Chapter 36

Confrontation

Ella's POV

When I opened my eyes I was in a dark cell. I knew what had happened. Turwaithion had taken me and now I was trapped. Thorin would not be able to find me.

"Well hello Miss Ella."

His voice reached me and anger flared through me. I flew at the bars and thrashed violently.

"Well, well such an animal you have become!"

"You know nothing!" I hissed.

I had expected myself to be afraid, but the fire in my heart was stronger.

"What have you done?!"

He gave me that horrid smirk.

"I have done nothing yet."

I narrowed my eyes. I had not failed to notice the torch near the cell. I hid my smirk.

"You would do well not to trifle with me you filth!" I snarled.

He laughed at me.

"There is nothing you can do!"

"Bet me!"

I commanded the flames of the fire and caused them to grow and then threw them at him. He moved and then looked at me furiously.

"You little bitch!"

He was going to open the cell door. I called the flames to me once more and let them engulf me in a shield of fire.

"You cannot keep this up forever! The second your fire goes out, you will be MINE!"

Now I was scared but I refused to let the fires die.

Thorin please find me! FIND ME!

Thorin's POV

"Who?"

"I know not the translation for his name. She drew this…."

I handed her sisters her drawing. Rachel's hand flew to her mouth and Ann's fist balled and she shook.

"Who is he?!" I demanded.

"I won't speak his filthy name! But if he hurts her….his ass is grass!" Ann said.

"I know what it is he did to her! I swore to Ella I would protect her! I should have listened! I should have believed what she said. She told me he was coming here!" I lamented.

"We will get her back laddie. We all care for the young lass." Balin said.

I looked at my men and the two older sisters. Ella had become a dear friend and family member to us all. Though I knew none loved her as I did, not even her sisters. I looked down and silently begged for her to be safe.

"Then we find her! I will not stop until I find her!" I said.

There was a chorus of agreement and then I closed my eyes.

I will find you!

Ella's POV

It had been two days since I had been brought here. I could feel my strength wavering, yet I would not give up.

"Still here like that." he said.

I shook with rage and the flames grew. He laughed at me.

"No matter, it's only a matter of time before you grow too weak to continue."

"I am a stronger woman by far! There is power in me yet!" I said.

He laughed and then left. I was starving and parched. I began to fear that perhaps Turwaithion was right.

On the third day I was at my worst. Then I heard a softer voice at the cell door.

"Pedich edhellen?"

I looked up and let the flames create a sort of window. I saw the face of the one I knew to be Legolas Greenleaf. My strength left me and the fires cleared.

"Tancave!" I gasped.

The cell opened and I felt water falling on my lips.

"~You attacked Turwaithion upon you arrival…..~"

"~That I did not! He is a liar! He and I have met before! I know him! He attacked me once before!~" I said.

I managed to open my eyes and looked at him. Then my worst horror appeared.

"My prince I believe she is under my watch. And your father wishes to speak with you."

Legolas nodded and then I felt my last hope of protection leave. To my relief, Turwaithion left as well.

Thorin's POV

I was awakened from the enchantment of the elves. Then brought before one I hoped to never see again. Thranduil.

"Thorin Oakenshield!" He said.

I said nothing and looked at him. To his left was another elf, I believed to be his son. But to his right, there was a man. The look upon his face gave me an uneasy feeling.

"Why did you and your folk three times attack my people at their merrymaking?" Thranduil inquired.

"We did not attack them! We came to beg because we were starving! Yet most important of all to ask if they had seen someone." I said.

He raised his brow.

"Oh?"

I looked at the prince. He did not seem at all like his father, but looks can be misleading.

"He took her….the one I love. A man whom she has long feared has taken my wife from me. Her hair is longer then any and it shines! Her eyes are like the most precious sapphires! Her lips are full and like that of a rose. But if none of this helps, she has a scar…." I saw the man stiffen. "From her forehead down the edge of her brow to her cheek. She received it in a battle with Azog the Defiler. We have had our differences in the past but this is no longer just about us! I swore I would protect her!" I pleaded.

Never in my life would I think to be pleading for the aid of the Elvenking Thranduil! But this was no longer about my pride and anger, this was about Ella and saving her.

"And why is it I should believe you?"

I could no longer control my anger. I looked up with unmistakable anger upon my face.

"I LOVE HER! I LOVE HER MORE THEN ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD! I GAVE HER MY WORD AND I WILL DO WHATEVER I MUST TO FIND HER!"

He stood up angrily.

"You have not changed! Put him in prison until he feels inclined to tell the truth! Even if he waits 100 years!" he ordered.

Before they could take me away I looked at Thranduil.

"I am warning you Thranduil! If she dies out there whilst I am locked up here….I will kill you in her name!" I roared.

Ella's POV

I dared not believe what I heard.

Is it him!? Has he come for me!?