Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. Took a little break (again I know sorry about that) but now back to it. To all those who have reviewed so far then thank you. If there's anything I'm doing wrong or you think could be improved upon please let me know. Anyway if you're still reading or reading for the first time then I hope you enjoy. And yeah I'm writing these in bold now to distinguish them from the text as I've seen others do so I decided it was best I do the same.


While their other friends were locked in the dungeon Thorin, Peggy, Sousa and Jarvis have been brought before King Thranduil who was addressing Thorin

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglary, or something of that ilk." Thranduil said with a booming tone that showed he commanded a lot of presence and authority.

Thranduil looked closely at Thorin who said nothing as the trio looked at each other realizing the King must have a keen sense of reading people.

"You have found a way in. You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule: the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help." Thranduil said proposing an idea to Thorin.

"Looks like they have more in common then they thought" Sousa whispered to Peggy.

"He probably has tons of treasures and yet it's still not enough for him." Peggy said with annoyance but continued to listen feeling that there was more to this proposal.

"I am listening." Thorin said with curiosity but with some uncertainty.

"I will let you go, if you but return what is mine." Thranduil said again his voice booming throughout the room.

With this Thorin began to turn and slowly started walking away while the trio didn't do anything. Peggy was beginning to see a sense of doubt in Thorin in regards to Thranduil. Something wasn't right here.

"A favor for a favor." Thorin said still unsure.

"You have my word. One king to another." Thranduil said calmly though the way he said it made it seem like he was lying.

If a pin was a room then this would have been the point it would have been dropped as Thorin suddenly stopped walking. Still facing away from Thranduil, he began to speak,his voice getting louder and louder as he spoke which made Jarvis a little nervous.

"I would not trust Thranduil, the great king, to honor his word should the end of all days be upon us!" Thorin yelled with all his rage

Thorin spun around now facing and pointing at Thranduil while shouting at him.

"You lack all honor! I've seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help, but you turned your back. You turned away from the suffering of my people and the inferno that destroyed us!" Thorin yelled with all the anger he could muster but also some sincerity.

"Imrid amrad ursul!" ("Die a death of flames!)" Thorin yelled switching to his native tongue.

The trio stood dumbfounded at what had just been revealed to them. Throughout this journey since she met him Peggy had been asking Thorin why he had so much hatred for the Elves and now she understood. It was a classic case of betrayal. In some respects she now fully understood his attitude. Conflict and war as well as betrayal had worn him down to the point he couldn't trust anyone anymore and the loss of his homeland was no doubt the nail in the coffin that pushed him over the edge. All this of course wasn't new to her this happened with America during the War as well and has happened throughout history but now it did give some context to this relationship and showed that not all Elves were like Elrond in how they treat their guests.

Thranduil suddenly leapt down from his throne and put his face right in front of Thorin's as he began to get angry with him.

"Do not talk to me of dragon fire. I know its wrath and ruin. I have faced the great serpents of the north." Thranduil said with anger towards the Dwarf king.

With this Thranduil's face suddenly began to contort, his face being revealed to be covered with what appears to be burns and scars from his past encounters with dragons with his left eye being milky and unseeing. He then drew away, his face returning to normal.

"I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon, but he would not listen." Thranduil said revealing his side of the story but somehow the trio were still unsure how to feel about all this.

Thranduil then turned and walked up the steps to his throne.

"You are just like him." Thranduil said bluntly.

Thranduil then motioned his guards to grab Thorin and haul him toward the dungeons.

"Stay here if you will, and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I am patient. I can wait." Thranduil said with no concern for Thorin's well being.

With that the trio were now left alone with the Elven king. All three had mixed reactions to what had just transpired. Jarvis was a little intimidated to say anything in case Thranduil locked them away as well but knew that the King was somewhat in the wrong. Sousa had both a mix of contempt for the King but also understanding reluctantly so. Obviously he had conflict with Thorin's grandfather and such an experience combined with the dragon's wrath would hurt someone but to dismiss Thorin as greedy even after he himself wanted gems in return for someone's freedom was a bit hypocritical regardless if these gems did belong to him as he claimed they did. Both of them were greedy to extent but both of their kingdoms were ravaged by the dragon's wrath. Rather then dwell on past conflicts the two should try and find a common ground again something Peggy agreed with as it was pretty much going to be her argument she was about to throw on him.

"You know you call him greedy. You're the one who wanted to exchange someone's freedom for jewels." Peggy said annoyed at the King.

Thranduil turned to the trio now addressing them for the first time since they entered his throne room bar when they introduced themselves. He was initially curious as to why two men and a woman were travelling with Dwarves. He was taken aback but also skeptical about their claim that they were from another world but didn't hold any will towards them unless they crossed him. Needless to say he was annoyed now at how the one who addressed herself as Peggy Carter was now addressing him.

"I have spared you and your friends time in the dungeons Lady Carter as I have no quarrel with you. I would strongly advise you to lower your tone if you wish to avoid such a fate" Thranduil said keeping a calm but still keeping his sense of authority.

"I've seen this before you know and it doesn't end well for anyone. I don't know much about Smaug and how much damage he has caused in the past but from what I do know the wrath of a dragon is obviously something that has affected both of your kingdoms. Instead of fighting with one another you should be trying to ally against the bigger threat here. Sometimes we must ally with our enemies in order to defeat the larger threat to the world. In a war we came from we had to do so with one of our enemies to fight a bigger enemy and while there was aftermath we now have to deal with the deal helped cease that conflict which ravaged many nations. The enemy of my enemy is my friend is a saying we have that maybe you should adopt." Peggy said trying to appeal to Thranduil giving the example of how though Russia and Communism was an enemy during the war and now they are dealing with any threats from them such as Leviathan they did help stop Hitler and his forces and while obviously the Dwarves weren't the same as Communists and vice versa it's the same idea of allying with an enemy that one day you can hope to cease conflict with.

"Thorin and Dwarves are stubborn no doubt about that. But if you just gave him his freedom and keep your word that you will help he would be a great asset to you if Smaug ever comes back." Sousa said agreeing with Peggy as she earned a smile from him.

"Your majesty I have seen the stubbornness of Dwarves firsthand and yes they can be a pain. But they are also loyal and are fighters till the end. They want to protect their home and gain back a sense of worth and honor to their people. If you were in their situation and had lost your homeland and you were forced to reclaim it what would you do?" Jarvis asked hoping he could get the King to understand without offending him.

Thranduil sat and thought for a moment but then frowned as he then started to address the trio with annoyance and anger do to their outspoken nature.

"Your attempts to defend the Dwarves are surprisingly noble. However your pity is a lost effort. The Dwarves cannot be reasoned with. Thorin Oakenshield has the same hold over him that I saw with Thror. Greed and arrogance that ultimately proved to be his own undoing which I tried to warn him of but as I said he did not listen. The Dwarves care for nobody but themselves. They will not help you reach your homeland for all they wish is to get back to their own and their own alone. It is best if you still wish to return to this America of yours that you find another way as their way will not do you any good" Thranduil said with no care as to what he said.

"And what about you? What are you prepared to do for your people? Will you stand and fight and help the other nations who aren't Dwarves? What will happen to them when they come under Dragon fire like your nation did? Are you just going to sit on your tod as hundreds could die in the future?" Peggy asked feeling her anger rise.

Not even pausing to consider Peggy's odd final phrasing Thranduil replied with a blunt "Yes. I care not for the nations of Men and other nations. If they are to be attacked that is no concern of mine. The only thing I wish is for the safety of my own people and the return of what is rightfully mine."

"Smaug if he gets out will probably destroy all the lands in no time. There will be nothing left in this realm. I know you want to protect your people but isn't it your duty as a leader to help protect all nations? If the other realms fall to Smaug or the Orcs we've ran into then this city will be next. You need to answer the call to arms. Do you have enough men to fight this threat?" Sousa asked trying to make the King see reason.

"My people are prepared to face any threat that comes to our doorstep. But I do not see that happening for now. I gave the Dwarf an offer and like a fool he refused. If he brings me those gems then he can count on my help. But if he does not. He will remain here where he belongs in a dungeon fit for someone not worthy to be King." Thranduil said with a sense of finality hoping he had made his case clear.

Peggy was beginning to regret how she felt towards Thorin earlier and feeling like he was the most arrogant person she met. He was stubborn yes and he still somewhat is but now she was beginning to somewhat sympathise with his plight. No this guy was the most arrogant person she has met. Even Howard had a sense of conscience and knew when to do the right thing. This King would sacrifice other people's nations just so he could get some gems from the kingdom? Though she knew he wanted to protect his people he had warriors that could fight she had seen them firsthand as they brought them here. They would be a great asset to help a potential battle and yet he chooses to remain here.

"We have seen your warriors fight. Shouldn't they be consoled on this? They should be allowed to decide whether or not they want fight" Peggy asked trying to appeal to him in anyway though she her attempts were probably in vain. For a guy who called Dwarves stubborn and the fact they can't be reasoned with he was no better.

"My son, Tauriel and the rest of our warriors follow my will and my will alone and my will is that they shall protect the Woodland Realm at all costs. Anyone who decides to leave and disobey my order will not be allowed to return." Thranduil replied.

"All this for some gems? You really want to sacrifice other people's lives for this? Tell me how much are they worth to you? What's more important gems or the love for those around you? I don't know who married you and where she is but I pity her that she married someone as heartless as you." Peggy said as she looked around noticing no other royalty was here with Thranduil in the room.

That had done it for Thranduil. He had been annoyed by Peggy's comments and how she painted him as the villain despite he was trying to do what he thought was best for his people but now he was fuming but still trying to keep his composure not being one for violent outbursts.

"I should be sending you to the Dungeons for addressing me in such a tone in my own throne room. But instead I shall let you go with the only consent being you never show your faces around these woods again, should you find yourselves being locked in there with the rest of them otherwise." Thranduil replied coldly.

"So much for the benevolence of someone who is Lord of the Elves. Is this how you treat all travelers to your lands?" Jarvis asked saddened at how badly the King had treated them.

"Only the ones who annoy me." Thranduil replied almost as if he was making a joke but he probably meant it as he then addressed his guards. "Guards show them the door."

"We'll find it ourselves you arrogant plonker and don't worry we won't let it hit us on the way out." Peggy replied with sarcasm as she, Jarvis and Sousa left the room shutting the doors behind them leaving Thranduil alone to contemplate what had just happened.


Meanwhile down in the dungeons Thorin has now been thrown into a cell beside the other dwarves, his jailer walking away with a ring of jangling keys.

"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin asked hoping they could still get out of this.

"He did. I told him he could go 'Ish kakhfê ai'd dur rugnu!' ("I spit upon your grave! - him and all his kin!") Thorin replied before switching to his native tongue.

Hearing this, Balin could only close his eyes, sighing wearily in frustration.

"Well...that's it, then. A deal was our only hope." Balin said with a sense of defeat

"Not our only hope." Thorin replied realizing that Bilbo, Peggy, Sousa and Jarvis could still help them. His trust in them had no certainly grown even if he chose not to admit it.


During all of this Bilbo, invisible, was now sneaking through the Woodland Realm. Suddenly, Thranduil stepping out from behind a corner seemingly addressing him. Bilbo could only give a little start, thinking that his invisibility wasn't working.

"I know you're there. Why do you linger in the shadows?" Thranduil asked seemingly to Bilbo

Bilbo could only feel petrified, thinking he has been found out, when suddenly Tauriel stepped out of the shadows behind him. Realizing that the king was talking to her, Bilbo sighed in relief that he was safe for now.

"I was coming to report to you." Tauriel said addressing the King.

"I thought I ordered that nest to be destroyed not two moons past." Thranduil said a little disappointed in her for having not fulfilled her task.

"We cleared the forest as ordered, my lord, but more spiders keep coming up from the south. They are spawning in the ruins of Dol Guldur; if we could kill them at their source-" Tauriel began explaining before Thranduil interrupted her.

"That fortress lies beyond our borders. Keep our lands clear of those foul creatures, that is your task." Thranduil ordered hoping he had gotten through to her.

"And when we drive them off, what then? Will they not spread to other lands?" Tauriel asked in disbelief at how little care he was showing.

"As I told Lady Carter and her friends. Other lands are not my concern. The fortunes of the world will rise and fall, but here in this kingdom, we will endure." Thranduil said with a sense of finality.

During this Bilbo manages to sneak away as Thranduil, hearing a noise caused by Bilbo, briefly looked over his way. Not seeing anything however, he looks back at Tauriel as she bowed at him and began to walk away.

"Legolas said you fought well today." Thranduil said with some sense of pride.

Tauriel smiled at this thankful that her friend was looking out for. However she wasn't prepared for what the King said next.

"He has grown very fond of you." Thranduil said now feeling some regret.

Tauriel could only look away, shocked and embarrassed at what she heard.

"I assure you, my lord, Legolas thinks of me as no more than a captain of the guard." Tauriel said trying to deny what she heard.

"Perhaps he did once. Now, I'm not so sure." Thranduil said with uncertainty.

Thranduil walking past Tauriel, pours himself a cup of drink with Tauriel staying rooted in her spot, looking worried.

"I do not think you would allow your son to pledge himself to a lowly Silvan elf." Tauriel said knowing full of her place in society and it's norms.

"No, you are right. I would not. Still, he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none." Thranduil said with some sense of regret at what his son was feeling.

Behind Thranduil's back, Tauriel looked worried and anguished. What would she tell her friend? She didn't want to compromise their companionship but now her feelings and heart were telling her many things. She would need time with this.


Meanwhile Bolg and his orcs were spying on the gate to the Woodland Realm.

"_ _ _" ("The gates are guarded.") An Orc spoke

"Shugi golgai. Tud-dad nu!" ("Not all of them. Follow me!)" Bolg ordered

Bolg and his orcs then began to stride away down the river.


In his cell, Kili was inspecting a shiny black stone with an engraving in his hand. He flipped it in the air and caught it on the back of his hand. Tauriel checking on all the prisoners; paused as she arrived at Kili's cell.

"The stone in your hand, what is it?" Tauriel asked with curiosity

"It is a talisman. A powerful spell lies upon it. If any but a dwarf reads the runes on this stone, they will be forever cursed." Kili answered

Kili quickly held up the stone toward Tauriel, as she stepped back slightly. She then began to walk away, but stopped when Kili spoke again, in a laughing manner.

"Or not, depending on whether you believe that kind of thing. It's just a token." Kili continued while feeling some sense of accomplishment that he fooled an Elf.

Kili smilesd as Tauriel smiled as well not feeling offended by his lie if anything she found his mischief endearing to a degree.

"A runestone. My mother gave it to me so I'd remember my promise." Kili said giving the real answer now

"What promise?" Tauriel asked again.

"That I will come back to her." Kili said with hopefulness.

Tauriel looked down upon hearing this.

"She worries. She thinks I'm reckless." Kili explained

"Are you?" Tauriel asked with a hint of worry

"Nah." Kili answered

He smiled tossing up his stone, missing when he tries to catch it, as it rolled out of his cell, but Tauriel stopped it with her foot before it can roll into the deep pit outside the cells as she picked it up and inspected it. Kil going up to the bars of his cell, then begins to hear elves laughing in the distance.

"Sounds like quite a party you're having up there." Kili said with some sense of happiness that though he wouldn't be able to take part at least she would.

"It is Mereth-en-Gilith, the Feast of Starlight." Tauriel explained

She then stepped slightly away as she explained further.

"All light is sacred to the Eldar, but Wood Elves love best the light of the stars." Tauriel explained further.

"I always thought it is a cold light, remote and far away." Kili said with confusion.

Tauriel, who had walked a few steps away while speaking, approached Kili again speaking earnestly.

"It is memory, precious and pure. Like your promise." Tauriel said as she smiled, handing Kili back his stone.

"I have walked there sometimes, beyond the forest and up into the night. I have seen the world fall away and the white light forever fill the air." Tauriel said with some sense of happiness at the memory.

"I saw a fire moon once. It rose over the pass near Dunland, huge; red and gold it was, filled the sky. We were an escort for some merchants from Ered Luin, they were trading in Silverbuck for furs. We took the Greenway south, keeping the mountain to our left, and then, this huge fire moon, right in our path. I wish I could show you..." Kili began explaining his own happy memory.

As they continued talking; Tauriel decided to sit down on the stairs by Kili's cell to listen. Unseen by them, Legolas was watching from the distance, his face a blank mask.


Bilbo invisibly walked through the wine cellar. He then saw elves moving around wine barrels and speaking. One was drinking from a large flagon as Bilbo saw the ring of dungeon keys in his hand.

"...we're running out of drink." An Elf said

"These empty barrels should have been sent back to Esgarrouth hours ago. The bargeman will be waiting for them." Another Elf said

"Say what you like about our ill-tempered king, but he has excellent taste in wine. Come, Elros, try it." An Elf said speaking to an elf with a bunch of keys.

"I have the dwarves in my charge." Elros said holding up his hand, declining the offer.

The other elf then took the keys and hung them on a hook in the wall.

"They're locked up; where can they go?" One Elf asked

"Come let us find that lovely Elf maid to see if she has found more wine" Another Elf proposed

The elves laughed as they began to walk away; Bilbo taking note of the hanging keys was about to grab them but then suddenly hid as he noticed more people approaching. He was then relieved when he saw that it was Sousa and Jarvis though strangely Peggy wasn't with them.

"And here I thought Elves would be able to hold their liquor more." Jarvis said surprised at the Elves behavior.

"Come on let's go find the Dwarves." Sousa said grabbing the keys.

"What about Master Bilbo? Shouldn't we be looking for him?" Jarvis asked wondering if the Hobbit had made it into the city.

"Knowing he Bilbo he's probably around here somewhere and will catch up." Sousa said as they began to walk away but then were surprised as they suddenly ran into Bilbo.

"Actually I'm right here." Bilbo said suddenly not invisible anymore.

"Well we're glad to hear you're alright. Peggy will catch up if you're wondering where she is." Sousa said relieved that he was okay while addressing his question before he could ask it.

"Right then we best get moving to save those Dwarves." Bilbo said as they headed off to the dungeons.


"I'll wager the sun's on the rise. It must be nearly dawn." Bofur said with a sense of annoyance

"We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" Ori asked feeling disappointed.

Suddenly Bilbo, Sousa and Jarvis appeared, as Bilbo held up the ring of keys which Sousa gave to him.

"Not stuck in here, you're not!" Biblo said with a sense of accomplishment.

Thorin and the other dwarves jumped up in surprise as Bilbo made sure his Ring was in his pocket.

"Bilbo! Agent Sousa! Mr. Jarvis!" Balin exclaimed

As the dwarves exclaimed in surprise, Bilbo began to shush them as Jarvis did the same while Sousa kept an eye out for the guards.

"Shhh! There are guards nearby!" Bilbo whispered

"So let us refrain from talking should we best avoid our heads getting chopped off" Jarvis added.

Bilbo unlocking Thorin's cell lets him out as he then proceeded to let all the dwarves out of their various cells, as they chuckled gleefully at their good fortune. Some of the dwarves then started walking in a certain direction.

"The stairs. You first. Ori!" One of the Dwarfs said

"Not that way, down here. Follow me." Bilbo said as everyone except Sousa and Jarvis were confused knowing of Bilbo's risqué plan that he formulated before they came here.

Bilbo then proceeded to lead the dwarves through the Woodland Realm, as began they whisper indistinctly. They then began to sneak through the halls of the Woodland Realm, eventually finding themselves in the wine cellar from before. The elves there were now sound asleep around a table, with several empty bottles of wine in front of them as Bilbo led the dwarves and two of the trio further in.

"This way." Bilbo said ordering them to following

"I don't believe it; we're in the cellars!" Kili exclaimed

The dwarves suddenly began to get mad at Bilbo.

"You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur yelled

"I know what I'm doing!" Bilbo replied a little too loud

"Shhh!" Bofur reprimanded almost forgetting he caused Bilbo to speak louder.

"This way." Bilbo ordered again hoping this time they would listen.

They then snuck into a large room in which several barrels were stacked sideways down the middle of the room as all the barrels have one end open. They then noticed Peggy was there in what looked to be an Elven maid outfit as she held up one of the empty bottles of wine.

"Well I guess these Elves don't rival everything that the super soldier serum has to offer." Peggy said looking at it and remembering what Steve told her about how he couldn't get drunk do to the serum's effect on him.

The Dwarves were all relieved to see Peggy but confused by her attire.

"Why are you dressed like that Miss Carter?" Ori asked in confusion.

"I'm Solas, Lady Elf and keeper of the wine." Peggy said with a hint of playfulness in her voice while putting on her best Elven tone of voice.

The Dwarves said nothing as she then explained further slightly annoyed they didn't get that she was acting.

"I distracted these pointy ear sods while Mr. Jarvis and Chief Sousa got the keys." Peggy explained to the still confused Dwarves

They then all exclaimed "Oh" as Peggy then began to take parts of the outfit off that she didn't need.


Meanwhile the Elven guards then arrived at the Cells noticing them empty.

"They're gone" One Elf exclaimed


"Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!" Bilbo ordered frantically.

"Are you mad?! They'll find us!" Dwalin exclaimed in disbelief

"No, no, they won't, I promise you. Please, please, you MUST trust me!" Bilbo ordered

The dwarves mill around, as they tried to decide. They began hear a commotion in the distance.

"Do as he says!" Thorin ordered as they all quickly got into position.

Each of the dwarves then climbed into a barrel as Bilbo walked along with Peggy and Jarvis, counting to make sure all the dwarves have been accounted for with Sousa watching to make sure nobody was coming as he then joined them.

"What do we do now?" Bofur asked

All the dwarves then stick their heads out of their barrels and watch Bilbo walking toward a lever in the ground.

"Hold your breath." Bilbo said plainly

"Hold my breath? What do you mean?" Bofur asked confused but couldn't find time to ponder it at what happened next.

"Wait there aren't any barrels left how are we supposed to get..." Jarvis was about to ask but he couldn't finish.

Bilbo then pulled the lever, as the part of the floor that the barrels were on began tilting downward into an opening as the barrels rolled out the opening and fall several feet into a river that runs beneath the Woodland Realm with trio falling as well as they began swimming careful not to be hit by the falling barrels. The dwarves begin to yell as they fall, as the barrels make loud thumping noises. The elves sleeping around the table stir and begin to wake up while Bilbo triumphantly looks around, then realising that he forgot to get out himself, and that the trap door has now closed.


Tauriel strides up to the empty cells and address the other elven guards.

"Where is the keeper of the keys?" Tauriel asked with no hesitation.

In the cellar, Bilbo was frantically running back and forth and stomping on the ground, trying to make the floor tip again. Tauriel and her elves were now running toward the cellar.

"Tolo hi!" ("Come now!)" Tauriel ordered as they followed her.

Just as Tauriel and the guards managed to get to the cellar, the floor tipped as Bilbo falling into the river and yelling manages to surfaces and grab onto Nori's barrel. Thorin and the company, still in their barrels, have been waiting for him as have Peggy, Jarvis and Sousa who were now floating in the water.

"Well done, Master Baggins." Thorin complimented

"You're quick thinking has saved us again." Jarvis added

Bilbo, half drowned, waved his hand in thanks while managing to splutter out a word.

"Go." Bilbo said almost out of breath.

"Come on, let's go." Thorin ordered

The dwarves begin to paddle with their hands as the river pulls their barrels along while Peggy, Sousa and Jarvis follow, Sousa deciding to follow Bilbo's lead decided to hang onto a barrel in case his leg slows him down while the elves were rushing along passages in the Woodland Realm to try and stop them. The dwarves and trio eventually emerged into the sunlight, as Thorin noticed a waterfall right in front of them.

"Hold on!" Thorin yelled

"Never in my life have I wanted to follow an order so quickly sir!" Jarvis said as he and Peggy also hung onto a barrel belong to the Dwarves each so that they would survive.

The dwarves, Peggy, Sousa, Jarvis, Bilbo, and the barrels plunge through the rapids, then floating swiftly down the raging river. Legolas, followed by other elves, emerges and sees them them floating away as he called out an order in the Elven language.

"Holo in-annon!" ("Shut the gate!)" Legolas ordered

An elf with him blows on a horn; as the dwarves and trio round a corner in the river, as they see a guardpost built above the river. The heavily armored elves standing guard there hear the horn and come to attention; one of them pulling a lever, which causes a heavy metal sluice gate to block the river. The dwarves in their barrels come to a stop at the gate, unable to float further as the trio and Bilbo still hang on.

"No!" Thorin shouted.

The barrels piled into each other as the elven guards draw their swords, but one is suddenly shot in the back with a black arrow. Several growling orcs were suddenly swarming over the guardpost, killing the elves. Multitudes of orcs run in from the bushes, with Bolg.

"Watch out! Those are orcs!" Bofur yelled out

"Gorid! Zib! Goridug!" ("Slay them all!") Bolg ordered his troops

With that order the orcs began throwing themselves at the dwarves in their barrels; Bilbo managing to kill one with Sting, and Dwalin elbowing another in the face while Peggy grabs one and snaps its neck and throws it into the water drowning it. Kili looking up sees the lever the elven guard had pulled earlier. He manages to get out of his barrel, running up the stairs towards the lever. Unarmed, he ducked as an Orc swung at him.

"Kili!" Dwalin called for him

Dwalin, who had managed to grab a sword from one of the elves or orcs, throws it to Kili, who then fights his way to the top of the stairs. As Kili fights an orc, another one leaps up from behind him, raising its spear to stab him. Fili throwing a short sword or dagger manages to kill the orc, allowing Kili to fight his own opponent and kill it. Bolg, noticing Kili, pulls his bow and arrows from his back. As Kili reaches for the lever, Bolg fires an arrow, which hits Kili in the calf. Kili stops short, panting.

"Kili!" Fili cried in alarm.

Kili groaning in pain strains to pull the lever, but falls over onto his back. Bolg strings another arrow. Thorin looks shocked as do the trio, Peggy wanting to get out and help.

"Kili." Thorin said shocked and alarmed.

With his prey down and nobody to stop him an orc leapt over to kill Kili, but an arrow suddenly flew into its head. Kili looked over and saw Tauriel running through the bushes as she shot another orc, then killing others with her knife.

"Gor'-ash! Gor golginul! " ("Kill her! Kill the She-Elf!)" Bolg ordered angered that his men were being killed.

Several orcs rush at Tauriel as Legolas and other elves appear from the bushes and shoot them down. As Tauriel, Legolas, and the other elves fight the orcs, Kili manages to grab the lever and pull it, opening the sluice get and letting the dwarves in their barrels through as the trio and Bilbo continue to hang on. He then falls on his back again in pain. The dwarves in barrels fall down another waterfall and float down the river as Bolg sees them.

"Khozdayin obguryash! Abgurid!" ("After them!") Bolg ordered not wanting to let their primary target to get away.

"Kili!" Fili cried out hoping his brother could get out in time.

Kili however manages to slide himself off the ledge and into his empty barrel below in the nick of the time, and as he lands in it, the shaft of the arrow in his leg breaks off on the edge of the barrel. Tauriel distractedly looked over at him before being attacked by an orc, but managed to kill the orc. The remaining dwarves, trio and Bilbo plunged over the waterfall and continue floating down the rushing river, as Bolg and his orcs follow the river on land.

The dwarves try to paddle and steer with their hands, but to no avail; the river is running too wild. As they come to a narrow part of the river, orcs on either side begin shooting arrows at them. Meanwhile, back at the guardpost, Tauriel continues fighting orcs, Legolas leaping to the top of the guardpost as well.

In the river, an orc leapt at Thorin in his barrel, but he managed to kill it with a sword he grabbed earlier. Another tried to attack Peggy but she punched it as it is fell near Sousa who then wacked it with his crutch into the river, drowning it. Tauriel, Legolas, and the other elves ran after the orcs chasing the dwarves, shooting them. An orc jumped from an overhanging tree branch toward Balin, but Thorin throwing his sword pinned the orc to the tree; as the orc dropped its weapon, Thorin manages to catch it while floating beneath him, and he throws back to Bombur, who throws it to Nori, who throws it to Fili, who eventually kills an orc with it. An orc leaps onto Dwalin barrel, only for Dwalin to headbutt it off and steal its axe. The dwarves see a low-hanging tree branch stretched across the river in front of them, with several orcs on it.

"Cut the log!" Thorin yelled

As he floats under it, Thorin hits it with his sword, then Bofur hits it with his weapon, and Dwalin, right behind him, hits the branch with his axe, breaking it and causing the orcs on it to fall into the river. Bilbo manages to climb atop a floating barrel as Peggy, Sousa and Jarvis follow him in doing the same.

"Bombur!" Dwalin called out

Dwalin throws his axe to Bombur, who kills an orc that had just jumped onto his barrel. The Orc's spear ends up pinning it to an overhanging tree branch; the other end of the spear catches onto Bombur's barrel and catapults it through the air and onto the riverbank, where the barrel rolls and tramples multitudes of orcs. The barrel flips through the air to the other side of the river, where it tramples more orcs. Eventually, the barrel comes to a stop, and orcs surround it; however, Bombur kicks out the bottom, then sticks his arms holding axes through the sides. He then starts spinning rapidly with the axes extended, mowing down all the orcs around him. He then runs toward the river, tosses his axe to one of the floating dwarves, then gracefully jumps into an empty barrel.

"Good show Mr. Bombur" Jarvis called out.

"We can save complimenting the impressive death defying stunts later Mr. Jarvis." Peggy said reminding him of the situation they were in.

Meanwhile, Legolas, Tauriel, and the other elves have caught up to the dwarves and orcs, and they fight the orcs. At one point, Legolas leaps over the river and lands with a foot on the heads of two dwarves, from this vantage point, he shoots orcs on either riverbank. He aims carefully, and manages to skewer two orcs through the head with one arrow. Legolas continues fighting orcs, using the heads of floating dwarves as stepping stones to get across the river. While he is preoccupied fighting an orc, another orc runs up behind him and raises its sword to kill him;

"Well now that's impressive" Jarvis said witnessing this display.

"Feels more like show boating" Sousa added not impressed at the Elf who looked like he was showing off.

Thorin, from his barrel in the river, throws his sword and manages to kill the orc behind Legolas. Legolas and Thorin look at each other with some sort of understanding; Legolas stops pursuing them as the dwarves continue floating down the river. It seems like all the orcs are dead. However, as Legolas watches the dwarves float away, an orc draws its bow and aims at him; it shoots, but its arrow is suddenly deflected in the air by Tauriel's own arrow. As Legolas spins around in surprise, Tauriel attacks the orc and forces it to its knees. Just before she can decapitate it with her knife, Legolas stops her.

"Tauriel! Dartho! Ú-no hono. Ho hebo cuin." ("Tauriel! Wait! This one we keep alive.") Legolas ordered realising they needed answers for this attack.

Bolg and his remaining orcs not feeling concerned continue chasing the dwarves.

"Ban khozdai-go! Sha-mogi obguryash!" ("After them! Cut them off!") Bolg ordered his troops.

Legolas stares after the dwarves and trio for a second, then turns and heads back toward the Woodland Realm. Tauriel watches the dwarves and trio floating away, being chased by orcs catching a glimpse of the soaked but still determined to fight if she needs too Peggy, and looks conflicted as to whether or not she should follow them or Legolas.


Author's Note: So yeah that ended up being longer then I thought but I think it was a fun chapter to write. I couldn't really find a good place to stop as to how to divide the time in the Woodland realm into two chapters at the least so I had it be the one chapter with the chase and escape making an exciting end and good cliffhanger. Admittedly the barrel chase was hard to write in regards to getting Peggy and her friends involved but hopefully I think I did it well. I actually re-watched the scene again on YouTube just so I can make sure my visual reference from the script I'm following lined up. The scene was fun and while it is in the book because of how it's extended with the battle it is basically an excuse to go crazy with the CGI and do stunts that would defy the laws of physics and feels like a commercial for a theme park ride I'm still waiting for but I enjoy it anyway.

However I couldn't resist a jab at Legolas's defying the laws of physics stunts because even people who like the movies (my opinion is that they are entertaining while I was glad to see them made I don't think they will match the Lord Of The Ring's legacy but then again that is hard to top) will tell you that those stunts just became really silly by this point and it probably won't be the last time I'll do so. Also I hope the conversation with Thranduil was satisfying and didn't feel too out of character for everyone involved. And I couldn't also resist using another British insult from Peggy and I decided to use the one from Season 2 that she used on Hugh Jones (Ray Wise) because I thought it fit the best in describing Thranduil. Some people have asked me whether I would add extended edition scenes to this story and because I'm following a script reference that doesn't have them I probably will only use them if I can find a way to do so or if I feel they were necessary to the story and felt they shouldn't have been cut and so I'll reinstate them if I can (there's a particular scene with Thranduil I found on YouTube as well that wasn't even in the Extended Edition that'll be one of those which I hinted at here but I won't say in case you haven't seen it).

Also I know some people were probably expecting Peggy and Tauriel to have more of a conversation and I wanted it to happen here but I couldn't find a place to put it that it would work right now and even then as I thought about it more it felt too early to do so as she is only just going through her phase of being conflicted with two people she cares about (something Peggy is all too familiar with if you've seen Agent Carter Season 2) so I figured it was best wait for that but it will happen so I changed her reason for leaving as that she was using one of her many disguises ploys to distract the Elves while Sousa and Jarvis got the keys. Sorry you didn't get to see that I enjoy Peggy's disguises as much as anyone but I can only do so much. Again if there are any errors I will go back and fix them when I can. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you want me to start addressing your comments in the beginning of these then I'll do so if I can answer it. This is your friend Steve993 and I'll see ya next time.