The Last One

Chapter 30

The company led by Gandalf made there way across the bridge. The dwarves looked around uneasy, but Bilbo looked around in awe of the beauty of the place. Ruive felt a smile grace her lips as she looked to see a familiar dark haired elf walk gracefully down the steps.

"Mithrandir." The elf called.

"Ah, Lindir!" Gandalf smiled greeting the elf.

Ruive stood to the side of the company, she noticed Thorin lean over to Dwalin, distrust evident in his stature. 

"Stay sharp." She heard him whisper. 

Ruive rolled her eyes mumbling something about the stubbornness under her breath before stepping forward.

"Hadron, we had wondered when you might return to Rivendell."  

Lindir smiled kindly at her and she returned it. This gesture did not go unnoticed by Kili who felt something burning in the back of his mind he had not felt before.

 "It is good to see you Lindir." 

Ruive's smiled brighted and the burning in the back of Kili's mind only strengthened, he wished she would smile at him like that.

"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." (We heard you had crossed into the Valley) Lindir said now speaking to Gandalf. 

Ruive took a quick glance at Rivendell trying to spot a crop of unruly black hair.

"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf announced.

"My lord Elrond is not here." Lindir informed, this caused Ruive's attention to return to Lindir and Gandalf's conversation.

"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf inquired quite shocked by Elrond's lack of presence. 

As if on que, Elvish horns sounded and the company turned to see a squadron of elves astride horses running across the bridge. 

"Ifridî bekâr!"  (Ready weapons) "Hold ranks!" Thorin ordered feeling threatened. 

One of the dwarves reached out and pulled Bilbo into their tight circle as the elves began to circle them on their horses. Ruive rolled her eyes at the dwarves for what felt like the hundredth time since she arrived at Bag End. A familiar brown haired elf separated from the ranks and approached Gandalf and Ruive. 

"Gandalf, Hadron." 

Now Elrond knew very well who Ruive was but called by her Ranger name as that was the name she preferred and only a select few elves (Lindir being one of them) knew who she was. 

Gandalf and Ruive bowed low as Elrond swung off his horse. 

"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?" (My friend! Where have you been) Gandalf asked.

"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui." (We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass.) Elrond informed the wizard. 

He swung off his horse and embraced Gandalf in a friendly hug before stepping back and doing the same to Ruive.

"They know who I am, my Ranger name is not necessary here." Ruive whispered in Elrond's ear, who nodded before stepping back. 

"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near." Elrond said sending Gandalf a pointed look, producing an orc sword then handing it to Lindir.

"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf said sheepishly. 

Thorin chose now to step forward. 

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond greeted, recognizing who he was.