Chapter Twenty-Two: Arachnids of Unusual Sizes
Fili gave a sigh of relief as they finally reached the foothills on the other side of the Misty Mountains. It had taken longer than he had wanted to pass through the mountain and they'd had to spend the night sheltered in a shallow cave in the pass, one that Bifur checked carefully with his stone sense and declared free of any passages. Fili had been on edge the entire night and was grateful when dawn arrived and they could keep going. He was dreading having to cross them again on the return trip, but hopefully the weather would be clear and the path would have melted and be easier to traverse.
He pulled his pony aside and let the others pass so he could assume the rear guard position. While he was waiting, he allowed himself a deep breath and a small smile. The biggest obstacle between him and Bella had been successfully traveled, the rest of the trip should be easy. Especially without Azog's orcs and wargs on their tail. Within a month or so, he would be able to see her again.
Also, it seemed like with every league they traveled closer, the dreams and their connection grew stronger. He couldn't explain why he was dreaming about the quest or why he couldn't remember her. But every dream was more clear than the last, he knew more and he remembered more. If the dreams kept happening at the rate that they currently were, then they should finish the quest before he reached the Shire. He both wanted and dreaded to know what had happened, so he could make things right, so he could know why she had run.
Taking up his position at the rear of the procession, he started turning strategies over in his mind. He had a hobbit to woo.
Bella carefully went over every inch of her house and cellars to make sure that there were no spiders. She had spent most of the summer waging war on them and was pleased to see that her campaign had been successful as she didn't find a single one. She was not going to write about giant spiders when their smaller cousins were lurking about, no way.
Satisfied that she was safe for at least the moment, she threw together a stew that would need the entire day to simmer. Settling down in the cozy kitchen and absently reminding herself to make some fresh rolls later to go with the stew, she opened the notebook. Wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she started to write.
As soon as her feet touched the forest floor, she knew that something was terribly wrong. Her senses had been trying to tell her that on the climb down, but she had been too focused on the climbing and had barely made note of how quiet it was. Much too quiet for the presence of a group of dwarves. However, when her feet touched the ground, it was like the area grew darker and more stifling. She looked around, but could see no sign of her dwarves. In the few minutes that she had been up in the tree, evil had come and taken her family.
She cast around but she couldn't find anything tangible for her to trace. She started cursing herself for not paying closer attention the the tracking skills they had tried to teach her, but abruptly cut herself off. It would do no good to get caught in a spiral of self loathing right now, she needed to find the company. A sudden, insane, thought occurred to her and she didn't stop to weigh the pros and cons of it. Something inside of her was screaming that she needed to find the dwarves now or it would be too late. So without hesitation, she dropped the shields and barriers that she had gradually built up against the forest's illness.
Darkness ripped through her and she fell to her knees, vomiting helplessly. Finally, she'd thrown up everything and was reduced to dry heaves. Only distantly remembering why she had done this, she fought to push the darkness back enough that she could function. In what seemed like hours but was only a few minutes, she managed to push the darkness back enough that she could breathe and move, but pain still coursed through her. Staggering to her feet, she cast about again. With her senses open to the forest, she quickly found what she was looking for.
There were traces of giant spiderwebs and a trail of corruption that led to the north. Vaguely remembering a conversation between Gandalf and that crazy wizard, she had a feeling that these were the giant spiders that they had been talking about. Somehow they had managed to get a jump on the dwarves, most likely because they had been focused on her up in the tree. She had to get them back.
Forcing herself into a stumbling trot, she followed the trail that the spiders had left. She hadn't gotten very far when she was ambushed by a spider that had lagged behind the rest. Only a timely stumble had saved her. She had tripped and fallen to her knees and the spider had overshot her. She managed to fumble her sword loose and swing it up in time to meet it's oncoming charge. Her fury at this situation and these Valar forsaken woods suddenly flared to life and she stabbed the spider in a frenzy. It had screamed, "It stings! It stings!" before finally curling up and dying.
Feeling steadier although still shaken, she glanced at the small sword that they had all teased her about and shrugged. "Sting works as good as anything else."
Suddenly she remembered the ring from the goblin tunnels and how it had allowed her to move unseen. If there were enough spiders to capture thirteen armed fighters, it would be better if they couldn't see her coming. She fished the ring out with trembling fingers and slipped it on, the world immediately going grey. Feeling a little more confident, she tightened her grip on Sting and started after them again, moving at a faster pace than she had before.
She had traveled for maybe fifteen minutes when she noticed that the cobwebs were getting thicker, strung between trees and blocking out the light. She moved cautiously, making sure not to brush up against them. She heard their hissing voices and wanted to clap her hands over her ears, but used them instead to guide her forward. After a minute or two, she could hear that they were gloating about a fine catch of fresh meat.
She clamped a hand over her mouth to stop her cry when she peeked around and saw that the company was wrapped tightly in cobwebs, hanging from a tree branch. The bundles hung motionless and she wanted to weep at the thought that she was too late. Then one of the spiders approached a bundle that was obviously Bombur and prodded it, hissing obscenely about him being fat and juicy. That's when she got a surprise when Bombur suddenly lashed out and kicked the spider off the branch, much to the amusement of it's peers. Bella was too busy staring at the dwarves to pay attention to their mockery. After several moments, she could see that all of them were moving sluggishly trying to escape.
They were still alive! She swallowed her happy cry, her brain immediately spinning into motion. She had to get the spiders away from them, but how? She was going to have to play bait and draw them off. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the open and sang the most obnoxious rhyme that she could think of. Apparently spiders had the same emotional temperament as Lobelia and they were instantly frothing at the mouth in rage. She took off running, making sure to make loads of noise while still throwing taunts over her shoulder.
Once they were far enough away, she went silent, throwing a couple of sticks ahead of her so that they would keep heading away from her. Once the last spider thundered by, she quickly ran back towards the spider glade, making sure to keep her footsteps silent. She was glad that she had returned so quickly, because one fat, lazy spider had remained behind and was just about to start eating Bombur. Using one of the many webs, she quickly climbed up and stabbed the spider, kicking it off the branch with a great amount of satisfaction.
Knowing that the spiders would be back any moment, she slipped her ring off and stuck it into her pocket then struggled to pull up the most active bundle. Ripping open the cobwebs from over their face, she felt relief flood her as she saw that it was Fili. She breathed, "You're alive."
He was sick from spider poison but did his best to help her help him up onto the branch. Once they'd managed to fully free him from the cobwebs, he made his way down to the ground and she carefully lowered the dwarves down to him, her arms screaming in pain from their weight. They had just managed to lower the last one when she could hear the spiders coming back, furious at having lost their prey.
Sliding down to the ground, she told Fili breathlessly, "Get them up and run, I'll draw them off again."
He cried out, "Bella, wait!"
But she had slid the ring on again and was running towards the incoming spiders, hurling insults. A few ignored her and made for the easier prey, but most followed after her, wanting to kill her for her taunting words. She ran and zigzagged through the woods as quickly as she could, occasionally stooping and grabbing stones, turning and hurling them as hard as she could, killing them.
Finally she killed enough that they called off the hunt and headed back towards where they already had prey tied up. Bella ran towards the spider glade, praying that the dwarves had had enough time to get away. Instead, she arrived back just in time to see the elves capture the dwarves. She would've run right into the middle of the fray and been captured herself in she hadn't tripped and the ring slid off her finger. She scrabbled after it and ended up finding it right behind an enormous tree. By the time she had it back on her finger, the dwarves had been surrounded and been forced to surrender.
That's when she heard Kili's cries for help. She turned to run and help him, not caring whether or not she was discovered when a female elf in an impressive display of acrobatics managed to save the dark haired prince. Sighing in relief, Bella remained hidden behind the tree, as if that would make her doubly invisible or something. She fought to even out her breathing, not wanting the elves to hear her. It was imperative that she remain free so she could help the dwarves out of this latest situation that they had found themselves in. Leaning heavily against the tree, she heard the woman talking in Sindarin about how the spiders were growing bolder and almost snorted. No duh, you just had to look around the forest to see how sick it was, no wonder they had a large spider problem.
Working on putting her barriers back up now that they were relatively safe, Bella kept a close eye on the company. She wanted to strangle the one elf with his own hair when he insulted Gloin's family. Who was he to think himself so high and mighty? In order to keep herself from marching out there and setting the rude elf straight, she turned her attention to Fili. She shoved her hand over her mouth to smother her giggles at the frustration and awe of the elf who was searching him and kept finding yet another knife. He was being non-combative but his eyes kept flicking around as if he was looking for something. Bella wanted to reassure him that she was alright, but she couldn't risk the elves seeing or hearing her.
The elves apparently didn't want to linger in the benighted forest anymore then they had and quickly left once they had disarmed the prisoners. It had taken all of her skill to move quietly enough that the elves wouldn't discover her. The one who was seemingly in charge, the one who had mocked Gloin, was sharp and had nearly caught her several times. Because of this, she had just enough time to slip through the doors before they closed, not having dared get any closer.
She was torn when they separated Thorin from the rest of them, not knowing which party to follow. Then figuring that they would eventually take Thorin back to wherever they had taken the others, she decided to follow the king-in-exile to his audience with Thranduil. After quite the exchange of nastiness on both sides, the elves did indeed escort Thorin to a cell and lock him up with Thorin cursing and struggling the entire way.
They did bring him food and water, so she left him there, reasonably assured of his safety for the moment. Then she went in search of the rest of the company. They were spread out throughout the rest of the dungeon, far enough apart that they couldn't see each other, although they could still hear each other. As she had noted earlier, dwarves were not quiet creatures. She made her way quickly through the dungeon, counting as she went.
She'd found twelve out of thirteen, only Fili was unaccounted for. She heard a rhythmic banging and quickly headed that way, certain that she'd found the missing prince. Creeping carefully down the hallway, she found that her guess was correct. But the sight that met her eyes made her cry out involuntarily. He was silent, his eyes wild, as he threw himself at the bars time and again, grim determination on his face. He was hurting himself but he didn't seem to notice or care.
She rushed over and grabbed hold of the bars, hissing, "Fili, Fili! Stop! You're hurting yourself!"
He flinched back and looked around wildly. His voice a frantic whisper, he forced out, "Bella? Are you there?"
She had forgotten about the ring and she hastily pulled it off and shoved it in her pocket. "I'm here. What in the world were you thinking? Kili and Thorin are just fine, they're locked up nearby."
He staggered over to the bars and reached through determinedly, his hands framing her face. All of the tension fled him and he sagged to his knees. She followed him down, studying him worriedly. He still looked pale and sick from the spider venom. She grabbed one of his hands in both of hers. "Fili, are you hurt? Speak to me. Please."
He squeezed her hand gently, he asked hoarsely, "How are you even here?"
She shook her head, "It's a long story and I don't know when the elves will be back. Are you all right?"
He nodded, his face pale. "I thought you were dead. Don't you ever do something like that again!" He reached through the bars and cupped her cheek, his eyes determined, "Now, you listen to me. Steal some food and water and get away from here. Go back to Beorn's or the Shire. You can even go to Ered Luin if you want, amad will watch out for you. Just leave us here and get to safety. Promise me you'll do this, Bella."
She shook her head fiercely, "I am not leaving you, get that idea out of your mind right this instant." Her head snapped up and she looked to the right where she heard footsteps approaching. She hissed, "Someone's coming, I've got to got. I'll be back when I can."
Tugging her hand free of his, she slipped on her ring and scrambled away from his cell. She rounded the far corner of the hall at the same time as a pair of elves rounded the corner near Fili. Feeling fatigue start to set in, she searched for an out of the way corner where she could catch her breath. She finally found a tiny niche where spare torches were stored. It was too small for an elf to fit into, but just right for a too thin hobbit lass. It was also close enough so that she could hear all of the dwarves and would know instantly when something happened.
For the first time in what seemed like days, she was able to sit and catch her breath. Fine tremors ran over her body as it realized how close she had come to dying today. That and a delayed reaction to the darkness of the forest. The land was cleaner here in the palace, but it was still not wholesome like it was in Rivendell. Finally the shaking tapered off and she felt fatigue wash over her. She had been running on empty for days now between slim rations and the sick forest. Today's fighting and running had drained her reserves and before she even realized it, she had fallen asleep.
When Bella woke, it was hours later. She woke with her heart racing from a dream that she was back in the forest facing the spiders. She was disoriented and it took her several moments to get her bearings after she opened her eyes, her breathing harsh in the silence. Then the recent events came back to her and she struggled to calm her breathing, worried that an elf would happen to hear it and catch her.
When several minutes passed and no elf appeared, she allowed herself to relax. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, although she felt more clear headed because of the rest. Pushing herself to her feet, she stretched, groaning silently as her muscles protested and joints popped noisily. Sticking her head cautiously out of her hiding spot, she found that the coast was clear.
First order of business, she decided, was to check on all of her dwarves and make sure that they were all right. Then she would find a way to get them all out of the Valar forsaken kingdom. The sooner she figured out a way to do that, the better. So she cautiously crept from cell to cell, checking on each member of the company and reassuring them that, yes, she was real, and, yes, she would find a way out, and of course she would take a message to their kin for them. It was good to see Bombur finally awake, although he was unhappy at being separated from his kin. She was thankful that she had learned iglishmek, otherwise the shouting that she and Oin would've had to do would've brought the guards down on them for sure. She also made a mental note to search for the dwarves belongings as she looked for a way out. The way that the elves had treated them was abominable and she found her respect for them falling drastically, although they had at least fed the company and given them medical aid.
She had saved Fili's cell for last, hoping to find him more settled than the last time she'd seen him. He was laying down on his cot, his breathing even. She was pleased to see that his color was better than it had been earlier, his skin no longer looking so dull and dehydrated. She made a mental note to find herself some food and water soon as well.
She quietly whispered his name, not wanting to wake him if he was truly asleep. However, as soon as he heard her voice, he sat up and looked around for her. She took off her ring and gave him a relieved grin. He was on his feet in a flash, making his way over to the bars.
He breathed, "Bella. I was beginning to think that I'd imagined you earlier."
She smiled up at him and brushed a stray strand of hair off his forehead, "No, I'm really here. I've managed to talk with the rest of the company. I also have messages from Thorin and Kili for you. Are you feeling any better? You looked quite ill earlier and I was worried about all of you and the spider venom."
He studied her carefully, "I'm fine, the elves gave us medicine to counteract the venom. Did you get stung?"
She shuddered and shook her head, "Thank Yavanna, no. Have I told you lately how much I hate this forest? No spider should be that large, it's downright unnatural."
He chuckled quietly at that. "I quite agree, ghivashel. Please, sit and rest for a minute."
While she sat and made herself comfortable against the bars, he made his way to the back of the cell. Grabbing something, he made his way back over and sat as well. He handed her a half full mug of water and a roll with a bit of meat in it. He apologized, "I know that it's not much, but the healers were watching carefully while I ate to make sure that I wasn't having any ill effects from the medicine. I'll be able to save more for you next time."
She felt herself tearing up at his thoughtfulness and had to sniff several times to keep the tears from spilling over. She set the mug aside and the roll in her lap before reaching through the bars and cupped his cheek, rubbing her thumb over his cheekbone. She smiled and murmured, "You are a very good dwarf, Fili. How was I lucky enough to catch your eye?"
He blushed but leaned into her touch, letting out a relieved sigh. Then he straightened and frowned at her, "You need to eat."
She rolled her eyes but obediently pulled her hand back and started eating. The fresh water was pure heaven, tasting fresh instead of having the stale tang of leather water skins. She nibbled on the roll slowly, trying to make it last as long as possible while she shared the messages from the others. He was deeply relieved to hear that Kili and Thorin were all right, having been rather disoriented during their capture due to the venom. He also asked for updates on the rest of the company and she was able to pass on everything that she knew, as well as telling him about the rather disastrous meeting between Thorin and Thranduil.
Fili sighed when he heard that. Holding her hand, he explained, "Uncle has always harbored bitterness against Thranduil. I cannot say exactly what happened because I was not there, but amad said that it was true that Thranduil did turn away our people when we begged him for help. But she also told us that grandfather was just as much to blame, he was proud and bitter and his greed had called the dragon down on us. I cannot say for sure what did or did not happen. But it troubles me, for if we cannot find a way out, we will miss our window to open the hidden door. Our people will not last another year, they will surely starve by then."
Bella frowned, trying to think of a way to reassure him. She wove their fingers together and squeezed gently, "If that truly happens, we'll find a way. My grandfather is the Thain of the Shire. We can work out a treaty with Ered Luin. Food in exchange for smith work or something. We would give you the food for free, because we have been starving and know what it's like, but I know that that wouldn't work."
She looked up to find him staring at her like she had grown another head. When he finally spoke, it wasn't at all the question that she was expecting, "Your grandfather's the Thain?"
Puzzled, she said, "Yes, he's my mother's father. Why?"
His expression turning hard, Fili asked quietly, "Did Tharkun know that your grandfather is the ruler of the Shire?"
Now she was even more confused, "Gandalf and my grandfather are good friends, of course he knew. Of course, my grandfather is pretty much retired and it's my uncles and cousin that run most of the day to day events. And the Thain doesn't oversee the whole Shire, Michael Delving is run by a mayor. But I still don't see what this has to do with anything."
Fili pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath before looking directly at her, "Bella, you are part of the ruling family of the Shire. You should've never been dragged into this madness."
She giggled at that and Fili looked at her, totally exasperated. "Fili, dear heart, I'm not laughing at you. Just the idea of me running the Shire. You see, my grandfather had twelve children, of which my mother was the ninth. Nine sons and three daughters. There are so many other family members between me and Thainship that it's not even funny. Even if my parents were still alive, they wouldn't be in consideration for the Thainship. So you needn't worry that you stole me away from more important tasks."
He stared at her, wide eyed, before accusing her, "You're making that up."
She shook her head, still laughing softly, "I'm not. I admit, twelve is a bit large, most hobbits have between four to eight faunts." She heard a noise and listened quietly before deciding that it wasn't someone heading their way. Turning her attention back to Fili, she asked, "Where was I going with this? Oh yes, if the worst should happen, there are still options open. There is still hope. But I'd better go and look for a way out before we start looking for more options, right? Do you have any messages you wish me to take to the others."
"Just that I am well." He reached through the bars and gently cupped her face, drawing her close enough that he could rest his forehead on hers through the bars. "I wish that you would save yourself, Bella. You're not safe here. But I know that you have more heart than any lass I've ever met. So just be careful and don't take any foolish risks."
She allowed herself to remain there for three deep breaths, in and out, before slowly pulling back and smiling at him. "I'll be careful and I'll be back as soon as I can. Take heart, I will find a way out of here."
With one last smile, she put on the ring and slipped away. It was night time, which meant that it was the perfect time to roam the halls and see if she could find a way out. The company was counting on her.
Closing the book, Bella reached up and gently ran her fingers over her braid. Fili had been ill with spider venom and undoubtedly starving, but he had still managed to set aside food for her. He had been a bright spot in that darkness and had willingly shared his strength with her. She would've never made it through the forest without his strength.
She sighed as she remembered Thranduil. He was as warped in his own way as Thror must've been. Just because his greed had been for white gems instead of gold didn't make it better. She could only pray that his son turned out to be a better leader than his father was. She had seen seeds of greatness in the younger elf, but didn't know if they would grow while he was under his father's guidance.
She shoved the thought away, that was something to contemplate another day. Right now, she needed to eat dinner and then work on planning her garden again.
Fili helped pack up camp, lost in his thoughts. Bofur was the one to draw him out of his thoughts, "What's on yer mind, lad?"
Fili shrugged, "Just thinking on the latest soul dream, is all."
Bofur tilted his head quizzically, "I thought that those were supposed to be happy thoughts, lad, not make you look like you're staring down a dying mine."
He sighed, "I'm just trying to reconcile some information, is all."
Dwalin had come over to chivvy him for taking so long, but stopped when he heard that. He asked Fili, "What information?"
Fili sighed again, "She's the Thain's granddaughter, for starters. She's not in the line of succession, but that should cut down any opposition to our match at least. And if we don't find her, we can always inquire of the Thain. It at least gives us another avenue of inquiry."
Both Dwalin and Bofur turned serious at that. Bofur cursed, "Yer One is part of the ruling family and we drug her on the quest? What was Tharkun thinking, putting a noble lass like that in danger?"
Fili chuckled and they both looked at him like he'd lost his mind. He explained, "She told me that her mother was just one of twelve children and that she was nowhere near in line for the Thainship."
Bofur clutched his hat, "Twelve pebbles?"
Fili nodded, "Aye, nine lads and three lasses. She said that was on the large side for a hobbit family, that most had between four and eight pebbles."
With a final tug on his hat, Bofur excused himself, an excited gleam in his eyes, "I've gotta tell Bifur about this. We'll be wanting to carve some toys before we get there."
After he was gone, Dwalin asked, "What's weighing on you? You wouldn't be so grim if you were just worried that we had basically kidnapped a noble lass."
Fili tightened down the strap on a pack more tightly than necessary. "Did you know that hobbits are connected to the land in much the same way we are with stone sense? Mirkwood was poisoned and she was in agony the whole time that we were trekking through it. She never said a word to anyone, she just pushed on, never complaining, never letting on."
Dwalin sighed, "There's no way that you could've known, lad. I doubt Tharkun knew either, otherwise he would've warned Thorin or found another way around that forest. You can't take on that burden. However, know that you do know, you'll make sure that it never happens again, simple as that. Regretting something or wishing to change the past is just a waste of energy. All we can do is keep moving forward."
He swallowed hard but nodded. "I understand, but it still hurts that she was hurting and I didn't even know."
Dwalin nodded approvingly, "That's a good sign. You're a protector, Fili. You watch out for those around you. Don't ever take that for granted, tis a good gift for a king to have. Now, we need to get moving, we're wasting daylight and we still have leagues to go yet."
Grinning at the man who had been like a second father to him all his life, Fili obediently got moving. Dwalin was right, they had ground to cover and a hobbit lass waiting for him at the end of the journey.