Chapter 29

That evening, Legolas and Lindir were summoned to the dining hall. Ember flatly refused to go, and felt sorry for the servant who had to relay that message to the king. The servant returned to state that the king's reply was to forbid any food from being brought to her quarters; she either dined with him, or not at all. Although she felt her stomach rumble with hunger, she strengthened her resolve and dismissed the servant. Perhaps it was being childish, she thought, but the more Thranduil underestimated her, the better. Let him think she was still the child he remembered. He would receive an eye opening at the feast. She lay back on the bed, her mind racing. They hadn't figured out a way for her to avoid the feast, but a plan was being formulated on how they could free the others and escape. A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She rose, cautiously approaching the door. She was surprised to find the red-headed she-elf before her.

"Good evening, Yuula. I am Tauriel. May I speak with you a moment?" Ember warily allowed her into the room, leading her over to the table. "Forgive me, I know we have not been properly introduced. I am Captain of the King's Royal guard."

"I do not remember you from when I was young," Ember replied politely. Tauriel smiled.

"Yes, I was away visiting my kin in Lothlorien for many years before I came to the Woodland Realm. I believe you had just returned to Rivendell prior to my arrival." Ember nodded, then waited patiently. She was unsure what this elf wanted from her. "Yuula, as captain, I have certain responsibilities. One of them is that I am responsible for all of the prisoners." Ember's eyes widened.

"My friends? Are they well? Can I see them?" Tauriel laughed at her exuberance.

"Yuula, I believe I can arrange a visit to the dungeons. If you come with me now, the guard will be changing. I have taken the night watch, and so you should be able to visit for a brief time. I must stress to you," she continued sternly, "that any attempt to free the prisoners will be met with harsh punishment. I am trusting you to behave." Ember smiled.

"Why do you trust me? How do you know I won't attempt to overpower you and escape?" Ember asked curiously.

"Well, since there is no way you could overpower me, I am not concerned." Ember laughed lightly at the Elf's confidence. "But in truth, one of your Company is in no condition to travel." Ember's face fell, a look of worry creeping over her features.

"Kili," she said. The Elf nodded.

"He has regained consciousness, but the healer tells me he will need several days to recover." The elf studied her. "I sense he is precious to you." Ember smiled shyly, a faint blush reaching her cheeks. "Then let us away." Ember rose, grabbed a cloak, and led the elf from the room.

Kili lay on the cot in the dank dungeon, his food untouched. He was filled with worry for Ember. He could only hope that Bilbo would come up with a plan of escape. The little hobbit had appeared in the afternoon, telling them that he had seen Ember, and that while she seemed well physically, he had been forced to flee when Thranduil had arrived in her chambers. Kili had been wracked with worry ever since. He did not trust the Elf King, and while he did not think the Elf would harm Ember, he feared what she would be forced to do. The King was obviously aware of her powers, thanks to the traitor Lindir. Kili clenched his fists in anger. If he ever saw that Elf again, Mahal help him. He groaned quietly as his head pounded. Fili watched his brother from the floor of the dungeon, a small frown on his face. He knew Kili's head was still bothering him, and the bruise to his temple had turned quite black, but his younger brother was too stubborn to say anything. Fili tried to make sure he was eating and drinking, but Kili had been feeling quite nauseous since his awakening, a symptom of his concussion. Fili sighed, wishing he had a dagger to fiddle with. He leaned his head back against the stone walls, his mind drifting towards the red-haired elf. He was uncertain why she affected him so. Surely it was not romantic in nature, such a thing was not heard of between their peoples. And yet, he could not get her flaming red hair and emerald eyes out of his mind. That she seemed to be a warrior and yet still had the kindness of a lady made him smile. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard her soft footsteps approach. Kili flung himself from the cot and Fili looked at him in confusion. Kili stumbled to the cell door, he could feel her closeness, smell her scent even though she had not made her presence known. "Ember," he whispered longingly. Fili turned as Tauriel approached.

"I have a guest who wishes to speak with you," the elf smiled. She unlocked the cell door and stepped aside. Ember rushed forward into Kili's arms. They held each other, murmuring softly to one another. Fili smiled warmly at Tauriel.

"Thank you, my lady," he said, bowing deeply to the elf.

"I think they would like a moment of privacy. I would be willing to place you in another cell for a few moments, if you wish." Fili looked at her, grinning and nodded his acceptance. He made a move towards Thorin's cell, but she grabbed his arm lightly. "Nice try," she said amusedly, and he chuckled. She led him towards Bofur's cell, unlocked the door, allowing him to pass. Once inside, he clapped Bofur on the back, then turned to the elf.

"May I ask," Fili said with a soft look in his eyes, "why are you being so kind?" Tauriel studied him with a gentle smile.

"As Yuula is a kinsman to my King, I am honored to allow her to be close to those she loves. We elves are not entirely heartless, master Fili." Fili grinned at her.

"So….where have all my daggers gone?" he asked. She smiled.

"I had intended to store them with all of the other weapons of your Company, when I took a closer look at them. The craftsmanship is wondrous, strong yet beautiful." Fili watched her with pride as she drew forth one of his daggers. It had a golden hilt, intricately carved.

"Aye, 'tis one of my favorites as well," he said with a smile. "I forged that one for my first hunt, many years ago." She looked at him, interested.

"What did you hunt?" He looked at her in surprise. He could see the interest in her eyes.

"It is a long tale, my lady." She smiled cheekily.

"I am sure we have a bit of time," she said dryly, with a glance back to his old cell. He chuckled happily as she sat down on the ground outside the cell. Smiling, he did the same, and the other dwarves all listened in as he back to tell the story of when Thorin had taken him on his first hunt.

Meanwhile, Ember and Kili had not released each other. He inhaled her soft scent deeply, as she did the same. The feeling of finally being whole, of being connected again had returned. He kissed her deeply, his tongue lightly touching hers. It was a kiss of pure desperation, he was trying to convey all the feelings that he could not voice in that kiss, and Ember returned his emotions just as deeply. Finally, he drew back, filled with a warm glow, but dizzy from their embrace. She gently brought her fingers to lightly caress the bruising to his face. Silently, she led him over to the cot, laying him down gently. She lay beside him, running her hand underneath his tunic, resting it on his warm chest. He stroked her hair, her back, pulling her closer to him. He couldn't believe how empty he had felt without her, as if he had been carved hollow on the inside. He knew without speaking that she felt the same, and he sighed contentedly as she held him close. Finally, he spoke. "Vol kaon, are you well? Are you still injured?" She felt his thick fingers gently reach her shoulder, feeling the bandage around her arrow wound.

"It is almost healed, I feel no pain, miz khurdu. The pain in my soul without you was worse, almost unbearable," she replied. She looked up into his eyes, seeing his love for her reflected. "But now, I feel complete." She brought her lips to his again, and he caressed her cheek, before running his hand through her hair to cup the back of her head, locking them together. After breathless moments, she lay back down, softly stroking his chest. "And you, miz khurdu? How are you?" He could hear the worry in her voice.

"My head is fine, the healer said I should be well in a few days. Fili says my head is harder than an iron pot." She giggled at the analogy, and he moaned softly at the sweet sound. She lay her head on his heart, listening to its steady rhythm. Suddenly, she heard a loud rumble, and she laughed out loud.

"Hungry?" she asked. He smiled as she reached for the supper tray still in the cell. She brought a few grapes to his mouth, and he took them from her one at a time, locking his eyes on hers. She poured her love into her gaze, and he felt her power flow through him, warm and comforting.

"Tell me, vol kaon, have you had any contact with the King?" he asked, returning the favor and feeding her a small berry. As they gently fed each other, she explained her meeting with Thranduil. His eyes darkened at the King's demands, but she filled him in on the long talk she'd had with Legolas. "Your...cousin seems to be trustworthy," he said finally.

"Aye, with his help, and Lindir's, we shall figure out a way to escape." Kili sat up suddenly, nearly knocking Ember off of the small cot.

"Lindir?" he growled darkly. Ember studied him hesitantly.

"Kili, Lindir has seen the folly of his actions. He is-"

"He is a traitor! Did you forget how he attacked you? Nearly dishonored you? Then betrayed you to these barathaz daukhel?" She flinched at his harsh tone, but rose from the cot to face him, a hand on his arm.

"He is my friend. The fog of my power has lifted from his mind, he knows what he did was wrong. But he will help us escape."

"You are a doh if you believe that." He stopped, realizing what he had just said. She angrily pulled away from him, stalking to the cell door.

"Tauriel, I am ready to leave," she called furiously, her voice breaking. Kili cringed at her tone. He hadn't meant to insult her, he was only frustrated that he was stuck in here and she was forced to seek help from others, especially that Elf. No matter what she said, Kili could not trust the one who had so grievously hurt her. He sighed, swallowing his anger. He approached the cell door, running his fingers up her arms. She tried to shrug him off, but he refused, pulling her back into his chest. Forcing her to face him, he saw tears shining in her eyes, and his heart ached that he was the cause.

"Gajut men," he whispered. A tear slipped from her eye and he softly brushed it away with his thumb, gently caressing her cheek. "Menu tessu men, vol kaon. I did not mean to hurt you." She searched his anguished forest eyes, her own a clear pale blue. She sighed, relaxing into his embrace.

"Menu gajatu," she murmured. "But call me a doh again, and I will be forced to-"he cut her off, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss deepened, feeding a burning hunger inside them. Kili growled softly, moving his hands to her hips. She ran her hands under his tunic, over his chest. He brought one hand under her tunic, moving to caress her breast.

"Ahem." Tauriel stood outside the cell, a bemused smile on her face. Fili stood beside her, smothering a laugh. Kili looked at them darkly. "I apologize, Master dwarf, but Ember called that she was ready to leave." Ember giggled into Kili's chest.

"Besides, nadadith, there are certain things that I just don't need to see," his brother laughed. Kissing Kili's cheek, Ember pulled away as Tauriel opened the cell door. She paused to touch her forehead to Fili's…before punching him in the stomach. He groaned as he stumbled into the cell, his brother chuckling. Ember smiled sweetly as Tauriel closed the cell. Ember grasped Kili's hand through the bars, and he brought it to his lips, kissing each finger softly. They touched their foreheads to each other, both feeling a warmth spread over them. She slowly pulled away, their fingers touching until the last possible moment. She made her way to each cell, touching foreheads with each member of her family. The other dwarves felt heartened by her touch, and hope spread amongst them. They would escape this prison, of that they no longer had any doubt. It was only a matter of time. She touched her head to Thorin's lastly, and he cupped a hand behind her neck.

"Caku men Rasp?" he whispered to her, searching her eyes. She smiled at his concern.

"Rasup men," she replied. "He has not harmed me."

"Yet." His face was marked with worry. She put a hand to his cheek.

"Do not worry, thanu men," she murmured. "I am safe. Ohr meragen." He chuckled lightly, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I have no doubt, taal berch men. I have no doubt." She smiled at his term of endearment and, after casting one last look at Kili, she followed Tauriel out of the dungeon.

Fili and Kili sat quietly in the shadows of their cell, each brother's mind occupied with a woman. Kili had been amazed to discover that his headache was gone. He felt certain that Ember had healed him without even trying, and his heart was filled with love for her. She was amazing and she was HIS. He knew that once Erebor had been reclaimed, he would spend the rest of his long life by her side. He smiled happily at the thought, and peered over at his brother. He hadn't told his brother he was feeling better, he figured he needed one more night on the cot. He chuckled at the expression on his brother's face, one of confusion, as if there was a puzzle he could not figure out. The sound of soft footsteps approaching brought Fili to his feet and Kili closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. He had a pretty good idea who was outside their door.

Fili smiled as Tauriel came to the cell door. She returned his smile, then seemed to grow...nervous? Fili was confused, wondering at her actions. She seemed almost...shy. Tauriel had the same thought running through her mind. Why did this golden haired dwarf make her feel so nervous? She had never known that dwarves were so...so...intriguing. She had found his tale of his first hunt earlier in the evening to be enthralling. It amazed her that he seemed to be a cunning warrior, much like herself, yet still had a kindness about him. He cared for his brother and his kin deeply. Tauriel had been told that all dwarves were ruthless, cruel and greedy. Yet this dwarf was funny and caring. Gathering her nerve, she took a deep breath. "Master Fili," she began, "I...I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your tale earlier this evening." Fili grinned in delight. It had been quite the tale, and he may have embellished a little.

"Maybe one day you will be able to tell me about your first hunt," he said. She smiled brightly.

"I wondered...do you have a tale for each of your daggers?" she asked shyly.

"Pretty much. My brother thinks that I have too many, but they are like my memories. I need only look at one, and be reminded when I first crafted it, where I first used it, what adventure I had..." he trailed off.

"Well..since the watch is quite quiet..." she stopped as a loud snore from Bombur made them both laugh. "I wondered whether you could tell me some more of your tales." He studied her, raising an eyebrow.

"Surely you have had greater adventures than I, Tauriel." She seemed pleased at the use of her name.

"Indeed I have had many adventures, but I have not often ventured beyond the Woodland Realm or Lothlorien." She sat down outside the cell. "I would truly like to hear some more about your lands, your adventures." He sat down by the cell door.

"Hmm…let's see. Kili and I saw a fire moon once." He glanced back into the shadows to his brother, who thankfully was asleep like the rest of the Company. Tauriel looked fascinated, so he continued. "It rose over the pass near Dunland, huge; red and gold it was, filled the sky. We were an escort for some merchants from Ered Luin, they were trading in Silverbuck for furs. We took the Greenway south, keeping the mountain to our left, and then, this huge fire moon, right in our path." Kili smiled to himself in the dark as he heard his brother talk away. Fili did not often tell tales, which is the reason he kept his daggers as his memories. The fact that he was so comfortable talking to this Elf amused Kili greatly. He would be sure to tease him in the morning. Sighing softly, he drifted off to sleep to the sound of his brother's voice. Unbeknownst to them all, one member of the Company was still awake. Thorin watched darkly from the depths of his cell as his nephew and heir chatted companionably with the she-elf. Fili would have some explaining to do, should they ever get free from this wretched place.

The days flew by. Legolas, Lindir and Ember tried desperately to come up with a plan, and while they devised a strategy to have Ember flee during the Feast of Starlight, they could not see a way to free the dwarves. Ember had been forced to meet with Thranduil daily. He forced her to display her gifts on his servants, devising different ways for her to control them. He even had a large elven soldier come at her with a sharp blade. Ember, who was weaponless, managed to dodge the Elf long enough to gain control, forcing him to approach Thranduil menacingly. Thranduil had distracted the Elf long enough to slap Ember across the face, breaking the connection. After warning her against such foolish actions, he threatened to have the entire Company whipped should she disobey him again. Thankfully, Ember had so far managed to keep her ability to control fire buried deep inside, though Thranduil berated her for holding back. He could sense her power core, and his lust for power gave him a deep craving need to see what she could do. Ember knew she couldn't hold out much longer. She was able to see the dwarves only twice more, when Tauriel had the night watch. It was during these moments with her family that she recovered her strength, with Kili holding her through the bars, listening as they all told stories of their past. Tauriel was unable to allow Ember to enter the cell again, as she was never alone on the watch. The Company was frustrated that an escape plan had not been found, but they trusted Ember, who told them to be ready for anything the night of the Feast.

The night before the Feast, she bid goodnight to Legolas and flopped down on her bed. She was anxious of what the next day would bring, but if it would only give her and the Company freedom, then whatever happened she could endure. Softly, the door to her chamber opened by an unseen hand. Ember smiled. Bilbo had been quite a little burglar about the Woodland Realm, bringing the dwarves extra food that he had managed to swipe from the kitchen. The little hobbit slept nightly on the small couch in her room, but he kept his ring on in case someone entered quickly. Ember had finally told Legolas about the hobbit, and while they had yet to meet, Legolas was happy to know Ember had an extra mind thinking of an escape. After ensuring that she was alone, Bilbo removed the ring, racing towards her. "Ember!" he said excitedly. "I've got it!" He proceeded to tell her his master plan. Ember sat back a moment, then clapped him on the shoulder.

"Brilliant, my dear hobbit," she laughed. "Brilliant!"

vol kaon - blue eyes

miz khurdu - my heart

barathaz daukhel - bloody elves

doh - fool

Gajut men - Forgive me

Menu tessu men, vol kaon -You are everything to me blue eyes

Menu gajatu - I forgive you

Caku men Rasp -How are you?

Rasup men - I am okay

thanu men - my King

Ohr meragen - I am making friends

taal berch men - my fire daughter

Hopefully another chapter this week! Please review! I own nothing except Ember, all credit to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson, etc.