Chapter 16: Alien

Entangled in each other for optimal utilization of space, at first they watched the unusual overhead view the small torch taken with them provided. The rock above did change colour at times, rushing past, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, oftentimes too close for comfort indeed, yet Tauriel felt safe enough bundled in Thranduil's arms. She closed her eyes against the dizzying and surprisingly pictural cavalcade that was the belly of the mountain and her hand searched for purchase instinctively, finding it in the laces of his tunic. The contraption gave a jolt and for a moment, she felt like flying out of it, and she held on tighter.

"It's alright," Thranduil put his hand on her restless fist as it closed on the fabric, sensing her disquiet, "it is a shade unusual as a way of travel, but we will get to a slower bit soon."

Tauriel looked at him in wonder, "you know quite a lot about these parts of the domain for someone who in the main confines himself to his Halls."

"I wish you've known that world, when elves were bountiful and presided over all the lands, received with kindness and not hostility. When the magic flew warm and easy and that's all you needed for trade. It might still be if Thrain kept his Khazad-dûm stronghold here."

"You had a good relationship with him?" Tauriel's forehead creased in wonderment.

"It was in our interest to aid him, just like it is now with Bard, keep Thrain stocked up and here to hold back the Balrog. Of course he had to dishonour the agreement."

Tauriel didn't have to look at him to know he was giving it the eyeroll. "But the memories of this place are largely good, not?" She appeased, hoping to get him back to talking about the pleasant past.

"I don't know about that, but they might be useful. I assume most of Durin's Folk nowadays would have no idea of the ancient underground network, at least nowhere near the vastness of it, while as long as memory serves, I'm largely aware of most tunnels, mines, chambers and mansions that run under and throughout the Misty Moutains. I could hide an army here and the dwarves wouldn't even know, Thrain showed me around himself. It was part of his end of the bargain if we provided the magic to run the train."

"The train needs magic to run?"

"Not down the way, no, but up the way, those little levers would not do so much without a little help. Though I'd bet beardies and co. aren't aware of how their little locomotion can make it up the mountain so easily." There was revolt in his voice and considerable disappointment.

"There have been several generations since then," Tauriel pointed out levelheadedly. "You can't really fault them to pass on all knowledge through word of mouth?"

"It's not my fault they don't favour books. Eh, never you mind that," Thranduil wriggled out from under her and inserted the torch into its conic, metal cover to put it out. "Prepare to be amazed," he said quietly as the carriage slowed down and there was no more need for loud words. He also raised himself up to peek out at the front, the elleth could just about make it out in the darkness due to the dying flames.

"My Lord." the redhead clang to his tunic wildly, willing him to stay put and not hurt himself.

"It's safe, I remembered it well," the king encouraged her while their means of conveyance came to a near halt. "Just look," he encircled her to pull her close.

Tauriel came to immediately realise why and how it was that she could still see his outlines even though the torch had been put out. Not on a slope anymore, it was merely the momentum of their previous velocity that was propelling them slowly forward at such a snail's pace that even if they hit their heads on some protruding stone, it would not become an issue. No such things were in the way at any case, she could see that too clearly in the vast cavern, ceiling virtully as far as an arrow shot away, where thousands of shining insects gathered and flutterred and covered the underground hall in a shimmering light of colours, all shades that ranged from white through yellow and red, mingling at places, but most staying with their own flock of baby pink and radiant gold, eye blinding white and warm, inviting red. "Oh," she managed.

"I was hoping they were still gathering here." A smile was mildly playing round the corners of Thranduil's mouth as he also took pleasure in the sight and Tauriel hoped she wasn't only imagining that. "Get drunk here and you'd think you took more than mere alcohol," he observed, sounding like he was talking out of personal experience.

"I've seen noctiluci in the forest before, but isolated swarms, not like this," Tauriel continued to marvel, moving a hand towards one of the little lanterns floating in front of her face.

"You don't want to attract their attention that much," Thranduil warned, "they might be harmless in the forest, but here their sheer numbers are danger. You wouldn't want to stop here."

Tauriel turned to look at him incredulously, " you don't mean these are some of the cave dwellers we were warned about?"

"If one might prick you, you won't feel it. Have enough of them land on you and inject you with their poison, you'd be paralysed. They need to feed their young with something."

Tauriel ruminated this new knowledge, then decided, "it's still beautiful." Her eyes stayed raised to the display above. She pressed into her companion a little though, once more on unpremeditated instict, too engulfed in the view to notice her own actions, but it didn't escape the king's attention. The light show was no match to the reflection they played in her eyes.

"You do want to hang on," Thranduil commented facilely, on such a calm tone that only his fingers tightening round her waist made her realise he meant it as a warning. The youger elf had to stifle a surprised gasp as the smooth journey suddenly turned into what felt like a freefall where due to her unattentivness Thranduil was hanging on for the both of them as the carriage plummeted into a dark hole.

Tbc