TA 2941
Ava was on her way to demand for the keeper of the keys to release them. She fully intended to demand for the keys so that she could release the dwarves. Perhaps it would teach her husband a lesson? Her anger knew no bounds at that moment in time. She had been with him and he had almost been nothing but kind and loving as he worried over her health and the babe's health. But he had ruined it. He had ruined it all with his harsh and horrible words.
Perhaps this would show him that Ava would not be trifled with. She refused to allow for him to treat her in such a manner. She was fed up with him.
She could hear the feast beginning and half of the guards were drunk already. Ava was not surprised, but it also meant that she could travel to the cellar where the keeper would be without being caught. Slowly, she wandered down, controlling her breathing as she went. She laced her fingers in front of her and pressed them to her stomach as she babe continued to kick. She wondered if it was angry with its father like she was.
She chuckled at the mere thought.
She was pushed from her thoughts as she came to the cellar and saw the keeper stood with others, testing the glasses of wine. They barely even noticed her, but Ava was glad for that. She saw the keys on the hook at the end of the room on a wooden post, moving towards them with haste. It was only as she walked with her hand outstretched did they disappear.
Ava's brow furrowed and she rested her fingers on the wooden post before attention was drawn to her.
"My Queen!"
Ava cursed as she turned around and realised that she had been spotted. The guard before her bowed at the waist, wine falling from his cup as he did so. Ava looked unimpressed as he stood up and did his best to stop his cup from loosing anymore wine. Ava's brow arched as he looked to her and babbled his words.
Knowing that she had no time for his incompetency, Ava walked away, calling out as she went.
"I would have four barrels of the wine brought to the Great Hall," she demanded, making it seem as though she had a purpose. "There are guests up there who require refills and we should not be remiss in our duties...or spend our time drinking what is meant for the guests."
She could hear the elves murmur their agreements and Ava left them to it. She knew how they whispered of her behind her back, but she paid them no attention. They spoke of how Thranduil was ill-tempered and that temper was rubbing off on Ava. Of course, that would make sense. She was just as ill-tempered as her husband could be when it came to some matters. She did not consider that a bad thing.
But for now she had to deduce where the keys had gone. She had seen them before her. She was not blind, nor was she daft. She did not imagine them. Someone had taken them.
With haste, she ignored the guards who dared to bow to her or try to converse with her as she wandered back towards the cells. She was thankful that they were not guarded as she stood back and continued to watch them. The dwarves were speaking amongst themselves about how they wished to escape and Ava pitied their conversation. She kept her back pressed against a great tree trunk which spun all the way to the ceiling.
It was only then when she saw something above her. She blinked profusely as she watched the walkway and realised that there stood another creature. Picking her skirts up, Ava rushed with haste up the staircase as the creature began to descend the steps, patting his pocket as he went. His hair was a mess and his clothes were torn and rather dirty. He had very large and hairy feet, and his ears also protruded from his head. Ava gaped when she realised it was a hobbit.
The hobbit stopped as soon as he saw Ava and she smiled softly.
"You need not fear me," Ava promised him. "My father did inform me that a hobbit travelled with the dwarves."
The hobbit wrinkled his nose and looked around, his hands on his hips as he rocked back and forth on his feet. He pressed a finger to the air and watched as Ava observed him try to piece the clues together. It did not take him that long.
"Lord Elrond's daughter," he commented. "Lady Ava...the Queen of Mirkwood..."
He had heard the King speak of his wife earlier when he was hiding in the shadows. The Elf-king had not noticed him, but Bilbo had remained in his presence and listened into his conversation with intent.
"And who may you be?" Ava wondered.
"Bilbo Baggins," the hobbit mock bowed and Ava looked amused for a few moments. "And I have no intention of causing ill will between anyone, but I...well...I am here for my friends."
Ava looked amused. "I see," she said, "and how do you intend to free them?"
Bilbo once again looked around and Ava leant forwards and pulled the silver keys from his pocket, tossing them from one hand to the other as she watched them glisten in the candlelight from the halls. Tapping her foot, Ava mused for a moment.
"I was looking for these exact same keys," she informed him, "and here I find them. The strange part was that they vanished right in front of my eyes...and then you appear right in front of my eyes...as if from out of nowhere."
The hobbit let out a small laugh and shook his head, his smile widening as he did so. It took another few moments before the smile disappeared and he coughed into his hand.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Bilbo spoke. "Things don't just vanish and appear. That would be preposterous, and impossible. No, I took them, yes, but-"
"-I may not be as wise as my father," Ava interrupted, knowing that his story could go on for a long time and Ava's patience wore thin on the matter. "But I am not foolish and I do not need to be tested right now. I already have a husband waiting for me who does a good job on that front. Now, tell me the truth or I may just keep these keys and call for the guards to lock you up with your friends."
Bilbo seemed concerned at her words, but a soft grin played on his plump lips as he watched Ava and wondered if she was being serious. Unfortunately, it seemed as though she was being wholly serious. Of course, Ava had no intent of locking the hobbit up, but she did want an answer. She had learned that her way could often work. Her husband had taught her that much, or so it seemed.
"You jest," Bilbo said.
"I married King Thranduil," Ava deadpanned, "do you think that I jest often?"
That seemed to shake the hobbit and he sighed before watching Ava dangle the keys on a long finger. He sighed and pulled something from his pocket, resting it in his palm as he presented it to the Queen. Ava bent down to see it, her gaze narrowing as she watched it with intrigue. She closed her eyes as she recalled the story which her father had told her when she was nothing but a small elleth. Of course it could not be so.
How could it be?
There were many golden bands. There were many rings. This was not necessarily the one which Elrond had urged to be thrown into the fires of Mount Doom. Why would it be? That ring had been lost many centuries ago. Ava shook her head.
"And this turned you invisible?" Ava wondered.
"Yes," Bilbo nervously admitted. "Honestly I found it and I didn't know what it did."
"And is that all it does?" Ava whispered, her finger moving to touch the ring.
Her finger pressed on it and she jumped back, yelping as she did so. She felt as though she had been burned. It was as if the darkest creature on Middle Earth had spoken to her. She had never heard a voice so deep or full of hate in all of years. Her fingers clenched into fists and her stomach churned from nerves as she looked back to the ring. It held no effect on Bilbo. The hobbit held it in his hand as though it possessed no power.
Why had it affected Ava in such a manner? Was she being paranoid?
"Where did you find it?" Ava demanded from him, her voice harsher than before. "I need to know."
Bilbo looked concerned as the Queen held the railing by her side with both hands, looking at the golden band as though it was nothing but pure evil.
"During my journey," Bilbo spoke. "I do not know where from. I...it helps me to hide...but nothing more..."
Ava shook her head, not sure if she could believe him. Her father had told her the power which the ring held. He had been bitter when it had survived for he was well aware that it would resurface one day. What would he say if Ava had it in her clutches? Would he want that for her? Would he destroy it himself? Ava did not wish to think of her father returning to Mount Doom. She did not want evil to find him and stop him from completing such a task. She knew of the danger which could be associated with the ring. She did not want that on her father. She did not want him to suffer because of it.
She closed her eyes and nodded. She did not know if it was right, but she played ignorant. She moved around Bilbo and to the top of the staircase, only turning her head over her shoulder and peering back down to Bilbo as he held the ring in his palm and Ava felt an overwhelming need to take the ring from him. Why? She wanted it. She felt an urge to press it on her finger.
She shook her head and pressed a hand to her ring finger where the white gem sat. She looked down to it. Her wedding band was the only thing she needed. She allowed the sight of it to ground her for a few moments before she let out the breath she had been holding in.
"Release them and quickly leave," Ava whispered to Bilbo. "I never saw you and I do not know you."
"Thank you," Bilbo gratefully declared.
Ava rushed off in the opposite direction to Bilbo and found herself unsure of where to go. She did not wish to return to their chambers because she did not want to see Thranduil. She was in no mood to join the feast. She would have gone to the hidden platform, but Thranduil had sealed it from her. She found herself by the small pools in the hidden garden right at the bottom of the kingdom. It was hidden and only small with pools sat around it and grass and flowers grew in the garden.
Crouching by the water, Ava lapped it into her hands and splashed it over her face. She needed something to bring her away from her thoughts. They were consuming her and worrying her. Should she go back and get the ring? Would it save the hobbit in the long run or would it ruin her with the burden of taking it? Bilbo seemed to fine with it. Maybe it was not the one ring. It could be a different ring.
"You are here too."
Ava almost wanted to curse Tauriel for finding her, but she knew that it was inevitable. Her friend often had the same hiding places as she did.
"I needed some time alone," Ava whispered. "I trust you have heard of the news?"
"Of how you and the King yelled at each other in the throne room?" Tauriel checked as Ava stood up and moved to sit on the bench by the wooden wall. "I have heard of the guard mentioning it."
Ava frowned and Tauriel smirked before moving to sit down next to her on the bench, throwing one leg over the other leg.
"Come now," Tauriel spoke, "you and the King have argued before and recovered from it. You have no need to look so glum on such a matter. You know how the King is."
"All too well," Ava complained and pulled her feet onto the bench, her chin resting on the kneecaps as she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her thighs. She closed her eyes and released a soft and shaky breath. "I do not know if he will forgive me when he discovers what I have done."
Tauriel frowned and continued to stare evenly at her friend. "And what have you done?"
Ava peeled her eyes open and tilted her cheek to rest on her kneecaps. She watched Tauriel and wondered if she could trust her friend. She wanted to, but she knew that Tauriel had a duty to the kingdom and Ava had defied the kingdom.
"The dwarves travelled with a hobbit," Ava whispered. "He has gone to help them escape with the keys from the guard. The sun has risen again and the dwarves will have escaped by now."
Tauriel jumped to her feet and watched Ava with wide orbs. "What have you done?"
"The right thing," Ava spoke defiantly. "They did not deserve to be imprisoned. I did nothing to actively help them escape."
"No," Tauriel spoke with a small smirk and she could not help but smirk, a moment of relief taking hold of her as she did so. "You just did nothing to stop them. Did you not think to call for help?"
"Did you agree with them being locked away?" Ava demanded.
Tauriel didn't even hesitate with her response. "It matters not what I think, but you should not have been foolish. What do you think will happen when the King finds out? Do you think that he will take kindly to this news? Unless you intend to keep it from him?"
Ava shook her head and uncurled her limbs before resting a hand on the swell of her stomach and allowing it to stand there for a few moments. She only hoped that Thranduil could forgive her or understand her motives. She knew that the stress she felt was no good for their babe.
"I shall not," Ava admitted. "I do not intend to seek him out and tell him, but I do not doubt that he will think I am somehow involved."
Tauriel scoffed. "And he would not be wrong."
"Yet you stand here and do not seek the elves out," Ava mentioned and Tauriel turned on her heel and began to walk away. She tossed her head over her shoulder and smirked as she noticed Ava watching her as she went.
"I see no rush," Tauriel said and Ava knew that her friend was agreeing with her on such a matter.
Ava remained silent as she waited for the alarm to be raised. She heard the sound of the horn in the distance and she knew that Tauriel had informed the guards of the dwarves' release. Ava stayed on the seat, her arms dangling over her lap as she waited for Thranduil to come to her. She knew that it would not be long before he sought her out and demanded for her to answer for her crimes. What would he do? Would he demand for an apology? Would he want her to be held liable?
She soon found out.
Thranduil wore his dark silver garb with red cloak as he rushed towards her. The collar was high on his neck and his intricate broach at his chest glistened. His sword hung by his waist and his red cloak billowed behind him. His blond hair hung in front of and behind his ears, but it was his eyes which burned her. There was no kindness or love behind them; only anger.
"Tell me that you had nothing to do with their escape."
Ava frowned and stood up, trying not to shake and admit that she was scared of her husband's wrath. She usually challenged it, but he was looking at her with distaste she had never witnessed before. His face was stern and his lips pursed. His voice had been full of malice.
"Whose?" Ava played coy for a moment.
"No," Thranduil said, pointing at her. "Do not do this to me, Ava. I need to know the truth. How did they escape?"
"Not by my hand," Ava said and Thranduil almost looked relieved until she continued with her words. "But at the hand of a hobbit."
The anger was back again and Ava sauntered towards her husband, her hands behind her back and she stopped behind her husband, looking over his shoulder as Thranduil remained still, his hands clenched by his sides as Ava whispered with the same annoyance he held in his voice.
"You remember how my father mentioned that they travelled with a hobbit." Ava whispered. "Well, he was able to outsmart your guards and help the dwarves. I did not place the key in the lock, but I did not stop him."
Thranduil turned around to look at his wife as she jutted her chin out and watched her husband with wide eyes.
"And I shall not apologise for that."
Thranduil grabbed Ava by the wrist then and pulled her body close to his. His hand pressed to the small of her back and Ava wondered what was running through his mind at that moment in time. Thranduil was angry. He was beyond angry with Ava's defiance and her lack of regret.
"You made a foolish mistake, Ava," Thranduil warned her. "You should not have let them willingly leave."
"Well I did," Ava said. "And they have gone. There is nothing more to the matter."
Thranduil chuckled and shook his head, moving his hand to his wife's cheek to stroke it softly. "A pack of Orcs were on their trail. The foul creatures had been waiting for them. I do not know why, but I soon shall. My bet is that they have not got far."
Ava pushed his hand from her and Thranduil could see the fear in her face. He knew of her fear of Orcs. He could see how she shook her head and pressed a hand to her mouth. It was only then when he wondered what he had done. No longer was she concerned of the dwarves, but she was concerned of how Orcs roamed so close to their kingdom. They had just been outside.
"What were they doing here?" Ava demanded from her husband. "What were those creatures doing?!"
Ava's shriek echoed through the garden and Thranduil shook his head, forgetting about the dwarves as he saw his wife shake and he recalled all of those years he had spent trying to make her forget living in fear. Had he undone all of that by a sentence? He did not think that there would be such an effect on her. He thought that she had recovered. Why would she not? She had been outside and she had stopped having nightmares. She had seemed her usual self. Of course, she had not seen an Orc during that time or spoken of the creatures.
"Ava," Thranduil whispered, shaking his head back and forth. "I did not mean to mention them...I had not thought...my love...come here..."
Ava stepped away from him as he stepped towards her and she continued to press her shaking hands down her skirts as she wandered around the garden and Thranduil watched her face contort with worry before he whispered;
"What have I done?"
