5

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Within two days, Strider and the other hobbits arrived in Rivendell. Sam insisted upon seeing Frodo, and Elrond obliged, allowing Lindir to lead the three hobbits to where Frodo remained unconscious. Strider then turned to Elrond.

"And of the Lady Miriel?" he asked. Elrond sent him a rather knowing smile, though knowing of what he had no idea.

"She is most likely in the library or somewhere near it. She is healed and resting. You may look for her if you so wish, though Arwen may have arrived first." The ranger nodded his thanks, and moved towards the library. When he reached the open room, he nearly didn't recognize her. Miriel sat in an ornately carved chair, as all chairs here were, reading a book under the spotted shadow of a large linden tree. Her hair was free from its tight and constricting braids, only the sides, loosely braided to keep it out of her face. Now, she also wore a dress, instead of the cloak and hidden armor. A bandage on her left arm drew his attention. It was new, it had to be, for the only bandage he had ever seen was removed during their journey, and there had been no need to bind it again. He moved into the light, and Miriel looked up, her blue eyes lighting up as she smiled brightly, standing and placing the book down before approaching him. The two embraced before pulling back.

"I was starting to worry at why you had been delayed. You are late." She said teasingly, poking his shoulder. He chuckled.

"Better late than never." She rolled her eyes at him, laughing. He took her arm in his hand gently. "What happened to you?" She shrugged.

"One of the wraiths got a lucky swipe at my arm, that is all. Elrond treated it, and all it will do is leave a light scar, and I have plenty of those anyway." She led him to the place she had been sitting and, assured that she was alright now, he was content to sit and talk for hours until it was time to eat. Arwen and Elrond watched from the shadows, smiling at the pair. They both agreed that the ranger had been alone for too long, and the two certainly would make quite the pair.

-----------------------------------------

This became a sort of routine for them. They would do other things in the morning and, around noon, would meet in the library, which overlooked the courtyard. Arwen enjoyed teasing them both immensely, and Elrond would simply cast knowing looks at them, which both detested. Gandalf arrived two days after Strider and the three hobbits, greeting the two and quickly explaining himself before checking on Frodo, who woke within the hour.

-------------------------------------------

Frodo, having awoken and had everything explained to him by Gandalf and the other hobbits, decided to explore with Sam and Bilbo, the latter of whom led them through Rivendell. Pathways, waterfalls, secluded ponds and lakes, the valley of Imladris was a beautiful and peaceful place. Then Bilbo, who had finally listened to the pleas of the two younger hobbits to be certain that Strider and Miriel were alright, asked Elrond where to find them. Once given this knowledge, the older hobbit was much more inclined to go, as the open library was one of his favorite places to go. They found the two ranger near the railing, dressed in elven garb, and talking about something or another. They turned when the trio approached, both smiling when the saw that Frodo was up and moving. Biblo looked on curiously as Frodo and Sam went to Miriel, who embraced each as Strider smiled down at them. Once she released them, he approached, bowing slightly to the pair in the elven fashion, which both returned gracefully, and looked to the female.

"I must apologize, my lady, but I have not seen you before. Are you an elf from Rivendell, or perhaps of Lothlorien?" She chuckled lightly, smiling at the old hobbit.

"I am no elf, master hobbit. You must be Frodo's uncle, Bilbo Baggins." He nodded.

"That I am, fair lady, but I am surprised he has shared such information." She smiled at him, and he remembered why he had thought her an elf.

"My name is Miriel, master Baggins. As for sharing stories of you, Frodo has become a good friend, and he seems to look up to you very much."

They continued to talk until dinnertime, and then not much before bedtime. Even without the senses of Miriel, who had confided in only Elrond, Gandalf, and Strider about her apprehension, all knew that the next day would change everything, for better or for worse.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net