Chapter 20

I could not tell how long we had been there. I of course still had a choice, and Legolas made sure that I was permitted to keep my weapons and other things. Thorin recovered quickly.

One night, or day for I could not tell when it was, he sat up and took my hand. I looked into his eyes. Our faces drew closer together until our lips met. I tangled my fingers in his hair and kissed him harder. He slid his tongue through my lips and I moaned. He pulled back slightly and held my face in his hands.

"You called me something a few days past…..meleth I believe."

I smiled but my eyes remained closed.

"Perhaps I did. Perhaps I did not."

I knew he smiled as he kissed me again. I pulled back this time.

"Thorin I am going to see if I can convince Thranduil one more time." I said.

"Tawariell it would only prove to be in vain."

I smiled.

"This may be so, yet I shall try none the less." I said.

He sighed and I turned his face back to mine.

"Estelio nin meleth."

He started to speak but I silenced him with a kiss. When I pulled back I smiled.

"When we escape I shall tell you all I have said." I whispered.

He nodded and kissed me hard once more before I left the cell. With a look of determination upon my face I made my way to the throne room. Legolas met me halfway.

"Tawariell what do you plan to do?" He asked.

"I care for you Legolas, you are my dearest friend, but I will no longer sit by whilst he suffers." I said.

Legolas took hold of my wrist and turned me around so that I faced him.

"What do you plan to do?"

I twisted out of his grasp and continued through the doors. Thranduil looked upon me. I bowed respectfully so that I might star out on friendly terms.

"~My Lord Thranduil I come once more to ask that you release the dwarf, as well as the other dwarves you hold here.~"

He looked at me in surprise.

"~How came you by this information?~"

"~That my lord was a simple task. For I have been staying down in the dungeon with the dwarf and therefore discovered the others. These too are my friends and I do not think highly of them being held here.~" I said.

"~I gave them their chance to tell me why is it they attacked….~"

"~They did not attack your people! We were all starving and sought to beg for food!~"

"~They said much the same….~" "~And they speak the truth. My lord I know you to be a good and just king, but this is not just! If you are to keep anyone here…keep me here in their stead.~"

"Tawariell!" Legolas said.

I held up my hand to stop him.

"~It is I who lead them here to begin with. Were it not for me they would not be in this predicament. Let them go and take me instead.~"

"~Many a time had my son spoken of you, the young girl he met so many years before. And it is because my son holds you in such high thought that I cannot accept this proposal.~"

"~My lord Thranduil…..~"

He held up his hand and I could do nothing but shut my mouth. Before he could speak a guard came in.

"~My Lord Thranduil the dwarves have gone!~"

Thranduil's head snapped to me in anger.

"~You sought to distract me!~"

"No…."

"SILENCE!"

More guards entered the room at the sound of the angry shouts.

"Take her." Thranduil said.

"NO!"

Legolas jumped in front of me and stood there protectively.

"Legolas release her to the guards."

"No Ada! She could not have done anything. For I have had my most trusted friend and captain of the guard stand watch. And as precaution I have also been watching…."

That made me feel a little violated and embarrassed.

"she spoke with none but the dwarf and myself. And upon occasion the guard but that is of no importance. She stayed and healed the dwarf for he was ill and it was I who brought her the things she required. Now I ask you ada to let her leave and go to find him, for it is clear that she loves him." Legolas said.