Chapter 20

Legolas frowned in thought. There was something about the boy who opened the gates…

Suddenly a movement behind him caught his attention. "Tauriel!" She looked up at him. "We take this one alive."

She nodded and they dragged the Orc back to the palace. However, during the entire trip, Legolas was thinking deeply. That lad had shouted in Sindarin. What would a Dwarf want with someone who spoke Sindarin?

He shook his head. He would have to speak with his father. They arrived at the palace, finding it in an uproar. A subdued uproar. Legolas could tell, because the Elves were walking quickly around the palace, and their hands were clenched into fists. The palace was also echoing with whispers and murmurs. Usually Elves were silent.

That was how Legolas knew the palace was in an uproar.

He quickly moved to where his father was standing at the foot of his throne. "Father, we caught this Orc. The rest of the pack, who are alive, have left our lands and followed the Dwarves." He frowned. "There was another person. A fourteenth member of Thorin Oakenshield's company."

Thranduil's eyes snapped over to his. "And did you get a good look at this being?"

"He looked like a Human child with a beard."

"Dwarf?"

"Too slender to be a Dwarf, too old to be a Human child."

Thranduil frowned. He looked at the Orc. "Do you know who the fourteenth member of Oakenshield's party is?"

The Orc smirked. "I do, but I won't tell. It won't matter anyways. He'll be spitting up blood by tomorrow."

Tauriel paled. Legolas frowned at her. He spoke quietly in Sindarin. "Do you know?"

"Yes."

Thranduil looked at her. "Well?"

"The dark haired Dwarf, Kíli, spoke of him. His name is Bilbo. His mother was a Hobbit. His father was a Dwarf."

Thranduil frowned. "And who is the father?"

"Kíli would not tell. He claimed that he did not know." Legolas frowned.

"He called out to his father in Sindarin. He said 'Ada'. Is his father part of the Dwarf group? Why and how would he even be taught Sindarin?"

Thranduil turned back to the Orc. "You were hunting this group of Dwarves for a reason. Why?"

The Orc spat and refused to answer. However, it did love to brag. Thranduil cut off its head before it spoke too much in front of his son.

"Why did you do that? There was more the Orc could tell us."

"There was nothing more he could tell me." Thranduil shifted subjects. "Lock down the kingdom. Double the guards. Nothing comes in and no one goes out unless I hear of it."

Legolas bowed and left.

~meanwhile~

Bilbo winced as he looked at his leg. It was still bleeding. It should have stopped by now. He frowned and then noticed Kíli and Bofur wincing with him. He shifted away. "I'm fine."

Oin looked him over. "Nay, laddie, you're not. That wound is bleeding too much."

Thorin walked by, not noticing the wound. "We need to leave. The Orc pack is on our tail."

Bilbo started to get up, but Fíli pushed him back down. "Bilbo's injured."

Two magic words. Thorin was at his side instantly. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Bilbo rolled his eyes. "Nothing happened. I was pulling the gate lever and an arrow sliced my thigh. It's just a scratch!"

Oin looked him over. "Then why are you pale?"

"I'm cold!"

Thorin motioned for Dwalin and Gloin, and they removed their coats and placed them un their Prince's shoulders. Bilbo tried to refuse, but they wouldn't listen.

Oin glanced him over and then back at where they had come. "Are you able to walk, lad?"

Bilbo grumbled against Fíli's restraining arm. "I would if Fíli would bloody let go of my shoulder!"

Fíli sighed. "Sorry for caring about you cousin."

Bilbo rolled his eyes and struggled to his feet. "Oh shut up. The Orcs are not far behind. We need to move."

Thorin looked him over carefully and then sighed. "Fine, but the minute you feel dizzy, Dwalin or Dori is carrying you." Bilbo huffed but didn't argue. He knew how stubborn Thorin could be. Put his own mother to shame.

They started walking, and then they found themselves face to face with an archer.