Chapter 18

When I woke up I was lying on a bed, but what caught my attention were the two people standing near me. They were the elves who had raised me as though I were their daughter. They smiled at me.

"Tawariell….you have grown so much." Aranel said.

Sirewen nodded beside him. I rushed forward and threw my arms around them. They held me in a tight embrace.

"I have missed you both so! Forgive me for not returning sooner!" I said.

"U-moe edaved! You are here now." Aranel said.

"Did the dwarves harm you?"

I pulled back and looked at them seriously.

"No of course not. I have been traveling with them. Where is he?" I asked.

"The dwarf who was with you? I cannot say. King Thranduil I believe is questioning him."

I wasted no time. I ran from the room. I still remembered where the throne room was. Not even the guards could stop me. I burst through the doors.

"My lord please wait!"

Thorin was bound as though he were a prisoner. Thranduil looked upon me with anger.

"I beg your forgiveness my lord! But this dwarf is no threat to you or your people!"

"He has yet to give a good account of himself. Lock him up! And let him stay there until he feels inclined to tell the truth! Even if he waits for a hundred years!" Thranduil ordered.

"LAU!" I cried.

I lunged forward only to be caught by two guards. Thorin looked at me as they took him away. I looked to Thranduil.

"My lord please he is no enemy of yours! I know you do not trust them, nor do you trust me…."

"Who are you?" He asked.

I bowed very low and respectfully.

"i eneth nín Tawariell. I am one of the Dúnedain Rangers of the North. However I was raised here in these woods. Of course it was called Greenwood the Great." I said.

"I remember you. You were the one that Beorn brought to us after your parents never returned. I must ask…..did you discover what became of them?" He asked gently.

I looked down.

"Yes my lord I did. They were murdered….by Azog the Defiler. The Pale Orc, and I have sworn to avenge them. Yet this is not the most important matter at hand my lord…."

"Oh yes of course. The wandering vagabond dwarf concerns you."

I knew I had to control myself. For I knew that my anger and disrespect would only enrage Thranduil and then things would be far worse for Thorin.

"Yes…the dwarf. Please my lord Thranduil let him go."

I of course knew he would refuse but I had to try.

"I will not."

"And I shall not leave until he is released. For he has done nothing wrong! We were starving and going to ask for aid from your people!" I snapped.

I turned on my heel and ran back to Aranel and Sirewen. On the way I bumped into someone. I fell backwards and hit my head.

"My lady I am terribly sorry. Are you alright?"

Whose voice is this that sounds so familiar?

I looked up and saw a blond elf with long blond hair. He had the deepest blue eyes I had ever seen. His face was gentle and he held out his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me up on my feet. He kissed my hand and bowed.

"I am Legolas Greenleaf son of Thranduil."

My eyes widened and I bowed. Perhaps the prince would be my way of getting Thorin out.

"I am Tawariell of the Dúnedain." I said.

He smiled and nodded.

"I know. DO you not remember me?" He asked.

I frowned. There was something familiar about him, I could not deny that. Though I could not place where I had seen him before. He laughed.

"It has been quite some time. I taught you to speak westron."

I gasped and my eyes grew wide. I threw my arms around him and smiled.

"Mellon nin! It is good to see you again!" I said.

"You have grown Tawariell. You are no longer the small girl who feared me."

I smirked and pulled away.

"I never feared you."

"Oh but you did! You would run in the other direction if I even looked your way." He laughed.

I pouted and he laughed harder. Then I remembered Thorin. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him aside.

"Legolas I need your help."

"What is it you need?"

"Do you know of the dwarf they brought here?"

He nodded.

"I need to get him out."

"I cannot help you."

"Legolas!"

"I do not have the power to release prisoners. Goheno nin Tawariell."

I sighed, yet I would not give up.

"Then I shall have to free him myself." I said.

"I will assist you any way I am able."

I smiled and hugged him.

I knew where the dungeon was. I had accidentally wandered there in my childhood. That was how Legolas and I met. My dream suddenly came back to me. I knew where Thorin was. I rushed down the dark halls and slipped past the guards. I found the cell and ran forward.

"THORIN!"

He looked at me and I ran forward.

It cannot be! This was only a dream!

I reached through the cell bars and took his hands.

"Your hands are like ice!" I said.

"Tawariell you must leave!"

"Not without you! It would be futile to argue with me." I said.

"This is not one of your dreams Tawariell!"

"You need not tell me what I know! But as I have said, I shall not leave you here. You are already ill and you…."

He looked at me. I could not find it in me to finish my sentence. I tried to let go of his hands but he held mine. I looked at him.

"I want you to listen to me Thorin…I am working on a plan to get you out." I said.

He looked as though he was unable to focus.

"Thorin? Thorin?"

I felt his face. It was hot and feverish.

"Thorin look at me! Thorin! Lasto beth nin meleth!"

I let go of his hands and took hold of the cell bars. I shook at them violently.

"Thorin!"

He was out cold. Anger boiled in my blood. I thrashed violently at the bars.

"Thorin wake up! THORIN!" I cried.

There was still no response from him. I realized I was making a lot of noise, but I cared not.

"~Who are you!?~"

I turned and faced the guards. They began to come forward but I drew my sword.

"~Stay back! I will only give you one warning!~" I said in a deadly tone.

They drew their swords but then I had a better idea.

"~Send for the prince.~" I demanded.

They had no objections to this. I assumed the guards did not understand westron.

"Tawariell what are you doing?! Have you any idea what…"

I grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the door.

"Look at him Legolas! Look at him! You may not have the power to release him, but you can let me in there to help him!"

I swore he smiled as he nodded. He had the guards open the gate and I rushed inside and dropped down beside him. Legolas sent the guards away and then came inside and knelt down.

"Your father did this to him!" I said angrily.

"My father is not cruel mellon nin. I assure you he will be given the best…."

"No one touches him but me!" I snarled.

I expected him to be angry but he smiled and nodded.

"I understand."

My eyes softened and I nodded. He left and had a trusted guard stand there.