The long Road (3)

Thorin and his company ran on the fields as the wizard called Radagast the brown distracted the orcs. Weapons in hands and shields braced for combat. Thorin knew that they wouldn't be able to outrun the riders but he still harbored hope.

As he and his party hid behind a boulder, he couldn't help but think back of how this chase began. It all began with the wolf dying by the ranger's hand. They heard a growl and before they knew it, a big brown wolf, the likes of which Orc scouts mounted, descended upon them.

The Ranger who called himself Arthas used his intimidating sword and cut the head of one, the other Thorin and Kili took care of. The situation turned for the worst as Thorin knew the scouts moved in packs.

The chase began and it led to the current situation. He gestured to Kili, his intent obvious. Kili took a deep breath and shot down the orc that stood above the boulder they were hiding behind. However, he didn't get a clean shot so the pained scream of the orc echoed.

Thorin knew at that moment that they had to fight, they were spotted. But, before he could command his comrades. The young Ranger ran and gestured for them to follow. He knew the Ranger was capable and a great warrior, better so than himself! So he followed and the Dwarfs followed him.

The Ranger moved strangely in the eyes of Thorin, 'It is as if he knows the terrain!'. He didn't have time to ponder as he realized they were getting surrounded. He brandished his weapon and the others followed him but Arthas.

To his surprise, Gandalf and Arthas both at the same time entered an unlikely place. As he decided to see what they were up to, the orc scum dashed towards them.

He heard Gandalf yell something, "this way you fools!". He ran there and saw a cave. He ordered his fellow Drawfs to enter it. A while passed and they all entered the strangely spacious cave. He saw an orc fall down beside his feet, an arrow lodged in its chest. 'Elves!', he thought with more rage than hatred.

He looked around and realized the Ranger was missing, 'Where is he?'. He saw him enter the cave first so where could he be...

Arthas looked at Rivendell with childlike wonder. His face marred by a smile as an extraordinary light flashed in his eyes. The rays of light reflected in his blue orbs, one could see the beautiful valley of Imladris in his eyes.

Everyone soon came and their gazes fell on the breathtaking scenery. Gandalf's voice echoed, "The Valley of Imladris, in the common tongue its know by another name...". Bilbo muttered, "Rivendell".

"Here lies the last homely house, east of the Sea..."

Arthas ignored everyone as he moved in the front, exploring everything with his eyes. His smile, a cheerful one filled with wonder. He looked at the stone ways, He gazed at the statues, He touched the leaves. It seemed he was committing the place to memory, afraid to forget the details.

He observed the building and finally, they fell on the two Elves standing on the stairs. Gandalf noticed his actions and chuckled, "Have you not seen an Elf before?".

Arthas shook his head, "I had seen pictures of Rivendell before, I had also read descriptions! But I never thoughts it would be this magnificent in person! What they forget to mention is the unique aura of this place!".

He took a deep breath, "The smell of wind and nature, filled with life. The soothing breeze on the skin, as if a lover's kiss. The calming and relaxing aura that washes away the worries of the heart, as if someone gently whispering 'All will be fine' beside the ear. It is so much more than I expected...".

Gandalf coughed, "You certainly have a poetic side. Unusual for a warrior; It was the first time I heard someone describe it like this... I wonder what Elrond's reaction will be if he comes to hear that.".

Arthas ignored Gandalf, his attitude a clear sign of his annoyance. 'Can't a warrior have a poetic side, highly unusual? Right...'

Gandalf shook his head and greeted the elf descending from the stairs. He asked of Elrond, only to see him coming, running on horseback. Arthas was looking at the Elves with curiosity and wonder, however, he hid it well, appearing calm.

The elves rode around them but Arthas wasn't fazed at all, unlike his companions who appeared like provoked cats.

Elrond saw his friend Gandalf, he couldn't help but be surprised. However, what caught his attention more was the human standing beside Gandalf.

The youth in Ranger's clothing had an extremely calm face as if he knew everything going on! The calmness was deep like an ocean as if nothing could surprise him! As if he knew the future! He had only seen such calmness from Lady Galadriel.

Elrond locked eyes with the young man, he only saw calmness with a deeply concealed curiosity and wonder. 'Without a keen eye, it is impossible to see past his calm eyes!', thought Lord Elrond solemnly.

'He is not at all fazed by us, nor is he surprised. This can only mean he is extremely confident!'

With a glance, he could tell the young man was a great warrior. His instincts made him feel the young man was not to be trifled with. He felt danger from him, especially from the sword strapped to the young man's back. He trusted his instincts as they had saved his life several times.

He buried his thoughts and didn't show any on his face. He turned to look at Gandalf with a smile. He greeted him. He glanced at Arthas but decided to talk about him later. He looked at the Dwarfs and greeted Thorin and welcomed them to Rivendell.

Arthas watched everything with interest, 'So, elves look like this. I wonder how their girls look like... The males sure are handsome!'.

Soon they were welcome inside, A feast prepared for them. Lord Elrond gestured towards Arthas his eyes lingering for a brief moment on Frostmourne's handle, "Gandalf, why don't you introduce your friend?".

Gandalf smiled, a little embarrassed, "Right, I forgot! This is Arthas Menethil; Arthas, this is Lord Elrond of Rivendell.". Arthas and Elrond greeted each other, something flashed in their eyes briefly. It went unnoticed by Gandalf and Thorin.

"I see you carry an enchanted sword, Mr. Menethil.", Elrond's tone indicated it was more a question than a statement. Arthas took out Frostmourne with a sigh, "Call me Arthas, here, Have a look but don't touch, it doesn't take kindly to strangers holding it.". Gandalf hummed, agreeing with Arthas, he eyed the sword with indignation.

Elrond and the party sat around the table, he looked at the Sword and analyzed for a moment. "This sword is extremely powerful, I have not heard of such a weapon in my life. Perhaps, it was forged in the Ancient times before me; May I ask, where you got this weapon?"

Elrond was a bit concerned as he felt a very weak trace of evil breath from the sword. Its appearance didn't help in making a good first impression. 'But, then again, many swords are forged to intimidate' he reasoned with himself.

Arthas sensed his thoughts, "It is a family heirloom passed from one generation to another. Lord Elrond, you need not worry; it is the wielder that matters not the sword.". Elrond nodded and briefly glanced at Gandalf. Seeing the latter nod, he sighed in relief. 'If a sword that makes me feel so much danger was to fall in the hands of an evil man, it won't spell anything good! I trust Mithrandir's judgment...'

They ate dinner and chatted about different matters. Arthas stayed mostly quiet, enjoying the food and melodies.

He left the place soon and merely walked around enjoying the scenery and atmosphere. He felt at peace, his worries were gone, he gazed at the beautiful stars.

He didn't sleep that night. He looked at the rising sun as Gandalf approached him. "What is on your mind?", asked the old wizard in a friendly tone.

Arthas didn't turn around, "I was thinking... How this world can be so beautiful at times and very ugly at other times; The contrast makes me feel unsure... Which is the true face of the world; Which side of this coin is the real one?".

Gandalf fell into deep thought, his eyes filled with profound light as he gazed at the first rays of light. "The answer lies not with me but with you. We live in this world as individuals thus we experience it as individuals as well. Each person sees the world as that person wants to see it. The world is like a piece of music. It might instill sadness and darkness or it might instill happiness and light. It depends on who is listening."

Gandalf left soon after...

Arthas murmured as the sun completely rose, "You don't know how Ironic it is, this world was made from music. Your words are truer than you think, Wielder of the Flame of Anor...".