The great stone-made staircases brought Rivendell higher up towards the sky, making the great kingdom look even larger and it tempted Aria to keep on exploring its wonders. She could hear the company’s faint laughter in the background somewhere below – merry indeed. Lights all over Rivendell lit up the darkness such as fireflies and she felt the awful sensation inside of her – the feeling she got from the place she had once called home.
As she reached the top of the stairs she leaned over the railing only to see the amazing views growing yet powerful, including high green trees and stunning waterfalls. Her hands met the coldness of the stone as the listened to the splash of the water below, however in her solitude she was interrupted.
“…Of course I was going to tell you. I was waiting for the chance.”
The voices she heard came from somewhere in the distance, as she walked over to the other side of the stairs and peeked over the railing to be met by Gandalf and Lord Elrond walking over a quite slim bridge made up hard stone leading towards yet another set of stairs. The two were buried in a deep conversation about the quest.
“And really, I think you can trust that I know what I am doing”, Gandalf continued.
“Do you? That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if your plan should fail - if you wake that beast?”
She could clearly see the two figures in the dim light of Rivendell. She strained her ears to keep listening to the conversation, her presence there barely noticeable.
“But if we succeed? If the Dwarves take back the Mountain our defences in the east will be strengthened.”
Aria frowned, confound of the conversation.
“It is a dangerous move, Gandalf.”
“It is also dangerous to do nothing!”
Aria’s long, pointy ear cocked swiftly to the side and she turned around in a heartbeat, only to be faced by Thorin in the dim light of the moon, carefully standing by the staircase with both of his hands clutched together by his waist. His head was raised high, he said nothing. Aria’s head turned back around.
“The throne of Erebor is Thorin’s birth right. What is it you fear?” You could clearly indicate confusion in Gandalf’s voice.
“Have you forgotten?” The two figures before Aria and Thorin stopped in their tracks. “A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind and his father has come to the same sickness! Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?”
Thorin’s back now faced the two figures in the distance as he turned around to apparently realise that this was one of their fears – his sanity. His eyes were blazing blue and bright such as sapphires. His forehead frowned and somewhere inside of him rested a deep sadness.
“Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle Earth.”
“With or without our help these Dwarves will march on the Mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels that he should answer to anyone…” Their voices were slowly disappearing into the darkness until Aria could no longer hear them. She remained on her spot next to the railing for a while – speechless, until she finally exhaled and turned around. Thorin’s sapphire eyes were pierced into the cold, hard stone floor, his hands were clutched into fists, and they didn’t rest but kept straining until Aria slipped her hand into his. It was soft and warm, and his eyes immediately turned up to meet hers. She gave him an askew smile, rubbing her thumb over the back of his hand, feeling how his grip slightly tightened and all worries that had been growing in his expression washed away.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey Edition (IN EDITING)
Fanfiction*This story is under editing* He was Earthly; she was Aerial. He was made of clay and iron, his mind was blood and gold; she was made of fire and dreaming, despite her shadows running cold. Two, of a different kin; their minds so devoured in hate...
