Chapter 36: Last days at Rivendell Pt: 2

[General POV]

As Aldril and Balin made their way toward Thorin and Gandalf, the latter two were having a heated conversation.

"Show the map to Lord Elrond, Thorin," said Gandalf, giving a stern look to the stubborn dwarf who was reluctant to produce the map. This was the behavior Gandalf most detested in dwarves they were extremely stubborn despite needing help to decipher the map.

"I don't need to show anything to an elf. This map is the treasure of my people, and I won't show it to anyone," Thorin replied with a haughty look. When had a dwarf ever stooped to ask an elf for help? Deep down, he knew he truly needed the elf's knowledge, but something inside him said that asking an elf for help was dishonorable.

"For the love of the great Valar, stop being stubborn and show him! You, more than anyone, know we need his help," Gandalf exclaimed in frustration. In all his long years, he was rarely pushed to his limits, but this stubborn dwarf took the prize, having greatly annoyed him two days in a row.

Thorin shot him an annoyed look and said in a calm voice that conveyed his inner irritation, "This is the heritage of my people, and it is my responsibility to protect it. I won't let anyone decipher its secrets."

Gandalf inhaled and exhaled to suppress his anger; you could even see his beard trembling slightly as he pressed his lips together tightly. "Your stubbornness will be the death of you sooner or later, Thorin Oakenshield. I will say this only once: Do you know that you are standing in front of one of the few people in Middle-earth who can understand how to decipher the map? Set aside your pride and show the map to Lord Elrond!"

***

As they approached, Balin and Aldril could hear more clearly the intense argument taking place between Gandalf and Thorin. Even the background laughter of the dwarves ceased; it seemed Gandalf's shouts had caught their attention.

As they got closer, Aldril could see his uncle Elrond standing silently, watching Thorin with patience. But his patience was likely running thin, as even one of the kindest elves had his limits, and Thorin was pushing those limits. It was true that Elrond was intrigued by the map Gandalf mentioned and had agreed to help decipher its mysteries as a gesture of goodwill, but Thorin stubbornness was vexing him.

At that precise moment, when the atmosphere grew silent, Balin arrived and positioned himself beside Thorin, who wore a bitter expression. Gandalf words had affected him, and with resignation, he pulled out the map. Seeing Thorin action, Balin immediately stepped forward and nervously said, "No, Thorin, don't show it." He knew there was no other way, but deep down, he also harbored an innate dislike for elves.

This sentiment applied to all dwarves; hence their discourtesy and bad behavior toward elves. This feeling of dislike had intensified even more after the elves abandoned them and turned their backs on them following the dragon Smaug's attack.

Placing his hand on Balin's shoulder, Aldril gave a nod, indicating for him not to be hasty. "Trust your king's decisions, Balin," were Aldril's words. Hearing this, Balin withdrew his hand and looked at Aldril, nodding.

Aldril was right; he had to trust Thorin's decisions and set aside his dislike for the elves, as the mission to reclaim Erebor was more important than his simple distaste.

Taking a step forward, Thorin handed the map to Elrond. Gandalf's words had poured cold water over his head; he decided to show the map because it was more important to uncover its hidden message and find the secret entrance to Erebor. "It is all for the good of my people," he told himself.

With a smile, Elrond gracefully moved his hand and took the map Thorin showed him. Looking at the map, Elrond immediately recognized the location it depicted. "Erebor," he murmured, glancing at Thorin.

"Do you want to discover what secrets this map holds?" he asked calmly. From the few clues, he deduced that these dwarves were going to reclaim Erebor. This unsettled him a bit; his nephew, whom he had just discovered was still alive, would go with these dwarves and probably face Smaug. This worried him slightly.

Casting a glance at his nephew, who was beside Gandalf, Elrond could see determination in his eyes and the brooch his father once wore. Seeing the brooch, Elrond raised an eyebrow slightly, intrigued; he would ask later where he got it.

Thorin's voice drew his attention away from his nephew. "I need to discover the message hidden in the map," Thorin said calmly.

"You still understand the dwarven language, right?" Gandalf asked politely.

Elrond slowly opened the map and walked slowly toward the moonlight. "Cirth Ithil," he murmured as he inspected the map delicately, as if it were an invaluable piece he didn't want to damage.

"Moon runes? Of course," said Gandalf with a smile. He had overlooked this way of keeping secrets. He turned his gaze to Thorin. "It's easy to forget them."

Ignoring Gandalf's conversation, Elrond focused on the map and spoke while still inspecting it. "In this case, the moon runes can only be read under the moonlight in the same phase and season in which they were written." Turning around, Elrond looked at them.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asked, his heart filled with excitement. Despite his hatred for elves, he had to admit this elf impressed him with his knowledge.

"Of course, follow me," said Elrond, turning and walking toward an outdoor observation platform atop a mountain.

Seeing Elrond move, everyone else immediately followed him. Aldril didn't want to miss this plot moment and wanted to increase his level of exploration a bit. Maybe reaching 0.50% would give him something? Besides, he would take the opportunity to ask his uncle about the elf stone his great-grandmother gave him.

In the distance, Bilbo, seeing Aldril and company following Elrond, quickly stood up, wanting to follow them. Glóin, beside him, watched as Bilbo ran off to catch up with the others. "Bilbo! Aren't you going to eat your cooked sausage?" he shouted to get Bilbo's attention.

"You can have it for me," Bilbo replied as he hurried to catch up with the others.

"Hehe, alright, Bilbo," said Glóin with a silly smile, then frowned in annoyance as the cooked sausage was snatched by Bumbur. "Hey, you bastard, that's mine!"

***

Aldril and the others followed Elrond to the top of the observation platform. It had a beautiful view of all Rivendell, with waterfalls cascading down the sides, where the moonlight cast its soft glow over the platform.

There, only a transparent crystal base stood out at the tip of the platform. Elrond calmly walked to the crystal base and, while delicately placing the map on it, spoke. "It seems you were destined to come to Rivendell. Fortune smiles upon you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same lunar phase with which the map was written shines tonight."

Not long after Elrond finished speaking, a dark cloud floated on the horizon and was carried away by the wind, allowing the magnificence of the moon to be revealed, bringing a soft glow that reflected on the crystal base, illuminating it and revealing the hidden message on the map.

Seeing the hidden message, Elrond spoke aloud. "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."

"What is Durin Day?" Bilbo asked Balin in a low voice.

Glancing sideways at him, Gandalf explained. "The first day of the dwarves' New Year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together."

"These are bad news!" said Thorin with one arm crossed and the other holding his chin, giving the appearance of being nervous. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will come soon."

Seeing his king starting to get nervous, Balin approached. "We still have time! We must be in exactly the right place at the right time. Then and only then will the door open."

"Then, do you plan to enter and then what? Face and kill Smaug?" Elrond asked, looking at Thorin seriously.

At Elrond's question, Thorin remained silent and glanced sideways at Aldril, who was calmly looking at the horizon, seemingly oblivious to the conversation they were having.

Elrond clearly noticed Thorin's gaze. Seeing that it was directed at his nephew, Elrond frowned. "Are you thinking of having him face the dragon?" he asked in a more serious tone than usual.

Thorin's response didn't come because Aldril spoke, drawing the attention of the others. "It's what I've decided, uncle. That's why I'm traveling with Thorin's group." With a determined look, Aldril turned and met Elrond's eyes.

Remembering seeing that same look once, Elrond's fears took a step back. Seeing how Tindómiel's silhouette overlapped with Aldril's, Elrond stopped frowning and with a nostalgic smile said, "That determined look and confident stance, you are undoubtedly just like your mother," he murmured.

"In that case, I wish you the best on your next journey. Now you should rest, we will talk tomorrow." With calm steps, Elrond stood next to Aldril as he placed one of his hands on his shoulder.

With a nod, Aldril followed the others who were beginning to leave. Walking beside Gandalf, the wizard looked at him and with a smile said, "Uncle? I imagined your origins were not common, but it's a surprise that you are related to Lord Elrond. I hope you tell me the details later."

"Yes, Aldril, I didn't understand why you call that elf uncle," said Bilbo, curious. Besides Gandalf, Aldril was the one he got along with best, so Bilbo felt curious about what Aldril had said.

"I'll tell you everything tomorrow," Aldril replied with a calm smile. It seemed that only Gandalf and Bilbo had heard his conversation with Elrond, as Balin and Thorin were absorbed in what they had discovered and hadn't paid attention.

As Elrond gazed out over the horizon, a soft and delicate but very familiar voice sounded behind him, causing him to turn quickly with a startled face.

"It has been a long time, my child," said Elwing, her eyes full of affection and fondness.

With quick steps, Elrond approached Elwing, took her hands gently in his, and with a soulful smile said. "Yes, it has been a long time, mother.

***

Here is the chapter of the day! 

I just want to remind you that I was only inspired by the Chinese novel, it is not a translation, you can find similarities, but it is not a translation at all.

Support me on patreon where you can find more than 10 advanced chapters, this part of Rivendell is divided into 5 chapters, I will be uploading the others more frequently, so you don't find it tedious. 

"P@treon/Mrnevercry"