update THIS WEEKEND! By the way, I was listening to the Desolation of Smaug Soundtrack while writing this. Right now, the dwarves are making their little "plan," to defeat Smaug. I love picking out scenes in music XD)