I hid in the shadows while a pair of guards walk through the corridor. My heart hurts. I didn't expect my father to disapprove this much over finding my One... I thought he would mumble to himself and let me be happy. I was wrong about that, definitely. I looked around before going deep into the dungeons. A couple of voices made me hide in the dark between two columns. The one voice who is still talking started to get closer, "The prince seemed angry when he was helping with our training. Captain had to pull him away. He was too rough. I wonder if it was that silver haired elf that came with those dwarves."

The owner of the second voice nodded, "I like to think so. Lord Celeborn came to Mirkwood which hasn't happened in centuries. I wouldn't be surprised if the dwarves took the she-elf and tried to brainwash her into their ways. That could be why the prince seemed angry."

I rolled my eyes. I closed my eyes tightly as the salt from the tears haven't been wiped away. I rubbed my eyes to rid the stinging. I shook my head. They don't know the real story. I am sure Legolas is pissed that I caught him off guard and my father decided to order the prince around. The first voice piped up, "Do you think the she-elf is the Lord's daughter?"

I peered slightly around the pillar seeing two brunette elves. They were slowly walking away. The second voice answered, "I am sure they are father and daughter. They look alike. Very alike."

I closed my eyes to rid the stupidity of these two elves. I listened to their footsteps to make sure they are out of earshot. I opened my eyes knowing they finally left earshot.

I looked at a wooden door. I could hear shackles move behind it. I feel my heart fall thinking what the cold king could have done. I whispered, "Dwalin?"

A light groan was to be heard behind the door. I frowned. What happened to him that he cannot talk or function? I whispered again, "I'll get you out of here, okay?"

No answer was made. I let out a breath looking around. Something will help me open this door without the key. My eyes caught something metal at the end of the corridor. I walked towards to it weighing it in my hand. A smile was brought to my face, "This should work."

I headed back to the cell door. My index finger touched the top of the metal rod. It was sharp as it pricked my finger. Red drops of blood oozed out of the little cut. I popped my finger in my mouth to stop it from bleeding. It was a thin cut so it should heal soon. Hopefully. I used my free hand to angle the rod into the key hole. I placed a hand on the door to steady it but I felt the door give before I did anything. My brows knitted together in confusion. I pulled the rod out of the key hole leaning it against the stone wall. I pushed on the door more afraid to see what was inside. My eyes instantly caught the cut lip and bruised face. I instantly went to his side kneeling. My hands lightly touch his cheeks. My thumb lightly brushed against his lip opposite from the cut. I whispered, "Dwalin."

I felt my heart flutter when he opened his eyes. His thick hand reached up moving hair strands away from my face behind my ear. I felt his fingers lightly touch the braid giving it a little tug. Tears started to well up for the second time today. Dwalin licked his lips, "Yer healin'."

A small smile played on my lips, "Of course I am, meleth. I have... you to thank for that."

Dwalin grunted, "I couldn't have ye dyin' on me, can I?"

I rolled my eyes, "Says the one who is worse shape than me right now."

Dwalin rubbed his callused thumb against my cheek, "I'm never like how ye were. I don't want to see ye like that again."

Warmth filled me. My eyes looked over at his bruising. I lightly touched it whispering, "Who did this to you?"

Dwalin grunted annoyed, "Some elf with brown hair."

I gave him a look like are you kidding me. I licked my lips before speaking, "That's a lot of elves, Master dwarf."

Dwalin shook his head. His thick index finger poked my neck, "He had a birth mark or scarrin' of some kind right there."

I tilted my head towards the door listening in for footsteps. I asked, "How many times do they visit you?"

Dwalin clenched his jaw, "Too many times."

I weighed the options in my head. I looked on his person, "Are there any other places that they harmed you?"

Dwalin ran his tongue across his teeth with his mouth closed. His shackled hand pointed to his rib cage and legs. Dwalin spoke, "It's nothin' I can't handle."

I rolled my eyes, "Drop the tough act. You're in pain. I could hear it when I found you."

I looked at the door listening for steps, "I'll come back later. I better get going before I get caught."

Dwalin knitted his bushy brows together, "How did ye get out?"

I looked down before looking at him, "Let's just say I... I had a visitor."

Dwalin felt anger fill him. I reached over touching his cheek lightly tracing where his bare skin meets his beard, "Not that type of visitor. It was my... father."

Dwalin noticed the cell air tense up. Dwalin decided to try to make the elf maiden smile, "I don't have to meet him, do I?"

A smile was brought to my lips, "No. I think... I will make sure you don't ever have to unless my mother intervenes."

Dwalin scoffed, "Good. I don't want any meetin' with parents who have been around for a long time."

I shook my head, "I better be going now. I'll come back soon when it's safe. I promise."

Dwalin reached up letting his fingers touch the braid lightly. I whispered, "Thank you..."

I stood up quickly grabbing the rod and closing the door behind me. I have to make sure it looks like I was never there.

I touched my lips with a napkin. My eyes looked around the table. My father was on the left side of the King and Legolas was on the other side. I was sitting next to Legolas and Tauriel was across from me. My father decided to put his two silver coins in, "Your highness, I'd like to speak to you about an arranged marriage with your son."

I looked over to my right seeing Legolas choking on a piece of bread. I glared at my father. Thranduil patted his lips, "No need."

I smirked. Thranduil is smart. He continued, "She is already tainted by dwarf."

I felt my smirk fall from my face. I stood up abruptly throwing my napkin on my plate. I left the table in anger. Thranduil couldn't help himself, "You have an unruly daughter, Celeborn."

Celeborn sighed. My feet took me where ever my mind is set to go. I grumbled in a different tone of voice, "She is already tainted by dwarf."

My voice went normal and angry, "Those pile of dust are too stuck up in their ways to see. I'm not tainted by anything!"

A voice stopped my feet from moving, "Lass?"

I looked to my right seeing Dwalin's older brother. I felt my shoulders slump, "Master dwarf... I don't know why I'm here. I let my feet carry me where it wanted to go."

Balin crossed his legs, "Maybe ye need someone to talk to."

A few ayes echoed through the dungeon. I asked, "Have the guards been around yet?"

Balin nodded. I sighed, "Good because I'm done with elves right now."

I sat down in front of his cell with legs crossed. Balin studied the maiden, "Something is troubling you."

I rolled my shoulders, "You can say that. It's more my father is here and he isn't quite accepting over the One business."

Balin gave a slow nod. Thorin spoke, "I don't like your father."

A faint smile brought to my lips at first but a frown occupied my face, "He is a great father, I promise. It's just... centuries back... around the First Age or it might be the Second Age is where he started to distrust dwarves. I never fully learned the story. I just know my father dislikes dwarves as much as you dislike elves. I think a group betrayed him or something."

Balin couldn't help but ask, "Have you found my brother?"

I nodded, "I did. He is..."

My voice trailed off. Thorin stuck his face closer to the bars with anger, "They harmed him didn't they?"

I looked away, "I'll find out who did it. The king and the prince wouldn't go that low to harm someone they don't like. They just like to not associate with those they don't like."

Thorin's knuckles turned white. Balin tapped his cell bar to gain my attention, "As long he is alive, I'm good."

I raised my brows, "He is hurt."

Balin closed his eyes, "He is a strong dwarf. I am not the right person to help him right now."

I bit my lip hard, "It makes me angry for the things that I know they did to him."

Balin looked at the maiden who started to clench her fists. I spoke softly, "I know that you and the others don't trust me. I would never... I mean never hurt any of you or betray you. I'll protect you. All of you in any shape or way I can. I did at first did not want to join this quest because of what I've seen. I've seen horrible things. I didn't want to become involved as I knew I would grow attached some way and somehow. I was wrong... I know now that I should help protect and get the mountain back for your people. I'm against it as for what I have seen but it is your right."

I looked over at Thorin. I gave a little bow of a head, "I'll help you and protect you, King under the Mountain."

A voice in front of me grabbed my attention, "Lass... what did you see exactly?"

I looked away hearing footsteps below. I answered, "Can't talk now. I better go. I need to find the culprit who is hurting Dwalin."

I stood up disappearing into the corridors. Balin sighed, "She avoided the question."

Thorin's lips went into a firm line, "I have a feeling there's a reason to."