Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you're having a good winter season so far. Thank you for continuing to read my story: if you happen to like it, please feel free to let me know! I'd be glad to hear your comments or questions.
Take care of yourselves, and I hope you have a great start to the new year. :)
Throughout the next few days, Avalain took great care to spend the vast majority of her time with Legolas to avoid raising suspicions. She had to admit that despite the precariousness of the Dwarves' situation, she was so incredibly glad to be with Legolas again; it was like no time had passed since last she had seen him. Before long, the two were exchanging stories, training, and exploring the safe regions of the Mirkwood like they had when they were adolescents.
Avalain had all but forgotten how comfortable she was in the presence of her best friend—even though she cared for Fili greatly, there was a camaraderie that she had with Legolas that she shared with no other person.
That bond, however, made it easy for Legolas to read Avalain's emotions. On the third afternoon of her visit, Legolas approached her room and, like usual, helped himself inside… but his expression was somewhat serious.
"I know this is sudden, but Avalain… I must know. What is your relationship with the Dwarf?"
The She-Elf jolted, stunned by the suddenness of both his entrance and his question, and set down the book she had been reading. She rose from the chair she'd been sitting in and silently gestured him to close the door behind him.
Legolas did so and approached her, his blue eyes beadily appraising her face. Noting how uncomfortable she looked, he gently took her hand and added, "You know you can tell me anything."
Avalain looked at his face and saw curiosity, concern, and something else—something she couldn't quite place at that moment.
Knowing that she couldn't keep Fili a secret forever, she murmured, "We're courting, Legolas."
A look of utter incredulity passed over the Elf's face, and he stammered a single word: "What?"
"We're courting," she repeated heavily, looking back to the book lying haphazardly on the table. "When they visited, we… spent a lot of time talking. We grew to care about one another, and we thought—well, when all this was over, maybe we could see how things go."
"When all what is over?"
Avalain froze and swiftly stole her hand back from Legolas's grasp. She had said too much already; she hadn't been prepared for this.
"Avalain."
She looked at him sideways, unwilling to say much more. At best, she would be able to forge a lie that was believable. At worst, she had just put her friends at even greater risk.
But much to her surprise, Legolas did not seem angry—rather, he merely looked at her with concern. He moved slightly so that she was forced to see him again, but remained silent.
Despite the will she wished to have, Avalain felt her tears well in her eyes. She wasn't sure what was worse: Legolas's silence or the expression on his face.
"I'm sorry," she gasped, moving her hand to her throat. "I just… you're the first person that I have told, other than Arwen. And I don't know what you're thinking, what you feel…"
At this, Legolas laughed, and then replied, "I only ever want what is best for you. If you are concerned that I will be upset or will not approve, you do not need to be."
The tears finally spilled across her cheeks, and Avalain wrapped her arms around her friend, doing everything she could to prevent herself from gasping. Having Legolas's support meant more than anything she could express.
"The reason I brought this up, Avalain, is because I cannot help but feel like you are… distant. Ever so slightly, perhaps, but I still feel it."
"You're right," she sighed reluctantly. "My mind has been on Fili's imprisonment. It's difficult to forget that he and my new friends are all held in the place I once called home."
Legolas retreated from her embrace and ran a hand through her dark hair—but even as she locked eyes with him, the smallest of sly smiles appeared across his face.
"You know, Avalain… I did say my father's word is law, but I did do what he stated. I brought the Dwarves to the cells, but he never said to keep them there. So, hypothetically, if one were to turn a blind eye…"
Avalain raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was insinuating what she thought he was insinuating. Before she could even say anything, however, her friend added, "Why don't you go say hello to them? I know you haven't seen them since they've been… escorted to their current accommodations."
Shooting him a suspicious glare, she queried, "Is that supposed to mean something?"
"Mean something? I have no idea what you're talking about."
And though that's what he said, Avalain could've sworn that her friend just winked at her.
Figuring that it wouldn't do to waste any more time, she simply squeezed Legolas's hand and darted past him so she could reach Fili.
When Avalain reached the dungeons, she took a quick look around just to make sure that there were no guards posted. Satisfied that she was the only Elf in the vicinity, she tip-toed over to the cell that she remembered Fili being in—
And promptly ran into something… invisible.
Avalain swallowed back a shriek and struggled to grab a grip. The dangerous thing about the dungeons was there were no railings, and the lake was open below—
"I got you, Avalain, don't worry!"
The She-Elf was pulled back towards the cell door she had been in front of and found herself face-to-face with Kili, who had dashed forth and seized her hand. Certain that she was no longer in any danger of falling, Kili let her go with a sheepish smile.
"Thank you," she said, her eyes wide. She whirled around looking for whatever it was she had run into… but saw nothing.
"Avalain?"
Her gaze whirled back to the cell in front of her—holding back a smile, she took a seat upon the stone steps in front of it. Of course, inside was Fili, whose eyes lit up when she came into view.
"I'm so sorry I haven't gotten to see you before now," she lamented, "I've wanted to terribly, I was just…"
Fili shook his head, the smile on his face growing as she spoke. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm just glad to see you now."
A feeling of relief flooded Avalain's being. She had long been worried about how her dear one had felt with her prolonged absence in such a time of trial; but this response set her at ease.
As quickly as the relief arrived, it faded. Fili's eyes had been bright when she'd first seen him, but even now, they were dimming. She looked past him to Balin, who was fitfully asleep while sitting up against the cold stone wall. Avalain looked towards other cells; the other Dwarves were all uncommonly quiet and somber. A few, such as Ori and Kili and Bombur, were looking askance in her direction as if hoping that she had new information that would assist in their escape.
A horrible thought formed in Avalain's head… and she couldn't stop herself from asking it: "When was the last time you have eaten?"
The silence that Avalain was met with all but answered her question.
Fili noticed the despair that took over her face and stammered, "Avalain, it—we're doing okay. We're going to get out of here soon."
"You absolutely will."
The ferocity with which Avalain spoke these words shocked even her. But even as they exited her mouth, the anger and the desperation that she felt became more tangible. She felt so outraged that this was happening—the Dwarves should've been only a few days away from the Lonely Mountain at this point.
Leaning forward, Avalain murmured, "I've spoken with Legolas. He's suggested that he will turn to the side if I am to assist you in breaking out of here. He and I know this castle, better than anyone. I will find you a way out. Even if I have to become best friends with Tauriel so I can get close enough to steal the keys off of her—"
A number of Dwarves began to chuckle, which was the most sign of life Avalain had sensed from them since she arrived. Not letting the interruption deter her, she hiccupped, "What? I will!"
Laughing, Fili reached through the bars and grabbed Avalain's hand. "You don't need to do anything like that. I trust in your abilities."
"Thank you. But this process may take time."
"We don't have time. Durin's Day is in less than a month—and we must reach the Mountain by then."
The She-Elf looked towards the cell on the far corner, in the direction of Thorin Oakenshield. She squeezed Fili's hand and moved to go sit by the leader of the Dwarven Company.
When she arrived, she found Thorin standing in the corner of his cell, his arms crossed and dark bags under his eyes. It was almost like he hadn't slept at all the last four days of their confinement.
"What do you mean you only have a month?" she asked, hoping for all the world that this wasn't true.
Thorin spared her a sideways glance before sighing and muttering, "Something your father told us, when we were in Rivendell. The map I possess… we can only open the doors to Erebor during the sunset on Durin's Day. That is the only way we can get inside."
Avalain exhaled slowly, suddenly realizing how little time the Dwarves had left. If they were to travel without any more distractions, the journey on foot would still take upwards of two weeks.
"Then I will get you out soon. Where is your burglar? Is he here?"
"He is—and he's found a way out."
Avalain yelped and looked over her shoulder only to see Bilbo Baggins once again, an excited and complacent grin lighting his face. A rather wicked glint passed through his eyes when he saw how startled he made the She-Elf.
"Bilbo Baggins!" she hissed, suddenly brought back to how he had surprised her four days prior. Shooting him a cursory look, she muttered, "I hope this will not become a habit of yours, frightening me out of my wits…"
The hobbit simply shrugged, holding back another smug grin. "My apologies, Avalain. But… I've found the way out."
"Then speak, Master Baggins!" urged Thorin.
Bilbo exchanged a look with Avalain—she waved him onward. With that, the hobbit exclaimed, "The wine cellar. The Elves dispose of wine barrels by dropping them through a hatch that leads into the river. If we can hide you in those barrels…"
A flicker of doubt passed over Thorin Oakenshield's face as he asked, "How will we send them down the river when we are all in barrels?"
"That's where Avalain and I come in. The Elves don't know about me… and Avalain… well, as long as she isn't spotted—"
"Don't worry about me," Avalain interjected, placing a hand on the halfling's shoulder. "I'm going to help you, one way or another."
Thorin looked at Avalain and seemed to note the fortitude in her eyes—with a sheepish half-smile, he murmured, "It looks like we will be in your debt once again, Avalain Nightshade."
This, however, was when Fili's voice exclaimed, "Wait… what will you do once we're out? The King is going to suspect you, Avalain. Even if your friend will let you help us, Thranduíl may lose his confidence in you."
Avalain sighed, knowing that her Dwarf held a very good point. She did not know the depth of Thranduíl's and Thorin's rivalry, but their animosity was self-evident based on the way they simply looked at each other.
"You've done so much for us already. Are you truly willing to do this, too?"
"What other choice do you have?" she retorted quietly. "If you are to reclaim your homeland, you must forget about what might happen and simply let me help you. If I do not, you may be stuck in these prisons for a century."
A silence settled over the Dwarves as they processed this information. Practically feeling the discomfort from Fili, the She-Elf moved back towards him.
She reached a hand through the bars and met his. Now that she was actually paying attention, Avalain realized that his hands were incredibly cold.
"She's right, Fili," said Balin. The elderly Dwarf staggered forward and planted a hand on the prince's shoulder. He locked eyes with Avalain and offered a solitary, solemn nod. "We have no choice."
"So we're going to let her take the fall for us?" retorted Fili, looking back over his shoulder to his mentor.
Avalain chuckled and squeezed his hand. "If it means helping you, it will be no fall," she insisted.
Balin nodded and dipped his head; perhaps intended to be a small bow. "We have to do this, lad. For better or worse."
Fili sighed and placed his free hand on his forehead, a scowl barely visible. As Balin retreated back against the wall to earn some more bored sleep, Avalain remained sitting, feeling that he wished to say something, and that she only had to wait.
She was right. After a couple uneasy minutes had passed, Fili murmured, "I cannot help but think of a promise I made myself, when we decided to be together, that I would only ever do what is best for you. And yet here we are, three months later, and you are the one jeopardizing something for me. I cannot sit here and let you risk your reputation and your relationship with your adopted father for the sake of our quest. It isn't right."
He hit the stone wall with a closed fist, the defeat prominent in his tone. Avalain was uncertain if anything she could say would make him feel better—but she certainly wished to try.
"Don't think like that," she replied. "It will do nothing for you."
"It's the truth. I'm already doing a terrible job enacting that so-called promise I made. As the heir to a kingdom… it is a frightening thought, that this could be an indicator to how well I'll be able to protect my people."
"Surely not!" the She-Elf cried, slapping her hands on the pavement. Fili jumped somewhat with the sound and gazed quizzically at her as she exclaimed, "What a ridiculous assumption. These circumstances are unfavorable, true, but you cannot let one instance affect your outlook. You berate yourself—and it insults me. You will be a great ruler; I know it."
The look in Fili's eyes turned warmer upon seeing the fire within her own. But Avalain was not done speaking: her voice was intense yet gentle as she added, "And things will not always be like this. Relationships are about give and take, yes? It may not always be a perfect balance—but when we begin life in Erebor, that is when you can take care of me. I just need to help us get there."
Fili stared at her, a familiar adoration on his face. He reached out as if to grab her hand, but he had to retract his hand in an effort to hide a yawn.
Avalain looked to the Dwarf and giggled, charmed by the sheepish smile he gave her. Noting that he seemed to be tiring, the She-Elf began slowly humming one of her people's favorite songs: about Lúthien and Beren, and how she was one of the most beautiful Elves to walk Middle-Earth.
Slowly but surely, her dear one began to drift off into sleep, his head resting in his hands. Avalain couldn't help but smile at how different—how peaceful—he was. The stress of being in the Mirkwood dungeons was eating at him more than he cared to admit, and now she could see it firsthand.
Once she was sure he was soundly asleep, Avalain sighed to herself and rose. Knowing that she would be expected to dine with Legolas and King Thranduíl soon, after another look across all the cells, she left the dungeons with the self-appointed task of pillaging some food from the kitchens and bringing it to the Dwarves later.