Beth could feel the suffocating aura of Mirkwood as soon as they spotted it on the horizon. She decided it was even worse up close. As they climbed off the loaned ponies (which Beth whispered a thank you to, even though she felt silly doing it), and started unpacking, Beth kept glancing over her shoulder towards the tree line, unable to shake the feeling of being watched.
"My horse! I need it!" called Gandalf. Beth's stomach sank. Gandalf was leaving them. Again. Nothing good ever came of Gandalf leaving them. She wondered if she could say anything at all to convince him to say. But he was a wizard, she reasoned, and wizards apparently just did as they pleased when they pleased. And maybe to make herself feel better she also reasoned that wherever he needed to be needed him more than they did.
She watched Bilbo run up to Gandalf and talk for a minute. But the movement that caught her eye the most was Bilbo reaching into his pocket and coming back with nothing. She saw the strange look on his face and decided she'd corner him to ask later.
Truthfully, the idea of cutting through Mirkwood didn't seem like such a bad idea until they started running out of food. And then the dwarves started fighting each other. Over nothing at all, it seemed to the hobbits.
"The sun!" cried Bilbo. "We have to find the sun. Up there!"
Beth nodded to the tree and watched Bilbo climb higher and higher until she couldn't see him through the tangle of branches anymore. She then turned her attentions to the fighting dwarves. Frowning, and in her loudest possible voice she yelled, "ENOUGH."
The silence that followed was deafening and only lasted about five seconds before they heard a CRACK echo through the trees. And then another. And then a small series. And then she almost wet herself as she watched Bilbo fall from the tree. Suddenly a powerful force knocked into her back and she fell into a heap on the floor. The world went black.
Beth woke up (very rudely, in her opinion) to being prodded. She then noticed that the fuzzy greyness in front of her was all that she could actually see. She panicked slightly, thinking she might have gone blind until she moved her fingers and froze. She knew what she was feeling.
She was in a spider web.
Beth was terrified of spiders.
She wanted to scream and start sobbing uncontrollably but knew that either action would draw attention to her. Instead she swallowed thickly and focused on trying not to panic. Just breathe. Just breathe. OH MY HOLY GOD SOMETHING JUST TOUCHED ME.
Tears started gathering in her eyes and a scream was being held forcefully in her throat. When she got control over her panic, Beth began to wiggle slowly to free her arms to cross them in front of her chest instead of having them pinned to her sides, all the while making faces at the feeling of spider webs surrounding her.
And suddenly she was falling. As she fell, Beth broke free of the upper part of her confines, screaming like a banshee in combination from falling and being surrounded by giant spiders. When she hit the ground a few good kicks was all it took to get the rest of the web off. All around her the dwarves were battling the giant spiders for their lives. She heard Fili shout her name and saw a dagger come hurling through the air towards her. She whipped around to see the dagger land in a spider eye. In a moment of pure adrenaline that could only come from facing your worst fear, she grabbed the dagger and stabbed it into three more of its evil eyes.
Without warning or time for recovery another spider was on her. But just as she was about to stab it as well (she was ready to stab spiders all day if she had to) an arrow flew through the air and landed right into its head.
Elves flooded into the area, saving the dwarves. This didn't do much to relieve Beth, however. She figured these were the elves that had caused so much trouble for the dwarves of Erebor. Then the last spider dropped and they were surrounded.
They were searched and lead through Mirkwood at arrow-point. Beth reflected that this was the second time they were being led by a hostile force and could not find Bilbo. She couldn't decide if this worried her, or comforted her, seeing as Bilbo pulled though the first time. She wondered if it would become a habit with him.
Still, Beth could not deny the eerie beauty of the elven kingdom as they entered. A different kind of beauty, to be sure. As they were being pulled apart and dragged off she heard Thorin yell, "The woman stays with me!"
The guards paused momentarily before nodding and shoving Beth towards him. She was pulled into his embrace the moment she got close enough, saving her from yet another fall. He clasped her tiny hand into his larger, calloused one and protectively guided her as he followed the guards. As they arrived at their destination, Beth knew immediately who the king who slighted the dwarves was. Although she couldn't help but admire his crown of twigs and berries.
"Some may imagine a noble quest is at hand," the elven king began. "A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglary, or something of that ilk. You have found a way in. You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule: The King's Jewel, The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure, I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."
Oh good, Beth thought. This should be an easy predicament to get out of then.
"I'm listening," answered Thorin, which pleased Beth, making her think they would be out of this debacle soon and would laugh about it on the way out. Maybe even with an escort to ensure those nasty spiders wouldn't get them again. That would be nice.
"I will let you go, if you but return what is mine."
"A favour for a favour," Thorin mused.
"You have my word. From one king to another."
And then Thorin fucked it up by cursing out Thranduil for his lack of honour and saying something Beth assumed was nasty in his native tongue.
Thranduil responded with, "Stay here, if you will, and rot."
Beth, who was very upset with Thorin for ruining their easy way out and who did not want to be in a dungeon cried out, "Wait!"
And they did. Thranduil's icy eyes fell on her for the first time in more than just a passing glance. "And who might you be?" he asked.
Thorin butt in before she could make her own introductions. "She is my betrothed."
Beth blinked, but decided he was attempting to protect her with this title and meant well. Still, she did not appreciate being interrupted. "Never mind that," she said, waving him off. "My name is Beth Baggins and I'd like to have a private audience with you."
Thorin almost glared at her before she shot him a scalding look. He did say he would take her direction. He did say he would trust her.
Thranduil's eye brows raised and he asked, "And why would I accept such an offer?"
She stood tall (for a hobbit) and pulled her shoulders back. Then, looking him straight in the eyes she stated, "Because it is not a wise king that sends away the King's Council."
He stood back. "Escort our guest to the dungeons. Leave us."
Beth gave Thorin's hand a squeeze as he was dragged off. But she and Thranduil never broke eye contact until all else had left the room. Beth looked away first and casually wandered to the seat beside the throne and promptly sat down. Thranduil watched with cold, calculating eyes and she cheekily patted his throne to invite him to sit.
He complied (begrudgingly, Beth imagined) and asked, "What might I do for the King's Council? If you truly are who you claim."
"I am, unfortunately," she snorted. "But it's what I can do for you, actually." Thranduil inclined his head, suggesting she continue. "I will return your starlight gems to you as soon as we reclaim the mountain. Provided you set us free, offer escorts through Mirkwood, and give Thorin an official apology for your slight against him and his people."
"I will set them free and provide safe passage, but I will not apologise for protecting my people."
"Then apologise for not helping the dwarves out after the matter. Apologise for being taller than him. I don't care what it is you're apologising for, just so long as it happens." She leaned forward. "Look, my goal here to restore peace between your kingdoms. I'm offering you the chance to be the bigger person here…no pun intended."
"I have nothing to apologise for," Thranduil stated.
Beth sighed heavily. "Then I have no starlight gems to give you. Now please take me to the dungeons; I'd like to be with my betrothed."
On cue a single elf came into the room and grasped her upper arm firmly. She looked up to find herself looking at a younger version of the king. A glance between them confirmed her suspicions. The elf guided her to the cell and just as he opened the door she spoke. "Prince, a piece of advice for you and your father." The elf looked intrigued but did not say anything. "Love is a more powerful force than fear." And with that she walked herself into the cell and shut the door behind her.
As soon as the elf was out of sight Thorin grabbed her shoulders and demanded, "What did you do?"
"What you wouldn't," she shrugged.
"They are not yours to give," he growled.
She snorted. "Yes they are. I'm going to be the queen, remember?" Thorin pulled away and Beth could have sworn she saw his cheeks redden underneath his beard. "Either way," she continued. "I would have just asked for the gems as my portion of the treasure and given it to Thranduil. I don't really care about jewels and gold. I just want us to reclaim your home."
There was a pause and an intensity overcame Thorin's eyes that she was unsure of. He closed the distance between them and trapped her in a kiss. Beth was shocked for a moment and forgot to breathe. She never once actually thought Thorin would return her affections and desires. She was so shocked she forgot to kiss back. He pulled away enough to see the crestfallen look on his features. Not one to let an opportunity pass, she grabbed his tunic before he could fully pull away. Snaking a hand around the back of his neck to push him to her, she pulled him into an even more passionate kiss. She almost fainted when she heard the low groan in his throat as he pushed her up against the wall. They would have probably been content kissing each other senseless if it weren't for the sound of a clearing throat.
They broke apart flushed to see Bilbo awkwardly standing at the door. "Not that I'm not happy for you two, I really am," he said. "But we should really get going."
Beth leapt forward to hug him and gave his ear a sharp tug. "I said to never scare me like that again," she scolded.
"Sorry," he murmured sheepishly. "But uh, I have a plan, and you're going to have to trust me."
"Always," she replied with a grin.
The dwarves slunk through the halls and Bilbo led them further into the underground city. They finally arrived at some sort of cellar where two guards were passed out on the table.
"Everyone climb into the barrels, quickly!" said Bilbo.
Immediately the dwarves started arguing his plan. Beth placed a hand on Thorin's arm and gave him a meaningful look. He nodded and commanded, "Do as he says."
Beth all but squeaked as she was lifted by Thorin into one of the upper barrels. The rest followed by getting into their own.
"What do we do now?" asked Bofur.
"Hold your breath," stated Bilbo. Beth could feel a sense of dread rise and did as he said just as the floor gave way beneath them. A few seconds of free falling and everyone had splashed into the water, bobbing wildly. Each member struggled to get upright and hold onto to each other's barrels.
Beth spun around and asked, "Where's Bilbo?" which was getting really old. She might have to start leashing him. But then the sound of a splash alerted his presence. Bilbo surfaced, sputtering and clung onto Nori's barrel.
"Well done, Mr. Baggins," congratulated Thorin.
The hobbit only sputtered out, "Go!"
And then waterfalls. And then rapids. And then elves. And then, to top all of that off, orcs. And just as Beth wondered if things could actually get any worse, they did. The flood gates closed and stopped them all as the orcs surrounded them. Beth did her best to push approaching orcs into the water and watched helplessly as Kili braved a climb to open the gates again.
By some miracle, after getting shot in the leg he managed to get the gates open and fall into his barrel again. Beth winced at the sound of Kili's cry of pain as the arrow in his leg snapped.
They floated down the raging river once more, still being pursued by the orcs who were being pursued by the elves who were also perusing them. Weapons were being thrown back and forth and Beth watched Bombur do a fantastic spinning wheel of death routine.
And then at some point the orcs were driven off, giving up their pursuit to fight the elves and the waters calmed. Beth took count of the company as they floated to the river bank and was relieved to find that for once, everyone was actually together. There was no pause once they were on land.
"Come on!" urged Dwalin.
Kili fell to his knees onto the rocks and Beth looked worriedly at him. She didn't know how bad that arrow wound was, but if it was bad enough he couldn't walk, then it was bad enough to worry over.
"I'm fine, it's nothing," Kili tried to wave it off.
"It's not nothing, your leg needs binding at least," Beth cut it.
"Bind his leg, quickly," Thorin demanded. "You have two minutes."
While they set to work on binding Kili's leg Beth saw a man sneak into their surroundings just as Dwalin did. But the man shot the rock clean out of Kili's hand and into Dwalin's stick before they even had a chance.
"Do it again, and you're dead," the man warned.
Ever clever Balin stepped in to save the day. "Excuse me, but you're from Lake Town if I'm not mistaken? That barge over there, would it be available for hire, by any chance?" Good old Balin; diffusing a tight situation and solving problems with one swift question.
"What makes you think I will help you?" the man shot back.
"Those boots have seen better days. As has that coat. No doubt you have hungry mouths to feed."
"Oh come on, come on, enough with the niceties," cut in Dwalin.
"What's your hurry?" asked the bargeman.
"What's it to you?" Dwalin shot back.
"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands."
"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills," Balin fibbed. To his credit it was pretty smooth…except for one little detail.
"Simple merchants, you say? And what of the girl? She is clearly no dwarf."
Beth made her way forward, not risking being introduced by someone else again. "Hello!" she called cheerily, marching up to him and shaking his hand. "My name is Beth, I'm his wife," she said, pointing over to Thorin. "We've been through a long journey already and need food, supplies, and probably weapons. Could you help us?"
The bargeman paused, a little taken back by the girl's cheeriness and forwardness. He chose to answer with, "I know where these barrels came from."
"What of it?" Thorin asked.
"I don't know what business you had with the elves, but I don't think it ended well," he stated. "No one enters Lake Town but by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He will see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil."
"I'll wager there are ways to enter the town unseen," suggested Balin.
"Aye," he responded. "But for that you would need a smuggler."
"For which we will pay double."
The man looked at Balin to see if he was serious and when he decided he was a single nod was all that was needed to encourage the company to climb aboard.