19.
The first day of autumn brought with it a great feast in Thranduil's halls and also, the best chance Bilbo had of executing his grand escape plan. The idea had presented itself as Bilbo scurried through the vast cellars of the Woodland King in search for something more consistent to eat than the scraps he stole from unsuspecting Elves. Hiding behind barrels of the most excellent-smelling wine, Bilbo had caught a conversation he could finally understand.
The butler of Thranduil's cellars (or so Bilbo presumed) carried an animated conversation with the captain of the guard and two men from Lake Town. They were discussing the upcoming feast and the amount of supplies required, making the butler shake his head at how depleted his stores would be. But the captain cajoled and secured a promise from his friend that some of the Dorwinion vintage would be saved for their personal delectation, while the royals partied in the upper halls. The men were also invited to the private feast, although by rights, they should have been many miles away and on the riverbank, waiting for a cargo of empty barrels to be released and floated all the way to Lake Town.
Before long, Bilbo had a fair idea how trade between the Woodland Elves and the Men of Esgaroth was done and with that, a plan began to hatch in his mind. He sneaked all the way to the lower end of the cellars and discovered the underground stream that gushed all the way to the Forest River. On the loading ramp, Bilbo saw a great number of barrels neatly stacked and ready to be released into the stream through a trap-door. Inspecting the barrels and knowing that their number would grow after the feast commenced, Bilbo decided that they were big enough to hold Dwarves in them. Even if the Dwarves in question would be extremely reluctant to go along with his idea, Bilbo could not think of any other escape alternative.
"That is what you mean for us to do?" Thorin gaped when Bilbo whispered his plan to the Dwarf King. "You mean to have us dropping out of here like a bunch of drowned rats jumping off a sinking ship?"
"Yes," Bilbo grumbled. "If the cellars are not watched and the guards will all be drunk. If I can steal the keys from the captain. If nobody catches me as I try to unlock you all and you'll be very visible, not to mention noisy," the Hobbit muttered. "If I can get you all to fit in the barrels and secure lids on them so that you will not all drown. And if you cooperate with me even the slightest bit," he glared at Thorin, forgetting that the Dwarf could not see him.
Thorin's jaw clenched for a moment but then, his brow smoothed and he let out a quiet chuckle.
"Forgive me, Bilbo Baggins, I should compliment you for finding a way out of this place and in such a short time as well. You have outdone yourself once more and truly, I am beginning to wonder if we'd have ever gotten this far without our fine burglar."
Bilbo fluffed himself up and grinned triumphantly but again, nobody could see him preening and his enthusiasm deflated immediately.
"I will come for you after the feast has started. Some hours from now on, when they are all happily drunk, if fortune favors us a little bit. I may reach you last, as this dungeon is set aside quite far from the others," Bilbo said.
"It is, eh? Well, if Thranduil thought that he would keep me isolated and let me succumb to despair, he did not take one clever Hobbit into consideration," Thorin smiled.
"Obviously," Bilbo mirrored the expression and then bid the Dwarf King farewell, hoping that once they were free, Thorin would not wish to wring his neck. He had no illusion that the escape inside barrels would be a fun ride for the Dwarves and in the back of his mind, Bilbo feared that such means of transport might be the death of them.
Before the day came to a close (in the outside world, at least), there was one more thing Bilbo needed to do. His grand plan of escape did not include the three Fëanorians and he needed to let them know about it, even if it was something the Hobbit dreaded greatly. As he picked his path through the tunnels, careful to avoid being run down by the busy Elves, Bilbo was once more grateful for his magic ring and for the fact that solid bars separated him from the imprisoned Elves. They would not take well to being left behind and a part of Bilbo felt quite remorseful, but he had been waiting for an opportunity to separate them from Thorin's company for a long time. Unexpectedly, the chance had presented itself.
He sought out Celegorm for the third time since the Elf had been brought back to his cell in a terrible state. Since then, Celegorm had recovered significantly but, when Bilbo finally caught him alone, he would not say a word about what had happened to him. Surprised that Bilbo had ventured into Thranduil's halls after them, Celegorm had been grateful for the good news about his brothers and the rest of the company. But he insisted that Bilbo should not breathe a word about what he had seen the previous night and especially about Celegorm's injuries.
He was perfectly fine, the Elf claimed. There was no reason to alarm the others and kick up a fuss over nothing. Strange as the request was, Bilbo decided to honor it, knowing that the prisoners had to stay as calm as possible under the circumstances, if only to avoid aggravating their hosts further.
In all likelihood, Celegorm would not remain calm after what Bilbo meant to tell him and the Hobbit knew precisely what a terrible idea it was to make enemies of those Elves. But, if he could keep Thorin away from them long enough, Bilbo meant to tell the Dwarf everything he knew and with that, he would be rid of the terrible guilt that had gnawed him for so long. Then, the Dwarves would at least be able to decide their own fate and defend their own, if ever they came into the possession of their treasure. And the Fëanorians – useful though they had been – would no longer be able to steal Thorin's greatest treasure while feigning friendship and lying to his face.
The Hobbit found Celegorm's cell unguarded as before and he suspected that Legolas had pulled rank in the matter, dismissing his father's guards and looking after the prisoner himself. But the prince was not there when Bilbo crept up to the bars and called out to the Elf.
Celegorm appeared to be sleeping, but as soon as he heard the familiar whisper, he roused himself and walked closer. He sat with his back propped to the cold wall, sipping from his goblet and staring into empty space, in case someone did come by.
"What is it, Bilbo? Do you have news from our friends? My brothers?" the Elf whispered from the corner of his mouth.
"Your brothers are well. Bored and asking after you, but much better treated than yourself," Bilbo replied.
"Good. Although, as you can see, I am quite alright," Celegorm took another sip of wine and sighed contentedly.
It must have been a really good vintage and Bilbo heard his own throat click as he swallowed.
"Do you want some?" Celegorm held out the goblet and smiled as he watched it move through thin air.
Bilbo returned the almost empty goblet with great reluctance as it contained the finest drink he had ever tasted, except perhaps for the Elvish miruvor he had been treated to in the past. But the wine was also extremely potent and Bilbo needed to keep a clear head that evening more than ever before.
"I am going to free the Dwarves and get them out of these halls tonight," the Hobbit finally plucked up the courage to tell Celegorm.
"You are?" the Elf started, turning toward the empty space where such a bold declaration had come from. "How?"
Casting furtive glances around himself, Bilbo leaned closer to the bars and whispered about the feast and the wine and the underground stream and the barrels, drawing a murmur of appreciation from the Elf.
"That is… a very dangerous plan. But quite brilliant too," Celegorm said, chin in his hand and nodding slowly. "With your astonishing luck, Bilbo, you might just pull it off. What do the others say?"
"Only Thorin knows and with the lack of a better idea, he can't do much but agree."
"He ought to just be thankful that he has such a talented burglar on his side. But Bilbo… I can't help noticing how you said you'll help the Dwarves escape. Only the Dwarves, I presume," Celegorm's eyes narrowed with the observation.
"Well… I didn't see any barrels big enough for you and your brothers to fit in," Bilbo stammered.
"Really…?" the Elf chuckled throatily. "I'll tell you what… I don't think you mean to set us free at all. Am I wrong?"
Although Celegorm could not see him, Bilbo still shivered under the icy look the Elf cast him.
"You… no. You are not wrong," the Hobbit cleared his throat and his voice rose above a whisper as he spoke. "I'm going to leave you right here."
"I might have known," Celegorm smirked, reacting the exact opposite way Bilbo had expected him to. "In fact, this does not surprise me one bit, Bilbo Baggins. But I am amazed by how recklessly brave you are to actually tell me this. And I would like to see your face as you do so."
Bilbo fidgeted uncertainly, before it occurred to him that the Elf wanted to make him visible so he could call out and draw some guards to capture Bilbo. He scurried further away from the bars, making sure that he was out of reach if Celegorm tried to grab him.
"I'm not stupid," he muttered.
"In some ways, you are. But in others, Bilbo, you're the smartest creature I've encountered in this diminished world. I am quite proud of you, you know?" Celegorm's smirk grew, although it was sharper and more dangerous than a blade. "You've always remained wary. You've played the friendship card as well, but your vigilance has never slept. Well done. But let me remind you, little Hobbit… I have been playing this game for much longer and much better than you. So, if you believe you are achieving something by taking Thorin Oakenshield away and leaving us behind, you are mistaken."
"I will tell him everything I know about you," Bilbo retorted before he could think better of it.
"Well… then you know what happens next, no? Remember what we told you in Rivendell. Things may have changed somewhat since then and we may have come to care about our Dwarven companions, but if you think that is enough to keep us from regaining our Silmaril at any cost, then you're not so clever after all," Celegorm hissed in reply.
"That is why you will stay locked in here and I hope Thranduil keeps you imprisoned for a long while. I was actually concerned for your well being when they brought you here in tatters, but obviously, no amount of abuse is enough to faze you."
Bilbo watched in amazement how Celegorm threw his head back and laughed. The sound was loud and ominous and Bilbo wished for something to throw at the Elf and silence him.
"You silly little thing," Celegorm sighed, amusement still obvious on his face. "What do you expect me to do? Beg you to help me escape? Swear I'll be good if you give me another chance? Promise you that I truly value my friendship with the Dwarves and that I would do nothing to hurt them? Please… I doubt anything would convince you, true or false."
"The only thing I believe is that you will still rob the Dwarves and you will keep lying to them if nobody tells them otherwise. Friendship is not based on manipulation and deceit and I mean to put an end to it," Bilbo declared bravely.
"Suit yourself," Celegorm smiled thinly. "Go, then. Free them. Warn them of the true peril they are in. It's all the same to me, but you might be surprised at the reception of your news. However, if you think I will not find you, you are gravely mistaken."
Bilbo took a deep breath and tried to steady himself, very much unprepared by the Elf's surety and his eerily calm demeanor.
"What? You've got nothing foolishly brave to say to me now? Good. I have only a few words for you and then I want you to be gone from here. Do what you must to free the Dwarves and take them to safety. I will even help with that, you may need a bigger diversion than Thranduil's feast. But listen to me and listen well… I am not stupid and I knew that whatever plans you would devise for the company would not include me and my brothers. Just so you know, I am not without my own plans and means of escape, Bilbo Baggins. If I am still in here it is because I am biding my time, nothing more," Celegorm smirked coldly. "If you succeed in your attempt, we will find you much sooner than you can imagine. And do not forget, my father is out there. He'll love to hear about this little mutiny of yours. And I will make sure to always remember it," the Elf said, staring at the empty wall ahead of him with a disconcertingly satisfied look on his face.
Bilbo did not know what to say and already, he felt his confidence shrinking under the obvious threat. Those Elves had thus far shown him no outward sign of aggression, but, after openly betraying them, Bilbo was no longer sure that they would not get rid of him. With Gandalf nowhere near to prevent it, even if Thorin Oakenshield wished to defend him, there were so many ways for a little Hobbit to disappear and Celegorm had said it himself, they had been playing the game for much longer. But there was nothing for it. It was too late to take anything back.
"Not so mouthy anymore, are you?" Celegorm sneered. "Well, you've had your say and I've had mine. Until we meet again, I suggest you think about the manner in which you would prefer to die. For the sake of our collaboration thus far, I will grant you that small favor. Now go!"
Bilbo was rooted to the spot and rose from his crouch with great effort. He opened and closed his mouth, at a complete loss for a parting shot. Had his ears cheated him, or did he just find himself at the end of a very real death threat?! Celegorm, however, did not give him any time to think about it. The Elf sprang to his feet and began to shout from the top of his lungs.
"GUARDS! GUARDS! GET OVER HERE, YOU FILTHY CAVE TROLLS!" Celegorm bellowed, making Bilbo jump and nearly topple over. "Run, you idiot! Didn't I say I'd give you a diversion? Get the hell out of here!" the Elf hissed. "WHERE ARE YOU, YOU USELESS BASTARDS?!" he shouted, picking up his goblet and rattling it against the bars.
The combination caused such a deafening racket that surely, someone would come to investigate. Without waiting for that to happen, Bilbo found his feet and ran off, casting one last glance at the imprisoned Elf. Celegorm was clearly enjoying himself, grinning broadly as he yelled all manner of unflattering things.
"TAKE ME TO YOUR GLORIOUS LEADER! I'M READY TO TELL THAT SNOT-NOSED BRAT EVERYTHING HE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THORIN OAKENSHIELD! AND HIS LOVELY SPIDER PETS! AND HIS DEAR NEIGHBOR THE NECROMANCER! AND MANY OTHER DELIGHTFUL THINGS THAT YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SHITS WOULDN'T EVEN DREAM ABOUT!"
The tunnels seemed to amplify Celegorm's voice and it carried out very clearly, even if Bilbo ran as fast as he could, trying to put as much distance between himself and the insane Elf as possible. He flattened himself against the wall just in time to avoid being trampled by a group of soldiers rushing toward the dungeon to investigate the racket.
"GET OVER HERE ALREADY, IT'S NOT A PARTY UNTIL I'VE PUT ON A SHOW!" the Hobbit could still hear Celegorm as he drew further away and hopefully, in the direction of the cellars. He did not stop until his heavy breathing threatened to give him away and curled himself into a ball inside an opening that served the Elves as broom deposit. Trying not to sneeze and cough from the lack of proper air, Bilbo struggled to steady himself. He was beyond shaken by what he had just done and the ramifications of it threatened to wipe out whatever courage he had left. But the poor Hobbit did not have the luxury to despair when so many other lives depended on him. Later, when he was free and away from that accursed place, he would think of something to save his own skin. But until then, his priorities would have to be quite different.