Chapter 30 The Escape

After her conversation with the Elven King Philicia was escorted back to her room .She was given the run of the kingdom save for the restricted areas but was informed she was not to leave the shelter of the fortress, for her safety it was said. Philicia was given a different room than the one she was in this morning and she was grateful for that. A few minutes later Tauriel showed up. "Could you take me to see Thorin,Pleaseee"? She asked her eye's tearing up. "I will take you to him, come with me." Philicia followed The she elf down a winding staircase that opend up into long corridors . She could hear the voices of the dwarves talking. She encountered a few guards on the way down and they were clearly still celebrating a few of them passed out already. Tauriel stopped and spoke to a guard who promply told her that the dwarves were locked up .Where could they indeed Philicia thought to herself. Philicia was led to a cell that was set a little apart from the other ones."You have someone who wishes to see you." Tauriel unlocked the door and Thorin rushed to his feet as Philicia stood before him. "I will come to get you in a hour." Tauriel left them alone as she went to check on the other prisioners. "Are you well?" Thorin asked enfolding Philicia in his arm's. "I'm fine I was really sick when I first woke up but i'm ok now." She was just about to ask how he was when his lips came crashing down on her's. He kissed her deeply before letting go. Philicia was trembling as Thorin let his hands travel down to her shoulders coming to rest on her bottom."I missed you so much."She cried into his shoulder. "I missed you also I did not know weather you lived or not." Thorins eye's misted over. "I am so glad you are alright my heart." Philicia them told Thorin to be ready cause Bilbo was going to be here in a little while and he had found a way out." If I am not there go without me, promise me Thorin please,promise me." Reluctantly he agreed after Philicia had shown Thorin her stubborn side also .Philicia was just about to tell him to watch out for the orcs when Tauriel returned and she was led away."I love you Thorin I will love you for all eternity." Those were Philicias last words to him.

Thorin sat in his cell with one leg drawn up remembering everything Philicia had told him. After she had left The mighty Dwarf King had broken down and cried. Balin tried to offer comfort to Thorin as he did when he was a child but Thorin was to heartbroken to even listen. "Must be nearly sun is on the rise." One of the company said. "You should have taken the deal Thorin, That was our only hope." Balin said "Not our only hope." Thorin answered back. "It makes no difference now." Ori said aloud speaking for the rest of the company. "We will never reach the mountain in time. Bofur added. "Not stuck in here your not." Suddenly Bilbo appeared in front of Thorins cell. In his hand he had a large set of key's. "Bilbo!" Balin cried out as the rest of the dwarves expressed their joy at seeing the Little Hobbit. "Be quiet ,there are guards near by." He said unlocking Thorins cell. Bilbo let the rest of the dwarves out and then proceedee to put his plan into action."Not that way." Bilbo said turning them around leading them to a set of stairs that went to the cellars. As the company went by him Thorin hesitated his face gazing upward . Philicia was up there somewhere and he did not want to leave her behind however he had promised her .Thorin would not put the company in danger any longer it was imperative that they reach the mountain before Durins Day fell. His jaw clenched he reluctantly turned and followed the company down the steps deeper into the Woodland Realm. He struggled weather his decision was the correct one. They walked quickly not making a sound. "I don't believe it "Kili said. "We're in the cellars." "Your supposed to be leading us out,not further in". Bofur quietly said furious at Bilbo. In the cellars were barrels of food and wine and two elves at a table clearly drunk .Their heads were lying in the table they were both out cold and would not be waking for a while concidering the empty barrells strung about the floor." I know what i'm doing quickly now into the barrels. The dwarves started quietly squabbeling ."Are you mad ,the'll find us."Dwalin said angry at the Hobbit for his ill concieved plan. Thorin agreed with Dwalin but held his tounge. Dwalin spotted the lever and the barrels resting on a hatch."No, they won't, please you must trust me." Bilbo hissed. The dwarves stood still and Bilbo turned to Thorin. "Do as he say's." Thorin commanded. He could hear the river beneath them and just as Philicia had said the plan was the company climbed into the barrels. Thorin pulled Bilbo to the side "Our weapons and gear?" He asked quickly. "No time for that."Bilbo said taking in the red and swollen eyes of the dwarf he had concidered his King for some time now. Thorin knew Thranduil would not hurt Philicia and he also knew he was leaving his heart behind . With a last look Thorin climbed into the barrel " "What do we do now ?" Bofur asked. "Hold your breath." Bilbo said as he pulled the lever. The hatch tilted and the barrels rolled down into the water with a spash . They were in the river that ran underneath the fortress. He could hear the swirling and gurgling of the water as it passed underneath their feet. As soon as they hit the water the dwarves kicked the lids off the barrels. All around them the water was sloshing and dipping as it moved swiftly taking the company with it.

Philicia was having a meal with Thranduil and Legolas when a guard burst into the room. " The dwarves, my lord they have escaped." He informed the king. Well done Bilbo, well done,Philicia thought to herself. "What a pity and I was going to let them go.I was going to let Oakenshield stew a little bit longer. Sound the horn close the watergate. " Thranduil commanded his voice echoing off the stone walls. "No please."Philicia touched him on the arm. "Please let them go. I will get the necklace for you I will find a way please, don't do this." She openly wept in front of the Elven King falling at his feet. "I love him so much please, please. " She begged . Thranduil felling sorry for Philicia placed his arms underneath her and lifted her to stand in front of him . She was staring at his fair face shocked at his display of kindness. "I know you loved your wife very much and miss her greatly. For a minute remember that love you had for her and try to understand how I feel for Thorin." She let the tears flow freely down her cheeks as she felt a great pain that shook her to the core."I know you are not as cold hearted as some think you are. You have suffered a tremindeous loss also. Please don't let others feel that kind of pain." Philicia left Thranduil stunned and speechless as she reached up to him placing her small hand palm flat over his heart." You don't deserve to suffer anymore, you have paid the greatest cost. and I understand how you feel ,please understand how I hurt inside right now." With that she removed her hand but still The Elven King just stood there in shock. "The Dwarven King Is indeed lucky to have found a woman such as you." Thranduil took her hands in his and told her that Legolas would be escort to her come tomorrow morning to take her to Laketown. She was led back to her room offered a bath and traveling clothes were brought to her for tomorrows journey.

The sound of the Elvish horn sounded again in the distance. The dwarves has been set upon by an orc pac and just when he had prepared himself to be recaptured there was a snarl above him. "Orcs!" Thorin hollered."We're under attack!" Dori hearing Thorin's warning relayed the message to the others. The dwarves readied themselvesfor a fight. The gate was still shut as the orcs decended on then quickly. Thorin was stuck under the stone bridge of the watergate as he watched his company steal weapons from the orcs slashing and stabbing removing limbs and heads as they fought ferioushly. Bilbo jabbed Sting upward an sent a orc into the water that Nori had trying to fight off. "Suddenly Fili cried out."Kili!" His eyes were trained on the bridge above their heads. At Fili's terrified cry Thorin turned around, dread setteling in his gut at his nephew's cry. "Kili." He breathed gently. Another horn sounded and the gate swung open taking the dwarves away down the rapidly moving current. Thorin looking back saw Kili on the stone gateway an arrow protruding from his outer thigh. Thorin then realized his brave younger nephew had put his life in danger as it was he that had opend the gate . Fili was passing his brother as he did he reached for Kili's foot and hauled him into the empty barrel he was grasping onto. Kili slipped in as he did the arrow broke off leaving the head still jammed in his leg. The next few minutes were a fight for survival .Thorin had picked up a sword from a dead orc and began slicing and hacking at the orc's. Bombar had jumped into the ground rolling in his barrel taking as many orcs out as he could . His hands and legs burst through the wood abnd he was slicing and hacking at the orcs as he jumped into the water again.. Suddenly Legolas and a handful of elves showed up their bows shooting arrows into the orcs leaving them dead. Legolas jumped over the dwarves heads with his feet swiftly making his way to the other side. Thorin amoung the chaos and fighting had seen a glimpse of the white warg in the trees he knew Azog had caught to them at last. The dwarves were drug along the quickly moving current. "We must keep moving!" Thorin hollered as everyone was feeling the strain in their muscles. Kili was pale and greenish looking. Bomfur was hurling over the side of the barrel and everyone else was voicing numerous complaints. The only one that was quiet was Thorin his thoughts on what he had left behind. They drug the barrels to the side of the river and after falling out and clasping handfulls of ground they rested for a minute as Thorin plotted Their next course of action. "Common we must get moving." Thorin roused the company all sprattled out on the ground. "Kili's wounded his leg needs binding." Fili shouted at his uncle. "That orc pack is not too far behind we can not stay here Fili." Thorin took in the sight of his younger nephew as he winced in pain. Bofur suddenly knelt next to Kili offering to help the young Durin Prince."It's nothing" Kili snapped at him. "We are so close to the mountain now." Dwalin said his stare catching Thorins. "Yes but a lake lies between us and the mountain with no way across." Balin added. "We could go around it." Bilbo said pointing to the path as he looked at Thorin and Dwalin."The orcs will run us down as surly as daylight. We have no weapons to defend ourselves ." Dwalin said. Thorin looked at Fili. "Bind his leg ,you have two minutes. The king said rather gruffly. Ori was sitting on the rocks dumping the water from his boots when a shadow fell over the company. Dwalin turned around a large branch in his hands. Suddenly the man fired an arrow it hitting the branch square in the middle. Kili reached for a stone and was going to throw it at the man but he fired another arrow knocking the rock from Kili's hand. "Do that again and your dead." Bard said his bow at the ready. Balin raised his hands in the air as he approached the man. " Excuse me, A but your from Laketown if i'm not mistaken? That barge over there, it wouldn't be for hire by any ,would it?" Balin asked. Bard lowered his bow as his sharp eyes scanned the dwarves before him. He stepped onto the barge and began loading the empty barrels ."What's makes you think I will help you?" Bard asked. Balin approached the stranger cautiously." Those boots have seen better day's." Balin said. Bard continued to load the empty barrels onto the barge."As has the boat. no doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many dear ones?" Balin smiled at the man."A boy and two girls"He answered."And your wife I imagine she's a beauty" Balin continued. "Aye, she was". The man answered a hint of sadness in his voice. "Thorin thought of Philicia back in Mirkwook his heart ached knowing he had to leave her behind."I'm sorry I didn't mean to." "Oh come on, enough with the niceties already." Dwalin interrupted."What's your hurry?" Bard questioned Dwalin. "What's it to you?" Dwalin shot back. "I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in the land's?" The man asked."We are simple merahants from The Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in The Iron Hills" Balin not being able to tell the man the truth had used his quick wit to make up a believeable story. "Simple merchant's you say." Suddenly Thorin spoke up."We'll need food, supplies,weapons. Can you help us?" He asked with desperation. Bard took in the dent's and scrapes on the barrels then turned back to Thorin. "I know where these barrels came from." "What of it?"Thorin huffed. "I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well. No one enters Laketown but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with The Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil." Bard said tossing the rope to Balin. "Offer him something more." Thorin mouthed to Balin silently. "I'll wager there are way's to enter that town unseen." Good one Balin,Thorin thought to himself. "Aye, but for that you will need a smuggler." Bard hinted. "For which we will pay, double." Balin offered. The man looked at the dwarves and the Hobbit assessing the risk. He motioned for the company to step onto the barge.

Legolas and Tauriel watched as the barrels were swept down the river they both knew that the dwarves were now out of their has captured an orc and was ready to send it to it's maker when The elven prince stopped her."No , we keep this one alive" Legolas said and they bound and drug the orc back to the kingdom. Philicia was standing in a corner between two guards when Legolas and Tauriel forced the orc kicking and spitting into the throne room for questioning by the king. The orc was struggeling and fighting them the whole way. Legolas had held his dagger at the orcs throat so it wouldn't move. He then questioned the creature."You were tracking the company of thirteen dwarves, why?" Legolas demanded an pressed the knife deeper into the orcs throat as he interrogated the creature. "Not thirteen anymore." The orc hissed. Catching Tauriels eyes with his black stare."The young one, the black haired archer. We stuck him with a morgal shaft." The orc hissed greatly satisfied that he could inflict fear onto the she elf. "The poisons in his blood he'll be choking on it soon enough." Tauriel showed no emotion as she dove for the orc."You like killing things, you like death,then let me give it to you."Tauriel lunged for the orc but Thranduil stopped her. "Tell us what we want to know and I will set you free." The king spoke restraining his anger as Philicia listend quietly. Legolas who still had the knife at the creatures throat hissed through his teeth. "I do not care about one dead dwarf."Thranduil breathed. "You had orders to kill them,why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you"? Legolas pressed the knife harder as the orc squirmed in his strong grasp."The dwarf runt will never be king." Thranduil whirled around as Philicia gasped at the mention of Thorins name. "No! " She cried out. "And that human female will never rule by his side." The orc spat on the floor. "King, there is no King Under the Mountain, nor will there ever be. None would dare enter Erebor whilst the dragon lives." The orc went on to tell them about his master and he only serves the one ." You will all burn. " The orc sneered. Suddenly Thranduil sliced with a quick stroke and the orcs head rolled away and stopped in front of Philicias feet. She screamed and before the guards could catch her she fell to the floor with a ker thunk." Legolas take her to her room" The king ordered.

Philicia woke to a cool compress being applied to her brow."What happend?" She asked. "You fainted Lady Philicia." Tauriel said dabbing at her forehead. "Oh sorry, I am just a bit squemish. Tauriel I need to speak to the king it's really important." A little while later Thranduil came in to see what she wanted. "Sorry. "he spoke catching the Elven Kings eye's. "All is forgotten. Tauriel said you wished to speak with me a matter of great importance?" He sat at the edge of the bed. "Mirkwood your kingdom is in danger all Middle Earth is in danger." Thranduil whirled around to look at his kingdom from the window."The dark lord Saron intends to use the dragon to burn anyone that will oppose him. He is controlling the dragon .He wants Erebor for it's location not for it's wealth".She waited for his responce." I warned Oakenshields grandfather what his greed would bring, but he would not listen."He stared at her." I know you least youn tried". Philicia looked at her clasped hands and waited again for his reply. "We will wait and in this kingdom we will endure."He breathed. "You see thats just it the dragon will burn this kingdom to ashes I don't want to see that happen. You all have been kind to me and I am so grateful for that. Thorin will come around let me do what I was sent here to do. If the line of Durin falls then everything is done for." She let tears slip down her face as Thranduil handed her a cloth to wipe her eye's. "Thank you." She said " Tomorrow morning Legolas will take you to Laketown that is where they have gone." He informed her standing to leave. Philicia instantly threw her arms around him and embraced the Elf King in a thankful hug. With that he spun on his heel and was gone.

Again I do not own any of the Hobbit characters they belong to Tolkein I just own my OFC .