Hello everyone! This chapter was actually hard to write. I wanted to get from point A to point B smoothly, but I was too anxious to get the last part in. I have a tumblr account for this series now! You can go on to my author page and look it up! I have only a few things posted at the moment, but there will be more to come if anyone is interested in the account. There, I will maybe talk about my music choices and other things of that nature. Anyway, thanks to all those who have read, reviewed, and added this fic to their alerts and favorites! Let me know if there are any bad grammar mistakes or anything you can think of. I do not own the Hobbit. Enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen
Vivian took a seat on the bed as soon as Tauriel left. She didn't lock the door, but Vivian didn't want to anger her host already. Rowan had been separated from her and Vivian hoped that the elves took care of her. Even after going to Rivendell, Rowan was in pain. Perhaps it was the spider attack that stirred her bruised ribs, but Vivian wanted to see her best friend.
After a few hours, there was a knock on her door and it was Tauriel. She looked slightly younger than when Vivian first met her when she came to Mirkwood with Legolas for the first time.
"I was instructed to guide you to the room we have placed your friend," Tauriel said and led the way. Vivian would be able to walk to Rowan's room on her own as soon as she knew where the elves had placed Rowan. She was in one of the guest rooms that Vivian had stayed in when she first came to Mirkwood with Legolas. He had to convince his father that Vivian was his mate.
Rowan was lying on her back with her shirt pulled up. A healer sat at her bedside and looked up when Vivian entered. Vivian said a silent thanks to Tauriel and the elven warrior left to attend to her duties. The healer got up from the chair at Rowan's bedside and closed the door as she left. Slowly, Rowan stirred and looked at Vivian with a slight smile.
"You seem fine to me," Vivian mused and took the healer's chair.
"I am fine, but the healers insist that I rest. My ribs are worse than they were," Rowan said quietly and Vivian nodded.
"You look worried," Vivian noted, recognizing the look on Rowan's face.
"I'm worried about the dwarves. Thorin is stubborn and he won't give up the details of the quest because he has a quarrel with Thranduil," Rowan explained and Vivian eyed her strangely.
"How did you come to that conclusion?" Vivian wondered.
"Were you paying any attention to what Thorin and Thranduil were arguing about?" Rowan inquired and Vivian bowed her head, "I take it you were ogling Legolas."
"It's not my fault we ran into him. I just have to keep calm and not tell him my real name," Vivian decided and Rowan rolled her eyes. It wouldn't be that easy to avoid Legolas for Vivian.
"Just stick with me and I'll keep you out of trouble," Rowan cautioned her and Vivian sighed.
As soon as Rowan was feeling up to it, she got up and explored with Vivian as her tour guide. The elves who walked the halls eyed the girls carefully and Vivian would give them a smile before ushering Rowan away. As they rounded a corner, Tauriel faced them.
"The Elvenking wishes a word with you both," Tauriel said and Vivian nodded, looping her arm through Rowan's. The girls then proceeded to follow Tauriel to the throne room.
"My name will be Helena," Vivian whispered and Rowan nodded.
"Mine will be Cerwyn," Rowan muttered and the girls were content with their false names.
Tauriel led them into the throne room and walked over to stand by Thranduil. The Elvenking eyed the girls carefully as they approached and Vivian took a breath. She had to get over the fact that she stood before her father-in-law, but he wasn't her father-in-law quite yet.
"What were you doing wandering my wood in a company of dwarves?" Thranduil wondered in a kind tone and Rowan looked at her feet. She didn't know how to answer the question in a way that wouldn't upset him.
"We came by the dwarves on our way. They helped us and we traveled with them," Vivian stated and Rowan scanned the Elvenking's face.
"Do you know where they travel to?" Thranduil wondered, his gaze settling on Rowan.
"They didn't deem us important to know," Rowan lied. She was convincing because Thranduil didn't question her further.
"What are you names?" Thranduil wondered and Vivian decided to go first.
"I'm Helena from Ithilien," Vivian lied and bowed to the Elvenking.
"I'm Cerwyn and I hail from Rohan," Rowan stated and bowed like Vivian.
"What brings you through Mirkwood?" Thranduil questioned.
"We were on our way to Gondor to visit friends. Cerwyn and I were in Bree when the dwarves helped us," Vivian said confidently and Thranduil believed her.
"Seeing as you are alleviated of dwarves, I insist you remain here as my guests," Thranduil said and the girls nodded. He had Tauriel escort the girls back to their rooms and after the elf maiden left, Vivian snuck into Rowan's room.
"I can't believe we're staying here," Vivian muttered and Rowan shrugged.
"Where in the world is that hobbit?" Rowan whispered and Vivian thought about it for a few moments.
"He probably slipped away," Vivian assumed, but Rowan shook her head.
"No, I think he's around here somewhere," Rowan mused and suddenly there was a light knock on her door. Vivian opened the door and there was no one there. She turned around to look at Rowan, but the door was pushed opened and Bilbo suddenly appeared.
"I thought I would never find you both," Bilbo said and Vivian gave him a smile.
"How did you get through the hall unseen?" Vivian wondered and Rowan rolled her eyes.
"This isn't the time or place to discuss this. Bilbo, have you seen the dwarves?" Rowan wondered and the hobbit nodded.
"They're in individual cells. I couldn't find Thorin and I haven't spoken to them," Bilbo explained and Rowan nodded. She made a mental note to try to visit the dwarves.
"We need to figure how to get out of here," Rowan whispered and Bilbo nodded.
"I will continue to explore to find a way out," Bilbo replied and said his goodbyes.
Shortly after Bilbo left, an elf knocked on the door. He said that the girls were invited to dine with Thranduil. Vivian accepted the invitation and was informed that someone would retrieve them for dinner. After he left, Rowan turned to Vivian.
"You should probably get back to your room. I want to take a nap," Rowan stated and Vivian obliged, silently wondering what had Rowan so quiet.
X_X_X
The elves dressed the girls in finery seeing as Thranduil invited them to dine. Vivian, knowing the kingdom, found Rowan instantly.
"I think Thranduil wants everyone to know where you hail from," Vivian noted as Rowan turned. Her gown was a dark green color with accents of yellow and red: the colors of Rohan.
"They took my other clothes from me," Rowan stated, looking at the floral pattern on her underskirt.
"I assured one of the elves that I'd lead you into the hall," Vivian mentioned and led Rowan there.
Laughter filled the halls as the girls entered. Thranduil stood and gestured for the girls to sit at his side.
"You both look lovely," Thranduil noted and Vivian nodded with a smile. Rowan stayed quiet, eating a bit throughout dinner. The fact that the dwarves were being held as prisoners worried Rowan. Vivian ook notice of it and shot her a dark look.
"Are you alright?" Vivian wondered quietly and Rowan sighed.
"King Thranduil, would it be too much trouble to ask if I could speak with your prisoners. I would beg them to tell you what you wish to know," Rowan offered and Thranduil pondered her request for a few moments.
"If you can persuade them, I will agree to your request," Thranduil decided and motioned for a guard to escort her.
When Rowan reached the cells, she pleaded with her escort to leave her. He did as she bid as one of the prison guards greeted her.
"Which of your prisoners are injured most severely?" Rowan inquired and the guard gestured to four cells spread throughout.
"Shall I bring healing supplies, my lady?" the guard inquired.
"Yes, I would be grateful," Rowan replied and watched as the guard went to fetch the supplies. As she waited, Rowan stood where she was. She thought back to what she would be doing in Gondor had it not been for the palantir. The guard returned and placed a hand on Rowan's shoulder to bring her out of the daze she was in.
"Here you are, my lady," the guard stated and gave Rowan the supplies. He then opened the first cell door. In it, Rowan saw Kili.
The young dwarf looked up at his guest and tried to sit up.
"No, don't do that," Rowan cautioned him, "you don't need to exert yourself."
"Why did you come?" Kili wondered in a tired voice.
"I was worried for all of you," Rowan said and the guard brought in a candle for Rowan to see better by before leaving her. She wiped the blood from his face and then smiled.
"Thank you," Kili muttered and Rowan patted his arm.
"My son always comes inside with dirt on his face. I always insist on washing it off," Rowan recalled and Kili frowned.
"Do you miss your son?" Kili wondered and Rowan looked down. She did miss Éodred and Éadlin greatly.
"Yes, but I will return to both my children soon. I'm confident in that fact," Rowan assured him and Kili cleared his throat.
"You look beautiful," Kili noted and Rowan grinned at the comment.
"Thank you. Once you're free of the grime, you'll look quite dashing yourself," Rowan replied and stood.
"If you see Fili, tell him I'm alright," Kili requested and Rowan agreed.
The guard let Rowan out when she stood at the entrance of the cell and directed her to the next cell that inhabited Fili. He gave her the best smile he could muster and Rowan held the candle to his face to examine his injuries.
"You look miserable," Rowan noted and Fili smirked.
"And you are lovely," Fili replied and Rowan stifled a giggle.
"Your brother told me something similar. He wanted to let you know he was alright," Rowan said, cleaning the blood from Fili's arms and face.
"Thank you, Rowan. We were worried for you with the elves," Fili said and Rowan smiled at the idea.
"I was worried for all of you as well. Don't worry, Vivian and I will think of some way to get you out," Rowan assured him with a whisper. She kissed his cheek before letting the guard direct her to another cell.
In the other cell was Bofur. His hat was lying on the ground next to him and Rowan sighed.
"Why did you come, lass?" Bofur wondered, looking up at Rowan.
"I came to take care of all of you, as you've taken care of me on the journey," Rowan explained and scanned the dwarf's face.
"You're very kind," Bofur replied and Rowan helped get the grime off his face.
"Do you know how the others are faring? I've only see Fili and Kili," Rowan mentioned, but Bofur shook his head.
"We don't know where Thorin is. I'd imagine he's somewhere else," Bofur mused and Rowan nodded in understanding.
"I'll try to find him. Perhaps I'll be able to visit again," Rowan hoped and Bofur smiled.
"Be careful, lass," he cautioned and the guard led Rowan out.
The last cell was further away and separated from the others. Rowan was astonished to find Thorin slumped against the wall. She quietly approached and put the candle down nearby. He loked up slowly and his eyes lit up upon realizing it was Rowan.
"Why are you here?" Thorin wondered and Rowan plunged a cloth into a bucket of water. She wiped the blood from his face and took notice of the cuts he bore from the skirmish with Azog.
"The elves invited Vivian and me to fine. I was struck by worry for you and your company, so I insisted to visit," Rowan explained.
"Are the others well?" Thorin wondered and Rowan shrugged.
"I've only seen your nephews and Bofur. Maybe I can see them later," Rowan figured and looked through the healing supplies the guard gave her, "If only there were band aids in Middle Earth."
"What is that?" Thorin inquired, confused.
"It's nothing-well, I suppose I could tell you. Vivian and I are strange, you know that. Neither of us were born in Middle Earth. We're from another world," Rowan explained and Thorin scanned her face.
"Why didn't you return to your world?" Thorin wondered in reply and Rowan smiled.
"We fell in love and refused to leave. I think we liked Middle Earth too much," Rowan mused, examining something in a jar, "I guess this might heal your wounds."
As Rowan opened the jar, Thorin stopped her.
"Do you think it's poisoned?" Rowan wondered with a brow raised. She knew he distrusted the elves.
"Why did you join our quest?" Thorin asked and Rowan sighed, thinking about her answer.
"We want to help you regain Erebor and after you have your mountain, Vivian and I will go back to our families," Rowan repled and checked the consistency of the jar's contents. It was a cream colored salve and Rowan assumed it had some sort of healing capability.
"No, I'll be fine," Thorin insised and Rowan put the salve back where she found it.
"I'll try to come back. The elves king believes I came here to persuade you to tell him your business, but I know the request will be useless. Don't tell him anything," Rowan muttered under her breath and then stood. She gathered the healing supplies and gave Thorin a smile. Then, she left the cell. Her escort returned.
"My lady, King Thranduil would like a word," the escort said and Rowan returned the healing supplies to the guards.
Was it alright? I really really wanted Rowan to visit them. I believe Bilbo searched for a way out for two weeks, but I will check my book. Next chapter will be up next weekend like always (or until school lets up). Until next time!