Before you read on, make sure you have read Chapter 19 first, as I don't want you to miss anything with me putting both chapters up at once!


Chapter 20

The first thing I am aware of when I regain consciousness is the feeling of the soft mattress beneath me. The second is the absence of snoring from the dwarves. I almost believe that we are back in Rivendell and that the events of what happened the past couple months were all a dream, that is until I open my eyes and realise the room I am now in is not the room I was given in Rivendell.

The walls are white and through certain parts are what appears to be logs built into the room. Looking around, there is a bookshelf and a screen, which I assume leads to a bathing area. I freeze as I look next to me. Laying in another bed is Aiden, his skin still paler than I'd like it to be, but he looks better than the last I saw him.

"Aiden. . ."

I stumble out of the bed I'm in and go to his bed, sitting beside him and gently running a hand over his hair and across his cheek. I almost thing he has passed on if not for the steady rising and falling of his chest.

"You're awake!" Bilbo's voice calls out from behind me.

I hold back a scream as I turn and see Bilbo standing there, smiling wide. He looks terrible. His curly hair matted and covered in cobwebs, his eyes look bright but full of exhaustion and it definitely looks like he's not had a decent meal in a while.

"Bilbo. . .thank goodness you're alright." I say in relief as I walk over and hold him.

He embraces me back. "I should say the same about you. I thought. . .I thought we were going to lose you and Aiden."

I smile as I pull away. "No, my friend. You won't lose us. We're tougher than that, especially him."

We both smile back at my sleeping son before I turn back to Bilbo.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in? I'm sure the elves don't know you're here."

He nods. "You're right, they don't. I managed to sneak in."

I look to him in confusion. "How? I know you're small and quiet, but even an elf would be able to spot you a mile away."

He seems to hesitate for a moment before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his hand again. Laying in the palm is a small golden ring, just a simple gold band, nothing too special at first glance. But looking at it, I can't help but feel a niggling sensation in the back of my mind, one that has been a constant companion to me all through this quest, but now the niggling is stronger. It's as if my mind knows that there's something of great important to this ring, but for the life of me, I cannot place what it is.

"I found it in the goblin tunnels. I don't know how, but it makes me invisible when I wear it. I've been using it to make my way around this place and trying to figure our how to free the dwarves."

My eyes go from the ring to Bilbo, allowing him to put the ring in his pocket again.

"Free them? They're locked up?"

Bilbo nods. "In the dungeons."

"Have you thought of a way to free them yet?"

Bilbo shakes his head. "Not yet. I have already spoken with Thorin and told him I'm working on a way to get them out. I've also told him you and Aiden are safe, he was relived to hear it."

I nod as I stand, hissing in pain from the wound in my back. With the adrenaline worry for my son and friend now gone, the pain from the spider now hits again.

"Are you alright?" Bilbo asks worriedly as he helps me back on the bed.

I nod again, wincing as I sit down. "I'm fine. I just hope to never have to see a spider for the rest of my life."

This causes Bilbo to chuckle. I glance to the bedside table to see a tray of food; fruits, nuts, bread, cheese and dried meat, along with a goblet of water.

"Have you eaten?" I ask the hobbit as I pull the tray onto the bed.

"Bits and pieces every now and then that I managed to scrape from the kitchens. I couldn't take too much, other wise they'll get suspicious."

I indicate for him to take some food from my plate and we eat together in silence, with me looking over at Aiden every now and then. After a few moments, an image flashes through my mind; a cellar and barrels.

"Sophia? Are you alright?" Bilbo suddenly asks.

As I look to him, I realise that the image must be someone's way of telling me that is how we are going to get out, using some barrels in a cellar.

"Have you come across a cellar yet? One that has barrels in it?"

He thinks for a moment before shaking his head. "No, not yet. But I can look the next time I can get out."

We sit and talk for a while later until we hear voices by the door. Bilbo quickly puts on his ring and vanishes just as the door opens and the blond elf from the forest stands there.

"Good. You are awake. The King would like to speak with you."

Pausing for a moment, I look to my son, not wanting to leave him alone in a strange place.

"Your son will be alright. He will not be harmed, I can assure you." the elf says, sensing my hesitation.

Looking over Aiden for a few more moments, I wince at the pain in my back as I stand and follow the elf out, feeling Bilbo touch my arm as he brushes past, letting me know he is out. Following the elf, he leads me through the halls and we soon come to an open hall, thick branches twisting into paths that the elves walk upon. I have to admit, it's not Rivendell, but Mirkwood is still a beautiful place.

Leading me up some stairs, we appear before a throne, which is placed above ground and sitting in it, more like lounging in it, is a tall blond elf, a twig and berry crown upon his head and wearing fine silver robes. This elf bears a striking resembling to the elf beside me, so I assume he is the elf's father.

"So, this is the human who would travel among the dwarves. I do so hope they did not resort to kidnapping. I would hate for them to add to their crimes."

"Crimes? What crimes did we commit?"

"Trespassing through my lands, of course. Which brings me to my next topic, why would a human woman and child be travelling through my realm with a bunch of dwarves?"

Remembering the maps I read back in Rivendell, I quickly come up with what I hope is an acceptable lie.

"My son and I were on our way to Esgaroth, visiting family, when we came upon the dwarves. They are travelling to see kin in the Iron Hills and offered to escort us there before they continued on."

The King looks to me for a while before smirking. "A convincing tale, but I think not. I know of who you travel with and what he is trying to do. Tell me, why would a human woman and child go to reclaim Erebor with a group of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield?"

My heart stops. How did he know? Suddenly, another image flashes in my mind, him talking with Thorin. He must have talked with him before talking with me.

When I said nothing more, he just gave a little hum. "No matter, your reasons aren't significant to me, they will not be leaving my halls in time to reach the mountain. You, however, are free to go as you please."

"I'm not leaving without my friends." I say, adamant in this.

He looks to me for a moment before nodding. "Very well, however, you will be waiting a long time. You shall remain here as my guest and can roam freely. If you ever wish to leave, then we will provide you with what you need. Legolas, please escort our guest back to her room."

Legolas bows to him. "Yes, father."

The elf, now known to me as Legolas, leads me out of the throne room and back to the room I share with Aiden, with me anxiously hoping that Bilbo will be able to find the barrels I told him of and we can get ourselves and the dwarves out. Durin's Day is coming close, we cannot come all this way just to fail now.


There we have it. Thranduil has granted her permission to stay if she wishes, which she does, Sophia's not leaving without her dwarves. So, again, hopefully the next chapter will be up next week, if not sometime soon. So, please stay tuned for that and please keep your lovely reviews coming xxx