Meanwhile, in Mirkwood….

Thorin and company stood by while the elves searched them. He was aggravated to say the least. He wasn't paying any attention to what was going on around him until his sword was taken from him. He noticed it in the hands of silver haired elf. He tried it out while saying something in elvish, before turning back to him.

"Where did you get this?" asked the elf.

"It was given to me," replied Thorin.

"Not only a thief, but a liar as well."

Thorin wasn't able to do more than glare when a red headed she-elf addressed the silver haired elf as Legolas. That, of course, caught Thorin's attention.

"You are Legolas, Thranduil's son?"

"What is it to you, dwarf?"

"We have a mutual friend, who told me I would likely encounter you on this journey. He gave me a medallion to identify me as a friend of his. It hangs on my neck, under my armor."

Legolas reach over and found the chain, removing the medallion from under his armor and tunic. "Tell me who you got his from."

"Lord Glorfindel of Rivendell. My nephew was injured when we were near their borders. He saved my nephew by getting him to Rivendell in time for healing."

"Where is this nephew?" asked Legolas, looking among the dwarves present. Most looked too old to be a nephew of this dwarf.

"He and his brother remained in Lord Elrond's care, as he was not ready to travel. His brother did not want to leave him behind. Lord Glorfindel has given me his word that he will deliver them both safely to me, as soon as my nephew is well enough to travel. I would not be surprised if they are already following our path."

"And where is your path taking you?"

"That is our business, and ours alone."

Legolas considered the token. "This will not save you from being presented to my father, nor will it grant you asylum in our walls. Glorfindel is not one of my father's favorite persons."

"So I have been told, but I was assure our stay in your dungeons might not be so uncomfortable," Thorin said with a raised eyebrow.

Legolas allowed a small grin to peak through. "I am sure something can be arranged, since I will be in charge of your 'quarters'."

Legolas signaled everyone to move out. He then turned to his friend, Tauriel. "When we get back to our halls, send a watch for the road. Our Wood is to have more visitors soon."

"Do you desire to have them brought in?"

"I fear we will have no choice. An old friend will be among them, and I would see him safely to our halls, whether he wills it or not. We both know the vermin have spread even to the road."

"Who is this friend?"

Legolas smiled at the she-elf. "Jealous?"

Tauriel laughed. "No, I am merely curious as to what friends you have outside of the Greenwood. I was not aware you had traveled much from home."

"In truth, I have not, but Glorfindel once came here often by Lord Elrond's will"

"The Balrog Slayer?!"

"Yes. Ah, I forgot how much you once enjoyed the stories I told you about him."

"Truly, your father shall not be pleased, but for myself, I look forward to making his acquaintance."

Legolas frowned. "You want to meet Glorfindel?"

"Of course! He is a legend, even among the Silvan elves. He fought and defeated a Balrog, even though it cost him his life, and the Valar sent him back here. He fought in the war against a great evil. He has seen and experienced so much."

"So have I," mumbled Legolas. He didn't like the look of awe on her face. It was no secret to most that the Woodland Prince cared deeply for the captain, though she seemed to view him as a big brother and best friend. Legolas liked to think that was his father's doing. He has made sure that it was known where he expected his son to marry, and a Captain of the Guard was not it. He held out hope to change his father's mind, but Legolas knew that could take decades. Legolas shook his head. 'What am I worried about? Glorfindel has never shown any interest in an elleth before. Didn't he once tell me he didn't see himself as good husband material?' That made Legolas feel quite a bit better. Well, it did, until he looked back to red head. 'Tauriel longs for adventure. Didn't she once tell me that even marriage wouldn't cause her to settle into the lifestyle of an everyday, married elleth? She would suit a warrior like Glorfindel.'

Legolas resolved to stop thinking about either of his friends for now. He needed to focus on the task at hand; getting the dwarves secured behind their walls. All other things could wait.

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself, suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary, or something of that ilk." Thranduil leaned down into Thorin's face. "You have found a way in. You seek that which will bestow upon you the right to rule. The King's jewel. The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure, I understand that. There are gems in that mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."

"And what makes you think I want your help?" Thorin asked calmly.

"I do not see how you have much choice, Thorin Oakenshield," said Thranduil with a sneer. "Without an agreement with me, you and your 'company' shall not be leaving my halls. I simply want what is mine. If you agree to my terms, I will let you go. I will even see that your people are fitted with supplies and escorted to the edge of my realm."

"I will make no deal with you. You who turned your back on my people…"

"I would not bring death and destruction upon my people…"

"That is understandable, and pardonable, but we came to you starving, homeless, seeking your help. We had women and children, who survived the inferno only to perish in the wilderness."

"Do not blame me for your grandfather's actions. I warned him of what his greed would bring. Had he given me what was mine, I would have been more generous."

"So you let innocents pay for the wrongs of another. No, Thranduil, I will not give you my word to return those gems. They will can decorate the halls of my fathers. Consider it payment for the lives lost, that would have benefited from your 'generosity', though some would call it compassion."

"Then you can stay here and rot. You shall not leave my halls until you come into agreement with me. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I am patient. I can wait." Thranduil proceeded to sit on his throne with his wine in hand.

"So be it. Oh, and Thranduil, I agree with Glorfindel, you would make a better red head," said Thorin with a smirk, even as they led him from the room.

Thranduil threw his chalice at the retreating figures, missing his mark. The guards scribes who were left were looking at their king. "What are you staring at? Do you not have things to do? Perhaps I should see that you do."

The people scattered.

"Did he offer you a deal?" asked Balin.

"He did. I refused. I will not bow to the whims of a faithless king."

"Then that is that. A deal was our only hope."

"Not our only hope."

"And what other hope do you have, Thorin Oakenshield?" asked Legolas.

"I shall keep my secrets, Prince."

"I hope it is not Glorfindel that you have placed your faith in. He shall not be able to negotiate your release, of this I am certain."

Thorin smirked at him before looking around his cell. He noticed a pillow and blanket, as well as a portable table with a nice meal already laid out for him. He also spied a change of clothes. "Complements to you I presume?"

"You and my father do not get along, but you obviously have friends among our kin. It would not do to offend them. I may not be able to release you, but as Glorfindel informed you of, I can ensure your stay is far more pleasant than it could have been."

They inclined their heads to each other and Legolas went on his way.

Thorin sat down on the, he was sure softer, bed, and ate his meal with a smile. He didn't know how they were going to get out, but he somehow knew they would. He had been in a very foul mood when he and the company had departed Rivendell. He, regrettably, took his ire out on Bilbo. When they found themselves in the clutches of the Goblin King, he was glad that he had left his nephews behind. Gandalf had come and they escaped, recovering their burglar after the fact. Then, Azog found them and Bilbo defended him when he couldn't do it himself. They had now forged a strong friendship. He knew Bilbo hadn't been taken with them, and while a part of him worried for him, another part somehow knew he was ok and that he was going to get them out. The best part of this whole situation? He got to the elven king. Yes, despite their current circumstances, things were good.

Legolas and Tauriel had developed a respect for their prisoners. Though they would not admit it, they both hoped that the dwarves somehow escape. Loyalty to their king kept them from doing it themselves. Legolas had struck up a bit of a friendship with the exiled king and his advisor. Tauriel enjoyed the company of all the dwarves, but most surprisingly Ori. They traded information about their peoples, or at least, the things that were allowed. Especially in Ori's case, but Tauriel understood. Dwarves were very secretive people.

Bilbo eventually showed himself to the dwarves, and plans were begun. After about a fortnight, they had a plan in place. On the night the elves held a feast, they made their exit through the wine cellar, heading down the river in barrels.

It was Legolas and Tauriel that discovered that they were missing. They knew they couldn't wait long to announce it, since many of the guards knew they had headed down there. So, not quite as quick as they normally would have, they raised the alarm. The two friends split up, Tauriel heading towards the wine cellar and Legolas heading outside. They both knew the dwarves had one exit: the river. They tried to slow things down, but ultimately, there was little they could do that would not be considered traitorous.

In the end, the dwarves were caught by the gate, but the gate was overrun by orcs in the next instant. Focus was now off the dwarves and on the filth that would dare come into their borders and attack their gate. Tauriel arrived to see Ori clamor up the steps, defending himself with a crude sword he had taken off a dead orc. As he reached the lever, she noticed a huge orc aim at the sweet scribe. Before she fully formed a thought, she managed to raise her bow and shoot the arrow out of the air. It embedded itself into a nearby tree. The orc sneer at the she-elf and ordered the rest of his soldiers to follow the dwarves.

After much fanfare, the dwarves were finally out of reach of both the orcs and the elves, and Tauriel and Legolas had a prisoner to interrogate.

So, I figured that we would take a little look into what is going on with the company, namely Thorin. I also wanted to introduce Legolas and Tauriel as they will play a pretty big part in the next few chapters. I am so excited. I am trying to follow the timeline of the actual story, while detail wise, I have been following the movie. Things are getting a bit different, obviously. I couldn't help but want to put Thranduil in his place a little, and I know Thorin thoroughly enjoyed it. Ori kind of just jumped right in there. He is so sweet. There is no romance between he and Tauriel, but there is going to be a strong friendship.

Here is how my timeline is playing out. Our Rivendell group enter Mirkwood about 5 days before the company breaks out. So, the beginning of the next chapter will be them getting to the forest edge. I am not going to do a chapter in this story of their time traveling, though I may do a humorous one-shot at another time. I may also slip in a chapter with Dis. We will see.