Chapter Text
Cathlenir sat gingerly in a lounge chair in one of the many halls of Rivendell. It was late in the afternoon, and her father, Lord Elrond, had not yet returned. Practically restless, the she-elf peered from her perch at the several entrances to the valley she could see. Only hours ago she had heard two pieces of particularly interesting news. First, that a pack of orcs from the south had been nearing the borders of Imladris, near the Hidden Pass. Her father and several other riders had gone to exterminate them. Shortly after he had departed, Cathlenir was standing on the balcony near her chambers, where she saw one of her father’s aides, Lindir, walking up towards her. He quickly bowed at her before speaking.
“My lady, I thought you might be interested to hear that Mithrandir has crossed into the Valley.”
Cathlenir’s eyes lit up in curiosity and delight.
“Is it so, Lindir?” she asked excitedly. “Many years have passed since we were last in the company of the Grey wizard, do you know what has brought him to Imladris?”
“No my lady, I do not yet know the purpose of his visit, but I trust he will arrive by evening,” Lindir answered.
“I am certain he wishes to speak with my father,” Cathlenir speculated aloud. “To seek his counsel, undoubtedly, though that raises further questions.”
Lindir smiled politely, happy to entertain the curiosities of Lord Elrond’s eldest daughter.
“Thank you Lindir,” said Cathlenir, nodding her head at him. “I eagerly await his appearance.”
Then Lindir left her, and Cathlenir sat upon the chaise overlooking the entrance to her kingdom. Still hours later, neither her father nor Gandalf the Grey had entered Rivendell. Cathlenir, growing bored of waiting, decided to find Lindir again, only so she could pester him.
She found him not far from the main entrance into their kingdom, apparently he was also waiting for the arrivals of Elrond and Gandalf.
“Lindir,” she called to him.
He looked to see who the voice was, and gave another polite smile.
“Yes, my lady?” he answered.
“Have you any more news of Gandalf?” she asked.
“I am afraid not, and without your father here, there is not much we will be able to aid him with.”
Cathlenir lightly frowned, but then her face shifted into one of playfulness.
“Perhaps I could advise Gandalf if he arrives before ada, for I have heard them both liken me to my father’s image.”
Lindir raised an eyebrow.
“Perhaps you are alike to Lord Elrond, though I fear they were speaking of his lordship’s…” Lindir paused, clearing his throat. “ ...wilder youth.”
Cathlenir let her mouth fall open in slight surprise.
“I’ll have to inquire with my father further on the matter, then,” she said, grinning. “I know he was different in ages past, he even had dealings with–”
Cathlenir stopped short when she caught a glimpse of something over Lindir’s shoulder in the distance.
“--Dwarves.”
Lindir turned to see what she was looking at, and they were both met with the sight of thirteen dwarves, and one halfling, being led by Gandalf towards the area just below where they were standing.
Cathlenir was surprised to see such a large group accompanying Gandalf, especially the presence of the halfling. She smiled as she watched the hobbit’s head turn all around, as he took in his surroundings. As the group of fifteen congregated near the bottom of the stairs, Lindir walked to greet them.
“Mithrandir,” he called, alerting the wizard to his presence.
“Ah, Lindir,” Gandalf answered.
Even from a distance, Cathlenir could see the dwarves in Gandalf’s company looked extremely suspicious of Lindir and all the elves they could see in the vicinity.
“Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen,” Lindir continued.
Cathlenir crept closer towards the top of the stairs, so she could better watch the group.
“I must speak with Lord Elrond,” Gandalf said.
Lindir replied, “My Lord Elrond is not here.”
This seemed to trouble the wizard, as his brow furrowed.
“Not here? Where is he?”
Just then the sound of a horn was heard by all, coming from the same direction Gandalf and his company had just arrived from. Cathlenir instantly recognized this as the horn of her father’s party. Confirming this, she watched as the small band of riders crossed the bridge and met the crowd at the platform. The dwarves shouted, and had all huddled into a circle, weapons pointed out in defense. Cathlenir rolled her eyes at the dwarves’ apparent pride and immense distrust for others. The party on their horses circled the dwarves, and were finally greeted by Elrond.
“Gandalf!” he smiled.
The wizard walked towards her father and extended his arm out in greeting.
“Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?”
“Farannem ‘lamhoth i udul ocharad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui,” Elrond responded.
Then he dismounted his horse and walked towards Gandalf, where the two embraced each other.
“Strange for orcs to come so close to our borders,” Elrond began, as he handed his sword to Lindir. “Something or someone has drawn them near.”
“Ah, that may have been us,” Gandalf replied, gesturing to the dwarves.
Then, one of them stepped forward, face stoic as he presented himself wordlessly to Elrond.
Elrond and Cathlenir recognized him immediately.
“Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain,” said Elrond, kindly.
“I do not believe we have met,” Thorin responded, somewhat unsure.
“You have your grandfather’s bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain,” Elrond explained.
“Indeed,” Thorin’s tone was sharp. “He made no mention of you .”
This caused Cathlenir to frown; she loved her father immeasurably, and had half a mind to descend to the dwarves and make them show a little more respect to the Lord of Rivendell.
Fortunately, her father ignored the insult.
“Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin,” Elrond said, extending his generosity.
One of the other dwarves spoke up, distrustful.
“What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?!”
The rest of the group began to hold up their weapons again, incensed.
“No, master Gloin, he’s offering you food,” Gandalf explained, in a manner reminiscent of a parent talking to their child.
Then the dwarves turned in towards each other to discuss Elrond’s offer, with the same ginger dwarf as before answering for them: “Ah well, in that case, lead on.”
Gandalf and his company then happily ascended the stairs so they could settle in before dinner. Cathlenir stepped back so they had room to walk past her, Elrond and Lindir leading the group.
“Ada!” Cathlenir exclaimed, greeting her father. She put her hand on his arm in affection.
The dwarves watched her curiously, yet cautiously.
“Ni raen I an cín barn dadwen, a adh nathal,”* she said in a soft voice. Then she turned to Gandalf.
“Nathla, Mithrandir,” she smiled. “Te na anann io mín cova medui.”**
The wizard chuckled.
“Indeed, my lady, you have become fairer and more enchanting with time,” he said kindly.
Cathlenir and Elrond smiled at his words. Then she turned to give a courteous extending of her arm to the dwarves, smiling politely at them as well, despite her earlier annoyance. Lindir began leading the group again, on their way. As the dwarves shuffled past Cathlenir, they gave her short nods. The hobbit was the last to pass her, and he looked up at her with wide eyes, full of awe and curiosity.
“Welcome to Rivendell,” she said sweetly. “I have not yet met any halflings, what is your name?”
The hobbit blinked up at her a few times before answering.
“Uh, Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins,” he said, still in slight awe.
“I hope you find your stay here to be restful, Master Baggins.”
Just then Bilbo remembered his manners.
“Um, what’s your name?”
“I am Cathlenir, and Lord Elrond is my father,” she explained with a smile.
And with that, Cathlenir turned to walk away, seemingly gliding over the path. Bilbo watched her long dress trail after her, and then hurried to catch up with the dwarves.
* - “I am happy for your safe return, and joined by guests”
** - “Welcome, Gandalf, it has been a long time since we last met.”