A/N: So, just a quick thank you as usual to those that have followed along faithfully. You guys already know you're the best, I'm sure. ;)

And as always, feel free to send a PM my way, or review and let me know what you think. Enjoy, my dearies! :-*

As for the next chapter, more details will be given about Rhu and her younger years (like her birth and living with the elves...) So stay tuned! :)

Chapter Fourteen: Captive

"It was a struggle, but worth it." Bilbo crept underneath the trees, keeping his keen eyes on the spiders above. If it hadn't been for his ring, they would have surely seen him and hung him up with the rest of the company. The hobbit was already fearing the worst as his eyes moved to the bundles that were strung up, all of them motionless.

"What nassssty thick skins they have for sure," one spider hissed. "I'll wager there is good juice inside."

"Aye, they'll make fine eating," another chimed in. "Once they've hung for a bit."

Bilbo continued his sneaking, panic running through his body when the spiders then spoke of killing the dwarves. And he felt his heart jump when one of the spiders claimed them to already be dead.

"Nah, I saw one strugglin' just now! I'll show you!" The spider, an ugly and fat creature, hurried along the rope that stretched out across the trees, until he was just above the biggest of the bundles. Poor Bombur, no doubt, thought Bilbo, nearly shrieking out as the spider began to nip at the nose that poked out. A squeal came from within, and Bombur kicked at the spider, sending the beast flying from the branch. It caught itself on a thread and hissed loudly as the others laughed.

"The meat's alive! And kicking!" they laughed, eliciting another hiss from the spider. "I'll put an end to that," the angry creature said as it climbed back up the tree.

Bilbo knew what was soon to happen. If he did not act, the spiders would sure kill the dwarves. And Rhu as well. Bilbo felt guilt seep in, wishing he hadn't lost them in the forest. All he could do now was make up for it. The Halfling had just gathered several stones in his hands when he saw that the angry spider had made its way back to Bombur, intent on killing the dwarf.

He drew back his arm and launched a stone, knocking the spider cleanly off of the bundle and back to the ground. The creature's legs curled as it hit, and Bilbo knew he'd struck true enough. The others hissed wildly, looking down to see what had happened. It allowed Bilbo to hurl another stone in their direction, striking another spider on the head.

The spiders were both excited and angry all at the same time as they came running down from their webs, unable to see Bilbo. The hobbit had already scrambled off to another spot, and continued throwing the stones. His plan was proving to be useful, as he led the spiders away from the unconscious dwarves.

It only enraged them more when he began to sing, "Attercop! Attercop! Won't you stop, stop your spinning and look for me!"

Fili had already begun to stir, and hearing a voice singing out off in the distance brought the blonde dwarf fully out of his slumber. "What in Durin's name?" he whispered to himself, struggling against the webs of the spider cocoon. The last he could recall, he was nearly asleep, with Rhunia in his arms. Fili felt his chest tighten, remembering that she had been pulled from him. He wanted to call out for her, and if he didn't think the spiders would return, he would. And it wasn't until he heard the hissing that he really began to worry.

The cocoon shook about and ripped apart slowly. Fili then saw Bilbo standing before him with his little sword, which the hobbit now called Sting. He helped Fili out of the spider string and onto the branch. "Thank you, Master Bilbo!" Fili exclaimed, taking in slow breaths. "Where are the others? Where is Rhu?"

Bilbo waved his hand, trying his best to calm the dwarf. "We have to get them out," he said, pointing to the other bundles that hung. As Bilbo moved to cut the others out, so did Fili. He pulled a knife from his belt and sunk it in to a bundle.

"Kili!" he said, pulling at the string to free his brother.

They managed to free a few of the others as quickly as they could. Poor Bombur was already exhausted from being bitten and poked at, and he just fell from the branch onto the ground with a thud. Bilbo had gotten in such a hurry that he'd forgotten to slip his ring back on.

"Now we see you, you nasty little creature!" the spiders hissed as they caught sight of Bilbo. "We will eat you and leave your bones and skin hanging on a tree!"

Fili worked to free the other dwarves as Kili climbed a little higher, seeing one bundle a branch or two above them. Fili was so distressed at trying to find Rhu that he nearly growled when he ripped the last bundle open and saw that it was Ori. They were all free, and she was nowhere to be found. He'd almost given up until he heard Kili cry out.

"Fili, I need your help!"

Kili held to the branch the best he could, with his other arm secured loosely around Rhu. Her face was ghostly white and her eyes droopy as she tried to lift her head up to look at Kili. "What … what happened?" she asked, resting her head against Kili's shoulder. "Spiders," he replied, dancing his fingers across her side lightly, hoping she might laugh. Relief washed over him when she did manage a small smile.

"Hold on, squirt. We're going to get out of this." Kili lowered her as gently as he could into the waiting arms of his brother on the branch below. She would've thought it to be another dream, but it wasn't. Fili caught her and held her body tightly to his. She pushed lightly against his shoulder, unable to breath from the pressure. He loosened his grip and pulled back to look at her. "You're going to be alright. Just stay away. Stay with me, Rhu."

Rhu struggled to keep her eyes open, feeling the urge to sleep wash over her from the spider poison. "I hate spiders," she whispered, a crooked smile tugging at her lips.

"Come down, come down!" They all looked to see Bilbo on the ground with Bombur, swinging his sword to keep the spiders away from the dwarf. More spiders had gathered over head, and were already descending towards them.

They hurried down, the best they could, until they were all on the ground with Bilbo. "This way! We must hurry, or they will string us all up!" The Halfling stabbed his sword into a spider that leapt towards them, and the dwarves needed no more incentive to follow. Fili and Kili each wrapped an arm around Rhu and helped her as they all took off after Bilbo.

They were all still weakened from the poison of the spiders, thought that didn't stop them from trying to fight back. A few would turn on the occasion that the spiders got too close, and struck them with whatever they could get their hands on. But that didn't stop them from being overwhelmed. Bilbo was almost too tired to move, but knew he would have to reveal his secret and give the dwarves a chance to get away.

"I'm going to disappear," he said, huffing to catch his breath. "I shall draw the spiders off."

Rhu held tightly to Fili and Kili, looking strangely at Bilbo as he pulled out a golden ring. "Bilbo, wait," she gasped, not wanting the hobbit to leave them. He was becoming a dear friend, with more courage than any of them knew. Rhu's eyes widened as Bilbo slipped on his ring and was gone from their sight. Many of the dwarves gasped, until they heard his voice calling out from a distance. It worked, doing nothing but angering the spiders. Most of them took off after the voice, while a few followed on after the dwarves.

They stumbled through the forest, whacking at the few spiders and throwing stones when they got close enough. It all looked the same, with the same green glow as it had before. And they knew they couldn't run from the spiders forever. The dwarves were relieved when they heard Bilbo's voice sing out, causing the remaining spiders to turn and pursue him.

It wasn't a moment too soon, either. They all crashed down onto the ground, too exhausted to move another inch. They all laid in a circle on the ground, Rhu still firmly wedged between Fili and Kili. She felt her eyes drifting shut until they would shake her, begging her to stay away. "Please, my lady. We will be out of here soon enough," Fili whispered in her ear, even if it was a lie. They had no idea where the path was, or if they would find it again. There was no sign of Bilbo, and they feared him to be eaten by the spiders. Something else was off, Dwalin noticed. After a moment of looking at each of them, he finally broke the silence. "Where is Thorin?"

They all sat up slowly and looked around, noticing that Thorin was indeed missing from the company. They hadn't noticed any more bundles before, knowing that they hadn't left him behind with the spiders. Unless he'd already been eaten… Many of them wanted to cry out, for now they were without a leader and they were truly lost.

And worse than that, they were no longer alone. Light surrounded them, and several elves rushed from the forest. They aimed their bows at the dwarves, who were in no shape for a fight. Many of them were able to pull themselves up from the ground. Two more elves joined them, only they were on horseback.

Fili held tightly onto Rhu as he watched the elves. They were all on their feet now, and he kept his arm firmly around her waist to help her stand.

"What is it that you're doing in our King's woods?" an elf with red hair spoke. "Speak!"

No one spoke up, much to the annoyance of the female elf, though she did not show it. Rolling her eyes, the elf known as Tauriel said, "Very well. We shall have to take you with us." She spoke something in elvish quietly to the others before turning her gaze back on the dwarves. "Bind their hands, and cover their eyes."

And so they did. Each of the dwarves had their hands tied, and their eyes covered. When an elf reached for Rhu, Fili growled. He pulled her away, glaring up at the red-headed elf. "She is unable to walk! She is not of our kind, so you could at least show a little compassion." Kili said as they bound his hands, glancing over at his brother.

Tauriel looked over to the blonde elf, shrugging her shoulders. He had an almost soft smile on his face, piercing blue eyes connecting with those of the woman who was among the dwarves. With a nod, he turned back to the female elf and said, "She will ride with you, Tauriel."

With that, two elves reached again for Rhu, only to be nudged away by Fili. He knew she was in a bad way from the spiders, and would be fine after some rest. But he would not allow the elves to put their hands on her, to touch her. He wanted her to remain by his side, whether he had to carry her the rest of the way himself or not. The blonde dwarf's eyes blazed with fury as the elves aimed their bows at him.

"Please, brother. Let them take her," Kili said, pleading with his brother. "She will be fine."

Reluctantly, Fili released the woman and allowed the elves to hoist her up onto the horse with Tauriel. He grumbled as his eyes were covered, cursing them under his breath.

And so, they were led through the dark forest until the crossed over a bridge and came to a stop at the opening of a large cave. The elves passed through the gates with their prisoners, and all the while, the dwarves had no idea that Thorin had already been captured and was a prisoner … or that their hobbit had been following along quietly the entire time, unseen and unheard.