#maethedir

[reclaimeddurin]

I managed to locate Bilbo, though he tells me that he seems to have misplaced his device. I told him that we can check for it first with my nanaddan, as they are the usual culprits behind such things, though Nori was also a likely candidate for such mischief.

I also presented Maethedir’s gift to him. He seemed as taken as I am with the intricate chrysanthemum carving. Bilbo grinned at me after a few moments, asking if he was going to have to compete for my affections. I knew that he was just aiming to tease me but I answered sincerely that none could ever hope to turn my head. He blushed at that, as I had hoped he would. 

Bilbo pulled me down to attempt to steal a kiss but I wrapped both arms around him, lifting him from the ground. He gave a minor squawk of protest, though it was quickly cut off as I instead was the thief this time, claiming a kiss. 

As I placed him down again, he said that he should have added to the marriage documents that I was not to pick him up like that. I apologized, though with a smile, and said that we could certainly do the entire ceremony over again if he so wished to make the amendment. He reached up to tug on my braid in response and turned, proclaiming that he was off to fetch his device. As he walked away, I could see how he struggled to keep the smile from his face.

[reclaimeddurin]

Bard eventually excused himself to try to find his youngest, Tilda, who seemed to have slipped away. Dwalin pointed him towards the library, a common spot for the young princess to retreat to when in Erebor.

Not a moment after Bard gave his farewell, I was greeted by another familiar voice. I turned and found my Elven friend, Maethedir! He laughed at my surprise and asked if I had not expected him to attend. I told him that I was just happy to see him and asked about his travels here.

We talked for some time of what has transpired since our last letter to the other. He told me of the apprentice that he was to be taking on in Rivendell, a young Elf with a keen eye for design and keener desire for metal working. I congratulated him and said that once his apprentice was trained enough, that he should travel more, as he had spoken about in the past. 

Maethedir said that he had more to give than just words and pulled a wrapped gift from his bag. He put a hand up before I could tell him that a gift was unnecessary and said that he had been working on it for quite a while and felt that giving it in person was better than via a letter. He handed the gift to me and I unwrapped it to reveal two handsomely carved smoking pipes. 

Maethedir explained that since I had indicated in a letter that the previous one he had made for me had been tragically broken in an accident, he thought to craft me another along with one for Bilbo. I examined the detail along the sides. Both had the engraved image of a chrysanthemum, the flower that I had fashioned into a bookmark for Bilbo all those years ago.

I expressed my sincere gratitude for the lovely gift, turning one of the pipes over in my hand, looking over the intricate craftsmanship. He said that when Bilbo and I were next in Rivendell, he would be sure to supply us with a good stock of pipeweed so that his gifts may be of good use.

Dwalin, having left before to find Nori, returned to inform me that there is apparently a drinking contest about to begin. He invited me along to it but I said that I would instead try to find Bilbo to pass along Maethedir’s gift. Maethedir gave his farewells, jesting that he would like to have a try at some of Erebor’s ale before he left. 

[reclaimeddurin]

I was struck with some inspiration following the meeting with Bard. I was able to quickly find some carving wood, nothing too large, as the item I had in mind was meant to fit in Bilbo's palm. 

Maethedir joined me as I worked on the gift. When time allowed, such as it did today, we would speak together of Erebor before Smaug had come. He had seen it in the days before even my grandfather's rule and had many tales to tell.

I have never asked his age, but he has told me of his apprenticeship to Celebrimbor in the Second Age, of seeing Khazad-dûm fall at the start of the Third Age. He had even seen the designs of Narvi firsthand. I cannot help but wonder what other histories he has seen in his time.

[reclaimeddurin]

Maethedir took his leave, as he had other duties to attend to, and left me to finish Bilbo’s gift. Dwalin found me and we briefly spoke about the updates Nori has done to their still. Soon after the gates were shut, Nori and Dwalin began work on large stills to produce alcohol for sanitization. They have been able to keep our healers, both in Erebor and in Dale and Laketown, supplied throughout this time of the King’s Pox. Nori has also made smaller stills for his personal reserves, which he has been experimenting with to try to balance the strength and taste. 

I have also worked with them to create mead from the honey that I have gathered from the bees I am keeping. I had been able to apprentice with beekeepers while in the Shire, a skill I had never had the opportunity to try my hand at before the Quest. I have found it quite enjoyable and relaxing to check the frames each morning, watching the health of the hive, examining the brood for any changes. I have also found that they are a fine audience for early morning musings, though Bilbo has good-naturedly teased me when he finds me talking with the bees.

[reclaimeddurin]

Bard came to the mountain for our twice-monthly meeting. While Erebor has been able to move forward from our initial lockdown, Dale and Laketown still find themselves a standstill in all but the most essential of work. Though none of his direct kin have fallen ill, these recent years of his rule plus this pox have shot his hair through with silver.

My nanaddan, Dís, Tauriel, and several others were present for the meeting, including Maethedir. He had traveled from Rivendell with the group of Elves who had come to help with inoculation. He has been a welcome presence in the recent months.

The meeting was to discuss the continued aid to Dale and Laketown. Erebor has of course provided space for their ill as well as what resources we are able to spare. Maethedir and the other Elves have provided great effort in healing and inoculating as many as they are able. But the initial group that had arrived has been spread thin, especially as some have departed for other regions.

Maethedir spoke of receiving word that a group of Elves had brought the inoculation to the Easterlings. Bard mentioned the grumbling he had heard from some Gondorian courtiers at this; though these are peaceful times, there were those who would deny aid to those that they deem their enemy. It puts me in mind of the greed that had taken hold of me during my sickness, how it twisted my thoughts and I had refused to provide aid to those who needed it. 

Maethedir shook his head at the news of Gondor's anger. “The Great Plague did not know friend from foe even though the Great Enemy released it. Though the Easterlings have historically sworn fealty to Sauron, we believe this act of goodwill will help them remember they do not have to do that again, if he should return to power.”

Bard had nodded his agreement. "Better to extend a branch of friendship so that it may hopefully be used to build a bridge for peace instead of a fire for war."

[reclaimeddurin]

We have stopped and made camp for the night. Nori and Dwalin seem fine with the pace, though I took first watch nonetheless so that they could sleep earlier. I feel too restless to sleep anyhow. It is as if my whole being knows how close we are to the Shire. I find myself humming the lullaby that Bilbo taught me and sang to me on nights that my mind tormented me with terrors. It is calming, especially with the pipeweed that Maethedir supplied for me.

[reclaimeddurin]

With night having fallen, the Elves helped us to set up a camp for the night before departing. They wished us well in our travels, one talking specifically to Nori on things to watch out for with his wound. Maethedir bade me farewell, handing me a wrapped gift. I revealed it to be a wonderfully carved pipe. The patterns carved into the side are Elvish in nature but I can tell that there was an attempt at Dwarvish styling. He said that it was to go with the pipeweed from the other day. I asked when he had found the time to make the pipe, as it had clearly taken time to put such detail. He admitted that Bilbo had passed through Rivendell several weeks ago and that he had had a feeling that I would be close behind. I thanked him for the gift and wished him well. I have taken the first watch and Dwalin and Nori's snores are already filling the air, mixing with the smoke from my pipe.

[reclaimeddurin]

A group of Elves have volunteered to lead us out of Rivendell and back to the road, Maethedir among them. They have horses while we have kept our ponies. They have thankfully replaced the pony that we lost in the Misty Mountains and have promised to keep an eye out for it, should it make its way out of the path. Estel looked sad to see us leave, asking that we visit again soon. I confessed that I did not know when I would next pass through these parts but promised to stop and see him then.