Alexa continued her journeys between Rivendell and Lothlòrien for many years. During one such journey, Alexa was crossing the Misty Mountains on her way to Lothlòrien. A terrible snowstorm had begun to ravage the Mountains, making traveling tremendously difficult. The wind was so powerful and the falling snow so thick, that even Alexa’s keen Elven eyes were unable to see very far in front of her. Rodyn, who was usually very sure-footed, slipped frequently on icy patches, nearly sending them both over cliffs several times.
Alexa raised her hand to her brow, trying to shield her eyes from the snow. She looked in every direction, but was unable to discern any recognizable landmarks, or any landmarks at all for that matter. She sighed heavily. ~If only we could reach the cave, then perhaps we could have some relief from this horrible weather!~ A mountain cave that Alexa had used many times while traveling was near this area. The cave was large and cavernous, and had always provided her with warmth and shelter from weather such as this.
Alexa dismounted and began to lead Rodyn northwards, hoping to encounter the cave. She had an innate sense of direction, as did all Elves, but even the greatest Elven scout could not find their way through this wretched storm. Alexa’s body ached as she led Rodyn along. He slipped several times and nearly fell, almost taking her with him. She longed to ride, but knew that it was no longer safe to do so in the increasingly worsening weather. Freezing would not kill her, but falling over a cliff certainly would. A shiver of fear ran through her at that thought, but she pushed it away. Now was not the time for fear. Fear clouded one’s judgment, and judgment was something that she needed to be in control of right now. She reached up and stroked Rodyn’s neck, trying to calm the agitated horse. He calmed slightly at her touch, and they pressed on.
Just as Alexa began to lose all hope of ever finding the cave, it appeared in front of her. Alexa sighed in relief and resisted the urge to leap up and down like a child from excitement. As they neared the cave, however, strange sounds met Alexa’s ears. Rodyn flattened his ears back and snorted warningly. Alexa listened as the sounds grew louder and more boisterous. For a moment, she thought that a band of orcs had inhabited the cave, but the voices coming from inside were rich and deep, not snarling and evil like the voices of orcs. A strong smell slowly drifted out from the cave. It was not the foul stench of orcs, but rather, the sweet smell of roasting meat and of… ale?
Alexa gripped Rodyn’s reins tightly and began to enter the cave. She sighed tiredly. She was past caring who was in the cave and whether or not they were friendly. She was wet, exhausted, and sore, and poor Rodyn seemed to be feeling worse than she was. She sighed. She would rather die dry and warm, than die wet and tired and possibly fall off an icy cliff.
As she traveled deeper into the cave, the sound of the voices became more familiar. Dwarves! She smiled and began to walk further, but several Dwarves, all wielding rather sharp axes, approached her.
“Stop right there, Elf!” one ordered. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
She frowned at his harshness. “Who am I? Who are you?” she asked stubbornly in return.
The Dwarf growled menacingly at her. “Impudent Elf!” he muttered. “I am Nali, and you, Elf, are trespassing!”
Alexa’s eyes widened in disbelief. Why was this Dwarf being so hostile towards her? “Trespassing? I most certainly am not trespassing! I am Alexa, and I have used this cave as shelter many a time during my travels.”
“Well, we are here now, Elf. So get out!” the Dwarf shouted.
Alexa was about to inform him that she had no intention of leaving, but a strong, commanding voice interrupted them.
“What is going on here, Nali?” the voice demanded.
Alexa watched as a strong, robust Dwarf approached them. The Dwarf had a long, grizzly brown beard with equally grizzly brown hair, and he was wearing the traditionally heavy Dwarven armor. He appeared to be the leader of these Dwarves, for his presence was commanding and silenced all of the other Dwarves. His brown eyes glittered with anger as he continued.
“I asked you what is going on here, Nali. Who is this woman?”
“She is an Elf and a trespasser, my Lord Balin,” the guard answered.
Balin looked at her. “Who are you, and why have you entered here?” he asked.
Alexa sighed. “I am Alexa, and my horse and I are trying to gain some relief from this terrible weather. I have used this cave many a time for shelter during my travels, and would like to do so again now.”
Balin eyed her suspiciously. “Why would an Elf wish to stay in the company of Dwarves?” he asked.
Alexa frowned, not understanding. “I have great respect for the Dwarven people, my lord. I have known several Dwarves in my lifetime and consider them all to be very dear friends of mine.”
Nali laughed harshly. “A Dwarf? Friends with an Elf? Utterly ridiculous!”
Balin held up his hand angrily. “Silence, Nali!” he ordered. He returned his attention to Alexa. “Who are these Dwarves of whom you speak?”
“I have known many Dwarves, my lord. Garin, son of Doin was a very dear friend of mine, and he is only the first Dwarf that I count among my friends. He and I escaped an evil man together many years ago. I stayed with him and his family for a time. I also knew Garin’s son, Serin, and I have known many more of Garin’s descendents.
Balin’s eyes were enormous as he stared at her. “Garin the Great Storyteller?” She nodded and his eyes brightened in recognition. “Many of Garin’s descendents became storytellers as well. One of the tales that they tell is how Garin and his Elven woman friend escaped a brutal slave trader. Was that you, my lady?”
Alexa smiled and nodded. “Yes, my lord. It was.”
Balin nodded and smiled warmly at her, all earlier distrust forgotten. “Please come join us, Lady Alexa. We have more than enough food and drink, and it appears that we will be here for some time, until the storm clears.”
Alexa grinned. “It would be my great pleasure to be in the company of such honorable Dwarves.”
Balin laughed heartily and led her deeper into the cavern. They entered the largest portion of the cave, and Alexa was amazed by how many Dwarves were there. The cave was enormous, but it was completely full of laughing, boisterous Dwarves. Alexa smiled. It had been a long time since she had been in the company of Dwarves. She missed their honesty and directness, as well as their delightful merry-making and hospitality. Balin motioned for her to sit near him. He looked around the cave and addressed his people.
“My friends, this is Alexa. She is a friend to the Dwarves, and will be staying here with us until the weather clears,” he told them.
The dwarves glanced up and grunted at her, and then returned to their food. Even though they paid her little heed, Alexa could sense their tension. What was this distrust that they had of Elves? She glanced at Balin as he handed her a piece of cooked meat and a mug of ale.
“Here you are, Alexa. I hope you like red meat and ale, for we do not have any of that fancy Elven food or drink.”
Alexa grinned. “Meat and ale are wonderful, Balin. I am very tired of lembas bread, and I have always preferred ale to Elven wine.”
Balin smiled. “Next you are going to tell me that you enjoy drinking games,” he said.
Alexa’s mouth curved into a sly smile. “I have taken part in drinking games a time or two.”
Balin’s mouth fell open. “Truly? I did not know that Elves participated in such things.”
Alexa grinned. “I have only recently been living as an Elf. I was raised by humans. I have played drinking games with Hobbits, Men, and Dwarves.” She smiled proudly. “I was the victor every time.” She shook her head and laughed softly. “Males should learn not to underestimate the skill of females.”
Balin laughed. “I shall have to tell my cousin, Gimli, of this. He will never believe it.”
Alexa laughed and ate her meat. She downed her ale in one drink, much to the shock of the on-looking Dwarves. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and grinned at them. They began to laugh, and the former distrust that they had regarded her with vanished.
The group remained awake well into the night, the Dwarves telling Alexa of how they were traveling to Moria to attempt to reestablish a kingdom. They told her of how Moria was overrun by orcs and how many of their kinsmen had been slain by them. They were determined to take their kingdom back from the orcs by any and all means necessary. The mood then lightened, and the Dwarves began to tell Alexa stories of their heritage, and Alexa began to regale them with tales of her life and travels.
* * *
Alexa stayed with the Dwarves for several more days. The weather finally began to clear, and it was safe to travel once again. Early one morning, Alexa and the Dwarves prepared to leave, her heading for Lothlòrien, and the Dwarves heading for Moria. Alexa smiled and clasped arms with Balin.
“Thank you for your hospitality and friendship, Balin,” she said.
“And thank you for your friendship also, Alexa. I do hope that you will come visit us in Moria once we have resettled it,” he replied.
Alexa smiled. “I would be honored and delighted to, Balin.”
He grinned. “Safe travel to you, Alexa.”
“And to you, Balin.”
Alexa turned and mounted Rodyn. She waved and said farewell to her new friends, and began to travel on to Lothlòrien.
