Chapter 10:

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The guards dragged the kicking and fighting dwarves back to the dungeons. Elves appeared through the different passageways calmly observing the offenders that dared to break the peace before turning back to their day-to-day lives. The dwarves were unceremoniously shoved into their respective cells and the ropes cut.

Fili paced the length of his cell. Everything was happening way too fast. He prayed that Kili was strong enough to survive this new punishment. He needed the nutrition to continue to heal. He couldn't help but feel responsible for both Kili and now Emily.

"Where is Bilbo?" Fili whispered angrily as he continued to pace back and forth. He hoped Bilbo had been watching in the throne room and would be by any minute. Their only hope of escape was to go through with Emily's plan and ask for the Captain of the Guard's help.

And once again, the hobbit failed to disappoint. Fili didn't have to wait for long when he heard Bilbo's small voice calling out to him. Fili hurriedly explained the plan to Bilbo and sent him off to find the elf, Tauriel. Unfortunately, Fili wasn't any help when it came to important details such as what she looked like. Hopefully Kili would be a little more helpful.

Kili's cell wasn't far away and Bilbo wanted to get this whole mess done and over with as soon as possible. Bilbo found Kili dozing lightly in the far corner of his cell. He felt bad for waking the resting dwarf because it was only a couple of hours ago that he had been lying in bed, unconscious, and recovering from the poison. Bilbo sighed before calling out to the young dwarf.

Kili woke up startled, glancing around before cautiously whispering, "Bilbo?"

Bilbo silently rolled his eyes having forgotten that the younger heir had missed his earlier exploits. "Yes. It's me." Bilbo continued on to explain what Fili had planned before asking Kili for a description of Tauriel. Needless to say he was not impressed. "So… I'm looking for a tall elf with fair skin, fiery red hair, and green eyes… Do you happen to know where I should start looking?"

Thankfully Kili had been paying attention when the guards took him back to the dungeon and was able to give Bilbo relatively good directions on how to get to Emily's room. After seeing the two interact, he figured that the girls couldn't have lived too far from each other and that Tauriel would be by to check up on Emily sooner or later. Kili wished Bilbo good luck as Bilbo quietly slipped away and out of the dungeons.

Bilbo followed Kili's directions and was able to find the healer's room relatively easily. The only problem was that it was empty. Bilbo proceeded to wander the nearby halls and rooms keeping a sharp eye out for an elf that matched Tauriel's description. Bilbo had his doubts about this plan but both Fili and Kili assured him that this crazy idea would work. Personally? He thought it was a long shot. He had no idea where to even begin looking for Tauriel. There was also no guarantee that Tauriel would help. If he showed himself, would she turn him in too? What then? But if there was one thing Bilbo learned from this adventure, it was trust and for some strange reason he trusted the brothers.

It wasn't until Bilbo was on the verge of giving up that he caught a glimpse of the elf. He followed her as quietly as he could while avoiding bumping into other elves that occasionally made their way through the halls. He watched as Tauriel opened a solid oak door and shut it behind her.

Bilbo took a deep breath and slipped the ring off his finger before opening the door and slipping inside. "Tauriel?" he whispered. The room was cast in shadow, but there was still enough light for him to see. He glanced about the room looking for the elf, anxiety steadily growing. He stiffened as he felt fingers entwine themselves in his hair and a knife being pressed into his throat. A chilly voice whispered into his ear, "Who are you and why were you sneaking around in my room?"

Bilbo shifted his weight nervously. "My name is Bilbo Baggins. I was traveling with the dwarves." The hand located in his hair tightened. "Wait! Wait! Emily is in trouble! We need your help!"

Tauriel froze. "How do you know Emily?" she asked, her voice turning deadly.

Bilbo didn't hesitate and almost forgot to breathe. "I don't, but I know Kili and Fili. Kili was the wounded dwarf that was brought in. Emily tried to reunite the two brothers and came up with an escape plan to help the dwarves. They were caught." Bilbo paused. "Kiridion dragged them all back before the King. Kiridion has convinced the King that Emily should marry him."

Tauriel quickly released Bilbo, stalking deeper into the room before sinking into a nearby chair. She was afraid something like this would happen. She knew that she would not be able to protect Emily forever, but this was too soon. She still remembered the little girl who would not give up despite being surrounded by bullies those many years ago.

Tauriel loved being outdoors. She loved the enormous green trees that stretched towards the heavens and the way the light trickled through the leaves to dance upon the mossy ground. The garden was her favorite place to escape the bustle of day-to-day life and she could frequently be found there reading a book curled up amongst the massive branches. The garden was located well behind the borders of the King's Palace and was well protected by the elves. It was one of the few places the elven children could run and play and not have to worry about the dangers of the forest or the outside world.

Around the center of the garden were massive hedges that encircled a small fountain. This was one of the few places where the hedges grew high enough to form leafy tunnels leading to the fountain. It was beautiful this time of year. The hedges bloomed with the most amazing white flowers and the air smelled of lilac and roses.

Tauriel wandered through the tunnels enjoying the sunlight and the fresh air when she heard the sound of young voices echoing through the air. She quickly followed the voices to a small clearing. There in the center of the clearing was a group of thirteen young elves of varying ages and heights. They were all jeering and egging each other on. She surveyed the group silently from the edge of the clearing.

She watched in horror as the elves shifted and she saw a young girl being held by two young elven boys nearly twice her size. Her arms were cruelly wrenched behind her back and she wore a slight grimace from pain. The tallest one was in the center and he seemed to be the one in charge. "Look at her!" he pointed and laughed. "You do not belong here. You are a filthy half breed." He drew his fist back before landing a hard punch to her jaw. She refused to cry out, only grunting and lightly groaning.

He grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes. That was definitely a mistake on his part as she spit in his face. He reeled back, shock contorting his features before wiping his face and stalking back towards her. He seemed to swell with rage and a bright fire was alight in his gaze. He backhanded her savagely. "It's about time scum like you learned their place," he snarled. Two elves left the group to stand beside their leader.

"STOP!" bellowed Tauriel as she strode into the clearing. "THAT IS ENOUGH!" The young elves stared at her in horror before scattering to the wind leaving behind their captive. Tauriel was furious. She was going to have a word with each and every one of their parents. Her gaze fell on the young girl, softening with sympathy.

She knelt down next to the girl. "Hey. My name is Tauriel. What's yours?" she asked gently. The girl looked up at her with sad eyes. Tauriel almost flinched. Her eyes showed an enormous amount of pain and suffering and sorrow. She had seen that look before on some of the older elves that had fought in long ago battles, but never had she seen it on one so young. The black eye that she sported only seemed to increase the depth of her eyes.

"Emily," the girl replied with a shy whisper.

Tauriel reached for her and to her surprise Emily crawled forward and snuggled her face into her chest, her tiny hands gripping tightly to the fabric. Tauriel held her tightly. She felt her heart break by the trust this young child had in her, a complete stranger, even after being treated so horribly. Tauriel rocked her gently and whispered soft promises into her hair. "I promise I will protect you. You never have to be alone again. I have you." She stayed there rocking Emily until she fell asleep in her arms. Tauriel gently lifted her up and took her to the healer while continuing to whisper comfortingly.

"Um. Excuse me, Miss Tauriel?" Bilbo asked, clearly worried.

Tauriel wasn't sure how long she had sat there silently thinking, but evidently it was long enough to worry the nervous hobbit. She turned towards him and replied, "Master Baggins. I will help you and the dwarves escape on one condition… that you take Emily with you when you leave. It is no longer safe for her here."

Bilbo considered her for a moment before replying. "If you promise to get us safely out of here, we will take Emily with us and protect her." By Durin's name, what did he get himself into this time? Thorin was going to be so incredibly angry.

Tauriel immediately stood up and nodded. "I think we should make our way separately to the dungeons so as not to arouse unnecessary suspicion. We'll meet back there. Which dwarf am I looking for?"

"The one with hair the color of autumn barley," replied Bilbo.

Tauriel nodded and walked to the door. "I'll see you soon," she said before leaving.

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