"A Baggins hmm? Yes, my father spoke quite fondly of Frodo despite the short time they had spent together." The news, or lack of, about her family saddened her, but she remained kind on the outside. "Well, as my father once said 'you have my bow'. I'd be truly grateful for a ride to the Elven City and I'll make sure no harm comes to you or your horses." Kalina crossed her right arm across her chest and bowed her head, walking softly towards the Halfling. "Spark, I think it rather suits you." She smiled secretively to herself as she brushed by the girl.

Vevila's heart nearly burst out of her chest. She kept her composure however, and walked towards the road with the elf. They walked silently as they approached the carriage. Spark remembered her other two passengers. "It's all right you two. No wolves today." She winked at them instinctively and walked to the front of the carriage. She swung herself onto her seat, and took the reigns. She gestured for the elf to get in next to her. After they were all situated, she commanded "Giyup!" and the carriage was once again moving along towards its destination.

Pallando dismounted from Erurainon. Evening was drawing closer, but that was not the only reason. He had reached his goal, albeit one he had not originally planned on. The Peak of Rhun, a rock formation similar to the Carrock of the Beornings, loomed above him like a great tree. Weaving its way up the sheer, smooth side of the structure was a narrow, dangerous staircase.

Tying his steed to a nearby sapling, the wizard firmly planted his stave into the slippery moss of the lowest step, and heaved his way up. This he repeated, for a long while, until he reached a small enclave in the wall, purposefully designed to accommodate weary climbers. There he rested for some time, until the rim of the Sun was just touching the horizon. Then, sighing with age, he resumed his slow climb.

The moon had long since risen when he finally reached the summit. Resting again for a while, he finally sat down onto the ground and cast aside his blue cloak, so that is rested on his shoulders. Then, slipping his hands into a pouch in his tunic, he fumbled with something that seemed large and heavy. Finally, he withdrew it, revealing a perfect, dark orb. It seemed only dark green at first, but as Pallando gazed into the sphere, a change came over it. A bright light shone in its heart, and it cast long shadows behind the wizard. Images and visions passed across the glaze - for this was his secret, the Palantir of Osgiliath, thought lost long ago.

The Order of Istari had given it too him. Or maybe, not all. For although Alatar, Olorin and Aiwendil had offered it up to him, Curumo had wished to withhold it for himself. It was not until much later that the blue wizard had looked into the seeing-stone, and beheld the former leader of the White Council revealed as a spy and a traitor. The name of Pallando was not wrong-given, for he had the strength of will to see what he needed to see, and not be deceived. This Curumo did not, nay, had not had.

Exerting his will upon the Stone, he turned its gaze westward, towards the mountains. A vision flickered across his eyes, a tall eyrie, with great eagles upon its peak. His thought he bent thither, calling their names. He stood upright, a silhouette against the stars. A sudden splendour flashed from his staff like lightning, and its radiance could be seen from the northern marches of Ithilien.

At once an eagle swooped down upon him, and clutching him in his talons, bore him away towards the White City of Minas Tirith. A second bird followed, carrying the rope which had secured Erurainon to the rock. For now the horse was free for a time, but followed swiftly in his master's wake. His was a bond that could not be easily broken, and Pallando sent another two eagles to defend him on his journey.

Kalina sat quietly in her seat, eyeing the sides of the road as the cart pulled on. She had promised protection, and despite the odds against an attack, she would still deliver on that promise. After a while she broke her silence and turned to her driver with curiosity. "So what, if I may ask, is a hobbit travelling to Rivendell for? The last time that happened the world almost ended."

The hobbit chuckled. "I can assure ye it's nothin' as excitin' as that. Ya see, I travel there every year to deliver th' product shipment of th' trading post I work fer. That's not to say there's only one trade per year, but we employees are only sent out once a year each because it's quite th' trek." A grin spread like butter over Vevila's face as she turned her head towards her passenger. "Have you e'er been to Rivendell? It's o' of th' most beautiful places in Middle-Earth, in my opinion." She continued to smile as she looked to the road once more, reminiscing about previous visits. Her Auburn locks breezed behind her lightly, almost floating as the rhythm of hooves became a steady drone.

Kalina nodded, gazing up at the sky while recalling an old memory. "I've been once before, but I was very young at the time. I swear to this day I could hear the voice of the old elven king Elrond. Nobody believed me though." She shrugged before returning her attention to the tree lining on either side of the road.

arowne97 said
He chuckled when he saw her blush. "Well, shall we enter the great Elven city?"

Silica gave him a small smile. "Yes," she said, her voice sounding small.

Vevila jumped up a bit excitedly after hearing about the elven king. "Ooooooo! Tell me about it pleeeeaaase!" She begged like a child and put on her best puppy face. her outburst almost set them off the road, but with a little coaxing of the horses they were back on track again.

Aiwendil smiled at her, then led her towards the entrance to the city.

Kalina laughed and looked up at the sky in thought. "Such fascination, alright I will oblige. My father took me to see Rivendell during the autumn when the leaves were at their brightest and the air was crisp with the on coming chill. The way he looked at that place, I can't even begin to imagine what it must have looked like in its prime. I wandered away so that he may have a moment to himself with the council room. While exploring on my own the wind began to pick up and twirl around me, guiding and whispering to me. It told me to always remember my roots and that in doing so I would grow to be the mightiest of my tree. I don't know why but I just had this feeling that it was Lord Elrond who was telling me that I was destined to be great." She was unaware the smile on her face had formed while she spoke.

Vevila watched the elf out of the corner of her eye as the story progressed. She noted how beautiful the elf was when she smiled. The little girl jumped up from the carriage and rested her head on the back of the driver's seat. "I wanna talk to King Ewund too!" The old man sputtered awake. "Now now Finna, sit down. The trip will be much faster if you sleep through it. We don't want to be a bother to the nice little hobbit..." Vevila broke in. "Oh, she's no bother." She giggled. "She botherin' you, Kalina?"

Kalina shook her head. "Reminds me a bit of my younger sister actually." She turned back to look at the girl with patience. "Maybe you can have a chat with him right now. Just close your eyes and let your mind wander, he's sure to turn up sooner or later."

arowne97 said
Aiwendil smiled at her, then led her towards the entrance to the city.

Silica returned the smile, following him.

"So, since you're the daughter of Legolas, that means you're probably very skilled with a bow, correct?" Aiswendil said while walking with her.

The little girl looked enchanted, and nodded before disappearing into the back of the carriage.

Hours passed, until finally, they arrived at the gates of Rivendell.

"We're here, all!" Vevila announced, excited to finally be here. She felt a bit sad too, however, because this meant she would probably have to part with her traveling companions. She didn't even realize that she was giving Kalina such a sour look.

Kalina gazed at the gates before her with a feeling she couldn't place, nor did she know how to express. "Time has yet to dim the light of Rivendell." She breathed, glancing over at Vevila. There wasn't much she could do about the smile that forced its way onto her face as she rested her hand atop the hobbit's head. "Now, now. I owe you a debt for all of your help today. If there is ever a time I can do something for you, the woodland creatures know how to find me." Straightening up the smile vanished from her face, her fingers curling reflexively around her blades. "Some pretty impressive magic dwells within those walls, and not a kind I recognize." She hopped down from the cart cautiously and approached the door, taking little effort to open its doors.

Vevila smiled at Kalina's reassurance. "''Twas nice meetin' you Kalina." The old man and little girl hopped off the cart and came around to thank her. Once they were all reasonably separated, she began driving her cart to her destination: The Rivendell Trading Post.

arowne97 said
"So, since you're the daughter of Legolas, that means you're probably very skilled with a bow, correct?" Aiswendil said while walking with her.

She looked at him, a smile forming on her lips. "Wanna find out?" she asked, teasing.

Kalina waited until the other travelers had gone their ways before pulling her bow off over her head and notching an arrow. The presence of such powerful magic unnerved her for the fact that not many wizards travelled to this area anymore, and the last time one did was when her father set out on a deadly mission. A little up ahead she could hear voices, one sounding very familiar to her. "So, since you're the daughter of Legolas, that means you're probably very skilled with a bow, correct?" "Wanna find out?" She was positive that she knew that girl's voice even though she couldn't see her, sure enough to pull the bow taunt and step around the corner. "What a great idea, I'll show you what a true bowman looks like." Her eyes were fierce, having no idea why her younger sister would be here of all places with this random stranger.

Silica felt her eyes go wide. "Kalina!" she gasped. She didn't care if her sister had pulled out her bow.