Chapter 3

Thranduil vs. Jupiter

Legolas' POV

I could not stop thinking of Jupiter. She was a strange girl but a brave one. She did not seem to be afraid of anything, not even death.

"~You are thinking of her again are you not?~" Tauriel asked.

I nodded and she looked up.

"~She is very different from us. I have never met anyone like her before. I can sense she has a good heart…but also that she is in pain.~"

"~What do you mean?~"

She looked at me.

"~I believe something happened to her, perhaps in the past. It has brought her eternal pain. I do not why and I do not know what happened, but I can sense her sadness.~"

I looked back towards Erebor sadly.

"~I have never been able to read people like you can mellon nin. And now I cannot help but wonder what has caused her to be like this.~"

Tauriel put her hand on my shoulder.

"~Get to know her. Maybe you can help her.~"

I nodded.

"~I hope I can.~"

I smiled at her and she smiled back.

Jupiter's POV

I woke up early the next morning and immediately went to help.

"Jupe!"

I smiled because I knew that voice.

"Tilda. Is everything alright?"

"My da wanted to see you."

I nodded and she brought me to him. A man with long blond hair was there as well. He was riding an elk. My jaw dropped and I smiled.

"That's cool." I said.

Bard turned and waved me over. I walked over and the blond man looked at me.

"Jupiter this is Thranduil, king of the Woodland realm."

I smiled and bowed.

"This is Lady Jupiter Bellerose. She has been of great help to me and my people."

"Jupiter? A strange name, and a strange way for a maiden to dress."

I decided to ignore his rudeness.

"So I guess you know my friend Legolas."

He raised his brow.

"He is my son."

My eyes went wide.

"It seems he forgot to mention to me he's a prince. Well since I'm beneath him, and I think you agree, I'll just stay away."

"Very good."

"And since I am not one of your people and you have no control over me, I just want to let you know you're extremely rude and a complete jackass."

He looked very offended and I gave him a sweet smile.

"Lovely meeting you, your majesty." I said sarcastically.

I had a zero tolerance for snobby, up tight, rude people. I looked at Bard.

"Thanks for introducing me, great guy. Anyway, I'll go back and see what I can do to help. I should go before I do something stupid to him."

I could see the laughter in his eyes and I winked. I walked away and smiled to myself.

Later in the day an old man on a horse came riding up. Alfrid didn't look too pleased.

"No, no, no! You pointy hat!" the man turned. "Yes, you. We don't want no beggars of vagabonds. Off you go on your horse."

I smacked Alfrid over the head and pushed him aside.

"Sorry about him. He has no manners. Did you need something sir?"

"Yes Jupiter, could kindly tell me who is in charge here?"

I had no idea how he knew my name but I disregarded that for now.

"It depends. Do you want the asshat king or Bard?"

"Both if you can manage it."

I nodded and had him follow me. I brought him to the large tent. They weren't there and I sighed.

"I think Bard went to try and reason with that Thorin man. Thranduil probably went with him."

"I see. That will not end well. Though perhaps now would be a good time to explain why I know your name."

I turned and nodded.

"You are a daughter of elves and of Numenor. You are a daughter of Elros, a mighty king. It was no accident you were brought to Middle-Earth-"

"Whoa! Slow down! I can't be a daughter of a king, I'm nothing more than a mistake. I've been a nobody my whole life. I just want to go home."

He raised his brows.

"You want to go back to living on the streets?"

My eyes widened.

He brought me over to a mirror.

"Look at yourself, Jupiter. What do you see?" he asked.

I looked closely and it was then that I saw my ears.

"When the hell did that happen?!"

The man chuckled and shook his head.

"Do not look at the surface, look within my dear. See what is inside you. You are very special."

I looked but saw nothing. I sighed and shook my head.

"All I see is a mistake."

He put his hand on my shoulder.

"In time you will see how special you are. Do not give up hope." he said.

His eyes held wisdom and kindness. I just nodded even though I still didn't believe him.

"And what would you be doing here?" came an arrogant voice.

I sighed and turned with a smile.

"Oh I just came to see a king but he still doesn't seem to be here. Maybe I should come back later."

He glared at me.

"How dare you!"

"Have care how you speak to a daughter of Elros."

Thranduil's eyes went wide.

"What did you say?"

"She is a daughter of Elros." he repeated.

He looked at me and I just looked away sadly.

"I told him, I'm just a mistake." I said softly.

"Jupiter…"

Bard came over and put his hand on my shoulder.

"I only came because this man asked for you. I'll go back and see what I can do."

I started to walk away but the man stopped me.

"Jupiter, please stay. You must hear this as well."

I sighed but nodded. The man told us of a large army of orcs coming this way. Bard was worried but Thranduil seemed bored.

"I can see you know nothing of wizards. They come like winter thunder on a wild wind. But sometimes a storm is just a storm."

I rolled my eyes and the wizard got mad.

"Not this time!"

"My lady! Jupiter!"

I stood up and looked at a woman.

"Please we need your help. A cart has fallen and trapped someone beneath."

My eyes widened and I ran out. The cart looked heavy and there was and elderly woman trapped beneath. I ran forward and grabbed hold of the cart.

"I need two people on the left and another two on the right. I need three more at the back to pull as we push. Hurry!"

When everyone was in position we started to lift the cart. More people came to help and someone pulled the woman out. We dropped the cart and I looked at the woman.

"Are you alright? Is anything broken?" I asked.

"No, I do not believe so. Thank you my lady."

I smiled kindly.

"Please just call me Jupiter."

She nodded with a smile and I went back to the tent.

"Is everyone alright?" Bard asked when he saw me.

I nodded and he looked relieved. I looked at Thranduil.

"The prince told me what you wanted from that mountain. And I understand. But it's not more important than your family. Be thankful that you have one. Mine didn't want me, I'm the mistake. You have son who loves you, and I'm sure your wife is still with you and she always will be. If you want those gems so badly I'll get them for you, but it won't bring her back. I've tried to bring someone back before, it doesn't work. You lost your wife and your son lost his mother, but you still have each other. Be thankful you have him. You don't know what it's like to have absolutely nothing. I don't like you very much but I have respect for your son, he basically saved me. So I'll get those gems for you, if only to help the prince get his father back."

I walked away and looked out towards the mountain. I didn't know why I'd offered to get the gems back. Perhaps I felt I owed Legolas something. The sun went down and I watched it set. I heard strange footsteps and turned. It Mr. Baggins! He was even smaller than I thought.

"That shall not stop them! You think the dwarves will surrender they will not. They will fight to the death to defend their own."

My eyes widened.

Dwarves?

He was brought to the tent and I followed.

"If I am not mistaken, this is the Halfling that stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards." came Thranduil's voice.

I smiled.

"Yes. Sorry about that."

I walked in and they looked at me.

"Miss Jupiter."

I smiled at him.

"I'm glad you're safe Mr. Baggins."

He smiled and then turned back to Thranduil.

"I came to give you this."

He took something from his pocket and put it on the table. Beneath the cloth was the most beautiful stone I'd ever seen.

"The heart of the mountain." Thranduil said.

"Sorry, but what's that mean?"

"It means that if Thorin finds out about this Bilbo will be killed by his hand."

I gasped.

"Thorin values this stone above all other. In return for it I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war."

He was brave and of a good heart.

"How is this yours to give?" Bard asked.

"I took it as my fourteenth share. I know dwarves can be obstinate, pig headed and secretive, with the worst table manners you can possibly imagine. But they are also brave and loyal to a fault. I have grown very fond of them and I would save them if I can." he said.

I smiled and looked at him.

"Vous êtes la personne plus courageuse que j'ai jamais rencontré. You're the bravest person I've ever met." I said.

He smiled a bit and then the elderly man led him away.

"Get some rest, you must leave on the morrow. I should not like to think about what Thorin will do when he finds out what you have done."

"I am not afraid of Thorin."

The man look at him very seriously.

"You should be! Do not underestimate the evil of gold. Gold in which a dragon has long brooded. Dragon sickness seeps into the hearts of all who come to this mountain. Well, almost all."

Bilbo smiled and the man looked at me.

"Jupiter my dear, find this hobbit a bed and fill his belly with hot food. He has earned it."

I nodded and walked forward the man grabbed me.

"If he should try to leave, tell me."

"Will you at least tell me your name?"

He chuckled.

"Gandalf. I am called Gandalf."

I nodded and then took Bilbo to find a bed.

"If you do not mind me asking, where did you come from?"

I smirked.

"You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you. Besides, I'm starting to think I can never go back. But that's not important now. What's important is finding a way to get you back to the mountain, and I'm going with you."

"But Miss Jupiter, it is too dangerous for you."

I looked down.

"It doesn't matter. I don't have anything to lose. And I want to help you. I'll get you food and then we'll leave. I know a way that no one will be able to see us."

"Why are you doing this?"

I looked at the stars before looking at him.

"Because I have to. Now come on, we haven't much time."

He nodded.

Legolas' POV

Bolg had a second army! He was going to come down from the north.

Jupiter!

"We must warn them!"

"It might be too late. Tolo!" I said.

We got back on the horse and I rode as fast as I could. I could only think of Jupiter as we rode.

I am coming back.

Jupiter's POV

Bilbo and I snuck into the mountain. Before he could run off I turned him to face me.

"Please be careful."

"I will if you will. If they find an elf in this mountain they will kill you."

I smiled a bit.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, I always am." I said.

I hugged him quickly and then left.