Chapter 14: The Elves of Mirkwood
Thorin stared down the length of the arrow pointed at his forehead.
This journey through Mirkwood was proving to be a living nightmare. First, they had lost a companion to evil forces. Then he had lost himself and the rest of his followers in the godforsaken forest, which had led to them almost being eaten alive by giant spiders and escaping the clutches of a vile hag only to run right into the waiting trap of a race of elves he hated with nearly all his being.
He gritted his teeth as the tall blonde elf standing before him, smirked smugly in his face.
"Do not think I won't kill you, Dwarf. It would be my pleasure."
Thorin opened his mouth to speak, but at that precise moment, there was a loud shout from a very familiar voice.
"KILI!" Fili cried out in horror almost balking forwards, only to be forced back amongst the company by an arrow aimed to his chest.
Thorin almost felt his heart freeze in his chest as he heard his youngest nephew's cries of pain as he struggled against whatever was attacking him. Then suddenly there was a high squeal followed by a hacking sound as a blade met with flesh.
The sounds of struggles mixed with the sounds of the spider's roars of pain filled the air as the great beast was sliced to pieces.
Then suddenly-
"Throw me a dagger!" Kili's voice called out desperately only for a woman to answer him with a grunt.
"If you think I'm giving you a weapon dwarf, you're mistaken"
There was a thud and a screech from a spider and then suddenly silence.
The dwarves waited with bated breaths and hammering hearts as the leaves rustled from somewhere close.
Even the elves were looking worried as they glanced in the direction of the noises.
Then suddenly from behind a tree stepped out Kili his dark hair covered in spider webs and dirt. He trudged as he was shoved along by his captor. She was a tall female elf, with pale skin and red hair clad in the same dark green tunics as her fellow host members.
Thorin felt his gut burn uncomfortably in his chest at the sight of his nephew's capture and promptly turned back to glower angrily at the elf before him.
"If you hate us as you claim? Why do you hesitate elf?" Thorin snarled up at Legolas, derisive pleased by his new opponent's blatant disdain and discomfort to his presence.
Legolas's lips curled into a sneer as his grip on the bow and arrow in his hands tightened.
However, he did not let loose the arrow. Instead, he lowered his weapons and turned to the red-haired elf woman that had just appeared with Kili.
"Search them."
The elf woman nodded and quickly barked out an order to the members of her troupe that stood closest to the dwarves.
Thorin's glower turned scathing as his company were corralled into a tight knitted ring, grumbling under their breaths as the elves made to search and confiscate any weapons found on their persons.
The one that took the longest was Fili, for he had knives and daggers stashed all over his body. There were knives in his boots, on the insides of his jacket. There were even knives in the back of his pants and under his hood.
He grimaced with venom as Legolas passed him his hand deftly slipping a hidden blade out from under his hood as he made his way towards Gloin, from whom he took a large silver locket.
"Hey! Give it back! That's private" the old dwarf yelled as the elf prince flicked the trinket open. He rolled his eyes with disgust at the two small portraits of two bearded figures framed in silver within.
"Who is this? Your brother?" he sneered at the portrait on the left.
"That is my wife" Gloin glared.
"And what is this horrid creature? A goblin mutant?" Legolas added, looking at the other side of the locket in which what looked like a child with a big beard was holding a toy axe.
"That's my wee lad. Gimli!" Gloin growled, his voice suddenly dropping to a dangerously low pitch.
Legolas only quirked a cold brow but handed the locket back to the dwarf before turning his back to face the red-haired elf woman behind him.
"[Are the spiders dead?]" he asked her in elvish.
"[Yes but more will come]" The woman fixed him with a pointed look "[they have gotten bolder since their mistress has-]"
But Legolas quickly cut across her.
"[Nay Tauriel, remember we do not mention that witch's presence here.]" he quickly looked over his shoulder.
All the other elves seemed to be busy guarding and disarming their new prisoners.
"[forgive me]" Tauriel murmured apologetically. [It's just… I cannot forget how much damage and fear she has already inflicted upon our people, both now and in the past-on your-to her.]" her voice faded away softly and sadly.
Legolas stiffened his jaw stiffening for a moment though he did his best to speak as calmly and stoically as before.
"[What happened back then cannot be changed]" but even as he spoke, she saw the cold fury in his eyes as they looked up into the shadows of the trees.
There was a small cough, and both Legolas and Tauriel jumped a little. But it was only a dark-haired elf warrior that stood before them. He was holding out the sword Orcrist in his hands.
"My lord Legolas, we found this on their leader's person."
Legolas took the blade gingerly in his hands, his grim expression giving way to wonderment as he beheld the runes on the polished scabbard.
"[This is an ancient Elvish blade, forged by my kin]" he then turned to the dwarves, feeling his gut burn with the familiar disgust and hatred their races had felt so often for one another.
How could such a fine blade have ended up in the hands of such miserable disgusting creatures?
"Where did you get this?" he asked in Common speech glaring down at Thorin who glared back before snarling.
"I was given it. And while we are talking about finding things may you tell us where you found that?"
He pointed towards the belt around the elf prince's waist from which a golden pocket watch with a familiar rose engraving on the back was tied about by its chain.
"What importance is it to you?" Legolas's eyes narrowed. Trust a dwarf's eyes to stray to the shiniest treasure even in the direst of situations.
But Thorin was not interested in the elf's sass, not when he and all the other twelve dwarves about him were mentally holding their breath in mounting hope.
"It belonged to a dear friend" Fili answered at once not heeding his uncle's glower to shut him up "We've been looking for her for days."
"A likely story" Legolas responded coldly before gripping Orcrist tighter in his hand "So …not just thieves, but liars as well. [Let's move out!]"
He barked the last command brusquely to the host of elves who quickly grabbed hold of the dwarves by the arms and dragged them forcibly out of the clearing they were standing in.
As Bofur passed Thorin, he hissed softly.
"Thorin where's Bilbo?"
Thorin quickly looked about him.
He had not seen hide nor hair of the hobbit since he'd fled off into the trees just before the spiders first captured them. And though he'd been the one that had freed the dwarves from the said monsters, he still had stayed out of sight of even the sharp-eyed elves.
Just how could such a feat be achieved?
Thorin thought wildly.
It's almost like he clicked his fingers and turned invisible! But no that's crazy. No hobbit can turn invisible just like that…could they?
How very wrong he was.
The journey through Mirkwood was long and tiring, but Bilbo Baggins still followed on the heels of the elf host and their captives, invisible thanks to the tiny band of gold on his right index finger.
He breathed deeply, doing his best to keep it silent as the air around them grew more wholesome and the light about them brighter.
He looked up and saw to his delight; bright sunbeams poking through the canopy, fresh and warm.
He could have stopped in his tracks and stayed still in one of them forever had his current task not been so important.
The elves were now taking them to the Woodland Realm and if what the hobbit could rightly remember of Thorin's maps, that meant they were moving closer to the Lonely Mountain.
Finally! Finally!
He almost grinned to himself.
They finally had a chance of getting to the mountain…and they were alive! They all were alive!
Even Ariel was alive! He had known it ever since he'd seen the elf prince hold up her golden watch pendant.
She was alive, and the elves had rescued her.
Now if only we had a chance to find her? Just how big is the woodland realm anyway?
But even as Bilbo wondered, he caught sight of a bridge just up ahead leading towards a doorway into the sides of a rocky hill.
They live underground?
He tilted his head in confusion as he did his best to tread carefully over the smooth stone bridge.
Invisible or not, the ring did not stop him from being solid or from making a noise as he moved. Also, out of all the races in middle earth, Elves were by far the most attuned when it came to using all five their senses.
Indeed, even as the Hobbit almost was across the bridge, Legolas, who was bringing up the rear stopped mid-step to glance suspiciously behind.
Breath shallow in his chest, Bilbo barely had enough time or room to slip in just behind the tall, imposing prince before the high stone doors into the halls under the hills were shut by two guards.
So far, so good.
Bilbo nodded confidently to himself as he made to sneak up behind Bombur, who as usual was bringing up the rear.
Now all I have to do is follow the company, find out where they are being held. Then I'll find Ariel and see where she is and then-And then what? Do we escape? Through where? How? Come on Bilbo Baggins think! You're a Baggins! What would a Baggins do?
But then suddenly the hobbit frowned to himself.
No…he was thinking about this all wrong. The company didn't need a hobbit at the moment.
They needed a burglar.
And what would a burglar do in a situation like this?
At this, Bilbo's eyes wandered to the chain about Thorin's neck from which hung the crux of their entire expedition.
A crux, in the shape of a key.
"This is not the end of it, do you hear me!?" Dwalin yelled as he was shoved roughly into a small cell behind iron bars.
"Hey! Let us out of here!" Gloin cried out along with his brother as their captors dragged them into a pair of cells opposite Fili, who groaned as the elf detaining him confiscated the last of his hunting knives from a secret little pocket in the back of his coat.
Kili watched his brother get shoved into a cell his heart sinking, and he quickly turned about, only to come face to face with the red-haired elf woman that had saved his life.
What was her name again? Tauriel?
Well, whoever she was, she was pretty he'd give her that. Tall, fair, with warm brown hazel eyes that while stern and fierce, also held the promise of care and kindness to those that befriended them.
"Aren't you going to search me?" he asked before he could stop himself, ignoring his brothers groan of irritation. "I could have anything down my trousers."
"Or nothing."
Tauriel's eyebrows rose, and she pursed her lips. In all honesty, she wanted to laugh at the brazenness of the young dwarf's words. Very few men, of any race, had the guts to address her so boldly. However, she was still a captain of the guard, not to mention Legolas was standing just a few feet away, watching her back like a hawk.
So protective, even after all this time.
She turned to him still doing her best not to smirk fondly as the elf prince made to clip.
"[Why does the dwarf stare at you Tauriel?]"
"[Who can say? He's quite tall for a dwarf…um…don't you think]" she quickly added, hoping against hope that it came out as smoothly as possible.
"[Taller than some,]" Legolas rolled his eyes "[Though no less ugly.]"
Tauriel had to laugh at the disgruntled expression on her friend's face.
"[You still worry for me even though you know I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back?]"
"Someone has to watch your back" Legolas responded switching to the common tongue as he strode through the cells, but not before sparing a glare towards Kili who narrowed his eyes back.
Eleven wary pairs of eyes followed the elf prince as he made to stand before Fili's cell doors, pulling out the gold watch from his belt.
"What can you tell me about the owner of this?"
"That she is far braver and more honourable than any of you elves put together!" Fili spat up at him, though Legolas noticed that the blue eyes were not so much angry as they were distraught.
"She? You had a lady dwarf travelling with you?" Tauriel eyes widened as both shock and intrigue. But this time it was Bofur who spoke down from his cell that was right on top of Fili's
"Uh yes, and no…that is to say…yes to the lady and no to the dwarf."
"A human woman?" Legolas's eyes narrowed.
"Aye, a young wee maiden. Barely of age." Balin's voice was soft and sad as it wafted from high above opposite Bofur. "We lost her in the forest on our first night. Consumed by the strange mist she was."
"Got those rare green and brown eyes" Dwalin grunted beside his brother. "And dark hair red hot as her temper."
There were small snorts of amusement throughout the company, though they were quick to turn into forlorn silence. Balin, however, was watching Legolas and Tauriel, who had both exchanged a significant look with one another.
"I take it then you know of whom we speak of then laddie?" he asked, his voice careful and measured.
"We shall see" Legolas's lips pursed, but the dwarves could see the confusion and anxiety mixed in with his gaze even as he clipped:
"The guards will bring you food in an hour. Try and keep your mouths shut till then."
There was silence as the Company watched the two elves go, but they didn't care; they were already muttering to one another in their native tongue.
"[This cannot be a coincidence, could it?]" Tauriel hissed.
"[Of course not.]" Legolas's eyes narrowed. "[But the question is not how…it's why.]"
When Ariel opened her eyes, it was to find herself staring down at soft sheets as her body almost drowned in a sea of warm silk and fur blankets.
So warm…so soft.
She smiled sleepily. So...this is what it feels like to be in a bed?
After almost two whole months of nothing but forest floor, hay heaps or harsh cold stones in a cell, she had nearly forgotten what such a pure comfort as having a mattress beneath her was.
She stretched out slowly, running her hands over the indulgent soft furs, vaguely noticing that her skin looked and felt a lot cleaner than it had ever been for a month.
She suddenly stiffened and blinked.
What the hell? Someone's bathed me?
She held up her arms before her and saw to her surprise and mortification that she was wearing something with long white sleeves.
She quickly looked down on herself and blushed when she saw that she was wearing a white muslin dress that was so thin it was slightly see-through.
But that was not was worrying her.
She struggled a little under her blankets as she managed to pull herself up to sit, yanking out her left hand where a band of iron and opal had begun to burn and dig into her flesh.
She looked down at the digit through tears of pain as blood began to trickle down onto her hand once more as visions of blazing fires and dark shadows flew over her mind.
No, don't think about him! He's far away he can't hurt you!
But what if he can?
A nasty little voice hissed at the corners of her mind.
What if this is all just some trick to lower your guard? A beautiful illusion that he will rip away when I am at my most vulnerable? I can't let him trick me-I won't let him. Not again-
She jumped in fright as from somewhere to her right a door clicked quietly open and a tall, pale elf woman with long golden hair and kind green eyes stepped through, carrying a silk garment over one arm and a tray in her other.
"Oh, you're up, thank goodness" She smiled as she strode over to the bed.
However, Ariel was still very much terrified as the vestiges of her imprisonment replayed on overdrive in her mind.
Flames, shadows, evil whispers in her ears
She opened her mouth to scream only no sounds were coming out, only raspy gasps of air.
The elf woman saw this and at once settled her cargo down on a table nearby and dashed towards her.
"Shh…shhh…it's alright, little one, it's alright" she cooed.
Ariel flinched and struggled fiercely as the elf woman quickly took her shoulders and began rubbing them soothingly like a mother would a cold child.
Wait…wait…her touch…she's…not burning me…
"That's right little one" the elf woman sighed with relief as she felt her charge begin to still where she sat, though her body was still tense and shaking "Now just take deep breaths. Deep breaths, in and out. In…and out…"
Ariel nodded tremulously as she sucked in a deep shuddering breath before exhaling just as heavily.
After a few moments of such breaths, she felt her heart settle into a deep steady pace though she kept both hands gripping the sheets beneath her fingers tight like vices.
"There you go" the elf woman smiled warmly stroking the back of her neck.
Whilst the gesture was well-meant, Ariel could not help but feel a little bit irritated.
Maybe she was not at her most stable frame of mind now, but she wasn't a dog.
She opened her mouth to say so, only to begin coughing roughly as her throat seared with pain.
Not again!
She winced as she felt something warm and liquid dribble down her lip.
"Oh no, you've excited yourself too much now. Wait just a moment" the elf woman fussed as she held up a handkerchief for her patient to hold against her mouth.
Ariel took the cloth and spat into it, cringing as she saw the tiny droplets of red stain the pure white fabric.
Well, it could be worse I suppose…I mean I could be almost drowning in it again
She sighed in her head as the elf woman made to bustle forwards with her tray, on which was a goblet filled with a strange amber liquid.
"It will help repair and soothe your throat. One cup in the morning, and one cup before you sleep at night" the elf woman informed her gently as she brought the cup to Ariel's lips.
Ariel took a ginger sip, her trembling hands ghosting over the sides of the great cup as she prepared to spit. She always hated these sorts of medicines, even when she was a child. Most of them were bitter and weird colours that did not look appetising at all.
However, when she took a sip of the draft she found to her surprise that it was pleasantly sweet and wholesome, like a mixture of strawberries and sweet syrup. But better than that was the warm smooth sensation that spread over the insides of her throat. The searing burning that had been there was almost gone and as air travelled down it did not scratch or hurt at all.
She quickly took the goblet from her designated carer and began to gulp it down in earnest, barely stopping herself from choking by taking the occasional gasp for air.
She was almost finished when suddenly the door opened to her room again and someone tall and dressed in green armour entered proudly.
Ariel felt her stomach jolt, her body once more stiffening in readiness to flee from the newcomer. It was Legolas, his face grim as he looked down upon her and the elf woman to whom he addressed calmly.
"Eryniel I am sorry to interrupt your practice, but the king has requested your charge's presence at the throne room."
The elf woman, Eryniel scowled darkly jumping up to her feet to stand before Legolas, whom, Ariel noticed did not seem so perturbed by what should have been an offensive gesture towards royalty.
They must have known each other for a long time…
She surmised as she looked at the guards on either side of the elf prince. Both were looking relaxed in their spots even as the elf healer made to hiss angrily in her prince's face.
"With all due respect your highness, but this poor child only just awoke and is in barely any state to move let alone leave this bed. If your father wishes to see her, he can either wait till she is strong enough or he can come here himself!"
"Cousin, you of all people know my father will not do such a thing" Legolas sighed heavily "she must come to him right away. It is of the greatest importance that she does."
"Well you know what I think is more important-" Eryniel began to spit, only to be silenced as Legolas's eyes left hers and narrowed on a corner of the room.
There, Ariel crouched, half-hidden behind the corner of a tall wardrobe holding her arms close to her as she tried to make herself as small as possible.
Maybe she could blend in with the shadows if she pressed herself back into the wall. It had often worked while in her cell at Dol Guldur.
However, she wouldn't have any such luck here. This was a lavish room, lit brightly by natural sunlight streaming through an open window and several candles that sat on the dresser opposite here.
"[Now look what you've done, you've scared the poor thing]" Eryniel hissed angrily at her cousin in elvish, green eyes ablaze, but Legolas paid her no heed.
Instead, he walked cautiously towards Ariel, his voice soft and gentle as he spoke to her:
"It's alright. You don't need to be afraid. I'm a friend. I helped you in the forest remember?"
Though recognition flashed over Ariel's face she refused to move from her spot, her eyes darting around the room like a frightened cat's.
"You are in the Woodland Realm. My company and I brought you here while you slept so you could rest and heal in safety." He murmured, relieved when he saw her shoulders relax a fraction as he made to crouch in front of her.
"Forgive me if I startled you. It was not my intention to cause you such distress, however, my father, the king, has requested your presence so he may learn how you came to be on our lands. Of course-" he paused glancing back through the corner of his eye at a still fuming but silent Eryniel "-If you require more rest at present then I suppose I could persuade my father to postpone your meeting till you are feeling well enough to do so?"
There was a pause as Legolas met Ariel's eye. She was still wary of him, but now he could see the spark of something bright gleaming in her green-hazel eyes as she looked him up and down.
Legolas chanced a quick glance to his cousin as their young charge quickly looked to the door then glared down at her own scrawny ankles.
Well…they're no longer hurting and that's a start, and it was easy for me to sneak over here so they might survive a small walk.
Ariel curled her toes once or twice experimentally, then with a deep shuddering breath, she pulled herself up to stand, leaning heavily against the wardrobe.
Legolas had to admit he was impressed as she straightened up to her full height and fixed him with a determined steely gaze. Though she was in a frail state now, she was tall by the standards of men, naturally lean and proud in her bearing.
No… she is no waif of Esgaroth. She is of Northern Dunedain blood to be sure. Legolas smirked as he caught sight of the two guards behind him bristle and stand quickly to attention at the girl's movement, only to stiffen as she glowered at them suspiciously.
Legolas raised his eyebrows at Eryniel, though whether he was impressed or amused it was hard to tell.
"You were saying, cousin?"
Eryniel rolled her eyes and huffed in defeat.
"Fine…fine… but at least let the poor child put on a robe to cover herself."
As amusing and interesting as it was to watch Legolas and his cousin bicker, Ariel was curious and interested to know what the elven king of the Woodland Realm was like. She'd read about him in the books but he'd always felt rather mysterious to her. Mysterious like his kingdom.
Also, there was the case of his and Thorin's great rivalry and hatred for one another. She wondered just how much information about the conflict was true from both sides of the story.
Needless to say, it was with great excitement and nerves that she allowed Legolas to lead her carefully through the great halls of his kingdom.
Wow…this place is so massive…and yet the air is so…clean!
The corners of the elf prince's mouth twitched upwards as he glanced behind and saw the young girl behind him.
Her fear had evaporated slowly as they walked, her hazel eyes now wide with wonder as she looked about herself, mouthing her amazement silently like an overwhelmed child in a candy shop.
She even looked much younger than she already did with the way she clutched the slightly oversized soft green robes about herself, that just could not hide her skinny bruised and burnt arms.
Legolas's eyes softened with pity as he caught sight of the horrible ring glinting on her left hand.
How? How is it possible that such a terrible burden has been placed onto such young shoulders?
The elf prince looked up as he caught sight of the bridge leading to his father's throne, just as a smooth voice spoke softly.
"Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror…this is a surprise"
Ariel raised her head, her heart hammering as a familiar gruff voice answered.
"Yes indeed it is King Thranduil"
Oh my god!
She felt the muscles in her face ache as a grin suddenly spread over it. She had not smiled in so long. In fact, she hadn't smiled at all since they had left Beorn's house not too long ago.
And now here we are, nearly two weeks away and so much has changed.
If she still had not felt so tired, she would've run at once to meet the dwarf prince, no matter how grumpy or rough his greeting would be. However, Legolas seemed to read her thoughts for he quickly put his hand on her shoulder.
"You should not rush. You are still injured."
But even as he spoke he heard the smooth voice of King Thranduil call to him.
"Legolas, bring our other guest forwards.
Despite the command, Legolas paused for a split second, looking down at Ariel with worry as if silently enquiring if she was up to going through with this.
Ariel noticing this gave him a quick fervent nod.
He sighed and murmured softly.
"I may have saved you once in the forest…but I must warn you I may not be able to do so again. Here in this kingdom, my father's word is the law and unlike me, he is not so trusting of outsiders. So, if you do or say anything against him, I cannot protect you…even if you aren't in the wrong. Do you understand?"
Ariel nodded again biting her lip nervously as she glanced up to the back of the great wooden throne raised high above her left.
There was silence as she stepped forwards off the wooden bridge and onto a great circular platform where two people were standing. One was an elf, dressed in silver robes, with a great wooden crown atop his head that was decorated with small red berries that were just as bright as any ruby.
He was tall like the elf prince beside her and bore many of his features, like his blue eyes and pale hair. However only whilst these traits made Legolas look fair and kind, they somehow looked icy and cold on the king, especially when he narrowed his eyes down on the shorter figure that stood before him.
Ariel almost choked as the dark shaggy, spider web covered head of Thorin Oakenshield rose up.
"Ariel?"
His eyes widened in shock and he almost jumped in surprise when without warning Ariel dashed over to him and flung her arms around him, holding him tight to her.
Thorin stood still, his arms limp by his sides as he froze in shock.
Ariel? She was alive? She was on her feet hugging…hugging him?!
If he had been a computer he probably would have imploded from the sheer inability to compute the data that was the thin scrawny girl that clung onto him like a lifeline.
Thin…very thin…
His brain suddenly clicked and he quickly raised his arms and pulled her away to look at her properly.
Her hair, though washed and clean was still very much dull and lifeless, and her skin still paler than its usual maple beige and papery in texture. Her usually bright eyes were sunken and had dark circles and her cheeks had barely even a smidgeon of their usual warm flush of colour.
His jaw dropped further in horror as he caught sight of the horrible red marks over her wrists and ankles from where shackles had once been placed. But those were not her only injuries. There were multiple scratches and scars over her chest and one long thin cut over her brow which was bruised along with her cheek and some spots over her arms. It took nearly everything he had not to cry out in horror as he caught sight of the ring on her finger and the dried blood from where the thorns had dug painfully into her flesh.
"By Mahal woman, I turn my on you for two seconds and you get beaten like copper!"
To anyone else, this would have been a chastisement but to Ariel, it was just as welcome to her ears like a warm friendly hello. She smiled even wider than before, and hugged him tight to herself once more, this time burying her head in his dark hair as her eyes spilled over with fresh tears of relief.
This time instead of standing still, Thorin brought his arms to pat carefully at her sides only to wince. He could feel her ribs, even though the green robe she wore about her was thick. Indeed now that he was close enough he could feel the different textures in the damaged skin as it changed from smooth to rough to burnt- wait burnt?
Oh maker…what being could be so cruel to burn one that is afraid of your fire.
The dwarf prince looked up at Ariel's face, the colour draining from his own as he caught sight of the horrible burns that coiled around her neck like vivid red peeling snakes. Worse still was the expression of joy and glorious relief etched over her tearstained smiling face as she looked down at him.
His stomach jolted uncomfortably at the sight.
How?
How could she still smile to see him? How could she still bear to even look at him after he had left her to suffer once more on her own?
"I am sorry" he whispered, so softly so that only Ariel could hear. "I am so sorry…I let this happen to you"
Ariel frowned in confusion.
Whatever did he mean? Sorry? Sorry for what? She was alive and had found the company. What was there to apologise for?
There was a small snort and Thorin stiffened as Thranduil made to speak, his voice smug as he took one step forward
"Well now, this has proven to be very interesting indeed. The great Thorin Oakenshield comforting a small human woman like she was one of his own kin."
Thorin tensed as he saw that the elven king easily now towered over Ariel who looked if possible, even smaller and frailer in comparison. It was like watching a great wolf look down at a young fawn as it stalked it.
However, the dwarf prince was pleased to see that despite the vast differences in height, Ariel still stood her ground. It took her a couple of moments to get over the initial shock but once she did, she glared defiantly up at Thranduil with fierce eyes, even though her legs were wobbling a little from the effort of holding her body up.
"…interesting…" the elf king murmured leaning down to get a slightly closer look at her irises. Had he just imagined it, or had the hazel orbs glowed green for a split second?
He straightened up, keeping his sharp gaze fixed on the young woman as he looked down his pale nose at her. "Very interesting… what is your name child?"
"She says her name is Ariel father." Legolas stepped forward keeping his eyes fixed cautiously on the scene in front of him.
"And pray tell why you are answering when I question her, Legolas?" Thranduil raised a cold eyebrow at his son.
"I am afraid she cannot speak at present" Legolas replied calmly, unphased one instant by the iciness in his father's tone. "Her throat has been damaged severely from her imprisonment in Dol Guldur. Though hopefully, she should heal soon according to Eryniel's notes."
Dol Guldur?
Thorin's eyes widened in horror as he looked up at Ariel. At the mere mention of her old captor's stronghold, she looked especially tense, her body suddenly taking on a small shudder despite her attempts to keep herself composed.
Thranduil, however, ignored her apparent bout of fear and proceeded with his questions.
"And what would a young woman be doing in such a place as the lair of the Necromancer?"
"She wasn't there by choice." Thorin snapped before he could stop himself.
Thranduil's face split into a pleased smirk.
"Ah I see…so this is the missing member of your company that my captain was telling me of. A woman on a quest? That is unusual, even by dwarf standards. Tell me what her purpose is. She hardly seems to be of much use for the battlefield…a healer perhaps?"
Of course… He wants to bait me into revealing my motives by dangling an innocent before me…what a cheap vulgar trick.
Thorin's eyes narrowed as Thranduil took another deliberate step closer to Ariel so that they were almost toe-to-toe.
She held her ground though she could feel her legs begin to tremble from fatigue even as the elf king hissed.
"But no…she is far too young and inexperienced to deal with bloodshed and wounds. Then what? She is obviously very dear to you and your company. Your plaything perhaps? An odd choice I must say, considering she has no beard like your womenfolk…if that's the case then in-between her duties what then can she do, except drag behind like an extra sack of baggage-"
There was a loud cracking sound as the back of Ariel's hand shot out so fast to swipe Thranduil's face.
Thorin and Legolas both stared in absolute shock as the elf king stumbled back a little, clutching in shock at his jaw where her small hand had hit. Silently he wiped his mouth and saw to his astonishment a tiny droplet of blood from where her nail had cut his bottom lip.
Ariel breathed heavily her mouth opening and shutting in silent yells as all the anger and frustration from the past few weeks suddenly burst from her in a rush. She couldn't help it.
Look down upon her and mock her for being a woman? Fine. She could deal with that even if it was irritating. After all the social standards here in Middle Earth were like Earth's Medieval days so she understood why the men she met might have an issue with her modern views. But calling her a useless whore, while she stood there beaten and burned after being tortured for a whole week by one of the vilest creatures ever to walk the earth, that was just too much. Even Thorin had not dared cross that line (though he had come dangerously close on one or two occasions).
Speaking of the dwarf, Thorin just stood there staring in shocked disbelief. He had never seen Ariel look that furious before, and even more surprisingly, it wasn't even his fault. Her face was flaming red like her hair, and her eyes glowed vividly green as her nostrils flared so that she resembled more a fire-breathing dragon than a human woman.
She could give Smaug a run for his gold with that expression.
Thorin smirked in awe as he recognised the lip patterns of some rather profane swear words and barely restrained himself from laughing as the young girl then shut her mouth and put both her middle fingers towards Thranduil's stunned face.
Well...that's one way to put your point across.
But Thranduil was not impressed or amused as he straightened up and stood to this fullest height.
"You dare strike me?!" he snarled as he advanced upon the young girl, who backed away from him, flinching away horribly as terror suddenly replaced her fury.
Both Thorin and Legolas balked forward at the sign, the latter reaching out to grab onto his father's robe to stop him. Yet he needn't have bothered for Thranduil had seen the abject terror in the young woman's face quickly reigned his temper back in, though his bleeding lip was still curled as he clipped waspishly:
"Legolas take this vulgar little beast to her friends in the dungeons. I daresay she'll feel more comfortable to rethink her actions in a cell."
But Legolas hesitated.
As much as the girl had been rather crude and violent in her response to the insult, he personally did not blame her for her lashing out. She was frightened in a strange place, injured and in pain with no way she could stand up for herself.
But she had just struck his father and king…
"What about her injuries? She still needs medical attention," he asked quietly.
"A healer can be sent down to the cells if necessary." Thranduil narrowed his eyes dangerously at his son "Take her out of my sight."
Legolas nodded stiffly to show he had understood and quickly strode forwards to take Ariel by the arm. Ariel stiffened but his grip wasn't hard at all, just firm.
Ariel quickly turned back to look fearfully at Thorin who gave her a small nod.
"Go with him. The others will be glad to see you"
The corners of his mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly as he felt her small frail fingers reach down and give his own stronger digits a tiny squeeze.
"I will be fine" He murmured shaking his head slightly. "Now go. Get lost"
Ariel rolled her eyes but even so she couldn't help the tiny smirk that flitted over her face.
There you are, you old grump!
She was quiet and docile as she allowed Legolas to steer her away towards a set of small steps that led down to another bridge that meandered away from the king's throne.
Thranduil watched with narrowed eyes as his son and the girl finally wandered out of sight before turning to speak to Thorin with glacial disdain as he circled him.
"A young sorceress and a company of twelve dwarven warriors? One might say, Thorin Oakenshield that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon"
Thorin's gaze hardened as he made to keep his gaze solely fixed on the empty throne before him as the Elven King sneered.
"I myself suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary…or something of that ilk"
Thorin straightened up as Thranduil circled back around so that they were facing one another.
The dwarf prince watched warily as the elf king's eyes flashed with curious intrigue.
"You have found a way in. You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. The King's Jewel. The Arkenstone"
At this Thorin felt his heart stir as a vision of the bright gem flashed over his mind. It had been a long while since he'd thought on it, for he had been trying so hard just to keep the company alive. But now they were all alright he found his mind haunted by the beautiful glimmers of light, refracting within the orb-like structure.
Seeing the deep blue eyes of his adversary glaze over for a split second, Thranduil smirked.
"it is precious to you beyond measure…I can understand that…there are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight…I offer you my help in exchange for such a price"
Yes. Now Thorin remembered.
Many gems, of course, existed within Erebor and were near priceless in value. But there had been some treasures that did indeed stand out above all the rest…such as a necklace made from pure diamonds linked together by slender strings of mithril.
It was supposed to be a gift to ensure the tenuous peace between the Woodland Realm and the Kingdom beneath the Mountain.
However, from what the dwarf prince could remember, Thranduil had not made proper payment in arms nor in his alliance and so the deal fell through…and with the coming of the dragon of course such a treasure was most likely never to be seen again.
Thorin looked up into the searching eyes of the elf king before him.
"I am listening"
"I will let you go," Thranduil said softly his voice hardening "If you return that which is mine."
And elves call us greedy…
"A favour for a favour" Thorin snorted derisively as he turned to pace.
"You have my word" Thranduil smirked as the dwarf looked thoughtful. "One king…to another"
Thorin paused in his steps, anger flooding through him as his mind recalled faint screams and bursts of flames issuing from a great big reptilian mouth…burning everything in sight…sparing no one…
Empty words from an empty heart…
"I would not trust Thranduil. The great king, to honour his word! Shall the end of all days be upon us. YOU!" He snarled venomously rounding upon the now surprised elf "lack all honour! I have seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once. Starving, homeless, seeking your help. But you turned your back! You turned away from the suffering of my people, of the inferno that destroyed us!"
"Do not talk to me of dragon fire!" Thranduil hissed swooping down so that his face was dangerously close in Thorin's personal space. "I know it's wrath and ruin"
The elf then shut his eyes and winced, as if a terrible pain was coursing through him. Thorin watched torn between hatred and revulsion as the once fair skin on the left of the elf king's face suddenly melted away to reveal a hideous burn and a milky white eye.
The effect was quite horrifying as Thranduil continued to speak, the exposed tendons tensing and convulsing with every small twitch and motion, before sinking back under their smooth illusion.
"I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon. But he would not listen…you are just like him"
Thranduil's hand flicked out casually and Thorin struggled as two guards silently appeared at his sides, grabbing him securely by the arms.
"Stay here if you will and rot" The elf king announced as he made his way to sit back down in his great throne "A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an Elf. I am patient. I can wait"
"Lads look!"
"LASS!"
"Ariel! You're alive"
Ariel could have almost cried for joy as the familiar voices of her twelve friends burst through her eardrums. Indeed she could feel heat well up in her eyes as she made to run towards the nearest cell, leaving her escort behind.
"Oh, mahal you are one lucky little lady you are Miss Ariel!" Bofur grinned as Ariel made to grasp at his and Ori's hands as they reached out to her through the bars. "We thought you were a goner after that fog"
Ariel smiled and nodded squeezing both dwarfs' hands before moving onto the next pair of cells that stood side by side. In them were Bifur, Nori, Gloin and Oin. They too all wrung her hands and gave her warm welcoming smiles before she moved on towards Balin and Dwalin, the lattermost redoubling his grip and holding her back before she could move.
"Hold on lass! Hold on!" he growled eyeing her suspiciously "Now those old coots may be as deaf as old dogs but even yer far too quiet for me."
"Dwalin it's alright I'm-"
But even as Ariel's mouth made to move no sound came from it.
The dwarves all fell into a horrified silence as she quickly shut her mouth and put a hand up to her throat.
"Lass?" Balin frowned his kindly face now full of worry "What happened?"
But Ariel still made no sound. She only looked down to the ground, rubbing at her throat.
"Hey what's going on?" Came Kili's voice from one of the cells below "Why isn't she saying anything?"
"Because she can't," said a voice and Ariel turned to see Legolas striding down to her from a set of stairs.
Dwalin bristled and glowered as the tall fair elf passed him but Legolas ignored him. Instead, he chose to put a careful hand on the back of Ariel's shoulder, steering her away to another set of stairs that led down towards the lowermost cells.
At first, Ariel felt nervous as she made to slowly climb down step by step. The steps were steep and there were no hand railings, not to mention her entire body was beginning to feel really run down as whatever small burst of adrenaline in her body began to run its course.
So weak I cannot even manage one stupid set of stairs!
Ariel did not know who she was to be set with for her face was turned to the ground. She could not help it. Thranduil's earlier words were coursing through her brain.
"An extra sack of worthless baggage"
Oh who am I kidding, Thranduil was right,
Ariel felt her heart sink as she heard iron be moved from where it was set.
I am not a healer, I'm not a warrior. My voice is gone and so are my powers. I am so weak I can barely walk, I am even more useless to the company than when I first joined…
She barely saw her own feet as she was gently ushered her into a cell for her eyes were full of tears as her heart was filled with nothing but a horrible emptiness.
The same emptiness that she had felt when Sauron had burnt her staff with his flame.
Though it sounded bizarre Ariel had always felt since she first touched it like that staff was just as much a part of her as her own arms or legs. And now it was gone it was like she had a big gaping hole. Right there in her heart, she could not even feel the energies from the roots that grew along the insides of the great hills the hidden Kingdom in Mirkwood resided in.
She barely heard Legolas as he made to talk to her cellmate, his tones terse.
"If she has any difficulties summon the guards and they will fetch a healer. Other than that, you will not bother them are we clear"
"As crystal" Fili's voice snapped sounding unusually stern.
Legolas snorted and rolling his eyes made to close the cell, locking it deliberately so for all the company to see before he strode off to talk softly to an elf guard close by.
"Ariel?"
Ariel did not even look up as a familiar pair of hands took hers gently.
She shook her head, already refusing any sort of comfort. But Fili would not have any of it.
Without even waiting for her approval the young dwarf yanked her forwards to wrap his arms around her.
So small…I could fit five of her into my arms if I wished.
He thought to himself, half-torn between fondness and sadness.
Ariel squirmed, sniffling with tears of shame and embarrassment as she felt her body get squashed tight. But Fili refused to budge, save for his hands to begin rubbing in smooth circles on her back.
"It's ok…" He whispered soothingly as he leaned up to press his face into her shoulder, the highest point he could reach on her. "It's ok…"
No…no it's not ok…it's not…
Ariel shook her head, her face buried into the top of Fili's golden mane of hair as he made to murmur softly in his native dwarvish tongue.
She had no idea what he was saying but just listening to the words alone was beginning to make her feel drowsy.
Fili sighed with relief as he felt the girl in his arms relax a little as her body began to give way to fatigue.
"Come on…let's get you some sleep."
Ariel nodded her eyes already half-lidded as she allowed the dwarf to lead her to the tough cot set in the shadowy back of the small cell.
It wasn't as comfortable as the bed she had first awoken in but it still at least had a pillow and a couple of thin furs.
Fili almost smiled as he saw her manage to clamber onto the thin mattress and curl up at once into a ball on her side facing him as he made to sit on the edge close to her.
"Better now?" he asked after he helped pull up both blankets over her and tuck her in.
She nodded but then gave him a questioning look when she noticed that he was only wearing his brown/yellow tunic, pants, and boots.
"They confiscated my jacket" Fili explained, pouting grumpily "apparently it had too many hiding places for my weapons"
Ariel tiredly smirked. She could only just imagine how funny it would look, the elves continuously pulling out knife after knife from everywhere on his person. She would not have been surprised if he had even hidden some in his long hair.
But it must also make him cold not having it on down here?
She reasoned and frowned concernedly up at him.
Fili's smile widened and his eyes softened.
"Don't worry about me. You just rest now."
But even so, she reached up to timidly ghost her fingers at his bearded jaw, her nails scraping against the braids of his moustache.
He gently reached up to take her hand in his, marvelling in how small and soft hers seemed to be in comparison to his broad rough digits.
"You want me to stay with you?" he asked softly.
Ariel nodded though she flushed a little with embarrassment.
She knew it was perhaps a childish desire…but right now she just wanted to have someone close to hold her…
She had never fully realised it until that moment, but she really had undervalued the true warmth and comfort one could get from merely feeling safe where they slept or who they kept beside them.
Fili grinned wider as he swung his legs up onto the bed.
"Alright then. But we're going to have to make some adjustments or else we'll both fall off"
He was going to get some sleep at last and he was going to be sharing a bed with a woman. That truly was a double win!
He slid himself carefully so that he was lying beneath her, with her curled into his chest beneath the covers and her head resting under his chin.
"Better?" he murmured into her dark hair and Ariel nodded as she timidly made to drape her arm comfortably over his chest, which whilst was very firm and solid, was also remarkably warm.
Like a bear…or a lion…
She mused taking in his golden hair as it splayed out from under his head. It was so rich and long, but it suited him as did his short beard. Ariel's lips quirked upwards as she glanced up at the two braids that hung from his moustache. If she had seen those on anyone else, she would have laughed and not stopped laughing.
Back home even her father had not grown his facial hair that long, though that was probably for the best considering his occupation, and her brother Ian had always looked better clean-shaven.
Oh, Dad, Ian…
She sighed softly into Fili's chest.
…I miss you both so much…
Fili saw her eyes glaze over with a misty, forlornness and his heart twinged. He knew that look all too well. He himself had worn it as had so many others, including Kili. It was the look of someone yearning for home…for family…
"Ariel…" he brought a hand up into her hair and began to stroke it through. "if ever you need anything…I'm always right here for you…we all are."
He paused, gulping nervously when he did not get a nod or a shake of the head.
But when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Ariel looking up at him with a wide smile.
The effect was most astonishing. She was no longer the frightened timid fragile child that had walked into the cell, but the happy free-spirited young woman he had first beheld back at Bag End. The one who was unafraid to laugh loudly and dance as bowls and crockery flew over her head.
He held his breath as she mouthed a silent "thank you" before leaning into him her lips gently pressing against his bearded chin. The action was so innocent, so sweet, and yet it made his face almost burn as it flushed as red as a tomato.
Thankfully, Ariel was too tired and fell asleep just before she could notice anything amiss with her new bedmate, much to his relief.
Meanwhile far away in an upper level of the hidden elven fortress, a small white flower that had been wilting in a small pot by a sill, began to glow a soft green as its petals began to rise…gleaming white with new life.
Two figures, a man, and a woman were riding on horseback over the great fields that lay between the great forest of Mirkwood and the Great Misty Mountains, which loomed ever closer as their steeds galloped at breakneck speed.
The man, who had dark skin with short black hair, was dressed in dark gear that made him look almost like a shadow whilst the woman was dressed all in red, with only a jet black hooded cloak to cover her pale face as she quickly checked her horse into a swift stop.
"Whoa!" Her male companion called as he abruptly tugged on the reins of his own steed which skidded to a rough stop with a loud disgruntled grunt.
After quickly soothing the beast, the man steered it towards the woman who was seated upon her horse, running a hand over her head, and pushing back her cloak hood in the process. At once a head of deep rich red brown locks cascaded down over her shoulders only to be picked up and thrown about by a gust of cold wind. However, this didn't mask the small tears that trickled down the pale face.
The man looked upon the woman, his light chestnut eyes filled with both great sorrow and with great affection as he reached out to wipe her cheeks with his thumb.
"Nuldien" he whispered softly cupping her cheek in his large hand "She'll be fine"
"But Celegon" Nuldien the Red looked up at him, her eyes streaming over "how can you possibly know that?"
"Because she's our daughter." Celegon snorted softly his smile widening "She is our spirited, determined and stubborn daughter. I feel it in my heart that she is alright. And I know you feel it too, magical connection or not"
Nuldien began to wipe her eyes with the sleeve of her red travelling dress.
"I'm sorry" she sniffed trying her best to gulp down the lump in her throat. "It's just…I'm so worried. Ever since I saw that strange storm over Mirkwood a few days ago I haven't been able to feel anything from her and I-"
"Panicked?" Celegon murmured softly. "I know and that's alright Nuldien. Just because you are an Istari doesn't mean you stop being a good mother"
"I don't feel like a good mother at the moment" Nuldien snapped.
"I mean look at what I've done. I let our son be cursed by that horrible hag! I sent our own daughter into a world she has barely any clue about without any idea of how to use the powers she was gifted in. and now I'm leaving her behind to wander a nightmarish forest on her own with some dwarves while we go search quite safely for that confounded old grey wizard!"
"You forgot to mention that the dwarves she was travelling with are going to a mountain guarded by an evil fire-breathing dragon" Celegon quirked a brow at his wife's hysterics as she now made to sob.
"EXACTLY! What kind of mother does that to her baby girl?"
"Nuldien" Celegon sighed as he leaned over from his horse, his face now so close to Nuldien's their noses were touching. "Nuldien…please listen to me. No parent is perfect, not even us, no matter how hard we try to be. Yes, Ariel is our little one and I understand you are worried for her safety and so am I. But losing our heads over the matter will not help her wherever she is. Also, you forget, she is not so little anymore. She is eighteen years old, an adult and as much as I wish we could, we cannot keep protecting her from the evils of the world. Yes, she is going to stumble and hurt herself along the way, but our Ariel is a strong young woman and she will get right back up no matter what. We just have to have faith in her"
"You're right Celegon" she sniffed "you're right I'm being selfish…but it's just…I never expected it to be so…so…hard to let her go"
"Neither did I" Celegon agreed quietly as he leaned forwards.
Nuldien shut her eyes as her husband made to press his lips gently to her forehead and she sighed heavily.
"Goodness…if Saruman were here right now, he'd have my head for acting so hysterically"
Celegon rolled his eyes with disdain as he pulled away from his wife to check his horse beneath him.
"Nuldien if that old coot were here right now breathing down our necks, we wouldn't even be married or even have children. And speaking of old wizards, we must move quickly if we are to cross Gandalf's path at the High Fells"
"Yes, of course…Gandalf" Nuldien nodded swiftly flicking her horse's reins. But even as she made to go into a trot, the red sorceress turned her head to look behind at the shadows of the distant forest.
Thorin Oakenshield if you do not look after my little girl, I will personally make sure YOUR line of Durin is cut off permanently
Thorin Oakenshield blinked in surprise.
What was that voice?
He looked about wildly.
The voice had belonged to a woman's sharp, worried, and oddly familiar.
What did she mean? Look after her little girl?
But even as the dwarf prince looked about himself all he saw were the two tall elf guards that were currently shoved him down the small set of stairs and into the dungeons of the woodland realm.
Honourless pointy-eared tall bastards. They are no better than their king!
With a heavy push, the dwarf prince was shoved into a cell high above the bottom-most levels right next to Balin who promptly made to ask as soon as the cell doors were shut.
"Did he offer you a deal?"
"He did. I told him he could go îsh kakhfê ai-'d dûr-rugnu!" Thorin spat through the bars before him before calling out loudly "him and all his kin!"
Balin almost felt like pulling an Ariel and rolling his eyes with a scowl.
Instead, he resisted (though it took him a lot of effort) and he just sighed.
"Well, that's that then. A deal was our only hope"
"Not our only hope" Thorin softly murmured his gaze lingering as it turned upwards to the roof of the great cavernous halls beyond their cages. "Bilbo is here with us sneaking through the halls unseen. I thought I saw him for a moment when the guards were dragging me here. It was only a glimpse, but I was sure it was him."
"I hope you are right laddie," Balin said though he did not sound hopeful at all.
Thorin sighed heavily as he made to look around at the other cells about them.
"How are they all faring?" he asked quietly.
"They're alright I suppose. A little tired but safe and content for now" Balin's face then split into a knowing smile. "Your heir most of all"
"Ariel is with him?" Thorin raised his eyebrows.
"Aye, he is looking after her now as we speak."
"Tch! I'm sure he is." Thorin snorted.
"Oh, come now Thorin" Balin smiled warmly "They're both young, both innocent-"
"Pff!" Thorin chuckled under his breath "Fili has not been innocent in that way for quite some time"
"In certain physical ways yes I suppose that's true" Balin nodded before adding "but in matters of the heart he still has much to learn…though I think it won't be too long now till he begins to understand those as well."
Thorin's chuckles faded into a quiet grim murmur.
"True…though I hope that when he finds out, that she will not break his heart,"
"She won't laddie" Balin grunted as he made to slowly lower himself down to sit on the floor. "Besides, I don't think you need to worry about that sort of thing between them. Both he and Kili think of her more like a sister than a prize, and I daresay she misses the company of her own brother." The older dwarf sighed softly to himself as he glanced down to the area where he knew Ariel and Fili's cell was.
"Poor lass" he muttered. "Oh well, at least she's safe and sound now. That is all that matters"
"I know Balin." Thorin muttered eyes dropping to the floor "I know."
"I know you're there. Why do you linger in the shadows?"
Bilbo Baggins froze mid-step down a small stair. He had reached a very secluded part of the great kingdom where many luxurious rooms had been laid out.
In one of these rooms, still draped in his luxuriant silver robes the elf king Thranduil was pacing patiently, his eyes upon the stairway the frightened and still invisible hobbit was walking.
Oh goodness, he can see me? He can see me with his elf magic or whatever magic they use
But even as he made to back away another voice spoke up from behind him, a woman's fair and melodious.
"I was coming to report to you"
Bilbo clapped an invisible hand over his invisible mouth to mask his small sigh of relief as the tall red-haired elf Tauriel made to step around him and bow before her king who regarded her stiffly.
"I thought I ordered that nest to be destroyed not two moons past."
Tauriel looked slightly sheepish, though she was quick to hide it as she stepped forth.
"We cleared the forest as ordered my lord. But more spiders keep coming up from the south. They are spawning in the ruins of Dol Guldor if we can kill them at their source-"
But Thranduil cut across her sternly.
"That fortress lies beyond our borders. Keep our lands clear of those foul creatures. That is your task"
"and when we drive them off what then?" Tauriel frowned "will they not spread to other lands?"
"Other lands are not my concern." The elf king narrowed his eyes "the fortunes of the world will rise and fall, but here in this kingdom we will endure"
"But my lord" Tauriel was now looking slightly desperate "that old witch Balcheth has-"
"Silence!" the roar that suddenly escaped the elf king's mouth was enough to make a certain skulking invisible hobbit almost trip over in surprise as he skirted behind him.
Oh no Bilbo just keep it together now
Bilbo pursed his lips as he carefully made to back away from Thranduil who suddenly seemed to grow taller in his rage as he towered over Tauriel
"You do not dare, I repeat, do NOT DARE, utter the name of that murderous hag ever again in my presence" the elf king's eyes were now dangerous slits as he saw his subject turn her eyes down to the ground.
"forgive me, my lord, I meant nothing by it."
Thranduil stared down coldly at Tauriel for a full minute before quietly striding away to look over the small pond before him, just as she made to turn her back on him.
After a deep sigh, he spoke softly.
"Legolas said you fought well today…He has grown very fond of you"
Tauriel paused mid-stride and looked over her shoulder at her king with surprise.
Bilbo bristled from where he stood hidden. Whilst his Took side was certainly very intrigued by the conversation, the sensible Baggin's half could not help but feel uncomfortable. Though he did not look nearly as awkward as Tauriel who gulped nervously before answering carefully.
"I assure you, my lord, Legolas thinks of me as no more than a captain of the guard."
At this Thranduil smirked as he made to walk over to a pitcher set on a small table and pour himself a drink in a goblet.
"Perhaps he did once. Now I am not so sure"
Tauriel bit her lip her eyes brightening slightly with a tiny glimmer of something…hope perhaps?
"I did not think you would allow your son to pledge himself to a lowly Silvan elf"
"No you are right, I would not" Thranduil's voice was so casual it was cruel. "still he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none"
Bilbo's heart twinged with pity as he saw the hurt expression flash across the elf woman's face. But no sooner had he seen it then she took a deep breath and forced it down beneath a blank mask as she nodded.
"Yes my lord"
"And that young woman your company found in the forest" Thranduil's nostrils flared slightly as he turned and sat in an ornate chair beside a lavish table. "Was it my son who found her or you?"
"It was the Prince my liege" Tauriel clipped, trying her best to regain her professional composure as her king snorted sardonically.
"I thought as such. Legolas always has had such a soft spot for strays even as a child" the King's voice trailed off slightly only to harden like ice as he coughed "Keep an eye on her and report to me at least once a day on her progress"
"Your majesty?" Tauriel blinked at Thranduil in confusion as he took a sip of his large goblet of wine.
"You heard me the first time. Keep an eye on her, and keep a close watch on that ring she
bears. It is an evil thing and should not be taken lightly."
"[The gates are guarded]"
A voice hissed to the darkness.
"[not all of them.]" another voice snarled "[Follow me]"
There was silence as Kili made to sit alone in his cell, twirling a small round stone in his hands. It was smooth and round, large enough to comfortably fit in the palm of his hand…or toss it up and down idly as he was doing so now, frowning with both concentration and irritation.
Fili was still fast asleep in the cell beside him, still curled up contentedly with Ariel.
The sweet little mermaid…Mahal, what in all of Arda is a mermaid? Sounds kinda fishy to me.
Kili rolled his eyes as he tossed the stone in his hands higher up into the air and caught it.
He looked down at the surface of the stone in his hands, running his fingers over the characters engraved in Khazalid. It spelt out a single word "Return"
It was one of a pair that his mother had owned. The other one was with Fili and it had runes that had said "Protect"
Yeah, he's certainly fulfilling that promise.
He snorted softly to himself.
It was not that Kili objected to his brother's fussing over their young friend. He loved and cared for Ariel just as much as if she were his own sister. She was spunky, feisty, and free-spirited, not to mention kind and sweet to those she cared for…or at least she had been before she had been taken from them in the wood-
"That stone in your hand, what is it?"
Kili looked up and saw to his surprise, Tauriel standing before the barred door to his cell. Her tone was not harsh or commanding as one would expect from a jailer. Instead, it was soft and curious.
Even so, the young dwarf before her could not help himself as he made to keep a straight face and strict tone.
"It is a talisman. If any but a dwarf reads the runes on this stone…they will be forever cursed"
Tauriel took a step back as Kili thrust the stone up to her face roughly.
Pleased by his small mischief the young dwarf could not help but smirk at her shocked expression as he withdrew his hand.
"Or not. Depending on whether you believe in that kind of thing. It's just a token. A runestone…My mother gave it to me so I'd remember my promise"
"What promise?"
"That I would come back to her. She worries. She thinks I'm reckless."
Tauriel's face split into a small smile as she looked down upon the prisoner.
"And are you?"
"Nah!" Kili grinned as he tossed up the rune stone high into the air only for it to miss his catching hand.
It flew through the bars of his cell door and bounced along the ground before rolling precariously close to the edge of the pathway outside.
Tauriel managed to snag it with her boot before it could roll off the tall drop and quickly scooped it up in her hands, eyeing the dwarf before her.
He was an odd one, even by the standards of his people. Mischievous and fun-loving, but not vain or greedy, not to mention kind, for she had seen his treatment of his kin and friends.
There were very few elves even that had such a genuine sweet nature.
She watched him for a moment as he made to stand at the door to his cell, looking up at the higher levels as sounds of laughter and music wafted down from them.
"Sounds like quite a party you're having up there?"
"It is Mereth e-n Gilith, The Feast of Starlight," Tauriel explained her voice growing gentle as her eyes softened with tender fondness. "All light is sacred to the Eldar, but Wood Elves love best the light of the stars."
"I always thought it is a cold light" Kili murmured softly "remote and far away"
"It is memory. Precious and pure" Tauriel turned to him her eyes shining bright as she held out her hand towards him "Like your promise"
Kili reached forwards and took the runestone out of her hand, noticing with some curiosity that when their skins touched it made his fingers tingle a little.
But he did not ponder on it, for his eyes were drawn to Tauriel's expression as she made to look up at the roof of the great halls above, her gaze full of tender longing, her voice wistful.
"I have walked there sometimes. Beyond the forest and up into the night. I have seen the world fall away…and a white light forever fill the air"
Wow…
Kili breathed as he tried to imagine such a scene unfolding before him.
Dwarves may have a love for gems and precious metals, but even they could appreciate the true beauty of nature.
Indeed, the young dwarf could remember a time he had wondered over such marvels.
"I saw a fire moon once. It rose over the pass near Dunland. Huge. Red and gold it was it filled the sky. We were an escort for some merchants from Erid Luin. They were trading in silverwork for furs. We took the Greenway south. Keeping the mountain to our left. And then it appeared, this huge fire moon lighting our path-"
Kili smiled to himself as Tauriel turned to listen to him intently, neither of them noticing a tall shadow standing high above as Legolas watched them in secret, his gaze hardening severely.
Just what was Tauriel doing, talking with this young slip of a dwarf? she was supposed to be guarding him not befriending him!
His hands gripped the small gourd held in them tighter as the young dwarf made to now move onto an amusing story about how his brother, the blonde one that was currently occupying the cell next to him, had hilariously tripped over in a cavern of a mine.
This is getting ridiculous! Just who does that little cave dweller think he is?!
With a soft snarl and a roll of the eyes the elf prince quietly hopped down from his vantage point, landing lightly on the landing before Fili's cell and wrapping on the bars hard.
Kili and Tauriel both quickly turned their heads in surprise but when the latter saw the gourd held in her prince's hand, she quickly turned her attention back to the dwarf.
"It's alright, he's just delivering the medicine"
"Alright, then where was I?" Kili grinned as he turned back to continue his tale, completely missing Legolas's incensed glare.
Just delivering the medicine indeed! As if I were some common guard or servant!
He almost snapped as he felt something tug gently at his sleeve and whipped his head around.
But it was only Ariel. She had been on the brink of waking up when Legolas had arrived at the cell door. Fili was still fast asleep, but she had been sitting up on the floor beside the bed fiddling with the hem of her white shift as she listened to Kili and Tauriel's talking.
She was relieved when the elf prince shoved the gourd he was holding into her grip, doing his best to try and speak as calmly as possible despite his seething temper.
"This is your new dosage of medicine from Eryniel. Be sure to drink it slowly so it can coat your throat properly before you sleep tonight and when you awaken tomorrow morning. You haven't been coughing up blood again have you?"
Ariel shook her head.
"Good." Legolas nodded tersely before handing her another satchel "Some ointments and poultice for your burns. Someone will come with dinner within a couple of hours after the feast is finished. Try and rest till then."
He made to turn abruptly away however at the last moment Ariel reached out and grabbed at his arm once more.
He would have tugged his limb away from her had he not caught sight of the concerned expression on her face.
He frowned in confusion.
Why was she of all people concerned about his welfare, when she herself clearly needed more looking after?
She is a strange child…
He mused as he made to pry her hand off his arm gently.
But she has a kind heart…
"Here…" he murmured reaching into the pocket of his green tunic, "I think this belongs to you"
He pulled out a golden pocket-watch on a necklace chain.
"My necklace"
Ariel mouthed in excitement her face lighting up faster and brighter than lights on a Christmas tree as she took the trinket from the elf.
Legolas's face softened slightly as he saw her hang the chain about her neck, her fingers moving with swift, practised dexterity over the clasp before aligning the timepiece to hang centred on her chest.
"I found it in the woods not far from the ruins of Dol Guldur." He explained when she looked back up to him "Your companions saw it on my person when we arrested them and told me it belonged to you. I am glad to see it returned to its rightful owner."
He paused as Ariel looked back up at him and gave him a warm grateful smile.
He allowed the corners of his mouth to quirk upwards for a split moment…or at least until a pair of laughs hit his ears.
Ariel watched curiously, as the elf's eyes snapped to the sides, his face once more slipping back under a steely mask of loathing.
What the…
Ariel tilted her head as she caught sight of Kili and Tauriel both softly chuckling with one another, their faces both softened by gentle amusement and peace.
Without even pausing to bid farewell, Legolas swiftly turned on his heel and strode away from the cells and back up into the halls of his father.
Well…
The Ariel's eyebrows rose as she watched him go up a set of stairs and out of sight, his face seething with anger.
THAT certainly was not mentioned in the book!