Chapter Text
PROLOUGE:
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the valley of Rivendell, Gandalf guided Bilbo Baggins along the winding paths. They had decided to visit Rivendell on their way back to The Shire from Erebor, as their bodies and spirits were weary after a hard-won battle. The gentle sound of Elven music and the rustling of leaves created a serene atmosphere. They were welcomed with open arms, and as always, Rivendell was a place of rest and reflection. As Bilbo strolled beneath the canopy of ancient trees, he caught sight of a figure seated on a stone bench engrossed in a book, partially hidden by a cascade of wildflowers. Her long, golden-brown hair shimmered in the waning sunlight, and her eyes, a captivating ocean blue, sparkled with a depth that spoke of distant seas and untold stories. There was something otherworldly lingering in them, a gaze full of sadness and longing. Perhaps that was just a reflection of how he was feeling. The girl looked up, meeting the hobbit’s gaze, her face lighting up with a mixture of intrigue and apprehension. Bilbo hesitated as he approached her.
Oh, bebother it all, he thought. He has just faced a dragon and Thorin’s wrath and fury. He could face one human woman.
The woman closed her book gently, her fingers lingering on the pages. “Good evening,” she greeted, her soft voice carrying a melody that resonated throughout the garden.
“Good evening miss,” he said with a polite bow. “I am Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.”
She cocked her head in amusement and a bright smile filled her face. “Nice to meet you Master Baggins, my name is Briar, but I already know who you are.”
Bilbo stumbled over his words but managed to stammer out, “Y-you do?”
“Oh yes,” she said. “Word travels quickly of the hobbit who helped slay the dragon, retake a lost kingdom, and save the Line of Durin.”
“Ah, yes, well, I did quite do all those things, didn’t I?” He said bashfully. He twitched his nose as sadness filled him over how his friendship with Thorin felt strained before he had left. “Are you a resident of Rivendell then,” he asked curiously.
“No,” she started. She blinked slowly as if deciding how to answer. “I am a very long way from home. I am here to learn, I only arrived around six months ago,” she explained. “Lord Elrond has been kind enough to allow me to stay and study the histories and languages of Middle-earth while I continue my education in healing under his tutelage.”
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “The tales of the ancient kingdoms fascinate me, especially the stories of brave heroes and wise leaders. I hope to see the world beyond these valleys one day. Though I suppose I am speaking to one of those brave heroes now, aren’t I?” She paused, “Would you mind retelling me part of your adventures, Master Hobbit?”
Bilbo gestured to the bench she was sitting on. “May I?” He asked. Dipping her head in acknowledgement, she scooted over for the hobbit to take his seat next to her. “Where to start,” he mused in quite contemplation. “I know,” he said eagerly. “It all started with a nosy wizard, thirteen dwarves, and a very pilfered pantry.”
The unlikely pair conversed for a while, exchanging tales of their travels and sharing laughter that echoed through the garden. Briar spoke of her time at Rivendell and offered very little information about the time before then. Bilbo was enchanted by her stories of healing and adventures yet to be had. He learned that she loved tea but only with honey, enjoyed baking, was well educated, and was an avid listener. However, when he looked at her, he couldn’t help but see the lingering sadness in her eyes.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the valley, Bilbo felt a sense of camaraderie with this intriguing stranger. “Briar,” he began, a hint of excitement in his voice, “would you ever consider visiting the Shire? It’s a place of simple pleasures and quiet beauty, but I daresay you'd find it charming. We’re on our way there now, Gandalf and I. You could come with us and perhaps offer some of your healing expertise?”
Briar's eyes lit up with interest. “The Shire,” she breathed in disbelief. She looked back at Lord Elrond’s study and hesitated, then set her shoulders in determination. “I would be honored,” she said with a sincere smile.
And so, it was settled. Briar would join Bilbo on a journey to the Shire, where the rolling hills and cozy hobbit holes awaited. As they walked back to the heart of Rivendell, Bilbo felt a renewed sense of adventure, excited to share his beloved homeland with a new friend.
Their meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter, where the gentle hobbit and the spirited traveler would discover the joys of friendship and the wonders of Middle-earth together.
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In the serene and timeless halls of Rivendell, where the gentle murmur of the waterfalls mingled with the whispering leaves, two figures met in quiet contemplation. The wisdom of ages rested there, as Lord Elrond and Gandalf convened to discuss a matter of both intrigue and consequence.
"Her arrival was most unexpected," Elrond began, his voice calm yet weighted with the gravity of their discussion. “The patrol found her on the borders of Rivendell, just before the battle. It was as if fate had guided her here."
Gandalf nodded thoughtfully, his eyes sparkling with the knowledge of many ages. "Indeed, her presence is unlike any other. She comes from a world beyond our own, one the Valar tend to ignore for the most part.”
Elrond continued, "Her knowledge of events has already altered the course of history. She spoke of the deaths of the line of Durin, so certain that it would happen. She begged me to send word to you, but it was too late as the battle was shortly upon you. Yet it seems her arrival changed their fates. The tapestry of destiny is ever woven, but with her, it seems to have gained a new thread."
The conversation turned to the pressing matter of whether Briar should remain in the safety of Rivendell or venture to the Shire to join Bilbo Baggins.
"Is it wise for her to leave the sanctuary of Rivendell?" Elrond pondered aloud. "The Shire is a place of peace, yet the world is ever unpredictable."
Gandalf, ever the wanderer and guardian, considered the question with great care. "Bilbo is an exceptional hobbit, and there is much she could learn from the simplicity and courage of the Shire folk. Moreover, her journey may not end here; it might be but another beginning."
Elrond's gaze turned inward, weighing the possibilities. "She has already shown herself to be resourceful and resilient. Perhaps the Shire holds lessons for her that even Rivendell cannot impart."
The two wise figures exchanged a look of mutual understanding. Though the path ahead was uncertain, the decision was made with hope and foresight.
"Let us trust in Briar's judgment," Gandalf concluded. "Her heart will guide her true, and whatever awaits her in the Shire may indeed be part of a greater purpose."
Elrond nodded, a serene smile gracing his face. "Then let it be so. May her journey be blessed, and may she find what she seeks."
With that, the conversation drew to a close, leaving the air of Rivendell filled with the echoes of possibilities yet to unfold. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the world of Middle-earth seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the next chapter in Briar's remarkable tale