- Chapter 9; Wanted, dead or alive: Thorin Oakenshield -
Legolas cursed as he walked quickly through the forest. He had been searching for hours but found no sign of the criminal. How could he, the Capitain of the Royal Guard's son, loose a bloody dwarf! They were loud, heavy and terrible at hidding. He still couldn't believe he had let this goblin mutant get the best of him. As if Eru himself wished to taunt him about his failure, he passed next a poster of the dwarf he was after. Bitting back a growl of frustration, he ripped the poster from it's place and shoved it into his vest. That was when he heard a twig snapping. He ducked behind a tree and locked an arrow in place, waiting for the person to be closer. When he saw the shadow close to his hiding spot, he jumped out, arrow ready...
Only to find a startled man with a traveling gear. Legolas immediately lowered his weapon and the man relaxed at the gesture.
-Forgive me sir. The elf quickly apologized. I thought you were someone else.
-It's quite alright. You scared me more than you hurt me. If I may ask whom are you searching?
-If I may ask what your business is in the forest?
-I am on a trip to the Escargot, a town by the sea to get my daughter her birthday present.
-You are going quite far simply to get a gift.
-Ah, no father could refuse anything to his little girl. Now that you know my business, may I know yours?
-I am searching for this man. Legolas answered, taking out the poster of Thorin. His name is Thorin Oakenshield. He stole the Arkenstone no latter than this morning and is wanted alive or dead. Have you seen him?
-No, I have not. But rest assured, if I do, I shall inform the authorities immediately. He said.
-Thank you. Travel safely.
Saruman waited until the elf was out of his sight before he began sprinting towards his tower. The moment he had understood that the criminal was loose in the forest he feared for his flower. He ran back as fast as he could and arrived as the sun reached it's peak in the sky. He stopped at the foot of the building and took a moment to compose himself. If there was no reason for him to worry, he shouldn't let Belinda know.
-Belinda, let down your hair. He called out.
When he received no reply, he began to truly panic. he called out three more times before he chanted in an ancient language. He had not used the doors opening spell in nearly a hundred years, but he still remembered it perfectly. He ran up the stairs leading to his home and shoved the door open with a bang. The room was completely empty and his heart sank as he checked the bedrooms and even their water closet before the truth sank in. Belinda was gone. His source of youth, his means to eternal life was not there anymore. He had to find her, he could already feel her magic leaking out and in would only be a matter of weeks before it vanished completely. As he paced, trying to figure out where she could have gone, a small light caught his eye and he blinked. Looking at the stairs that led to their bedrooms, he noticed something was lodged under the first board. He lifted the stair and grasped the satchel lying under it. He barely opened it an inch before he recognised the glow of the Arkenstone!
He gasped and dropped the bag, the crown and a poster of none other than Thorin Oakenshield falling out of it. Saruman's eyes widened as he understood. The ruffian must have climbed up to the tower and Belinda somehow convinced him to take her to see the fireworks. Cursing under his breath, he went to retrieve his elven swords only to realise they were gone! He gritted his teeth in rage before opening up a small chess to reveal a black dagger. He kept the Morgul blade a secret from the girl, for he did not wish to use it. But desperate times called for desperate measures.