[The Fifth]

The elf-guards halted at the words of Thengise, then nodded in understanding. Noticing Calad staring at their weapons, bows already notched with arrows, they put the arrows back into the quiver and dropped the bows.

Calad dismounted the horse, but pressed his back against the steed's side, trying to stay away from the guards. The three Rivendell elves looked at each other for a moment, asking silently if they had any idea on how to coerce Calad. "Come with us," spoke one guard, and swiftly, he managed to grab Calad's arm and drag him, screaming and thrashing about. The guard held on so firmly that the only way Calad could escape was by gnawing his own arm off.

Another guard bade Thengise, Collette, Sorrel, and the others to follow them across the Ford to the Last Homely House, leading the horses along with them as well, so that they may be stabled and sheltered and fed after their long journey. The companions could hear a faint nonsensical singing, as if the elves of Imladris were greeting them.

O come here you are weary,
elf, hobbit, and faerie,
come, come!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
O come here from mountains,
for they spray snowy fountains,
Tra-la-la!
Upon grey horses
you ride from strange courses
Fa-la-la!

The singing stopped as they arrived. In the trees were a few elves. The guards surrounded Calad, and the odd elf was quite confused with these merry folk about them. They were unchanged, even after the events of the War of the Ring, for it is wise of them to enjoy the time that they have left upon Middle-Earth.

The sun peeked over the Valley, over the mountains, and the land that rolled beyond. The Ford of Bruinen's waters shone clearly, glittering with the light. It was a fine afternoon, and it had taken them only a few hours to ride to Rivendell, without delay from the nasty creatures and evil things that hid underneath.