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Disclaimer: I do not own "Lighthouse" by Diane Birch. I'm using a newer song for once ;)
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Lighthouse
Thranduil didn't look so divalicious anymore.
Rue helplessly blinked up at him, Tauriel gripping her arms from behind. For some reason, ever since Bilbo's capture an hour ago, the Elves had been treating Rue a whole lot differently. Like she might be a serious threat.
All of Thranduil's words were going in one ear and out the other as soon as she spotted―
The ring dangled from a chain around Thranduil's neck. No. No.
Rue shook her head in denial. That had never happened in the book. The ring was a critical part to getting out of―
"Why do you shake your head?"
"Sorry, I'm just―I'm―" She searched for the right word, teetering on her tiptoes warily, eyes downcast― "Scared." Um. Rue had no clue if she had just screwed herself over or if she had upped their chances of escaping. Either way, taking a chance now was better than remaining mute.
Thranduil's eyebrows shot up. "Scared you daresay?" Loftily, he rose from his throne; arms outspread as if he was a Thestral or worse―Smaug himself. "You were not in fear when you deliberately deceived me. When hours ago, you proceeded to stand before my throne and speak lies. In the entirety of your interrogation, you merely stood in silence, all the while knowing your comrade stood before us, waiting to assist you and your Dwarves in escape. Is that not the truth, Lady Ruby?"
Arrogantly, his snakelike fingers roamed the contours of the chain…and then the ring. Rue couldn't breathe. Inhale. Exhale. She needed to remain calm and stop thinking of the millions of different consequences of the ring in somebody else's hands. A new determination washed over her suddenly. It was like…Rue couldn't even find words to describe the feeling. Rejuvenation? Standing more erect, hiding her trembling hands behind her back, Rue sucked in a deep breath.
"I found this…extravagant piece of jewelry on your comrade that has the power to make him unseen to all beings. Is that what you believe this is, Lady Ruby―" Thranduil held the chain up so Rue could see the ring better― "Simply jewelry?"
Her first instinct was to shake her head. It was a good thing she managed to bite her tongue and keep her head on straight. Rue stayed facing the Elvenking, shrugging.
What left her mouth next had her nearly collapsing on the floor in panic.
"I do not know."
Why deny the obvious? Rue was no Middle-earth Einstein, but she had read The Hobbit and had enough common sense to realize an Elf as ancient as Thranduil would know what the ring was. He was baiting her, waiting for her to admit it.
Thranduil ran a long finger underneath his pointy chin, sneering in her direction. Rue gulped, trying to keep her calm composure. A breakdown was fast approaching…
"Perhaps if I speak to your dear King Under the Mountain again, that it will hearten you to speak only honesty to me?" he hissed harshly.
Rue uttered, "Uh…you don't have to do that. I don't think Thorin would say anything different―"
"Silence."
She fell silent, shaking like a leaf. Damn. Rue had to think up a plan, had to figure things out fast. Bilbo―their Houdini mastermind―was incarcerated. That meant―Rue nearly tripped over her own feet after the cruel reality sunk in―she was their only hope. Crap. Talk about pressure.
Thranduil elegantly waltzed―well, it looked more like a waltz than a walk―back to his throne, sitting down soundlessly. The thought was irrelevant, but Rue wondered if the Elves weighed anything at all? Were they ten pounds or something? They seemed pretty feather-light to her…
Rue vaguely mulled over what Tauriel would do if she decided to pick her up. Probably karate chop her in the face.
Speaking of Tauriel―
All of a sudden, she shifted, standing in front of Rue now, bowing once before speaking in Elvish.
Desperately, Rue leaned closer in her pitiful attempts to understand the language.
Thranduil nodded solemnly before Tauriel returned to her former place behind Rue, acting as the Elvenking's guard at all cost.
An impish smile tugged at the corner of Thranduil's lips. No. That couldn't be good.
"Thorin son of Thrain has decided upon the absurd, has he not? To bring his Heirs along for a quest that seeks nothing more than to indulge his greed." He gave a whimsical, superior hum, and then―
Eyes like jagged glass, edged by fire and ice, Thranduil's smile vanished, replaced by a glower. "Tell me this is not true, Lady Ruby? Tell me Thorin son of Thrain is not as foolish as to corrupt his already hopeless line? For the line of Durin never will see their mountain."
Rue blinked, gulping, forcing her tongue to move, but all that came out was:
"Uhhh―um―um…."
Bullets of sweat poured down her face, dripping down the back of her neck. Was the air freaking humid or was that just her body's way of telling her she had fucked up? Or―
She recalled with a heavy heart how Kili had been talking to Tauriel. No.
Guilt ate her heart―her walnut-sized brain. Fili had specifically dropped hints for Rue to tell Kili to keep his mouth shut. But she hadn't. Damn it. Rue had been too busy ogling Thorin, gazing into his eyes like a thoughtless lovesick puppy.
Shit.
"Remove her from my sight."
It took Rue a few moments to realize Thranduil had just spoken those ill-fated words. With a desperate jolt, she spun around, instantly caught by Tauriel.
"No, no, please," Rue pleaded breathlessly. "I can explain. Please let me―"
Her words were lost as Tauriel dragged her down the stairs.
Rue cast one final look at Thranduil, hating that the ring teasingly winked at her.
Damn. What to do? What to freaking do?
A Day and a half, Rue spent inside her prison. She didn't care for the "luxury" of an actual bedroom. Any day, she would have preferred cold stone floors and bars if it meant she could be with her Dwarves.
Rue lay on the bed, in a tangle of shredded bed sheets. Stupidly, she had gone on a rampage of madness last night, literally destroying her room. She had flipped the mattress over, punched the wall so hard she left a dent, pushed a table down, and nearly succeeded in tipping the medieval-style dresser over.
She had to get out of here. Had to go back to the dungeons and the healing room. Every time Tauriel came to check on her, Rue asked about the Dwarves and Bilbo. There was an ever-increasing feeling that if any other Elf had been appointed to watch her, she would've been going even crazier without answers. Luckily, it seemed like Tauriel sympathized with her. She would tell her Fili and Gimli were getting better by the hour and that the Dwarves were just fine in the dungeons. But for Bilbo…
Well, yesterday Tauriel had said, "The Elvenking wishes to interrogate the Halfling and Thorin son of Thrain together."
Rue felt sick just thinking about it…
After having a meltdown, a plan had come to mind…
Of course, to execute her plan, she had to get the heck out of the bedroom first.
The plan was simple when she thought about it: sneak up on Thranduil when he was forced to remove the ring from his neck. Yep, like bathing time for example. She wasn't exactly sure how she would pull it off―and knew her reputation was about to turn into "Human Pervert"―but she was desperate enough to try anything, even if it meant seeing Thranduil in all his nude glory.
Languidly, she sat up, stretching her arms above her head, hating the hunger pains. Rue had only been fed once yesterday, which for her, sucked big time. After spending a week in her world―or what felt like a week―eating when she wanted and how much she wanted, it was difficult adjusting to the once-a-day-diet.
A soft tap, tap struck the bedroom door.
After spending hours alone, the knock left her mind in a dizzying mess.
She shrugged, standing up, preparing to beg Tauriel to take her to see Fili, Gimli, and the company. Damn, Rue would be more useful at this point if she could cry on cue. If she actually cried on cue, would Tauriel feel bad? Probably not. Who really knew?
Rue twisted the doorknob, swallowing hard.
The door creaked open and―
She blinked in surprise.
Rue had been expecting long, beautiful red hair and Tauriel's familiar bad-assery, but instead got fabulous blonde hair and a nose high up in the air. Legolas.
Hmm. Rue was suddenly reminded of Regina George for some reason. It was probably the hair.
"Lady Ruby," Legolas began aloofly, eyes accusingly bolting behind Rue―to the room. Crap. Rue stood taller, lamely attempting to cover up her mess.
"What happened?" he asked, aghast.
"I'm sick." She awkwardly giggled, pointing at her head. "In here."
Legolas was horrorstruck.
Uncomfortable silence passed.
Rue innocently leaned against the doorway. "I'm sorry." Note to self: best example of what happened to crazy people when left alone for too long…
"The Elvenking said you may visit the dungeons," Legolas stated cagily.
Rue couldn't contain the gasp that slipped from her mouth.
"I can? Can I―uh―I mean, may I visit my other friends? The injured Dwarves?" Rue's hands were together as she begged.
Legolas's eyes coldly shot through her like a sliver of ice. "No."
Oh. Rue blinked. That stung.
Very little words were exchanged as Legolas beckoned Rue, wrapping chains around her wrists. It sucked being heavily guarded, but the positive side was that her hands were in the front, not behind her back like it was Cops or something.
He led her down the halls that were becoming disturbingly familiar. This place couldn't become familiar. They had to leave. The days were passing. Durin's Day would be here before she knew it―and then what would they do? Calm down. Rue walked alongside Legolas absent-mindedly, humming to herself. She was scared. Must calm rampaging heart.
What if she couldn't get the ring back? But she had to. Had to. The other option was the ring remaining here, altering Middle-earth history forever. Dang it. The pressure swelled against her heart painfully.
The wooden walls and walkways became nothing more than russet blurs. It was like someone else was experiencing the walk through Mirkwood, not her. Distantly, the waterfall strummed against the pond. Rue didn't even turn to glimpse at it. Usually, she stole a peek or two every time she passed by the waterfall since it was so darn beautiful.
Too soon, they descended stairs. Rue gulped. Coldness kissed her skin. She should've pondered over this more. Things had changed dramatically since she had last spoken with Thorin, the rest of the Dwarves, and Bilbo. For example, their chances of escape were now slim to none when Rue had been entirely certain they would escape two days ago.
She knew Thorin like the back of her hand. He was going to be mad at her―Big Bad King Under the Mountain mad. Enduring Thorin's wrath was a feat in itself, but then there was Bilbo, too. He wasn't even supposed to be down here.
Her boots struck the stone-cold floor with heavy thuds. The chains pinched her wrists. Shadows flickered on the floor, shadows that paced back and forth. Rue realized the shadows were the Dwarves in the cells…
Legolas paused by the first cell, allowing Rue to walk to her doom by herself. She should see Thorin first, but maybe she could talk to Kili or Bilbo first? All right, Rue was being a coward.
Honestly, she had assumed Legolas would accompany her in her direct visitation with the Dwarves, attitude in his step and all, but he didn't. Stonily, he remained by the first cell, eyes trained on Rue suspiciously. Just because he wasn't physically coming along with her, didn't mean he wasn't watching her.
The little hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Rue passed the cells, nodding at Bofur, Ori, Oin, and Gloin in greeting. And then―
She was standing in front of Thorin's cell, stomach twisting in fear.
Everything was different about this visit from the get-go, including the start. Before, Thorin had been pressed against the bars in his wait. Now he lurked in the corner.
"Thorin?" Rue tentatively called. Shamefully, her eyes fell to the ground.
Silence lapsed.
Then out of the faint darkness, Rue spotted bits of Thorin's hair, his arm, his chest, and the rest of his body as he emerged.
Calling the expression on his face a frown wouldn't even begin to cover it. Thorin was livid.
Her mouth opened and closed, throat narrowing. There was a faint throbbing in her temple as Rue pushed herself against the bars. She couldn't bring herself to meet Thorin's condemning gaze.
"I―I'm sorry," Rue stuttered, lips trembling.
Silence was her only companion.
Rue looked up to find Thorin crossing his arms over his chest, leering at her. His defensiveness rattled something inside her. Fingers gripping at the chains in desperation, heartbeat pulsing, Rue bit the inside of her cheek. It was the only thing giving her any comfort. Hurt seeped into her bones. They had been through so much together. Rue had bared the ugliest and the most beautiful parts of her soul to him. Was this what heartbreak felt like? She refused to cry. The urge was overwhelming, beating against her heart like a hummingbird's wings. Flutter. Flutter. Shatter. Her heart fluttered and shattered at the same time if that was even possible.
"Why did Mr. Baggins have the ring?"
The question went off like a bomb, causing tense stillness in the air.
Rue helplessly blinked at him. Did that mean he was ready to layeth the verbal smack down on her?
"I―" Rue started with a squeak― "I―when―I only did it so you wouldn't be mad at Bilbo. But uh―um…um…when I found the ring, Bilbo kinda found it, too…"
Her words sounded like an awkward deadpan.
Thorin clenched the bars, growling, "What do you mean by 'kinda found it?'"
"I technically found it, but inside the mountain when I had it, it fell out of my hands and Bilbo caught it. So we've been…we've been sharing it," she admitted, shaking like a leaf.
Thorin's eyes were suddenly blazing.
"You lied," he spat, reminding Rue of a demon from the seventh layer of hell. His teeth were clenched, fingers tightening even more around the bars.
"I didn't want to, I just." Rue pursed her lips. "You already were giving Bilbo a hard time, I didn't want you to―to dislike him even more." Seconds passed. Dejectedly, Rue added, "But he's here now and―" She leaned closer to whisper― "The story changed, Thorin. He was supposed to be the one to―"
"I know the story has changed," he darkly affirmed.
She couldn't stand the gap between them. It hurt. Damn, it hurt. Thorin was holding her at a distance now…the distance raw and agonizing. Her flesh was itching, but the damn chains made it impossible for her to scratch herself. Uncomfortably, she rubbed her forearm against the bars, using them as a scratching post.
"You are chained," Thorin spoke incredulously, hand leaving the bar to…he was gingerly touching the chains on her wrists. Swoon.
"Yeah, Legolas brought me down here this time," she uttered.
"Son of Thranduil?" Thorin prodded, his index finger skimming the delicate flesh of her wrist.
Chills ran up her spine.
"Yeah, that's the one."
Thorin shook his head, eyes turning lethal. "I will hurt him. You are a woman. Not a common thief. How dare he chain you." He started seething, chest heaving, pacing back and forth for the briefest of moments before pausing in front of Rue.
"I haven't been chained since I got here. This is the first time since, Thorin," she told him quietly, eyes downcast.
Reaching out again, Thorin's hand halfway squeezed between the bars, fingers gripping at her forearm. His fingertips tenderly grazed her forearm. Rue pressed closer, making it easier for him to touch her. She shivered.
Content silence ensued. Rue leaned her head against the bars. She shut her eyes, inhaling Thorin's tantalizing scent. Jerking back at the slight stir of movement she felt from Thorin, Rue's eyes fluttered open. He was leaning his own head against the bars, head greeting hers.
Timidly, Rue murmured, "I really am sorry. I don't―" She shook her head― "I don't want you to be mad at me…"
Thorin inhaled loudly, speaking huskily, breath brushing the shell of her ear. "I have learned many things from you." There was reluctance in his voice now.
Rue peered in his eyes. Thorin gazed at her longingly, lips pressing against her ear while he whispered breathily, "We cannot waste the little time we have together."
His words were heaven on Middle-earth. We cannot waste the little time we have together. Rue was nauseated. His words told her the story unraveling in his head―the book. Thorin was thinking about what happened at the end of The Hobbit. Was he losing faith in himself? No, Rue couldn't let him do that.
"Have you see Fili and Gimli son of Gloin?" Thorin softly asked.
Rue shook her head dejectedly. "No." Lips trembling, she added, "I asked if I could see them, but Legolas said no. Maybe…maybe I can sneak away and see them." Yeah, right.
Thorin's eyes steadied on hers, unreadable until―
"I do not want you endangering yourself," he uttered hesitantly. Apart of him seemed to regret his words, like he was so anxious to find out about Fili and Gimli's conditions that he was possibly contemplating agreeing with Rue.
"So…" she awkwardly ventured.
"No." He determinedly shook his head. "Fili is of the line of Durin. He is strong, he shall be fine." What about Gimli?
Nervously, Rue gulped. She hadn't even covered the worse part yet. Tentatively, she started, "Thorin, there's another problem…"
Slightly, his eyebrows traveled up his forehead. "What is it?"
"Thranduil talked to me again and well…Tauriel―the redheaded Elf―she told Thranduil that Kili told her that he and Fili were the Heirs. So…" Rue's sentence was left unfinished. She didn't need to finish it. Damn it. Aggravation plunged her entire body. It took a lot to make her mad, but if Rue were to approach Kili's cell right now, there was a fifty percent chance she might try to strangle him through the bars. What in the heck had happened? Did he see a pretty face and fluttering eyelashes, and suddenly all logic was gone? How could he put his own self and brother on blast like that?
Thorin's jaw went slack; his blue eyes a stormy, inexorable cloud now. He was completely aghast, ready to explode.
Thorin's shoulders were squared, jaw tightening, eyes narrowing into slits. "He…what?"
"I don't―Thorin―" Her voice dropped to a whisper― "Right now is not the time to get mad at him―at anyone, really, but I told you because―because I don't want to lie to you again. But it―after being interrogated by Thranduil again―I'm worried about Fili. I gotta make it happen." Rue had to see him and Gimli, especially since the escape plan was left up to her now.
Thorin growled, "How could he―" Lower lip jutted out, Thorin's breathing hardened― "After all the stories I told him, after everything I thought I had taught him." Smoke might as well have been coming out his nostrils.
"You did teach him well," she cooed in comfort, awkwardly touching him with her chained up hands. Rue attempted to caress his arm, but all she did was make herself look like an idiot. "Sometimes people just mess up. He's young Thorin―he wasn't thinking."
"He never thinks."
She jumped back a little at his cutting tone. The last thing Rue wanted to do was piss him off.
Thorin noticed her jolt back, glower softening, voice changing instantly. Eh?
"I did not mean to startle you, Rue," he explained gently. Very fleetingly, he motioned for her to come closer, voice hardly audible now. "Come here."
Rue stepped forward. The small distance between them was shrinking fast, Rue's heart beating erratically, but―
"You have little time left."
Legolas.
Quickly, she peeked over her shoulder, Legolas icily meeting her gaze. Lamely, she tried kindness, grinning at him. That was the saying, right? It was "kill anger with kindness." Legolas glared at her. This Legolas was a stark contrast to the Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movies. All right, she'd only seen the second film, but Rue remembered fragments of film where Legolas would be leaping about, peering into the distance like some wise-Elf-seer. Wait. What even was a wise-Elf-seer?
She nodded, murmuring for only Thorin's ears, "I'll come back. I want to see the others before I have to go."
At once, his chest rose and fell. Sheepishly, he stuck his index finger through the bar, running his fingertip up and down her arm, giving her body pleasant chills. Thorin stared at her pensively, as if she might dissipate before his very eyes and touching her was the only way to ingrain her in his century-old memory. Rue smiled, cheeks red. It was time to check out of dreamland.
Hesitantly, she spun around, going to the other cells. Rue talked to Dwalin, answered Gloin's questions about Gimli, and exchanged discreet niceties with Balin. He kept inquiring about what Elf did what and when. The clear truth stunned her: Balin was envisioning a possible escape.
She strayed from Kili's cell for now, giving him a friendly tilt of her head, glad Tauriel wasn't down here. Maybe that was why Legolas had been assigned to accompany her down here instead of Tauriel. Because of what happened before. But wouldn't Thranduil want someone down here who could get one of them to talk? Kili was obviously public enemy number one thanks to his bigmouth.
Halting by Nori's cell, she forced a smile that was increasingly harder to fabricate. Passing by so many lonesome cells and smelling the reek of urine and filth, Rue had found it insufferable to feign cheer. As she passed each cell, she got madder and madder, imagining herself stealing the ring from Thranduil while he bathed in some Middle-earth version of a bubble bath. The vision of her drowning Thranduil came to mind, too. Good times.
"Aye, lassie, do not smile when you feel no cheer." Nori waggled a finger at her. "Embrace what you truly feel. I shall begin giving you guidance I once heard a certain Dr. Phil give…"
"Nori," Rue groaned in frustration. "Don't even go there. Anything but Dr. Phil."
"He says everyone from the race of Men should read a book called 'Life Code―'"
"And how am I supposed to buy 'Life Code' from Middle-earth?" Rue chuckled, the laughter nearly springing tears from her eyes. Miserable. It was miserable down here. The misery seeped into her skin like poison. She let her head rest against Nori's bars, shutting her eyes, dreaming of a beautiful beach…
Nori opened his mouth to answer, but then―
"Miss Rue?"
Her eyes snapped opened. That voice belonged to Bilbo. Rue didn't even give Nori a proper goodbye as she rushed to the cell next to Nori's. Bilbo was the answer. No duh. Where was her common sense today? Gone along with the rest of her determination she supposed.
Rue's hands clenched around the bars to Bilbo's cell in urgency, legs spread apart, eyes bugging out like crazy.
Loudly, she started, "Bilbo, what happened―"
"Shhh," he hissed irritably, coyly standing with his back to the left, leaning against the bars sideways.
Briefly, Rue followed Bilbo's jumpy glances. There was Legolas, kicking loose stones with his feet, not paying attention for a few precious seconds―
Something―a water skin―was forced into her hands. Rue panicked for a moment, nearly dropping it, but luckily scrambled for it before it hit ground. Without a moment's hesitation, Rue shoved it into her cloak pocket, diffidently buttoning her cloak.
Bilbo's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. Prison had taken all the color from Bilbo's cheeks. He was sullen, eyebrows set in determination, jaw tautened, unlike the Bilbo Rue had come to know. Prison seemed to have…seasoned him if that made sense. He was dirty, but years older than he had been the last time she saw him.
"That is the water from the river. Remember the animals we saw on the shore? I believe the water poisons or…forces its drinkers into a stupor of some sort," Bilbo explained in a whisper.
Rue shakily nodded. Honestly, she hadn't seen the animals on the riverbank. Then again, the hallucinations had started to make her see things that weren't there or miss things that were. A bitter hatred for Mirkwood suddenly shot through her like a canon.
Bilbo opened his mouth presumably to tell her what to do with the water skin when―
"Lady Ruby."
Rue felt hands grip the chains in front of her.
Legolas tugged on her chains, leading her down the row of dank cells, the stench nearly choking her. The stench. Rue giggled humorlessly. The freaking stench, the audacity of the entire situation had Rue on fire in a flash.
One last time, she ventured a glance over her shoulder, eyes finding Thorin's intense gaze. He watched her go, mouth parted, face and hands meeting the bars intently.
And then she realized―
This was what she had needed.
A fire under her ass.
Rue was going to do it. She was going to get them out of here come hell or high water.
Hours later, Rue didn't expect to be taken to Thranduil for a third round of interrogation, but that was what exactly happened. Something was different about this interrogation. She sensed it in the passing glances other Elves gave her as Legolas led her to his father's throne. The air was extremely tense, so tense a knife could've sliced it. This was different. Scary different.
And as soon as Rue began climbing the stairs up to Thranduil's throne, she realized why.
Thorin and Bilbo were there.
Millions of regrets plagued her head, giving her a headache from hell. Endless questions beginning with should've, could've, how, and why infiltrated her brain like zombies infiltrated public places buzzing with humanity.
They should've seen this coming. The ring was involved now, which meant―
Shit was about to get serious.
Long before she saw the haughty sneer on Thranduil's face, she spotted the glimmer from the ring hanging from the chain around his neck.
Tentatively, she climbed the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible climbing the last stair when―
"Nice of you to join us, Lady Ruby," Thranduil commented sardonically, sitting straighter in his throne.
Thorin whirled around, mouth hanging open at the sight of her. The Elvenking had planned for this to happen―for them to meet-up in surprise under his scrutiny.
Bilbo glimpsed over his shoulder, not looking the slightest surprised. He gulped nervously as he faced Thranduil once again. Thorin and Bilbo's faces were streaked by dirt, clothes caked by mud, moods darkening by the second.
Rue came to stand between them, Legolas guarding her at all times like she was surely some serious flight risk. That showed how much he obviously knew, Rue thought sarcastically.
"She knows nothing of the ring," Thorin said heatedly, peering directly at the Elvenking, tone challenging.
Thranduil brought a hand to his face, gangly fingers rubbing his chin as he feigned interest. He leaned forward, speaking with a supercilious lilt to his voice, "It is indeed fascinating how a Halfling and woman from the race of Men remain…stubborn per se. It is as though something or someone is forcing them not to speak the truth. Is this how you treat your 'friends,' Thorin Oakenshield? All in favor of the King's Jewel―" Suddenly, he was shouting― "In favor of the gold in the mountain!"
Thorin was taken aback by the accusation, visibly stepping back before stepping forward, eyes seething, nostrils flaring.
It took Rue a few moments to realize the "King's Jewel" was codename for the Arkenstone. Thranduil was trying to turn her and Bilbo against Thorin. Talk about cruel. Talk about Thranduil dealing Thorin a low blow. Gosh, it was even worse since they knew the end of The Hobbit―since they knew what Thranduil said…was halfway the truth.
In a flash, Thorin was passionately pointing at his chest, roaring, "You dare to accuse me of greed, Thranduil―" His name sounded disgusting on Thorin's tongue― "After you inquired knowledge of jewels for your own selfish gain? How dare you ask anything of me you―"
It was fast, startling, and left Rue's mouth open. What? What had just happened?
Thorin hacked up spit and―
He spat at Thranduil's feet, booming, "You call yourself an 'Elvenking,' but you are nothing but a―" Thorin gave the Elvenking an acerbic once over, looking him up and down in undisguised disgust― "Fool."
Audible gasps plundered through the air. Suddenly, three Elf guards were running up to Thorin, seizing him.
Thranduil was aghast, eyes wide, mouth parted, and eyebrows creased. He dug blunt nails into his armrests, appearing so furious Rue was trembling head to toe. What had Thorin done? She had heard his first interrogation with Thranduil didn't go so well, but this was taking it to a whole other level.
Moments later, freakish composure swept over Thranduil. His shoulders slackened as a devious smirk replaced his parted lips.
"We will see how foolish I am in two days when I leave your injured Heir out in the forest, for the beasts in the dark to feed upon him. You will learn my foolery when I interrogate your dearest―" His eyes pointedly landed on Rue― "And this time I shall not show mercy. Then you shall learn my foolery. I can be patient. Before you can even comprehend the deterioration of your Dwarven body, you will tell me of your dealings with the ring. You shall."
Thorin grappled against the Elves, nothing but armor and countless pairs of arms surrounding him. Shock was set on his face, the fight never leaving him once. He struggled and struggled, outstretching a hand toward Rue.
A collection of shouts in Elvish, and then guttural bellows that entirely belonged to Thorin sounded.
Thorin's yelling was the loudest.
"If you dare harm my nephew, I shall―" There was a blur of Thorin making indistinguishable violent gestures with his hands, followed by him giving Thranduil the middle finger― "If you speak to Ruby again, I will―"
And then the Elves were hauling Thorin away.
Bilbo's mouth was open as he blinked, completely dumbfounded.
Impulsively, Rue tried to go down the stairs. She needed to see if Thorin was okay, needed to see if the Elves were mistreating him…
Legolas blocked her way, and proceeding to snatch Bilbo as part of precautions. Bilbo trembled, hollow cheeks puffing in and out.
Victoriously, Thranduil laid back against his throne, spitting, "Take them away from my sight."
At once, Legolas was yanking Rue and Bilbo away from the throne.
Bilbo was slumped in defeat or putting on a good show. Rue swore she saw a twinkle in his eye as he glanced at her, but she was too riled up to notice much.
She jerked back and forth from Legolas's hold on her chains, jaw quivering, fingers itching for escape.
Only a few things sunk in her head: a nearby Elf's words discussing Thranduil's apparently infamous long baths and Thranduil's final words to Thorin.
He had said they only had two days before―
Before Fili was thrown out―in good health or ill, before interrogations began turning monstrous.
Two days was all she had to put her scheme into action.
Two days.
Rue was beginning to suspect Thranduil was toying with them―or seriously endowed when it came to mind games. He had allowed Rue to go down to the dungeons the next day. Why? Because he was sick and twisted, she assumed.
This time, Tauriel accompanied Rue during the visitation.
She went to Thorin's cell first, awkwardly shifting her weight from one foot to the next, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Ever since yesterday, she had been shivering. Rue felt like her cold, flu, fever―whatever―was coming back full force. Great. What a convenient time to get sick. She needed to be fully concentrating on plan-get-the-hell-out-of-Mirkwood-and-get-the-ring.
Thorin had been sitting on his cot in the corner, standing up, immediately making his way to the bars.
"Rue," he started quick, delicately caressing her forearm. "I did not mean to―" He shook his head, suddenly growling― "Did those filthy Elves harm you?"
Well…not yet, but Thranduil's words promised something sinister. Rue wasn't exactly sure how to say this, so she shrugged. "No, they didn't do anything but―" She stole a glance at Tauriel who was more alert than before― "But you heard what Thranduil said, right? About having only two days?"
He nodded solemnly, Adam's apple twitching.
Rue shook her head, eyes falling to the ground. "I'm scared. I'm really scared." With fistfuls of frustration, she squeezed the bars, hands throbbing. Admitting her fear aloud made everything sickening real. Rue couldn't believe there had been a time not long ago when she had begged God and Mahal to bring her back here. What had she been thinking? She hadn't been thinking.
Without warning, Thorin's hands halfway slid through the bars, grabbing at her waist passionately. He crushed her to the bars. Rue's breathing fastened, heart beating like a war drum. They stood eye-to-eye, Thorin unblinking, his stare piercing her soul.
Swallowing hard and opening her mouth to say something―to say anything―all that came out her strangled throat were strings of nonsensical words, "Uhhhh…um…um…uh." There might as well have been a line of drool dribbling down her chin.
Somehow, Thorin managed to squeeze one arm through the bar, at least enough to protectively hold her around the waist. With his other hand, he gently cupped her cheek, big thumb stroking the curve of her cheek, the outline of her jaw. Rue inhaled, exhaled, trying to calm her beating heart. Crap. Utter intensity screamed from his eyes.
He was so close, terribly close, inching even closer…and closer. Thorin didn't stop shifting forward until his forehead rested on parts of hers, not until his nose brushed hers and their hot breaths entwined. Several times, they had been physically close to the point of practically being one in the past, but this time was different. Carnal desperation clawed at Rue, the bars making all the difference. A physical barrier between them made Rue urgent in her feelings, made her want to act out her endless dreams and fantasies of being Thorin's―of Thorin being hers.
Why was she so stupid? It wasn't the time to act on her feelings―
Woah.
Thorin's hand on her waist tensed as if he was expecting her to vanish in thin air, like she would leave him right then and there. But Rue wasn't going anywhere. Not without him, the Dwarves, or Bilbo. No freaking way. They were a team. If one was going down, they were all going down. Though personally, Rue preferred for herself to go down while Thorin and co happily got away, running in colorful meadows and laughter in their wake.
He pressed even closer, defying the laws of physics by defeating the bars.
"We will leave this wretched place," he whisper-yelled, hot breath grazing her mouth, her chin. "Even if I must do the―" Thorin's eyes fell in humiliation Rue thought he should never feel― "Unthinkable."
Do the unthinkable? Rue didn't need to ask what he meant. Thorin was preparing to "cooperate" with Thranduil.
"No." She shook her head fervently. "I'll figure out a way. Thorin, it's about time. It's about time I did something useful around here."
"Do not say such things."
Rue blinked at him, knowing she had no choice but to conquer her fears and kick ass metaphorically like Eminem kicked ass rapping. Bad analogy.
"Rue," he said more desperately. Rue gulped. Thorin was never desperate.
She nodded.
For a few moments, she gazed at the floor, scared to stare in Thorin's eyes and see what he truly felt. His eyes never lied. If she looked at him―saw his silent pleas for her to keep herself safe―she might crumble. But she couldn't. Fili, Gimli, and everyone else was at stake.
Finally, torturously, her eyes met his and―
Everything happened at once.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Tauriel fast approaching, which meant it was time to go.
A hair's breadth away separated their lips. Only inches. Rue was going to faint. She was dizzy, head spinning.
"I would have proudly escorted you to that dance," he murmured heatedly, tenderly stroking her cheek.
Speechless. Rue was speechless, mouth hanging open.
"Lady Ruby, it is time to leave," Tauriel spoke awkwardly, grabbing Rue by the forearm.
She allowed herself to be anchored away, fighting the gravitational pull toward Thorin. He watched her go with wide eyes, chest rising and falling with his uneven breaths. Never had she seen this look in his eyes: longing, need, and immutable dejection.
It broke her heart and mind in too many different places.
They reached Rue's prettiful prison too soon.
Too many thoughts raced in her head. What to do and how to enact her "masterful" plan were among her endless thoughts. No matter how many things she thought about, her head always went back to the familiar dark hair, predatory-like scowl, eyes like blue fire. Damn, she felt love-drunk all over Thorin again.
Tauriel stood outside the room as Rue went inside, dreading the moment the door would shut and she'd be locked in here. She had to do something fast. Maybe talking to Tauriel could be a start for her escape plan?
Rue cleared her throat, leaning against the doorway. "So…um…I heard Kili told you he's a secret prince."
Tauriel stood taller, flipping her hair over her shoulder haughtily. "It is hardly a secret when one volunteers the information."
Rue snorted, giggling. Her giggles turned into a full-out fit of laughter as she slapped her knee. She might've appeared slightly deranged by passersby, but Rue was using her brain for once. She'd taken one psychology class and had learned laughing at people's jokes or joking with them was a good way to earn trust. Then again, Tauriel was an Elf. How different were Elves really from humans?
"Are you…are you guys friends?" Rue grinned clumsily. "Kili is―" She shrugged― "He can be friendly." Hmm, did she sound smart. "I know we can't exactly make friends, uh, being imprisoned and all, but umm…" She searched her head for the right words― "You seem like the kindest Elf around here."
One of Tauriel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. And then she was sheepishly chuckling. "Perhaps if you explain what is between you and the Dwarf King, then I shall reveal my confidences," she said with unusual playfulness.
Rue laughed at first. But then… tension tautened the air, and the situation became serious. She realized Tauriel's question really was serious. What did she mean what was between her and Thorin? If anything was happening between them, it was Rue chasing after Thorin like a lovesick puppy while Thorin pawed away all her advances.
Fingers shaking, she impulsively touched the chain around her neck, fingers circling Thorin's war piercing. Carefully, she made sure not to reveal the key to Erebor.
"Well…we're friends," she started awkwardly. "It's kinda like―I mean―" Keep speaking Middle-earth lingo, she firmly directed herself― "We are quite opposite in character, and it is the reason why I believe we are such close friends. He is…more petulant. And I am more…happy." Rue hadn't even realized "petulant" was in her vocabulary until now.
Tauriel nodded once, carefully searching Rue's face for any affliction. "Does it not make a difference he is a Dwarf while you are from the race of Men. Would your father not be wrathful?"
She shrugged. "Honestly, I do not know. My father passed when I was young. But―but it doesn't matter―at least to me―that he's a Dwarf. Thorin's…honor, integrity, everything about him, matters much more than his race."
Timidly, she leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms over her chest. Rue's mind was racing a million miles per minute in her mental pursuit for an escape plan. The plans were looking bleaker by the seconds until―
Tauriel cocked her head to the side curiously. "I must admit I did not expect such wisdom from a woman so young from the race of Men." Her eyes shot to the distance longingly. "Many times I have been undervalued, but yet I have done the same to you. I apologize―"
As shocking as hearing "I apologize" come out of Tauriel's mouth, Rue was even more desperate for a way to jumpstart her plan, solely concentrating on step one: tripping and falling.
She took a few steps backwards before giving the performance of her life.
Rue tripped over her own feet, arms flailing as she fell backwards with a thunderous thunk. Dramatically, she rolled on her side, shoulder striking parts of the medieval dresser.
Tauriel's eyes were big in fear as she darted into the room.
Rue stayed on her back, panting swallows of air.
Tauriel knelt by her side, gingerly reaching for her shoulder―
"No, don't!" She cried hysterically, trying to force tears out. "My shoulder―it―it―" Tauriel's fingers dusted across her shoulder, and that was when Rue started to make quite the show, screaming bloody murder― "It hurts! Get me some help! Please!"
Tauriel jumped back a little, nodding earnestly. "Can you stand?"
Author's Note: Rue has officially discarded her Hufflepuff scarf in favor of a Slytherin one ;) Let me know what you think of this update and click that review button. I'm going in a completely different direction when it comes to the escape. You will see ;) The next update will take a bit longer. I'm hoping for an update next weekend, but I'm not sure it'll happen. I've been in a writing funk lately and dealing with some personal issues. You can follow me on Tumblr, pearlprimrose, for any update news if you want to know when/if I'll update on time next weekend. I greedily love new followers, readers!
Crystal: Yep, Thorin needs to Dwarf up! Oh, he will definitely be eventually sweeping Rue off her feet haha. Ooooh, with a Thorin on top can never go wrong.
Thanks for the review :D
Obsessed reader: I will admit you saying you worship at my feet does stroke my ego, but I encourage you to realize I'm not that great :p Now I can add that nickname to my Tumblr LOL!
Thanks for the review!
Dearreader: I would concur that Rue was the aggressor or attempted to be one? LOL! Rue's self-confidence is boosting like she's taken some magic vitamins. JK. Awe, thanks for saying I never disappoint.
Thanks for reviewing :D
Biddle29: I hope you liked what I did with the ring :p Their first kiss is actually coming soon ;) I don't want to spoil anything, but I'll say their first kiss will be rather dramatic haha.
Thanks for the review :)
Guest: I tried to make the snippet from Thorin's POV longer than usual because I thought his POV while he's in prison would be insanely fascinating.
Thanks for reviewing!