Intervention of the Elven Kind

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien as such I own nothing. This is for fun.

Thanks to rahnedaze for being the first to favorite!

Italics means Elvish, probably Sindarin in this case.

~ o0o ~

At the moment Thorin and his Company were thankful that Gandalf had convinced them of bringing the hobbit alongside with them. This was the second time that Bilbo Baggins had saved them, and indeed their respect for the small fellow had risen. They no longer saw him as a hindrance but rather a help to their journey.

Bilbo, however, was only glad that his strategy had even worked, and even more surprised that he had the courage to go through with such a Took idea. He knew that if he had stayed in the Shire that the idea would never even entertain the idea. Honestly it was not very proper of him to taunt anyone, even if they were giant speaking spiders. This adventure was changing him, and though he found he quite liked being able to save instead of always needing saving, he was sure that he would never be able to go back to being that respectful hobbit that he was before.

Turning toward Thorin, a cautiously hopeful expression on his small face, he inquired, "You wouldn't happen to remember a way back toward the path, would you?"

And even as he asked he knew what his answer would be and did not react to the headshake though a feeling of hopelessness had grown under his breast.

"There is no use standing here, while we may not know how far we have strayed we can still attempt to find our way back."

Under Thorin's leadership once more they trudged over dark, twisted roots their feet crushing fallen leaves filling the otherwise silent forest with noise. The situation seemed very bleak to them, their bodies were bruised from the spiders maltreatment, their path unknown, and they had no rations left. They were only glad that the spiders had not seen it fit to take their weapons, if only because the cocoons made it so they could hardly even shift.

They had no rest that day, save a small one were Balin examined them to make sure they were not having any after affects from the spiders venom. As the new day dawned and they continued to walk Bilbo wondered if it was better to be starved or be eaten by the Mirkwood spiders. As if the creatures could sense his thoughts another group of them appeared, they were only lucky that Ori managed to catch sight of them.

At once weapons were out, the sharp edges glinting in the low amount of light, anticipation humming in their blood. As if by a signal both sides charged at the other, the spiders looking for food, the dwarves – and sole hobbit – for their very lives. Every single member of Thorin's Company fought with all the strength left in them, unfortunately the combination of fatigue, hunger, and weariness caused even the stoutest dwarf to falter. Perhaps if there had been less spiders and if the Company had a tad rest they might have beaten their foes. But it seemed for every spider they slayed another seemed to take its place. Though their will never wavered, their bodies eventually would.

Bilbo heard Thorin yell something in the dwarven tongue, and immediately the others converged to their leader. He was tugged along by Kili, who placed him in the center of them as his companions cut a path through the spiders. As soon as they had a clear path they ran, their bodies momentarily rejuvenated at the hope of surviving. And though their tired legs ached in protest they resolutely ignored it. None dared turned back to look too focused on out running the beasts, save Kili who shot at the spiders until his quiver was empty.

Though they ran none had a clue where in the vast forest they were, as such they knew not that they were close to a favorite feasting spot of the Elves. If they had crossed those parts just a scant few days later they would have been treated to the sight of the Elves Autumn Feast. There they would have been protected by the strange magic the Woodelves wielded, but alas they were too early. But just as they did not know of the feasting spot they did not know of the elven patrols that passed through frequently.

In preparation for the upcoming feast the Elvenking had regularly sent patrols to drive away any spiders too close to their feasting spot, and to eliminate any stray spiders they may find. Luckily for Thorin and his group one such patrol was heading back from their hunt. A group of spiders had been eliminated but a few of them had managed to escape, and it was this that lead the patrol to the odd little group.

Now the Woodelves had been battling the Shadow for many centuries and this had naturally caused them to become very cautious. However let it not be said that they were unfriendly or grim. Despite the darkness encroaching their home they were very friendly and were perhaps the merriest of their kin, for they could find joy in the smallest of things. But they had become so wary of outsiders, and more so those that entered uninvited, and especially those that did so uninvited. And so seeing a group of dwarves running from a large group of spiders – not to mention close to one of their favorite feasting spots – had them very suspicious.

With but a signal from their Captain they struck.

Everything in the forest seemed to still, even the ravenous spiders were affected, and as Thorin followed their gazes he saw why. A large group of elves, barely discerned from the foliage above, were running down from the branches. A bright-haired elf separated from his fellows and effortlessly leaped from the branch, slowing his fall by swinging down a spider's silk webbing. The force of his fall enabled him to kill the creature as he landed on it's unprotected back, he rolled for a moment before he slid under another dark spider, a white knife easily slicing through its soft belly.

Even as he stood before the odd group he looks no worse for wear, nary a hair out of place. It was silent for a moment as the Elves and Dwarves regarded each other, the spiders all slayed by the patrol of ten. The other nine elves surrounded the dwarves, leaving them no chance of escape.

"What business do you have to be in the Elvenking's forest?"

It was the bright-haired elf that spoke, eyes roaming their dirty and fatigued figures. His white face showing nothing to them.

"We became lost and wandered searching to find our way back to the elven road." Thorin's own gruff voice sounded harsh in the wake of the Elf's own musical tone.

"What was your purpose to come into our woods to begin with?" His tone reflected nothing that he may have been feeling as he once again asked the Company.

For a brief moment Thorin felt a brief flash of anger at the Elf's emotionless face. For here were he and his company wounded and in hunger, yet this Elf showered no emotion at their sorry state and so he said nothing.

At their silence the Elf once again questioned them, " What was your purpose to come into our woods?"

Thorin looked into green eyes and felt overwhelmed at the weight he could see in them. He would never be able to describe what he saw and felt as he looked into them but he would always be able to remember them. And though those eyes momentarily distracted him, he answered once again.

"We became lost and wandered, until our supplies dwindled. Then we wandered some more."

The Elf showed no outward sign of being irritated, instead he asked one final time their purpose: again Thorin's answer did not change.

This time what came out of the other's mouth was entirely different, "Search them! We shall take them to the King, he shall decide what becomes of them."

It was more for the dwarves' benefit of course, for they had many other ways of communication that did not require they speak. He said these words for caution, for the dwarves still had their weapons and he did not want them to attack his warriors solely because one surprised them. He was responsible for them and none had been too injured in their earlier battle with the spiders, he did not want one of them to be accidentally killed by dwarves.

Outrage was clear in the Company's faces, but they made no move to attack. Their bodies were once more tired, and even if they had the energy they would not make it a step before an arrow was imbedded into their skull. So they did nothing as the elves searched them, the elves themselves were silent. Long hands searched quickly and efficiently, easily finding any and all of their hidden weapons. Even Fili, with his numerous knives and daggers, was relieved of every one. While Fili did receive quite a few odd looks, it was Thorin's sword that was brought to the Captain's attention.

"Legolas! Their leader had this."

Orcrist gleamed, even in the dark forest it fairly shone with magnificence. Lord Elrond had explained that the sword had been forged in Gondolin, an elven city from days long past, made to slay the goblins. From Legolas's reverent treatment of the weapon, he too knew it's origins. He said nothing, but his eyes told Thorin precisely what he did not want to hear.

The King will be told.

As they were being lead away, Bofur noticed something rather alarming.

"Thorin! Where's Bilbo?"

As the miner was lead away he was not witness to Thorin's piercing eyes widen in worry.

~ o0o ~

By now you must have noticed that Bilbo has not been present for quite some time. The elves did not search nor did they even know that there was one missing from the dwarven company. For you see Mister Baggins had never taken his hand out of his pocket, so as soon as he saw the elves descending he slipped on his ring of invisibility. But even with it on he had to be cautious, elves had keen ears and so he had remained as silent as he could.

Following the group he attempted to remember the way the elves were leading them through. Bilbo, sadly, could not keep track of it after a certain point everything starting looking the same to him and with the elves long strides he had to fairly run to keep up. Thankfully the steps of hobbits were light, so his trouble was controlling his breathing. But he was becoming short of breath, the urge to pant was high which he resolutely pushed aside. As he ran after his captured friends the forest ground slowly dispersed in favor of stone. It felt smooth and wonderfully cool to his sore feet, but he had to run faster for only Legolas had yet to enter the Halls.

It seemed as he would not make it, in response he quickened his pace even more and he almost wept when Legolas started to enter. Only the Captain halted, his pointed ears listening intently, for he had sensed something odd. Turning his head back his keen eyes searched for what had disturbed him so, only to find nothing amiss. He stood utterly still for a moment, eyes suspiciously seeking a while more. Seeing nothing he continued in nodding to the guards appointed at the gates. They, in response, bowed at to him.

The great gate was closed with an air of finality, closing off the Halls from the forest.

As the dwarves eyed the rather impressive sight around them with speculation they were insistently lead to a very narrow bridge, unknowing that their missing lucky number was following them still.

~ o0o ~

Thanks to anyone who read! There are some scenes and/or mentions of them from both the book and movie. Please no telling me that I 'stole' them, I did use them and put my own twist to it. I will use scenes and elements from both book and movies and combine them, they are of course not mine they either belong to Tolkien of Peter Jackson. Tell me what you thought, and remember this is just for fun. I will also be taking certain liberties with the characters as we only really get to know Bilbo in the books. Also don't get used to me updating this fast. I barely finished writing this chapter in my journal and am currently writing chapter 2.

~HOB