AN: Thranduil with be Out Of Character! Sorry but I really like his character.
Chapter 10: Barrels out of Bond
Bella was terribly good at putting on a tough act, especially since she was practically trembling in fright as she was led to a room with a huge white door. The ceiling was high, and from it hung a magnificent golden chandelier which was lit up by fire. Torches lined the wall, casting the room in a warm light. The room was empty, save for a fine table crafted from wood that Bella had never seen the likes of before, and chairs of the same make with silk pillows on the seat. The guards left her alone, and she nervously walked over to sit on one of the chairs, careful to dust off the dirt on her clothes before she sat down on the fine pillow.
As she sat, her mind wandered to Thorin. She trusted the king enough to know that he wouldn't harm them, but she doubted that he would make Thorin aware of what he wanted with Bella. For the next twelve hours, Thorin would be unable to know what was happening to her; if she was being beaten, raped, tortured, or if she was fine at all. This ate away at her for well over a quarter of an hour until a sharp knock at the door startled her. The king walked in, followed by a few elves carrying trays of tea and food, which made her mouth shamefully water.
It was set on the table in front of her as the king sat across from her. The others were dismissed, and soon it was just the two of them. Bella couldn't help but fidget as the king's pale blue eyes roamed over her, surveying her as if she were a new object. As he judged her, she couldn't help but take in his rather magnificent self. His long white-blond hair looked like fine silk as it cascaded over his broad shoulders, the crown of gemmed branches shimmered in the fire-light. The sharp line of his jaw was impressive, though not as impressive as Thorin's. All in all, the king was a tremendous and terrifying figure, but she found herself intrigued by his physique.
After a long moment, the king gestured to the platter of food in front of her. "You may eat if you wish. I'm not ignorant to the fact that you are starving." Reaching over, she grabbed a biscuit and took a small bite, fighting back the moan that threatened to escape her as the flavor exploded in her mouth. Hunger is truly the best sauce.
"So, oh gracious king," she said, trying to be polite and keep any sarcasm out of her voice. "What is it that you wish to do in these twelve hours? Question me?"
The king nodded, much to her relief. "I enjoy gaining as much knowledge as I can about everything I can. Hobbits are something new to me, and I was rather hoping you could inform me all about your species. There will be some slightly personal questions too, but those won't come until later. Also, I plan to allow you to freshen up and change into clean, untorn clothes."
Bella was shocked. "You're too kind," she murmured softly, taking another bite of her biscuit. "The dwarves wee rude to you; however, you did have us kidnapped. Although, we were trespassing on your land, so it is understandable. I apologize for their behavior towards you, but still I ask: Why do you offer us such a boon?"
The king looked pleased at her comment. "I care little for dwarves, but I have a soft spot for women in need. Any creature that can grant new life is to be cherished. I hope before the morning comes that you could tell me why you travel continue to travel with the dwarves. The love that people have for dwarves is outside of my comprehension, and if you could explain to me your perspective, perhaps they wouldn't seem quite so terrible."
"Very well," Bella said, wondering where to start. "I suppose you view the dwarves as a greedy folk, motivated by gold and gems and jewels. Yet, this is not the case. They're more interested in aiding one another. They protect each other, and support one another, in order to achieve their goals. Dwarves look for a challenge. Living peacefully, in my understanding at least, is not something they enjoy. Understand that I may have interpreted them wrong, but I find that their courage, bravery, and self-sacrifice are amazing. They care for one another in ways that I can only hope to one day comprehend. It extends a blood bond. They're closer than brothers."
The king nodded. "You don't find their habits odd or improper?"
Bella laughed. "Oh yes, they are a very odd folk when it comes to cleanliness or feasting or any of that sort of stuff. They aren't dirty people though; they just enjoy nature in its truest form! Once one throws away the propriety of dining and living, one can enjoy the freedom that comes with living life to the fullest. The dwarves have more fun when dining than any other race I have ever had the privilege to encounter."
A humming noise came from the king's throat. "You're a very thought-invoking speaker, Mrs. Bella Baggins. Now, tell me all about hobbits."
So she told him. She discussed their meals, their feet, their houses, the shire, and the habits of hobbits. On and on she went to describe as much as she could and answer all of his questions. Many hours passed before he was finally satisfied that he knew as much about hobbits as he could.
"Thank you for all of that wonderful information," the king said thoughtfully. The door suddenly opened revealing a beautiful female elf with long brown hair, finely braided to keep the hair from her face. Her face was stunning with the sharp angles and emerald green eyes that shone brightly as she looked upon the king and hobbit. She was dressed in a radiant blue silk gown, with sleeves that billowed out by the hands.
"This is Tauriel, my dear Bella," the king said, standing up. Bella followed suit. "She is going to take you to the springs to bathe and will give you a change of clothes." The king excused himself, and Bella turned to Tauriel.
"Hello," she said somewhat shyly. The elf smiled down at her.
"Come," Tauriel said. "I'll show you to the springs and then I'll inform you about how your dwarves are faring. I just left them after insuring that they were all comfortable."
Bella's heart did a leap, and her thoughts darted immediately to Thorin as she was led down a few more hallways to a cavernous room. In the center of the room was a steaming hot springs that made Bella's knees grow weak at the sight. Hot water! Tauriel sat on a chair not far away and set to work in mending some clothes that would fit the little hobbit.
Stripping down, Bella slipped into the hot water and groaned at the feeling. All the tension left her body as she soaked. Guilt immediately filled her as she enjoyed the hot springs. She didn't know if the dwarves were being treated this well, or if they were locked up in a cell somewhere. And then there was Thorin… who was left in the dark about what was happening to her.
"There are some soaps and lotions there on the side that you can use," Tauriel said. Wadding over, Bella smelt a few of the glass bottles and chose one that smelled like a field of fresh flowers that reminded her of the Shire. Pouring some in her hand, she scrubbed at her flesh until all the grime and dirt and blood was removed. She also washed her hair with the soap, but noticed that her hair was incredibly matted and knotted from the journey. The bandage on the wound Gollum gave her was quickly disposed of to reveal a large scar. She cringed until Tauriel handed a jar of something blue to her. "Place this on any scars you have. They'll be gone by tomorrow. After, I'll help you deal with your hair. "
As Bella wrapped her hands around the jar, she bowed her head slightly. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me." Tauriel smiled brightly.
The substance in the jar was cool and pleasant as she spread it over the wound from Gollum. She placed some on the other small scratches she had before placing the lid back on and sticking it on the side of the pool. Glancing over, she saw that Tauriel was holding a towel out for her. Bella wrapped her hands around the soft fabric and wrapped herself in it before sitting on a small chair that Tauriel indicated to. The elf immediately began coming through the ends of her hair, and probably using some magic, started unknotting her hair.
"The dwarves are all being cared for," Tauriel started. "They've been given the opportunity to eat, bathe and freshen up, and get a few hours rest. The king regrets that you won't get much of a chance to sleep, but he feels that the dwarves will stop and allow you to rest once you get out of this place. Your companions don't seem comfortable here, and we don't want to force them to remain here."
"How are they all?" Bella asked softly, her hands clutching the fabric of the towel.
Tauriel sighed softly, igniting Bella's fears. "They are all worried for your welfare. All of them seem to be under the impression that the king is doing unspeakable things to you. Several of the other guards and I tried to ensure that you were not going to be harmed, however, none of them really seemed to believe it except for the kind old one with you."
"That's Balin," Bella said thoughtfully, her insides churning unpleasantly. "How's Thorin?"
At this Tauriel paused her ministrations on her hair for a slight moment. "He is the most… concerned. It took all of the dwarves to help calm him down enough to clean up, but when I left, he was pacing and shouting nonsense in the dwarven language. The dwarf king is very distraught; he must truly care for you."
"I'd like to think so," Bella murmured softly. "I feel so terrible that I can't ease his fears."
Tauriel finished coming out her long hair and began to braid it in an elven fashion. "You will see him soon, and you will all be released. Though, I think that you all will have to leave in a rather unorthodox way."
"How so?" Bella asked curiously.
"Orcs and wargs were spotted outside our entrances. I'm not sure quite how the king is going to get you out, but it is going to be strange," Tauriel let out a small chuckle. "There, all done."
Reaching up, Bella softly placed her hands on her hair, and smiled up at the elf. "Thank you so much, for everything you've done not only for me, but for the Company."
"You're welcome," Tauriel murmured. "Now, let's go find your dwarves after you get changed."
The kind elf gave Bella the clothes that she had been tailoring, and she was pleased to see that it was a gorgeous (and warm!) brown travelling dress that went to her knees. With it was a pair of black leggings. She dressed quickly before accepting the cloak that Tauriel handed to her, which was black and lined with a fine fur.
The two left the cavern and walked down many passage ways until they came to a large wooden door that was guarded by three elves. At the sight of Tauriel, a relieved look passed over the guards' faces. "Thank goodness that you are here!" one elf said.
"The dwarf king is getting worked up again," another said.
Tauriel gestured to the door. "You may go in and have a few moments with them until King Thranduil comes to help you all leave." Bella nodded and thanked the woman. Placing her hand on the door knob, her stomach clenched when she heard Thorin shouting out in Khuzdul. Without wasting another second, she opened the heavy door, stepped inside, and shut it firmly behind her. Immediately, all the dwarves silenced and turned to the door, shock on all their faces.
"BELLA!" they all shouted, lurching forward, but Thorin stopped them. At the sight of his face, a small sob escaped her. Dried tear tracks covered his face and lingering pain still shone in his eyes as he looked her up and down, looking for any injuries or sign of harm. When he saw none, his icy blue eyes met hers before she was enveloped in a fierce hug.
"Thank Mahal you're alright," Thorin murmured into the top of her head. "Did that elvish scum harm you?"
"No! No, he was nothing but kind and courteous to me, Thorin," Bella said softly, cupping his face in her hands. "He just wanted to learn about hobbits; that's all."
An angry look crossed Thorin's face as he pulled away. "Why would you do that? Do you have any idea what he could have done to you? And I couldn't get to you! I was locked up in here, not knowing if he – if he…" Unable to finish the sentence, Thorin turned his head away from her. She was shocked to see tears forming in his eyes.
Gently, she wrapped him up in a hug from behind this time, her arms wrapped around his midsection as she laid her cheek on his back. Deep shudders came from his body as he fought back different emotions. "I knew he wasn't going to harm me," she whispered. "I'm sorry for worrying you, but I am ok now and we are going to get out of here."
Thorin turned around and placed a hot, feverish kiss upon her lips. Eyes closing, she kissed back fully. Electricity shot through her veins, her blood pumping double time. A loud cough caused them to jump apart, having realized that the other dwarves were still present. Turning, Bella addressed all of the company. She was pleased to see that all of them, including Thorin, were cleaned up magnificently.
Fili and Kili approached her and enveloped her in a three-way hug. "We were worried about you," Fili said as he pressed his temple against hers. Kili's was pressed against her other temple.
"You should probably be more careful the next time you worry Uncle like that," Kili said. "The poor elf guards looked terrified."
Bella chuckled softly, hugging them back just as hard. When they released, she was surprised when Dwalin came over and placed a hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture. "I am grateful that you returned unharmed. I also would like to apologize for not excepting you as one of the Company until as of late."
"Thank you, Dwalin," she said, a grin spread wide across her face. After, she was approached by all the dwarves as they expressed their happiness and gratitude that she was alright. It was very shocking for her to be treated as if she too were a dwarf. Not long after, the door opened once again.
King Thranduil walked inside, looking positively regal as his robes billowed out behind him. Bella almost giggled when Thorin wrapped an arm around her waist protectively, but instead she wrapped hers around his waist, pulling him even closer. "Ah, I'm glad to see everything has worked out for the best here," the King said. "I shall take you to where you will depart. Your bags have been refilled and your weapons are with them."
Thorin nodded his thanks as the Company was led out of the room and deep inside the palace, confusing the dwarves and hobbit, but they did not say anything. Thorin kept his arm around her waist the entire time, and she rested her head against his arm as they walked. It felt perfect to be back with him and the company, and it was hard to keep the happy grin off of her face.
They were all lead down to a cellar where Bella was shocked to notice a bunch of empty barrels sitting on trapdoors. "I know this is not a very dignified method of getting out of here," the King said somewhat awkwardly. "However, all the conventional entrances are being heavily watched by orcs, so this is our only option unless you want to fight your way out; but not all of you will make it."
Everyone turned to Thorin, who grumbled: "No, we won't fight our way out; some of us are still exhausted."
"Very well," the King said, nodding. "Just climb into a barrel, hang on, and you may want to hold your breath."
The dwarves gasped. "We will be bruised and battered to pieces, and possibly drowned!"
"It is all I can do for you," the king said. He indicated to fourteen barrels. With lots of grumbling and cursing, all of the dwarves and the hobbit were stowed. Once everyone was situated, the elves bid them farewell as the ground dropped from beneath them one by one and they rumbled to the dark opening and into the icy water some feet below. Some barrels were actually empty; some were neatly packed with dwarves; but down they all went, one after another, with many a clash and a bump, thudding on top of ones below, smacking into the water, jostling against the walls of the tunnel, and bobbing away down the current.
On and on they floated down the river, pushing up against the shore and the rocks as they went. After many hours there was a mighty pushing of poles. The elves that were standing in the shallow water heaved and shoved. The barrels now all lashed together creaked and fretted.
"This is a heavy load!" some grumbled. "They float too deep – some of these are never empty. If they had come ashore in the daylight, we might have had a look inside."
"No time now!" cried the raftman. "Shove off!"
And off they went at last, slowly at first, until they had passed the point of rock where other elves stood to fend them off with poles, and then quicker and quicker as they caught the main stream and went sailing away down, down towards the Lake.