I recommend reading The Hobbit for those who want to know what happens to Bilbo and the others dwarves. I won't even try to put that part in my own words. :)

Enjoy this nice long treat.

Both dwarves had fallen asleep under enchantment when the lights disappeared. Unknowingly, the Wood-elves came and carried them away in binds to the dungeons. There, they removed the spell and Élarinya opened tired eyes to an unfamiliar sight she had never seen before.

The maiden looked around confused by the stone walls. Relief washed through her as she saw Thorin leaning against the wall on the floor, asleep. Upon sitting up, she realized her hands were tied but made her way to the dwarf regardless.

"Thorin?"

He began to stir, so she gentle shook his shoulder.

"Thorin, wake up!" She whispered.

As the dwarf came to his senses, he immediately searched the area. A scowl crossed his features as he realized his hands were tied behind his back. Thorin looked at Éla to see hers were tied in front.

"Before you ask, the others aren't here." Éla claimed. "I'm not sure where we are, exactly."

Just then the door opened, bathing them in light. It took the dwarves a moment to adjust from the dark as two elves entered and raised their captives to their feet. Éla was motioned out of the room first.

"Thorin." She panicked trying to look back but the elf grabbed her shoulders and guided her into another room.

They came to a hall of stone, brought before the Elvenking. Thorin and Éla exchanged quick glances. He gave a warned look for her not to breathe a word about their quest. The maiden wasn't sure what was worse: Thorin's death glare, or the elves in general.

"What are two dwarves doing in my forest? And where did you find this?" The Elvenking spoke as one of his guards handed him Orcrist, Thorin's blade. Éla could have sworn the elves looked offended that such a weapon created by their kin, was found under the ownership of a dwarf.

She faced Thorin who said nothing.

The Elvenking addressed them more sternly. "Why did you and your folk three times attack my people at their merrymaking?"

"We did not attack them. We were starving and came to beg." Thorin answered.

"Where are your friends now and what are they doing?"

"I don't know, most likely starving in the forest."

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"Looking for food and drink, because we were starving."

"But what brought you in the forest at all?" The king was growing impatient, as was Thorin. "Very well! Take them away and keep them safe until either one feels inclined to tell the truth."

Éla only sighed at their unfortunate predicament. Their anger wasn't helping the situation either as Thorin refused to say another word. The elves bound them again when the maiden caught one of the guards handing the king a smaller weapon. The Elvenking must have noticed her gaze for he looked upon her.

"This is yours?"

Thorin and the two guards beside them stopped. Éla managed to find her voice as her eyes remained fixed on the dagger held in the king's hands.

"Yes."

The Elvenking went on to inspect it. The maiden could feel Thorin's gaze on her back, but couldn't bring herself to turn around. Her main focus was that which was more precious than the monetary value of all the gold and jewels in the world. As the king examined the black, leather handle, something caught his attention. Éla knew exactly what it was. Thorin noticed her nervousness and watched as the dagger's handle was removed.

What they didn't expect was the leather skin to reveal a dark, metal handle trimmed with dwarvish runes of old lined in silver. Sorrow filled Éla's heart as the Elvenking passed the dagger to the guard and took it away along with Orcrist.

"Please! It was my father's." She pleaded.

The Elvenking paid no attention to her cries and the two dwarves were ushered out of the hall. Éla fought back tears knowing she may never see her most prized possession again.

The guards stripped them of their armor and other possible weapons before the dwarves were taken back to the dungeons. The males watched inquisitively as she withdrew a knife hidden in her boot, receiving an amused look from Thorin. After the guards collected the belongings, they led the two to their imprisonment. Éla was following behind Thorin when the elf stopped her in front of a large wooden door.

"You stop here." He said.

Thorin turned around, but his guard nudged him along. They were being separated. She watched as the dwarf leader was being taken further down the dungeon corridor.

"Get in."

The maiden was gently shoved into the cold, dark cell after her hands were unbound. The only light came from a small barred window a little higher up the door. Éla could look out into the torch-light if she stood on her toes. She looked around the room; a straw bed lay in the corner, draped with an old, woolen blanket. There wasn't much else that she could see, but figured it was time to become nocturnal.

But now wasn't the time for jokes when the two were separated and with no word on their friends.

She sighed, sitting down on the bed. A short while later, the door opened but Éla didn't dare move. Her guard had brought a wooden tray of food and water and rested it by the bed before leaving. It was a surprise, for a moment she didn't know what to do with it until her stomach reminded her of their long days without any food. Nothing was left, not even a crumb for a mouse as Éla cleared the plate clean. It was only then when the maiden began to worry about their captivity and worried more for the safety of the others, and Bilbo.

"Mother, why don't I have a beard, even a small one like you?" Élarinya ran fingers across her jaw; the smooth skin absent of a specific dwarvish feature.

"We've been over this." Her mother said. The dwarf woman was consumed in her work, tailoring the next order of armor.

Élarinya sat on a chair across the room and started sorting out items in the inventory, examining details as she went. It was not uncommon for dwarf women to have barely visible beards but it was more than what this maiden could grow. Her mother had sideburns which thinly traced down her jaw line. Even her younger brother had a bit of scruff on his chin and there was a ten year age difference between the two. The closest substitute was a thin braid of hair in front of her left ear. It was part of a side burn that merged in with her hair, hardly anything to be proud over.

"Do you think I'll ever marry?"

"Good gracious, child! What sort of question is that?"Her mother held back a laugh as she continued weaving needles through leather fabrics and pieces of metals. "You are your father's daughter through and through: always worrying and never stopping for a moment's peace."

The maiden grabbed a log book and mindlessly flipped through its pages, head resting in her palm. "I don't know, a few of the other maidens already have suitors and they have very fine beards…even if it is small. Some are even bold enough to choose no one but the prince. One even refused a proposal from a guard captain's son."

"And they are foolish girls. Their parents should be branded with an iron fist for having raised their daughters so carefree and selfish."

"Mother..." Élarinya was appalled that the elder dwarf would say such a thing about their kin. Her mother merely chuckled.

"Your time will come, besides you are still early in your prime! You have your whole life ahead of you. It took your father forty-two years to find enough courage to court me."

A mother always knew what her child was feeling. Their six-sense was scary at times. She looked to her daughter, stopping her work.

"Why did you not ask him if he took so long?" Éla asked.

"Well, because I knew of his intentions and we had met previously on several occasions. He was no stranger but was shy as an infant to approach me about it."

The maiden looked down at the current page and picked up a quill and ink. "I hope I don't have to wait that long."

"Élarinya, every dwarf is different. One day, you will find someone who will match your stubbornness, if they can handle it."

"Father says that will be a challenge in itself." They giggled.

"Oh pish-posh! You will give some a run for their gold in years to come. You are beautiful, skilled and have hair that could rival the king's! Now stop worrying, we have a lot to do before the end of the day."

Being held prisoner, all you had was time. Time with your thoughts and long days spent staring at the cool, grey stone walls. That's what Éla did. The window gave enough luminosity to line the contours of the cell but that was as far it went. While she had access to little light, her hearing also became her eyes for the majority of the day. Elves were light on their feet, but that didn't stop the guards from going unnoticed. Whether it was the clanging of metal keys or the soft echo from their voices rebounding through the corridors, she knew when someone was near. Even at night, the maiden slept lightly.

Despite good treatment, Éla still wondered about Thorin and frequently asked the passing guards about his well-being. After the sixth day, it became a daily ritual. Her questions were always answered with the same response about the dwarf being stubborn as usual. At least it was enough to know he was still alive.

Fourteen days had passed in total: fourteen long days without any sign of the company, hobbit or Thorin.

Éla kept track by the meals as she lightly engraved markers on the wall with a chipped stone piece from the floor. She was beginning to miss Thorin's presence and that of the other members of his company. It was foolish to say, but Éla gradually acknowledged the minuscule part of her that had developed feelings for the dwarf leader. She was unsure of the type of sentiment growing inside. Granted it was only a very small portion, so it was easily ignored.

Early that evening, a disturbance broke the silence with heavy footsteps and a few uproars she couldn't make out. The maiden peered through the window but couldn't see very far in the dim lighting. More cell doors opened and closed. She tried counting them, but there were far too many and the echoes resonated together as one. In the end she gave up. From the left, a guard stormed down the corridor in irritation.

"What happened?" Éla asked. The guard passed her cell.

"That dwarf is a pain to keep! We should have left him to the spiders!"

Another guard came into view, her guard. "Why are you always so inclined to know of his welfare? Do you think you can deal with him?"

Éla thought a moment. "I probably could, yes. But if he's in a bad mood, I'd rather not be on the receiving end of his temper."

The guard shook his head before leaving. The maiden went to sit down and stare at the wall for the countless time. She aimlessly sketched on the wall when an eager whisper came from the barred window. The small voice was familiar, and friendly.

"Éla? Éla, are you in there?"

The maiden rushed to the locked door. "Bilbo?!"

"Yes, it's me."

"Where are you?" Éla did her best to look down, but could not see the hobbit for the life of her.

"Invisible ring. Long story, but first: where's Thorin?"

She laughed quietly at the image of the sulking dwarf. "He's located somewhere near the end of the dungeon. How did you get in here? And where are the others?"

"I'll explain in a bit." Bilbo whispered.

"Actually, come back in about an hour. The elves will bring food for supper, so you may sneak in and then leave when they come for the tray."

When the guard came to deliver food, Bilbo did in fact slip into the maiden's cell unnoticed. Éla allowed the hobbit to eat most of what was given. They didn't have long to converse, so Bilbo tried to keep his descriptions short and to-the-point as he neared the ending.

"So that's what the ruckus was earlier. I'm glad everyone was able to escape the spiders."

Bilbo only nodded as he finished chewing the last piece of bread. "The elves put them in separate cells. I heard some of them talking about a female so I looked for you."

Éla's eyes lit up with an idea. "Can you forward a message to the others and let them know Thorin and I are here and alright? I'll try to figure a way to see him."

"I could go instead, but how would you plan on getting out of your cell?"

She paused for a moment. "I'm not sure. I believe that Thorin's cell may be guarded from the outside most of the day, so you won't be able to speak with him in secrecy. I'll think of something."

They heard the click of the lock and Bilbo put on his ring before the door opened.

"Be safe!" Éla whispered.

The guard came in and retrieved the tray. As the elf approached her bed with caution, something caught his interest.

"Who are you talking to?"

Éla almost jumped out of her skin. She looked towards the door nervously then back to the elf.

"No one."

The guard was uncertain in believing the female. "Be safe? You should worry about yourself than your brooding mate."

"Mate?" Éla mumbled the word. Why would they think they were...no. The term could be used in two contexts. It didn't register until the other guard walked passed her cell in a huff. Her guard watched on. "Would I be allowed to visit my brooding mate?"

The two guards remained paused outside her cell door, baffled that such a question would come from a prisoner. Éla walked over, keeping some distance between herself and the opening so they didn't think she would test her luck with an escape.

"If Thorin's giving you so much trouble, perhaps a few words wouldn't hurt?" She wasn't thinking. Oh Aulë, she really wasn't thinking!

"He listens to you?" The other guard asked intriguingly.

Éla decided to play along on this developing notion in spite of instinct telling her otherwise. "For the most part."

The two exchanged glances.

"If he sees me, it may ease your duties and possibly his temper."

The idea was sold. Both elves spoke in their native tongue leaving Éla waiting patiently for a response. Eyes darted from one to the other in hopes of an agreement.

"You will be given ten minutes. That's all we can spare for tonight." One answered. "The Elvenking does not want you together, but if you can calm the dwarf then it will be most grateful."

"Would he be allowed visitation on a daily basis if he co-operates?" Éla asked, secretly and desperately wanting to aid their ill-fated companions in any way she could.

Her guard motioned her to come forward. "We will see. Can I trust that you won't do anything impulsive?"

The maiden nodded. Without binds, the guards led her down the dungeon corridor. The hall was narrow and the walls tall. Shadows danced over the stone from the red torch-light. The new environment was both fascinating and daunting. In moments, Éla was brought to a larger wooden door than her own at the very end of the passage. It must have been the deepest cell in the entire dungeon.

One guard unlocked the door and swung it forward, allowing the firelight to further immerse inside.

"Ten minutes." They reminded, motioning her to proceed.

Éla stepped in as the door was swiftly fastened behind her. Luminosity from the window made the sitting dwarf's form visible on the floor. She walked over and sat on her knees.

"Thorin?" His eyes remained closed. This behavior was unusual. He was held captive by elves with no word on his kin, yet he let his guard down now of all time and places.

The dwarf leader exhaled deeply.

"I thought something happened to you." He said quietly, eyes finally meeting hers. His gaze was soft but hardened by their incarceration.

"I heard you have been quite the handful, locked up in here." The maiden added a touch of humor, but Thorin seemed to have taken her words to heart.

"You're friends with the elves now?!" He spat.

She rolled her eyes in frustration. Éla didn't like it either, but what choice did they have? "No, but if it's a way to see you and relay information safely then I will do what needs to be done. That is, unless you would prefer to remain a prisoner with visitation from no one."

He looked away. "How did you convince them to allow you in here?"

"It only required a bit of politeness and not losing my temper every time the door opened." She responded coolly.

Thorin was not fully ashamed for his actions, but he did comprehend the severity of their current dilemma.

"Your father, he was in the guard? A captain if I'm not mistaken." Thorin changed the subject.

Éla couldn't bring herself to discuss the topic. She cast her gaze to her hands resting in her lap, hoping Thorin would get the hint.

"Élarinya." He said sternly.

"What of it?" She searched him but nothing showed. "So he was a guard, a warrior. That was the past."

Thorin cut her off. "He was well-known, a respectable soldier among the ranks."

Éla remained quiet as her voice lodged itself in the back of her throat. She could not make anymore contact in fear of losing control of her emotions. Sadness and guilt threatened to tear her apart as she continued to cope with the loss of her father's dagger.

"Bilbo and the others are here." Éla finally said, abruptly gaining the dwarf's attention. "The hobbit is not in a cell. He possesses a magic ring that keeps him invisible. We're trying to create a plan to get out of here."

Thorin fell silent as his mind processed the information. Éla needed the trust of the guards along with his cooperation in order for the Halfling to figure out a plan to get them all out. He went to reach out to her, but stopped mid-air as the door creaked open.

One of the guards entered. "Time's up."

"Wait." He whispered. They made eye contact and Thorin reached a hand for her face.

"Come on." The guard pressed.

Éla got up, unaware of his actions. "I have to go."

The guard took her out of his cell and was left alone in the dark. Thorin blinked and the maiden was gone. He cursed himself for making the subtle move. His intuition urged him to perform the act unintentionally. He wanted to touch her to know she was physically alive and not a figment of his imagination. Seeing Éla and learning of the Halfling's safety, as well as the rest of his company brought more hope in the long days spent in darkness. Thorin decided not to follow through and tell the Elvenking of their quest, and would give the hobbit and maiden time to develop a plan.

Once Éla was placed back in her own cell and the guards retreated for the evening, she heard Bilbo's little voice at her window once more.

"Thorin will find out eventually." He spoke softly.

"I know...He'll probably have my head for it too, but it was their words not mine." Éla paused. "How are the others fairing?"

"Besides grumbling and mild complaints, pretty good. Although Kili doesn't like being separated from Fili and Dori is very concerned for Ori."

"Nothing ever changes." She laughed lightly. "Stay safe and see what you can find."

Days passed with no sign of the hobbit and Éla began to fret over his security for wearing a magical ring. They were all trapped within a palace full of magic after all. She paced within her cell as the guards refused further visitation rights as well, claiming they were busy with other things. A prisoner could not argue with that. Thorin had apparently requested no visitors for the first little while after her first and last meeting with him. Judging by the guards' body language, there was no mistake that they did not want to deal with transferring a prisoner every night to and from cells.

Éla grew more anxious with every passing day.

One evening after the guard delivered supper, she was asked out of her cell. Astounded, she hadn't budged.

The guard waited impatiently. "Well, do you not want to visit or no?"

Éla gathered her bearings and followed. "Y-yes, I was just surprised. Thank you."

As they progressed down the corridor to Thorin's cell, she had an urge to ask the elf a question. "If I may, why are you allowing me a visit now and not earlier?"

"There is a feast tonight. You will have five minutes and not a moment longer." The elf seemed rather excited, rushing to open the door and ushering the maiden inside without further explanation.

"Any word from the Halfling?" Thorin asked once they were alone. He too was a bit startled by the inconsistent visits, and met Éla at the entrance.

"Nothing."

The dwarf leader swore under his breath. Their luck and any chance of escape was quickly diminishing. Surely if something had happened to the hobbit, they would have heard of his fate one way or another. As if their fortune could get no worse, the wooden door swung open after a short minute in silence.

A small shriek escaped the maiden as the sudden noise came from behind and hands guided her backwards on the other side of the entrance. Thorin followed, but another guard forcibly stopped him just outside the doorway.

"Do not take another step." The guard warned, raising a blade to his throat.

"Get your hands off her." Thorin growled, clenching his hands into fists. He was close enough to throw a punch at the one next to the maiden, but sustaining an injury now or worse, would not be sensible for the company.

"It hasn't been five minutes yet." Éla calmly protested. Something, or someone brushed past her arm. She shot Thorin a warning to not lose his temper.

He unclenched his fists in a huff, leading the elf guard to lower his weapon.

"Now get back in your cell, dwarf."

Éla could see Thorin's rage skyrocketing with each passing second. The guard signaled him back inside and faced the maiden.

"How do you stand being married to someone like that?" Before she could respond, the elf turned to Thorin. "You're lucky to have a wife who puts up with your malcontent."

Thorin whirled around in a fury. "My what?!"

Éla did not say anything, all color draining from her face. The dwarf leader was stopped at the entrance as he tried to move forward. His gaze darted from one being to the next, not impressed by the speculations. Here we go. Éla thought.

"If you were not lying, then prove it." The first guard turned to the maiden. "We allowed visitation for the sole purpose of keeping the dwarf in a tolerable mood. If this was part of a scheme, the consequences are severe."

Serves you right for wrongfully assuming in the first place. Éla needed to think fast if they were to both get out of this. "No one lied." Great start Éla, as if they'll believe that.

"Dwarf culture is similar to that of elves, correct? Why not prove it with a caress?" The second guard asked, gaining all attention and slight stupor from his fellow companion.

"Have you been in the king's wine again?" The other elf asked, slightly concerned for his friend's psychological health.

Hick.

"No."

Éla tried reasoning with the elves to spare them all some form of embarrassment. It was challenging to convince them when there was nothing to prove in the first place. "We highly value our privacy. Openly showing affection in public is not a common practice."

This whole conversation could have been avoided if she had kept her mouth shut earlier. Thorin's glare ripped through her in anger and mistrust. Éla shrugged her shoulders as if to say she was not responsible for their allegations. It eased the tension to a degree, but had no effect on calming her nerves and his growing temper.

"So then you are not wed." The first guard stated rather than asked.

The second elf looked at the two dwarves suspiciously. "Hmm...Prove it now or else there will be no further visits."

Éla was at a loss. She shot Thorin a pitying look for putting them both in such an awkward situation. They needed the visitations. That was when the elves started bickering about wine consumption and being late for a party.

She faced one of the guards, but they paid no attention to the dwarves. Strong hands grabbed the sides of her face.

"Thorin-" Éla gasped in surprise.

He was still angry but his features told Éla it was her turn to play along. Thorin rigorously looked in her eyes before turning to her lips and gently planted his own against hers.

Things are starting to heat up, but not by choice. Or is it?
I guess we'll find out everyone's reactions in the next chapter. Stay tuned and see.