Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 8

Legolas paused outside the walls of Beorn's land, head tilted to the side as keen hearing picked up sounds foreign to the skinchangers home. He lept into a tree and peered inside only to snort, dwarves. How pleasant. But then he smiled as he spotted a familiar and much taller figure among them, Mithrandir was a long missed sight. And then he spotted a particular dwarf and it became obvious why they were there, Thorin had come to reclaim the mountain. They would have to pass through Mirkwood and Thranduil would never allow it, he held too much distaste and even hatred for the dwarves of Erebor. Personally he had no problem with them, it had been Thror's greed that had caused problems, not the dwarves. Thranduil wasn't innocent in what had happened either, he craved the white gems for their starlight like purity and he had denied aide to the refugees. It was understandable that he had refused to face the dragon but to leave women and children to die was simply wrong. He would have done what he could to help but he had been in Rivendell, hunting orcs with the twins. By the time he had returned the dwarves were gone but he still felt bad. He sighed and then dropped down and began to walk towards the house, they might not like it but they would need him to get through the forrest without getting caught. A small figure turned towards him and Legolas was shocked, first that he'd been detected by anyone other than the wizard and second by his appearance, shorter than the dwarves but with pointed ears. A hobbit? His kind hadn't been seen on this side of the mountains in millennia. He saw brown eyes widen as the hobbit realised what he was and he smiled slightly at the smaller being even as he continued to approach, his bow slung over his back and knives sheathed.

"Legolas Greenleaf! What a pleasant surprise." Gandalf called out happily and the elf bowed slightly.

"It is good to see you too Mithrandir, it has been too long since you travelled this way." He turned and bowed to Thorin as the exiled King did outrank him. "Greetings Thorin, son of Thrain."

Thorin stared at the elf who had actually bowed to him, there was something vaguely familiar about him. "Have we met before?"

"I accompanied King Thranduil several times to the Mountain as he is my father." Legolas admitted, not liking that he was technically lying to them.

Thorin frowned but he remembered the blonde now from where he had stood behind his father. Though the two did not look much alike to his eyes, there was a warmness to the Prince that the King lacked, but what was his name? "Greetings Prince Legolas." He hoped that was correct and it must be from the small smiled the elf gave at the greeting.

"What brings you so far from your Father's Halls young Legolas?" Gandalf asked curiously.

"I often visit Beorn when I have time. It is good to get away from the sickness of the woods."

"How bad is it sir?' A quiet voice asked and Legolas turned to the hobbit, inclining his head in greeting.

"It grows worse every year Master Hobbit. The worst is the spiders, they are breeding in the south somewhere and spreading through the forrest no matter how often our patrols kill them. The old paths are no longer safe. Though it is good to see one of your people here."

"What do you mean?" Thorin asked even as the dwarves closed ranks on the hobbit protectively.

"Long ago this land was inhabited by hobbits until they left and journeyed over the mountains. It was a far more peaceful place then and the soil was bountiful. None of his people have returned since."

"I didn't know that. We don't have much of our history before settling the Shire. Bilbo Baggins at your service Prince." Bilbo bowed and Legolas smiled. Gandalf pulled the Prince aside and they began talking softly so the Company wandered off, there was washing and mending to do and supplies to catalogue.


"You seek to reclaim the Mountain." Legolas whispered as Thorin joined him at the railing.

"What of it?"

"The dragon has not bene seen in over sixty years but that does not mean it is dead. We have fought the Great serpents before but long before my birth, they are long lived and dangerous. It will not be easy."

"We do not seek to confront the worm, merely to find something it stole." He admitted.

"The Arkenstone, the Kings Jewel. Be wary Thorin Oakenshield, anything that has been so close to a dragon for so long will carry its taint. You are strong enough to fight the madness in your line but there are few you can resist a dragon's taint."

"Why warn me and not try to stop us?" he asked warily.

"The dwarves of Erebor were good neighbours for many centuries. I do not agree with many things my King does, denying your people aide is one of them. I would have defied the order but I was not even here when the dragon attacked, by the time I returned your people had moved on. The dragon's power clings to the land, nothing grows where once farms and forests stood. The people of Lake town are slowly dying out. If it is not dealt with soon we will be next but he refuses to admit it, he says the power of the elves is enough to keep us safe but the spiders show otherwise."

Thorin glanced at the elf, he was a proud warrior, that much was obvious but he also cared for the people which was always good in a potential ruler. "You would be a better King than your Father." He admitted and was surprised by the bitter laugh his comment earnt.

"I will never be King." Legolas bowed his head and then looked at Thorin, judging him before he sighed. "I am the Queen's son, not the King's." He admitted softly. Thorin started in shock, eyes wide as he looked at the elf. Well that explained the differences between him and the King. "Thranduil has never admitted it or denied my title as Prince but we both know I will not inherit. The wonders of immortality mean heirs are rarely needed."

"I do not believe I have ever met the Queen."

"You would not, she died many centuries before you were born. I was very young and I barely remember her. Thranduil was a different elf before her death, I think you would have liked him then." Legolas closed his eyes as he remembered her, he knew he looked like her but his memory of her was faded. But he remembered the sadness that always hung around her. "You are being hunted Thorin, Azog will not give up easily even with the losses he has taken. Your only hope is to get through Mirkwood swiftly but the paths are no longer safe."

"We must reach the Mountain before Durin's Day." He growled.

"The dragon must be dealt with." Legolas agreed softly and then took a deep breath, Thranduil would not approve if he knew. "I will guide your Company as far as the Lake."

Thorin stared at him hard and then nodded. Lord Elrond had proven honourable, perhaps this Prince was as well. Besides, they were running out of options.

TBC…