CHAPTER 36 - MINE
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any of the characters/story lines that belong to it, all credit goes to J.R.R. Tolkien, in all his glory.
"Hayden," Bilbo whispered in Hayden's ear, making her jump.
The Company had continued along the path aimlessly in hope of finding food or water, and Hayden had become a lot edgier than usual after the spider's had unexpectedly attacked.
"You know where Thorin is don't you?" Bilbo asked in a voice low enough so only she could hear him.
"Yes," she nodded subtly.
"And he's safe?"
"I hope so," she sighed, her stomach twisting uncomfortably.
"What do I need to do to get us out of here?" Bilbo asked, and Hayden smiled slightly. There was a strong determination in the hobbit's voice that she had never heard before, and she was glad he was finally growing some confidence in himself.
"Don't tell the others," she whispered back, "But we're going to be caught by the Wood-elves soon, if all goes to plan. If we'recaught I need you to put on the Ring, but stay close to me."
Bilbo nodded.
"I'll try my best to get us free without trouble but if I can't we'll probably be locked up," she continued, "And I need you to come find me if that happens. But always keep the Ring on."
Bilbo nodded that he understood perfectly, and stepped back from her, like their conversation had never happened.
Hayden continued on, her feet stumbling along underneath her. Never did she think there would be a day when she would not want to be walking, but that day had come. She wrapped her arm around her growling stomach and clenched her eyes together. She hoped that this stint would not harm the baby…
"Hayden!" Kili cried out, jumping out and putting a protective arm in front of her.
In a split second they had been surrounded by hooded Wood-elves, their bows raised and pointing to the huddled Company, who hadn't even bothered to draw their swords in their exhaustion and hunger.
"What business do dwarves have in our kingdom?" asked one of the elves.
"It's no business of elves that's for sure," Dwalin spat, making forward threateningly but Balin held him back.
The elf that had spoken stepped forward and flicked his hood off, revealing his pale face, piercing blue eyes and long blonde hair.
No freaking way, Hayden thought in excitement; if she hadn't been so exhausted she might have squealed in delight at who she thought this elf was.
"Do not think I won't kill you dwarf," the elf spat back at Dwalin, "I asked you a question."
"Please," Hayden stepped forward, "We're starving – we need food and water."
The blonde elf turned his attention away from Dwalin and examined Hayden.
"What is a woman doing travelling with dwarves?" he asked suspiciously.
"They're my friends," she said quickly, "And we've been travelling for a long time."
The elf considered her for a long moment, then after his deliberation he said to both the Company and his kin; "We will take them to my father. He shall decide their fate."
Hayden nodded and sighed, turning ever so slightly to wink at Bilbo, who she saw slip a golden object discreetly out of his pocket.
The elves surrounded their group, confiscating their weapons and baggage, and led them down the long winding path, lit by their bright red torches. Soon they had reached a break in the trees, and the air became a lot clearer to breath without the suffocating growth of the forest around them.
The elves began to walk along a long wooden bridge, and the Company reluctantly followed, leading into a tall chamber with pillars lining the hall.
At the end of the hall was a large chair made of vines and leaves, and sitting on the throne was a blonde-haired elf, who looked strikingly like the one who had spoken in the forest. Hayden could only assume this was the elf-king Thranduil.
Thranduil had his legs lounging over the sides of his throne, with a glass of wine swirling in one hand and a crown of vines and berries sitting delicately on his head.
The king looked up gracefully and his eyebrows rose as he took in the sight of the Company before him.
"Well aren't our halls popular today," Thranduil mused.
"We found them on the borders of Mirkwood," the blond haired elf stepped forward.
"Indeed?" Thranduil stood lazily off his throne and approached them, "Dwarves?"
"And a woman," the elf said. Thranduil's casual arrogance disappeared from his face momentarily at these words, but was restored just as fast.
"Bring her forward, Legolas," Thranduil ordered.
Hayden did not even bother to panic, a mixture between her exhaustion and her excitement that this elf was Legolas, like she had guessed.
Legolas reached into the group and grabbed Hayden's arm, surprisingly gently. The dwarves tried to stop him but it was no use; they were unarmed, weak and outnumbered.
Hayden stumbled out in front of Thranduil, feeling quite self-conscious next to his tall slender form and becoming painfully aware of how horrible she must look.
"Will you be more helpful than your so called friends, I wonder?" Thranduil asked her, and she met his piercing gaze as confidently as she could, "What were you doing in Mirkwood, girl?"
Hayden bit her lip, thinking fast.
"Don't give in, lass," Dwalin groaned to her and the other dwarves gave similar encouragements.
"I think I've done enough dealings with dwarves today," Thranduil said, his eyes moving slowly from Hayden to the group of dwarves, "Take them to the dungeons while I finish talking with this one."
The elves nodded and escorted the dwarves out, but it was not without a fight.
"Hayden!" Kili cried desperately, fighting to reach her.
"Do not worry, no harm will befall your companion," Thranduil said casually, a slight smirk forming on his ageless face.
The dwarves disappeared down a dark corridor, and Hayden could still hear their protests echoing as they were escorted further and further away and her heart slowly began to sink with despair.
"Now they're gone," Thranduil sighed dramatically, "Lord Elrond had the courtesy of informing me of you, young lady."
Hayden raised a curious eyebrow.
"He told me that no harm must come to you, should you fall into our hands," Thranduil continued, "I assume you are the woman he talked of; he described you with quite ravenous detail. It would seem you made a memorable impression on the High Elves of the West."
Hayden nodded but still did not say anything, waiting for the right moment to speak.
"Despite my many questions I am aware of your companions purpose in the forest," the King said, circling her like a predator stalking its injured prey, "They wish to slay the dragon and reclaim the Lonely Mountain, do they not?"
Hayden nodded subtly; she figured he had guessed as much, so she might as well cooperate with him.
"And does Elrond speak the truth?" Thranduil continued to question her, "He spoke of you coming from a distant world to accompany Thorin Oakenshield?"
At Thorin's name Hayden involuntarily straightened and she made to quickly cover her reaction, but it had not gone unnoticed.
"Oh so it is true," Thranduil smirked, "The great Thorin Oakenshield has won the company of a maiden… I do not deny that I am surprised."
Hayden couldn't help but smirk a little.
"I can see you are a fair beauty under normal circumstances," Thranduil closely examined her, "A pity… you would have made the perfect maiden for my son."
Hayden's smirk disappeared.
"Oh you do not like that idea?" Thranduil mused and turned to his subjects, "Should we show her what has become of her dwarf king?"
A few elves bowed their heads and left the room quickly and silently. Hayden followed them with her eyes and continued to stay silent, her heart beating a million miles an hour.
Soon enough the elves had returned from the dark corridor, only this time they were accompanied by another figure; it was Thorin.
He had been stripped of his armor, wearing only a black tunic, pants and boots, and he looked like death would take him at any second.
"Thorin…" she breathed out, watching as his feet dragged across the floor to stand near Thranduil, his head hanging low.
"Why do you look so gloomy, Thorin Oakenshield?" Thranduil asked with a smirk, "I should think you would be happy to see your lover."
Thorin's head snapped up and his eyes locked immediately on Hayden.
"Hayden," he said weakly, and almost collapsed to the floor, but the elves held him up.
Hayden couldn't help herself any longer, and she ran forward to him, taking his face in her hands.
"Thorin," she said, "Thorin please wake up."
His eyes flickered open and he gave her a weak smile, "You're alive…"
"Yes, yes I'm alive," she smiled, "And so are you."
"The baby…?" he managed to croak out.
"Is fine," she breathed.
"Oh isn't this touching," Thranduil's voice broke into their moment.
Hayden let go of Thorin's face and turned to face the king, who was smirking lightly. She felt like smacking some sense into him more than anything, but she retrained herself. Losing her temper would not keep Thorin or the Company alive; she just needed to play it right.
"Please," she begged, "He's dying – he needs food and water."
"Oh I'm afraid I can't do that, good lady," Thranduil said sincerely, "You see I promised Elrond I would not harm you, but I have never been rather fond of dwarves…"
"You can't leave him to die!" she cried indignantly.
"And why not?"
"Because…" her voice faltered.
"Hayden," she heard Thorin croak behind her.
"Because I'm pregnant."
Once again Thranduil's arrogant façade fell for a split second as he stared at Hayden, but it was restored soon after that.
"Pregnant?"
"Yes," she sighed, "I can't do this without him, please, I'll do anything."
"Hayden… no," Thorin said weakly behind her.
"Anything you say?" Thranduil smirked, approaching her slowly and deliberately.
Hayden stayed silent, watching him wearily as he stepped closer to her, until he was but a foot away.
"I wonder what a beauty like yourself would sacrifice for your love?" Thranduil whispered, his warm breath reaching her face and sending chills down her spine. He took another step forward and his cold hands touched her arm, stroking it softly. He circled her like he had before, and his hand moved her hair behind her shoulder so that her neck was fully exposed to him.
"I want to be feared," he whispered, his lips inches from her ear, "I want to be the most powerful of the elven kings… and your lovers treasure could give me that."
Hayden cleared her throat and took a step away, turning defiantly to face him.
"Gold will make you powerful but it won't earn you respect," she said, hoping that she sounded more confident than she felt, "It comes at a heavy price."
"So you think you know the true price of gold?" Thranduil laughed, "Have you seen it happen, girl? Do you really know what it will do to your precious Thorin if he wins it back?" Thranduil mocked her, "He will forget about you, your child, and anything else that he once claimed to love. Mark my words Hayden Parker, he does not love you, nor can he offer you what he claims."
Hayden clenched her jaw and she honestly did not know how she stopped herself from punching him square in the face.
"You don't know me or Thorin," she said, her lips pursed and her arms crossed tight over her chest, "I love him more than anything in this world, and I'll be damned if I let a bloody elf stand in the way of us getting back our home."
"Very well," Thranduil sighed dramatically, "Escort our guests to the dungeons… I've grown weary of their company."
Elves approached Hayden and grabbed her hands, and she didn't bother to struggle against them. Her and Thorin were led out of the hall, but not before Hayden heard Thranduil's last few words.
"Legolas, send word to Lord Elrond of our new guests."
"Yes, father…"
They were led down a dimly lit corridor until they were both thrown unceremoniously into a cell, where the door was quickly slammed shut behind them.
Hayden growled in frustration and kicked the door back, causing an equally loud bang.
"I'd like to tear him a new asshole, the pompous prat!" she growled, smacking her palms against the wood.
Behind her she heard Thorin chuckle weakly and she spun around, in all her anger forgetting how sick he was.
"Oh, Thorin," she breathed, quickly walking over to him and collapsing beside where he had fallen down the wall to the ground.
He gave her a weak smile and she gently stroked the side of his face, which was trembling slightly.
"It's nice to see your face again," she smiled.
"It's nice to hear you angry at someone other than me," he gave her a small smirk.
"I will never again criticize you for holding anger against elves," she said, and laughed, "You can hate them as much as you want."
He laughed with her for a while and his hand slid over her flat stomach.
"The baby? Is it alright?" he asked, frowning worriedly at her.
"I suppose so," she said softly, "I haven't felt anything wrong."
He nodded considerately and his other hand wound through her hair, pulling her towards him and locking their lips in a soft embrace.
Hayden smiled and rubbed her hand over his chest. It had been a long time since they had kissed, or touched intimately, and she was already burning with desire for him.
He broke apart their lips with a satisfied sigh and kept his face close to hers.
"If it weren't for you Hayden, knowing you were out there and alive, I might have faded in this accursed cell," he whispered heavily, "With everything that elf said to you, you never doubted me… thank you for being mine."
"I could never doubt you even if I wanted to," she said, tracing his jawline softly with her finger, "Besides, you're mine and I'm yours remember…" Her hand subconsciously touched Thror's key, which still hung concealed beneath her shirt, and she smiled, "And you might just be the best thing that's ever been mine."
He smiled and pulled her into another embrace, hungrier and more passionate than the last. There they stayed for a long while, how long exactly Hayden didn't know, for she was too busy soaking in everything of Thorin that she had missed in the last few weeks.
There was a scuffling sound outside the door of their cell and Hayden and Thorin broke away from one another, looking wearily towards the door.
When it didn't open immediately Hayden's heart leapt.
"Bilbo-" she said, and jumped up from the ground and made towards the door, but stopped abruptly when it swung open to reveal the last person she had expected.
"Hello," Legolas smiled tentatively, walking into the cell.
"What do you want?" she sighed, unable to hide her disappointment.
"I was bringing you food," Legolas began, "But if you do not want it-"
"No," she shook her head quickly, "No I'm sorry; I'm just a little on edge."
"All is forgiven," the elf smiled, "My father can be a pretentious host at times."
Hayden scoffed, "Just a little bit."
"Forgive me," Legolas jumped quickly, giving her a small bow, "I am Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the Woodland Realm."
Don't freak out, don't freak out, Hayden kept repeating to herself, trying to calm her inner fan girl.
"Hayden Parker… no title," she added stupidly, but Legolas smiled and chuckled a little.
"I heard of your condition," he said, nodding to her stomach, "And I know it is very unsafe for a mother to go without food for so long a time."
"Oh that's really nice of you," she smiled appreciatively, "Though I think he needs it more than me," she added, looking over to Thorin.
Legolas looked momentarily at Thorin but did not linger on him, quickly returning his attention back to Hayden.
"I will send someone shortly with food and water," he said and with another short bow he made to walk out the cell.
"Oh Legolas?" Hayden called out before he could leave, "Would I be pushing it too much if I asked for my friends to have food and water aswell?"
Legolas pursed his lips and considered her, "I'll see what I can do." He gave her one last elegant smile and closed the door after him.
"And she does it again," Hayden grinned, inwardly patting herself on the back and taking her seat again beside Thorin.
"You scare me sometimes," he said weakly.
"Why?"
"You really do not know how charming you are," he said, shifting uncomfortably against the wall, "It's one of the reasons why men have an overwhelming need to please you."
"They do not," she scoffed, but frowned slightly.
"They do," Thorin retorted, "Why do you think Thranduil did not kill you immediately? Or why that elf prince just happened to know where your cell was and came to your aid?"
Hayden's frown deepened but she didn't say anything, lost for words.
"It's just as well I'm already taken then," she said after a pause.
"Mm, and what a lucky man he is," he almost purred, watching as she wound her fingers absentmindedly around his, lost in thought.
"Hayden," he frowned.
"Hm?"
"Why are there spider webs in your hair?"
She reached up and touched her hair, not realizing there were still traces of the web all over her body, "It's a long story-"
Hayden was interrupted by another knock on the door, and she quickly got up and went to it, expecting it to be Legolas again, but it wasn't.
This time a female elf came through the door, striding into the room arrogantly and holding a tray of food and water with her.
"Prince Legolas asked me to bring you food," she said begrudgingly, shoving the tray into Hayden's chest.
"Yeah I can see you're full of joy about it," Hayden scoffed quietly.
"Does he need healing?" the elf woman asked, nodding towards Thorin.
"I would assume so," Hayden said, putting down the food for the while and kneeling down beside Thorin, "Where are you hurting?"
"I think-" Thorin cringed as he tried to sit up, "I think I've got a rather large cut along my side."
"I can fix that if you wish," the elf said, approaching where Thorin sat but he shook his head.
"No, I think I would rather suffer-"
"Thorin don't be an idiot, you need healing," Hayden said reproachfully, "Show me the cut."
Thorin pursed his lips and sat up off the wall painfully, slipping his light shirt off and throwing it to the ground.
Hayden winced; the cut was rather large and it looked extremely sore – it was a wonder he had managed to even walk with it.
The elf crouched on the other side of Thorin and examined the wound, with Hayden watching her carefully. Out of her pocket the elf took a vile of white cream and a few long bandages, which she handed to Hayden.
"Rub this on the wound then wrap it tightly," the elf explained, tearing her eyes reluctantly from Thorin's chest, "I will be available if you need any help-"
"No that'll be it," Hayden said, "But thank you."
"You're welcome," the elf nodded curtly and left the room without another word, and Hayden watched her suspiciously until she had gone.
"One would think you had the bad past with the elves," Thorin observed, wincing as Hayden began to apply the cream to the cut.
"I didn't like her attitude," Hayden said quickly, "She was a complete asshole up until the moment you took off your shirt, then she was all 'oh I can help out if you want.' Yeah right, over my dead body."
Thorin raised his eyebrows but she ignored him.
"There's no need to be so jealous," he smirked, "If I was jealous each time a man even looked at you there would be none left in the world."
"It's not jealousy," she said quite adamantly, "I would just much prefer if I am the only woman who gets to gawk at your fantastic body."
"You are," he continued to smirk.
"Good."
She finished wrapping up his cut and reached over to grab the tray of food she had placed on the ground and set it on her lap.
She handed Thorin a tankard of water and waited patiently for him to finished drinking before handing him some bread and cheese.
"Now, back to the spider webs," he said, before taking a bite of bread.
"Oh yes, that's a fun story," she smirked, and began to explain what had happened to the Company after he had disappeared, in between bites of food.
"Wait – the hobbit saved you all?" Thorin asked incredulously.
"Yes and-"
"Bilbo Baggins?"
"Yes, Thorin," she smirked, "He was very clever – we wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him."
"Hm… it seems I owe the hobbit another thank you," Thorin said considerately.
"I should think so!"
Hayden and Thorin jumped and looked around the cell for the source of the voice.
"Hayden, I'm outside the door," came the voice again and Hayden beamed.
She jumped up from her seat and sprinted over to the door to look through the small barred window.
"I have the Ring on so you won't be able to see me," Bilbo's whisper appeared through the window, "But I'm here."
"Oh Bilbo thank god," she breathed out in relief, "I thought something had happened to you."
"Of course not, I followed your instructions completely."
"Have you seen the others?"
"Yes they're all fine – one of the elves even brought them food and water."
"Good, they'll be needing it," Hayden smiled.
"Listen Hayden, I have a plan in mind," Bilbo continued, "But it may take me a few days to finalise – is that alright?"
"That's fine, just don't rush it – we can't risk getting caught."
"Right, I'll do just that," Bilbo said.
"Thank you so much, Bilbo," she smiled, and although she couldn't see him she swear she heard a smile in his voice too.
"Of course Hayden, we have to stick together after all," he said, "Oh and Fili and Kili told me to give you a message."
"What is that?"
"They hope you and Thorin are safe and the baby," Bilbo said, but he wasn't done there, "And they also say that if you and Thorin try any 'hanky panky' I believe their words were, they will know."
"Typical perverts," she muttered, but she couldn't help but smile – she missed them so much, "Good luck Bilbo – I'll talk to you soon?"
"As soon as I finalise my plan I will let you and Thorin know first."
"Stay safe Bilbo," she said quickly before he could disappear.
"And you, Hayden," came his voice and she heard his bare feet pattering against the cool stone as he disappeared down the corridor.
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Stay tuned to see what happens next in Chapter 37 of An Unexpected Journey!