Zoor Se Dovahruth
Nineteen

-Mid wah faal Oblaan-
Loyal to the End

No more than a week later within the halls of Mirkwood, Keeva was sneaking through the passages to the Dungeons, her heart pounding hard in her chest from the suspense and her ears ringing from the silence. There was a shroud of darkness in the lower depths of Mirkwood; it was there that Keeva found solace and a sense of understanding. Her love and faith in Nocturnal was unwavering, and Keeva knew with the gifts and offerings that she would leave at the makeshift shrine to the Daedric Prince would help her in their escape that night.

It was only the day after Keeva had been forced into the service of King Thranduil that little Bilbo found her locked away in her guest quarters. He'd looked quite exhausted, ragged and even more terrified as the guards would pass by Keeva's room, her little stunt into the dungeons the first time without permission earned her guards during the night. "How are they? Are they feeding them?"

Bilbo's face had fallen slightly, "Not yet. I haven't seen them bring any sort of food close enough to the dungeons."

Keeva had been quite pointed about that little fact. Thranduil was starving her friends and she'd made sure the king knew of her displeasure. Legolas had even been taken aback by Keeva's fit of rage when she confronted his father.

Keeva had stormed up the path to the throne, her eyes a light with a fury only Sauron could match. Her lips had pressed in a thin line, her brow furrowed and it almost seemed as if her wild hair was standing on end, a testament to her anger.

"You are starving them?!" she stood before the throne, in a soldier's stance – though it was quite humorous with the dress she was wearing – but her arms crossed over her chest and challenged any sort of chuckle that dared to escape anyone's lips. Thranduil's thick dark brows rose up his forehead and his son almost gapped at her.

"They are prisoners," Thranduil pointed out as if it was obvious. "Those that choose that of the criminal sort of life do not deserve such a luxury."

"Luxury?" Keeva hummed, her anger boiling to its point. She rolled her eyes, "Spare me your Kingly words, your majesty. But it is morally incorrect to treat any creature the way you do! If my companions cannot eat, then neither will I."

Keeva's threat had been true. Thranduil had ordered Keeva to dinner but she would only sit at the table and stare at her plate, as if it were empty and devoid of anything. That went on for three days, and during those days it was plainly obvious how weak Thranduil's guest had become each and every day without nourishment. Bilbo had even pleaded with Keeva to eat something, his fear of her not being able to escape with him and the dwarves when the time would come. But she refused even with the plea and concern in his eyes.

By the fourth day, Legolas had greeted Keeva before their outing into the forest of Mirkwood, he held out a portion of bread and smiled at her softly, "My father wishes for you to know that your companions have been fed. But this- this is from me."

Keeva, who'd already been emotional from the lack of food and weak from the emotions running through her wavering mind, allowed herself to let go of the stress that had been building up over the past few days. She'd been trying so hard to be an advocate for her companions; she was fighting for them, begging for them, sending them hope and prayers even though they were in the darkest tresses of the kingdom when not even a drop of such light could bring them peace. And it was in that moment, when Keeva was given such an act of kindness in return for her efforts, a few tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled weakly at the Prince, "Thank you – you've no idea how much this means-"

"Aye, but I have an idea," Legolas teased, the smile on his lips never wavering. He'd been sympathetic to her cause. Though he did not care for the dwarves, Keeva seemed to settle a little spot within his heart, as though she were a sister he'd never had to tease, play with, or even love and dote upon. If Thranduil had noticed such a relationship, he'd not made the effort to bring it up, or never planned upon it.

Keeva watched as the guards walked past her, unknowledgeable of her presence, and turned the corner to join in the festivities of that evening. Legolas had been adamant that she join. Keeva was not sure exactly how she was going to get out of Mirkwood's grasp with the company that evening if she was force to attend the festival. But she knew she would have to if the company was going to escape tonight successfully. Keeva had to make sure nothing seemed out of place and if leaving her behind to allow her friends to escape undetected, then that was what she was prepared to do.

Bilbo had not been too happy about that. He'd been sure that they could all leave together through the hatch to the river underneath the kingdom. It was there he said he'd been watching the elves load empty barrels and drop the hatch so that they could send the objects back to the fishing town down the river. It had been Bilbo's idea all along that they stuff the dwarves into the barrels and send them down the water without a trace. Keeva had thought it a brilliant idea until Legolas had insisted she attend the festival as his guest. Bilbo knew she was right about her having to stay. There was nothing he could say or do to convince her otherwise. But she had been admit that she tell the dwarves the plan, and avoid telling them of her predicament to getting them out of Mirkwood.

Keeva turned the corner into the dungeons, the turquoise dress she was forced to wear that day dragged the floor – it was a tad bigger in size and she was told it was for a just turning of age girl. That hadn't made her feel any better about her size. But she did enjoy how elegant the design was, almost as if it flowed like the White River within Skyrim. Her parents' home had been built not even a few miles from it, and oft in the summer when her father was home from his travels he would take her down to the edge and allow her to fish. She remembered the clear and fluid way the water would pass through her fingers and toes, or how cool it felt against her skin. This dress reminded her of the way she felt in her youth, playing about the river's edge and her father calling out to her to watch out for Mudcrabs.

Keeva shook the thoughts quickly before they completely compromised her and continued down the path into the dungeons. That was until she saw the Captain of the Mirkwood Guard resting upon the steps in front of Kili's cell, talking away with the trouble making dwarf as if there was no one else within the world. Keeva smiled softly, she was happy that she could finally see Tauriel at ease rather than at the head of a hunting party. She seemed much softer then, enjoying the light conversation of stars and moons – Keeva assumed the subject of the festival had been brought up to the dwarf.

Not wanting to disturb her mistress, Keeva turned, only to find herself bumping into a firm body. Keeva had made quick to apologies, but when she turned to gaze up into the face of the Prince himself and realizing his attention was not on her but instead on the woman down below, Keeva softly sighed and turned her gaze back at Tauriel. How had she not seen it before? The Prince had always felt something for the strongest woman within miles, if not all of Middle Earth. It only made sense when she thought on it longer. He was royalty, and only wanted the most strong, smart, witty, and beautiful of She-elves. Keeva smiled softly, "My lord, does she know?"

"Aye, but father will not allow it," Legolas sighed, his eyes finally tarring away from the woman as he turned to head back up the path to the festival. Keeva's smile faltered, "Well, that's no reason to give up!"

"But it is when that person has found life elsewhere," Legolas finished, his voice cut off from the world. That distance seemed to last between them longer than Keeva would have liked it but she quickly caught up with the Prince – considering talking to her friends later after she'd consoled her new friend – but Legolas quickly changed the subject and smiled back down at the girl, "I assume this is your festival attire for the evening?"

Keeva looked down at herself, not expecting much, but nodded anyway, "Aye, reminds me a bit of home, I have to admit."

"I've always wanted to ask you of your homeland," Legolas admitted, his gaze softening as they walked side by side into the more rambunctious parts of the kingdom.

Keeva spoke her peace, explaining what the land was like, who lived there and what point in history their politics were trying to carve out. She even explained the rise of the dragons and how much of a threat Alduin had been even back during his time so many Era's ago. It seemed exotic when she spoke of this far away land, but to Keeva, her home and this Middle Earth were very far and yet so close to one another. She could feel her roots built into this land, her blood filled with the magic of the dragons and her heart hammering with the beat of this time. It was this feeling that was hard to explain to Legolas. It was this feeling that assured her she had a place in this world, that she could call it home just as she called Skyrim her home.

Legolas had lead Keeva back to the festivity hall, where most of the Kingdom was gathered to celebrate what is known as Mereth-en-Gilith, or the Feast of Starlight. And it was just that, the open hall, which more resembled that of an open clearing within a forest, was lit with a single bonfire that burned lightly into the darkened open canopy. When Keeva peered up past the branches and leaves of this seemingly court yard she could find the darkened sky of the wee hours of the morning littered with stars, sparkling here and there as if they were thousands of jewels; diamonds, amethyst, sapphires, or rubies.

Legolas peered down at his friend and found her smiling fondly up that the sky. "You're happy."

The Prince's statement had Keeva smiling even more. "Aye, my mother celebrated a similar festival. She called it the Moon Festival, though it was not a festival native to her land. But it is a joyous holiday in honor of Secunda, goddess of the moon. It was the smaller of the two moons that are in Nirn's sky, but that never meant it shined any more or less than Masser, its counterpart."

She paused in remembering her mother, taking a step into the courtyard, as her bare feet touched the cool earth, littered with fallen leaves in shades of orange, red and yellow. Keeva took the billowing sleeves of the dress she was in and swung them high up in the air with her arms as she did a quick little dance her mother had taught her. Legolas watched curiously, his eyes never leaving her twisting and turning form. But when she finished and her eyes met his, he knew that her little ritual would only ever be done that one time for him and never again, "The dance is meant for only women to perform and those of the opposite sex that are lucky enough to see it are rewarded with the blessing of Secunda and her light during the long hours of the night."

The seriousness in Keeva's voice was enough of a warning for Legolas, but when she smiled wickedly up at the Prince he knew she was only teasing him, "But since we are not on Nirn, such a privileged ritual would not have an effect, would it?"

Legolas smiled back, "Aye, but it was still an honor to watch such a ritual from your land."

Keeva's smile fell just a little, but she was quick to put her enthusiasm back into her eyes. She often did this when she felt conflicted. And she certainly felt this conflict when it came to the kindness from the Prince of Mirkwood and the captivity of the King himself, "I'm glad you thought so."

Legolas escorted the young woman around the festivities that evening, taking in the sights and smells of food, the games being played between the children or even taking part in the star gazing, where many a couple would be found lying out on the grass or on sprawled out blankets, embraced within one another's arms. Keeva lightly thought about what it would have been like to share such a moment with a particular dwarf and just as soon as that thought had entered her mind it was brushed away with the urgency to get back to her friends. She had to tell them of the plan!

"Legolas," Keeva asked, her eyes peering up at him sweetly, in hopes that it would help with her request, "I had promised to see my friends tonight for just a few minutes. You would not mind if I go and see them. I promise to return to the festivities soon. It's only for a moment."

"Ah, I see," Legolas smiled weakly, his eyes now far away, "I should have known your appearance in the dungeons was not for my benefit."

Keeva's welcoming eyes peered up at her friends softly, urging and supportive with the sound of Legolas's voice as his eyes further retreated into a sad understanding, "Legolas, my friend, smile."

The tall elf forced a small smile to his lips and Keeva could hardly help but feel her heart break, "It will only be for a moment. I just wanted to check on them. To ensure they broke their fast at least."

"Yes," Legolas nodded in agreement, the smile on his lips becoming a bit more true and honest. "Father has made true to his promise but I can understand your wariness. Go, see to your friends and hurry back to the feast. The autumn wines will be pouring before you know it and I insist that you share a cup with me."

Keeva grinned and nodded to her friend before hurrying off to the dungeons once more. Her mind set and eyes focused on the plan. The time was now and she couldn't wait any longer.

…

"I wager the sun's on the rise," Bofur quipped as he was relaxed against a wall in his cell, the look of boredom thick in his eyes. "It must be nearly dawn."

"We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" the very sad tone of Ori asked as he turned from the door of his cell.

"Not stuck in here, you're not!" Suddenly, Bilbo appeared at the door, holding up a ring of keys with a pleasant smile. Thorin and all the other dwarves jumped up in surprise, grins on their faces and their eyes alight with hope. Hastily Bilbo hurries to the first cell and begins to unlock the door.

"Bilbo!" Balin chimed, but Bilbo was quick to hush him, "Shhh! There are guards nearby!"

Bilbo quickly unlocked Thorin's cell next to let out the leader, "I thought Keeva had been down here earlier to let you know of the plan?"

Thorin stared at the Hobbit queerly, "We have not been graced with her presence for more than a foretime. Where is she?"

Bilbo swallowed nervously but knew he had to pretend like everything was fine to ensure the dwarves would escape without any problems. "She- uh, she will be meeting up with us later. Come! Quick, we must make haste."

Bilbo lead the dwarves further down the dungeon and through winding paths that lead to a deeper and damper part of the Elvish Kingdom. "This way!"

The dwarves blindly followed Bilbo with hope, their faith placed in the tiny little burglar's hands as he led them into the cellars. "I don't believe it; we're in the cellars!" Kili shouted as they rounded the corner to find a room filled with all sorts of barrels and crates. The dwarves began to get mad.

"You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur goaded in an angry whisper, as they were trying to avoid waking the two sleeping elves in the corner of the cellar.

"I know what I'm doing!" Bilbo defended, "This way."

In the distance the sounds of alerted elvish guards could be heard passing through the halls. "Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!"

"Are you mad?! They'll find us!" Dwalin said, pushing a dwarf out of the way to confront Bilbo. The Hobbit shook his head feverishly, "No, no, they won't, I promise you. Please, please, you must trust me!"

The dwarves milled around as they tried to decide. The commotion in the distance started to get louder, coming closer to the cellar. Thorin looked at Bilbo, Bilbo to Thorin, and for once Thorin took Bilbo's side, "Do as he says!"

With no question at all, the dwarves began to pile into the barrels. Once they were all in, all of them accounted for Bilbo walked down the line to check and then returned to the lever at the end of the steps.

Bofur popped his head out of his barrel and looked to Bilbo questionably, "What do we do now?"

All the other heads then began to pop out of their barrels, looking to Bilbo for an answer. Bilbo inwardly sighed, frustrated with Keeva for not telling them the plan and also concerned that something might have happened to her in the time between since he last saw the Halfling. Bilbo grabbed for the lever and told the dwarves to hold their breaths.

As he began to push the lever in the opposite direction a chores of questioning dwarves followed. Bilbo pushed ever harder on the lever just so he didn't have to hear their inquiries and soon the trap door began to open, the barrels lifting at an angle and falling down into the running river below.

As the last barrel fell into the door, Bilbo smiled triumphantly. The trapped door shut, the loud protests of the dwarves gone, but the grunts of the waking elves greeted him and he paused on top of the spot where the barrels once sat, looking perplexed down at his feet. Realizing his mistake, Bilbo began to thump his foot down onto the door in hopes that it would open. No luck would find him in his pursuit. The commotion from the halls was just reaching the last set of stairs to the cellar and Bilbo knew he was in trouble if he didn't hurry. Panicked, Bilbo paced back and forth, thumping his foot on the door over and over, and then suddenly as he backed up further onto the door, away from the stair case, the trap door opened and Bilbo slid off the planks like a ball down a hill.

Bilbo and the dwarves were safe. They could finally escape the clutches of Mirkwood.

…

There was a commotion coming from deep within the halls of Mirkwood. Keeva kept quiet, bound to a wood chair. She didn't quite understand how she'd got there or what was even going on. But what she did understand was that she was trapped, her mouth gaged, hands held tight to the arm rests, and her legs firmly tied together. She was going nowhere, at least not anywhere soon.

The candles in the room were dim but gave enough light to ease Keeva's curiosity. She was in what appeared to be a study. A small writing desk in the corner, two large book cases filled with scrolls and withered tombs, and a small alchemy table littered with plants and minerals of all sorts. There was no door to the room but it was clear the hall was vast and far from the rest of the world, too far for anyone to hear or go looking for her.

Keeva didn't have to wait long though. Thranduil entered the room with a pointed look. Slowly he made his way towards her, his eyes never leaving her. Keeva could see he was carefully crafting his words with the space that was left between them and it didn't take a genius to figure out what he was going to ask, "How long have you been planning your escape?"

Keeva couldn't help but roll her eyes, "I'm sure you can take a gander."

Thranduil was in no mood for her attitude, "I will not ask you once more. Tell me and I won't have to resort to physical measures."

The Bosmer growled, her blue eyes turning a darker shade, as if a rolling storm was brewing within them, "The minute I was captured and the minute my companions were taken, obviously, your grace."

Thranduil regarded her carefully, his gaze sweeping her up and down then back up and stopping for a moment on the arm he'd marked her with. "This insignificant reprisal will get you nothing. Your friends are being pursued as of this very moment and should be back within the hour. When they are retrieved, you will pay dearly for your actions."

Keeva's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach, a sense of lost hope filling her being while she watched the silvery fabrics of Thranduil's garments flutter behind him as he left the room. She was alone again and a very dark bass of a growl filled the ringing silence within the room. An old friend's greeting much missed and much needed.

…

A/N: I want to apologize profusely for my nearly 6 month absence. That was not fair to any of you and was very wrong of me. I had not anticipated that work would drastically change most of my life around but it has and I've had quite a few months to adapt and to make new habits to adjust from my once college life style to my … well… 'adult' life style, which requires going to bed by nine thirty and never staying up until three in the morning to write whatever I want. Ugh!

So now with that aside, I actually have to admit I'm glad I've finally finished this chapter. I had started it back in August and it took me this long to finish, proof read, edit, and etc. It's finished! Yes! I don't have much to say about it other than I hope you enjoy it.

Again, I'm really sorry about the wait and I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit or Elder Scrolls. Any character that is not familiar is of my own creation.