I was trying to figure out exactly what and how they initiate the rescue plan, but what I originally had in mind would take too long and I wanted this to be one of my shorter stories. Besides, that wouldn't be fair to my characters either as they are on a severe time crunch. So I like where this is going.
Legolas looked to Gandalf and Elrond for guidance. They wiser, and much older than he was. Surely they could figure out something! Without Thranduil there to guide him, Legolas felt so utterly clueless. "What are we going to do?" He asked solemnly.
"Well, as I said, we ain't givin' up the Arkenstone to those who won't respect it!" Dwalin huffed.
"Even if you could find it, you would never make it back in time." Erestor mentioned. Dwalin scowled at him. He didn't like being on the receiving end of the council of elves, even if they were telling the truth.
"But they said if they do not receive the jewels, your brethren and our friend will be killed." Elladan added.
"Gandalf, you can think of something, can't you?" Legolas begged. Gandalf bit his lip sorrowfully.
"I am sorry, my boy, but my ideas have run out." He said. Legolas paced around anxiously.
"You alright, laddie?" Balin asked kindly. Legolas flinched.
"Of course I'm not alright!" He cried. "The only family I have left are hidden from only Valar knows where, and even if I could...even if I could save my father, they already said...Alasse...I..."
"Legolas," Elrohir gripped his arm. "Steady, mellon. Breathe."
"I say we give them what they want." Bilbo spoke up. Everyone gaped and glared at him.
"Have you gone mad, Master Baggins?!" Thorin snarled.
"You can't be serious!" Elladan growled.
"It is not your choice to make, halfling." Dwalin glowered dangerously, towering over the runt. Bilbo bit his lip.
"I do not think you realize the gravity of your foolish suggestion, Master Baggins." Elrond said firmly, giving an icy glare.
Bilbo shrugged innocently. "Who said anything about giving them the real artifacts?" He asked casually.
"Oui?" Gloin sputtered.
"Eh?" Oin shook his head in confusion.
"What are you driving at?" Thorin narrowed his eyes. Bilbo did feel very intimidated by all these taller people surrounding him, looking like they each wanted to take a piece out of him. But, a hobbit had to do what a hobbit had to do.
"A fake, of course!" Gandalf beamed at the hobbit's cleverness.
"Exactly." Bilbo nodded, relieved that someone finally got the message!
"I do not understand." Legolas cocked his head curiously.
"I must confess, nor do I." Elrond sighed. "Just how would you go about accomplishing this?"
"Well, these kidnappers know of the jewels you speak of." Bilbo explained. "But have they ever seen them in person?"
"That is just the thing, we do not know." Legolas groaned.
"Ai." Thorin agreed.
"Well then? That is what we will have to gamble on. If we could fool them into believing we have the real jewels, they just might fall for it." Bilbo suggested. "Maybe long enough for someone to sneak in, and free our good friends?"
"It seems it is our best shot." Elrond sighed.
"It won't be enough to merely say you have the gems." Erestor pointed out. "You will need something they can see to believe, otherwise they will not fall for it."
"He's right." Balin told his friends.
"Master Elf, ye got any jewelry lying around this place?" Gloin asked. Elrond gaped, stunned at the dwarf's audacity.
"We have some of Arwen's old jewelry from when she was little." Elrohir offered.
"That might work." Dori nodded.
"Ion nin!" Elrond scolded.
"Father, it's for a good cause! And she doesn't need it at the moment." Elrohir suggested. "We could always have them fixed once we get them back so she'll never know." Elrond rubbed his head at his grown son's childish idea. He could not be hearing this.
"I do not believe we have what you request, Master Dwarf. At least not that would be convincing." Elrond sighed.
"But I do!" Glorfindel bellowed as he hobbled into the study, little Estel at his side.
"Glorfindel!" The elves and Gandalf gasped. "What happened to you, my friend?" Gandalf asked seriously.
"You should not be up yet, Captain! That was a deep cut you received!" Elrond scolded coldly.
"I am on the mend, my lord." Glorfindel glared back at his friend. Then he looked at the visiting party. "If you are able, you are welcome to my silver circlet, and my other personal trinkets and ornaments. Perhaps they may be designed into a convincing art of craftsmanship."
"Glorfindel, are you sure about this?" Legolas asked.
"Ai, little leaf. I am sure. It was my fault our friends were taken captive in the first place. And I will do whatever it takes to get them back!" Glorfindel said with finality.
"Let us see what you have to offer, my lord." Balin said. "You just might have saved a lot of lives."
"I pray so." Glorfindel nodded. "Follow me." Balin, Ori, and Thorin went with him back to his chambers.
"Ada, are these real dwarves?" Estel asked with awe.
"Yes, Estel. They are." Elrond nodded. "This is my son, Estel." The dwarves were confused. The elf had a human son? How?
"Hi there! I'm Estel." He waved.
"Sturdy little lad, aren't you?" Gloin replied. "What are you doing living with elves?"
"They are my family." Estel said proudly. "Legolas, did you find anything?"
"We may have, Estel." Legolas nodded with a smile, the first smile he'd displayed since this whole terrible affair began.
"Yippee! Can I help?"
"Estel, you have grown, lad." Gandalf smiled.
"My lord Elrond!" Lindir called frantically as he rushed into the study. Elrond tried not to lose his patience as this was the second time they'd had an interruption today. "The border guards...they have reported the sighting of...of..."
"What?" Elrond gave him a pointed look.
"They spotted a wolf! A very large wolf, heading straight for the Homely House!" Lindir panted.
"A wolf?!" The dwarves clustered protectively around Bilbo with their weapons drawn.
"How can this be?" Elrond frowned.
"They tried to shoot it, but he was too fast!" Lindir rambled, obviously shaken.
"Very strange. Wolves do not just barge into people's homes." Gandalf frowned.
Before anyone could say anything else, a larger, gray wolf with black markings bounded into the entry of the Homely House. "Stand back, you foul creature!" Gandalf barked. The wolf merely cocked his head from one side to the other. Bilbo was shaking with fear. The predatory creature was bigger than him! A LOT bigger!
"Come to me, boy." Legolas murmured in Elvish. The wolf trotted to Legolas who knelt down and spoke happily in Elvish. The dwarves were dumbstruck. "Do not fear, my friends." Legolas smiled with relief. "It is only Fluffy, my sister's pet wolf."
"Pet wolf?" Dwalin looked scandalized.
"He has never travled outside of Mirkwood." Legolas creased his eyebrows.
"He came for your sister." Gandalf said, walking over and calmly petting the canine's head. Fluffy licked his hand.
"He knew something was wrong. They have an incredible bond." Legolas said, wide-eyed. He stood up with a renewed determination. "There will be no need for a map! Fluffy will lead us to them!"
