Nori sat in front of the hearth of Bilbo's guest room in the Woodland Realm. The hobbit had placed a blanket around his shoulders and had given him a goblet of wine.

The dwarf shivered as he recounted all that had happened that night.

Bilbo pursed his lips at the end of Nori's dreadful tale. Thorin and the princes were his kin. Surely if he returned and told them the truth, that there was another, he wouldn't be held responsible.

He tried to reason with the anxious and nervous dwarf. "It was an honest trade, Nori." He put a careful hand on Nori's shoulder. "You couldn't have known it was laced with poison. It- It wasn't your fault. I'm sure if you explain, they'll see it really was an accident-"

"But I gave it to him!" came the outburst. "I didn't have to! I could have had some for myself and not even bothered in sharing! No one in that mountain would blasted care if I had died!"

Bilbo argued. "You know that would not be true. What about Ori and Dori?"

Nori looked like he wanted to pull out his hair as the hobbit wasn't even close to seeing things for what they really were. Like the halfling was stuck back in the Shire where things were far more peaceful and innocent than they were here.

His voice was sharp and desperate. "They could have moved on! But-" He shook his head greatly and clung to the material around his shoulders. "But a death of a prince! The murder of a prince! That is an unspeakable horror and outright tragedy that I have brought upon them!"

Bilbo saw his chance for Nori hadn't heard. "He-"

"Prince Kili survived," the voice of Thranduil beat him to it. The Elvenking appeared in the room with a look between being interested and not amused.

"What?" The dwarf's tense shoulders weakened and he lifted his head. He struggled not to be in awe of the news. Maybe he had heard wrong.

The elf drew closer. "I sent my best healer and he was able to save your prince. And as I understand it, he is recovering well."

Bilbo smiled encouragingly to Nori. "See? Your worry was all for nothing. He's fine!"

Nori felt relief for a mere moment then Bilbo had to speak. He looked at the innocent hobbit and shook his head. "But I committed treason, Bilbo. You don't understand. Our laws-"

"As stubborn as dwarves are, I'm sure if you're honest before your king or the real culprit has been caught," Thranduil surprised them both by speaking, "your punishment might not be so harsh. It might even be revoked."

Hearing those words from an experienced king, much less an elf, had Nori's hope rise for a bit. Then he grew worried again, "Oh, what am I going to do?"

Thranduil spoke calmly but firmly. "You're welcome to stay here for a few days, only a few days. I have regrettably heard the stubbornness of dwarves when lodging for a mere night from Mr Baggins here." He cringed as he recalled the hobbit talking his ear off on the journey to the Woodland Realm. "You have my permission to stay until you regain your strength. Then you must return to Erebor."

Nori blanched, recovered, then glanced at the hobbit who nodded encouragingly. "Thank you, King Thranduil. Yes, I will stay for a few days."

In the dungeons of Erebor, Stonehelm sat quaking in fear as the shadow appeared at the cell.

He had been brought in just that morning. Folks had said he had strangled another dwarf and shouted murderer for everyone to hear. He was told four others had to separate him from the poor dwarf.

But he couldn't remember doing such a thing. All he had remembered was seeing the eyes of the one he knew killed Brilin. The creature had been eyeing him firmly in the hall... then everything had gotten dark after that.

A lanky shadow loomed in the flickering firelight. He shuddered as its feet stopped just from view. Its face was hidden by the shadows.

Stonehelm let out a scream of a madman. He cowered and his shoulders shook fearfully. "What do you want?" he asked hurriedly, fear full in his voice. "I don't want any visitors!"

"I am not a visitor."

"Who are you then?"

"My name does not matter. What matters is-" He chuckled a bit. "Did you receive my gift? You know, the one of your slave, your fellow conspirator? The one I left outside the stables that day?"

The dwarf shrunk against the cell wall. He tried to disappear.

His visitor continued. "That was quite a scene you pulled off in the hall earlier." He sounded as if Stonehelm had thoroughly amused him. "I almost believed you were actually going mad.

"Was that also part of the plan?"

Stonehelm flinched. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"No?" He moved into the little light of the dungeon. "Poisoning the Heir of Durin, does that not sound familiar?" He squatted in front of the cage until he was at the prisoner's eye level.

The dwarf looked away and his shoulders shook. "Please don't hurt me," he said in a broken voice.

"Why not?" He wrapped his finger around one of the iron bars and gave a tug, enjoying the yelp Stonehelm gave. "I've seen all you have done. All the damage you inflicted upon Thorin Oakenshield and his kin. I do not have a place in this mountain same as you, but by the Valar, I feel a strange sense of loyalty to these dwarves."

He pointed to the weak dwarf in the cell. "You're their kin. They would never suspect something of this from you. I hadn't either until I heard of that letter you had that peasant slide right under Dwalin's nose.

"So I started watching. And when your confidence turned to dust because of my thoughtful gift, I started watching your sister." He gave Stonehelm a curious look. "Strange, your sister has been distant.. as if she conceals something of great value. Something she truly does not wish to part with. I attempted in following her but then you had your little manic episode in the hall.

"And I knew I needed a private audience with you," he finished. "And here we are."

He turned his head at the sound of loud and booming horns. His mouth curled into a smile. He stood. "It seems your savior has finally arrived."

Stonehelm frowned a bit. "S-savior?"

He looked down at the dwarf with an amused tint in his eyes. "Or would the term father ring a better bell?"

The prisoner paled. "Please, what are you going to do?"

A careful knuckle knocked on a pillar behind the visitor. Bofur appeared looking nervous. "Legolas, you're wanted in the throne room. Dain II Ironfoot has just arrived and King Thranduil is waiting."

The elf nodded. "I will be there shortly."

Bofur gave a nod in return and left the cells.

Legolas turned back to the dwarf who spoke first. "Please, I- I was only doing what I was ordered to-"

He gave a light chuckle. "Let's hope King Thorin feels the same way." Then he turned on his heel and headed for the throne room.

Thranduil stood in the center looking impatient and regal when Legolas slid through the door. He glared at his son but he spoke calmly, "You were in the dungeons?" he guessed.

"Yes, Father," he answered. "There shouldn't be any more surprises from that one."

The taller elf nodded. He raised his chin as the red-haired dwarf dressed in plated armor walked through the double doors.

Legolas watched Thorin stand from his seat and descend the steps to meet his kin. His eyes moved to Fili who stayed planted on the platform.

"Cousin!" the guest boomed. He opened his arms to greet Thorin.

But the other dwarf looked reserved and not quite as excited to see him. "I must speak with you."

Dain gave a deep laugh. "What? Now? I've only just got here!" He clapped Thorin's shoulder. "Why not a celebration? A fine night of drinking and making merry! Tomorrow, we shall talk about whatever it is that's troubling you and your mountain, my good cousin! But for now, I am parched!"

Thorin didn't slide on the matter, and his voice was firm. "Now."

The redhead scoffed. "Thorin, honestly. You were never one to be this impatient-" Then a curious look settled on his face. "Say, where are my son and daughter? I should think they would be here to greet me. After all, they haven't seen me in a great while!"

The other dwarf gave a grunt. "I do not know-"

Fili chose the moment to speak. "There was an argument in the halls this morning. Stonehelm has been put in the cells until the trial that will be held soon. The family of the man he attacked has asked for such an action."

Dain's eyes hardened.

"As for Dyla, she has not been seen for quite a while. Lady Dis has stopped visiting her and has not been back to her chambers since," he reported.

"Fili!" Dain seemed to have finally noticed him after he finished speaking. "Heard you did a fine job runnin' the kingdom while Thorin was gone! Hope it didn't deter you from your future duties," he chuckled. "And how is Kili? He's not joined us."

Thorin stepped forward. "That is what I must talk to you about."

Dain kept up the humor as he asked his question."Oh dear, the boy hasn't fallen ill has he? It wouldn't be that unknown sickness that took your father, now would it?" He tsked then. "The Line of Durin doesn't need a sudden and scandalous death in the family. Why I hear Nori turned up dead in the forest!" He shook his head. "It's a right scandal a'brewing, Cousin."

Legolas shifted.

"Well, what's this?" he asked in an obnoxious tone. He noticed the two elves that stood in the room. "Cousin, my dear Cousin. You have made friends with the elves, have you?" He eyed Legolas then Thranduil. "Such tricky beings they are. Bunch of liars and cowards-"

"I would spend a little less time arguing with beings who are not leaving, and a little more time listening to what your cousin has summoned you for," Thranduil scolded.

Thorin's lip twitched in annoyance. He could have told Dain that himself.

Fili held his breath as he watched the emotions run across Thorin's face. "King Thranduil has some sense, my kin. Why don't we get on with the matter at hand, yes? Sit down and have a chat about this ongoing hunt for King Thorin's head."

The words were so blatantly spoken and they seemed to hit Dain.

He gave a cough and nodded to Thorin. "The lad's learned well. Better than I quite expected, I must say. Let's get on with the matter, I suppose."

Thorin nodded. He took a breath. "Some months ago, Kili was poisoned with an herb one of my kin bought from another. This other being has not come forward though many other suspicious acts have happened.

"We intend to work with the elves-" he said in a tight voice. "-and find whoever is responsible."

"Kili has died?" Dain asked.

"Shortly after he fell, the arrival of your men, King Thranduil's best healer entered the mountain and healed him within the fortnight," Fili informed.

Dain narrowed his eyes and looked to the elves. "Tell me, how did you know to send this healer to my kin?"

Thranduil did not flinch at the dwarf's scrutiny. "I had my suspicions. I pieced it together far faster than anyone else in this mountain," he said. "I sent Elidyr and his best to Erebor. Then I took off for the Shire to speak with Thorin Oakenshield."

The raven-haired dwarf turned his head sharply. This was news to him.

"Unfortunately by the time I arrived, he had gone. I made the return journey, only arriving a week ago where I have promised to give my help in stopping this madness."

"This madness?" Dain cackled. "There's no madness here! The only madness is an elf in the throne room! That is madness!"

The elf was not moved. "There is still a price on your cousin's head. Though Thorin and I were once enemies, I do not find this nearly as funny as you." He crossed his arms. "I intend to help the King under the Mountain no matter our past."

"I am not laughing," Dain chuckled. "I am shocked that you - out of every creature on this Middle-earth - would dare in helping us. Us. When we have persevered for so long without the ungrateful elves," he scoffed.

"Legolas has frequently been inside the mountain," Thranduil defended. "And he has seen events. He is not for certain, but he has an idea of who it is that has been behind these acts."

Dain raised his eyebrows. "Who is it then?"

The elf prince beside his father shifted. "I'm afraid I need more time."

"Then you don't know who it is!" the red-haired dwarf boomed. "Thorin, listen, whatever it is, I'm sure it'll blow over in time. I hardly think anyone's still after your head."

Thranduil's lips were thin. 'You seem so sure."

"Trust me," Dain said with narrowed suspicious eyes at the elf.