No Place for Women

Once dawn was fully upon us, I moved from where I had been sitting all night, and poured some broth into the two bowls we had been carrying with us. Sebastian crawled over to where Calili lay, and woke her from her slumber. She laughed before yawning and crawling to her feet. Bending down, she grabbed her cloak from the ground and once more wrapped it around her shoulders and hooked it around her neck before joining me for breakfast.

"It shouldn't take us too long to reach the Hidden Pathway. If we start moving right after breakfast then we should get there in just over half an hour." I explained.

"Well that's good. The quicker we get moving, and the quicker we reach Rivendell, the sooner we get to see mom." Calili smiled, filled to the very brim of excitement.

Upon finishing my food, I set the small bowl down in case Sebastian was hungry still and let him eat. I then moved to dump the left over soup onto the ever so small fire that had burnt through out the night. As soon as Calili had finished eating, we packed everything up and began making our way down the mountain. Avoiding any caves or any places that an enemy could be lurking. We may be skilled in battle, but that is not true courage.

True courage is not know when or how to take a life; but when to spare one. Gandalf had taught us that when we were no more taller than a halfling. Back when we were still growing. Although, we didn't grow too much more after that, seeing as we did inherate something from our father. That just happened to be the height of a dwarf. Not that we were complaining, it just gets a little tricky at times is all. But it also came to an advatage all the time. Climbing, sneaking, and even running seemed to come easier to us because of our height; well that is compared to Gandalf and Radagast of course.

Eventually, after jumping down so many piles of rocks, over many fallen trees, and running through the tall grass; we came to the very edge of the woods. In front of us now, was an open field; tall, browning grass; and so many rock formations. It was just so beautiful. And just a few yards away from us, was the entrance to the Hidden Pathway to Rivendell. I knew the excitement that was running through Calili's body must've tripled once she realized how soon it would be when we see our mother. Mine just about doubled; but there was one part of me, that never felt home at Rivendell. Unlike our mother, I felt rejected because of how much I've taken after our father.

Smiling, I grabbed my sisters hand in mine and we began walking through the field. I listened carefully to make sure that no enemies would try to attack suddenly; and I took this time to take in the scenery around us. It was beautiful, the sky. How blue it was, and all the splotches of white clouds throughout it. It was amazing.

"I can't believe we're finally back after so long." Calili smiled to me as we finally reached the entrance.

Carefully she entered the entrance, and slid down the slanted ground. I did the same; the rocks never bothering our bare feet. By now we'd grown perfectly used to it. We had shoes we wore most of the time yes, but I had not gotten around to fixing them since they had torn on our last trip. So we had been going barefoot for a long while. My sword tapped against my back with every move forward that I made.

We squeezed through the tight places between the rocks, not having any problem fitting through. I tried my hardest to get through them as quickly as possibly to be completely honest. I never did like going through the Hidden Pathway. I felt that at any minute, it could colapse over us; but I knew better than that. The Elves that live in Rivendell would never let that happen to any traveller that made their way through the Hidden Pathway; except for enemies such as Orcs or Wargs of course.

"Welcome! Kila and Calili!" Lord Elrond smiled, "We heard you would be arriving through the Hidden Pathway."

"My Lord Elrond." I smiled, bowing my head slightly.

"How nice it is to see you again, Lord Elrond." Calili smiled from where she stood next to me.

He turned and began making his way back towards Rivendell; myself and my sister following closely behind him. But behind us, where a few gaurds, keeping not only him, but ourselves safe as well.Though I've never understood why he needed it. So many people look up to, and respect Lord Elrond. I've never really thought about the fact that he may have an enemy or two.

"My Lord Elrond! My Lord Elrond!" A man came running up to our small group just as we reached the entrance to Rivendell.

"Lindir, what is it?" Lord Elrond asked him calmly, placing his hand on the Elves shoulder.

The younger Elf known as Lindir caught his breath quickly before looking to Lord Elrond and say "An Orc pack, just near the border."

I watch as Lord Elronds body seemed to stiffen as soon as the news reached his ears. He placed Lindir in charge or getting myself and Calili to our mother safely; while he and a rather large group was going to the border where the Orcs had been spotted. Even though I knew no harm would come to myself, Calili, or any of the people living in Rivendell; my insticts kicked in as if it would. I quickly grabbed my sisters hand, and began making our way to our mothers home.

I felt Sebastains small nails clamp down onto my shoulder lightly so he wouldn't fall from where he sat hidden beneath my hair as we ran through the streets. I wasn't just running because of my instincts; but because now that we've finally made it, excitement of seeing my mother filled my tiny little body. I'm sure by now, Lindir had given up on trying to keep up with us as we ran through the streets of Rivendell. I couldn't help but laugh at the image of him in my mind, trying to look all proper while running behind us. Another laugh escaped from between my lips as we stopped in front of the door to our mothers home.

Calili took a deep breath, before stepping forward and knocking on the door; she then looked over her shoulder at me. I smiled at my younger twin sister, seeing a piece of hair that had fallen loose from her flower weaved braids. Reaching out, I quickly placed it behind her ear just as the door was opened; revealing our mother.

"Mom!" Calili called, instantly wrapping her arms around her in a rather large hug.

"Calili? Kila? Oh is it really you? I haven't see you in so long! It's been ages, come in, come in; oh you must be so extremely tired!" She smiled, and pulled us into her home, "I can't believe that you're actually here. Oh how I've missed you. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, I'm alright thank you though." Calili smiled.

"I'm fine as well. We ate not too long ago. It honestly didn't take as long as I thought it would to get here." I laughed.

I kept the smile on my face no matter how badly I felt as if I were out of place; like someone who doesn't belong here in Rivendell. Unlike Calili. She looked like she belonged here; she was a perfect copy of everyone else. Lightly colored, blonde hair; light blue eyes that was as bright as the sky was in early dawn. While I was stuck with dark brown hair that looked as black as the darkest night; and dull dark brown eyes. I was the only girl that had these looks that I had ever seen in Elves.

"Did you hear? Some Dwarves just got into Rivendell from the Hidden Pathway. I heard there was a Hobbit with them!" I heard from the open window.

My mind instantly began to wonder if there really were more dwarves in Rivendell. My body began to move to the door without my controlling it. I didn't know what to do. Calili and our mother were laughing about my strange movements behind me, as Rovain slipped on her shoes.

"I'll take you to Lord Elrond. He requested we be at dinner tonight." She smiled, opening the door and leading us through Rivendell.