When they reached Mirkwood Thorin did his best not to be impressed by the architecture. The many spiralling staircases, great columns and finely detailed wall hangings were quite a lot to take in. He could see several of his Dwarves doing the same, trying not to look tempted to look around.

"I will take the 'King' to my father." The blonde Elf announced, "Take the others to the cells."

"What about this one, Prince Legolas?" Another elf asked, indicating to the still dazed Bilbo.

"The spider venom will only keep him docile so long, make sure he is contained by then." Legolas replied, "I've no desire to him killed, an animal is only as good as his owners, perhaps he can be retrained."

Bilbo gave a low growl, probably the most he could manage besides standing. Thorin didn't blame him, he felt like showing the prince and bottom of his boot, preferably with a good deal of force. He could do nothing as his Dwarves and Bilbo were led away from him and he taken to Thranduil. With this delay who knew how long it would take to reach the mountain. The only thing he could be certain of now, was that the Elf King was going to get a piece of his mind.

-oOo-

Kili was worried. Thorin had been taken from them, Bilbo had been separated from the group and they were all locked up in small iron barred cages.

"We'll never make it to the mountain at this rate…" Balin sighed, "That fool Thorin, he'll never make a deal with Thranduil. He's too proud."

Kili felt the need to defend his uncle but he knew Balin was right. The smart thing to do would be to make a deal with the Elf for some of their gold, but his uncle would never do it.

The sound of footsteps on the stone stairs had them all at attention as Thorin was bought back down to them. Kili saw his barely concealed anger as he spied their cages, though he stayed silent as he himself was locked away. Balin started to ask how the talks with the Mirkwood king went when Kili saw something that made his blood boil to the point of yelling out. Two Elves had entered their prison, with Bilbo.

"You muzzled him!" Kili yelled in outrage, "How could you do such a thing? How will he eat?"

Maybe it was because he knew the great wolf he was seeing was actually a Hobbit but the sight of the metal manacle clamped around Bilbo's muzzle made Kili feel more rage than he had at his own imprisonment. More shackles ties the wolf's paws together, so he could only take small shuffling steps, running would have been impossible. Bilbo didn't make a sound, he didn't even resist as they fitted the thick chain attached to his muzzle to the wall by Thorin's cage.

"Wolves can last long without food." One of the guards replied, "If we're to keep him docile he's to stay hungry and learn not to bite the hand that feeds him."

Thorin growled in frustration but Bilbo simply settled himself on the floor, head resting in his forepaws as calm as ever. Kili had to wonder if he was still under the influence of the venom.

"You can't-"

"We can do as we please." The Elves cut Thorin off before walking away up the stairs, leaving the full company to their own devices, not that any of them spoke. At least not for several minutes when Bilbo lifted his head.

"It's alright." He insisted, "This is uncomfortable, but come night time I can get us all out of here. These manacles are built to fit a wolf, not a Hobbit."

"You'll slip out of them." Kili grinned.

"I'm just glad they didn't put me in a cage like you." Bilbo replied, "I'll find the keys and come back to free you, then we can get out."

Kili's spirits lifted for a moment, only to plummet when his uncle finally spoke.

"So, Mr. Baggins, when did you plan on informing us about you…ability?"

Kili saw Bilbo flinch from across the room.

"I…"

"Did you enjoy fooling us?" Thorin snapped, Bilbo's ears dropped.

"I wanted to tell you." He replied finally, "I was afraid…afraid of what you might think of me. There were…are those who think Skinchangers like Beorn and I are nothing more than beasts. My clan, wolves like me, were not especially popular, not even in the Shire."

"Many years ago a great freeze occurred and the rivers and lake froze over. Wolves, normal ones, practically laid siege to the Shire. We didn't do anything, but many Hobbits still fear wolves, even if those wolves happen to be other Hobbits."

There was silence after that as their Elven guards reappeared on their rounds and Bilbo curled up with his back to them and stayed quiet.

-oOo-

It was late at night, at least Bilbo assumed it was, when he finally heard the sounds of music and laughter above them. It was faint even to his ears, but he knew if ale or wine was being drunk, now was the time for him to move.

"Thorin, I hate to ask…" he said with trepidation, "But you're the closest and well, my clothes were ripped to shreds when I changed. Could I, borrow your cloak? Just, throw it within reach of me."

Bilbo pawed at the floor nervously, actually slight surprised when Thorin did indeed throw his cloak onto the floor. Which Bilbo gratefully grabbed and dragged over himself with a little difficulty, not having thumbs was always an issue in this form. Finally, he had the heavy material draped over his back, in this form it hardly covered much but it would do. He could feel everybody's eyes on him now so with a sigh he changed back. He heard a few of the Dwarves gasp as the fur and size of his wolf form receded into his usual Hobbit body. He was grateful to have his dexterity back and quickly fastened Thorin's cloak to hide his nakedness,

"Oh it's wonderful to have that manacle of my face." He sighed in relief, rubbing at his sore nose.

"Are you sure you'll be able to find the key?" Bofur asked looking concerned.

Bilbo just smiled, "Hobbit's go unnoticed all the time, so long as the guards don't come down to check us and see me gone, they won't even know I'm out and about."

"Be careful." Thorin warned with his usual straight face. Bilbo just nodded and then slunk back up the stairs.

In all honesty, Bilbo wasn't sure how he was going to get them out. He'd done his best to sound confident but getting the key to their cages was only the first step, after they were out, how would they get out of Mirkwood unseen? Fortunately finding the key also gave the Hobbit the answer.

He just prayed the Dwarves knew how to swim…