Chapter 10

Fear set in my bones as Thorin fought them, even though it was no use. Thranduil was not someone I wanted to face on my own. I had no idea what he wanted with me. From the way Thorin was fighting his captors, I felt my body twitch. I wanted to run, but the firm hold Legolas had on my wrists kept me there. Thorin struggled until I couldn't see him and from there, I could only hear his enraged shouts. Legolas walked me up the stairs and set us both before the King. I felt my heart pounding only because it had been so easy for Legolas to see what I was.

"Father," he said. "It seems they brought along something interesting."

"Oh?"

Thranduil sat upon a great wooden throne, if one could even call it that. I walked up with Legolas quietly and stood there when he left me in the center of the floor so that the elf king had a good look at me. His eyebrow arched in surprise and his blue eyes flashed. I couldn't place the emotion that went over his face, but it made me uncomfortable. Thranduil had abandoned Thorin and his people the day the dragon had attacked, so I couldn't help but harbor some dislike for the elf. I was also wary of him, only because he was also extremely powerful. Waiting quietly, I looked at my wrists and eyed my chains for a moment.

"A shifter," he said with a smile. "One I have not seen in over 90 years."

"Surprised you even remember," I said quietly not looking at him.

"You traveled through my forest twice that I recall," Thranduil replied. "I remember hearing word of what Thorin found in the forests surrounding the mountains. I kept close attention to the details."

"Well that's a surprise," I snorted quietly. "What do you want with me?"

"There are jewels in that mountain that belong to me. I could keep you here and still release the dwarves so that I am insured that they return what I so desire," he mused, testing me.

I knew that he wanted the jewels that Thror had withheld from him. I remember Thorin talking about it many times, so the fact that Thranduil was willing to do anything to get them back had me uneasy. I was not keen on being a prisoner in these halls, or any for that matter. Lifting my eyes, I looked at him and glared at him. It only made Thranduil smirk as Legolas stood off to the side in silence. He looked just like his father, but there was something just a little different about the younger elf. Thranduil walked down the steps of his throne, approaching me quietly.

"I highly doubt Thorin would trade you those jewels for someone like me," I said flatly. "I could escape these halls if I wish, and you wouldn't even know. And anyway, I'm sure you will get those jewels back. Eventually."

"You truly think he won't give anything I asked for to see you free?" Thranduil asked his eyes lighting in amusement. "You underestimate me."

"And I think you underestimate me," I said lowly. "I will not be a prisoner again. Especially not to you, and I will not be used in this game you have going on with Thorin. Leave me out of it."

A smile graced the elf king's lips and he put his hands behind his back as he gracefully walked around me. "I have heard the stories of you, Arina," he murmured. "You are indeed brave when you have to be. But right now you are nothing but a piece to be moved around for my desire. You can help me get those jewels back. Legolas, take her away. Put her alone and double the guards on her cell. Maybe Thorin will reconsider the request when I bring him back up."

I felt my heart increase as I sucked in my breath at the sudden request and I yanked myself away when Legolas went to take me away from the King. I had to stick up for myself, I wasn't about to be put in a cell away from them. I would not stand by and be used like that if I could help it, but the words were lost to me as Legolas grabbed my shoulder and steered me away from Thranduil who was obviously done with the conversation. Legolas turned around and led me back down the stairs and through the realm and back to the cells. What was surprising was that he had not called any of the guards his father had asked for.

"I have no desire to see my father use you in his game," Legolas said suddenly. "I may be his son, but we do not share the same traits. I will put you back with them and take his anger. I may not like dwarves...but you were not part of this."

"Thank you," I whispered as he walked with me. "Thank you very much."

"Why do you aid them?" he asked bluntly looking down at me. "Do you owe them a debt?"

"I owe them nothing," I said quietly. "That's what Thorin tells me, anyway. Thorin saved my life and cared for me until I was well enough to venture from Erebor and live on my own. It took many years before I could. He and his company are special to me. I was not there for whatever happened between your families, but they have never wronged me. They've done nothing but love me. They are my family."

"I must say I am...shocked to hear that," Legolas replied. "I don't like them."

"Something you and your father have in common," I growled bitterly.

"Maybe," he answered as he came up next to a cell. "But I'm not heartless."

I glanced at him in surprise at his words and then watched him take my chains off. We had stopped beside a certain cell, and when I looked in I resisted the urge to cry in happiness. Thorin glanced up from where he sat and his expression melted into relief when he saw I was standing on the other side of the door. He got up when Legolas opened the door for me. I walked right in when Legolas motioned for it, and I ignored the amused look he gave me. I didn't feel like being put in a cell with guards, and I didn't want to be part of Thranduil's game. He had been kind enough to put me in with Thorin, so I was not going to complain.

"Are you all right?" Thorin asked, coming to my side instantly.

"Yes," I murmured rubbing both of my wrists. "Thranduil is a bit terrifying, I won't lie."

"You'd take on Orcs if we let you, but an elf scares you?" Thorin asked in amusement.

"Thranduil holds much power in him. He's still bitter about what happened between him and your grandfather. I don't feel like getting into all of that," I replied quickly. "And anyway, why are we stuck in here? What did you do?"

"He refused a deal that's what," Balin said. "Now we're stuck here."

"No, there is still hope," Thorin replied sitting down. "Bilbo is out there..."

"Do you want me..."

"No," Thorin cut me off instantly and gave me a dark look.

I nodded my head and looked back out the cell doors before I moved back to lean against the rock wall. I crossed my arms and watched as Thorin came over to join me and he sighed quietly, almost as if he was defeated. I knew we'd find a way out of here, I just wasn't sure how that was going to happen. If Bilbo was out there, then we had a good chance at getting out.

"He remembered me," I said quietly. "Said he remembered hearing the stories of the time when I first came to Erebor. Knew my name."

"All the more reason you are not leaving this cell," Thorin replied, giving another order. "How can I keep you safe if you leave?"

I thought about his command and sat down against the wall with him. He was right, if they noticed I was missing it wouldn't be hard to find me. His ending statement just sealed it in for me. Elves were extremely gifted when it came to what they did, whether it was fighting or tracking. Many of the older elves possessed a great deal of magic as well. Leaning my head back against the stone, I sighed in defeat. We were stuck here until Bilbo found us, unless he was dead somewhere. I didn't remember if he had been with us when the elves had first surrounded us.

"So, you said you needed to speak with me," Thorin said quietly drawing my gaze.

"Guess we're not running anymore. This would be our first chance," I mused which made him smile slightly.

Scooting over, I took a seat beside him and tried to figure out how to approach what I had to say. No one had told them that this quest was going to fail, and he should have the chance to change this if he could. I knew they could change it because Elrond had told me they could. If they knew, and had me stay, we could change everything. It would be better then what I had seen.

"What if I told you..." I began slowly. "That even if you take the mountain...you still die?"

Thorin looked at me flatly. "This is not amusing, Arina."

"I'm not joking," I murmured, looking at my hands. "I saw it and so did Lord Elrond. You take back the mountain, but something happens. It's cloudy so I'm not sure what it is. You and your nephews die..."

He fell silent for a long moment. "Were you present in this vision?"

"No," I murmured.

"So that's why you came along," he said looking down at me.

"It is. Lord Elrond said if I came with you, then things would change. I don't believe that after all this trouble that you die when you finally get to live," I replied softly. "You don't deserve death. You've suffered enough."

Sighing, Thorin leaned his head back as well and looked through the bars that held us. "You always thought of others more than yourself," he rumbled. "Even after we first found you."

"With you yes. I've grown very fond of the others," I smiled, closing my eyes and then opened them to look at him. "You saved my life...let me return the favor."

"Well then, I guess you should stick close," he stated quietly looking to me. "For both our sakes. I don't feel like saying goodbye to you again."

"Well good then," I smiled. "Because I don't think I could leave even if I tried."

"I highly doubt any of the others would let you," Thorin chuckled softly and closed his eyes.

I smiled slightly leaned my head fully back against the rock as Thorin got to his feet and paced a little. He took off his coat, and slowly started on getting the spider webbing out of his hair. I smiled a little watching him work, and I grabbed his coat and threw it over my lap as a sudden chill ran over my body. Thorin glanced at me when he finished and after a while of pacing and looking out the doors he joined me again and sat down. He laced his fingers over his knee and sighed quietly.

"I wonder how long we were in the forest," I mused after a bit.

"Could have been days or hours, I'm not sure..." Thorin said quietly. "I'm sure we'll be in here for a while too. Mine as well get some sleep."

"Are you going to start pacing again any time soon?" I asked and he smiled slightly.

"No, I think I'm done with that," he sighed pressing his head against the stone. "We have something else we need to speak about, since we're stuck in here."

"What's that?" I asked quietly looking up from my hands.

"The way you left," he rumbled.

I felt my whole body still and almost go numb at the thought of it. It had been such an emotional night, even if there had not been any tears involved. I remembered it like it was yesterday, and not thirty years ago. I lowered my eyes to the ground and then looked at his hands as he fiddled with his ring. I wasn't sure how to approach this, and I couldn't find my voice at first. I was still replaying that night in my head before I finally was able to say anything.

"What about it?" I asked quietly.

"You left me a letter," he said softly.

"I know I did," I replied simply.

"Care to speak of it?" he asked raising his brow.

"Are you trying to get me to admit something?" I asked, looking at him. The words just poured from my mouth after that. "Something I already admitted in the letter? That I loved you? What about you, Thorin?"

"You know I did," Thorin murmured quietly and I shut my mouth.

Even after thirty years, our feelings had not been changed. We had figured it out and it had been too late. I made it clear that I didn't want to speak of it and turned my head from him for a moment. He looked at his hands, and his jaw clenched quietly. I knew that by not talking about it, things would get tense between us. There had been so many words left unspoken between us. So many emotions that we had not spoken of either. I blinked a few times before sighing quietly and letting my shoulders drop.

"I still do," I whispered suddenly.

Thorin tore his eyes away from his ring and looked at me. Several emotions played across his face and he sighed quietly so that he could compose himself. It was silent for a bit, making me shift uncomfortably. Admitting that to him broke through everything I had built around me to protect myself. I breathed out quietly and looked at my fingers for a while. When I looked back to him, he had a gentle smile on his face.

"I know," he rumbled quietly.

"Bilbo is still out there," I reminded him, suddenly changing the subject.

Thorin nodded, and glanced out the cell door again. Leaning my head against his arm, I closed my eyes and dozed for a few hours. There was nothing else for us to say right now. Bofur woke me up with a huge sigh and I jumped from the noise. Thorin ran a hand through his hair and looked out the door.

"I'll wager the sun is on the rise. Must be nearly dawn," Bofur said sadly.

"We're never gonna reach the mountain are we?" Ori asked from his cell.

His voice was so defeated that it had Thorin huffing out quietly. I felt my own shoulders drop at the question and looked down at my hands again. There was a sudden rustle of metal, the sound of keys jingling. I looked up hearing it, while Thorin continued looking at his hands again. He had not heard the keys, but we didn't have to wait long before it was revealed to us.

"Not stuck in here you're not."

Bilbo popped up in front of our cell and Thorin couldn't keep the smile from his face as the dwarves surged to their feet. Thorin got up and went up to the door as Bilbo smiled at him. I jumped up as well when Bilbo fiddled with the keys to unlock the door. I could have kissed Bilbo I was so happy to get out of here. For a brief moment, I thought of Legolas and if he had truly took on his father. Since he had not returned, I assumed he had been successful.

"Bilbo!" Balin gasped.

"Shh! There are guards nearby!" Bilbo hissed as he opened the cell door.

He hurried off to get the others out of their cells and quickly got our attention to follow him. I followed the hobbit, aware that Thorin had taken the rear to protect us all just in case. Bilbo led us to a room, which Kili clenched his fists as he grinned. As I stepped down the stairs in silence, I almost groaned loudly when I saw where we were. Wine barrels lined the wall and Kili looked about ready to burst in excitement.

"I don't believe it, we're in the cellars!" he hissed, looking around at all the wine.

"You're supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur whispered hotly.

"I know what I'm doing!" Bilbo hissed back.

"Shh!" Bofur hissed.

"Ok, this way!" Bilbo hushed. "Follow me."

We snuck around the sleeping elves and to a bunch of barrels that were stacked on top of each other. They were empty wine barrels. I gave the hobbit a puzzled look as the others slowly filtered down to them. The dwarves were also confused and they all swung back to look at their burglar, wondering what he was doing. I crossed my arms for a moment to wait.

"Everyone, climb in to the barrels!" he ushered quickly.

"Are you mad?" Dwalin argued coming up to him. "They'll see us!"

"No, no they won't! I promise you. Please, just listen! You must trust me!" Bilbo whispered.

They all looked at the barrels and then back to the hobbit and Dwalin walked up to him. They snorted quietly at him and Bilbo looked at Thorin in frustration. He looked at the others and then nodded quietly.

"Do as he says," he whispered sharply.

Dwarves grumbled as they hid inside the barrels, helping each other into them. I watched Dwalin help shove Bombur into his own barrel and then slide into his own. Fili and Kili slid into their own barrels while Thorin helped Balin into one. He turned to me then as he went to head to one of them and gave me a firm look making me arch my brow. He motioned with his finger for me to come forward so I quietly walked to him.

"What?" I asked in a whisper.

"You should stay human. The Orcs don't know you are with us, and better to keep it that way for as long as possible. I wouldn't mind too much once we get to the mountain, but you need to stay safe," he said quietly and quickly.

"Are you kidding me?" I demanded in a hissing whisper. "There isn't enough room."

"That's why you are with me," he replied firmly.

"Why are you not using logic?" I whispered. "We'll be to cramped in there."

"Well, get comfortable," Thorin snorted and pointed firmly to the barrel he wanted me in.

I glared daggers at him and tried not to complain when I slid in and pressed my back against the wood as he slid in with me. He faced me, and I gave him another awful glare. It made Thorin only smirk at me, and he glanced back to see what was going to happen next. This was pay back for something I had done to him, I knew it. I just couldn't figure out what. I couldn't help that my cheeks went red when we got situated and then Bofur asked what was next. Every dwarf stuck their head out of the barrels to see Bilbo after the question.

"Hold your breath!" Bilbo ordered as he pulled a lever.

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