-General-
"There's no need to bow," Aldril said, placing a hand on Dûrgar, urging him to lift his face. He'd imagined all dwarves would be like those he'd known: arrogant, stubborn, small beings who wouldn't bow to anyone. But now his perspective had changed. He could still see the arrogance in the dwarves' eyes, yes, but they were also capable of setting aside their pride for the good of their people.
With a flick of his hand, his small, obese raven reappeared. The beat of its wings was heavy, but it still managed to stay steady and stable in the air. Its appearance made the five dwarves look at it with suspicion.
"Can that fat bird even fly long distances?" Dûrgar asked, frowning at Aldril's raven, almost doubting whether the bird would be able to deliver the plea for help before dying of a heart attack from its obesity.
Aldril, like the dwarves, looked at it with surprise. His raven had recently lost weight... How did it get fat again?
The ironic smile that formed on his face was signal enough for Tauriel to intervene, clearing her throat a little to get his attention.
"I'm sorry... He was so cute, I think I overfed him," Tauriel said with a mix of discomfort and guilt.
With a sigh, Aldril shook his head. He could already imagine why Tauriel always asked him to take the raven out of his storage ring. Yes, his ring was capable of storing small living beings and keeping them stable; he just needed to take them out at different times of the day to feed them.
"It doesn't matter," Aldril said, stroking his raven. The bird puffed out its chest proudly, but far from projecting an imposing and brave image, it only accentuated its bulging stomach, making it even funnier in the eyes of others.
"Do you think you can send a plea for help to the dwarves of the Iron Hills?" Aldril asked cautiously. While his little friend, even with all his fatness, had managed to get from Mirkwood to Erebor months ago, the distance from the Mountains of Rhûn to the Iron Hills was much greater.
The raven nodded arrogantly. What a joke! He might be a little fat, but his powerful wings were capable of supporting flights of five days straight without rest. His disdainful eyes fixed on the dwarves, and he cawed with visible disgust.
"Low-class dwarves! How dare you doubt me? I am the messenger of the mighty dragon slayer and companion of the most beautiful and perfect horse in all of Middle-earth!"
Aldril, thanks to his connection with the raven, passively activated the universal language, understanding every word his plump little friend ranted. He put a hand to the bridge of his nose and massaged it with annoyance.
'I won't let him hang out with Shadow Star anymore,' he thought.
The raven's caws disconcerted the dwarves, who, for some instinctive reason, felt they were being insulted. By a raven? A damned raven! Almost in unison, they began to roll up their sleeves, ready to beat up the insolent bird.
With a sigh, Aldril stroked the little obese one now perched on his shoulder.
"That's enough, little one... Go and ask Dáin for help. Fly as fast as you can."
The raven gave the dwarves one last disdainful look before turning his attention to Aldril and nodding with devotion. With a powerful beat of his wings, he shot off at a speed that completely defied the logic of his chubby body. He flew over the mountains of Rhûn, heading towards the Iron Hills.
Once he saw him disappear on the horizon, Aldril's attitude changed completely. Now his expression was serious and solemn. He turned to Dûrgar and stared at him intently.
"Now that help has been sent... tell me, what's the situation in these lands?"
---
-Rivendell-
The waterfalls fell with splendor, bathing the surroundings of the vast, whitish construction with fine drops of water. Rainbows formed occasionally, offering an exuberant and beautiful image.
In such a beautiful place, Legolas and Sigrid strolled. The latter, with the joy of a child, admired the beauty of the surroundings. Hand in hand with Legolas, she took small leaps with each step, as if the very air of Rivendell instilled lightness in her.
"Look, Legolas! Those birds are so beautiful!" Sigrid exclaimed, pointing enthusiastically.
Then she turned her attention to the calmly flowing streams, and her voice rose again with joy. "Look at those fish of different colors!"
Every beautiful thing that crossed her gaze was celebrated with the overflowing emotion of a child. Everything in Rivendell seemed to amaze her, and her enthusiasm was as contagious as it was endearing.
"Look, Legolas..." she repeated over and over, tirelessly.
And so they continued walking for a long time. Sigrid's throat never seemed to dry up, despite how much she talked. Legolas, for his part, could only look at her, with deep and pure love reflected in his eyes.
Sigrid's voice was, for him, the most beautiful song. Every smile she gave him was a flame that warmed his elven heart. Without a doubt... he loved this woman and, if possible, hoped they would start a family.
---
From the top of a whitish tower, which offered a privileged view of the valley where Rivendell was located, Gandalf and Elrond conversed calmly as they observed the young couple in the distance. Their curiosity had been piqued; after all, it was extremely rare to witness a romantic relationship between a human and an elf.
"I have been informed that the elves of Mirkwood have recaptured Dol Guldur, with the help of Aldril and the elves of Lothlórien," Elrond said, shifting his gaze from the couple and resting it serenely on the old man in front of him.
"I imagined they would recover it after we drove Sauron out of there," Gandalf replied, leaning on the railing as he calmly smoked his pipe.
Elrond nodded. "I thought the same... but I didn't imagine they would do it so quickly. It seems Tindomiel's son has grown even stronger since I last saw him."
"You have no idea," Gandalf chuckled softly. "The boy withstood Smaug's strongest attack... and moreover, he managed to kill him after such a devastating onslaught."
Without a doubt, Aldril had been a surprise to them both. But now they could be more at ease. Time would strengthen Tindomiel's son... and with that, increase the possibility of defeating Sauron.
At that moment, just as Gandalf planned to continue the conversation, a butterfly, bluish like the ocean, fluttered in front of him, moving as if trying to get his attention. Frowning, he raised a hand and let the creature perch on one of his fingers.
Curiously, he brought it to his ear. This was an ancient system of messages among the Istari. At first, he thought it would be Radagast or perhaps Saruman sending him some news... but the voice he heard within the butterfly's whisper made his eyes, always gentle and serene, widen.
The butterfly remained on his finger for a few more seconds before flying away, fluttering silently until it disappeared into the air.
Gandalf, with the swiftness of a young man, stood up abruptly, causing Elrond to look at him in bewilderment. From his old friend's face, it was clear he had just received important news.
"Has something happened?" Elrond asked, shedding his serene demeanor for a more serious one.
Nodding gravely, Gandalf gave him a look full of tension and astonishment. "The Haradrim have been invaded by the descendants of Númenor... those who isolated themselves on the islands of the Belegaer Sea. The city of the corsairs has fallen to this force. Sauron's loyalists are at a disadvantage," he explained quickly.
"So the corsairs have been defeated... and now the Haradrim are fighting against the invasion of those descendants," Elrond murmured, as multiple thoughts and strategies began to form in his mind.
This was, without a doubt, a hard blow for Sauron's forces. If the Númenóreans of the south managed to take the coastal cities, Gondor could concentrate all its forces on defending Minas Morgul, without fearing an attack from the sea. The tables were beginning to turn.
"It's not just the Haradrim and the corsairs... a rebellion has also broken out among the Western men," Gandalf added, his voice now becoming more serious. "And Aldril is involved, defending the dwarf and human peoples of Rhûn. Knowing him... I'm sure he'll end up helping in the rebellion."
He paused for a brief moment, assessing the magnitude of what was to come. Then, with resolution in his eyes, he looked at Elrond. "I will go to support him. And, if possible... perhaps we can both put an end to that disgusting salamander."
**
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