Chapter Five

Ingenious Escape Routes

Disclaimer: I own nothing. (Though I am now the proud owner of The Battle of the Five Armies dvd J)

A/N: I just wanted to mention that regarding the POV swaps, that when a sentence ends and immediately thereafter is a character's name in bold, for example :

"How could I forget?" said Tauriel.

Kili

Then it means that there was no time jump, the story is just being told from a different perspective now. However, if there is an xxx before the name, then there was a time jump, however slight. For example

"How could I forget?" said Tauriel.

Xxx

Kili

Right, and with my boring author's note out of the way, on with the story!

Elros

"These empty barrels should've been sent back to Escaroth hours ago, the bargeman will be waiting for them" he swore Aldois was becoming lazier by the day.

Some may wonder why the Guard was responsible for the relocation of barrels, but simply put, this fell under their jurisdiction as well, because they were in charge of anything which entered or exited Mirkwood. The higher ups of course didn't see to this themselves, being far too busy hunting spiders than seeing to some barrels, but it was an important task nonetheless, even being a job for the lower ranking elves.

Though perhaps he would not be counting himself as one of them for much longer, Tauriel's increasing faith in him was apparent with every passing day. The tasks she assigned to him were simple, but he did them to the best of his ability. Tauriel was nothing but thorough, and one had to prove oneself to her in the small things before being permitted to take part in the more important going-ons of the kingdom.

Tauriel had always been prudent in her assignment to tasks, being sure that one was ready for it. Too some it seemed relentless, but those in the guard knew how misplaced faith could end in disaster. Poor Eswen's first escapades into the forest, which had almost ended in tragedy, was a reminder of that for them all. Tauriel had beaten herself up about it for months, even after Eswen had fully recovered. He didn't know what was stronger, Tauriel's guilt or Eswen's embarrassment. Both emotions were misplaced of course, how could anyone have predicted a pack of orcs seemingly coming out of nowhere?

The growing darkness worried him, as he knew it did the captain. She truly was a wonderful leader, if only their king could stop being so naïve to their circumstances. Perhaps if he experienced it first-hand as they did every day in the forest, he would see sense.

Aldois appeared in the cellar, holding a bottle of wine as though it was the most exquisite thing he had ever encountered, and Elros was immediately snapped out of his thoughts.

And filled with irritation.

He himself enjoyed drink just as much as the next elf, but it was no secret that Aldois had a bit of a problem not unrelated to thirst.

"You can say what you want about our ill-tempered king; he has excellent taste in wine."

And then he promptly drank straight from the bottle.

"Come Elros, try it."

He knew that it was a bad idea simply because Aldois had said it. Nevertheless, he countered.

"I have the dwarves in my charge."

"They're locked up where can they go?"

This was Filran, one of his dearest friends, and coming from his mouth, it didn't seem like such a bad idea. The wine did look delicious.

Later, he would blame the stench of the drink that clouded his judgement. But, that would be but an afterthought to the onslaught of regret his stupidity had caused.

Xxx

Bilbo

Steal the keys. Free the company. Steal the keys. Free the company.

He repeated it over and over again in his head, building up courage. But, standing there in the cellar, with nothing but the peculiar ring hiding him, he felt he was rather short on courage.

Pull yourself together, Bilbo! The company needs you.

If he wasn't so utterly terrified at the prospect of stealing the keys right out from under the elven guards' noses, he would be able to admit how thrilling it actually was.

Squaring his shoulders, his nose twitching in anticipation, he reached out and took the keys.

Perhaps Gandalf was right; he was indeed turning into a fine burglar.

Xxx

Fili

"I'd wager the sun is on the rise," came Bofur's voice through the dungeon. "Must be nearly dawn."

The hopelessness in his voice was of the same brand as in Fili's heart.

"We're never gonna reach the mountain, are we?" This was Ori's voice, filled with innocence.

Fili sighed. Shoulders slumped in defeat.

He thought of Ori, and how he would never know the once great dwarven kingdom has his home.

He thought of the others, and how they would never reclaim the home they once had.

He thought of his brave and noble uncle, and how he would never sit on his rightful throne.

But mostly, he thought of his brother. They had both grown up on tales of the mountain, tales their uncle, mother and Balin had told them. They had both longed to finally being able to roam the halls of Erebor.

He wanted their people united in one great kingdom, ruled by a great king. He would dutifully fulfil all roles as crown prince with honour, wanting to serve instead of being served more than anything. He would keep Kili out of trouble in his spare time. Though the rate at which his dear little brother was maturing over the quest was baffling, so perhaps that wouldn't have been necessary.

But mostly he had wanted his friends and family together, safe and happy.

He felt as though he had failed them all.

But of course it was right in the middle of Fili's dreary inner monologue, that Bilbo made an appearance.

Jingling the keys in his hand.

The surge of gratitude that flowed from his heart and outwards towards the hobbit, was unimaginable.

They would reclaim their homeland yet.

Xxx

Kili

When Bilbo reached his cell with the keys, he was more than happy to step out of the confined space. He was eager to stretch his legs and more importantly: reach the mountain.

He shook off the feeling that he was leaving something, or rather someone, behind.

Yes, he had felt something deep stir within him as he spoke to Tauriel, but they would be reunited again, once they had reclaimed their homeland and he had something more than just himself to offer her. In the meantime, he would figure out a way to tell his uncle that he had fallen for a Mirkwood elf. There was a conversation he didn't look forward to having.

He dashed up the stairs, sticking an arm out protectively when his brother reached him just in case Fili lost his footing on the narrow ridge.

"Not that way, down here! Follow me!"

Of course, the little creature had just saved their arses, so no one was in any position to argue.

Kili however, began to get a wee bit suspicious as they seemed to be going deeper into the kingdom, instead of out. But, he bit his tongue and faithfully followed the company. After all, Bilbo had had the whole night to scout the place out.

It was only when he realized that they were in the cellars and saw two guards sleeping on a nearby table, that he finally found his voice.

"I don't believe it, we're in the cellars!" he scream whispered.

"You're supposed to be leading us out, not further in!"

My thoughts exactly, Bofur.

But, they were seemingly trapped down here, and having no other option than to follow Bilbo, they did just that.

However, when Bilbo started going on about getting into the barrels (what a stupid idea, they would surely be found) that Kili really started questioning the hobbit's judgment.

"Do as he says."

Even though he was whispering, Thorin's authoritative voice got them all moving, into none other than the barrels.

Firmly inside the barrel next to Fili's, Bofur voiced everyone's question: "What do we do now?"

"Hold your breath," came Bilbo's answer.

"Hold me breath?"

And with a crank of a lever and the tilt of a plank, the fun really started.