Hey guys sorry for the long delay but Finals were going on so I didn't have a lot of spare time to write. But its over now and yay I passed all my classes! I've also had such bad writers block with this chapter so sorry if its not the best. But wow over 9,000 views! I cant tell you how excited I am! Also a big thank you to piatek for all your lovely comments!
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Elira stared anxiously ahead of her, eager to see the company again. Behind her, she could hear the rhythmic thump of Thorin's boots against the stone floor as they marched along the corridor flanked by Thranduil's guards.
The path turned steep and opened up into a wide set of stone stairs that spiraled down into an open cavern.
slowly her eyes adjusted to the light and she was finally able to take in the cavern around her. the walls were lined with iron bars covering cells cut deep into the rock, illuminated only by torches mounted on the walls.
As they neared the first cell Elira recognized the small figure sitting in it.
"Ori!" she called happily
The young dwarf jumped falling onto his back, startled by her shout.
"Miss Elira?" Ori asked tentatively rubbing the back of his head as he sat up.
He was met by the sight of the young blond half elf smiling down at him from the other side of the bars
"It is you!" he said rushing to the bars to meet her
"whats all the ruckus about" Oins voice echoed off the cavern walls
"Miss Eliras back" Ori called which was met by a chorus of cheers
"And Thorin too" Elira added looking at the dwarf who stood flanked by guards near by.
The cavern erupted in shouts and questions as Thorin was led into view followed by Elira. the guards opened an empty cell and shoved Thorin in with out a word.
Turning to Elira they motioned for her to step into the next cell, which she did with out protest.
"Thorin lad are you well?" Balin asked after the guards had left
"Aye I am"
"I don't mean to say you are not a welcome sight laddie but there goes our hope of getting out of here. We thought that maybe you had escaped the forests grasp"
A silence settled over the cavern as the realization that they were stuck there sank in
..
"were never going to reach the mountain are we" Ori asked after a while finally breaking the silence
"Not in here your not" a voice rang out
suddenly Bilbo appeared on the main row
"Bilbo!" Balin exclaimed rushing to the cell door
The hobbit smiled triumphantly and held up a large set of keys
...
...
Rowan scooped up the hobbit into a hug after he unlocked her cell
"Bilbo Baggins I have never been so happy to see someone in my whole life. Look at you lifting keys and hosting jail breaks"
"Well I am a burglar after all" he replied cheekily " now then follow me all of you"
The company quietly followed the hobbit through a maze of hallways until they found themselves in a large wine cellar.
"what are we doing here? your supposed to be leading us out not deeper in" Gloin rumbled looking warily around
"will you just listen to me for one moment" Bilbo said exasperatedly
"Do as he says" Thorin said sternly to them all "Go on master Baggins"
"Into the barrels all of you!' Bilbo said urgently motioning to a large stack of barrels
After a moments hesitation the company began to move towards the barrels and began slipping in.
As Rowan stepped over to get into a barrel, She felt a hand close around her wrist and pull her gently backwards.
she turned and looked up at Fili, her eye brow raised in question.
Fili shook his head " I just got you back mo annym, I'm not letting you go that easily" he said before he picked her up and put her into a barrel before sliding in himself.
After they were all in Bofur poked his head out "what now?" he asked
"Hold your breath" Bilbo answered as he pulled down on a lever.
Rowans stomach lurched as the floor gave way sending them free falling for a brief moment before plunging into the river below.
...
Elira sputtered as a wave of river water splashed over her, seconds later Bilbo bobbed to the surface. quickly she paddled over to him and helped him into her barrel as the river began to take them down stream.
Elira grimaced as she noticed a small hole in the barrel which was steadily letting in cold river water into their barrel. she paddled more hoping to reach the rivers end before their barrel was sunk.
After a while the current slowed to a halt near a small embankment and Elira and Bilbo paddled over to it just as the water in their barrel reached their waists.
once on the bank Elira tried to wring out her soaked cloths the best she could trying in vain to warm her self up. as she did she noticed two more barrels floating ashore- Ori and Kili who were struggling to disembark their vessels. Giggling she jogged over to help them.
"my hero" Kili grinned as she offered her hand to him
after her was free Kili pulled her into a brief kiss before helping Ori out of his barrel.
Kili's grin broadened as he looked further down the river bank
"Well it looks like someone had a cosy ride" he said loud enough to catch the attention of most of the company.
Elira followed his line of sight to further down the embankment where another barrel had floated ashore. she watched as Fili got out of the barrel then helped Rowan out, who blushed furiously when she saw most of the company staring at her and Fili.
Elira gave a short wolf whistle which caused Rowans blush to deepen
"very mature Eli" Rowan said as she and Fili joined them
Elira grinned back at her.
A shiver wracked her body as a breeze rustled by.
"Cold?" kili asked before draping his large coat around her shoulders
she nodded " was a leak in our barrel"
pulling the coat tighter around her she went to sit on a near by rock next to Ori. she pulled off one of her boots and turned it upside down to drain some of the water that accumulated in it.
As she did a shadow passed over her an Ori. Elira turned and gasped standing on the rocks above them was a tall man with a large bow pointed at her.
Suddenly Dwalin jumped in front of them a large stick in his hands, as he raised it the stranger shot it from his hands.
Kili ran up beside Elira pulling her behind him snatching a rock up off the ground in order to throw it at the man but before he could, it was shot from his grasp as well.
The man leveled his bow at Kili. "Do it again and your dead."