There has been minor confusion regarding why Éla didn't have the dagger properly concealed if it held such sentimental value.
As mentioned in the previous chapter, the handle was covered in a leather bind so it would decrease the monetary value if one was to simply look at it. Keep in mind the dagger was also her 10inch long weapon. The elves would've retrieved it the same time as Orcrist when Thorin and Éla fell under enchantment.

The cliff-hanger in Ch10 was intentional ;)

Desperation, it took her by surprise.

She wanted to melt in his touch as the dwarf deepened the kiss before parting. There was a bit of roughness, but that was out of resentment which was a stabbing reminder that this was not real. Thorin held back a lot of his rage towards the elves and Élarinya could feel it. The kiss lasted long enough to convince the guards, but was short-lived. She knew they would never live this down.

The act was meaningless, emotionless.

"Satisfied?!" Thorin asked venomously upon pulling away. He walked back into his cell leaving the guards, Éla and an invisible Bilbo stumped.

"What an eventful evening this is turning out to be!" One guard exclaimed. They shut the door to Thorin's cell and ushered the maiden back to hers.

"You alright?" The hobbit asked once the coast was clear.

"For now." Éla almost forgot about Bilbo, which made her all the more bitter towards her actions. That moment would have been any woman's dream come true, but not for this maiden.

A lie was like a trap you had set for yourself. Conflicting emotions only fueled it, embedding the truth in the very center of a never-ending maze where it was impossible to reach. Éla imagined it would burst into flames when the end was within proximity. She never lied before, that wasn't how she lived.

Trust was hard to come by even among kin, but this? It would become a vicious cycle if it didn't stop now. It had to stop. She had to stop the instigations.

"Where have you been?" Realization dawned on the maiden.

"I think I found a way out."

The two hushed as they heard voices not far off. The last of the torchlight faded, and so did the hobbit. Éla was left alone in the darkness of her cell all over again.

Sometime later, the jingling of keys sounded on the other side of the door. Éla tensed as the door was opened but no guard entered. Not even a light source was available. In the pitch blackness of the stone dungeon, she could see a shadowy outline of a small figure.

"Bilbo?" She whispered into the dark.

The shadow came closer and took hold of her hand. "Hurry, we must move."

"What about your ring?"

"Don't worry, quickly!" He was in a rush, desperate to reach the next cell.

Bilbo led Éla out in the corridors, backtracking to an area of cells she had not seen before. It was hard to see in front for the darkness was as black as it had been during long nights spent in the forest. There was enough perceptible adjustment for them to see the outline of the cell doors and their silhouettes, when facing each other that is. Éla kept looking over her shoulder in fright that they would get caught but Bilbo proceeded to release the first prisoner from his cell.

"Bless me. What a surprise to see you two!" Balin was most happy to be freed as the hobbit relocked the door.

"Good to see you too, Balin."

"Come on!" Bilbo shushed. "Stay together. We all must escape or none at all!"

They followed him along as Bilbo freed one dwarf at a time. He led them down a narrow passage which crossed the deepest cell in the entire dungeon; the very place Thorin was being held. Éla remained wedged between Gloin and Bofur, thankful that they couldn't quite see anything while Bilbo freed the dwarf leader and hoped there would be no questions from earlier events.

"You truly are an amazing burglar, Master Baggins." Thorin stepped out just as surprised as the rest, grateful and relieved to see his friends.

Bilbo took the time to quickly explain his plan as they followed him down another corridor, creeping into the lower parts of the cellars. He was growing annoyed with the dwarves as they argued and grumbled over his escape in barrels. The constant reminder of staying with the elves was enough justification for them to quiet down and accept the idea. They didn't have to like their method of transportation, but being temporarily trapped in a barrel was far off from remaining a prisoner.

The torchlight was warm and comforting to the dwarves as they followed the hobbit into the furthest underground room. Most had not seen this amount of light since before their journey into Mirkwood itself. Without wasting any time, Bilbo steered them towards an adjoining area where barrels were stacked on the floor near trapdoors. Éla counted thirteen. Most of the barrels were laying horizontally, allowing easy access to get in. A few took a look around the cellar. In no time, Bombur was spotted a little ways off, head tilted down to the side and drinking from a large tub of wine. Balin was appointed watch in case the chief guard or the other elf awoke in the next room.

Some had nearly frozen concrete positions when Bilbo made them pass that door. Éla swore their heavy boots would have awoken the dreaming elves, but that was nothing to be troubled over for their burglar had assured they were out cold from excessive drinking.

Dwalin grabbed the stout dwarf away from the wine faucet and pushed him towards the others, much to Bombur's distaste. Éla helped steady the barrels as each dwarf was sealed in and as comfortable as Bilbo could manage with the materials available. The tubs laying on their sides were easiest to maneuver in because barriers held the stacks from rolling around. The ride itself would not be so easy once they were released.

Éla helped a nervous Ori get into one of the smaller barrels on the top. The lighter dwarves were put into these barrels while Bombur's was positioned upright so he would not roll away due to his weight.

"Sit still and stop moving!" Dwalin was getting short-tempered. Éla turned around and the others peeked out their heads to see Bombur almost toppling over. Dwalin, with the help of Thorin and Bofur impeded the dwarf's barrel from losing balance.

"It's too small!" Bombur complained as he shifted within.

"We don't have time!" The hobbit shushed and grew annoyed with the bustling and complaining. "The lids must go on or else we'll all be caught!"

Bombur sank low and the lid sealed tight. Groans escaped the air hole but the hobbit continued to run around frantically sealing the dwarves one by one. Bofur came to Éla and climbed into one of the barrels on the top row.

"So, what happened back there?" Kili asked as the female closed the lid to Ori's tub.

Dark eyes scrutinized the young dwarf, not making any contact. "What do you mean?"

Fili propped up in his barrel to look up. "We heard voices down the hall in our cells. One of the guards was louder and said to 'prove' something?"

Éla did her best to act unsure and indirect. "Nothing happened. The guard had gotten into the wine. You saw the other two in the next room over."

"Fili, Kili, enough." Thorin ordered from the other end as he heaved himself into a barrel.

The younger dwarf looked to the maiden with a spark of interest.

"What got him in a bad mood?" Bofur said in a hush.

Éla responded equally low. "The elves."

"Ah."

Kili snickered. "I think it's more than that, Éla."

The conversation drew incitement from the others and Éla grew distressed. At least no one heard or saw exactly what had transpired.

"What did they want you to prove?" Nori asked.

The female was about to answer when Thorin reacted, infuriated. "I swear, the next dwarf who so much as breathes another word will be tossed into the river once we're outside."

None so much as moved a muscle, except for Dwalin who placed a heavy hand on his friend's shoulder. Thorin sighed in ire, first looking at the dwarf before turning to Bilbo who had stopped mid-way of closing another barrel. "Master Baggins, I suggest you hurry up."

Oh for Durin's sake, could you lot not be any louder... Éla was slowly being driven mad with worry and their lack of common sense over a non-issue that did not concern them. "Please keep it down or say nothing at all. I don't fancy getting caught now that we're out."

Thorin grimaced at her words and Bilbo took the cue to seal the last of the lids. Éla lifted Kili's when he leaned to her ear.

"Don't." She whispered and put on his lid.

She herself climbed into the last empty barrel and without a hush, Bilbo secured the cover. Not a moment too soon, the hobbit put on his ring and within minutes voices echoed down into the cellar. Three humming elves came into view through a small peephole in the top of Éla's lid.

"Where's old Galion, the butler?" One asked. "He should be here to show us what needs to be done."

Another elf walked by with a torch, examining the barrels. Éla pressed her stomach closer to the curved wood and a hand over her mouth to avert any noise from escaping.

"Here he is!" The second exclaimed. "Looks like the old fool had been feasting with his good friend the captain!"

The elves shook him awake from his dreams. The butler grumbled and came into view.

"Galion you've lost your wits!" A third said. "These are still full!"

Éla heard several thuds as casks were being moved somewhere to the right of hers.

"Stop your complaining and get on with it! These are the ones to go!" The butler barked.

The female dwarf let out a quiet sigh but held her breath as she overheard bits of developing gossip.

"No need to yell, mister butler!"

Hick.

Oh no. Éla thought. She listened intently through the confined space, the sound of every heartbeat pounding in her ears.

"Had enough of that with the dwarf and his mate. Stubborn lot they were, but quite entertaining."

Hick.

They heard the trapdoors being opened. Éla's barrel suddenly rolled and for a split second, she felt like she was falling in mid-air before landing in the river below. Her stomach flipped and hands grasped the sides to steady the bouncing about within as something landed on top of her barrel. It might have been another. A rather large splash resonated right after. She guessed it was Bombur and hoped that none of them would sink.

The barrels were knocked around, bumping into each other and other empty ones as the trapdoors were closed and the portcullis was raised. The creaks of rusted hinges made Éla wince from the sound. Before long, they passed under the gate and the inside of her barrel wasn't so dark. Her mind wandered to the water splashing against the sides only to feel the river's current picking up speed. They rounded many bends and Éla's muscles grew tired of trying to keep herself from tumbling within. The water roared and wood splintered against the rocks, leaving her stomach churning from every abrupt movement. She couldn't take it anymore and pushed the lid right off.

The river sprayed water onto her exposed skin, quickly wetting her clothes. The night sky was clear and the moon and stars reflected on the water's surface. Éla looked around for the others. Some barrels were lower in the water than others, so she suspected there to be a dwarf inside. Sure enough, lids were coming off and out popped familiar faces along the flowing river.

"Beautiful night for a swim, don't you think?"

Éla turned to see Bofur several arm-lengths on her left. "If you don't mind the cold temperatures – Ah!"

Shock took hold as her barrel tipped backwards and she tried to steady it, preventing herself from falling in. It spun around and she saw another barrel was behind with the hobbit clinging for dear life.

"Bilbo!" She yelled, grabbing hold of his cold hand and struggled to pull the visible hobbit into her tub.

Just as the two twisted in the confined space, a holler came a little ways in the distance.

"Hold on!"

Éla looked forward in horror to see Thorin eyeing his company before facing white mist, disappearing entirely. Bilbo tensed beside her as their barrels picked up speed and plunged into rapids, following their companions.

"Kili, grab my hand!" Fili shouted over the raging waters, reaching for his brother.

They rushed through tight corners and sharp rocks. Éla heard a few screams. She would have done the same if not for maintaining balance for two as her arms were locked on the edge of the tub's opening. Terrified, the female did her best to avoid the river's edges as much as possible, twisting the barrel this way and that.

"What are you doing?!" Bilbo yelped after they nearly tipped.

"Trying not to hit anything so we don't drown!"

Éla spun the barrel one hundred and eighty degrees into a final turn before the river calmed and opened into a wide stream. Poor Bilbo shivered uncontrollably and the dwarves began paddling towards a nearby shore.

"Éla, this way!" Bofur hollered.

The maiden followed, coming up behind the young dwarf princes as they reached dry land. Thorin and most of the others were already hoisting their barrels on the shoreline.

"That was fun." Kili said leaning backwards in his barrel, ready to rock it back and forth. The stunt sent a rush through Éla's veins as he leaned too far, almost crashing into hers.

"Be careful! I'd rather stay as dry as possible at the moment!" She yelped, outstretching an arm to prevent the young dwarf from falling in. There was still a bit of a gap between the two and Éla tumbled her barrel forward, just touching Kili's back before her and the hobbit plunged into shallow waters.

The turmoil nabbed the attention of the rest. The water was like an ice bath. Éla grabbed Bilbo and both waded onto dry land, shivering. Their barrel floated down the stream and was lost before it could be retrieved. Kili and Fili soon followed and looked grim from Thorin's menacing glare. All four collapsed on the smooth, rocky terrain from exhaustion. The others stashed their barrels on shore in shrub and overhanging trees before joining them, all worn out. A strong gust of wind blew past them and it only made the trembles more violent on their bodies. Éla fought to catch her breath while bringing warmth to chilled bones. The others seemed to have fared better. Bilbo and Éla were the only ones drenched from head to toe.

Thorin led his company a little ways into the forest where it was dry and camp was set up. No fire was started, so they huddled close. Éla brought her knees to her chest still shaking but thankful the trees blocked out the wind. Kili leaned over next to her.

"Sorry about knocking you two in." His voice was soft and riddled with guilt. "I didn't know you were behind me."

The female forced a small smile between shivers. "Accidents happen." Far too many these days.

Relieved he was forgiven, the young dwarf swiftly changed into a mischievous mood.

"What now..." Éla whimpered as everyone now turned to her in curiosity.

"You still owe us an explanation: what were the guards referring to while we were in barrels?"

"Kili." Thorin warned.

Éla was too cold to be bothered by the embarrassment that was about to arise. Thorin's defensiveness was not of any help. It also didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat when prying questions flowed between the company.

"What was it that you had to prove?" Nori inquired for the second time that night.

"I last heard one say you were caressed before I was tossed into the river." The massive dwarf looked accusingly at the maiden with keen interest. The rest hushed in a stunning silence.

An answer that would not reveal the truth but was not a lie would have been cleverly useful, but Bombur's statement was a cold, hard fact. Éla would have loved to play on the elves' love for wine which was enough to impair judgment, but that would no longer convince this party.

Her heart fluttered being the center of attention, but she refused to look at Thorin so they wouldn't get the hint. Fili and Kili were not convinced. Bilbo was perplexed and didn't know what to do, so he remained quiet. The hobbit was the only member present during that ordeal.

"Leave it be." Dwalin knew where this was going and did not want to see his friend become outraged unnecessarily.

Éla faced the dwarf who returned a nod, before her eyes cascaded to the ground.

"I managed to convince the guards to allow visits with Thorin after Bilbo found my cell and told me everyone was taken prisoner like us. We needed the visitations for the escape..." She trailed off, unsure what else to add without telling them their secret.

Kili opened his mouth to say something but was shot down by a crossed Thorin.

"The elves were intoxicated from their merrymaking and made false accusations. This discussion is over."

Éla sank into the tree's base, curling herself closer together as Bofur took first watch for the short night. Their thoughts were easily diverted from the topic from weak bodies, each dozing off in slumber.

Some were startled awake the following morning by a loud sneeze. Éla jumped as the noise was directly beside her. Bilbo was coming down with a cold but on the brighter side, their clothes were mostly dry. The female had some trouble standing up from stiff muscles hardened by the cold, autumn air. They stretched aching and bruised limbs before gathering around for the next stage of planning.

"Esgaroth is half a day's walk from here." Thorin began. "We will make our way to the Lake Town by following the river through the trees. I don't want us getting caught by the elves since they will be hunting us."

The company did not oppose the plan and so they started out in silence, staying close to the forest's edge. As the day progressed, Éla found it hard to ignore the numbness that spread throughout her body. Heavy boots were dragged with each step from the members and Bilbo's cold worsened. Fatigue threatened to overtake their battered and bruised bodies but the dwarves and hobbit continued without a fuss.

Late in the evening, the forest receded and the lands opened wide, revealing the settlement of men. Not far off in the distance built over the Lake, was a prosperous wooden town on wooden pillars. Éla had never laid eyes on the southern municipality even after the loss of Erebor. Her journeys never ventured this far south, or east of The Lonely Mountain for that matter.

Thorin stopped near the edge of a rather long and widened bridge that led into the town. He motioned for Fili, Kili and Bilbo to follow him.

"The rest of you stay here." He ordered, proceeding to the gate where a pair of guards watched uninterested under the darkened sky.

Éla shifted nervously as the four disappeared behind the gate. She felt weaker than she had been within the past several weeks despite decent food and rest. It was a mixture of emotions all having a toll on her at once. They were no longer in any imminent danger and free of the elves. She plunked herself on the ground, back resting against a boulder and closed her eyes.

What she would give for warm food, a soft bed and no worries. As a member of this company, she worried every waking second and amusingly geared the blame on Fili and Kili for most of it.