Alright, another chapter! Woohoo! A huge thank you to all of my followers and reviewers! Not to mention how late this update is is. So sorry!

"Speaking"

"Maywae" also "Elvish" (Won't be that confusing, I will specify which is which. Although, Arriah can only speak Maywae in her wolf form, so I hope that'll clear up any confusion)

Thoughts

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue

Arriah noticed it a lot later then she should have. The webs. They were everywhere. White and sticky, imprisoning animals of all shapes and sizes. And where there were webs, spiders were bound to be making more elsewhere.

How could I have not noticed these earlier?

The wolf let out a huff as the wind ruffled her fur.

This scent...the dwarves...and elves!

Arriah growled deeply and changed course, heading towards the scent.

Dammit, how did I not notice earlier? I shouldn't have gone so far ahead!

The skin changer raced through the forest, snapping twigs and breaking off small branches from trees as she ran.

Wait, if the elves are there...it's likely that the Company has been captured. I know Legolas and the king. I could, potentially, fake indifference and help them escape...but they'd still be captured.

The huntress slowed to a stop.

There really isn't a version of this where myself and the dwarves come out on top. Damn.

Arriah huffed and stalked forward till she came upon the elven path once again.

I'm ahead of them, so I think I'll wait here.

The huntress inhaled deeply and flopped onto the ground, stretching out her legs and opening her mouth in a long yawn. Arriah hummed and let her back legs sprawl out to the side while she brought her front legs closer to her. She closed her eyes and licked around the edges of her mouth.

I need to hunt soon...but I'm sure I'll find something later.

Arriah's ear twitched and she turned her head slightly and glanced behind her.

Here they come. Hmmm...

Arriah huffed and rested her head on her paws. I just hope the dwarves catch on.

"Harmani? Arriah? Is that you?"

"Legolas! What a surprise!"

"Is it really?"

Arriah grinned inwardly at Legolas' raised eyebrow.

"Arr-Ow! Hey!"

"Be quiet."

Arriah huffed.

"Not particularly."

"What are you doing here?"

"Sightseeing. What I can't come an visit an old friend?"

The elf chuckled and walked around to stand in front of Arriah.

"There's no problem, but I'm afraid you've come at a rather bad time. I just caught these dwarves, you see. They've been roaming the forest for days."

Arriah winced and glanced up at the elven prince. There goes my cover. Oh man, come on Leggy, we're still pals, right?

"When did you get here?"

And there's my saving grace. Thank you Legolas. I'll bake you a cake later, seriously, just don't let me stab myself while I cut it for you, m'kay?

Arriah stood and shook the dirt out of her fur.

"Not long ago."

The elf in front of her grinned and reached out to scratch the top of her head.

"It's been a while...but it's good to see you again. Come, I'm sure my father will be happy to see you again as well."

Arriah nodded and moved to stand by the elf, who in turn ordered their little procession to continue on.

"So, what are you really doing here? That's Oakensheild, if I'm not mistaken."

Arriah hummed lowly.

"Just an adventure."

"Arriah."

The prince's playful tone made Arriah smile inwardly. "Seriously."

"I thought that you'd sworn off adventuring after you returned from your plight with that dragon...Well, dragons."

Arriah shook her big head.

"No, I swore off adventuring after my brothers were born."

"Ahh, yes, I remember. Your father insisted that you needed to take on more responsibility around the kingdom."

Arriah inhaled slowly. Legolas is probably the only person in the world right now that I can talk to so freely about my past with. It's rather refreshing actually.

"Yeah, something like 'Arriah, I know you're young, and you're at that age where children begin to rebel, and even though you won't become queen one day, you must take on more responsibilities around the kingdom and help your mother look after your brothers'."

The elf gave a quiet chuckle.

"Really? I'm sure I heard different."

"Oh really?"

The prince nodded. "Something along the lines of 'Arriah, it's time to put away your sword, to stop adventuring, to stop having fun, and to stop messing around with that elven prince. We're still repairing the mess hall after your last practical joke'."

Arriah hummed happily. "Why did we never mess with your father?"

"Because he would have killed both of us. Besides, I'm pretty your father enjoyed our pranks as much as we did."

Arriah grinned wolfishly and stuck her tongue out at the elf. In turn Legolas let out a quiet laugh before he went quiet, staring straight ahead.

"You're pretty good at fooling others."

Arriah glanced at him.

"But you don't- can't fool me, not after all this time. Something's changed, you've changed. I'm just having a difficult time figuring out whether this change is good or not."

Arriah's ear twitched and she hummed. "Well, I thinks it's a pretty good change."

"Oh?"

Arriah cast her gazed towards the ground, her face taking on a peaceful look. "Yeah."

A peaceful silence fell between the two as Arriah's mind began to wander.

Maybe I should bake a cake for Fili later too. Wait, does he even like cake?

The skin changer turned her head slightly and looked back at the company. Dwalin was at the front, Thorin in the far back. Fili...

Geeze.

Fili did not look happy. Not in the slightest.

To be expected. Meh, whatever, it's not like there's a couch around here, so bam!

"We're here."

"Already? Shorter trip then I remember."

Arriah turned to gaze at the large doors that served as the entrance to the kingdom of Mirkwood.

"Doors are smaller then I remember."

"Well, your head didn't reach my shoulders the last time you walked through these gates."

Arriah rolled her eyes and dog trotted ahead. "I'm gonna' go find something to wear."

"Have you not brought your own things with you?"

"Uhhh..."

Arriah glanced back at the procession of dwarves.

"Ah. Don't bother, we've confiscated their bags, look around some, I'll bring your items to you later."

Arriah's ear twitched in acknowledgement of Legoas' words and turned towards the center of the dwellings, where she would find a market.

It had been some hours since she had wandered off and had since found herself laying in the middle of a tree path, staring down at the young elves below her as they played around with a ball.

"Arriah?"

The wolf's gaze shifted only slightly in greeting.

"Your pack."

Arriah hummed in appreciation and stood quickly, taking her pack in her jaws.

"Fanks Leegohas."

The elf chuckled at gestured behind him, towards a secluded spot where she could phase and change quickly, which is exactly what she did.

"So, how did it go with the dwarves?" Arriah smoothly transitioned from Maywae to Elvish as she accepted Legolas' offered arm.

"My father still remains oblivious to the fact that you are their companion, however, he does know that you are here, and wishes to see you some time tomorrow."

Arriah nodded. "May I see the dwarves?"

Legolas hesitated. "If it is necessary."

Arriah nodded firmly. "It is."

"Very well."

Arriah quietly let Legolas lead her on. Oh man, I bet Fili's pissed. Probably Thorin too...speaking of which.

"Did your father speak with Thorin?"

"He did."

"Oh? And how did that go?"

"Horribly. He told him to 'die a death of fire'."

"Who?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, did Thorin tell your dad to die a death of fire or did your dad tell Thorin to die a death of fire?"

"Thorin."

Arriah blinked. "Yeah, thought so."

"Honestly, how do you put up with him?"

Arriah cocked her head to the side. "Well, now that I think about it, he's much more... lenient when it comes to me now. I mean, it could have something to do with my relationship with his nephew... you never know."

"Makes sense, and you are a woman after all, and they are cherished in dwarvin cultures and- wait."

Legolas stopped walking. "You're in a relationship with one of the Durin sons?"

Arriah nodded. "Yep."

Arriah could only guess what expression the elf was sporting.

"Well then."

The two continued on quietly.

"We're almost there. Do you want me to stay behind?"

"Nah, I'll come find you later or something."

"Alright. The path here-"

Arriah's left hand was guided to the wall.

"-is narrow, don't let your hand leave the wall. It's and immediate left just a few step ahead."

Arriah nodded and inhaled slowly. "Thanks."

"Not a problem."

Arriah listened silently to Legolas' retreating footsteps and inhale deeply. Lets do this.

Alright, another chapter in the hole! Enjoy, and sorry again for the uber late update!