Chapter 11

She felt a warm glow on her skin; slowly she opened her eyes and found herself in a field of grass and flowers. This isn't right. Wasn't she just in Mirkwood?

"Euna," A male voice called out to her.

She turned and found that it was Nolan. He was riding his horse towards her. His curly dark brown hair blew back behind him. The sun glowed into his perfect features. His intense stare was having an effect on her heart. He didn't look angry; he looked rather relieved and happy.

She stood up from the ground, allowing her silk forest green dress fall around her ankles. Her long dark brown hair was down and behind her. Her tiara was on top of her head, shining in the sun light.

Nolan got off his horse and walked closer to her, smiling as he did so.

"My dear, you must stop running away from your dance lessons." He grabbed both of her hands and placed a gentle kiss on each of them.

"But I already know how to dance…" Euna said with a pout. "Besides, it's boring learning all these steps."

"Would it make you feel any better to have me there?" Nolan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only if you're my partner." She smiled at him.

"I thought I was your partner." He added, looking over her shoulder. "One moment, Euna." He said as he walked past her, towards a messenger who was running towards them.

Euna couldn't make out any words since they were whispering. "What is going on?" She thought to herself.

Nolan nodded and turned back to her. "Why do you look so worried? It was nothing important, well to you." He shrugged. "My father sent word that I need to earn my place as King, the people speak ill of me. They say I don't look how a king should."

"Don't listen to them. They are words that are meaningless." Euna spoke and made her way closer to him, taking his hands again. "You will be an amazing king. You will rule greatly and people will respect you."

He chuckled slightly. "You know how to raise my confidence." Nolan looked down at her hands. "The day we marry, the day you are my wife, will be the best day of my life. Well, one of them."

"As will it be mine." She huffed out a sigh. "Why can't we marry now? Why the wait?"

"I don't think it's wise to marry someone you've only known for a month. People will speculate and talk. One of the last things I want to happen is for them to speak unkindly of you."

"You think I would care? I have you…"

He stood up straight and smiled warmly at her. He knew fully well that this wasn't going to be in his favor of a serious conversation. So he leaned in and pressed his soft lips against hers.

Her breath felt like it was taken away from her. He had kissed her before but not out in the open. They were usually alone, inside the castle. Slowly she relaxed as the kiss deepened. Her head felt dizzy, her body felt warm, and her thoughts were filled with things that could not be spoken allowed.

He broke the kiss slowly and placed his forehead on hers. "You challenge my desire, Euna. If you continue to kiss like that, I don't think I could hold back from you anymore."

"Then don't." She replied simply.

"Euna, you and I both know it's a sin. If we were to be caught, I highly doubt it that your mother would like me." His intense stare met her eyes. "I want to give in, but I don't want you to think I am using you for your body and wealth."

"I know you're not. I know that you truly love me."

"How can you be certain?"

"Because I know you, Nolan." She smiled at him. "You're the only one who sees me."

"Well, shall I take you here then?" He teased as he picked her up by the waist. Hoisting her up in the air, he twirled her around.

As she was placed on the ground, she looked up at him. "I wouldn't say here, more like...my bed?" She grinned, like she was keeping a secret.

Nolan swallowed hard, his mouth feeling dry. "I can arrange that…"

Mariah felt a tug at her body. As she slowly came to, her body was wrapped in something, like she was stuck in a cocoon. Mariah was still lost and confused, due to the effects from the forest and the venom from the spider. She heard Bilbo speaking.

"Sting…that's a good one," he spoke. "Sting."

She felt Bilbo slice at the webs, bringing her and the company down. As she felt the ground, she started to break free from the webs.

"You all right there, Bofur?" She heard Gloin say as he tried to help Bofur out.

One by one, each dwarf broke free from the cocoon of webbing. Alexis was already out, sitting there on the ground. Her face showed how terrified she was and that she regretted ever coming with her little sister.

"Where's Bilbo?" Bofur asked as he looked around, after being freed.

"I'm up here!"

She heard Bilbo call from above; looking towards the voice she saw a giant spider attack Bilbo. Mariah screamed out as she witnessed Bilbo's attack. Feeling someone grabbing her hand, she looked over and saw Kili.

He was covered in webs, as were the other dwarves. His face showed relief but changed to worry.

"We must go!" He shouted, tugging her along with him.

"My sister!" Mariah shouted back.

"She's with Fili!" Kili replied, not turning around to see her as he ran with her and the company.

The giant spiders were all around them within seconds. Dwalin made the first hit to one spider, killing it instantly with his powerful slash. Thorin was next, killing another spider. The two looked to be in sync with each other's movement, like brothers fighting side by side on a battlefield.

A huge spider landed on top of Bombur, pinning him to the ground. It started to bite at him, but Bombur held onto it to prevent that. Some dwarves saw he was in danger. They ran to him and each pulled on a leg until they came off. Landing with a thud was the legless spider on top of Bombur.

Ori was next to be attacked. Dwalin and Thorin rescued him immediately. Kili ran after a spider, chopping off a couple of legs. He didn't see a spider coming from behind him.

The spider wrapped it's long legs around him, pulling him towards it's body. He broke free from its grasp then impaled its face with his sword.

Mariah stood there, not knowing what to do. She looked over and saw Alexis hiding under a tree. The tree had its roots above the ground.

She ran over to where Alexis was but was stopped by a spider. The spider blocked her path to her sister. Screaming in terror as the spider jumped at her, she ducked down.

Nothing happened. She opened her eyes and saw the spider being stabbed by Kili. Her arm started to be tugged in the direction her sister was in. Turning, she saw it was Fili.

"You must hide with Alexis. Do not come out until it is safe." He said and pushed her under the tree.

Soon a blonde elf came from the sky. He had blue eyes, pointy ears, hair silky smooth, and was extremely tall. Well if you compare him to an average human size.

"Whoa…he's hot." Alexis muttered.

"Calm down…" She whispered.

An elf appeared from right outside their tree along with a bunch of other elves. "You two come out." He ordered.

They did as they were told, slowly coming out. He pushed them forward to join the company.

"Do not think I won't kill you dwarf." The blonde pretty elf said to Thorin, pulling back his arrow. "It would be my pleasure."

"Is it just you dwarves?" Another elf asked. "No one else?"

"Just us…" Dwalin muttered.

"They are lying." The elf that had Mariah and Alexis said. "There are these two girls."

The pretty elf looked to Dwalin and shook his head. "Don't lie to us. It will do you no good."

"Help!" Shouted a voice from behind them.

"Kili!" Shouted Fili, looking towards the direction.

My heart raced as I heard Kili scream out for help. There was silence and I felt this hole in my chest. He's not dead, right?

"Search them." Ordered the pretty elf.

Mariah looked towards Fili. He was obviously annoyed.

"Wow, he knows how to hide his daggers…" Mariah thought, watching the elf pull out many daggers from Fili. She tried to get her mind off of Kili. She was sure that an elf saved him.

An elf in front of Mariah started to search her. He looked displeased as he began to pat down her body. Mariah was also not happy, because he even had to dig in places where she would have loved if he didn't.

"Don't touch her." Kili said as he was being pushed by a beautiful red headed lady elf.

He was glaring at the elf that had his hands all over Mariah. He smirked at Kili, knowing fully well that there was nothing Kili could do to stop him.

"Can he search me?" Alexis said pointing to the blonde pretty elf. "I want him to."

Mariah rolled her eyes. "Really, Alexis? Calm your ovaries."

"Have you not seen his face?" She replied. "I mean come on, you like the smelly dwarf but not the pretty elf?"

There was a small chuckle from the pretty elf. "I like this one. She knows which is more superior." He pulled out a sword from Thorin and glared at him. He spoke in Elvish first but then in English. "Where did you get this?"

"It was given to me…" Thorin whispered.

He pointed the sword at Thorin. "Not just a thief, but a liar as well."

"Maybe put the blade a little more to his throat. I don't think his dwarf pride is beaten yet." Alexis said.

Mariah punched her arm and glared at her. "Stop…"

In this forest there was this huge and beautiful building. They were being taken inside, probably to be prisoners. The doors closed shut behind them after they walked in.

It was a cave made out of trees and rocks. They passed some stairs that led to a thrown. There on the thrown sat a handsome elf, possibly the king. He had the same blonde hair as the pretty elf. He even had the same eye color too. He wore a crown and expensive looking robes.

"He is Mr. Fabulous…" Alexis said to Mariah.

"And what about your pretty elf?" Mariah asked.

"He can be Mr. Fabulous Jr. They look like father and son." She replied.

"That's because we are." The pretty one said. "He is Thranduil and I am Legolas."

"Well, Legolas…I am Alexis. I will be happy to stay here with you pretty elves, although not in the dungeon."

He smiled slightly. "I will see what I can do." His voice showing that there were no promises.

They were all shoved in cells; two or one was in each cell. Alexis and Mariah was in one that was across from Kili. Fili was in the one next to him.

She guessed why they put Alexis and Mariah together was because they were females. Makes sense but she really wished to be in one with Kili. Nothing against her sister but she really wouldn't mind alone time with her love.

"Aren't you going to search me?" Kili asked, looking up at the elf maid. "I could have anything down my trousers."

"Or nothing." She said and shut the door on him.

Never mind wanting to be in a cell with him, he would be a dead dwarf by now if that happened.

"Did he just flirt with the elf?" Alexis asked.

"For his sake…let's just hope he didn't." Mariah asked, glaring over at Kili.

Kili looked over at her innocently. He leaned on the door and had this sad expression on his face. His eyes were like a puppy's.

Rolling her eyes, Mariah walked away from the door. She didn't want to look at him anymore.

Thorin came down the stairs and was pushed into his cell. Balin peaked out from the door, as much as he could.

"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin asked.

"He did. I told him to ishkh khakfe andu null him and his kin!" Thorin said with pride.

"Well, that's that then. The deal was our only hope." Balin said with a sigh.

"What does that mean?" Alexis asked.

"It means I will pour excrement on the heads of you and your kin." Balin said.

"So he basically said I will shit on you and your families head?" Alexis asked.

Mariah sighed loudly. "Thorin…really?"

Later that night Mariah sat by the door, looking out it. She watched Kili and the elf maid talk. She couldn't make out what they were saying because they whispered.

Jealousy flowed through her veins. She wished she could break down the door and push her off the ledge. Footsteps came from the stairs. She looked and saw it was Legolas.

"May I?" He asked, pointing to the stair so he could sit.

"Sure…" She nodded. "I'm Mariah by the way."

He sat down and looked over to the elf maid and Kili. Legolas sighed and turned to Mariah.

"Beautiful name…" He paused for a moment. "You're jealous. Is he your lover?" He asked.

"You could say that." She muttered. "I wish I wasn't jealous. I have no reason to be. I know he loves me and wouldn't cheat. Deep down I guess I fear he will one day. Let's face it..." She looked over to the woman. "She's prettier than I am."

There was a pause before Legolas spoke. "You know, of all the female humans I have seen…" He looked to Mariah. "You're the prettiest. Don't let this get to your head." He said and pointed to the two. "They are only chatting like we are."

"What? Kili is worried he's not pretty enough for me?" Mariah teased, making Legolas chuckle.

"Well, no. They aren't talking about that even though it's true. He's no less ugly than any dwarf here."

"Are you saying that because you hate dwarves or because you believe it's true?"

There was another pause before he reached in the cell and patted her head. "You're very young…but I sense magic around you." He spotted her necklace and frowned. "They didn't take this from you?"

"I wouldn't let them. It isn't theirs to take. They took my dagger and I was fine with that. This however…I'd fight and kill to keep it."

"I see. Have you killed yet?" He asked, pulling his hand away.

"I have, but only bad creatures. Orcs basically have been killed by me." She answered simply.

"I'm impressed. You don't look to be a fighter." He said with amusement.

"Lord Legolas…" The elf maid said as she stood up. "I thought you were at the party."

"I was but noticed you were gone. I came looking for you and started to chat with Mariah."

She bowed and walked over to him. "I apologize, My Lord. I shall return to the party."

Legolas turned and smiled at Mariah. "I shall take my leave. It was nice talking to you." And like that he was gone with the woman.

Mariah looked over to Kili. He stared back at her and frowned slightly. She could tell he was dying to know what her and Legolas talked about. Too bad she wasn't going to tell them, yet.

Alexis was on the bed, sleeping. Mariah wondered how she could sleep with knowing she was in jail. Yes, her eyes felt heavy but she was worried about Bilbo not being with them. She hadn't seen him since the spider attack. Maybe the spider had got to him?

A/N: Sorry this wasn't a long chapter! I'm trying hard to keep up with my sleep and my work schedule, but also find time to write. The other day I had to deal with three customers trying to steal alcohol from me. It was my first time experiencing something like that and I was alone when it happened. What did you think of Alexis checking out Legolas and his father? I wasn't for sure if I should have put in a Legolas and Mariah moment but it felt right. Also, poor Kili…he is like a lost little puppy wanting Mariah to be in the cell with her. I hope you enjoyed my chapter today. Please tell me what you think!