This place is HUGE! I would have sworn that this whole place was one tree, but I never knew a tree could get this big! The paths curved and twisted and a couple times I almost got caught sneaking by some Elves who have excellent hearing when my foot slipped. But they weren't very perceptive and shrugged as they walked away. Until finally I came to a room and nearly walked right into a tall Elf with the same hair as Legolas but he seemed much older, more severe. I hid behind a column as he turned his austere face toward the door, platinum hair falling over his shoulders in silky waves. My heart nearly failed when he said, "I know your there. Why do you linger in the shadows?"
My knees weakened in relief when Tauriel walked in and said, "I was coming to report to you."
This must be the Elvin King Thranduil! Then I decided that I didn't like him when he demanded, "I thought I ordered that nest to be destroyed not two moons past." The tone of his voice grated on my nerves.
Tauriel paced as if agitated, "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 Guldur. If we could kill them at their source..." Thranduil stopped her, "That fortress lies beyond our borders. Keep our lands clear of those foul creatures. That is your task."
She asked, almost pleading, "And when we drive them off, what then? Will they not spread to other lands?"
He sneered, turning his pretty face ugly, "Other lands are not my concern." She seemed shocked by this and he continued, "Fortunes of the world with rise and fall. But here in this kingdom we will endure."
Thinking him a complete arse I backed out carefully and headed back the way I came to see if I missed Thorin somewhere. Then I heard Thranduil's voice carry, telling Tauriel not to let Legolas fall for her. I paused and looked back, feeling sorry for the Captain of the Guard. Then I continued on my way.
0o0
It wasn't until later that I found my way back to the dungeons and saw Tauriel talking to Kili. Studying them for a moment I saw something in their eyes and smiled softly. Leaving them be I headed back out to see if I could wrangle some food without getting caught.
Days passed as I assured the Dwarves I was trying to find a way out. I nearly gave Balin a heart attack when they could suddenly see me. Winking at them I whispered that I was looking for a way out and seeing if they knew where Thorin was. They didn't but I promised to keep looking.
Two weeks passed as I search high and low, getting barely any sleep or food. The Dwarves tried to save me an apple or something from their meals to give to me when I reported what I had found, or lack there of. Finally I went down further into the dungeons to see if there was a way out there.
I nearly got hopelessly lost until I happened onto a single cell back in the rock that looked dark and unused. Getting a feeling to go that way I moved towards it carefully, making sure no one was coming. As I got close I whispered, "Hello?"
I heard movement and froze, unsure. Until I saw Thorin's face appear through the bars, his blue eyes scanning the corridor, frowning since he couldn't see me. I gasped, "Thorin!" and suddenly appeared. He jumped, moving back and seemed to trip on something and fall. Hissing to be quiet I dashed to the bars, "You alright?"
He looked at me from the ground, bewildered as he whispered, "Ariana? Where did you come from?"
He got up and came close. I grinned happily at him, pointing behind me, "That way." Looking him over to make sure he was alright, "Oh I'm so glad I found you. Everyone else is alright. I've been looking for a way out and so far no luck but I.." My babbling was interrupted when he reached through the bars and grabbed me in as tight a hug as he could. I was squished against the bars but didn't care as I reached through the bars and clenched the front of his tunic, unable to say through words just how happy and relieved I was to see him. I had feared the worst had been done to him.
Finally I couldn't take the uncomfortable bars pressing against my breasts and face so I pulled back, but didn't let go of him, "Thorin, you alright?"
I was surprised when he reached through the bars and held my face in his hands. He said in his deep voice, "I thought you lost." Something in my chest ached at the thought of how much I worried him but I figured that went both ways by the look of him. I grinned at him, showing all my teeth, "Oh please, a bit more faith Thorin. Like I'd hop off while you all are stuck in Elven jail."
I glanced back to make sure we were still alone, "Tho I have to admit it's been a bloody nightmare trying to find a way to get you all out of here without running into some damn Elf. These pansy's are everywhere, like they live here or something."
Thorin chuckled quietly, rubbing his thumb along my jaw, "Oh I've missed you Ariana." I couldn't help leaning my cheek into his hand and said softly, "I missed you too."
We stood like that for a moment before I sensed someone coming. Jumping back I held a finger to my lips, plastered myself against a wall and focused. Thorin hurried to sit on the stone bench in his cell, acting like he just got up. An Elf walked in with a small chunk of cheese and a hunk of bread. He shoved this through the bars along with a small cup of water. Thorin didn't move as he glared at the Elf who just turned and walked back out. None the wiser that there was someone else there.
I waited to be sure then reappeared in front of Thorin's cell. He got up and held a hand out of the bars, which I took. I assured, "I'm working on a way out. Getting you out of here won't be easy, but I think we can manage. They're pretty convinced you'll never get out of these cells. Only two places are actually guarded; here, and the throne room."
I scowled, tho not at him, "I truly like Elves but these natters are not like their Rivendell kin. And Thranduil's a prat." Thorin laughed quietly, more color going into his pale cheeks and his eyes lighting up, "I knew I liked you for a reason."
I gave him a grin and squeezed his hand once more before backing up, "I'm going to keep looking and let the others know your alright. I'll be back later."
Thorin whispered into the dark hall, "Be careful Ariana." Something tugged on one of his braids before she was gone. So he settled back against the stone bench to wait, never doubting Ariana would find a way.
0o0
Another week passed and I felt the strain of little to no sleep, little food and the fruitless searches of trying to find a way out. I was nearly dead on my feet and unsure if I could keep up my misdirection for another hour. I somehow made it to Thorin's cell and tapped gently on the bars before sinking down to sit with my back to the bars, "Thorin?"
He was by my side in an instant, "Ariana, are you alright?"
I debated what to say for a moment and finally decided to be truthful, "No." Taking a deep breath I shifted to see if I could get more comfortable, rubbing my eyes tiredly. "This place is huge, Thorin. There have to be at least a thousand strong living here, with enough food and wine stocked to provide for a week-long feast. And their armory. Good gods, I didn't even know what half of those things were."
A violent shiver swept through me, and I sighed, sounding almost like I was on the verge of tears and hated myself a little for it. "The king has ordered the front gate closed and locked. It's guarded day and night, and as far as I can tell, it's the only way in or out of this place. I..I haven't found any other way out."
My voice cracked a bit then. Thorin settled strong warm hands on my shoulders and that steadied me a bit before whispering, "I'm just so damn tired. I don't think I've gotten more than a couple hours sleep since we got here. I can't find a single place here that those darn Elves aren't at."
There was a pause and Thorin teased, "No Elves in these cells." This hit me with a thought of genius and I turned and looked at him, "Thorin, I'm about to do something crazy. I can open your cell door and nap there but I need your word that you won't try to escape just yet. Promise me."
Obviously confused and surprised he slowly nodded, "I promise not to try and escape my cell until you tell me to."
Knowing how big of a deal it was for a Dwarf to promise this I smiled brightly and climbed to my feet. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out some wire rods I had been fiddling with since I found the metal lying around. Now they were my own set of lock picks. And I inserted them into the lock of his cell door and it took a bit before I finally got it open. Grinning proudly I walked in and carefully closed the door behind me.
I hadn't even taken a step before Thorin's strong arms enveloped me and I leaned gratefully into him. I knew I was supposed to be keeping my distance from him but right now I didn't care. Thorin carefully moved me to the bench and helped me lie down on it. The rock was cold and I shivered slightly before Thorin lied down next to me, gently pulling me towards him. His arms around me like a protective shield. I sighed, snuggled close and I gripped the front of his tunic, "Thorin?"
He hummed, chest vibrating against my finger, "It'll be alright Ariana. Once you get some sleep, you'll figure out a way to get us all out of here."
I guess I just needed to hear him say that because I buried my face into his chest so that he couldn't see a few tears escape my eyes. He murmured, rubbing my back gently, "I'll keep watch. Sleep Ariana."
I didn't need to be told twice before I was out like a light.
0o0
Thorin gazed down at Ariana's face and felt a swell of pride and affection filled his chest. She had obviously been trying so hard to get them free, she hadn't taken much time to sleep. She was obviously exhausted and at her limit. Understandable after three weeks of sneaking around in this Elf infested place.
The thoughts and worries of reaching the mountain by Durin's day haunted him but he never voiced them to Ariana. She knew as well as him that they were running out of time and she was trying her hardest while Thorin and the others were stuck behind bars.
And no matter how worried he was about defeating Smaug or reclaiming his mountain, he could shove all those thoughts aside when Ariana was in his arms. Continuing to rub her back soothingly he turned his ears towards to door, determined to awake and alert for anyone coming. Now it was his turn to do something useful.
0o0
I awoke with a jolt when I sensed through the stone bench that someone was coming, Thorin looked about to try and wake me up. Without thinking I was up and against the wall and invisible just as Thorin was able to sit up and glare out the bars as an Elf came around the corner. He carried something like gruel in a bowl for breakfast and another cup of water.
He shoved it in through the bars, snatched up Thorin's empty plate and walked out. I waited with bated breath until I was sure he was gone and then reappeared with a relieved sigh, sitting down next to Thorin, "Morning."
He snorted, reaching down and took up the food and drink, "Morning. Here."
He handed me the food and water and by the look of his face I couldn't turn them down. Rolling my eyes for the fun of it I ate the gruel, which tasted nutty and drank the water gratefully. I smiled at him as I set the dishes on the floor and said sincerely, "Thank you Thorin."
He smiled back, twining his arm around my shoulders and bringing me in for a hug, "Your welcome. You needed it more then I."
I hugged him back for a moment, enjoying his warmth before I pulled away, "I'm going back out to search again. Wish me luck."
I got up and picked the door open again as he stood up and said, "Good luck Ariana. Be careful." I flashed him a smile as I closed the door again, paused and said shyly, "Best nights sleep I've had in a while. Thanks." Then I disappeared so that he couldn't see the bashful grin on my face and hurried down the corridor in my embarrassment. What I didn't see was Thorin's own bashful smile appearing through his beard.
