AN: Thanks so much to all of you for your lovely reviews and follows! I appreciate it so much!
IMPORTANT:Please note in the chapters what time period each section is taking place. This whole chapter is in the present, but in past chapters and future chapters I will be jumping around from past to present. If you don't pay attention, some of it might not make sense to you. But this chapter will be easy to follow as it is all in present time.
Also just a reminder that I will deviate A LOT from the movie and the book to fit my plot.
Disclaimer: Not mine
Warnings: Mild gore at the end of the chapter.
PS: No beta for this story, so excuse the mistakes!
PRESENT
Bilbo after putting his golden ring on, stood behind two elves unseen and watched with anxiety and despair as each dwarf was bound one by one by. The dwarfs were disarmed and herded into a cluster while Thorin and Legolas stood to the side. He moved closer to the two of them as quiet as a mouse hoping to hear the conversation.
"Why do you enter our forest dwarf?" Legolas spat.
"My business is my own elf." Thorin replied with as much vehemence as possible. "I do not expect you to…" His voice suddenly faltered as he stepped closer to Legolas and peered up at him. "You! You are Legolas, son of Thranduil. You came with your kin to provide aid to the city of Dale after Smaug had leveled it."
Legolas blinked, staring hard at Thorin until recognition lit his eyes. His face became tight. "I remember your face now as well Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin turned and looked around at the company of elves.
"She is not here." Legolas said softly.
Throin looked back sharply and swallowed. "I am sure I do not know of whom you speak."
Legolas shook his head. "Not only a thief, but a liar. Do not think your attraction of her went unnoticed dwarf or hers for you. Though I cannot imagine why nor see anything of use in you."
"You said she is not here." Thorin said ignoring his insult. "Where is she?"
Legolas swallowed hard no longer able to keep eye contact with Thorin. He turned away and said nothing. Throin stepped towards him again.
"Where is she, elf?" Thorin demanded.
Legolas still did not answer. He kept his back to Thorin. Thorin could feel the anxiety and dread begin to wash over him. He turned frantically to look at the other elves who were staring at both Legolas and Thorin.
"Where is the Lady Tauriel?" Thorin demanded, stepping forward and towards the elves who stood silent. "Where is she?" He yelled staring from one expressionless face to another. He turned back to Legolas and stalked towards him, placing his hand on the elf's arm. "Please…I know that there is no love lost between us, but I must know where she is…what has happened to her…Legolas please speak."
Legolas turned slowly and seemed to be unaware that Thorin was holding his arm. There were unshed tears in the Prince's eyes. Thorin's eyes widened and he stepped back in horror.
"No…she cannot be…"Thorin found he could not find the words.
An elf from behind him stepped forward and said the words that Legolas could not. "She was taken…long ago…"
Thorin whirled around. "Taken? By whom? Taken where? To what purpose?"
Oropher glanced at Legolas who nodded. "She was taken by Smaug into the Lonely Mountain 153 years ago."
Thorin reared back slightly. "Smaug…" He repeated softly. "Smaug…" He looked up at Oropher. "Why was she taken?"
"Because he is a dragon." Legolas said softly. "And they covet what is most beautiful and precious in the world."
"Why did you not save her from him?" Thorin asked, his voice wavering with emotion. "How could you let that beast have her?"
"Do you not think we tried?" Legolas shouted. "We tried over and over again and were thwarted every time. We lost hundreds trying to take her back from the fiend. And now it is too late…much too late. The only peace I have is that she no longer suffers."
"What do you mean?" Thorin asked barely above a whisper.
Legolas started to speak, but could not, the grief was threatening to engulf him again.
"She has passed on from this world." Oropher said.
"Dead?" Thorin asked.
Oropher shook his head. "In her grief, she faded from this life."
Thorin looked at Legolas, his eyes pleading with him to say different. "She is gone…" Thorin said. "And I never told her…." He stopped swallowing hard. He looked over at his dwarven friends who all stared at him in confusion with the exception of Balin who wore his grief on his face.
"I…"Thorin paused. "Let us be done with this elf. Take us where you will." His voice was hard and angry.
"We will take them to the King." Legolas said to his kin.
Thranduil waited silently for Thorin to answer his question. The dwarf stared ahead with a troubled expression. He turned to look at his son who stood beside the throne also with a troubled expression.
"I will have you tell me what has conspired between the two of you, for both of you look as solemn as the grave." Thranduil said.
Thorin seemed to stir at his voice and looked up at the elven King. "What?"
Thranduil frowned. "What is the meaning of this dourness? Legolas? Speak!"
"I…he…"Legolas seemed to have trouble finding the words.
"He informed me of the fate of an old acquaintance." Thorin spoke for him. "One of whom we were both fond of."
"You speak of Tauriel?" Thranduil said with a gentleness that surprised his son. "What was she to you dwarf?"
"Star light…" Thorin said. "An unrivaled beauty whose heart was a fair as was her face."
Thranduil's expression became incredulous. "You…loved her?"
Thorin looked up at Thranduil, the emotion clearly evident on his face. "Yes by Aule! And I was a fool for never telling her, though it would've mattered not to her."
Suddenly Thorin began to pace. "Why do you ask me these questions. Surely the great Thranduil could not be made to care what is in a dwarf's heart. Speak what is truly on your mind. You wish to know of my quest I am sure, but I will not tell you. As I told your son, my business is my own."
Thranduil regarded him for a moment. "Very well, I will speak to you of your quest. But I already know its purpose. You would seek to claim back the Kingdom that belonged to your grandfather. You come here in the pretense of honor and glory, but I know your heart. The arkenstone is truly what you desire for you believe it will bestow upon you the right to rule."
"I do not need that stone to bestow upon me the right. I am the true heir and I will see my grandfather's and my father's Kingdom restored and our homeland returned to my people."
Thranduil waved his hand dismissively. "Alright perhaps your quest does contain an honorable purpose, but do not think to deceive me dwarf. I know that you do in fact yearn for the arkenstone. I have a proposition to make."
Thorin smiled knowingly. "I am listening."
"There are gems that I greatly desire as well buried underneath the Lonely Mountain. Great white and silver stones, made from starlight. My heart desires them as your does the arkenstone. I will give you weapons, supplies, anything you need for your quest if you will return to me what is mine."
Thorin started to speak, but paused. He stepped towards Thranduil and spoke. "Before I give you my answer…I have a question."
Thranduil nodded. "Very well."
"One of your elves tells me she would have succumbed to grief…how long would she have had to stay with that beast? How long would she have been alone and suffered?"
Thranduil's expression became guarded, but the grief shone bright in his eyes. "Why do you ask me this? What difference would it make to you? Would it lessen your grief any?"
"I cannot bear the thought of her lingering in the dark with that wretched creature." Thorin said, his eyes simmering with unshed tears. "I know you have no love for my kind and I no love for yours, but I am no fool. I can see the pain on your face at the mere memory of her. We share the same pain…if through your hatred of me you could find some pity within you to put me from my misery…please…I must know…tell me she did not suffer long."
Thranduil swallowed hard and turned away from Thorin. He walked slowly back to his throne. He took several deep breaths to calm his mind. He knew in his heart that he could give Thorin no absolute answer, but he also knew that Tauriel's suffering would have been great indeed. She could have lingered many years in her grief before finally passing on into peace.
And though Thranduil did not have any love for dwarves he could indeed feel pity in his heart for this dwarf that stood before him so clearly with sickness of heart. The dwarf did love Tauriel and she had been fond of him.
Thranduil turned and sat down on his thrown. It was not in an elf's nature to be deceitful, but on this day, Thranduil had no difficulties in being so.
"She did not linger long Thorin Oakenshield. Her grief would have saved her from Smaug shortly after he had taken her."
Thorn's body at once eased. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply his relief. The tears he had been holding at bay rolled down his cheeks. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at Thranduil. "Thank you."
Thranduil bowed his head slightly. "I have given you your answer, now you will answer me. What say you? Will you accept my offer in return for what is mine?"
Thorin swallowed hard. Every inch of him was screaming to throw the offer back into the elf king's face. Thranduil had refused to come when Smaug had attacked the Lonely Mountain. He had turned his back on the dwarves and betrayed them all, but yet he had sent aid later.
Thorin was sure that was because of the pleading of Tauriel, but help came none the less.
"Very well. I accept." Thorin said though the words tasted bitter in his mouth.
Fili and Kili stood beside Balin watching Thorin speaking with Legolas while elves were loading boats with supplies needed for the journey.
"Why are we accepting help from the elves?" Fili asked Balin. "Uncle says that they are the ones who betrayed us to begin with?"
"Let the past stay in the past lad. They are offering us much needed help now and ask only for what is theirs to be returned." The elder dwarf answered.
"But what if they betray us again?" Fili asked.
Balin sighed. "Thranduil never betrayed us boy. What good would it have done to send his people to help in the fight with Smaug? It would have brought nothing but more death. Elves would be turned to ash as well as men and dwarves. The elven King made a decision for his people and found the risk too great. Afterwards, he sent aid to Dale and the dwarves."
Fili looked at Balin as if he were still not convinced but said nothing more about it. Instead he asked another question. "Who is Tauriel?"
Balin's expression became a sad one. "She was a lovely creature. She was kind and brave and…that is all I will say about it lad. Do not ask me again."
Fili nodded. "Alright."
"And if you are wise, you will not speak her name to Thorin." Balin added warily.
Dwalin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, and Oin came to stand beside Kili, Fili, and Balin.
"Did you ever believe that Thorin Oakenshield would willing accept the help of elves?" Bifur asked.
"No and I still cannot believe it!" Dwalin spat. "This is madness is what it is! Trusting these pointy eared mercenaries!"
"Peace brother." Balin warned. "These pointy eared mercenaries can hear so well they could find you by your breath in the dark. I for one and thankful to have the supplies they offer."
"Thankful until they stab you in the back!" Dwalin snapped.
"If I were going to stab you Master Dwarf, I would not do so in your back." Oropher said from behind coming to stand beside them. The dark haired elf smiled cheerfully down at the sour dwarf. "Does it not take more energy to maintain your cynicism and mistrust than it would to attempt to see the good in others?"
"Goodness is of little use in the world laddie!" Dwalin said. "This world is hard and unforgiving so you must be as well or else get crushed under foot."
Before Oropher could respond, Thorin called to Dwalin.
"Dwalin!" Thorin called out. "Find Bilbo and let us go."
Bilbo shifted uncomfortably as Thranduil stared down at him from his throne. "Um yes…so I should probably get back to the others."
"Why a hobbit?" Thranduil asked.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Mithrandir choosing a hobbit. Why do you think that was?" The elf King asked.
"Um…I think because I am small and light on my feet…I'm not really sure." Bilbo admitted.
Thranduil smiled. "Mithrandir is wise. Whatever his reasons they are sound. You are a very brave little creature."
"Well I don't know about that. I…"
"My son has told me that you slayed three of the giant spiders on your own." Thranduil said. "That, little hobbit takes courage for one as small as you."
"Yes well I couldn't leave my friends now could I?" Bilbo said clearly uncomfortable with the King's appraisal of him.
"You still have a part to play in all of this Bilbo Baggins of Bag End." Said the King. "I have learned in my long life to never underestimate simply because of size or gender for that matter. I have heard of the courage of hobbits long before I ever laid eyes on one. You will do great things little Hobbit, great things indeed." Thranduil stood and waved his hand, summoning a servant who was standing close by. The elf came forward carrying a small silver bottle. Thranduil took it from him and approached Bilbo.
"Take this Bilbo Baggins." Thranduil said handing it to the hobbit.
"What is it?" Bilbo asked staring at the beauty of the carvings on the bottle.
"It is an ancient elvish remedy. Use but a drop and it will heal the deepest wound or sickness. It is a very rare elixir and there is little of it left in Middle Earth. Use it wisely little hobbit. Now go and join your friends. I bid you farewell."
Bilbo looked up at the King and back down at the bottle in his hands. "Thank you." He said softly and turned without another word and left the King.
Smaug tugged at the chain which was embedded in the stone to make sure that it still held tight. He turned and walked back to Tauriel who was still huddled in the corner, her back to him. Smaug picked up the chain closest to her and pulled testing the strength of it. It held firm. Slowly he reached down and grasped her ankle and tugged at the shackle around it. It too held strong.
He traced his finger along the side of her foot. He enjoyed how small and dainty her foot looked in his hand. Slowly he ran his finger up the pad of her foot watching closely for any reaction from her. She gave him none. She was used to him touching her whenever he pleased and this time was no different. She could not physically stop him, but she did not have to give him any more power over her by reacting to him.
He sighed deeply when she did not stir. He placed her foot back gently and knelt down beside her. He ran his fingers through her silky hair before brushing it back and away from her face with his hand. He leaned over her and placed a kiss on her temple. Still she did not stir.
"Why can you not accept me?" He asked her softly. "After all the years. I have given you everything that you could possibly desire."
"Except for the one thing I want most of all." She answered him.
"I will never give you your freedom Tauriel."
"And I will never accept you…not ever…you are vile and wicked." She spat out still facing away from him. "I hate you. I will always hate you."
"What if the price of your freedom was your love?" He asked.
She laughed without humor. "You, who has no heart, you, who are incapable of mercy? You who is incapable of love? What good would it do you to have my heart? Your heart is cold…a barren wasteland full of nothing but blackness and evil. I do not need you to give me my freedom. I am dying! Soon I will be rid of you and free."
Smaug sighed deeply, stroking her hair gently. He kissed her once more and stood, moving away from her.
He stood in the middle of the great treasure hall and waited. Suddenly, his body convulsed, pitching him forward. He cried out in agony as his body began to change. His muscles and tendons ripped from the sockets and joints. His bones began to elongate themselves. His flesh began to tear away from his body to be replaced with scales.
He cried out over and over as the horrendous pain tore through his body, jerking and tossing him about. He ripped at the mop of brown curls on his head, crying out as he ripped the hair from the roots. The skin at his skull split and the scales underneath protruded growing in size. He cried out over and over until his cries became roars that thundered through the mountain shaking it down to its very foundation. Soon the great beast collapsed to the golden floor, gasping for air. Overcome by exhaustion Smaug did not even bother to cover himself with his gold and jewels. His eyes closed and his breath slowed as sleep overtook him once more.
Leave a review please! Thanks again and hugs!