The Elven-King

Thanks to PlaidOtaku for being the first to review and for being the first to favorite. Flowerpower0087 being the first follower, rahnrdaze, the mysterious narrator for also following and to mckeown for reviewing. Thanks for showing an interest in my small story.

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien, this is purely for fun and practice

~ o0o ~

The Elven-King's Halls were unlike any thing they had ever seen. While the Woodelves did live in a home carved of stone, it felt different than any cave. The ceiling high enough that they could not even see it with the natural light of the sub filtered in providing them with an unobstructed view of the mighty stronghold. It was beautiful as all elven things were with pillars carved into the likeness of trees, small waterfalls could ne seen scattered about making it seem as if they were not inside of halls at all. Trees grew naturally in these halls, in a few they could see nesting birds, it was as if they had stepped back in time to the height of Greenwood's greatness. This was a small part of the elves home and of how it once was. It was a reminder of what was and of what they fought for, for their home. They had once lived freely in the forest and though they have been driven into the North and into these halls, they still remembered. For Eryn Galen they would fight.

Bilbo knew nothing of this, not of the history of these elves or the struggles that they had endured for over a thousand years and he would perhaps never know of them. His current concern was not of the history of the elves – no matter how fascinating he may have found it – but rather keeping his footing on the very narrow bridge.

Why did the elves have to make it so narrow, thought Bilbo, why could they not have built it wider?

The answer to those questions were rather simple actually and a tactical move on the King's part. The bridges were built this thin in the case any hostiles managed to enter their halls, unlikely as it was, the force would have to walk in a single line and be very careful about it. Making those attacking vulnerable to their archers who would shoot to kill them. Perhaps it was a bit too much on the King's part but they had become a very cautious people and they did not mind the narrow bridges, rather in a way it comforted them; for the bridges greatly resembled branches of a great tree. Besides elves had no troubles walking on such thin bridges, they after all had no troubles walking on a bridge made of rope. As far as the Woodelves were concerned their bridges were perfectly normal, the other races were the odd ones building such big things – wasting material and time.

Unfortunately dwarves had not the natural balance that elves did when walking on such a bridge, it had not even rope to act as railings, and they were in a very precarious position. The dwarves, and the elven patrol by extension, were forced to go slowly as the Company were still receiving odd dizzying spells. It took them much longer than it should have for them to reach the entrance of the throne room.

When at long last they faced the two grand doors, beautifully carved as everything else was, Bilbo could have wept in relief. It seemed to him a torture to move his feet anymore, he had had no rest for almost two days and his body was protesting against the rough treatment. He was ignoring it but he knew he would not be able to for much longer.

The grand doors were opened by two dark-haired guards their fair faces blank as they bowed to Legolas, who nodded towards them, and suddenly Bilbo's earlier relief melted into apprehension. He did not know the Elven-King – he had learned that he truly knew nothing outside his peaceful Shire – and should feel nothing but curiosity with perhaps a bit trepidation. His view had unfortunately been influenced by his companions, whom had much to say of Thranduil, none of it kind or altogether flattering. His mind had conjured a dark and cruel figure – perhaps with a sword in hand – who stared at those who displeased him with contempt. Master Baggins, of course, was quite wrong about the King of Mirkwood as was evident once they entered the throne room.

An Elf with a crown of berries and red leaves lounged regally on his wooden throne, a staff of oak was held in a long hand as he observed them. Though those impossibly blue eyes could not see him, Bilbo felt shaken as they unknowingly passed over his form – as if they had seen him but was seen unthreatening. His friends did not seem cowed, their faces as hard as the stone they were made of, but he almost thought he saw a few shaken hands. A rather ridiculous thought, he berated himself, as when he looked again nothing was amiss.

Thranduil, however, did not focus on his guests but rather on the Elven Captain.

"Report"

At once Legolas obeyed. Telling his King of their successful hunt of the spiders, how thy had followed a few that escaped and how those had lead them to the thirteen dwarves, the ensuing fight against the numerous spiders that chased the hadhodrim. Nothing was left out, every detail was told to the King, and all in that odd version of elvish*. It was different to the one that Bilbo had heard in Rivendell, it was no less beautiful but it was very obviously different. As such he had not a clue what was being said, and from the tightening of the dwarves' faces he was not alone.

A silence descended in the wake of the warrior's words, nothing could be heard but the harsh breathing of the dwarves. The Elven-King's eyes roamed over the still forms of the patrol, his gaze lingering a tad longer on the Captain, before turning his attention to the ones currently bringing him trouble. With but a wave of his hand the patrol bowed in tandem, before they departed.

As the doors closed behind the last elf, the questioning began. Thranduil asked much the same as Legolas, their purpose and reasons for entering the forest, and was provided with the same answers. It was clear that Thranduil was becoming vexed with them the dwarves were quite the same.

At his wits end, Thorin's mouth slipped away from him, "What have we done but to offend you so Elven-King? We have done nothing but defend ourselves against the spiders that inhabit these woods. Is that reason for your ire? Are they your beloved pets that come when called?"

Rage burned in the Elves then, lighting their striking eyes into something frightening.

Bilbo shivered in fear, he wondered why Thorin had said something so foolhardy in a room surrounded by elven-warriors. He could see many of the warriors jaws clench subtly, and hoped that none saw it fit to retaliate against his foolhardy of a leader. Thankfully none did, if only because they would not attack a defenseless being, but Thranduil too was angered. Bright blue eyes had darkened to seem an almost black colour, Bilbo could only hope that Thorin had not just sentenced them to death.

"You have wandered through my realm without leave, using the road that my people made while leading a group of spiders to a well known feasting spot. I will know why you came here, and if you will not make your purpose clear I will put all of you in prison until I know you do not pose a threat to us."

They were given a final chance to answer him, were they remained silent.

"Very well then, you will stay in my dungeon until one of you see it fit to answer. Perhaps by then you will have learnt some manners. It is of no consequence how long that may take, even if it takes a hundred years. That is but a blink of an eye to an Elf."

With a gesture, the dwarves were lead out by guards to be separated into different cells.

~ o0o ~

This is a short chapter and the next will probably also be short, I'm still not sure. I've combined the book and movie for this. Like the movie Thorin provoked Thranduil, but used a variation of Balin's words from the book. But they're all captured together like the movie but interrogated together much like the book with the addition of Thorin in this. Thranduil uses a mixture of his book and movie lines to the dwarves as well.

*The Elves in Mirkwood primarily spoke Sindarin and Silvan Elvish. They're speaking Silvan here because they're not sure if the dwarves understand Sindarin. Any Westron (Common) that they speak will probably be elves having dealings with Men or those who are practicing the language itself. Or just plain plot convenience, if they can have Elves speaking Common throughout the movie and have the Elves singing a song that Bilbo can understand in the book I feel like I can do it too.

Thank you once again to those who have read this, and please give feedback! You can also find me on AO3 under AcrosstheTallGreenRiver, this is currently my only story over there.

~HOB