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Mending the Broken Pieces	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 13613 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story. Tolkien and Jackson are the ones who own the characters and world.

Chapter List
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Author’s Note – You guys really surprised me with how you enjoyed the last chapter. Thank you so much for your amazing responses; you guys really helped me through a stressful week!

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make money from this story. All characters belong to Tolkien and his estate.

Chapter Eighteen – Readings and Departures

Over the next few weeks, if Hawthorn wasn’t training or in the library, she was spending time with Thorin and whoever was chaperoning them that day. She was learning quite a bit about her cariad and was enjoying the opportunity to go through some of the courtship without the quest hanging over their heads. The hobbit could tell that he was pleased to have the time without the stress and worry of the quest too, and it gave her time to see him for who he truly was without the tension weighing him down.

When it came time for the map to be read, Thorin asked if she would go with them and she was happy to do so. The scholar was anxious to see what the moon runes said; she’d been very curious about them since she’d discovered their presence.

Lord Elrond escorted Gandalf, Thorin, Hawthorn, and Balin to a small cave that was open to the sky. He was handed the map and carefully set it down on the large quartz podium. After a few moments, the clouds parted so the moon could shine down upon the group. The hobbit went on tiptoe, trying to get the right angle so she could see the writing appear.

The elf read the translation of the ancient khuzdul runes, then looked towards Thorin with a look of concern on his face.

“Durin’s day quickly approaches,” he told the king-in-exile. “I will ensure you have enough provisions to see you to the other side of the Misty Mountains. There are allies there who can restock your provisions once you reach their homes.”

“Your assistance will be greatly appreciated,” the king-in-exile replied. “Thank you for translating the map for us.”

“You are most welcome. In the meantime, you and your company will need to slip away tonight before dawn,” the elf lord told him. “While I understand that your quest has the blessings of the Valar, there are others who would seek to stop you and I will not see that happen. Mithrandir and I will stall them during a meeting; once I know that your departure will not be noticed, someone will come to escort you to the exit closest to the Misty Mountains.”

“We will be waiting in the alcove near the rooms you have given us,” Thorin informed the other. “You have my thanks for all of the aid you have given us and for the aid promised to us.”

“Keep her safe,” Elrond told him, slipping into khuzdul so as not to alert Hawthorn to the fact the conversation now included her. “Keep her safe and happy, and that will be all of the thanks I will need. She is special to my heart and to my family.”

“You have my oath on that,” the king-in-exile swore, placing a hand on his heart.

“Thank you,” the elf stated, switching back to Westron. “I shall alert my staff to ensure all of the supplies are given to you now so you can pack for your departure before nightfall.”

As they spoke, Hawthorn picked up the map and folded it carefully, handing it to Thorin. He took it with a smile, then offered her his arm as the group exited the cavern where the reading had taken place.

“You will need to get your packing done and bring everything to the alcove,” he said to her softly as they headed back to where the company’s rooms were. “We’ll try to rest before it’s time to leave the valley.”

“Agreed,” Hawthorn answered in a voice that was just as soft. “I suspect the White Council has been called and if I am right, Saruman will be the one who will attempt to stop the quest if he hears of it. Lady Galadriel has a stronger gift of foresight, and she might also have seen what Lord Elrond has and would not try to hinder the quest if she has been given visions from the Valar.”

“I know little of the White Wizard,” the king-in-exile told her. “He is the one chosen by Mahal to do His work here on Arda. Other than that, not much is known of him.”

“Most people don’t know even that,” she replied. “It’s odd that he was chosen by Mahal when he has little to no respect for those who are not elves or Istari. I’ve heard Glorfindel and Erestor speak of him, and they’ve made references to conversations where they had overheard Saruman speak poorly of others, including members of the Istari. He doesn’t sound like he’s a very nice person so I’m happy my path has never crossed with his.”

“It makes me wonder why Mahal chose him if he has such an issue with those who are different from himself. We’re a race of crafters, taught by a master craftsman, and we see beauty in almost everything,” Thorin shared. “You would think our Maker’s representative would see things as we do.”

“Even in elves,” she asked, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Rivendell elves maybe,” he answered, lightly tugging on one of her braids. “You can’t convince me that Thranduil and his ilk have a use in this world.”

“I’ll have to get back to you on that,” the hobbit answered. Her discussions about Thranduil with some of the elves here she called friends had pretty much colored her opinion about the king of Mirkwood, and she was not looking forward to going through that area once the company entered Rhovanion.

The trio stopped at the intersection where her rooms were located, and she parted from them fairly swiftly to head into her rooms to pack. Hawthorn headed down the hallway, mind racing in several different directions. She was abruptly pulled from her thoughts when she ran into someone.

It was only due to her quick reflexes that she managed to keep upright, and Hawthorn looked up to spot the Istar she had been discussing with Thorin not a few moments ago.

“My apologies,” she stated, frowning when he sneered at her and headed down the hall.

“Erestor was right,” the hobbit murmured to herself as she entered her room. “He does have a staff embedded up his arse. Glad Mithrandir isn’t like that or we’d have shoved him into a pile of horse dung to teach him humility.”

Hawthorn packed her bags, ensuring everything was ready, and she headed to the alcove where the company had been spending their time when not crafting, training, or exploring. Thorin took her bag from her, frowning slightly when he saw the expression on her face.

“What happened?”

“I literally ran into Saruman on the way to my room,” she answered, walking with him to where cushions had been piled. “I have no idea why Mahal chose him, but I was ready to knock him upside the head given how he looked at me.”

“Elrond was right to be worried then,” he said softly.

“I think so,” Hawthorn commented. “I also had an idea come to me while packing. I know Balin keeps the books for the scrivener’s guild with him to safeguard them, but there’s a risk of losing those. My belongings from the Shire will be delivered here for safekeeping. Since we’re courting now and know that we are cariads, I will ask Lord Elrond to have them delivered to Erebor. Anything important that the company has with them and are afraid of losing during the quest can be left behind in my room to be brought with my things so nothing gets lost on the journey.”

“That’s a good idea,” Thorin commented, helping her to sit down before going to talk to Balin.

Within a few moments, Ori and Kili were sent with a small stack of items to put in Hawthorn’s room while the hobbit left a message with an elf to ask if those items could be sent along with her own belongings once she was ready for them. She was pleased to be able to help a bit further and checked her pack, finding the few items she’d copied for the journey as well as a letter for Thranduil from Elrond.

“You might want to try to rest for a while,” Gloin suggested, passing her a blanket from the room he’d been using. “Thorin said earlier we’ll be leaving late tonight, and it’ll be better to get some rest so you’re alert when we go.”

“I’ll try,” she answered, taking the warm item from him. “It’s a good suggestion.”

Hawthorn snuggled into the blanket, getting comfortable on the cushions as she did so. It didn’t take long before she drifted off to sleep, unaware that the rest of the group quieted down so as not to wake those who had decided to take a rest as well.

She was woken hours later and handed a plate of food, which she promptly started eating. Hawthorn could see the others packing the final odds and ends away, getting ready for the next phase of their journey. A few elves were handing them supplies, offering what aid Elrond could give them.

Once the food had been eaten and all of the supplies put away, the company shouldered their packs and followed their guide out of the main building, through several intricate gardens before being led to the entrance that would take them to the Misty Mountains.

“May Valar watch over you and keep you safe,” their guide stated, bidding them farewell before heading back.

Thorin looked over the members of his company, noticing all of them looked eager to go, and he was grateful that all of them had answered when he had called. He was even more grateful that Gandalf had recommended Hawthorn to them as she had done so much for them already.

“Let’s get going; Durin’s Day approaches, and we have a long journey ahead of us.”

With that, the company left Rivendell and headed towards the Misty Mountains.

Author’s End Note - It’s shorter than the other chapters, but it’s a transition one to help the company move forward as well as set up for something that will appear later in the story. I hope everyone enjoyed it; please let me know what you thought of it. See you next time! ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces