Spirit Bound

Good-byes and Surprises

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit or any of it's characters. Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. However I do own Ashlynn and her story.

=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=

                                                                 Chapter 10

Recap: I get up and follow Bilbo down the halls to where Elrond was waiting for me.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*++*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I try to memorize which hall or corridor we go down. I give up after the eight turn. Thorin and Gandalf are arguing loudly. Elrond is just standing there with a serious look on his face. I look at Bilbo and raise my eyebrows in question.

"The map remember?" Bilbo silently mouths to me.

I nod in understanding. I let myself be known by making loud footsteps and coughing.

All three of them turn and look up at us. Thorin and Gandalf stop arguing about the map.

Elrond greet me "Ashlynn, thank you for coming"

I scowl "My name is Ash. Just Ash or Nightshade, nothing else. Okay?"

Elrond nods "Of course"

I nod back.

Thorin and Gandalf resume their argument.

"Our business is no concern of elves" growls Thorin.

"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map" Gandalf says.

It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are it's secrets" retorts Thorin.

"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond" Gandalf snaps, finally losing his patience.

I roll my eyes. I take a menacing step forward and growl at Thorin "Gods, Thorin if you don't stop pissing me off and just give Elrond the damned map to read, I'm going to kick your arse from here to Mordor. It's not like he's going to keep it".

Thorin thinks for a few seconds before handing Elrond the map. Balin tries to stop him but just gets pushed to the side.

Elrond unfolds it and examines it. "Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" asks Elrond, surprised.

I blurt out "We found this map in the troll cave and we didn't know if the map or the words on it are important or not".

Gandalf nods and adds "It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?"

Elrond walks to a crystal table hidden behind a waterfall and says "Cirth Ithil"

"Ah, Ash was right. They are moon runes" Gandalf says.

"Well in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written''. Elrond says, raising his eyebrows.

"Can you read them?" Thorin asks in annoyed tone of voice.

"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were ment to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight" explains Elrond.