Chapter 4: The hidden Valley
When I woke again, the sun was low on the sky already. I looked around me and saw that the dwarves had followed Bilbo's example and had gone off to sleep as well. Gandalf sat nearby, smoking his pipe and blowing out smoke rings, smiling at me as I looked his way. I did not dare to move, for Bilbo was still fast asleep beside me. I felt much better now after a good nap and meal and with the knowledge that the trolls wouldn't bother us anymore. It seemed only a few minutes until the others began to wake as well. Soon Balin, Dori and Thorin were up again, as were Oin, Gloin and Ori. Also Bilbo stirred and yawned, then rubbed his eyes and stretched himself. In a matter of a few minutes everyone was up and while one half was getting the ponies ready, the other half of our company took a closer look at the trolls cave. As Bilbo followed Gandalf and Thorin inside, I prefered to stay with the ponies and had a nice chat with Ori. After a while I saw Nori and Bofur coming back outside with chests filled with gold and silver, which they buried a little further off, to collect on their way home (if there would be one!). Shortly after Thorin and Gandalf came out again as well, both holding a shining sword in their hands. Obviously they hadn't been forged by the trolls themselves, nor by any smith among men or dwarves. These were no less but blades of the lost kingdom of Gondolin, as Gandalf told us. Behind them followed Bilbo who found a short sword for himself (nothing more than a small knife to the trolls) and looked at it very fascinated. After we selected as much food as was still of use, we stored it in our packages and continued our journey. Although the weather improved a great deal, it took a while until a song was sung or any tale was told, for now everyone seemed to be aware of the dangers that could meet us on the road. The clouds disappeared and soon the sun went with us all day. The landscape changed its face every day now, green fields of grass made way for a hilly terrain with lots of bushes and less roads. Our journey went on quite well, despite the fears that some of us had. The feeling we all shared though was a tiring one. We spent more than half the day on horseback now, a couple of hours at a time and the breaks grew rarer and shorter, as did the meals (very much to the dislike of Bilbo). The food we'd found in the trolls' cave would last for a while, still we had to be very careful, for we didn't know when we would get to a decent place again. Every time we could we would hunt for game, but we never encountered anything bigger than a rabbit. After Thorin and Kili showed me how to use them I turned out to be quite a talent with a bow and arrow.
Our journey on this day was a short one, since the sun began setting shortly after we broke camp. Although the sun shone warm and bright during the day, the nights were still quite chilly. I wished for an additional blanket more than once, but the one I had would have to do. We also started to make fires at night and took turns to watch: After the incident with the trolls no one wanted to take any chances. One night, it was far past midnight on the third day after our adventure, I sat close to the fire. Although it was slowly dying down, I couldn't help myself but stare into it. The dancing flames of yellow, orange and red colour hypnotised me and I didn't notice that Bofur, who had been sitting beside me for the last few hours, had got up. He wished me a good night and went to wake Ori, whose turn it was to watch. The young dwarf got up moaning and Bofur laid down on his blanket and was asleep in a matter of seconds. As he walked up to the fire he stretched himself and gave a big yawn, then he sat down beside me. "You should sleep a while. You'll need your strength in the weeks to come", he finally whispered. He kept his voice down so he wouldn't wake the others. I shook my head. "Are you warm enough? Or should we light the fire up again?" Once again I shook my head. And how couldn't I? I sat as close to the flames as I could, my knees embraced by my arms and my chin resting on top of them. "Sure you don't want to lay down a bit? I got this", he added after some time of silence. For the first time in hours I took my gaze off the flames and looked at him. "I have slept already. After nightfall. But thanks anyway." For a moment he seemed satisfied and nodded. But after some minutes he turned to me once more and said: "But...if you say 'after nightfall', then it couldn't have been more than a few hours." "I know. I slept about 4 hours, if you want to know precisely", I answered. Ori frowned. "And you think that's enough? Lay down if you don't have to watch for one night." I chuckled. "It's fine, believe me. At home I have never slept longer either. It seems this short amount of time is all I need. It's been like this for as long as I can remember." "Speaking of which...", Ori interrupted, "may I ask you something?" "Of course." "I... or we... were wondering how you came to live with Bilbo. I mean, because you're obviously not a Hobbit and all that..." I gave him a concerned look and took a deep breath. "So you've noticed... The shoes gave it away, didn't they?" "Not only the shoes." he replied with a chuckle. I returned the smile he threw at me and started looking into the flames again. "Bilbo's mother found me in the woods when I was little. I sat there all on my own, she told me afterwards, laughing at the rain. She searched the surrounding area but couldn't find a soul. So she took me in and raised me as if I was her own flesh and blood. Of course her relatives reminded her often enough that I would never fit in and that I didn't belong in the Shire. But she never cared about such talk. So I grew up in the most beautiful environment I could think of with the best parents and loveliest brother I could wish for." Ori slightly touched my shoulder and said with a smile: "And still you look sad as you tell the story." I looked at him and replied: "I still think about my real parents sometimes... why they left me alone in the rain, probably to die." "I understand...", he said and for some minutes silence returned into our little camp. Besides the crackling of the flames, the only noise was a quiet snoring from Bofur. "One last thing, if I may...", Ori started after a while. I nodded and he continued: "How old was Bilbo when your mother found you? He must have been quite an older brother, ha?" I didn't answer at first, only gave him a queer look and bit my lower lip. "It's only because...", he quickly continued, "Gandalf said that Bilbo is 50 now and how old could he have been?" I shook my head and answered: "I am afraid you got something wrong. Just... promise not to be too shocked ok?" He nodded, so I began to explain. "Mother didn't just take me in because she pitied me, but also because she didn't have any children of her own at the time. Do you understand? Bilbo wasn't born at the time she found me." Judging by his expression he was kind of shocked and irritated as well. "That means... that you are older than him!" "That's right... He was born a couple of years after Mother found me." "And that makes you..." "Turning 69 next month", I finished. He blinked at me several times before he cleared his throat and stated: "I see... well, I have to say that you look very good for your age." Now I had to laugh out loud. I was glad that he took it so well. We talked for the rest of the night and watched the sun rise together. When the others were up again and we had our very unsatisfying breakfast we had to decide which way we would take next. After a long debate Gandalf finally convinced Thorin that we should look for refuge in the Hidden Valley, where friends of his were already informed of our coming and would welcome us graciously. We made quite a long ride over grassy plains and soft hills, but nowhere was a valley to be found or seen anywhere near. The mountains that towered before us crept closer with every hour. Especially Bilbo seemed very fascinated with them. We both had never seen anything that high before. We went on for another 3 hours or so before we came to a river which was running noisily. After some debate which way to go and some other good deal of discussion Gandalf spotted a shallow spot where we could cross the river without being washed away or drowned. The far bank was steep and slippery, so it took us quite some time until we all reached the top safe and sound. From there we could see that the mountains had closed even further and the foot of the first one seemed only a day's journey ahead. "Gandalf? These are the Misty Mountains, right?", I finally dared to ask. He nodded and replied: "Yes, there they are, stretching from the far North all the way down to the Fangorn Forest and Isengard." "Behind them lies Wild Land and I daresay that we'll have our struggle to pass them whatever way we eventually choose." Bilbo gave a big sigh as he heard that and looked very miserable. I grabbed his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. I could see how tired he was and had to admit that I felt the same, but there was quite a way to go yet. Gandalf took the lead once more and explained: "We must not miss the road now or we're done for. I should remember the way well enough, let's hope my mind doesn't betray me today." We followed his lead but couldn't detect any sign of a valley whatsoever. There was only grass, trees and a slope that led towards the mountains, ever so slightly. The sun started to go down already when Gandalf suddenly gave a cry of joy. Somewhere between the small hills and the mountains an unexpected valley had opened up before us. As we looked down the narrow valley with its steep side we saw trees and running water at the bottom. The wizard even found the path that led down safely in no time and soon the whole company was following his white horse down a narrow way. It was a slow process and the day began to fail when we finally come to the end of the way and the bottom of the ridge. Gandalf stopped short and said: "Ah, finally! Down there lies Rivendell, also called the Valley of Imladris, the last homely house east of the Sea. Now hurry, maybe we'll reach it before the moon comes out!" It seemed as if all sighed with relief. The last part of the way was kind of slippery and again it took us a long time to reach the bank of the river. Changes were all around us - no one could deny that we've entered a special place. The trees changed to beech and oak, the air grew warmer and the smell - I can't tell you what smell it was in particular, but it smelled like spring: flowers, fresh grass and water. After getting a bit sleepy and accidently bumping my nose on the neck of my horse, I forced myself to look somewhere else than the trees. I raised my gaze towards the sky and saw how the first stars blinked down at me. They glistened blue and white and as I heard Bilbo say: "Hm... it smells like elves!", someone raised his voice in song. It came from the trees - at first one, than two and finally several different voices could be heard, bursting out in song. Their singing sounded like laughter, the voices were young and clear, full of joy and mock. That's what they sang as we approached a narrow bridge:
O! What are you doing?
And where are you going?
Your ponies need shoeing!
The River is flowing!
O! tra-la-la-lally,
here down in the valley!
O! What are you seeking,
And where are you making?
The faggots are reeking,
The bannocks are baking!
O! tril-li-li-lolly,
the valley is jolly,
ha! ha!
O! Where are you going,
With beards all a-wagging?
No knowing, no knowing
What brings Mister Baggins,
And Balin and Dwalin
down into the valley
in June,
ha! ha!
O! Will you be staying,
Or will you be flying?
Your ponies are straying,
the daylight is dying!
To fly would be folly,
to stay would be jolly,
and listen and hark,
till the end of the dark
to our tune!
ha! ha!
These verses and some other fair nonsense they sang. I watched the trees closely, so I would catch a glimpse of the elves, for of course elves they were, all singing and jesting. Wait a moment, you don't know what elves are either? Well, elves are simply amazing people! They've dwelt in Middle-Earth a lot longer than Men or Dwarves. They are fair to look upon and usually tall in statue. Furthermore, they are immortal so they cannot die except if they are killed in battle. Elves and dwarves don't get on too well with each other: Elves think dwarves stubborn and cold, while dwarves think elves are careless and even silly at times. Their dislike in each other has its roots deep in their history, which would be too long to explain now.
As we trotted on they began another song, just as silly as the first one, when suddenly a tall, slender figure emerged from the trees. He was undoubtedly an elf, with his long, dark hair, pointy ears and delicate features. "Welcome to the valley!", he said with a wide smile on his face, his voice sounding like laughter. Telling from Thorin's facial expression he had just thought of something rude or inappropriate to say. Luckily Gandalf answered "Thank you" before Thorin could say anything. The elf looked at our little company in amusement and said: "You're a little out of your way. I will take you the safest road to our house near the river. You better continue on foot though. And hurry, I can smell dinner baking on the fires already." Now that is a sentence you can buy the dwarves' attentions with. Of course we all were exhausted and tired, but our hunger was even greater. So we followed the elf, who brought us on a good path near the river, which flowed fast and noisily these days. Soon we came to a bridge, where we had to lead our ponies over in single file, for it seemed to be made out of a single piece of rock, which was quite strong but also very narrow. It didn't took us long after that when I heard an astonished sound of Ori, who walked at the top of the row. Before us rose the house of Elrond Half-Elf, Master of Rivendell. It's hard to describe now, for it felt like home immediately and it's hard to describe your home, isn't it? There were lots of houses, all some way open to the riverside, hidden between lush and green trees and hillsides, with lots of terraces and pools and golden shimmer. I remember feeling safe and comfortable the moment I crossed the borders. We didn't see much of it at first, because the sun was gone for good by now and the lanterns that hung outside didn't give enough light to see everything in detail. Two guards greeted first Gandalf and then Thorin and the rest of the company and led us up a long staircase, while two other guards took care of our horses. While the elves led us upstairs, I couldn't stop turning my head this way and that way, for the sheer mount of beauty was overwhelming. They led us to different rooms, where a meal and a soft bed were prepared for every one of us. Kili, Fili and Thorin got a room for themselves, while Bofur, Bifur and Bofur got another. Of course Oin and Gloin shared a room as well, whilst Gandalf had one for himself. Nori, Dori and Ori disappeared behind a door, next to a room where Balin and Dwalin stayed together. At the end of the hallway there was one room left, facing East, for Bilbo and myself. I have to admit, I can't quite remember what kind of food they brought for us, I only know that it was delicious and rich and with a happy smile on my face I fell onto my bed and was fast asleep in an instant.
