Chapter 23: Halls of the Elvenking

"Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely not, but what other choice do we have?"

"Fair enough."

There they were, both the bridge and gates leading to the Elvenking's halls in front of them, going over their plan one more time. Surprisingly enough, it was Bilbo that offered it up when Thorin couldn't find a solution. Essentially the Dwarf King would give himself up to the Elves, allowing the Hobbit a chance to sneak in behind them. Afterward he would locate Celandine and the rest of the Dwarves and come up with a route of escape.

"There's just one thing, Master Baggins."

"Which would be?"

"I do not doubt your stealth, but you of all people know of the heightened senses of Elves. How do you plan on avoiding detection for so long?"

Right, Thorin didn't know about the ring. "Well…I'm going to disappear."

"How, may I ask?"

For a second Bilbo considered telling him about the little ring, even clutched it to take it out of his pocket. But then, a little voice in the back of his mind told him to keep that secret to himself. That voice won out as he let go of the ring and slipped his hand out of his pocket. "Look, Thorin. I know how you feel about secrets, but…do you trust me to keep this one?"

The time it took for Thorin to respond was nerve-wracking, his face unreadable the entire time. Finally, the Dwarf let out a sigh. "I trust you."

"Thank you." Pause. "Let's get to it then. I'll be right behind you."

"Before we go in…." Thorin reached under his furs and pulled out two objects; the map and black key that the Hobbit had seen all that time ago in Bag End. Both parchment and key were placed in his hands. "Guard these with your life."

Bilbo nodded and a moment later, turned towards the gates. The moment his back was to him, the Hobbit slipped on the golden band.

Doesn't even bother to give you a farewell kiss….

"I don't want to hear flack from you, Annatar."

Bilbo followed close behind as Thorin crossed the bridge and banged a fist against the metal gates. "THRANDUIL! I know you're there! Return my people to me!"

At first, there was no response. A few minutes of waiting later, the gates opened with a creak and out rushed five Elves. Two were quick to restrain the Dwarf (who did not resist) while another two searched him for weapons. The fifth, the Celandine look-a-like that had taken the Company yesterday, stood on and watched. "Thorin, Son of Thrain. What brings you to these woods?"

"Ah, Legolas. It's been a while, hasn't it? Tell me; are you still tripping over yourself to impress Daddy?"

Legolas only scowled. One of the other Elves took Orcrist from Thorin and passed it to their leader. The blond Elf took and examined the sword with a surprised expression. "(This is an ancient Elven blade. An heirloom of my people)." His scowl returned when he turned back to Thorin. "Where did you get this?"

"Found it in a Troll cave," was the Dwarf King's answer.

Apparently Legolas didn't like this answer as he pointed the sword toward his prisoner's throat. "Not just a thief, but a liar as well. (Take him)!" With that, he turned back through the gate, Thorin and the rest of the Elves not far behind.

Bilbo barely managed to slip through before the gates shut again. After that, it wasn't all that difficult to follow the guards through this cavern-like place. Unfortunately, being unseen and have no one to talk to gave him plenty of think. Thorin knew this Elf that looked so much like his daughter and even mentioned his 'father'. Had the Dwarf King known something about Celandine or this 'Itarille'? For how long? Why hadn't he-?! The Hobbit shook those poisonous thoughts out of his head; this was not the time to be paranoid. Now, if he were and Elf King, where would he hold twelve Dwarves? When he couldn't think of anything, he resolved to follow the guards and see where they took the thirteenth.

Up and down steps, over winding bridges, and through narrow halls, but they finally reached their destination. However, Bilbo wasn't prepared to see the Elvenking himself standing above him. He was thankful for the invisibility the ring gave him as Thranduil strode down the steps to his throne and approached Thorin. "(Legolas)," he said to the Elven party's leader. "(Why don't you check on your sister? Inform her that we have the information we need)." Legolas gave a firm nod and he along with the rest of the guards dispersed, leaving the unseen Hobbit with the two kings. The silence that followed was tense as the Dwarf King seemed to be holding back a growl.

His captor only smiled as he began to circle Thorin. "The last sixty years have been kind to you. 195 years old and you only have a bit of grey." There was no comeback other than a glare. "You know, most merchants heading toward the Iron Hills would go around the north end of these woods."

"…What?"

"That's what one of your companions claimed you were: merchants from the Blue Mountains. Of course she was lying to me, but what other reason could Dwarves possibly have to brave my domain? Seeing you here, though, I believe that I have my answer."

"Oh really now? What would that be?" Despite the tone of his voice, Bilbo could tell that the Dwarf was nervous.

"I suppose some would say a noble quest was at hand: a quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon." The Hobbit had to sidestep to avoid Thranduil walking into him. "I, however, suspect a more…prosaic motive. Attempted burglary, or something at that ilk." The Elvenking ceased his circling and leaned down to Thorin's eye level. "You found a way in, haven't you?" No response. "You seek that which would bestow upon you the divine right to rule: the Arkenstone."

The Arkenstone? Bilbo searched his memory of the contract and various conversations in the Company. None of them had made any mention of a stone.

Thranduil continued. "The King's Jewel is precious to you, that much I can understand. There are gems in the Mountain that I too desire. You may remember them: white gems of pure starlight."

"The Gems of Lasgalen," Thorin muttered.

"Now, we've all said and done things that are cause for regret, but I'm willing to put all of that behind us. In fact, I offer my help to you."

"…I'm listening."

"I will let you all go. I will provide you with a party of my most trusted Elves to see you to the Mountain and aid you in your eventual battle against Smaug. In return, you will return what is mine. Down to the smallest bit of dust."

Bilbo thought that the deal was reasonable enough. In fact, it seemed like a perfect steal. Thranduil was offering far more than he would receive; this whole deal seemed entirely in the Company's favor! The Hobbit was half tempted to rip off his ring and accept that bargain. However, he knew it wasn't his decision to make. He also knew how this scene would play out. And he had no choice but to keep quiet and invisible as Thorin turned his back to the Elf. "A favor for a favor," he heard him mutter.

"You have my word: one king to another."

Wrong choice of words, my friend.

It was indeed the wrong thing to say, Bilbo thought to himself as he witnessed the Dwarf King tense up. What he said next confirmed it. "I would not trust Thranduil, the great king, to honor his word should the end of all days be upon us!" Thorin swung around, nearly hitting the Hobbit and pointing an accusing finger at Thranduil. "You lack ALL honor! We came to you once, starving and homeless, seeking your help. But you turned you back. You turned away from the suffering of my people! IMRID AMRAD URSUL!"

Thranduil suddenly leaped forward and was face to face with Thorin. "Do NOT speak to me of dragon fire, Norn." There was just as much venom in his voice as the Dwarf King's. "I know its wrath and ruin." The Elvenking's face began to contort in pain; Bilbo looked on from the shadows as a gruesome scar grew on the entire left side of his face, exposing his teeth and turning his eye a milky white. "I have faced the great serpents of the north." He drew away, the burns disappearing, a calm facade taking its place. The Elf began a retreat up the steps toward his throne, his position of power. "I warned your grandfather of what his greed would bring him, yet he would not listen. You are just like him."

A flick of his wrist summoned a pair of guards that restrained Thorin. "Stay here if you will and rot," the Elvenking continued as he seated himself. "A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an Elf. I'm patient. I can WAIT." The Dwarf King struggled as he was lead away, an invisible Bilbo not too far behind.

Just like his father.

"What, is it 'Defame the Dwarf King Day' or something?"

No, not your Dwarf; I was referring to the Elf. King Oropher was as much an arrogant prick as his son is now. Hard to believe he's related to that child of yours.

"Don't remind me." In the end, it wasn't all that hard to put all the clues together. It didn't make the truth any less shocking. Or painful.

Down, down, and down the guards went with their hostage. Bilbo was beginning to think they'd never stop going downward until they found themselves in a cavern with little alcoves dug into them; each alcove had an iron-wrought door. The guards picked a random cell and practically threw Thorin inside before slamming the door in his face. The Dwarf King's immediate reaction was to grip the bars, testing their strength. The guards only laughed at his struggles and took their leave; the only ones left in the cavern were the imprisoned Dwarf and the unseen Hobbit. No sign of the rest of the Company.

Before Bilbo could even begin to wonder what he was going to do now, the sound of shoes slapping against stone caught his attention. The second he turned his head towards the cavern's entrance, he nearly burst into tears. Celandine, looking much better than in recent days, came running down the steps…and right past him.

That's right. She couldn't see him.

His daughter dropped to the floor in front of Thorin's cell. 'Are you alright? Where did you go? Where's Papa?'

"One question at a time," the Dwarf said calmly.

'Are you alright?'

"As fine as I can be. Where are the others?"

'He gave them some chambers in the upper levels, but they're still locked up. Where's Papa?'

A pause. "It's…complicated. But I assure you he's safe and sound."

Celandine seemed to slump a bit, head drooped and hand signs barely having any effort in them. 'Did you know?'

"…No. Though I had my suspicions."

'Does Papa know?'

"I'm sure he does now." Thorin didn't get a response. Bilbo wanted nothing more than to reveal himself and offer whatever comfort that he could to his daughter. A quick whisper from Annatar stopped him from slipping off the ring. He still had a job to do. He needed to get them all out first. The he could-.

'He's not my father.' The gesture was so quick that the Hobbit barely understood what she'd said. 'That man sitting on his ass upstairs is not my father. He didn't change my diapers or put up with my tantrums. He didn't tuck me in at night with a story of lullaby. He didn't even know I existed until yesterday. As far as I'm concerned, Thranduil and his son are NOT my family; the Company is.'

Aw, isn't that sweet?

It certainly was, Bilbo thought as Thorin gave one of his rare smiles. "I'm sure your father would be very happy to here that."

"Itarille."

The voice of the Elf Legolas startled all three of them. He stood at the top of the steps, his face unreadable. "Come."

Bilbo turned back to Celandine; she didn't respond, only glared at the ground. Only after the other Elf had called for her twice more did she react, signing to Thorin. "She says she'll only respond to her proper name," he translated for her.

"That is her-!…Celandine."

She finally looked up at Legolas, pulling out a journal (Bilbo couldn't figure out from where) and jotting something down. The Hobbit made out the statement when it was shown to the other Elf. How may I help you?

"Father does not wish you to speak to the Dwarf."

Another message. I wasn't aware you actually found any Hobbits.

"You- you know what I mean!" Celandine huffed, signed a goodbye to Thorin, and finally joined Legolas, not looking him in the eye. Daring one last look at the imprisoned Dwarf, Bilbo followed after the two Elves. As they made their way upward, the conversation continued. "You know he won't like this." There was no response as Celandine quickened her pace. The other Elf was getting increasingly angry. "The Dwarves are lying to you. They probably did away with your 'father' when you weren't looking. They had as little regard of his as they have of you!" The Elven girl lifted her skirts and broke into a run, Legolas shouting for her behind her. "Itarille! Celandine!" The Hobbit struggled to keep up as she crossed bridges, leapt up and down steps, passed a couple of guards, and finally halted in some gazebo-like room. It was then that his little girl finally broke down; she knelt down beside the bed and cried into the sheets.

It was absolute torture for Bilbo. He was right there in the room with his daughter, his WEEPING daughter, and he couldn't do a thing about it! Well, he could, but then there was a higher chance he'd be caught, and the Hobbit wouldn't be helping anybody from a cell. And of course Annatar's incessant whispering wasn't bloody helping!

A clap.

He hadn't realized that the Elven girl had stopped crying. She was on her feet again, looking around the room. Her eyes fell on a spot just behind his invisible form. 'I know you're here, Papa. I can't see you, but you're here. Can you come out?'

Don't-.

Bilbo didn't even allow Annatar to finish as he ripped off the ring. Celandine barely had any time to brace herself as her father appeared from nowhere and embraced her. "It's okay, sweetie. I'm here." At first it seemed the hug was accepted, but the Hobbit let go when he felt her trying to pull loose. When he did, the Elven girl was seated on the floor, holding her head. "What's wrong?!" The panic made his voice squeak. She looked up almost instantly, hushing her worried father before the guards came. Then, without so much as a sign, she pointed a finger at his hand, now balled up into a fist. Bilbo opened his hand and Celandine seemed to skitter back further. He hadn't realized the ring was still in his hand and he especially didn't understand his daughter's reaction. "This?"

'Can't you hear it?' she signed frantically.

"Hear?"

'That whispering!'

Could she…was that Annatar she was hearing? Even without putting on the ring? Whatever the case, she was frightened. "Hey," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. They're just voices; they can't hurt you."

'But-.'

"See?" He held the ring closer to her. "It's not going to hurt you."

The Elven girl stopped shaking. '…Where? And for how long?'

"I found it in the tunnels. It's how I got past the Goblins. It's hard to explain, but while I wearing it, I'm just about invisible. Pretty useful when comes to sneaking past Elves and Orcs. Possibly dragons too."

'I….' She took time with her response. 'I don't like it. Something about that ring is just…wrong.'

"…Look, as soon as all this is over, when there's no more need to walk around unseen, I'll get rid of it. Deal?" There was another long pause before Celandine shook his hand. "Good then. Now, the next order of business is getting out of here."

'I already had a tour of the place. There's only one entrance in or out of this kingdom, and there's no doing that without the King's leave.'

"There's got to be some way."

Celandine thought for a moment. 'I think Thranduil was planning something in a month or so. A feast or something celebrating my…return. Most everybody's going to be there, so we have to escape during that party if we have any sort if chance at reaching the Mountain before Durin's Day.'

Durin's Day, that's right. Well with that information, their escape would put them well into November. It'd be a mad scramble to Erebor after that, but it was their best bet. "Then we have a month to plot our route."

'For the time being, just stay hidden. We can easily pass messages to the Dwarves that way. Go down these steps, take a right, and you'll find the rest of the Company behind a red door across the second bridge on your left.'

"Got it." With that said, he slipped on the ring. Thus the time limit was set and their hunt for an escape began.

Sorry for the lack of updates here. It's finals season. Expect MUT updates every other week until further notice. Thank you for your patience!

Thorin: This fic is STILL going?

Bilbo: Don't be rude, just let her have her fun.