I gathered my most trusted guards as quickly as I was able, with Thandaer, the one I'd set to guard Bilbo, easily among them. None of them questioned me directly, of course, but only Thandaer himself appeared to be lacking curiosity; they knew how strange this choice was, knew that it was foolish, and knew that I had no logical reason to make it, but I no real desire to tell them the full truth, at least not then. They were willing to fight beside me and for me without knowing, and that was enough for the time being, as they, and, of course, my son would be the first to know all when I chose to tell it.
They gathered mounts for me, even managing to find some small enough that the dwarves could ride, along with some scrap armor we had from many years before, when the dwarves were still our allies, that would likely fit them well enough. Even a few axes and blades were found for them, deep in our armory, though their archer, the dark haired boy, had to make do with a child's bow as we had none for adults small enough for him to carry. Still, I think they at least understood that it was the best that could be done at the time and so complained very little and only amongst themselves. I was at least pleased that I did not have to insist on Bilbo being given the most whole looking of the armor, as they decided that much on their own, though the hobbit did protest a bit.
I smiled faintly, settling my hand upon his shoulder and leading him to my own mount, an elk who had been constant companion to me for many years. Bilbo gazed at him, awestruck, hand reaching out slowly as if to pet the creature, and I chuckled.
"He is called Arasson," I said, taking the hobbit's hand and settling it softly on the animal's neck. They stared at one another with the same warm, guileless eyes, and Bilbo laughed breathlessly as if this was the oddest thing that had ever happened to him. Of course, I supposed it could have something to do with the fact that the elk was larger than even the greatest of our horses, and his antlers were a bit imposing even to me.
"You expect him to ride that thing?" someone asked, one of the dwarves, though I did not know his name. He did have rather impressive tattoos over his scalp, however, likely some symbol of his rank and skill only a dwarf could read. "It took us weeks to get him comfortable even on a pony, and they were plentiful even in his Shire. I expect he's never imagined seeing a beast like that before, much less riding one." Bilbo flushed a little, stroking the elk's neck softly and watching carefully as it bent to nuzzle him softly. The dwarf gaped. I shrugged.
"Arasson is far smarter and far tamer than any pony you'll ever come across, master dwarf. If I ask that Bilbo be allowed to ride him with me, he will allow it; I doubt he'd even notice the extra weight." Bilbo's eyes sparkled, his laughter quiet and sweet as he moved to stroke the animal's nose instead. My own lips twitched, but I fought to avoid smiling so freely in the face of the dwarf, who finally just shook his head, bemused as anything.
"If you wish to ride that thing, have at it, Bilbo. Thorin asked me to tell you to yell if you need us, and we'll be at your side in an instant." Bilbo nodded, a little distracted, and turned slightly to grin at the dwarf.
"Of course, Dwalin. You all be safe as well, and please try not to start anything with the other elves. We've enough trouble without adding silly squabbles to the mix." The dwarf laughed, loud and low and booming, and waved the hobbit's concerns away with ease.
"I'll tell the boys you said so, as if it'll do any good." A particularly impressive, long-suffering look appeared on Bilbo's face, but still he nodded, and when the dwarf walked away, he allowed me to hoist him onto Arasson's back and drag myself on behind him. I could feel his tension even without touching him; he clung to the elk's neck as if he'd fall if it so much as took a step, which, again, I supposed I could understand, however unfounded the worry really was.
"Settle, dear Bilbo; no one has ever fallen from Arasson's back, and I doubt he will let that change with you. He is as steady as I," I said, and though I wasn't expecting it, that did actually relax him a bit, at least enough so that I didn't fear him choking the poor creature. I settled an arm loose about his waist, touching only enough that he could be certain that if he seemed to be falling, I could tighten my grip and catch him easily.
"Thank you," he murmured, so very quiet that it sounded like little more than a whisper of the wind, and I hummed quietly in response, setting Arasson off with little more than a soft squeeze about his midsection. My guards and the dwarves, already settled on their own horses, parted for me so that I could lead, though Oakenshield made it a point to urge his own horse forward to ride at my side the moment we left the palace grounds and entered the Mirkwood itself. I didn't begrudge him that, at least, not really; it was, after all, his suicidal quest, not my own, and I wasn't precisely eager to claim it.
"We will go to Laketown from here, Oakenshield. Perhaps we will find more aid there, or at least a place for you all to gather more appropriate supplies. When we are there, perhaps we can discuss what will be done upon our arrival at the mountain." Oakenshield tensed his jaw, I could see as much even from the high place where I sat, and Bilbo whipped his head around to face me, eyes gone wide again, though more with shock now than anything.
"Do not presume to tell me how to lead my own quest, Elf king. I have led my Company from the Blue Mountains to here, and would have led them to the mountain alone had you not taken us prisoner." Perhaps in another situation I might've reminded him that when my scouts had found them, they were tangled in spider webs and near enough to death that they'd have had little to no chance of even reaching the farthest borders of Laketown, but as it stood, I wasn't feeling particularly eager to argue.
"Apologies. Understand only that my own people are at stake now as well; of course I fear for them, not to mention Bilbo." Oakenshield didn't respond with anything more than a grunt, which, perhaps, I should've expected. After all, he wanted to protect Bilbo as well; all of the dwarves did, no matter how difficult to comprehend I found that. I saw a tiny smile flicker over the hobbit's face before he turned to face front again. Then, of course, I felt him tense again. "Bilbo?" I asked, and I imagined that he tried for that comforting smile again, though I couldn't see his face.
"Forgive me. I only just realized, have you told your son that we've gone? I don't think he seems like the sort to be pleased when he makes such discoveries without being told something first." I laughed, I couldn't help it, squeezing the hobbit softly and shaking my head.
"Legolas? If I told him, he would only insist upon coming along, which I could not deal with. Had I been able to leave you at the palace with him, I would have done so." I had long ago sworn that I wouldn't let him be hurt, no matter how stubborn he could be when it came to my attempts at protecting him. I sighed; Bilbo would almost certainly be the same, from what I'd so far seen, and oh, if ever they spent time together my life would become so terribly difficult, for they would never stop conspiring. I could already envision it; now, if only I could stop finding it amusing for long enough to think of a solution! I smiled to myself, hidden and light, bending down as quickly as I could manage to press a light kiss against the hobbit's curly, soft honey hair.
"Don't be foolish, Thranduil," he said, voice light and teasing, "I would not be left at the palace even if this was not my quest. I don't expect Legolas appreciates it either." Ah, it was already beginning, and they'd only shared a single dinner! Oakenshield watched us from the corner of his eye, surely listening to every word we spoke as if to catch me at something underhanded. Bilbo, at least, didn't seem to notice, else he'd have probably scolded the dwarf again, and though that would have been very amusing, I wished to spend the time speaking with him instead of listening to him speak with another.
"So I'm beginning to realize. You truly are something special, Bilbo," I said, voice warm as I could make it, and he turned his head to look at me again, a gentle, pleased smile curling his lips.
"Thank you for telling me so, Thranduil. I can't help but think the same of you." The sincerity struck me like a stone, and for the first time I saw in his eyes something like a reflection of my own gaze; I don't suppose I really understood what he'd meant before when he said he thought he felt something similar to my own descriptions, but at that moment, I certainly did. I had a chance, more than a chance, and he was letting me see as much. I would not lose that, I decided, not for a second time. I had failed in much, and would likely fail in more still, but in that, if nothing else, I would find success.
Bilbo's POV
I never imagined how comfortable it could possibly be to ride something as large as Arasson, and yet I felt calmer upon his back than I ever had upon my pony's, however much I'd grown to care for her. Perhaps it was something to do with Thranduil's warmth at my back, his soft voice warm above me as we rode through the dark woods towards Laketown, or perhaps it was merely the lightness of my own heart, or perhaps it was both; I don't know, truly, but it was pleasant even still. I was smiling even in my worry for what was to come simply because Thranduil, probably without even intending to do as much, had given me hope for success again. Had we not been riding, I could've kissed him then; whenever we stopped, I resolved to do as much.
It was a bit difficult to believe that so soon before I'd been shocked enough to faint when he told me what he felt for me where now the knowledge came to me as easily as my own name. Not to mention that time was heightening my own reaction to him, making me realize more and more how easily I could grow to care for him, how much I already did care for him. It was... a strange feeling; I'd never imagined I'd have a soul mate, and yet… I didn't know if it was precisely the same thing, but it felt close enough to me and I was… well, I was happy.
Thranduil was strong, I knew that, and very intelligent, yet still there was that sweetness to him, a soft spoken, unyielding nature I couldn't help but admire. I could fall in love with him; I'd realized that almost from the moment he'd found me wandering the dungeon. I could fall in love with him as easily as breathing, and the nearer he was, the more he spoke, the simpler it seemed to be becoming. At least, I supposed, it was simple to tell that he felt the same from the way he spoke with me as we journeyed, easy and teasing.
He made the travel pass quickly, and I almost wished he'd been with us the whole journey, beyond the fact that it would've made the minor arguing that took place simply from the same people being stuck in close quarters for a long period turn into very probable knock-down, drag-out brawls. It seemed that within moments Laketown was in sight, though I knew well enough that hours had passed. I wondered as we rode to the gates of the town what our welcome would be and could only hope that Thranduil had enough power to get us safe passage even if he couldn't give us aid. At least, I decided, we were in a better position than the one we'd been in before, and I… well, I always had wanted someone with whom to share my life. Perhaps I'd finally found him.