Chapter Text
They all stared in awe at the buildings nestled in the valley. Even though Thorin covered his awe with disgust, it was obvious he appreciated the fine structures of the elves as much as the rest of them.
Frodo wanted to rush ahead, but Bilbo made him wait for Gandalf's lead. So the small group trudged down the valley sides; Frodo practically bouncing in his saddle, trying to get a good look at everything, acting just like a Hobbitling again. Bilbo shared in his nephews excitement, although he was much more reserved about it.
Sam Gamgee just seemed struck dumb by the sights in front of him, having never left the Shire at all. As they traversed down the steep path, elf song began to be heard, tinkling down below from The House of Elrond.
When they reached the bottom of the trail and crossed the bridge into Rivendell they were greeted by Elrond himself, along with his children and some other elves. Frodo was surprised to see what looked like a man standing among the elvish group. Before he could ruminate more on all the faces in front of him Lord Elrond stepped forward to greet them.
"Welcome dear friends." He said smiling at the mixed little troop. "We have prepared rooms for you, although some of you," here Elrond sent a mock glare towards Gandalf, "were a bit of a surprise. "
Gandalf smiled innocently.
"I knew your foresight would alert you to my coming." Was all he had to say in apology.
Elrond bowed his head slightly to the wizard before focusing back on them all.
"My daughter, Arwen, has graciously asked to escort you to your rooms, and after you've settled we have prepared a small feast."
Bilbo thanked the elf profusely as a she-elf stepped forward, bearing a mighty resemblance to Elrond Frodo thought, and she smiled and motioned for them to follow her into her fathers house.
Frodo was almost unsurprised to see Gandalf lag behind to speak with Elrond, and the strange man that was among the group. But Frodo quickly put the Wizard's ways out of his mind to focus instead on the grandeur of Rivendell around them.
Arwen was leading their group through the winding architecture and over bridges with magnificent archways; Bilbo and Thorin walked closely behind her, Bilbo talking with her about the architecture and Thorin sulking. Sam and Frodo were not far behind the three, but still Sam felt he could speak freely when he said:
"She's just absolutely beautiful." And certainly the elven halls were crafted to project voices. The group besides Sam immediately descended into titters, Arwen sending the young hobbit a smile.
Thorin, never one to be outdone or stay quiet immediately countered Sam with what was surely something he thought quite clever.
"The elves may have beauty in their own ways, but it is truly the people closer to earth and beneath it who hold the most beauty." He proclaimed staring obviously at Bilbo who blushed and smacked his arm at his audacity.
Frodo was a bit perturbed to see his Uncle's displays of affection, especially since he assumed that whatever Thorin was whispering now was not for innocent ears. However the hobbit quickly put such disturbing things from his mind to look at Arwen, and see what he thought of Sam's admission.
Arwen was certainly tall and lithe as any elf, her hair as dark as Frodo's, but in no way could one call her plain. Her locks were lustrous, tumbling in a cascade. Her skin was nearly luminous and Frodo could not help but compare her to nothing less but the moon against the clearest night sky.
He looked at his still blushing blonde friend.
"I heartily agree with you Sam." He told the other hobbit, quietly, and was rewarded with a smile.
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The meal that the elves had prepared was nowhere near the feasting that happened back in the Shire, for one the elves were not nearly cheery enough, although they seemed happy, but Frodo enjoyed the meal all the same.
Sam still was in his continued state of awe, amazed at the practically meatless array of food provided,
(The Elves were gracious enough to provide some rabbit; apparently Lord Elrond's ward was a ranger who has done some hunting for himself and caught enough to share with the guests), the lack of stout ale, and the light playing of flute and harp instead of rowdy drinking song.
While Sam seemed most amazed at these things, Frodo was unsurprised to see his uncle Thorin look annoyed, even after the gift of meat.
However, Lord Elrond was quick to distract from the meal and instead began talking to the adults at the table about the journey and plans. The younger hobbits entertained by the tales of the lands they would travel to.
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