An: Thanks for the nice reviews C: I'm still thrilled about all the followers! This is a bit longer chapter again. I hope you like it.

I will start a babysitting-work soon and tomorrow I will go meet the kids I will babysit, but I don't know how much time that will engulf so I might update less after this chapter. Or might be that I won't! Anyways, just a heads-up if I do start to update less, like once a week instead of twice.

The house had five rooms. When you came in, there was a short corridor with three doors in it and some paintings on the walls - one of the doors lead to toilet, one of them lead to living room and one of them lead outside.

The living room wasn't big or fancily decorated. It only had a couple of soft armchairs and a really low, wooden table with red candles on it. Two big windows were located behind the armchairs, opposite the wall with two doors. These two doors lead to the bedroom of the couple and another lead to kitchen. Both of this rooms had a huge window in it, and they were nicer in many ways. Well-decorated and open, with beautifully crafted furniture in both of them. The double-bed the couple owned looked heavenly soft and with the dark wood it was also really expensive-looking. The kitchen had a long, wooden table and benches in the middle of it, surrounded by kitchen cabinets and counters.

Lora and Michel were both still deep asleep when Kili woke up. It was mid-day, Kili guessed, because the sun was high on the sky already, and the dwarf couldn't help but wonder what was the last time he had slept that long.

He lied on his back, staring at the living room ceiling. It felt good to just relax, and so he shut his eyes once again.

Somehow he drifted off again, because the next time he opened his eyes the couple was already up. Lora, the woman, was in the kitchen preparing food, and Michel, the man, was sitting in the bedroom of theirs. He looked like he was struggling to stay awake, because he held his head in his hands and groaned every few seconds.

"Good morning", Kili said as he made his way to the kitchen, and received a quick, somewhat awkward smile in return. Thinking that the best thing he could do was to be as polite as he could, he opened his mouth again. "I don't think I mentioned this yesterday, but your home is really nice. Have you decorated it yourself?"

Lora chuckled and shook her head. "No, unfortunately I haven't. We got this house after my husband's parents passed -this was their home before that- and we haven't changed this a lot. I would like to make this look like me, but he insists that in order to honor their memory, we should keep this the way it is now." She ended her sentence with another smile before turning back to the vegetables on the table.

"Oh, well his parents did good job on the house", Kili told, even if he didn't really think so, and fell quiet. He wasn't sure what to say.

Later that day, when they were all three by the table eating meat and potatoes, Michel cleared his throat and looked at Kili in a very serious way, and immediately tons of different, scary scenarios ran through the dwarf's mind. Did he know about the elves and that Kili had been lying to them? Was he about to kick Kili out? Would he take Kili to the nearest town and hand them over to the guards?

Thankfully the man spoke before Kili could pass out from distress.

"As you probably noticed, I am not very happy that you are here", the man begun, eyeing Kili with his huge, blue eyes. "My wife, however, wants to help you, and I will listen to her wish. We will help you -give you medicine for your injuries, make sure you have enough food and rent you a pony- but we do need a payment for the help. I am a poor woodcutter and my wife helps the elderly for little money sometimes, and so we don't have enough to help you without you giving something as return. I wish we did, but we don't."

That left Kili somewhat uncertain although relieved. Did the man want money? Did he want Kili to work in order to pay it back to them? Naturally he would do something for the help - he had never thought that the people would help him and want nothing in return. The only problem was how. Kili had no money, no gold, nothing that could actually be used to buy things.

"And what exactly do you need?" Kili asked, ducking his head a little before looking up to the man again.

"First I thought about work", the man explained, "but I am positive that my employee would not hire a dwarf. He is rather doubtful when it comes to other races, he trusts no one but men he knows. The village nearest is small as well - they don't need any more workers. A couple of shopkeepers, a huntsman and a craftsman is all we have. So handing us money is the only thing I can think of. If you pay half, we will pay the other half."

Mahal.. Kili thought. I have no money. What now? I need their help.

Not thinking about it, Kili opened his mouth. "Thorin Oakenshield is my uncle", he said, closing his eyes for a second. "We are a wealthy family - if you help me now, he will generously reward you. I give my word for it."

He opened his eyes and saw that Michel seemed to freeze. Many knew of Thorin Oakenshield, and even though it wasn't always wise to tell people about it, as many disliked his father and grandfather, these two didn't seem to. And even if they did, who would say no to a generous reward, even if it came from someone they hated?

A few heartbeats passed in silence, and Kili grew anxious. He needed someone's help or he would suffer during his way home - and on foot the journey would take twice as long than on a pony.

"How generous?" asked the man finally. Kili let out a breath he didn't know he had held before answering.

"More than you will spend on helping me", he told the man and forced a reassuring grin on his lips. "He is worried about me, and when I return and tell him that you have aided me, he will be more than happy to do that."

Nothing of that was a lie, so Kili was relieved that Michel seemed to really consider it. Lora smiled a little at Kili when their eyes met, and she gave the dwarf a short nod of approval. Kili flashed a quick smile back before turning his head back to Michel. "So, is this arrangement fine for you? I give my word - your help won't go unrewarded. I would be hungry and cold if it weren't for you."

Michel nodded, looking at Kili in a pleased way. "This sounds fine. I trust your word, Kili, as you have done nothing for me to believe otherwise."

Kili sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"You will have to thank my beautiful wife. I wouldn't have let you enter in the first place", Michel said and grinned for the first time, and Lora shifted where he sat next to Michel, blushing a little. "I am happy that we can help you."

This sweet talk was all due to the fact that they would get a big reward, and they all knew it, but Kili couldn't have cared less. He would get everything he needed for his journey home, and that was all that mattered. Sure, Kili knew that someone else could have helped him as well, but maybe no one else would have, only Mahal knew that.

"I will ride to the village tomorrow to get you everything you need", Michel informed Kili as he rose from the table. "You may spend this night here, as well, and tomorrow you will be able to leave, if everything goes well."

Kili nodded, eyeing the man as he left the kitchen, digging into his food again.

xx

Legolas was relieved to finally reach the palace. He had gotten enough of the woods for a little while. He was annoyed at Gwaen - no, more than annoyed, he was almost angry with Gwaen for his arrogance and the way he had acted - but he was also worried what his father might think if he believed Gwaen's word over his own. Thranduil was a complicated elf, and even Legolas could never know how he would react to different things. Somehow Thranduil could always surprise him. That was partially why he didn't make assumptions - whatever he guessed, his father would do the exact opposite.

There was a good side in all of that, as well, though. Gwaen hadn't told the other guards anything. Legolas was almost sure that most of the guards would have believed their chief of the guard, although he wasn't sure of Roden or Úron. The two young guards both seemed to dislike Gwaen, Úron a little more than Roden, but both nevertheless.

As they got to the stables and handed their horses to the elf guarding them, Legolas caught a glimpse of Gwaen, looking as haughty as always, and something just snapped in the prince's head. He had had enough of Gwaen's attitude, as if he was better than everyone. He wasn't the prince, Legolas was, and last time Legolas checked, princes were treated with respect. That meant that even the oh so majestic and royal Gwaen had to respect Legolas, which he had failed to do.

"Gwaen, could I talk to you?" Legolas asked, trying his best to keep his face expressionless.

"Of course", the head of the guard answered, eyeing Legolas as the prince motioned the others to leave. As the others, excluding the elf looking after the horses, were gone, Legolas sprint forward and pushed Gwaen against the nearest tree.

Gwaen gasped as his back hit the trunk and for a second he felt like he would fall to his side, but quickly he steadied himself. This situation was familiar to him already.

The elf looking after the ponies saw what was happening and quickly escaped to the stables, muttering something about feeding the horses. Legolas waited until the elf was gone before he opened his mouth, not wanting him to hear their conversation.

"I am giving you a fair warning", Legolas begun, his voice low and full of anger as he stared into the eyes of Gwaen. "Do what you must - I don't care what you tell or don't tell my father, but remember that I am not a guard. I am not one of those elves you can bully around and threaten - I am your prince, and you will treat me that way."

"Is your ego hurt?" Gwaen asked, laughing a little. "I'm sorry, my prince, but I cannot take you seriously after this whole thing with the dwarf. And do not worry about what I will do - everyone will hear about it. Not a single elf in Mirkwood will have to wonder why the dwarf is gone, because everyone will know that their prince freed the hostage."

Legolas had to use every bit of his self-control not to hit the dwarf he was still violently gripping by the collar. He wanted to throw Gwaen on the ground and lock him outside the palace and never let him in again, but he would not. He wouldn't be as pathetic as Gwaen.

"I wonder what everyone will think when they know that their chief of guard has abused and beaten an innocent dwarf countless of times", Legolas answered, releasing Gwaen a bit harshly. "As I said, do what you must, as I will do the same. Just remember your place."

With that he walked away and into the palace.

It didn't take many hours for Úron to come running to Legolas. The concerned look on the young guard's face made Legolas realize what the news would be - but he decided to play dumb for some reason, and so when Úron reached the prince, Legolas asked what was the problem.

"Your father wants to see you", Úron said, going straight to the point. "He told me it was urgent, and he didn't look very pleased. I suggest that you go there immediately, or he will probably murder me."

Legolas chuckled, shaking his head. "He wouldn't do that. Do you happen to know why he is so angry today?"

"No, but I saw Gwaen exiting just before the guard by the doors told me to go in, so I think it might have something to do with Kili", Úron said in all honesty, his heart racing in his chest. "I'm not sure."

"That is a pretty good guess", Legolas muttered as he eyed the young guard. Úron seemed too nervous - as if there was something the kid was hiding. "Is there anything I should know?"

A few seconds passed in silence, as Úron tried to look for words. He wasn't sure if he could tell the prince about how he had helped the dwarf - he still doubted that Legolas would have helped Kili escape, but on the other hand he believed it. It was all so hard.

Screw it, Úron thought. "I, uhmm.. I found Kili from the Rocky Pond and I let him go." His voice was a mere whisper so none of the passing elves would hear it. He could feel his heart starting to race even harder - he had said it, and now he would end up in deep trouble. He knew it. Oh God, why had he said it?

"Okay", Legolas said and nodded, an amused look in his eyes. Somehow he wasn't surprised. "And?"

"And?" asked Úron. "Are you not mad at me for helping him? I let him escape."

"Well, there are worse things you could have done", Legolas answered before walking away with a wink, leaving Úron alone and unsure. He felt surprised, happy and relieved at the same time, and it was all so confusing, the mess of feelings, but it was mostly positive so Úron let it go and left with a sigh.

xx

Legolas drew in a deep breath before pushing the doors to his father's room open, stepping in. He noticed that Thranduil was standing in front of his throne, his back to Legolas, but as soon as Legolas had shut the doors, he turned around, eyeing his son.

"How was your travel?" asked Thranduil, sitting down as Legolas started to approach his father.

"I believe it went fine. We were attacked by a goblin raid, but we finished them. I think that was the raid we heard of - so now it has been taken care of."

"I am relieved to hear that", Thranduil answered dryly, sighing. "I am hoping that you will not lie to me after I ask this. Is it true, what the head of the guard told me? I suppose you know about it, because he told me that you have been pushing him against trees a lot lately."

Finally reaching his father, Legolas stopped, staring at him. He knew he would have to tell the truth and accept the consequences, there was no way around it. He had known what he was doing, he had known that he was doing against his father's will, he had known that he wouldn't get away with it. Now was the time to accept it as a fact.

Ducking his head, Legolas nodded. "Yes. It is true, whatever he told you", he said, meeting his father's curious eyes. "I couldn't approve your plan to kill him, and I had to do something. When the goblins came, I told him to run and so he left. I do not know where he is now, but I hope he is safe and far away."

Silence fell on them for a moment, but something in Thranduil's eyes told Legolas that his father wasn't angry or disappointed. It was odd, but he felt hope growing inside of him.

"Do the other guards know about this?" Thranduil asked finally, standing up.

"No, they do not, and I hope to keep it that way, although I cannot control Gwaen from telling them", Legolas explained, backing away a step.

"That is good", Thranduil said, ducking his head a little as he thought. The few seconds the silence lasted felt like an eternity to Legolas, as the agony of not knowing flashed inside him. He was still hopeful, although every passing second seemed to make him feel worse.

Finally Thranduil nodded. "We should keep it that way. I am not blaming you in any way, Legolas, it is good that you let the dwarf escape. Killing him would have been highly unnecessary and brutal, and I am sad that I realize it this late. I will make sure that nobody believes Gwaen's word of what happened - I am also aware of the incidents between Gwaen and the dwarf, and I will make sure that he answers for those."

Legolas could hardly keep himself from reminding his father that it was his stupidity that led to all of this in the first place, but he knew that Thranduil would never admit it, and that this was the best he would ever get. But that was better than he would have ever hoped for, and a wide smile spread on his face. "Thank you, father."

"Make sure to inform Aíthon of this", Thranduil said with a wave of an hand before sitting down again. "He deserves to know the truth, as he became close with the dwarf. Everyone else will come to believe that the dwarf was killed by the goblins."

Nodding, Legolas swirled around and left, not believing what he had just heard. That couldn't have been his father.

The next chapter will be more about Kili, I promise! There just wasn't a lot to tell about him in this chapter, tbh.

Here is a secret for you guys - the choices Thranduil made, the choices I planned for this fic, are because of the plot. There is always the thing that goes pretty much like -okay, so I need Kili to be held as a hostage in Mirkwood, but why? There must be a reason. Same goes for -why did Legolas take Kili with them, because it was absolutely unnecessary and only bothers the guards? There must be a reason for that, as well. If Thranduil had been a loving, accepting, nice leader from the very first met, this fic would have gone like;

Kili and Fili travel home from Iron Hills. "Oh no, we don't get to stay the night in Lake-Town. Okay, we'll sleep next to the river. Oh no, elves took me! Oh okay, Thrandy is nice, I'll just return to Fili then. He scolds me for putting myself in danger but at the end of the day we laugh at it. We travel back home." THE END.

Anyways, I love all of the reviews and I so get why so many of you have told me about the elves, but I promise, it has all been for the sake of the plot. Don't hate me. :C I wanted to speak about this earlier, but I figured that I would spoil too much stuff if I did, so it's here now.

Leave a review! What do you think will happen to Gwaen? ;)