Takai looked down at her leg as she rested on her bed. The Prince, Legolas, showed her enough proof to give her the courage to let him help with the dwarfs' escape. That included having him meet her invisible hobbit, Bilbo. Yet it seemed that Bilbo had thought of the barrel and the river idea. She mused over the conversation when Bilbo said he was grateful that Thorin was in the cell when he announced that idea.

Takai looked up as Legolas entered the room. She almost laughed at his redden face due to the sight of her exposed leg. To save him from more exposure, she tugged the night gown back over her knee. "No need to feel ashamed for looking."

"Yes, well, for a leg exposed, it is only for her family's eyes." Legolas sat down in his usual spot, looking at the window where they saw the dark sky. "Your friend, he is here?"

Takai nodded. "He is here. He has mentioned that your father is hosting a gathering. What is he celebrating?"

"We are not blind; we can see what is going on in the forest. These gatherings are to keep our people hopeful." Legolas looked back to Takai with a faint smile.

"So tonight would be best?" Takai straightened but stopped when Legolas shook his head.

"It is tomorrow. Tonight is the brief preparations. If it was tonight, I would not be here and neither would you." Legolas looked to the night sky, but smiled to Takai. "Now, where is your friend?"

Takai relaxed against the pillows pressed against the headboard. She eyed Legolas carefully before closing her eyes a brief moment. "Alright; it is safe to come out." She looked to the sheer drapery by the window and watched Bilbo step out.

"So it seems that you didn't trust me enough to add me on your own conscious." Legolas mused, watching the hobbit walk towards them. "So you've been the one following me."

Bilbo cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I had to make sure you weren't planning on turning us over to your father." He gazed at Takai who nodded, she held a small smirk.

"Understandable." Legolas looked at the hobbit before returning his eyes to Takai. "I'm assuming this idea falls under the celebration for tomorrow evening?"

"Yes. I noticed that with the barrels, once you empty them, you place them down through a hole that drops into the river." Bilbo piped in, taking a seat at the edge of Takai's bed. "From the maps I've seen, the river leads straight to Laketown, which I believe was our next destination." He looked at Takai, breaking into a small grin. "However, I thought it was a joke when Takai first mentioned it until I saw it for myself."

"It is a great plan, and the river does go to Laketown. The barrels are for the people of Laketown, which is why we toss the empty barrels down the river." Legolas leaned back in his chair with a small smile, admiring the cleverness of the plan. "There will be plenty of drinking throughout the night. Also, if I remember correctly, our cellar guard likes to have a taste before each barrel goes out to the company. By the seventh barrel, he will be out." Legolas then leaned forward, his hands clasped together by Takai's bed.

"Then it is settled. Bilbo, it is up to you to get the key from the guard. Bring the dwarves to the kitchen. Legolas and I will be waiting for you there. Legolas, you will show me where you placed the weapons that belonged to those dwarves before we get to the cellar." Takai looked from Bilbo to Legolas. When Bilbo nodded, she clasped his shoulder.

"You will be alright?" Bilbo questioned, looking to Takai's leg.

"The stitches will be out in the morning, and it has been a week. I can walk, I can dance. . ." Takai looked to Legolas. "I'm sure I can run." Takai looked back to the hobbit. "Tell the others that tomorrow, be prepared for a rescue."

"And Thorin? He will ask to see you. He's been asking for two days now." Bilbo interjected, glancing at Legolas before he focused his eyes on Takai.

"I will see him tomorrow at. . ."

"Midnight." Legolas affirmed.

Takai opened her closed eyes, looking into the bright blue eyes of the hobbit. "Midnight, for the escape." She assured, smoothing a brown curl from his forehead. "I promised him his sword. Tell him that if he begins to argue." She dropped her hand from his shoulder after a quick squeeze. "Rest and be safe." She watched as Bilbo looked at her before his shoulders slumped. He placed on the ring, disappearing before her eyes.

"You must rest as well." Legolas tilted his head as Takai turned to him. As he looked at her face, she seemed almost familiar; it was as if he had met her before. It was the way she held herself, stubborn pride with a mix of elegance found in the posture of elves. Her eyes were also different, a deep blue, like looking at the midnight sky, but bright enough to see the color. Cobalt blue, he thought. It was a rare eye color, even amongst the elves.

"Yes, you should rest as well. Your father or the servants may be suspicious of a scandal between you and me." Takai smirked, seeing Legolas return the look with one of his own.

"We could use that to our advantage." He shrugged nonchalantly as he stood. Even as he saw the amusement in her eyes, he looked down at her hand that held his.

"If I am to leave this world before peace comes between the dwarves and the elves, I beg of you to fix the balance. I know Thorin and Thranduil will have difficulty making peace between them." Takai looked up at the Prince, smiling faintly as he bowed over her hand.

"I will do my best, and let us let you live long enough to see that peace."

Bilbo snickered as Takai fussed with the outfit that was laid out for her for the evening festivity. A few minutes before, she ordered the maid to leave. Now that she was dressed, she was angrily busy with the accessories.

"If I hear one more snicker from you, I'm going to pierce your ears my little hobbit." Takai growled as she looked at Bilbo through the reflection of the mirror. The noise stopped but the grin held. She rolled her eyes as she clasped on the sapphire necklace before taking hold of the purple ribbon.

"He likes you." Bilbo pointed out as Takai began the weaving, he held out the silver ribbon when Takai turned to him. He looked over her dress, entirely not used to her being dressed like a woman. The amethyst colored dress held snug from the waist up, hugging her shoulders but fell into sheer, loose billowy sleeves. It also fell loose from her hips, making it easy for her to maneuver around, unless she stepped onto the extra fabric that made a small train. Instead of a round or square neckline he was used to finding her in, it was a deep v-line.

"Which he?" Takai asked as she took the silver ribbon, raising a brow as she began intertwining it in the braid with the purple ribbon.

"Legolas." Bilbo stated, raising both his brows when Takai shrugged. "You knew?"

"I had a feeling, but I wasn't completely sure. He keeps his emotions locked." Takai tied off the end of her braid which was slung over her left shoulder, with both ribbons. "He knows about Thorin though, and he purely thinks I'm an elf. Nothing else." Takai smiled slightly before looking at the door at the sound of knocking.

"My Lady Takai." Feminine and elvish rang through the door, and as Takai looked to the hobbit, he was gone.

"Come in." Takai glanced over as the maid came through. She warmed when she saw a sign of approval pass through Ghislain's green eyes, and Takai couldn't stop her own smile. "Did I pass some secret test?"

Ghislain chuckled as she stepped into the room, her green dress drifting as she came up to the Huntress. "More of settling a bet among the other servants. Some believed that you knew no more than how to dress up as a man. They will be shocked to see that you decorated yourself." She looked down at Takai, admiring the weaving. "But let us continue this conversation later, My Lady. Prince Legolas waits for you."

"Ghislain, it's Takai." Takai smiled gently before walking beside the maid. "I'm no more important that you." Takai glanced up at Ghislain, seeing the elf woman's smile before walking silently down the stone hall.

At the end of the hall, Takai found Legolas. He was speaking to no other than Thranduil, his father and King. Legolas's blue attire seldom matched his father's, but enough to show that he was Thranduil's son.

While Thranduil wore a silvery blue long over tunic and silver trousers, Legolas wore a deep midnight blue tunic with silver embroidery and wolf gray trousers. The son wore no crown while his father wore the wooded thorns with pride.

"My King and Prince Legolas." Ghislain curtsied, her eyes downcast before glancing at Takai, who curtsied as well.

"Thank you Ghislain for escorting our guest." Legolas smiled as he extended his arm to Takai. "But now, I must have the honor. Now, from this moment on, you are relieved of your duties tonight, go and enjoy."

"You are too generous, my son." Thranduil watched maid go off with eager steps, leaving them behind.

"The days grow darker in the forest, Father. Everyone should at least enjoy one of your gatherings." Legolas stated before looking down at Takai. "To a different topic, Father, this is Lady Takai."

Thranduil turned his gaze upon Takai before showing her a neutral smile to her raised brows. "The Huntress, I've heard many stories. There was always a wager among the races to know what you are. Many have confused you to be a dwarf or an elf. An elf I see, and an elf I hear. I'm honored to call you kin." He tilted his head in acknowledgement.

You have no idea how closely related I am to you. Takai thought but she tilted her head as well. "It is an honor of mine to just be in your presence."

Thranduil nodded. "Well, let us enjoy this night. But tell me, how have you come across the Woodland Wolves?"

Takai nodded, knowing well that question was whispered among the elves, but never brought up to her. So, placed between the King and Prince of the Woodland Realm, Takai began her short story of the wolves whose violent cousins were wargs. She lived outside of the forest but knew them from stories of Mirkwood. The giant spiders, when darkness in the world fell across the land, the spiders came to the forest only to rid the forest of its strongest protectors.

There were faint rumors that the Woodland Wolves, or among many called Woodland Wargs, they were crossing the Misty Mountains, and so she grew curious. Yet, it was not her who found the wolves, but it was in fact the complete opposite. The wolves had actually protected her from a large group of goblins that followed her from the caves of the mountains.

Bilbo listened to Takai's story, he himself truly at a wonder, piecing the puzzle together. Legolas and Thranduil, he saw, were amazed as well, but they could not know of the disaster that happened in those mountains. Now for all the books he had, he had never heard about the Woodland wolves; except for one story, but that was many years ago.

However, Bilbo did not continue following the trio. Instead, he took a different path, one that led to a group of shorter men with shorter tempers. He had yet to see one have a temper shorter than Takai's. Maybe Thorin.

Bilbo walked silently down the empty halls, dodging the occasional guard and straying servant. He wondered how Takai fared since she was in the company of the King. Yet, he wondered about Thorin as well. One would they were only mutually friendly, but otherwise at each other's throats. He would laugh at the thought of them together. Thorin was stoic and hard, rarely showing a smile. All the while, Takai had the compassion of a mother but the spunk of a teenage boy.

Bilbo stopped walking as he came to the guards' quarter by the dungeon. He stared at the door in thought; the two beings were complete opposites. He frowned, shaking his head as he leaned against the wall beside the door. Now that his head was clear, he listened for any other sounds. None came, except for the faint sounds of music and laughter that somehow flew through the cracks in the walls and into the stone palace.

With a steady breath, Bilbo opened the door just enough for him to fit through. The dungeon guard had his back to the door, his hands going over his sword in either a cleaning or sharpening manner. At this instant, at the sight of the single goblet, Bilbo clutched the small bottle tightly. He had one chance and he took it just as the elf went to reach for the drink.

It was not long after that Bilbo clutched the keys to the dungeon in his hands, running down the stone staircase. He reached the door with no problem, apart from a pounding heart. The door opened and closed behind him, bringing the eyes of the dwarves up to the entrance. At once, the ring slipped off.

"We must hurry. I dumped the whole bottle, but I don't know how long the guard will be sleeping." Bilbo ran to the cell and tried the key. He couldn't meet Thorin's eyes, even before he felt the key get stuck. He watched as calloused hands came up to his, shifting the key until a click echoed through the room. Instead of blue eyes, he saw Bofur's friendly brown eyes.

"Aye, we should hurry." Bofur agreed, pushing the cell door open and he, amongst the others, followed the young hobbit out of the dungeon.

And because of the gathering, the company had no trouble getting to the kitchen. However, going through the kitchen to the cellar would be another story. After all, the kitchen was where Takai and Legolas were supposed to meet them. Yet, the two were not in sight.

Bilbo glanced about, feeling his bones shaking from the nerves that were wracking through him from each passing second. They were safe for the moment, but he feared that one of the kitchen staff may come out of the kitchen and to the dark hallway where they hid. He listened to the voices of the dwarves murmur behind him before he saw Legolas, and the Prince saw him.

Immediately, Legolas spoke to the staff, drawing their attention to him. Bilbo took that moment to gather his nerves and steel them. Nevertheless, he froze when Legolas shot a simple glance in his direction. Wait. It was then Bilbo noticed that Takai was nowhere to be seen. He braved a glance and looked to Thorin before looking back at the Prince. Thorin's features were grim and a glare was focused on the elf Prince. Yet, now he watched the kitchen staffs leave in hurry, all giggling and chuckling going with them.

"Okay, Bilbo, go. I'll keep watch." Legolas spoke in a hushed tone as he came up to the group. He looked at the dwarf King when he placed a hand on the hobbit's arm.

"Where is she?" Thorin nearly growled out the words and it brought on a quick glare from the elf.

"I will not argue with you dwarf, but if you must ask, Lady Takai is being a very good distraction. She is saving your life, and will join you before you leave." Legolas's tone was soft but held a firm undertone. With a torn look on the King's face, Legolas watched the King and the dwarves follow the hobbit.

Bilbo quickly made his way to the cellar, the sound below quiet. With a nervous smile, he led the dwarves through. However, just as they were entering, he stopped at the sound of laughter, male laughter. He tilted his head, looking up at Legolas who joined, then peered around the corner. The guard of the cellar was laughing as he teetered over to the side, the laughter fading until it was immediately replaced by a thump when he fell off the chair. There, across from the guard on a chair, sat Takai holding a silver goblet of wine.

"And here I thought elves could hold their own when it came to wine." Takai mused, looking from the fallen guard to Bilbo.

Bilbo laughed before running over to the empty barrels, looking from Takai to the guard. "I don't suppose you're mainly responsible for emptying the barrels."

"No." Takai placed the goblet down before sliding off the wooden chair. Her eyes went to the group of dwarves who stood and stared. "Well don't just stand there, get over here and then get out."

Takai's words brought the dwarves into motion, each one helping another to get inside of an empty barrel. Legolas stood watch because of his better senses. They all mused at the joke of an idea that turned to reality. Thorin and the old veteran warriors were not particularly pleased. Takai, herself was last to be standing, making some grumble that a woman got to shove them into a river. However, that was not why Takai was the last, not when they saw her hand Gloin his ax.

With Legolas's help, Takai was able to give each of the dwarfs their weapons. Kili, receiving a new bow, one that was almost similar to Takai's white bow. When Takai reached Thorin, she smiled again when she saw her father's sword at his waist.

"I see that you have managed to not lose my sword." Takai smirked, feeling alight when Thorin's lips quirked up the slightest. "So, in good faith, I give you Orcist."

"Good faith." Thorin repeated as he unhooked the scabbard of her sword from his belt.

Takai took a step closer, one hand grasping Orcist while the other held onto the scabbard, a simple trade off, and she felt his fingers brush hers when Thorin took hold of Oricst. "Good faith." Takai mocked, looking into Thorin's pale blue eyes. It was irony that just before Thorin's lips fell onto hers that she pushed him, inside his barrel, down the hole and into the river.