Bilbo walked carefully down the hallways, keeping his back near the walls for the paths were getting slimmer and slimmer. Yesterday, he spent hours looking for the Company in the northern part of the palace and left the southern part of the cellars unknown as fatigue settled in him. As he thought about it, however, prison cells were usually found on lower levels and he felt a tad bit idiotic that he not thought about it before.
He was almost glad that he swiped those apples and piece of bread from the cooks for the journey down was long and the paths small. He still felt guilt in his heart for the cooks still. For he knew the effort it takes to cook a meal worthy to be served in a home. Much less a royal home.
Bilbo stopped when he heard a small faint sound pierce through the air. He looked around and saw that the guards were still as a statue on their many posts. The Hobbit strained his ear for that sound as his Hobbit feet took him lower down the smooth path.
Then there it was again. A soft but at the same time almost gurgling sound. Bilbo Baggins knows that sound. He's sure of it. He willed himself to go faster while at the same time dodging guards and once he finished the small, winding path to the cellars he almost jumped for joy. For the sound he heard was the Dwarves snoring. Bilbo lightly shook his head as the snores attacked his pointy ears.
He never thought he'll find joy in hearing those sounds again.
Bilbo walked forward the cells of the Dwarves and smiled softly at each of their sleeping forms. He did frown, however, when he saw Kili's pained expression. The Hobbit scanned his body for any injuries that may have caused this yet found none.
Maybe something else is causing this?
But considering that Bilbo saw them wrapped in spider webs before all this he thought that they were in quite a good shape. Bilbo stopped as he reached the last cell that housed Thorin, the leader of this quest and this company. The Hobbit took in the disheveled state the heir of Durin was in and he was certain that Thorin has done nothing but think and contemplate on how they were going to get out of here. Leaving him worn and looking even a bit helpless.
'Don't worry, Thorin. I'll find a way' he left with those words of encouragement in mind as he continued on towards a light inside a somewhat small looking room with no doors. 'This must be the guard's room' Bilbo thought and he was right for an Elf guard was sitting on a wooden chair with his head thrown back. His eyes were closed and his breathing steady and Bilbo almost gawked at knowing an Elven guard was relaxing in his station. Or was he on break?
Bilbo took tentative steps towards the guard's informal figure and for the second time that day felt his heart leap for joy.
No, this guard was definitely not on break if the many keys on his belt were any indication. Bilbo is not the betting kind but he will bet everything he has that those were the keys to the prison cells. My, how the Dwarves were rubbing off on him. The Hobbit of the Shire was oh so tempted to take those small, metal objects trapped inside a circular ring so he may now finally be with his friends.
Yet he stopped his itching fingers for he knew that there was no point in letting them out know without a plan of escape. Bilbo almost screamed in frustration at how complicated this was when all of a sudden his mark burned so strongly that his knees gave in and he sunk to the floor. Bilbo clutched his burning heart and wheezed a few breaths of air as he stared at the polished floor beneath him. He almost did not hear the sounds of footsteps that echoed through the prison and Bilbo almost thought that the guard was now awake.
He tore his gaze away from the floor to the still sleeping figure of the guard on the chair and realized that those footsteps were coming from the very paths he took to get here. Adrenaline and fear made him stand despite his legs protests and Bilbo ran towards the other entry way from the guard's room and down another winding set of paths.
Bilbo thought he was in the Orc's lair once more as he dodged guard after guard and did not stop running until he was sure that he will not get caught.
Only when he was out of breath and his body could take it no more did he hide behind a set of barrels piled to its side as high and as wide as any Dwarf. Bilbo let out a sigh of relief and sunk on his knees as the burning of his chest decreased leaving behind that bearable throbbing that he has gotten used to since entering the palace.
'Did that mean my beloved was near?' Bilbo thought. Is that why his mark burned so badly?
Bilbo let out a pained moan when his mark continued to burn him but he bit his lip as he heard elves enter the room that housed this big, empty barrels behind his back. "The King is leading the guards up the prison cells." Bilbo ear's twitched at those words as he silently inched towards the end of his hiding place. He peered at the Elves behind him as they placed barrel upon barrel of who knows what on the floor.
"The King? That is a surprise."
"Yes. He is been acting quite queer today."
"No business of ours. We must get ready for the feast of Starlight. Throw away those barrels."
One of the Elves nodded as he made his way towards what Bilbo could see was a long, slim, metal-like lever.
Bilbo almost squeaked in surprise as he felt the circular rings of the barrels leave his back. He looked on as the barrels that were so neatly stacked up high roll one by one down a floor plank that lead towards what Bilbo could see were waves of blue water.
'A river.' Bilbo realized.
He looked back behind his now unhidden self to the Elves that were now inspecting the new barrels. They paid him no mind, however, as the ring still cloaked Bilbo with its power of invisibility.
"You think this barrels will be enough for the feast tonight?"
"I doubt it. I surely plan to get drunk." Elves laughed and continued their merry duties as the screws of Bilbo's head turned.
This new turn of events have lead Bilbo to a quite resourceful plan.
Bilbo almost grinned if it weren't for that burning in his chest.
Now, all he needed was to work out the bits and pieces.
Thranduil was so sure.
He was so sure that the reason why two apples and one of his favorite Elven bread vanished was because one unknown creature was exploring his palace halls in hopes that he might release his companions from the Woodland Realm's prison cells.
Thus, he ordered his guards to all but descend as fast as they are able to the prison cells with the King of Mirkwood taking up the front. He only hastened his run as his Soul Mark started to burn stronger than ever beckoning him to know that his beloved half was near.
Yet as his steps grew nearer to the prison floors the burning grew weaker and all but became a throb as his eyes searched the cells for a being that did not hide behind bars.
None was found.
The King of Mirkwood almost screamed in agony and frustration for if not for the looks of bemusement on his people and his now awaken prisoners face.
"My Lord?" Thranduil regarded his son's emotionless face but the King knew that beneath the dispassionate look was apprehension for him and for his actions. "Go back to your posts." The command was clipped and his body was stiff from anger and sudden weariness. Guards shuffled back as Thranduil glowered at the farthest cell where Thorin Oakenshiel was settled.
The Dwarf heir raised an eyebrow at the hate on the Elvin King's face.
Thranduil stalked towards him his form becoming more and more chilling. "I know you hide something from me, Dwarf."
"I know nothing of what you speak of, Elf."
"Yet, your eyes show mirth and your voice fill of arrogance." Thorin did not answer but Thranduil could see his mouth straining not to smile. Thranduil clenched his fist and almost gave in to the temptation to hit this Dwarf who calls himself king. He did not, however, for he will not allow Thorin the satisfaction of seeing such him in such a disheveled state.
He quickly turned and headed back to his throne room. Not noticing the smirk on the Dwarf's face.
Thranduil smoothed out the blank lines of his robes as he sat on his throne. His body felt drained and his mind felt unsettled. Tonight, was a night of celebration yet his heart did not rejoice for this night of stars which even he was fond of.
Thranduil heard the shuffling of feet that can only belong to his kind and spoke in his booming voice, "I know you're there. Why do you linger in the shadows?" Tauriel came out with an admiring confidence though Thranduil could still see a pained expression on her face underneath those steely eyes. "The guards are all in their posts and the feast has begun, my Lord."
"I see." Was Thranduil's only comment as he treaded back to the emotions of loneliness and pain. Tauriel felt awkward to see him in such a way yet she yearned to make him happy for he did become like the parent she lost as a child. "You are not coming, my Lord?" Thranduil gazed upon eyes of understanding and comfort and can almost understand why his son seem so fond of this lone Silvan Elf.
"Later. Before our people look upon the light of the stars." Tauriel nodded and decided that she cannot do anything else to help her King. The Captain of the Guard turned her back and started walking away.
"Tauriel," she stopped as the Kings voice ringed throughout his throne room. "Do not give Legolas hope when there is none." Tauriel felt her heart stop for a moment. Apprehensiveness settling in her stomach. She wanted to get away as fast as possible but remembering that she was in the presence of a King, she turned slightly to initiate a small bow of respect before taking her leave.
Thranduil knows that she wis not his son's beloved half and Legolas knows that as well yet does not see sense and continues to do something foolish.
'He is young and lonely. I cannot wholly condone such actions paired with those reasons.' Nevertheless, he does not want to see his son hurt. The Elven King lost himself in his world before finally heading down towards the celebration of Starlight and its effects will no doubt last in the morning.
Bilbo patiently waited near the prison cells as he heard the celebration above him take a very merry stand. He now knows one thing and that is both Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits, when given the right food and the right kind of strong drink, are quite grand and joyful during their celebrations. Bilbo almost felt like smiling as he heard the Elves' laughter and song. He decided that his plan was to be executed during early day when the influence of the celebration (and hopefully the Elvin ale) reach its peak.
While waiting Bilbo sat down on of the many small platforms that surrounded the prison walls so he can observe the Dwarves in their cells and rest his body. Bilbo rubbed his aching mark as he continued to watch the Dwarves, taking note of Kili especially. Though the young Prince was throwing a stone in the air, his pained expression seem to have been replaced with sadness that Bibo has had only a few short chances of seeing; it made the Hobbit want to sought him out and offer comfort.
Bilbo's breath stopped short when one she-elf decided to make her presence known in the prison. The very same she-elf who helped capture the Company. He raised an eyebrow at her as she was tentatively taking steps towards the youngest heir of Durin. She stopped in front of his cell and Bilbo could see the sad expression on Kili's be replaced with interest and joy.
'What is this?' Bilbo thought, surprised at the sudden change of mood in the Prince.
"The stone in your hand, what is it?"
"It is a talisman." Bilbo raised his eyebrow higher at that. He knows that stone and as far as he knew it was not a talisman.
"A powerful spell lies upon it and if any other than a Dwarf look upon the runes of this stone they will be forever cursed." Bilbo almost rolled his eyes at the dramatic tone Kili's voice has taken and the Prince's action of scaring the she-elf. Thought he doubts this Elf would be scared and he was right for the Elf was only surprised and she moved to walk away.
"Or not." Those words stopped Tauriel from her steps and Bilbo leaned forward to see if he was right in actually seeing Kili smile. Not the kind of smile he usually gives his companions, Bilbo included. But it was a small actually shy smile. Shy? Kili shy? Oh, how his brother would tease him if he saw this. "Depending on whether you believe in that kind of stuff. It's just a token." The Hobbit was now really interested for he was quite sure that Kili was teasing the she-elf.
More than that, she was actually smiling!
'My word, are they? No, it couldn't be. But that would explain Kili's pained expression and the sudden change of mood.' Bilbo shook his head. Oh, how Thorin would react knowing his youngest nephew was bounded to an Elf.
"I have been there sometimes." Bilbo's ears perked as the two now began to converse and tell stories. "Beyond the forest and up to the night. I have seen the world fall away and the white light forever fill the world." Gracious, now that did sound lovely. Bilbo watched the way Kili looked up at her supposed captor with fondness and awe. "I saw a fire moon once." Kili began. "It rose over the pass near Dunlin. Huge! Red and gold it was. It filled the sky." Bilbo saw Tauriel stand close to Kili as he spoke of his small adventure and sat down near the stairs of his prison. "We were escorts for merchants. They were trading in silverwork for furs-" Bilbo shook his head in amusement as he watched the two drift off into their own small world.
Kili looks so happy and the Elf as well. It made Bilbo feel guilty to know that in a few moments they would have to leave each other so soon after just finding one another.
'Is that what it feels like?' Bilbo asked himself as happiness and content radiated off the two. 'To find your love?' The burning in his chest seemed to understand him and for the first time, since he only felt nothing but pain from it, it seemed to give him a sense of comfort. Lonely comfort but comfort nonetheless. A movement from the corner of Bilbo's eyes caught his attention and to his surprise another Elf who was also part of the rangers that caught the company stood rigid on the platform below his.
Bilbo blinked up at the elf with a handsome but cold face and realized that he was looking at the two love birds.
'Oh, my.' Bilbo thought. It was not rare for someone to fall in love with someone who they were not destined to be especially if one is lonely and in need of companionship. It does not, to Bilbo's knowledge, end well and Bilbo felt a sort of sadness for this Elf that longs for love and tricked himself into finding one.
'You'll find your one I'm sure.'
Bilbo shook his head of those thoughts as he was not certain as to why he was feeling so protective of an Elf who only ever did wrong to them. It did not stop him, however, from stealing one more look at the Elf with blond hair.