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The dwarves, Alenia and Bilbo had awoken at dawn, and left promptly, as urged by Gandalf.
"The White Council knows you're here, and their leader, Sauruman the White, will try and stop you. You must move ahead, while I distract them here, in Rivendell. I will rejoin you in the Misty Mountains, wait for me there." Gandalf said. He then patted Thorin on the shoulder, before walking back into the city, as if he had no inkling of what was happening behind him, and hadn't deliberately warned them to leave early.
The dwarves and Bilbo turned and started the trek towards the mountains, with Alenia lagging behind. She turned and got one last look at her home of ten years, before she started after the dwarves.
"Be on your guard; we're about to step over the edge of the Wild. Balin, you know these paths; lead on." Thorin said.
"Aye," Balin declared, making his way to the front.
Bilbo turned and shot a longing glance at Rivendell. Alenia noticed him lagging behind.
"You know, after this whole journey is done, if you wanted to live with the elves, I'm sure they would welcome you."
Bilbo smiled softly, thinking about the idea.
"Master Baggins, Lady Alenia, I suggest you keep up." Thorin called back.
The pair exchanged glances, before the half-elf linked arms with the hobbit. "Come on, let's go annoy Fee and Kee."
"You like him, then?" the hobbit asked, quietly.
Alenia hesitated. "I guess. I've never fancied anyone before, so I'm not sure."
Bilbo chuckled. "Does your heart feel like it's going to burst out of your chest when you look at him?"
Alenia heaved in a breath, before nodding.
"That's what it feels like." the hobbit moved forward, leaving the half-elf to stare after him in astonishment.
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The rain was pouring down on them, as the Company entered the Misty Mountains. The path they followed, was little more than a narrow outcropping on the mountainside. The rocky landscape shook with every boom of the thunder, with every brilliant crack of lightning.
