Eventually she gathered that she was being carried. Whoever it was, seemed to move with ease, despite carrying her body well off the ground, as if she weighed nothing. Continuing to drift in and out of consciousness throughout, it made her feel as though she were floating.

Above her, was a thick canopy of foliage that clearly blocked out any view of the sky... moving her neck stiffly to look over to her right, she was sure she could just about make out a russet coloured, furry coat, but her vision was hazy and it was far too dark. Any voices around her were hushed, and there were few noises to guide her.

And so once again she let the darkness overcome her.

...

Eyes flickering open, Shobha found herself in darkness. She was clearly laying on a bed in a large room. But the vastness of the space felt as though it engulfed her and the bed she lay on completely. If there were windows in the room, none let any light in.

Her head ached, and her body felt stiff. Slowly, she rolled onto her back, feeling her aching body sink into the luxurious mattress.

"Try not to sit up too quickly," a smooth voice emanated from somewhere in the vast darkness. "You took quite a knock to your head."

"Where am I please?" She attempted to lift herself up, only to realise that her wrists were tied together with some sort of silky fabric. It was deceivingly strong.

"You are in Greenwood, my dear - and I would save my strength if I were you: those ties look weak, but I promise they will not break or come unbound..." the voice carried on. It was deep and smooth with a clear level of derision and arrogance.

To her complete surprise the room slowly began to brighten up with the light of many candles, as though there were several people inside moving about lighting them in various places. But it was only her and the owner of that voice!

Stifling a gasp as the room continued to brighten, she attempted one last time to tear the bonds apart and then gave in, laying there on the floor.

As the light grew slightly brighter and came to settle at a soft level of lighting, she could see most of the large room. It was an opulently decorated bedroom, but clearly had no windows as she had guessed. The large bed she lay on was a four poster but the wood was carved as though each post was a living tree trunk, and the decorations were rather gothic, with dark reds and various shades of black.

"So its true: The Lord of Erebor allowed an actual outsider to live with them!" A tall man skulked out of the darkness to where she lay unable to get up effectively. He was lean but muscularly built, with long blonde hair, alabaster skin and the palest blue eyes she had ever seen. Stopping at the foot of the large bed she awkwardly half propped herself up on, he stood watching her with great curiosity. "I am surprised you survived that long without a guard. The scent of your blood sings to anyone with half a nose..."

"My scent...?"

"I imagine the wolves would have loved a taste..." he inched closer, watching her with an almost predatory look as he tilted his face. He seemed to be attempting to restrain himself. "Mmmmm yes... the smell of your blood... it sings to me!"

This time he shut his eyes, as if savouring the smells coming from a michelin starred kitchen!

"What am I doing here... please can I be untied...?"

"Sorry my dear, but that cannot be done: you see, you were found trespassing on my land. And truth be told, had you been found by anyone other than my son, I cant say your fate would have been as kind..." he seemed to move faster than she could follow, in a strangely silent manner. "None can enter or leave these woods without my permission - and trespassers usually pay a forfeit of blood."

"Blood...?" She repeated, slowly and deliberately, as though allowing herself time for the thought to sink in.

"But in your case... I am informed that you happen to be rather valued by Lord Durin himself..." he turned to watch her from the shadows again with some curiosity. He tilted his head, making him appear feral. "You seem surprised at this?"

"You know I was entirely unconscious and abducted from my house. So surely I cant be seen as trespassing -"

"Then how did we find you within our borders?" He interrupted.

"I told you, when I arrived at my house, there was an intruder."

"So then perhaps you might describe this intruder..?"

She opened her mouth and then paused realising that an accusation of a possible 'werewolf-intruder' was probably going to be unbelievable for anyone. And in any case, she hadnt seen her assailant in the dark. Certainly not enough to be able to describe them.

"I didnt see them properly," she replied quite dejected. "But it was dark and I was hit on the head while trying to run away!"

"How very convenient." He mocked coldly. "Well it matters not. If you are indeed as precious to Lord Thorin as I am led to believe, then we will make a simple trade. If not... well... I guess you are mine to do as I please."

And with that there was a rush of movement, but before she could locate him, he was gone. At the same time she found the candles all dimmed until the light was completely gone. She tugged hard on the silk tethers, and pulled again, but try as she might they didn't even appear to loosen.

The dark was all consuming. But the silence was worse. There was no way she was escaping this and it was all dependant on Thorin now. She hated to think how he might react once he heard, but then again he seemed very indifferent towards her when they last parted. She shook her head with self loathing; she was in quite a pickle of a situation, and instead of trying to figure out how to escape, she was worried about Thorin! Ugh! Shaking her head once more, she looked around in the darkness, head still fuzzy from the blow she had received.

"Well, this is just bloody perfect!" She muttered trying to look around in the darkness for any signs of movement. "Hello?!"

Realising her struggle was futile she flopped back onto the soft bed and lay there thinking what she could do next.

...

Thorin clenched his fists either side of him, as he tries to control the anger pulsating through him. The Lord of Greenwood stared at him coldly and frankly seemed as though he truly didn't care.

"She was abducted from her home -"

"Well, you havent done a very good job at protecting her in your own lands then have you?" He paced closer, carefully studying the Ereborean Lords features for any tell tale signs. "We made an ancient pact regarding territory. We have even had loss of trade and communication with regards to these rules, and now she is ours. In any case, I am told she has ventured close to our borders on her own accord prior to this, so it is completely possible that she did the same again. Someone so precious to me would have been warned about these details, had I been in your place."

"It is hard to protect someone like her without telling her more than she needs to know. And you know our laws bind me from that." He groaned, holding his ground firmly. The woman was his and Thranduil knew it. He was merely provoking him."Just tell me what it is that you want Thranduil?"

"You know what I want. A straight swap is more than fair. Besides those gems belong to my family and should have been returned long ago!" It was now Thranduil's turn to get heated for a split second before regaining his composure. This was an opportunity he could not afford to squander. In order to get what he wanted he would have to remain calm. He turned clasping his hands behind him and took a few steps before turning to face Lord Durin again. "Lets be honest: she is clearly important to you, or else you would not have come here for her yourself."

Thorin clenched and unclenched his fist at his side in an attempt to control his own temper. This was all set in Thranduils favour. When he had been informed of her abduction, and the security team sent in search of her, he would never have expected a message from Greenwood stating they had captured her trespassing on their land. So he had wasted no time travelling to their territory in order to demand her safe return.

What he hadnt expected was for this opportunity to be used by Lord Thranduil to barter an exchange for some gems he had craved from the Ereborean vault for so long.

Thorin stood tall and firm. He was broader than Thranduil, even if only a head shorter. But then the proprietor of Greenwood was unusually tall.

"Aye, but she is no military man: unlike your usual captives. She is innocent and only here to work." He watched as Thranduil slowly turned, staring coldly at him. "Should anything happen to her, you can be assured that outsiders will be sent to investigate her disappearance. And I have your note informing me that you are keeping her captive: so I will squarely lay the blame with you..."

They stood in Thranduil's grand hall. With its ornate dark-wood, carved panelling, high ceilings and tall, intricate pillars. This was a hall for entertaining special guests or intimidating those he wanted something out of. Even while so dark and simple, it exuded a certain refined grandiosity that even the solid, carved marble or gilded halls of Erebor did not.

"So she is precious to you then..."

Thorin ignored the question and it's implications.

"The jewels you seek have not been seen in Erebor for decades. I cannot be sure they can be found in the vaults." Thorin spat out in frustration. In truth he hadn't set foot in his grandfathers vault, having relied on Gimli for this. But even his treasurer had not been into its depths, only dealing with the necessary. "You cannot keep her indefinitely."

"She does not seem to particularly have a desire to be returned. She didnt ask for you." He could see a flash of some sort of emotion in Thorin's blue eyes at that. So he was correct in his gauge of what was between them. "Perhaps she would be happy staying here..?"

Thranduil took several paces towards Thorin, lowering his head to stare at him. He wanted to see pain on the Ereborean's face for the injustice they had caused in not returning the gems that were a gift for his late wife. His only memory of her.

"In that case, show her who you really are, and let her decide." Thorin growled back, standing his ground. The woman was under his charge. She belonged to him.

"Why, because you have shown her who you are then, have you?"

Thorin growled in frustration once more.

"Very well then. I will try searching for the jewels. But what if I do not find them?"

"Then we settle it as our forefathers once did, when they fought over territory." Thranduil tilted his head hoping to see fear on the Ereboreans face but there was none. Only stubborn defiance. Foolish defiance!

"Then it is agreed. But I need to see proof that she is well before I leave."

...

Thranduil had led Thorin through many corridors until they reached yet another grand part of the palace. It could only be concluded that it was the royal wing. At the very end of the corridor a large carved wood door came into view and Thranduil stopped him outside.

"You have five minutes." The tall lord of Greenwood opened the door, his pale cold hand with spidery fingers settling on the large gilded handle as he did.

Stepping inside, Thorin stood still for a moment scanning the enormous room. In the near complete darkness he spotted a small figure curled up on the large bed in the centre of the room.

It was her, he was sure of it. But she remained completely still.

Heart pounding, he took another few steps towards her, when he saw her move. At first she raised her head and appeared to strain to listen.

"Hello...?" She asked in a quiet voice, still straining to locate the sound of the footsteps approaching, where she couldnt see.

As he took a couple of steps closer, she pushed herself into sitting up using her bound hands, looking around in the dark, nervously.

"Please... I told you. I wasn't trespassing - I was taken from my home -" she carried on explaining, making him halt in his path. It made him wonder what they had done to her. "You could ask..."

She sounded worried, and her tone of entreaty made him want to walk straight over to her and hold her tight in his arms.

"You could ask Dwalin - the head of security. He will know the details and be able to confirm that I am telling you the truth..."

His heart immediately sank at the realisation that his best friend was the first name that came to her lips in her time of need.

He cleared his throat, and felt the smallest tinge of relief when she looked as though she recognised his voice, but all the same he decided announce himself anyway.

"It's Thorin, Miss Seth. Are you hurt?"

He moved closer to her, dismayed to see that she had been tethered to one of the posts by a thin long silk tie, which also bound her wrists together. It gave her enough room to lie on the bed and move around comfortably, but she was still shackled. He knew it would be futile to attempt breaking it, as it was clearly enchanted, making it unnaturally stronger than it was.

"Lord Thorin! Oh my goodness! You must believe me... Someone knocked me out and carried me here - honestly!" She crawled over to the edge of the bed where he stood and reached out with her bound hands, desperately clutching at his suit with her fingers. "They had ransacked the house... I hope the others are safe...?"

There was something rather alluring about seeing her so submissive and tethered. He found himself quite aroused at the sight. Even with the silken tie, he would have been able to manipulate her body amply to allow them both to be more than satisfied. Dismissing the thought he moved closer.

"Fortunately they were not in at the time." He replied coolly. "You should have never stepped in when you realised someone was inside."

"I'm sorry - I just.."

"Can't help yourself. Yes?" He completed sternly. "It matters not now. I will arrange to get you out of here -"

"Wait... Don't leave me..." She whispered, clutching at his chest and leaning into him, that he couldn't help but wrap his arms around her waist and let her rest on his chest. "He said trespassers pay with their blood... I know it's sounds crazy but I think they're vampires. And they don't believe me..."

"Have they hurt you in any way? Or touched you?" He had to be sure for himself.

"No. Not yet at least.. " she moved her small, cool hands up to his face.

"Good. And they will not harm you. I have ensured that." He did not trust Thranduil one bit, but was sure all the same that he would not risk being denied the jewels he so badly craved, just to satisfy himself. And so she would be safe for now. "Do not fear."

Thorin gently caressed her face with his hand, brushing away her dishevelled hair.

Just then the door to the room opened and Thranduil stood in the doorway. His face was shrouded in darkness and only his silhouette visible.

"Lord Thorin, I trust you are satisfied that the girl is unharmed?" He spoke, as though asking Thorin to inspect an item being discussed for a sale. "Now I will ask that we discuss matters further..."

"Very well..." Thorin ran his hands over hers and gently moved her back to the bed before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek and stepping away. It would be futile to pretend that she meant nothing to him any longer, after Thranduil had walked in to see him holding her.

"Please... Take me with you..." Her heart raced. She had never begged for anything, but she was sure now that they intended to feed on her. And there seemed no way out of this one.

"Hush now. I will have you released soon enough - I give you my word."

...

She awoke in a panic, with the feeling of an icy cold hand on her arm.

"Shhhh. Do not fear me girl." A voice hissed as her from in the dark.

Shobha must have fallen asleep. Her head spun from disorientation and she had clearly sustained some degree of concussion after the blow that had knocked her out.

"I am not here to hurt you." He spoke in a softer manner than what she had experienced previously. "Here, I have brought you some food and drink..."

She heard the striking of flint and suddenly the pitch black of her space was illuminated by the dim glow of a single, small, candle. It lit up the face of her new warden.

He was tall, and leanly built, with pale eyes and alabaster skin that appeared to almost sparkle in the soft light. The chiseled features of his face were framed with his long pale hair. He had set a small tray of food and a jug of water on a side table and seemed to be lighting a candle that stood in a small stand on the mantle of an empty fireplace.

"It is not much food, and probably won't be the best you've tasted, but I expect you are hungry," he spoke with his back turned, still attending to the candle. "It has been nearly two days since you arrived and you have drunk very little and eaten nothing."

"When can I leave? Lord Thorin said..." She pulled the blanket around her tight as she slowly moved to the edge of the bed where he had set everything out.

"Oh my! You do smell rather good." He seemed to recoil from where he stood. "You will be permitted to leave when the price is paid for your trespass."

She felt vulnerable and scared being trapped here in what she was now certain was a vampire den! A part of her wanted to give up, but another part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind – particularly if she was going to die anyway.

"I told you - I didn't willingly set foot in your stupid wood! I was brought here..." She paused at the thought of that. All this time she had been so caught up in being imprisoned here that she hadn't thought of the consequences such an incident would have.

"But why would anyone do such a thing?" He sounded genuinely intrigued, as though he was humouring a mad woman. "What gain could such an action possibly have? Besides, I have seen you at the borders of our land. I have seen your curiosity. Like all other outsiders, you believe exploring the wild is simple and have no regard for those that dwell there."

"Nobody would come camping here if they knew there was anyone living here!" She didn't like his tone. How he believed people out camping had no care for nature. And then she realised what he had said. "Hang on - it was you in the treeline, I saw that day! I knew I saw someone! You know there was a dead carcass of a calf that had been stolen from the town -"

"Aye I attended a meeting with the Master of Dale. But I can assure you none of our people have anything to do with it." He added coldly.

"I am assuming there is a history of trouble between the Ereboreans and your people?"

"Yes. Long standing." He snapped.

"So someone would benefit from stirring it up again. But who?"

"That is most ridiculous. Any trouble could be resolved if Lord Thorin put to right the wrongs of old. It would be only fair."

"Or you could all make like Frozen and just let it go...?"

"Make like Frozen?" He turned to leave impatiently. "This is madness. And in truth, I have grown tired of all this -"

"No please! I'm sorry." She slumped back at the edge of the bed. "Thank you for bringing me food - but I just want to go home now."

He paused halfway to the door. If what she said was indeed true, then she was just an innocent victim in this.

"Am I going to be killed?" She asked frankly. She wasn't sure when she last saw Thorin, or what payment was indeed agreed for her release, if at all. And given Thorins temperament, he could have just as well told the Greenwood Lord to stick it up his pale arse as much as come to an agreement!

He suddenly started laughing.

"No. Why would you think that?"

"Well, I'm a prisoner and it was implied that I had to pay in blood. And given the lack of light on here, the rumours and the history told in the town... That you are vampires..."

He moved in closer so she could see him better.

"And does that not scare you?"

"So I am right?" She wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Jewels that belong to my father, were unjustly kept by the Lord of Erebor, following an unexplained disappearance which was incorrectly blamed on our people. All he asks is that our family heirlooms are returned in exchange for your safe return."

"What if Thorin doesn't agree to return them?"

"Females of your world are most peculiar," he chuckled at her. "Of course he will agree to such a simple trade. I am unsure as to why you would even question that?"

She raised her eyebrows at his words. It was a perfectly valid question in her mind, after her own personal experiences of 'Lord Grumpy-arse'.

"You are clearly precious to him..." He paused briefly waiting for the penny to drop. So when she didn't react he carried on. "He came here himself, instead of sending one of his councilmen; he insisted on seeing you..."

He paused again waiting for a reaction and then continued once more.

"He has agreed in any case... And should he be unable to locate them in the given time, then it will be settled with a duel."

"A duel?! Jeez, I think I have gone back in time.." she muttered to herself and then wondered how serious this was given her previous theory. "Exactly what does that entail?"

"Lord Thorin will fight Lord Thranduil's chosen champion, until one is defeated."

"And by defeated… you mean?"

"That will be decided."

"What – so it may be to the death?"

He remained silent.

She watched him carefully. The more she looked at him the more she found something strangely familiar about him. As though she had seen him before.

"Please eat something. It will not help either Greenwood or Erebor, should you come to any harm." He turned and walked to the door, and then paused before leaving. "And it may seem like you are a prisoner, but you are safest within this chamber."

Before she could say anything more he had disappeared, leaving her alone in the room.

…

Happy New Year everyone! Sorry for taking so long to post the next chapter.

Let me know your thoughts/comments x

skippie - thank you so much! hope you enjoy the next chapter too

chelsea - thank you so much - there'll be more creepiness in mirkwood/greenwood coming up!