Chapter Thirty-seven: Tricksy Rabbits and Briar Patches

Bella left off following Legolas and Tauriel as they parted ways. Now she had to reassure the dwarves and her brother that she was alright.

She silently scurried back to the dungeons, careful that she didn't cross any elf's path. The first thing she heard upon reentering the cell area was a lot of complaining. She hoped that this wouldn't be a constant thing. She doubted that they'd be getting out of here within the week, and she'd really rather not be bombarded by grumbling.

So, who first? Fili or Bilbo? Well, considering that Fili would know that she was alright thanks to their One connection, Bilbo would seem the better option. She scampered down the various levels, careful not to slip over the edge. Really? Did the elves have to tunnel down and make their dungeons resemble an exposed ants' nest?

Bilbo was in the last cell, separated from anyone else by two cells. He was curled up in the back, facing the farthest wall from the door. He was frozen there with a forlorn rigidness broken only by the occasional shudder.

Bella pulled the ring off. She heaved great breaths as she left that grey, wispy world. Clenching the despicable bit of gold in her hand, she pressed herself against the cell door. "Bilbo," she whispered. She scowled when her brother didn't move. "Don't tell me you're pulling a 'fading' trick on me," she muttered. "We both know it's exclusive to elves."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "'Bella, if you can hear me, please answer,'" she mimicked under her breath. "Well, that's a little hard to do when you're not even listening," she sing-songed.

Still nothing.

"Don't tell me I have to turn full baby sister mode before you turn out of your pout," she said. "I'm sure I could figure something out, but I'd rather not considering we are in the middle of an elven realm where the king is determined to lock me up if I'm found and kept away from the rest of you."

That finally jerked him to reality. He whipped around so fast, it would be a miracle if he didn't get rock burn. "Bella?"

She gave him a half-smile. "Have I told you how much I hate this new trinket of yours?" she asked. "I'm sure if you give me enough time I could compose an entire song about it."

"Bella!" He rammed himself into the cell door, somehow managing to shoot his arms through the bars' somewhat narrow spaces so that he could hug her.

Bella wrapped her arms around him as well as he sobbed in relief.

"I never should have forced the ring on you," he said. "At least not without some proper warning. I should have made sure you were alright instead of running off, assuming you'd be fine."

"It's alright," she assured him. "I'm still upset that you did it, and I seriously do hate this bauble with a passion, but it now means that at least one of us is free to figure out an escape plan."

"So, you would be locked up if you were found," he said shakily.

"Thranduil doubts your story, though it was masterfully woven for the short amount of time you had to come up with it," Bella said. She sighed, pushing back a little. "I'd love to keep hugging you, but despite how much I loathe this ring, it may very well be the only thing that stands between me and capture."

Bilbo nodded, reluctantly releasing her. "You seem determined to inform me that you hate my ring," he noted.

Bella lowered her brows at him as she frowned, crossing her arms once again. "It is freezing cold, reeks of darkness, and whispers Black Speech. If it wasn't for the passing thought that it would be disastrous if someone with evil intentions found this thing, I would have tossed it into the spider nest."

"I never heard Black Speech," Bilbo said, confused. "Some murmuring, yes. But . . ."

"I'm also pretty sure it hates me," Bella said. "It probably would have run away from me by now if I hadn't been so careful to keep a firm hold of it."

Bilbo rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to retort when he paused. "It is odd how it seemed to leap from that creature's pocket," he murmured.

"I am wanting the full truth of what happened in the goblin tunnels," she warned. "But right now, I need to assure the dwarves that I'm alright."

Bilbo sighed. "Alright. Be careful." He eyed the path towards the others' cells as well as he could. "I might be wrangling a way to be put up with the others, even into Fili's cell if I can manage."

"I'm not sure if I want to know at this point," Bella said. "I'll come talk to you later once I do some exploring."

Bilbo nodded, squeezing her hands one last time.

Bella steeled herself and slipped the ring back on. Oh, she would forever hate that freezing sensation. But it didn't feel quite as shocking. A couple steadying breaths and then she went to see Kili and Fili since they were the closest from this point.

So far, Kili didn't seem too affected by their imprisonment. A little starry eyed, but arguably a symptom of discovering his One.

"If you've told anyone, please say it wasn't Thorin," she said.

Kili yelped, turning his attention to the door. Confusion immediately set in.

"I'm wearing a ring that makes me invisible," Bella said. "I already hate wearing it, much less slipping it on and off, so I'm only going to 'appear' before a handful of you baker's dozen."

Kili chuckled. "So long as you'll put me on that list at some point." He released a long breath. "I am so grateful that you are alright."

"Kili?" Fili called from the next cell. "Who are you talking to?"

"The wandering Maid of the Shire is visiting us again, nadad," Kili answered as Bella scampered up.

She pulled her ring off. She was only faintly aware of a handful of the other dwarves spotting her as she caught Fili's outstretched hand.

Fili's smile shone brightly in the dim torchlight. "I knew you were alright," he said. "You've seen Bilbo?"

"I have," she answered. "I figured I should see him first since he didn't have the connection we have."

"I'm glad," Fili said. "He was rather cross with me."

"I can only imagine," she said. "Now, Kili didn't answer me."

"I am the only one who knows," Fili assured her. "And I sincerely doubt that anyone would speak to Thorin about it just now. He's already cross as a drenched cat."

"I suspected as much," Bella said. "Which is why I'll be making sure to be visible for him."

Fili's face grew serious. "It won't be good if you are found, will it?" he asked.

She shook her head. "While you and Bilbo did an excellent job at the story, Thranduil doesn't believe you. He would have me locked up elsewhere until he was satisfied with the truth of the whole matter."

Fili sighed. "I pray Mahal and Eru keep him from summoning Uncle Thorin. That's like taunting a smoking volcano to erupt."

"Agreed," Bella said. "While Thorin may be able to hold the story, something tells me it could still end badly if the wrong things were said."

A commotion began up from the other cells.

"Hide, lass!" Bofur called in Khuzdul, each word twisted in a sneer.

Bella blinked before realization slammed into her. She shoved the ring on a moment before two elven guards came into view. She pressed herself into the stone wall as Fili retreated further into his cell.

The elves passed, but hardly a moment later, they returned with Bilbo between them. Bilbo glared daggers at Fili, causing the blond prince to shrink back.

Bella felt her eyes widen at the exchange but kept silent until a few minutes later a quiet murmur of "They're gone" rippled down through the cells.

"Let me guess," she said. "That was him keeping up the angered hate act."

"Exactly," Fili said. "I'd expect nothing less, and possibly more, from the hobbit who promised to make Smaug the least of my troubles if I hurt his sister."

"So that's what he threatened, was it?" Bella said. How did that incident from two or three months ago feel like another lifetime?

"Indeed, and he had every right to," Fili said. "So, invisibility?"

"A magic ring Bilbo picked up," Bella said. "I may hate it but it certainly has its uses."

Fili sent a confused look in her general direction. "That doesn't make much sense."

"I'll explain at another time," Bella said. "I need to finish letting everyone know I'm alright and speak with your uncle."

"I may ask the elves if there's an antidote of some sort for their river enchantment," Fili said. "I'd hate for him to forever forget how you and Bilbo saved him, or never remember Beorn's home."

Bella smiled, recalling the afternoon in the kitchen with the dwarven king. "Yes, it would be nice if those memories could be restored. I best be off. I'll be back tomorrow if not later this evening."

"I look forward to that," Fili said.

Bella scampered further up to the rest. Praying that everyone was indeed alright and that Bilbo could handle whatever he was going through right now.

Bilbo scowled as he was led through the winding caverns and pathways. Rivendell was a place of beauty and tranquility. Thranduil's palace of Mirkwood was overshadowed by fear, a sense of hiding away from some great Darkness. Even the average elven citizen seemed to move with a veiled tension. The average resident of Rivendell glided about without a care. The very valley of Rivendell seemed to laugh and sing. Thranduil's palace and even the lighter woods directly outside its fortified gates mourned and forbade anything that could please the heart.

He did his best to politely erase his scowl as they stepped into Thranduil's throne room. He was actually surprised the king had deigned this interview worthy of leaving his throne to stand on the common floor.

The guards left Bilbo in the middle of the floor before returning to the entrance, or rather the only safe exit from this grand platform.

"Tell me, what is the truth of your errand?" Thranduil said loftily.

"We were just passing through," Bilbo answered. "None of my books said that Mirkwood was closed to travelers."

"But why through it? Why to Erebor?" the elvenking pressed, pouring himself a goblet of wine.

Bilbo fought the urge to cross his arms or plant his fists on his hips. Save that for later. But he did widen his stance. "Not only is through Mirkwood the quickest and surest way to reach our destination by Durin's Day, but it is also apparently the path the refugees of Erebor fled upon. That is the entire reason of why we are even traveling this road."

"And Erebor?" he asked, taking a far too elegant sip.

"Do I honestly have to repeat the reasoning Fili, who would have been Prince of Erebor if it were not for Smaug, gave?" Bilbo asked. "If so, fine! Erebor has been the homeland belonging to the Line of Durin ever since evil drove them from their Halls of Moria. It would have been Prince Fili's inheritance were it not for the dread Smaug. If he cannot have the privilege of walking her halls and being wed there as his forebears were, he should at least pledge his all to his One within her shadow."

"And you slink through my kingdom to do so," Thranduil said, turning to him sharply.

Now Bilbo planted his fists upon his hips as he glared at the king. "Oh, a thousand apologies, Elvenking," he said sarcastically. "If we had but seen the road signs saying that we shouldn't enter your shadowed, accursed wood, we might have stayed out. Oh!" he said as though struck by a sudden thought. "Is that what your enchanted river and those thrice damned spiders were for? Well, I must apologize that we missed all the warning signs that you hate visitors and care not if you allow them to die within your realm."

Bilbo flinched as sharp glass cut his cheek. The king's shattered goblet lay not too far away, some of the wine splashed on Bilbo's already thoroughly soiled clothes.

"Speak not to me of loss, nor of what sorrow those spiders cause," Thranduil growled, long and low like a wolf seconds before it pounced and killed its prey. "I know that pain more than you."

Bilbo maintained his hard stare with the king as the elf remained at his new position of within inches of the hobbit's face. He inwardly faltered however when he saw real pain, real sorrow in the depths of the piercing blue eyes. His answer, though a whisper was fierce, "Then why do you do nothing to eradicate them and this darkness from your realm?"

Thranduil's eyes never left Bilbo's from their intense stare down. "Take him away, until he learns proper manners."

Bilbo didn't move until the guards caught him under his shoulders. He muttered, just barely audible to ordinary ears, as he was led away, "They better not put me near that murderous dwarf. If it weren't for him, my sister and I would be safely home." No dwarf or human could have heard his words, at least not enough to understand. But an elf could through their superior hearing.

"Be sure to put him with the blond dwarf," Thranduil ordered loftily in Sindarin. "See if the two of them will teach each other manners."

The hobbit barely contained a very un-Baggins-like smirk. And elves thought they knew everything.

"It does our hearts good to see you safe, lass," Balin said.

Bella smiled where she stood between Balin's and Thorin's cells. "I'm just happy that everyone is alright. Despite being in the dungeons."

Thorin actually chuckled, lightening his scowl. "Oh, I wish I could recall all of our interactions," the dwarven king said. "It would truly be a pity to forget all of our conversations."

Bella winced. "If it weren't for the fact you clearly remembered the events on the Misty Mountains, I would have said there is one such conversation that I wish was forgotten."

Thorin's eyes saddened. "Yes," he said. "Unfortunately, that is the clearest thing in my mind right now. I can still feel the anger and frustration, and yet, just looking at you, I know that we somehow moved well beyond that."

"Fili is going to ask the elves if they have an antidote that will restore your memory," she said. She shrugged. "I'm not sure if it would help."

"It would be worth a try," Thorin said.

"The pointy ears are coming," Dwalin grumbled.

Bella slipped the ring on again, grateful that Thorin and Balin were located more in the middle of the Company as opposed to at the very start. She pressed herself to the wall again as the elven guards brought Bilbo back. After they passed, she followed them with her eyes, hoping that they wouldn't take him farther. She was surprised when they stopped before Fili's door.

"Stand back," one of the elves ordered.

"Wait," Bilbo said, protesting. "You are not putting me in the same cell as him! I will not stand for it! Do you hear me?!" But his objections went unheeded as they proceeded to toss him into Fili's cell.

Bella could barely make out Fili skirting around Bilbo as the elves shut the door again.

"Please, might you have an antidote for memory loss?" Fili asked. "My uncle fell into the river and lost his memories. Do you have a way to restore them?"

"He would need to be examined by one of our healers," a guard said sharply. "And for that to happen, our king would have to approve."

"You're worrying about your uncle instead of your One, my sister!" Bilbo shouted as the elven guards left, leaving Fili to shrink away from the hobbit's tirade. However, as soon as it was confirmed that the elves were gone, Bilbo started laughing like one gone mad.

It took a moment but Fili soon joined him.

Bella scurried down. "What's the joke?" she asked.

"Do you recall the tale of the rabbit and the briar patch Mama told us as children?" Bilbo asked between his guffaws.

"The one caught by the fox and then talked his way out of it, yes," Bella answered.

"The king makes a convincing fox," Bilbo said. "Oh-ho, rabbit indeed."

It took Bella a moment and then she found herself laughing as hard as her brother. "Please, tell me it didn't play out as the story," she gasped out.

"Not nearly," Bilbo answered, slowly regaining control of his breathing.

"What is this tale?" Fili asked.

"Yes," Kili piped up. "We've never heard of it."

"Once everything has settled down for the night, I will tell all of you," Bilbo promised. "Right now, I fear that I wouldn't be able to properly tell it without laughing my head off. And it would be a delight for everyone to hear it, and I would prefer to do so when we are least likely to be interrupted by guards."

"Now both of you are going to give each other the cold shoulder for at least the next four days to a week," Bella said. "Just to keep the act going."

"Oh, I think I can handle that," Bilbo said confidently.

"I might be able to manage it," Fili added.

"Be sure to practice every so often," Bella said. "Now, I'm off to do some exploring. I need to locate a hidey hole where the elves won't find me and I hope to locate where they stashed everyone's belongings."

"Be careful," Fili said.

"I will," Bella said. Then she scurried off and away into the vast underground palace.

Well, that was a lousy end of the day, Bella thought as she dragged herself back to the dungeons. She'd managed to find a hiding place and to steal some scraps of food. But . . . basically she was considering herself lucky that she still managed to find her way back to the dwarves with all the twists and turns of this place.

She curled herself up in front of Dwalin's door, not quite willing to share her failure of the day, but needing to take some comfort from being around a member of the Company.

"Can everybody hear me?" Bilbo's voice floated up to them.

Dwalin and the rest called their affirmation.

"Alright, this is the tale of the foolish rabbit, a tricksy fox, and a pitch doll," Bilbo said.

As Bilbo described the foolish rabbit's home in the fields of the Shire, Dwalin settled down beside Bella. He passed half a bread roll through the bars. "I'm providing a portion of ration for you today, lass," he whispered. "Each will be taking turns as long as needed."

"Thank you," she whispered in return, claiming the bread. She silently munched on the bread and couple apple slices Dwalin passed to her as she listened to her brother's story.

"Now," Bilbo said, "as the foolish rabbit hopped about to seek his fortune, he came upon this doll, sitting upon a rock.

"Unfortunately, the foolish rabbit had no way of knowing that this doll was a trap set by the tricksy fox. The tricksy fox was determined to have a rabbit dinner that night, and so he had fashioned a great lump of horribly sticky pitch into a doll and then dressed it up pretty as one pleased to tempt a fine meal.

"Again, the foolish rabbit knew nothing of this. Thus upon seeing the doll he greeted, 'Good day to you.'

"The doll said nothing.

"Of course, seeing as everyone is properly polite in the Shire, one cannot simply send a greeting without receiving one in return. So the foolish rabbit halted and called louder, 'Good day to you.'

"Naturally, the pitch doll said nothing."

Bella chuckled as Bilbo changed his voice and made himself utterly ridiculous as he continued the one-sided exchange. When he moved to the foolish rabbit's threats and insults directed to the unhearing pitch doll, dwarves started to chuckle and laugh at the absurdity of it. He even managed to toss in a couple dwarvish threats.

Once Bilbo had finally gotten everyone chuckling or at least smiling, he moved on with the story. "Finally, the foolish rabbit had had quite enough. He windmilled his paw back and with all his might punched the pitch doll in the face. But when he went to pull back, the pitch stuck to him like the strongest glue. 'Unhand me, sir!' he demanded.

"The doll refused to let go." Bilbo animatedly described how the foolish rabbit proceeded to punch and kick the pitch doll until the foolish rabbit was completely trapped in the wretchedly sticky pitch.

Bella laughed with the dwarves as the rocks softly rumbled with them.

"The poor, foolish rabbit was so covered in pitch that he could barely move," Bilbo continued. "Only then did the tricksy fox come out of hiding, laughing and crowing about how he had finally caught the foolish rabbit. He then started oiling that foolish rabbit and slowly turning him over the fire. But the foolish rabbit wasn't shaking in fright. He wasn't pleading for his life. He was actually enjoying himself! Now this wouldn't do. For the tricksy fox considered the only good rabbit to be a terrified, shivering rabbit. 'Why aren't you shaking in your skin?" the tricksy fox demanded.

"The foolish rabbit, now somewhat free of the pitch, said, 'You are freeing me from ever entering that old briar patch again.'

"'The old briar patch?' the fox asked.

"'Yes, the old, prickly, dark briar patch over yonder,' the foolish rabbit answered, pointing to a dark, dense tangle of thorns and bushes. 'Tis a horrible place. I can willingly suffer any hardships, knowing I shan't ever enter there again.'

"'What if I were to skin you alive?' the tricksy fox asked, his voice dark and cruel.

"'Skin me alive, squash me to jelly, slice my throat, whatever you wish, just never throw me in that briar patch,' the foolish rabbit said.

"Now the tricksy fox was becoming quite confounded. 'I'll hold you over the fire so the flames lick your toes until you squeal like a newborn piglet,' he threatened.

"The foolish rabbit would have twitched his ears, but now the tricksy fox held his ears in a vice-like grip. 'You can burn me alive, you can stick me with a thousand knives, but even as I breathe my last, I'll thank you for not tossing me in that briar patch.'

"The tricksy fox was getting angry now. 'I'll dangle you before a warg's snout so that he can nibble your feet off!"

"The foolish rabbit shook his head. 'You can set me off racing before a pack of wargs ready for the hunt, you can toss me into a pile of ravenous orcs, yet still I'd thank you for saving me from that briar patch.'

"The tricksy fox could now see that there was truly nothing more terrifying than that briar patch to the foolish rabbit. So with a sly grin and an evil gleam he said, 'If you fear the old briar patch so much, in you will be flung.' He threw the foolish rabbit straight into the middle of the fearsome briar patch.

"The foolish rabbit screamed through the air and proceeded to scream for a good five minutes. He cried out his distress of the many horrid things happening to him. Then silence. For a full minute. Nothing but the silent wind over the plain.

"Then laughter. Full belly-jiggling laughter started rolling up from the briar patch. The foolish rabbit poked his head out, laughing like one gone mad at the tricksy fox. 'They call me foolish!' he cried. 'You forget, oh tricksy fox, the briar patch is where I was born and raised! You tossed me exactly where I wished to be!'

"The foolish fox scampered away in shame and disgrace. And nobody ever called the tricksy rabbit foolish again. At least, not until his next misadventure."

The entire Company laughed and applauded Bilbo's story.

"Another little bunny has hopped back to the briar patch," Dwalin called as everyone quieted down again.

The other dwarves called greetings as Bella invisibly scampered down to her tricksy brother. "You are a born rascal, brother," she said, removing the ring. "Lobelia would box your ears if she found you were inspired by that tale."

"She'd have our hides simply for running after this lot if she could have her way," Bilbo answered, clasping her hand. "Dare I hope that we have a miracle?"

"Lady Luck has left us to our own devices," Bella said. "I managed to find a place to hide and rest, but nowhere near an escape route. I have yet to find the main gates again."

"Something tells me the main gates may be a dead end anyway," Fili said. "It would probably take a miracle to go from here to there without being discovered."

"If nothing else it will help me to get a bearing on this place," Bella said. She blew a breath out. "My main focus come tomorrow will be finding out where they stored your things. If possible, I would rather not leave here weaponless or without Oin's medical supplies."

"A few food items wouldn't hurt if it could be managed," Bilbo said.

"I have yet to find any food storage areas or the kitchens," Bella said. "Those and the main gates will come after I find our things. Unless I find them in the midst of my searching. I'll be sure to keep you and Thorin informed of my findings."

"Just be careful," Fili said. "And if the ring bothers you that badly, at least find a place that you can rest without it on for a few hours at least."

Bella smiled, moving her hands from her brother's so that she could clasp Fili's. "I'll be alright." She rested her forehead to the bars, smiling as Fili leaned his head down to just barely meet hers. "If we are fortunate," she whispered, "your brother may gain us an ally."

Fili released a long sigh. "May Mahal let it be so."

"I best get going. It's been a long day and I'm sure tomorrow will be longer," she said.

"Will you see me before you go?" Kili asked.

She quietly laughed leaving her One and brother to see the rascal. "Get a proper sleep, young man," she said teasingly. "You'll have some wooing to do."

"If she comes down here," Kili said. His smile and eyes held hints of a wistful, woebegone lover.

"Do not despair, 'Beren,'" Bella said. "Your Luthien shall come to you. The draw of a One is a subtle but powerful force."

Kili's face grew hopeful even as he was confused. "I do not know of this Beren and Luthien."

Bella smiled. "Have Fili sing you their tale."

"Fee?" Kili called.

"I will sing it to you, Nadadith," Fili returned. "In Westron and Sindarin. You'll be needing the practice."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Bella said. "Losto vae." She then returned to Fili and Bilbo for a final exchange of sweet dreams and rest before bidding the other dwarves good night. She only paused long enough to tell Thorin and Balin of her unsuccessful day before continuing through the final dwarves, now wearing the ring. She then scurried to the little hiding place she had found.

It wasn't the cleanest place. But then, neither was she. She hadn't bathed since their last night at Beorn's nearly two and a half weeks ago. Thankfully, she only had a few stray bits of spiderwebs clinging to her. She hadn't mentioned that during her searches, she would be hoping and praying to find a public bathhouse, if it existed. At this point, she was just thankful her curse was still running late. She felt disgusting enough.

She pushed all that aside as she shrugged out of her pack so she could use it as a pillow. She curled up in a corner, her stomach protesting its largely empty state. As she hugged her growling stomach, her mask crumbled. She missed Fili's warmth at her back. She missed falling asleep to the chorus of rumbling snores. She wanted out of this diseased forest. She wanted a soft bed and clean clothes. She wanted this quest to be over and the dragon gone. She wanted to stop second guessing what her body was doing at any given time.

She turned to the wall as she pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle her sobs. She was tired of being strong. But she knew, she would have to be strong again tomorrow and the day after that and onward until they all got out of here. So, she could only pray that Eru would allow her this one night to be weak without being discovered.

Author's Note: Did I shamelessly slip in Uncle Remus's tale of "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby" into Middle Earth? Yes, yes, I did. :-) It is just such a classic tale that perfectly highlighted what I wanted Bilbo to do. Of course, I had to get at least a little creative on how it was told so that it didn't have the familiar Southern flavor.

It took some thought as to what Bilbo and the Elvenking would discuss, seeing as to how originally they don't speak until after Erebor has been reclaimed. But I think it went well. Uh . . . at least as well as can be expected.

Somewhat brighter news, Bella has assured everyone that she is safe and she is free to explore the Woodland Palace. Sadly, things are just a little too rough right now. And, things will continue to be hard for a while now. And thus ends the first day of their captivity. Yes, I am following the book when it comes to timeline in this instance. Whoever did the screenwriting, would it have been too much trouble to weave in more passage of time? Instead of cramming the original two months into . . . what? twenty-four hours? forty-eight if they were lucky? And I'm about to start into a rant, but I shall refrain at this time.

Anyway. We shall have to leave Bella and Company here for the time being. Will things start to look brighter over the next few days? Worse? Might Thranduil summon other members of the Company? If so, who? Shall we hear more from Legolas and Tauriel? Would love to hear any thoughts, reactions, and/or theories down below. :-)